Fastd

So the ssacn are not an angling lobby organisation?

Does this mean we can have our boat back now ? :D

Barry, My reading of that is they are looking to ban damaging fishing practices over 30% of the sea. RSA is recognised as having very little enviromental impact so in theory its good news for anglers ....but it may be wise to take note of steve good's comments. I attended the workshop in London earlier this month between anglers and Natural England to discuss MPA's, NTZ's and complete NTZ's (cant remember the wording). The only thing that came out of it was that Defra, natural england and the EA either have no intention of defining what each will encompass or they dont have a clue what or even where they will be. Its kinda hard to discuss something when the invitee's wont tell you what that something will be. Mark(?) Duffy of Natural england gave the impression that an announcement would be made about MPA's in early April, but until then we are all guessing what they will be. To be frank both me and the other angler who travelled with me agreed the meeting was a total waste of time and just a case of Defra etc ticking boxes to say they did it and consulted. The NFSA got to say their bit (another box ticked?) but at the end of the day we left a meeting to discuss MPA's and NTZ's without actually being told what they were!! A bit odd considering the title of the meeting. Cheers Dave

Steve, That is exactly what happened at the meeting back in November that I attended on behalf of SOS. They announced it "officially" with only the level of bycatch to be sorted out. It was "picked up" as a "look what we have done for you" statement even before they announced it, the sceptics amongst you may even go as far as to say thats the only reason they brought it in. It was all they had to offer anglers and they were told in no uncertain terms by those present that although commendable, Tope angling is a minority part of our sport and not to expect a pat on the back. Its noticable that the subject no longer gets mentioned in discussions. As a NE angler I am very concerned that if you change the word Tope to Bass in your comment it would express my concerns about the direction discussions with Defra are going. Defra never get a chance to speak about or take into consideration any other species as they seem to be the sole topic of conservation, a quick look through the draft NFSA consultation response is all you need to realise that. Even the plight of the humble flounder, which for many of us was our first fish and a means to get newcomers into the sport, has been largely ignored. The tope is a done deal and as Ian has said its time to take that one to the EU and hope things can be improved there. Cheers Dave

Are threads allowed in Latin and welsh?

Ken, For my money it would have to be a Penn 975 LD (220 quid)...not cheep...but then quality isn't cheep. I just bought a shimano charter speciel at the other end of the price scale while I wait to see what santa brings. It works fine but the drag seems to be all or nothing when compared with the 975. OKuma....leave em in the shop. Cheers Dave

Thats the guy. If it sums up how well its fishing, on a walk round it about a month ago there were two people fishing it an neither had caught despite it being ideal conditions and free fishing. Dave

Gozzer, Had a walk round it a few weeks ago. Not fished it for 3 years...80lb of bream then. Apparently its fishing cr*p. Leeds have dropped it as a club water, the bream dont show, and its hard work. Pike and comorants on the increase. What a waste of a fishery that has produced 52 2lb plus roach for me in my youth. It had the potential to be the uk's best roach/bream venue...but then they decided to fix the dam. It was a short cycle ride from home and I went every day. I was there the day they put 500 small bream in ...boy did they grow and multiply...I was there when the first trials of the locslide float were being done...Dave ( ex world champ )forgot his surname who is credited with designing it was doing trials and gave us one to have a go with. Sadly I now live up north. Cheers Dave

Lol, I was around and fishing when they came out. We fished roundhay park a lot which in winter was a great tip water. That has been sat in a cupboard in the garage since the early eighties. The tip was a soft paralell one that got broke sometime in the distant past. Probably about 10 inches long with two rings. The twin spring is the deluxe model. The idea is if you push the tip into the small spring the larger heavier spring is ideal on slowmoving rivers, but when pulled out to the end of the small spring it is very sensitive on lakes. great idea but you lived in fear of the line catching in the spring and cracking off. It needs the four rubbers replacing with new HD shrink tube and a new tip sliding in. Should be as good as new. Will hunt further in the garage because if saskcarp sends me an address I can probably dig out some screw in quivers to go with. We used to try anything back in those days and ended up settling on swing tips about 2' 6" long with solder wound round the end to suit the lake drift on different days. Going through that cupboard has been a real trip down memory lane. Anyone wanna buy 3 spiltshot dispensers...complete with LEAD shot...remember that stuff A Leeds Match Arial...in bits...may be worth putting back together. A Abu 505...complete with totally useless star drag 2 x abu 506's...bit worse for wear. And an abu 507...hmmm...now that was a decent reel. Trip to ebay coming up Over the last few years I have moved onto sea fishing but I still get out now and again. Cheers Dave. PS the camera is set perfectly for next summers cod bonanza

Sascarp, One of the advantages that was originally marketted about the spring tip is that once the sring has cracked open the pull required to keep it bending is just about the same through the entire travel of the tip, as opposed to a quiver tip where it gradually gets harder to put it round. Fine in principal but they proved to be a nightmare when casting but would be ideal for ice fishing. One thing you would have to watch for is the coils of the spring icing up and effectively sticking the spring together. A dribble of glycerin would solve this problem. Thats one complete with screw in tip. The actual tip has been removed or broken sometime in the past. PM an address and consider it in the post. Its a circa 1980 model so some refurb may be required. The small spring pushes inside the large one to increase or decrease the tension. The rubbers have hardened and may need replacing but at least its a start. If its no good at least you will have a screw in tip. Cheers Dave

Its a charter boat with a good reputation by all accounts. I Emailed him when I saw the picture to express my feelings. the reply I got indicated that he took the fish as it was his first and he would be releasing future fish. The topic is discussed in the sea fishing section under a post by Sandtiger. Cheers Dave

PHEw... thought it was mine at first.. But then realised the mrs always spells cheating with a double E... Dave

Yep I did...partly to express my shock that people still hung em up on the jib. I have to say that I recieved a very polite and prompt reply explaining the circumstances of the capture. It was his first and the skipper has promised that all future fish will be tagged and released. You can not advertise as a shark skipper till you have actually caught one and have proof. I can agree with that even if I dont agree with the picture. He wants to try for more and has promised to join the tagging program. So hopefully that is the first and last photo of its kind from Wick. One more skipper on the C&R of sharks is a step in the right direction. Cheers Dave

Norrie At a pinch you can use windows movie maker available in xp. I use nero smart start (nero 7+ I think). Also used xtodvd...no charge... you must be getting it from the wrong site Will did out a link. Cheers dave

Ian, Data transfer can be done using a home network either via wireless or cross over cable. Or utilising your router at home with a parrallel cable. Many options are available if the usb key proves unreliable...which I doubt. Another thought is to back up documents online so you can access them worldwide cos we all know what you jet-setters are like. I you need space/help to do this let me know. I dont see any reason why a usb key should be any more unreliable than any other type of media transfer device. Cheers dave