ginger

Last week I had a week in Derbyshire on the way back from a weekend in Scotland and naturally I managed to get a bit of fishing in! On Monday I had a dangle in the Trent near Swarkestone and caught 4 small chub plus gudgeon, roach and dace plus what I thought at first glance was a new record gudgeon but it turned out to be a barbel (barbelet?) of around 9 inches. On Wednesday I fished a match, an open every Wednesday, at Codnor Park and had 2 1/4 lbs which was better than some of the tackled up regulars but not enough for fame and glory. Thursday it was back to the Trent in the same swim, after the rain it was fair tanking through and a 3 ounce lead would not hold the bottom especially when the weed and other debris caught the line. Tried a waggler in the eddy to my left and caught raoch and dace again whilst the ledger rod had what might have been a bite or two but every time I reeled in there was a pile of weed attached. Once or twice the rod came out of the rest but with nothing fishy attached I assumed it was the weight of weed and current doing it. Around 9-50 round went the tip, weed again methinks and sure enough a dead weight bent the rod right over and I had to pump it to win line. Then it kicked, took off into mid water and started stripping line. Because of the lump of lead and the strong flow I assumed it would probably be a 2 or 3 lb chub but twenty minutes later I got it close to the net and a fleeting glimpse in the scummy, coloured water stitched an inane grin all over my face. My best (and only other) barbel had been 3 of around 2lbs caught whilst on holiday in Warwickshire a few years ago and as there are not many barbel in the Norfolk gravel pits I normally fish I have not had many opportunities since then. I swear my cheapo 12' Steadfast carp quiver rod (£30 quid some years ago) started to creak whilst the even cheaper Shakespeare Persuit reel (£10 2 years ago) was sure to fall apart. With 10lb Berkeley Ironsilk and a 6lb maxima hook length with a size 10 barbless hook hair rigged with two 14 mm halibut pellets I started to expect the sharp crack of parting line but I eventually slipped the net under my biggest ever (by a country mile) barbel. It was humungous and with no scales I gave it a conservative estimate of around 10lbs but secretly believe it to have been nearer 15. My hastily summoned brother came over from home and took the photo and even he thought it well over 10. What do think, the picture does not show the depth and width of the fish but whatever it was I remain deliriously happy and that stupid grin still breaks out now and again. We are taking the grand daughter home this Saturday but I daren't even think about it but temptation is a dangerous thing!!!

Thanks guys, I am more used to 3 lb line and 18-20 hooks plus the fact that the sea is rather large with no obvious features to fish to apart from the odd pier or groyne. I will, without a doubt be back as once the rod and reel is sorted there comes the seemingly black art of rigs!

My wife is keen to buy me some sea tackle (have a shed full of coarse stuff!) as we often take a ride to Yarmouth and other points on the Norfolk, coast the whole of which is around an hour away. Whilst I tend to disappear from early to late when I go 'normal' fishing, 2-3 hours by the sea appeals. my question is, is a multiplier specific to a purpose such as a 'boat multiplier' or a 'trolling ditto' or a 'beachcasting ditto'. Glasgow Angling Centre did a deal for a friend of rod, Okuma Diezel multiplier with line and an assortment of bits for £30 and the reel costs that on it's own. I saw the reel and it is an impressive looking tool for that money but I didn't ask what type of rod came with it. Would such a reel with level wind be suitable for general beach or pier fishing. I never spend big money on any tackle and for something that will get only occasional use, the cheaper the better provided the quality is reasonable. Your help would be most appreciated.

I reckon Norwich is lesss than a couple of hours away and there are several firms in the area that hire boats out. Also at Brundall and on the broads half an hour further up the road. If interested I can find some phone numbers. Rich, go on then, place an advert.

According to JW the entire length of the Wensum that falls within the city boundary is free fishing wherever there is public access. I have fished (once) at Hellesdon Park in the winter (6 inches of snow and rod rings freezing up) and caught nowt, ditto on the stretch behind MFI although I gather that there are good fish of most sorts to be had including large carp at the latter and probably at Hellesdon too. Riverside Road is prolific for silver fish with matches regularly held and there is free parking on the roadside ajacent. Whitlingham Park also looks inviting but that is the Yare I think. I am sure there are many more spots out there and I would be just as interested as you to hear of them. You will shortly have a PM Dan.

According to John Wilson (Definitive Guide on Where to Fish in Norfolk 2002 edition) the number for the Fakenham tackle shop (Dave's Tackle) is 01328 862543

It begs the question, how often has he cheated in the past? I feel it unlikely that this is the very fisrt time he has broken the rules (and the law) but if he is a regular offender it surely must call into question the viability of his record. If the man is so obsessed with his perceived status as No. 1 pike angler that he must cheat then he is to be pitied and THEN scorned. How are the mighty fallen?

Thank you for your kind comments, I did enjoy the seesions to say the least! Like all dreams, they tend to be short lived, brought back down to earth with a bump last Wednesday and again on Saturday. Wednesday evening saw the first summer evening match on Soverein lake at Swaffam A.Cs Bradmoor lakes venue, caught 4 Perch for about 3 ounces whilst at the same place on Saturday I fished from 10 am through to 7 pm for a 4 ounce Roach and a slightly begger perch. Reality bites back!!!

As anglers/fishermen we all exist on a dream. A specimen fish, a netful, access to a special venue and so on and when it happens we often need to pinch ourselves to make sure it is real and not that dream. Picture this, we are in Derbyshire with our grand daughter, wife says go fishing if you like I will take Ella to see my sister. Nuff said so armed with my very basic tackle, which I leave in Derbyshire just in case, plus a pint of maggots and a tin of sweetcorn Dorothy drops me off at Butterley Reservoir at around 4.15, having chosen what is called the High Bank (for obvious reasons) I select a peg ajacent to a large tree. Weather is very dull with a fine misty drizzle and a steady but not strong breeze blowng into my face. As I clamber down the steps to the waterside I notice fish, and not tiddlers either, rolling all over he place so with trembling fingers I hastily tackle up my Used Tackle waggler rod (£25), Shakespeare Persuit reel (£10) with 5 lb line, 3 lb bottom and size 18 eyed barbless hook. Two maggots are installed and launched two rod lengths out into around 9 feet of water. The tension is unbearable yet the wait is fruitless, half an hour and not a bite yet there are bream, carp and tench launching themselves skywards everywhere. Shorten the tackle to around 18 inches deep and flick it out again, soon into a bream around 3lbs, another couple follow before I switch back to the bottom having been feeding maggots regularly for an hour. Dream kicks into overdrive. Three and a half hours later I have caught a total of 18 bream between 3 and maybe 6 lbs plus a perch of a few ounces and guess what, I had forgotten to take the camera! This has been my best session for a very long time, if not all time, but I just have to go back Sunday! Fished again in the same peg from 9ish to 2pm but 'only' managed 5 bream all over 4 lbs at a guess plus a beautiful fully scaled mirror carp of around 8-10 lbs and lost another which which was somewhat bigger. Sadly I lack the eloquence of Terry Doe but keep on dreaming that dream, it does happen now and again. Took a couple of pictures on Sunday and will send them to my brother and get him to stick them in this thread somewhere, there is nothing like rubbing it in!

I agree with them too, Terry, I will book a copy now although I have never bought an angling book in my life, much preferring to do it rather than read about it. You even have the title, 'The Magic'. Please do it.

Bought one of the rods and a reel for my grand daughter, she was three a couple of weeks ago and want's to come fishing with me but 'only when it's warmer grandad'. Don't you just love them to bits.

I use Lancaster's luncheon meat from Tesco's, it is in a red can and costs around 33p. It is nice and firm and catches fish (doesn't taste too bad either if the fish aren't having it!)

Your call sonny, I will take you on anywhere!!! Supposed to be getting warmer at weekend but I don't know if that extends into the following week. The commercial at Melbourne is called Springwood I think, do a google for - fishing derbyshire - and you will find lots there. I have got my maggots on a rigourous training schedule so I am ready for you.

let us known when a Jumbo jet lands in your swim!!!

Higham Farm at Shirland a couple of miles north of Alfreton has 4 lakes, most hold carp but there is a specimen lake that attracts the campers. Barlow Fishery at Barlow also has large carp and is, I believe, available on a day tickey although I have not fished there.

Sorry chaps, can't make it this weekend as I am on duty for the first garden opening of the season. I am back in Derbyshire on Wednesday 19th April (grand daughter's 3rd. birthday and am hoping to be able to stay until Sunday, however, I have permission to go fishing on the Friday As my wife and assorted sisters are taking Ella (grand daughter) 'girly shopping'! Haven't yet decided where to go but thinking of Higham Farm near Alfreton or maybe Butterley Reservoir at Ripley which I used to fish often when living there. Anyone free that day would be welcome to join me, little brother may be coming for another lesson and lives at Sinfin and will probably expect a lift.

Me too, get off you lot so I can go fishing tomorrow!!!

Merlino Bill mentioned Used Tackle and their Avanti Activa Carbon Heavy Waggler rod. I have one and I use it all the time, it cost me £25 and for that money it takes some beating. Reviewed in AT last week along with some other rods, it got top marks and was recommended. Although AT reckons it will take 10lb line I use it with 3lb and 1.5 hook lengths and it copes with the tiniest roach and perch (like wot I catch lots of) as well as bigger stuff. If you are not too concerned about the label this is top value.

Well done Jamie, stick at it and it will probably get better but do not be discouraged if you do not catch anything, even the best on here fail sometimes. Might be worth taking a tin of sweetcorn, where I fish it does not seem to do too well in winter but it is cheap at around 25 pence for a tin and can catch roach, carp (even big ones), tench and bream. Hello Jon, I thought you didn't post on here any more nice to see you back though. It is not only the Course forum that has a bloodletting now and then, take a look at the Sea forum, the thread about nets is getting rather gruesome (for some)!!!

In spite of my resolve to finish the season on a river, drain or creek I carried straight on at the A47 island at Swaffham to go the the club lakes at Narborough rather than the extra 12 miles to Hilgay. First cast, roach around 4ounces, ten minutes later smaller roach. This is going to be good despite the cold methinks........wrong, big time. Not another bite between 8-30 and 3-30, Lofty, the bailiff, called by twice for a chat and to extract the urine for my lack of fish folloed by a couple spinning for pike (one jack between them). Told me they had seen either an otter or a mink which turned out to be the latter as it was 'cat sized', blow me when about an hour later I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and a black mink was ambling down the roadway about six feet away! It later swam across the water about 20 feet in front of me. About 3-30 I had a good bite on the legered worm and what I expected to be a nice perch turned out as a 3lb tench, full of fight too. From then until I packed up around 5 not another twitch on either float or leger. Roll on the sunshine and heat!

Hi Phil, haven't been to SM for a couple of years now although I had a ride over for a look round a couple of weeks ago, might just give it a go on Sunday if elsewhere the rivers are too high. This winter I have tried round the Downham Market area, Well Creek, River Wissey and Great Ouse and once on the Cut off channel. Caught my first zander on the ouse, 4 inches of it! The rest of the time i have been bashing away at Swaffham AC's lakes at Narborough, not easy but I can usually winkle something out. Hope you trip to France hasn't spoiled you for the local waters, I suppose you are expecting half a dozen twenties every time you go now! Keep in touch Pete

Sound like you had a good time Polly, shame you have to come back to blanking reality! If you ever gret over this way again let me know and I will pop over for a chat if I am around, spending lots of time in Derbyshire with the grand daughter these days, one weekend every 3 or 4. If I didn't have the diesel bill I could probabaly afford one of your syndicate tickets!!!

At the moment it is a toss up for Sunday between the Wissey at Hilgay, the Great Ouse at Ten Mile Bank or, if the rain has made it too difficult the Cut Off Channel or even Well Creek. There is such a wealth of excellent fishing around Downham Market that the choice is difficult and it is all day ticket on the bank run by Kings Lynn AC apart from Well Creek which is free fishing along it's length.

Can I play too? Although I now live in Norfolk I come from Derby and return every 3-4 weeks. I don't get to fish every time I come back but would be happy to join in a Fish-in were the two coincident. My little brother would also come along as he too needs some extra tuition, I outfished him again last weekend on the Trent at Twyford Ferry admittedly only by a single small chub of around 1lb which was the only one between us. Chavender has a valid point about your age, it is frowned upon these days for old men like me to try to help youngsters but a group should not present problems provided you parents were happy about it. Keep me posted.

I think that my generation - 50+, started fishing in the hope of catching the big one and that is still my motivation as well as 'being there and enjoying it'. Today's newer anglers EXPECT to catch big fish all the time and are led by the nose through the writing in the angling press and by the advertising copy. I have almost sole access to a lake that is stuffed with fish that are ridiculously easy to catch, mostly rudd to well over a pound but also with carp, tench and perch, it is almost within walking distance but I fish it rarely, much preferring the more difficult and unpredictable club lakes for which I have a season ticket. This winter I have been trying waters new, Well Creek, River Wissey and the Great Ouse all near Downham Market. I have enjoyed a few blanks during the past few months but the pleasure and enjoyment when I do catch is beyond words. I spent last Sunday having my nuts frozen off at the club lake really not expecting to catch much, if anything, due to the cold. In the end I managed around a dozen fish, three small roach that would not have made 4 ounces between them and 9 even smaller perch. That day probably gave me as much satisfaction as I would have got catching 20lbs of fish on an easy water, but having said that I was still hoping for the big one to come along before I packed up. As someone has previously said, all power to the commercials, it leaves much more room for those who enjoy 'proper fishing' on more traditional waters!