ginger

I'll swap them for a couple of fishing lessons. Catch anything Sunday night?

As the jam in this particular sandwich I have to say that one meets the nicest people on AN. I mean, I actually met Jeeps and lived to tell the tale, I do think he has had treatment since his avatar picture was taken however!!!

Jeepster is right, my son lives in Belper and we are off there this weekend to have the grand daughter so getting to Jeeps is not a problem, I will email my mobile number to both of you, haggle away Yog then let me know what you want to do, Used Tackle or Jeeps rod. We can then sort out a meet (A6 layby in the dark!!!). Hugh, the rod is called Activa Active Carbon and is supposedly a heavy waggler rod. I bought one and think, for £20, it is great. The best I have had thus far on it is an eel of around 2lbs and it coped with that perfectly well. Brother in Law reckons it is identical to his Preston Carbonactive (£150+) right down to the hinged keeper ring. They are worth a visit as they have some decent bargains, currently Maxima is on offer at £2.50 a spool or 5 for a tenner. I might try some of their pole rigs at 10 for £10, beats £2.40 a go from most tackle shops.

P.S. If Jeepsters bargain is what you want I will end up in Belper on Saturday and he lives just up the road!!!

I'll be passing through Nottingham on Saturday and could pop into Used Tackle for you and pick up a £20 cheapo to try out, you would still have £80 for a John Wilson Avon if you didn't like it! Alternatively I could come tench fishing down your way and you could try mine.

Oops, I pasted part of the address in the wrong place. Mr W. Skipp, 100 Kendall Avenue, Southhampton, SO16 9LY

My 440A is always first choice for the float rod, had it from new ovr 20 years and it still feels spot on although I did have it overhauled a few years ago because the bale arm didn't close everytime the handle was wound. If you have problems send it to: Mr W. Skipp, Southhampton, SO16 9LY www.reel-repair.co.uk Tel: 02380 777 232 (Reelcare that was, now Reel Repair I think 100 Kendall Avenue) Mine cost about £25 and well worth every penny. Pete

I see no reason why modern children would not be equally captivated by Mr. Crabtree. Problem is we look at the problem from a greater height than they do and with adult (???) perspective,the same comic book characters are still popular today that I grew up with 50 years ago and my almost 2 year old grand daughter is Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Tank crazy, in a couple of years I will be reading her stories from Mr. Crabtree. I reckon parents (and grandparents) are largely responsible for more/bigger/better/best attitude we see today, we all try to give better than we had instead of being more sensible so, Peter, I am sure Mr. Crabtree will be just as enthralling, given the right story teller, as it was when we were lads.

Had a great day Sunday in the company of Yog, pity he is such a lousy angling guide!!! He first took me to the Nene at Elton (chub etc) where the banks were full, next a bit further on to another spot on the Nene, full up again. We ended up on the 20 foot near Whittlesey and it sure looked fishy, with a clear view of at least half a mile in either direction and not another angler in sight, sat with the sun on my front and protected from the wind by the high bank. Yog set off for a roving sink and draw session whilst I dropped anchor alternating between a ledger and float set up for anything that cared to show an interest along with a dead bait out for pike. Didn't get a single noticeable bite on maggot/caster/worm and just a single run on the dead bait which I missed. However, great company and an insight into the world of fishing Fenland drains (very long and very straight and very, very draughty. Thanks Yog, must do it again sometime, you do meet the nicest people on AN

Sorry all. I have to go, I have just pee'd myself again!!!

For crying out loud Terry, stop sending in these ridiculous stories, I can't do anything for laughing and my wife thinks I am nuts when I, for no apparent reason, burst into a fit of giggles half way through my Horlicks!

Whilst neither for nor against, I work on a country estate and my employer's wife does ride to the hunt. I think it was Oscar Wilde who said that hunting is the 'unspeakable in persuit of the inedible', be that as it may and, barbaric or just tradition, the ban is yet another erosion of civil liberty. What about the wholesale carnage wrought on wildlife by the car and thus by all drivers including animan rights activists - foxes, badgers, pheasants, deer, rabbits, hares, frogs, toads and birds of all sorts, this is barbarism that is avoidable - ah, but that is different so it will never be a problem that is addressed. We are increasingly being ruled by minority voices and in true Brit fashion, we do nothing until it is too late. I am very much a live and let live type, for every single opinion there are many that are diametrically opposed but, given the level and type of support that hunting has, what chance does fishing have when it is our turn, x million participants or not. When man's inhumanity to man attracts a higher priority that animal welfare I would be less worried, I firmly believe that child molesters and rapists abdicate all human rights and perhaps the anti hunt lobbyists would agree to such cretins being hunted by dogs. That would please the animal rights lobby and satisfy the blood lust of the hunters as well as reducing the income of the legal fraternity who willingly defend such creatures. You see, we all have a rant within us, but I do not expect anyone else to agree with my view, it IS my view but then yours is yours and we are all fully entitled to it. Having it shoved down my throat really bugs me!!!

You can't beat a good badinage for a fishing cut or graze!

Haven't fished it for several months, had it netted in September but none of the biggies turned up, best around 1lb but there were several 2lb plus Perch, one Tench about 3lb and an orange and black carp that was Crucian shaped of around 3lb(10 years ago it was netted and around 20 2lb+ Crucians were caught, haven't seen hide nor fin since). Putting some skimmers in any time soon. However, hardly the place to christen a new centre pin unless I blow the float along!

There are some well known and respected makes not on that list. I wonder which companies sponsored the research and which didn't, answers on the back of a postage stamp!

Thanks for that Peter, I have looked at the Wensum in various places but find it difficult to determine just where access and fishing is permitted. I do not have a problem with buying a day ticket (preferably on the bank as that gives more fishing time)so any suggestions as to where to park and then fish would be much appreciated, I have yet to build the boat so I am slightly more disadvantaged than you!!!

Guess what I am having for my birthday on Monday, I only hope it 'arrives' by Saturday so I can jump the gun and try it out on Sunday! I made up my mind months ago that I would get an Okuma centre pin, the gold one of course. When I were a lad (Good Grief, that was over 45 years ago)my dad got me a rod and reel which was jusr about the only thing he ever gave me except bruises, I can't remember much about the rod except it was cane butt and middle with a split can top, but the reel was a centre pin that purportedly was made at the Rols Royce factory in Derby. It was solid aluminium, no handles and about he size of a small dustbin lid, an out and out matchman's tool at that time. The pub where he drank was run by one of Derby's leading matchmen (one Bill Bates) and he acquired the tackle. I wish I could remember what happened to that reel, it ran for ever when batted. So......come on you Norfolk 'pin men, where do I go on Sunday (assuming my beloved comes up with pressie ahead of time? As to Shakespeare tackle, it does what it says in the tin and at a sensible price, I have a couple of rods, 4 reels and a BLACK box, blue and green is a bit too much, works fine but the stickers are a bit n the big side.

Shakespeare tackle is, to my mind, perfectly adequate, I have a couple of rods and three reels and am very happy with them. I do not know the Valour rod but I do have a 14' Ganza match rod and I find it great, it seems a little sloppy but it casts well and handles decent fish too. I paid around £40 for mine. If you want real bargain check out Used Tackles (www.dragoncarpdirect.com)Avanti waggler rod at £20. It is supposedly a power waggler for carp and I picked one up on Boxing day at the sale they have, I have used it every weekend since and I absolutely love it. Thus far it has landed 3lb tench, 1lb Perch and roach down to a couple of microgrammes! My brother in law reckons it is IDENTICAL apart from the stickers to his Preston Carbonactive (£160) rod right down to the hinged keeper ring.

Anyone have a clue as to how many maggots there are in a pint, that would give a true idea of how expensive or otherwise mealworms are. The website mentioned by Matthew also has some humungous cage feeders!!!

I agree with Manor Farm, took our mobile traffic jam down there a couple of years ago for a week when the river was 'off'! No barbel but plenty of bits and a 4lb tench. There are also plenty of other venues in the vicinity, the guy who owns the tackle shop in Alcester has a lovely stretch of the river (day ticket) and is very helpful re local fishing.

I live within a half hour drive of Downham Market (t'other side of Swaffham) and keep promising myself a few sessins on the drains but the sheer enormity puts me off. Where on earth do you fetch up on an arrow straight stretch of water that could be 50 yards wide and with no a single feature to be seen in either direction, it would take half a day to plumb a swim up properly. If one of the cognescenti would care to take me under their wing and show me the ropes I would be eternally grateful??? I normally fish weedy/rooty/tree lined/feature laden still waters hence my total lack of confidence.

Should the congratulations also extend to the parents to be! Be warned Chevin, being a grand dad is a serious business, since my grand daughter was born (two years old in April) we have been wearing grooves in the A47 and A17 from Norfolk to Derbyshire, every 2-3 weeks on average we have her for the weekend and although the driving is a pain the unremitting joy of watching her grow is worth it. As my wife said some time ago, 'How can something so small so completely change our lives', be warned and enjoy. Come on then you grand dads, you show me yours and I will show me mine!!!

Fishing tackle from Ann Summers??? I bet you will be looking at the mother in law in a different light now that you know she shops there Tog!

Here is another, very best wishes to all gathered herein. Thanks to all for the interest, education and even those 'oh no, not again' moments. Without a doubt the best crowd on the internet and a priviledge to part of it.

Oi only be a simple gardener but then with the size of fish I tend to catch I am unlikely to get my name (and occupation) in the angling papers!