ginger

I am almost sure that's what I like, a positive attitude in an angler!!! Should I be at Swanton on Sunday to witness the new and ultra successful Polly and Little Bruv?

I have only once been asked for my rod license in over 40 years and that was years ago when licenses were issued by regional water boards and were only valid within the region of issue. We were on holiday in Cornwall with wife's sister and husband and just happened to have the tackle with us, at the local tackle shop we discussed the worth of bothering with a weekly license and decided we had better, just in case. Having found a likely looking pit we took the tackle out of the car and before we had even set a rod up a chap came along and asked for the rod license! I have no time whatsoever for those who cheat, be it rod license, car tax, insurance or whatever, they are bumming a free ride on the backs of those who conform with the law, may they get what they richly deserve and sooner rather than later.

Shame innit!!! It is only being so bloody minded and stubborn that makes me keep going back, I am thinking of getting a season ticket for the place but if I do I will have to go more often? Set out for Cranworth on Monday hopeful of catching a half decent carp or two but the gate was locked, ended up at S.M. from around 12 noon 'til 4:30 and caught 3 very small roach (fished the Pond which is on the right as you go in). Had a dead bait out all the time and there was some splashing of feeding pike but they didn't come near to me. The previous Sunday caught a bream about 1lb and a small roach and the weekend before that I had a full day on the river using a feeder (not a single bite, no, not even a minnow)but did get a pike around 7-8lbs on dead bait right in the margin. I am determined to crack the damned place at least once before I die!!! Just to make you feel even better, a couple of teenagers with all the kit stopped for a chat (on the Monday session)and one proudly announced that the week before he had landed a pike of 32 lbs. I didn't realise that these all weather suits were actually flotation devices!!!! Happy New Year to all and a more productive one especially to you and 'Little Bruv', let me know when you are coming this way again for another masochistic flogging (metaphorically speaking of course) and I will come down so that we can laugh at each other.

Phil., Good to meet you and 'little bruv' on Sunday, I came past your peg on the way out but you had gone (given up?). Did Esox prove as elusive as before, I saw one small pike caught opposite me whilst the two lads on the point had nothing so your club is by no means exclusive. I managed around 10 PB's (pathetic bits) in the form of small, as in tiny, Roach and one enormous Perch that went to at least 3oz's. All on maggot with not a touch on worm or corn. See you next Sunday, if so you must be as big a masochist as I.

Swanton Morley contains a good head of Pike including some very large specimens (30lb + I am led to believe). Catching them, and in my experience this season any other species, can be very hit and miss (in my case usually miss!) The lake directly in front of you when you turn off the road (Curly's) seems to be the most fished for pike and if you turn right on entering then head straight on into a cul de sac (the main road round the complex turns to right 50 or so yards inside the gate) where there are several pegs on the left that seem very popular. I went there a week last Sunday and, apparently, several decent pike were caught around these pegs (I got a big fat zero, my first this season) There are 3 big pits that hold pike and if dead baiting proves slow lure fishing is relatively easy with mostly easy casting and clean bottoms. The water in them goes to 12-15 feet plus and the serious pike fishers seem to sling the bait well out. The ajacent River (Wensum) also holds pike, I have had one of 8lb on sprat this summer, and the stretch is included on the day ticket but with the rain we have had and are going to get it will probably be unfishable this weekend. Day tickets are £5 from the bailiff on the bank, they all seem to be very helpful and willing to talk, this is probably your best source of info. If it is not persisting it down on Sunday I will probably be going down for a few hours, let me know what to look out for and I will come and have a natter, you might even be able to help me with some good advice!!! Pete

Definition of a Yorkshireman - A Scot stripped of all charity!!! (I'm from Derbyshire originally

When I were a lad I fished the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone in Derbyshire and a chap I used to see often always seemed to be able to pick out bigger Roach than anyone else. I eventually plucked up courage and asked for his advice and was told to use fresh water shrimps on a small hook. They certainly worked then, why not now. Pete

Off 'back home' to Derbyshire on Thursday and possibly Friday with time to fish, can anyone in that neck of the woods tell me where is fishing well. Have to take the wife and sisters to Derby station early so that end of the county would be preferred. Day ticket on the bank type water if possible. Ta in anticipation Pete

I do fish at Swanton Morley but am certainly not an authority on the place, I could do with some help when it comes to catching there! There are supposedly pike, and some good 20+ ones at that, in all the course fishing lakes as well as the stretch of the Wensum that borders one side of the site. I bought some spinning tackle last Christmas and had a go in February 2 or 3 times, caught a 2lb-ish jack on my fist cast but nothing else on that and subsequent visits. A couple of months ago I was fishing unsuccessfully and watched a small pike cruise by at my feet, I had the pike rod set up with a herring so I tossed it in and got an immediate take. The 3ib or so pike went berserk leaping completely out of the water 3 times, great fun while it lasted. A couple of weeks after that I set up in the river ledgering and again tossed a dead bait into the upstream margin, half an hour later I had a pike of 8lbs. Not earth shattering stuff I know but yes, there are pike in there and winter sees some serious pikers after them. I will make some enquiries next time I am in the local tackle shop and pass on any info. Let me know when you are there and I will come and have a look see hopefully to learn how to do it! I did suggest a AN fish in at Swanton some time ago but there were no real bites, how about it? Pete

We who live in Norfolk are truly blessed with an amazing selection of fisheries. My limited fishing time is normally spent at either Water Meadows at Cranworth or Swanton Morley where there are 4 pits and a stretch of the Wensum. The pits hold large pike, Tench, Carp, Bream (large doubles in at least one) and the usual other raoch, Perch etc. we really ought to get a AN fish in sorted in this area, that way I might learn how to catch them. How about it.

I have booked next week with the caravan (and the wife!) at Manor Farm in Worcestershire. I did fish the river there once a couple of years ago but managed to elude the chub and barbel. Can anyone out there give me the pegs and methods to redress the balance, I am but a simple pleasure angler but the appeal of a bigger than normal fish is irresistable, huge fish especially so. Any pointers greatly appreciated. I might even write an article about my successes.......if.

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions, I tried it out a couple of weeks ago on my 'private pond', the irrigation reservoir on the estate where I live and work. Used a made up rig consisting of 2.5lb line and a size 18 hook with maggot or sweetcorn. Fish a cast for 2-3 hours! Honest!!! All roach and rudd up to around 6 ounces but I do know there are several roach that were, 6 years ago, either side of 3lbs, what will they be now if still alive? catching them is an altogether different proposition, the smaller ones up to half a pound are too easy and make the likelihood of getting down to the big ones almost zero. I have even tried oxo sized lumps of meat but then it is either 8-12 ounce roach or crucians up to 2lbs, bit of a bummer really? I do not fish it that often for that reason, I do prefer the uncertainty of what's coming next on a well mixed fishery. I must say that I still prefer a conventional rod and reel but I can see the advantage of a pole/whip, especially when match fishing, which I don't. Pete

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions, I tried it out a couple of weeks ago on my 'private pond', the irrigation reservoir on the estate where I live and work. Used a made up rig consisting of 2.5lb line and a size 18 hook with maggot or sweetcorn. Fish a cast for 2-3 hours! Honest!!! All roach and rudd up to around 6 ounces but I do know there are several roach that were, 6 years ago, either side of 3lbs, what will they be now if still alive? catching them is an altogether different proposition, the smaller ones up to half a pound are too easy and make the likelihood of getting down to the big ones almost zero. I have even tried oxo sized lumps of meat but then it is either 8-12 ounce roach or crucians up to 2lbs, bit of a bummer really? I do not fish it that often for that reason, I do prefer the uncertainty of what's coming next on a well mixed fishery. I must say that I still prefer a conventional rod and reel but I can see the advantage of a pole/whip, especially when match fishing, which I don't. Pete