Rob Hale

Try www.fisheries.co.uk and www.go-fish.co.uk which both have pretty good directories - there's also the fishingwarehouse site which has a big northern contingent who will surely be able to let you know what's around. Sorry I'm not much help. (I'm one of the lucky b*****rs that lives close to both the Frensham's and other waters stocked with Leneys including Tarn Pond).

I would definately recommend Farnham Angling Society (FAS) what ever you fish for - they have a range of waters all around Surrey, Hampshire & Berkshire. You can have a look at their waters on their website: www.farnhamanglingsociety.com Other clubs in the area include Godalming AS.

Hi Everyone, Just a reminder, Farnham Angling Society’s free open day is on this Saturday, the start of National Fishing Week. Join fishing experts Chris Ball, Andy Little, Trefor West and Keith Arthur as FAS celebrate 100 years. Entry is free and open to all (members & non-members & families). All raffle proceeds are being donated to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. What’s on: - Professional Angling Coaching - Open forum with guest speakers Chris Ball, Andy Little, Trefor West & Keith Arthur. - Tackle & Bait Stands (Including Yateley Angling, ECHO & Others) - Charity Raffle on behalf of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice - Members Raffle (Top Prizes: 2 x Life Memberships) - Hog Roast & BBQ (Free to members) - Beer Tent Venue: Swiftsures, Badshot Lea, Nr Farnham, Surrey. Times: 10:00: Angling Coaching Starts 14:00: Main celebrations start For more information and directs, visit the website: http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com/events Look forward to seeing you there! Rob

Hi Everyone, Just a reminder, Farnham Angling Society’s free open day is on this Saturday. Join fishing experts Chris Ball, Andy Little, Trefor West and Keith Arthur as FAS celebrate 100 years. Entry is free and open to all (members & non-members & families). All raffle proceeds are being donated to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. What’s on: - Professional Angling Coaching - Open forum with guest speakers Chris Ball, Andy Little, Trefor West & Keith Arthur. - Tackle & Bait Stands (Including Yateley Angling, ECHO & Others) - Charity Raffle on behalf of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice - Members Raffle (Top Prizes: 2 x Life Memberships) - Hog Roast & BBQ (Free to members) - Beer Tent Venue: Swiftsures, Badshot Lea, Nr Farnham, Surrey. Times: 10:00: Angling Coaching Starts 14:00: Main celebrations start For more information and directs, visit the website: http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com/events Look forward to seeing you there! Rob

What sort of area in the SE?

You MUST prepare peanuts before use, this is very important for fish welbeing, but also, makes attaching to the hook a lot easier. All you need to do is cover them with water in a bucket for 24-48 hours, then boil them & allow them to simmer for 30 minutes. You can add flavouring if you like when soaking, but they are great without. Use sparingly, but keep a handfull going in every now and again. Once prepared, you can use a baitband, hair-rig them with a baiting needle, or a bail-drill. Storage: Buy from a wholesaler, pet food shop etc. Peanuts sold in the UK are ok, as the fungus mentioned is constantly checked for and is on the EU & DEFRA watch lists. Store them off the ground, in a cool, dry & dark place. Not used them for tench, but carp love them. Try a hair-rig with a light hook, either ledgered, or how about with a float, fished using the lift method? For attractant, prepare, then liquidise some peanuts - you can use on it's own or with groundbait & it clouds up really nicely. Hope this helps, Good luck Rob

You can certainly exchange permits as Lyn suggests, which is great if you fancy a change or want to try the waters. Farnham Angling Society's Pike teach-ins are open to all anglers, members and non-members of any age. Stretches of the Loddon, Wey and Blackwater (I'm told) hold barbel, I'd be interested in any catches out of the rivers and the Whitewater as I'm lacking info for the website!

I echo Argyll's comments. Personally, I have always found the larger pike to be far less inclined (lazy!) to go after spinners and smaller lures. Large plugs in the summer and deadbaits in the winter seem to yield far better results, although I don't think you can ever exclude the smaller fish (especially not Jacks!). Just work the areas, trying different depths and lures. You can pick up some "weedless" plugs which will dive down a little more and don't get caught in weed quite so often. Tight Lines! Rob

Hiya, I live in Basingstoke too. Farnham Angling Society's site can be found at http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com FAS is IMO a great club to join, for pike, have a look at: River Valley (Yateley): Lots of Pike to 27lbs, offering good sport all year round. Mill Lane (Yateley): Used to be the specimen Pike water holding the club record, not fished for pike a lot, but there are undoubtedly 20lb plus fish in there - perhaps a monster or two? Frensham Great Pond: (Frensham, Nr Farnham): Some great pike fishing to be had, with Pike well into the 20lbs bracket. Frensham Small Pond (Frensham, Nr Farnham): Holds a reasonable head of pike, not sure about weights. All of the above offer good summer spinning for Pike. The society has some great float fishing on offer for Tench, Bream, Crucians and carp on the majority of their waters, although some are harder than others. As Lyn says, FAS require all members to complete a Pike Teach-in to educate and check that members know how to safely fish for Pike, have the correct tackle and are well versed in fish-care to ensure the fish goes back safely to fight another day. Unfortunately, the next teach-in is in September, but it may be worthwhile joining for the float and general fishing in the meantime. Membership fees and details of how to join can be found at http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com/join As far as alternatives, I'm not up on the day-ticket scene, but CEMEX/RMC have waters in Yateley/Sandhurst and there are a few other smaller clubs dotted around, although sadly good pike fishing seems to be on the decline in many areas. I hope this helps, Tight Lines! Rob

Hi Everyone, Farnham Angling Society are holding their Annual Tackle & Car Boot sale this Sunday, 09:00am to 2:00pm at Swiftsures, Badshot Lea, Nr Farnham. All buyers and sellers of Course, Sea and Game tackle welcome, & it's for a good cause with all proceeds to go to the Sea Cadets! You can find more details on their website: http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com/events Tight Lines Rob

Good to see a few members and ex-member's on here. The rivers are going well, with big barbel, chub and I'm told carp coming out last season. If you're into the lakes, all of them are producing lake and society records for a lot of the species. I've said it in previous years, but this year "I *am* going for the barbel"! Would welcome any comments on the new site, drop me an email if you have any pics or info you'd be kind enough to share: webmaster@farnhamanglingsociety.com

Hello Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that Farnham Angling Society (FAS) have launched their new website at http://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com On the site you can find club news, details of stocking programs, scenery photo's of their waters as well as photo's of fish caught by members. If you're a member and would like to contribute to the site, please feel free to email webmaster@farnhamanglingsociety.com Tight lines, Rob

Full acknowledgements will be on all photo's I have the info on - I value anything and everything people are willing to share. Bear with me whilst I get this site up and running - fitting in webdesign, getting photo's, taking photo's etc... unfortunately has to take 2nd place to work. All the best, Rob

I think I've got them - got some lovelly shots of Stockbridge! Thanks! Rob

Hello All, I need help from all Farnham Angling Society (FAS) members, both past and present! I'm currently building a new website for the society, but I really am in desperate need of some more member's photos so I can make sure the site really starts with a bang - especially as the society is celebrating it's 100th anniversary next year. I'd really appreciate any photo's which anyone would be willing to share: * Catches (Any species) * Scenery * Wildlife If you don't have an electronic copy of the photo, I am more than happy to scan it for you & of course return the original and the scan to you in perfect condition. If you're happy to provide a photo, but prefer specific information isn't published, just let me know - I will put as much or as little information as you are happy with on-line. If you would like to contribute to the site, please send me a PM & I will send you my email address. Alternatively, you can give me a call, my number is on page 7 of the handbook. Remember, any and all contributions are appreciated! Thanks & Merry Christmas, Rob Rob Hale