gozzer

I much prefer fishing close in than at a distance, for several reasons. The bite detection is usually more sensitive, it's easier to bait up accurately, you can usually use simpler rigs, and I believe that fish tend to follow margins, for cover and food. This is more obvious when the river is up, and/or coloured. Many years ago, I was introduced to a 'friend of a friend' who regularly fished the River Nidd, the smallest of Yorkshires main rivers. I thought he was mad, when I first saw him fishing with his float actually on the bank! He would fish with a small float set at10 or 12ft, in a swim only 2 or 3 ft deep. He would cast slightly downstream, then let the bait swing into the bank, and lay the float on top of either the bank, or sometimes the bankside weed. Gentle feeding down the line, would bring the fish upstream, and the float would just slide into the water to show a bite. There was little if any resistance, that there would be if legering with a quiver tip, and no disturbance caused by a float trotting through. I adapted the method to suit different swims, both moving and stillwater, and it won me a few matches, where others fished at a distance. It accounted for roach, chub, barbel, dace, bream, tench and especially perch, as they foraged up and down the bank. I can see Keiths point about bankside disturbance though. I brings a pleasure session on the R Wharfe at Easdyke to mind. I was fishing a sandbed swim, that had a drop off from a few inches, to 3ft, about 6ft from the bank, using the method with the float laying flat close to the bank. I'd had three barbel to 6lb plus, (big for the time), when a mate of mine decided to visit me. Instead of walking to above me and approaching from behind, he decided to take a short cut past where my float was. The big cloud of silt/sand that arose from my swim told it's own story, and that mate was very nearly sent in to investigate the damage that he'd done. It took me a couple of hours to get the fish back and feeding again, I was not a happy bunny! John.

That sounds like a possible reason Phone. If the wraps of fibre inside the blank haven't bonded on even a small part, I imagine that it would result in the tapping sound Ian is experiencing. If it is a tiny area, it would only make a noise when the rod is waggled in one direction, and not the other, and I can't see it compromising the action, or performance of the rod, to any noticeable extent. It would be almost impossible to detect without using some specialist equipment such as x ray, or ultrasound. It seems to me to be the best explanation so far. I was going to put up that I had a similar problem on an old pike rod I had. It had fully ceramic lined rod rings, and I found it was one of the linings that was very slightly loose. I only found out by taping every on of the rings, and then taking the tape off one at a time until it made the sound. I cured it by melting wax between the liner and the rod ring, and that cured it for a few months, then I repeated it. John.

No need to spell it out cory, I got the message a long time ago. I've said I don't like the man either, but that wasn't the issue, or the point of my post that you 'jumped' on. It was merely about the actions of the media. This whole exchange has got boring, silly, and childish, so I will leave it at that, if that's ok with you. John

If true, I'm not surprised HV, most countries would probably do the same. I don't know enough about Euronews to make a judgement on the validity of the report, but at the moment my trust in any part of the media is at an all time low. John.

In your mind maybe, but your posts suggest otherwise. John

Still diverting from the subject of my post cory? I've found that opening your mind slightly on occasions, can help you to see past 'trigger' words that feed your obsessions. I'm pretty sure that your brains won't actually fall out, unless of course you have some peer reviewed evidence that proves otherwise. John.

Of course I am, silly me. It must have been one of the hundred or so other people that posted in reply to mine. John.

Glad to hear that Elton, tell her to take it easy for a while. Those who I know that have recovered from it, have taken a few weeks to get anywhere near back to normal. John.

Again you divert from the issue. As I've repeatedly said, my post about wasn't whether Trump is right, wrong, an idiot, or the worst being to ever walk this planet. It was merely to emphasise the way in which the media, (BBC in this case), manipulate the issues they report on, nothing more, nothing less. It was you with your closed mind, and obsessive views on Trump, that made it about him. John.

Thanks for the link chesters, I worked for a company called WH Baxter for 8 years until it closed down in 1980/81. I remember it celebrating it's centenary a couple of years prior to it closing down, we all got a commemorative plate depicting an image of it's 'famous' patented 'Napping Motion Stone Breaker'. We got them as an after thought when they ordered them for customers and associates, but over ordered, and decide to hand them out instead of just dumping them. It was interesting to see exactly when it was founded, and what it initially produced, and developed over the years. It eventually became a victim of Thatchers policies in the 80s. It was interesting to see the history of the firm in the 100 years up to that time. Leeds had a long history of Engineering, as well as the textile industries, and large engineering companies such as Claytons, Henry Berry, Hunslet Engine Co, Braimes, etc took up the whole of the Hunslet area, and I remember travelling down there as an apprentice after leaving school. They have all disappeared now, and the whole area from above the city down was 'redeveloped' with what was known locally as 'the Yuppie flats', student accommodation, and budget hotels, along with small themed eating/drinking establishments, The Royal Armouries, and The Tetley Brewers Wharfe. This ruined our urban fishing on the much improved River Aire, and it's murder having to see the water, but not having access to it's banks. I'll enjoy looking up the industrial history of the area, it will add to the list of things that I've got that make this lockdown thing more bearable. Thanks again John

I'll echo that Elton, how are you all? You beat me to it Phone. It didn't take long for this thread to get hijacked, and turned into another political point scoring rant, par for the course of late. John.

I know what was said cory, I watched the whole 1hour plus of the bloody thing. I feel I must apologise, because I should have put 'your above statements show....', I'll apologise rather than try to edit my post to read differently, as some are prone to do. I still maintain that you made a judgement on the BBC report, based on your dislike of Trump, rather than the report itself. You showed this when you implied that it was the you tube poster that had been "doing the clever editing". This was, after your own admission, that you hadn't watched the complete official video, just "fast forwarded to find the relevant bit". You seem to think that I'm defending Trump, just like you accused HV when he posted a blatantly obvious sarcastic piece taking the pee out of Trump. You dismissed the post 3 times, even after it was pointed out that it was sarcastic. To your credit you did eventually apologise, but your initial posts suggests a strong bias, and partially closed mind on all things Trump related. I haven't attempted to defend Trump, my post was not about defending Trump, merely a comment on the way that media, (particularly the BBC in this case), manipulate the news reports to suit an agenda. This was prompted by being told of the You tube video being posted on social media, and then seeing it for myself on another forum, and thinking that it was relevant to this thread. John.

I understand your feelings Ken, when I see people having large parties in their gardens I think the same, 'why bother?'. When I see groups of cyclists riding a couple of feet apart, or friends meeting up for a kick about, or sunbathe in the park, I think the same. I then think, I'm glad we are all not dickheads like them. They will be the first to moan if the 'lockdown' lasts longer, or if more draconian measures are applied. Mind you, they can always put the blame on the Government. John

It's one of the things that annoys me HV. I have very little time for the most of the media, and even less for those that constantly repeat only the parts of that suit their personal agenda. As I have said, I think Trump is a clown, a showman, albeit a very powerful one. From what I've seen of him, he seems terrible at public speaking, he is constantly self promoting, most of his ideas border on the insane, and his published tweets can be both ridiculous and dangerous. But he was elected by the people of his country and that's it as far as I'm concerned. I have my personal opinion of him based on several different sources, and I don't need any biased media hack to constantly affirm that opinion. John.

I rest my case, your above statement shows that you are willing to accept the skewed report from the BBC, because it supports the dislike you have for Trump. Haven't you been quick to accuse others of confirmation bias in the past? John.

OK, sad I know, but I watched the whole link of corys, and in real time. What can I say? I was bored. Anyone who says that the BBC report hadn't been edited, and 'spun' to show a slanted view of the item, hasn't actually watched the whole thing, or are only seeing what they want to see. The guy in the YouTube video was right in what he said. I agree with him that it was obvious that Trump didn't understand what was said and stupidly misinterpreted it, but the BBC certainly didn't show it as such. As I said, I think Trump is a clown, and the reason for my post was to show how media twist, and distort things to suit their agenda. They didn't need to in this case, and it's a sad indictment of the media, and the BBC in particular, that they feel the need to 'spice up', and mislead in such a way. There's plenty about the communist countries manipulating what the media can print/say, but this is almost as bad. I don't particularly like Trump, but I want to hear news, not some distorted version of it. That's why I can't bring myself to watch the press questions section of the daily briefing from No10, the press are a disgrace, always have been to some extent, but more so in recent years. I don't trust any of them, and I'm surprised that some seem to take all they say as gospel, but then I don't have any particular bias, or agenda to promote. John

I think the guys a clown, but, the way that news 'spin' is swallowed hook line and sinker, is laughable, or maybe it's that old confirmation bias thing again? You need to watch to the end. Stay safe every one John.

Just to cheer us up enjoy stay safe John.

Not posted for a week or so, and am missing my usual rant, so here goes. Talking to my daughter, and she told me that there had been a robbery at the hospital. The thieves had first taken a computer from the reception, but then found the face masks, and took them too. The computer was found dumped outside, and is now back up and running thanks to their IT dept. The masks were found when some hospital staff heard that they were being sold for 50p for two, in the Aldi carpark down the road. I believe that most of them were recovered, not sure if they will be usable now, and not heard what happened to the b--------ds, that were selling them. I asked about security, but it seems that because there are 'crash carts' in the place, they can't lock it off totally, and the cleaners have a habit of propping doors open to make their moving around easier. She has told me that on the odd occasion that they have to go in late to treat, they have found the odd homeless person curled up asleep in the place, so only enter in numbers after normal hours. My wife and I watched a televised meeting of the Government's 'health committee', where various MPs led by that well known 'rhyming slang' Jeremy Hunt question Matt Hancock. One such questioner was Rosie Cooper, Labour MP from West Lancs. She started on about postponed treatments, (although she seemed to prefer to call them cancelled), of cancer patients, and continued to say that because of this the Oncology staff were either reassigned, or stood idle, (not exact words, but the usual point scoring spin). My wife was incensed by her words, and the manner in which she had put them, that she immediately sent off an email to the woman, complaining. If they were 'stood idle', then could she explain why my daughter is working 12 + hour shifts, and either working weekends, or on stand by, to cover the increase in patient numbers. She hasn't had a reply yet. What is it with these Labour women, first we had the stupid one from Derby council, hoping the PM didn't recover from ICU, then Andi Fox, quoting some left wing blog saying that the PM was faking his illness, and the Drs having to sign the Official Secrets Act, on threat of dismissal! Both later had to withdraw the comments and apologise. It's like the daily briefings from No10, I can watch the statements from the ministers, and the medical/science advisors, but have to turn off when the media vultures try to twist, and spin everything to provide better headlines. I'm not sure which is worse, the so called journalists, or the sad sods that believe every word they commit to print. Noticed that suddenly there are quite a few con trails in the sky, especially since the weekend, not sure whether it's the Government importing more of the virus, or plane loads of Romanians coming over for a bit of fruit picking. Going through my shed, sorting tackle and tools, I noticed a small pool of water on a plastic box. On closer inspection, and after moving some stuff, it seems my old shed has sprung a leak. I cleared the stuff out of the corner, and found that somehow a small section of panelling had come away from the frame. It looks like the heavy rain, and strong winds from just over a week ago, had forced water through the gap. All that was ruined was a couple of boxes of assorted nails and screws, but I found a soaked cardboard box full of my sons old stuff. I started going through it, and found a treasure trove of memories, from 30 odd years ago. Original Star Wars, Mask, and Street Fighter figures. Toy vehicles, including, A team van, Batmobile, Starsky and Hutch car, General Lee (Dukes of Hazard), a Klingon war bird, Buck Rogers space craft, Magnum PI and about 200 more assorted cars, planes, trains etc. They were mainly Matchbox, and Corgi, from the late 70s, early 80s, no boxes, and all showing that they had been well played with. Of little, if any, monetary value, but the look on my sons face, and that of my 5 year old Grandson, when I showed them via 'Facetime', was a pleasure to see. I'm now in the process of wading through them, sorting, cleaning, repairing, and in some cases discarding those that are beyond saving. It was interesting to see that the early ones were all 'Made in England or Gt Britain', some of the cars were made in Europe, then as they got newer, the franchised film stuff was made in the US. Then it began to change first Malaysia, then a couple stamped 'Macau', then 'Hong Kong' started to show, but not one said Made in China, how things have changed. It's distracted me from fixing the shed, now that's a job for tomorrow. Hope everyone is well, and keeping their distance, remember 'Far Cough' Stay safe John.

I believe as philocalist, and chesters, have said, it's not you going fishing that's the problem, it's the idiots that use it as an excuse to meet up with mates and have a session that are. I've read reports, and seen photos of anglers bivvied up for the weekend, some had put tape at a 'safe' distance around their pitch, others were fishing two to a swim. Some commercial fishery owners have put up videos of them and their families fishing their own lakes although the fishery is closed to the public. I suppose it's a form of advertising, to keep it in peoples minds. I think the rule of thumb is that, if you have access to fishing from your own land that's a part of your garden, ie, river bank, lake etc, then it's ok to fish it. If on the other hand you have to travel a distance, or enter/pass through other peoples property, public land, use a public footpath, or if the owners of the land, or fishery have said the water is closed, then it's no fishing. I can appreciate the comments about cyclists, having witnessed groups of six or more riding in what can only be described as a 'peloton'. No rider is more than a few feet away from another and they are chatting away, spitting, as they ride down the road. They seem to think that because of the drop traffic in numbers, they can act as a rolling road block. These are the equivalent of those that will see you fishing, and go out of their way to approach you to ask 'caught anything?', or think 'if they can do it, so can I'. We then end up with shoulder to shoulder idiots along the bank. At the moment, I'm treating it as an extended version of the old closed season, with fingers crossed that there will be at least a partial easing of the restrictions around mid June. I believe that any lifting of the restrictions will be a phased one, and I fear that those of us of a 'certain age', (old gits) will be amongst those that are 'advised' to stay home for longer. As a footnote, our self appointed 'Lords and Masters' have spoken on the subject, https://www.anglingtrust.net/

Thanks but, no thanks HV, you need them more than I do. I was close to trying my old recipe, of a mushy pea poultice, but mushy peas are hard to get after those prats were panic buying them all. I have a small stock under lock and key, (in my secret place). I really should add them to my house insurance, but their present value would raise the premiums to an unaffordable amount. John

Sorry phone, I should have updated you lot after you gave me advice. My eye is still slightly sore, but nowhere near as bad as it was. I went to the Pharmacy last week, and after queueing for about 40 mins, got in. The pharmacist examined the eye from a safe distance of about 10 feet, asked me a few questions, and came to the same conclusion as me. There was hardly any pus, so he doubted it was conjunctivitis, just an infection. I bought some antibacterial gel, that you squeeze onto your lower eye lid 3 times a day. It says not to use it for more than 5 days, so I stopped at the weekend, and so far it seems to have done the trick. My only concern is that the sight in my right eye, my dominant one, seems to have deteriorated slightly. The infection has left a scab on my eye lid and that itches a bit, but I still bathe it, and that helps. I'll be up close to one of the practice nurses tomorrow, when I get my shingles jab, so if it's one of the regular ones, I might ask what they think. John. PS Oh by the way HV, I did bathe the eye with a 'Yorkshire' tea bag as you suggested, and it did ease it. The only problem was, the tea is pretty strong, and after leaving it on for a little longer than I intended, My right eye looked like it belonged to someone from the Indian subcontinent!

You can quote me any time mate, although I'm still waiting for the cash from the repeat royalties to appear in my bank account. John

I have to agree with you, that tonight has been a pleasant change to the usual crap on here. We've had a few lapsed members drop in over the last year or so, but after a few hellos, and a quick look around, they don't bother coming back. I like to think that some will return, but I'm not that optimistic. John.

Wait until you're 70 Ian, they're never seem to be off the bloody phone. We all got texts the other week saying that we need to order any scripts on line, and that we had to phone in to register. I spent the best part of three hours over a couple of days trying to get through, and only got to register when they rang to see if I needed any help! John.