Vagabond

Alan - You should think yourself lucky they didn't interpret it as "clockwatcher" As someone with Scottish ancestry, I could have warned you that they "havnae git rooond ta replacin their soondeels yit - ye hae ta watch yeh siller"

Alan - You should think yourself lucky they didn't interpret it as "clockwatcher" As someone with Scottish ancestry, I could have warned you that they "havnae git rooond ta replacin their soondeels yit - ye hae ta watch yeh siller"

Chesters - you haven't revealed the half of it. Consider your water supply. You get charged for your waste water and sewage being taken away from your house - these people recycle it , and either they or another company charge you more money to supply this water back to you via your taps. Second-hand ? You should be so lucky - it is said the average glass of Lower Thames Valley water has been through seven sets of human kidneys already ! You quite rightly raised the point re dissolved oestrogens in tap water on another thread (coarse-fish forum) - I think you may have hit a nail on the head here - and its increased sevenfold by recycling - frightening isn't it? I'm just glad the bulk of our local water comes from a borehole, but I'm sticking to whisky or wine to make sure

Chesters - you haven't revealed the half of it. Consider your water supply. You get charged for your waste water and sewage being taken away from your house - these people recycle it , and either they or another company charge you more money to supply this water back to you via your taps. Second-hand ? You should be so lucky - it is said the average glass of Lower Thames Valley water has been through seven sets of human kidneys already ! You quite rightly raised the point re dissolved oestrogens in tap water on another thread (coarse-fish forum) - I think you may have hit a nail on the head here - and its increased sevenfold by recycling - frightening isn't it? I'm just glad the bulk of our local water comes from a borehole, but I'm sticking to whisky or wine to make sure

Yes, there was an National Service aircraftman that did just that many years ago. He was stationed in the Lofoten Islands (Norway) and off duty, the lads would moor a lilo to the rocks, sunbathe on it, and fish for codling with two lines, one tied to each big toe. One day this guy was asleep and his bait was taken, not by a three pound codling, but by a three-hundred pound halibut........ When they recovered his body, the halibut was still attached. Not surprisingly, this too attracted a ban on sleeping whilst fishing from the CO. PS If anyone says "pull the other one" - he never had a bite on the other line! [ 30 March 2002, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

Yes, there was an National Service aircraftman that did just that many years ago. He was stationed in the Lofoten Islands (Norway) and off duty, the lads would moor a lilo to the rocks, sunbathe on it, and fish for codling with two lines, one tied to each big toe. One day this guy was asleep and his bait was taken, not by a three pound codling, but by a three-hundred pound halibut........ When they recovered his body, the halibut was still attached. Not surprisingly, this too attracted a ban on sleeping whilst fishing from the CO. PS If anyone says "pull the other one" - he never had a bite on the other line! [ 30 March 2002, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

Eddie, the bailiff doesn't "know" somebody with a swim-feeder out is definitely roach-fishing - similar gear could be used for legering tiny livebaits brought in from elsewhere for (say) perch - I'm not against such check-ups, just amused that trout fishers don't seem to be subject to them.

Eddie, the bailiff doesn't "know" somebody with a swim-feeder out is definitely roach-fishing - similar gear could be used for legering tiny livebaits brought in from elsewhere for (say) perch - I'm not against such check-ups, just amused that trout fishers don't seem to be subject to them.

Yes Chesters, nice one - I'm really sorry for those that have to drink the oestrogen-laced, over-chlorinated widdle that their water industry charges so much for. It must affect the beer too, which is a frightening thought - all those laddish lager louts heading for identity problems. Stick to malt whisky I say, and only dilute it with more malt whisky. If you need further liquid, a good wine is probably safe.

Yes Chesters, nice one - I'm really sorry for those that have to drink the oestrogen-laced, over-chlorinated widdle that their water industry charges so much for. It must affect the beer too, which is a frightening thought - all those laddish lager louts heading for identity problems. Stick to malt whisky I say, and only dilute it with more malt whisky. If you need further liquid, a good wine is probably safe.

In Australia I tried one of their infamous crocodile pies. Tasted (nearly) like chicken. But the taste was familiar........ So now I know what they REALLY put in "chicken" pies!

In Australia I tried one of their infamous crocodile pies. Tasted (nearly) like chicken. But the taste was familiar........ So now I know what they REALLY put in "chicken" pies!

Poledark - The right one was small, and no good at all, But the left one won several prizes !

Poledark - The right one was small, and no good at all, But the left one won several prizes !

To add to Poledark's potted history of long-distance casting. THE LAYBACK The late Leslie Moncrieff (that's the correct spelling) popularised the "Layback" style, which was best done with a reverse-taper rod with the rod at the top of the handle.. He designed a rod for Hardy's - the "Longbow" with which "Chevin", myself and many others got some excellent bags of cod from Dungeness in the 1960's. Les (a big strong bloke) could cast over 160 yds with the Longbow, the rest of us were struggling along about 30 yds behind. THE SOUTH AFRICAN/OFF THE GROUND STYLE Many of those anglers catching at Dungeness came from Brighton, including Terry Carroll, and he began to experiment with his own style, based on the South African method, with the reel mounted very near the butt. I was with him one night at practice when he chucked a six-ounce lead over 200 yards. (The record then had gone up to 190-odd) At the next official competition (at Wallsend I believe but could be wrong) Terry blew the records out of sight - and subsequently set up his own rod-building business. THE PENDULUM Poledark has already described his role in developing it. We now have guys regularly chucking leads over 300 yards into the distance - awesome! A question - I still have my Longbow, but with advancing years cannot cast as far as I used to - have you any advice, Poledark, on keeping us old codgers casting as far as possible ? As a prize for winning a Troutmasters heat, I got a Shimano voucher, and spent it on one of their beachcasters. To be honest, when it arrived I was not impressed by the "feel" of it, but to my surprise, it easily outcasts the Longbow, whether I use a layback or "off-the-ground" casting style. I've experimented with the pendulum, but find the distance achieved is not significantly greater than I can get with "off-the-ground" and as I'm more comfortable with that will stick to it. (Proverb re old dog and new tricks probably applies)

To add to Poledark's potted history of long-distance casting. THE LAYBACK The late Leslie Moncrieff (that's the correct spelling) popularised the "Layback" style, which was best done with a reverse-taper rod with the rod at the top of the handle.. He designed a rod for Hardy's - the "Longbow" with which "Chevin", myself and many others got some excellent bags of cod from Dungeness in the 1960's. Les (a big strong bloke) could cast over 160 yds with the Longbow, the rest of us were struggling along about 30 yds behind. THE SOUTH AFRICAN/OFF THE GROUND STYLE Many of those anglers catching at Dungeness came from Brighton, including Terry Carroll, and he began to experiment with his own style, based on the South African method, with the reel mounted very near the butt. I was with him one night at practice when he chucked a six-ounce lead over 200 yards. (The record then had gone up to 190-odd) At the next official competition (at Wallsend I believe but could be wrong) Terry blew the records out of sight - and subsequently set up his own rod-building business. THE PENDULUM Poledark has already described his role in developing it. We now have guys regularly chucking leads over 300 yards into the distance - awesome! A question - I still have my Longbow, but with advancing years cannot cast as far as I used to - have you any advice, Poledark, on keeping us old codgers casting as far as possible ? As a prize for winning a Troutmasters heat, I got a Shimano voucher, and spent it on one of their beachcasters. To be honest, when it arrived I was not impressed by the "feel" of it, but to my surprise, it easily outcasts the Longbow, whether I use a layback or "off-the-ground" casting style. I've experimented with the pendulum, but find the distance achieved is not significantly greater than I can get with "off-the-ground" and as I'm more comfortable with that will stick to it. (Proverb re old dog and new tricks probably applies)

Like Alan, I am an all-rounder, fishing coarse, game, and sea. I'm probably happiest on a river with a fly rod in my hand, but Vagabond fly-fishing is the same bloke as Vagabond spinning for pike or free-lining for chub. But snobbery exists - I fish a reservoir - sometimes for roach, sometimes for pike, and sometimes for rainbows. When after roach or pike, there is sometimes a tackle and bag inspection to check we are not bringing in livebaits, or at the day's end, making off with illicit trout. That's OK by me, but...... The irony is, when I go there trout fishing, the same bailiff never searches my bag for worms or maggots, nor does he check that I am not making off with more than my trout limit. He even calls me "Sir" when selling me the ticket, as opposed to "Hey you" for coarse fishers. Fortunately I am amused rather than annoyed. BTW Alan, did anything happen re the litter on the Ribble I reported to you a while back? [ 29 March 2002, 10:02 PM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

Like Alan, I am an all-rounder, fishing coarse, game, and sea. I'm probably happiest on a river with a fly rod in my hand, but Vagabond fly-fishing is the same bloke as Vagabond spinning for pike or free-lining for chub. But snobbery exists - I fish a reservoir - sometimes for roach, sometimes for pike, and sometimes for rainbows. When after roach or pike, there is sometimes a tackle and bag inspection to check we are not bringing in livebaits, or at the day's end, making off with illicit trout. That's OK by me, but...... The irony is, when I go there trout fishing, the same bailiff never searches my bag for worms or maggots, nor does he check that I am not making off with more than my trout limit. He even calls me "Sir" when selling me the ticket, as opposed to "Hey you" for coarse fishers. Fortunately I am amused rather than annoyed. BTW Alan, did anything happen re the litter on the Ribble I reported to you a while back? [ 29 March 2002, 10:02 PM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

Re salt - I think it is easy to overdo the salt - we (Norma and I) never add salt to sea fish before smoking them. If smoking whole smallish freshwater fish up to a pound and a half (salmonids, eels, percids etc) we put salt in the body cavity overnight and brush the surplus out the next morning before smoking. If the fish were large enough (2 lb plus) to fillet in the first place, we only lightly salt the fillets. Interesting flavours can be generated by adding dried herbs, bay leaves or ground spices to the sawdust. Another trick is to use a trivet standing proud of the sawdust in which you can put a tablespoonful of water, wine, or fortified wine, beer, cider etc - there is endless scope for experiment. BTW has anyone tried the fish mooli yet?

Just a few thoughts 1/ Upstream fishing - more likely to hook trout in the "scissors" Downstream fishing - less likely to hook trout in the "scissors" 2/ I think many flies (especially shop-bought ones) are too bushy and the fibres mask the hook- I try to tie my flies sparsely to give the hook a chance. I've even had trout on a bare hook. 3/ I'm sure I miss more trout by striking too soon rather than too late if I can see them coming for the fly. 4/ On the other hand, if you can't see the trout strike, you need to re-act quickly when the pull comes - watch the point where your line enters the water. 5/ The trout might just be cussed at the moment - some days they are twitchy, some days they bite like serpents. Hope you get some soon.

Right Newt - we have three. Money well spent. If anyone hasn't installed these, go out and buy some first thing tomorrow morning - they may save your life, and meanwhile are great at reminding you that your grilled steak is ready

Right Newt - we have three. Money well spent. If anyone hasn't installed these, go out and buy some first thing tomorrow morning - they may save your life, and meanwhile are great at reminding you that your grilled steak is ready

That one must be the young lady from Devizes !

That one must be the young lady from Devizes !

and a further note at our local club - "Please do not throw cigarette butts into the urinal....... . . . (Wait for it.) . . . . . .. . . . ......it makes them difficult to retrieve, and nearly impossible to smoke" [ 29 March 2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]