Andy Thatcher

Nice one Elton Any other sites that have been missed ?

Nice one Elton Any other sites that have been missed ?

I think barbel are there already. Just take a look in your local tackle shop and see how much barbel kit there is. I still visit an old haunt of mine in Suffolk, Saxmundham Angling, you'll struggle to find a shop further away from any barbel in England but it has the full array of kit. Steve is right to an extent in that more experienced barbellers will have an impact on those that follow but to the anglers that either read magazines or fish with an experienced angler. There are plenty that do not and take carp tactics straight from their lake to the river. Not that there is anything wrong with these tactics, they are certainly successful, but these fisherman are missing out on other styles that they may enjoy. The concern I have for barbel are similar to the ones I have for pike. Carp are hardy beasts. Not that I am suggesting that people abuse them but the truth to be told carp can deal with most things. Barbel and pike simply cannot. Yes it is possible to catch the same fish twice in a day but unless care is taken a fish can turn belly up after one capture. So to nswer your question Phil, yes I think that barbel will suffer from their own success. Not due to negligence but inexperience.

I think barbel are there already. Just take a look in your local tackle shop and see how much barbel kit there is. I still visit an old haunt of mine in Suffolk, Saxmundham Angling, you'll struggle to find a shop further away from any barbel in England but it has the full array of kit. Steve is right to an extent in that more experienced barbellers will have an impact on those that follow but to the anglers that either read magazines or fish with an experienced angler. There are plenty that do not and take carp tactics straight from their lake to the river. Not that there is anything wrong with these tactics, they are certainly successful, but these fisherman are missing out on other styles that they may enjoy. The concern I have for barbel are similar to the ones I have for pike. Carp are hardy beasts. Not that I am suggesting that people abuse them but the truth to be told carp can deal with most things. Barbel and pike simply cannot. Yes it is possible to catch the same fish twice in a day but unless care is taken a fish can turn belly up after one capture. So to nswer your question Phil, yes I think that barbel will suffer from their own success. Not due to negligence but inexperience.

Absolutely. Idiocy at best vandalism at worst. Shop 'em.

Just risen again

Never been married. I put waiting for the right person but I wanted to add - to ask me ! Guess that the girlfriend of 12 or so years kinda counts but never had to say I do

Don't look at me for an answer ! Took three attempts to get Maths O level and another 3 to get the A level.

Don't look at me for an answer ! Took three attempts to get Maths O level and another 3 to get the A level.

CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS This is pretty neat how it works out. DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST It takes less than a minute....... Work this out as you read. Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out! This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun. 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (try for more than once but less than 10) 2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold) 3. Add 5. (for Sunday) 4. Multiply it by 50 I'll wait while you get the calculator................ 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1752.... If you haven't, add 1751.......... 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should have a three digit number ... The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week). The next two numbers are ......... YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it IS!!!!!) THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2002) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS. IMPRESSIVE, ISN'T IT?

CHOCOLATE MATHEMATICS This is pretty neat how it works out. DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST It takes less than a minute....... Work this out as you read. Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out! This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun. 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (try for more than once but less than 10) 2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold) 3. Add 5. (for Sunday) 4. Multiply it by 50 I'll wait while you get the calculator................ 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1752.... If you haven't, add 1751.......... 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should have a three digit number ... The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week). The next two numbers are ......... YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it IS!!!!!) THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2002) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS. IMPRESSIVE, ISN'T IT?

Excuses, excuses ! Think that you are forgiven though

Excuses, excuses ! Think that you are forgiven though

Would be merrily seeing the last of the river season but a car accident and whiplash seems to have stopped that dead but I have been out at least once a week all season. Looking forward to some carping, roaching and breaming in the close season !

Drop Lee a mail. He has the technology !

Drop Lee a mail. He has the technology !

Owned Delkims for 8 years. Not one problem in all that time. Mates have tried others as they have come on to the market and they have all had their problems. One exception so far is one set of the Fox £20 jobs that have lasted a year, so far !

Owned Delkims for 8 years. Not one problem in all that time. Mates have tried others as they have come on to the market and they have all had their problems. One exception so far is one set of the Fox £20 jobs that have lasted a year, so far !

Where are you based Tony ? Reason that I ask is that if you go for a commercial fishery with a fair head of fish you will still get your line pulled. I suspect you are not after quality but the indicators moving around.

N'ahhhh ! Surely not

N'ahhhh ! Surely not

Good advice as ever from Lyn but if you are of a similar turn of mind as I was around your age and ignore it try...... If the river is flooded..... 10LB line minimum and a rod capable of dealing with it and the 2 ounce leads that you need to hold bottom in the margin. Size 4 or 6 hooks Big lump of meat, by big I mean big ! You could try to get them to feed in a swim but you'd probably be better off walking and dropping the bait in any slack area for 15 minutes at least and most then move. Any slack even if it is at your feet is worth trying. Good luck but remember that safety is more important than catching so do not take a single risk as there is always tomorrow or the next season.

Good advice as ever from Lyn but if you are of a similar turn of mind as I was around your age and ignore it try...... If the river is flooded..... 10LB line minimum and a rod capable of dealing with it and the 2 ounce leads that you need to hold bottom in the margin. Size 4 or 6 hooks Big lump of meat, by big I mean big ! You could try to get them to feed in a swim but you'd probably be better off walking and dropping the bait in any slack area for 15 minutes at least and most then move. Any slack even if it is at your feet is worth trying. Good luck but remember that safety is more important than catching so do not take a single risk as there is always tomorrow or the next season.

You can run but not hide ! Who let you in ? Going to have serious words with Ian about this !

You can run but not hide ! Who let you in ? Going to have serious words with Ian about this !