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Thanks for all your suggestions, to be honest i haven't ventured onto the Stour for over 20+ years !! ( not sure why, as it's almost on my doorstep) I used to know the river well from Stratford st Mary down to Brantham (flounders,Mullet & trout at Flatford). John, I'm at work now for 5 nights so will be in contact next week. thanks again.

Hi all, could anyone advise me of any stretches on the Suffolk Stour that are still free fishing or day ticket ? I haven't fished the river for years and would like to put a few days in before the season ends. Prefer to do a bit of roving rather than stick to one swim. Thanks.

Thanks fellow board members for your replies, even if some strayed a tad off topic.( I to have issues with inconsiderate dog owners and irressponsible litter louts. ) I don't have a problem with owning or the price of a licence, I wouldn't object to paying more if it put more fishery protection officers on the bank.

Just a follow on from the guy being fined/banned, I was trying to recall when I was last asked to produce a Rod Licence or when I saw any Environment Agency enforcement officers. It has to be at least 20 years ago, now I know Suffolk is not a hot bed of angling but that's a long time. Have I just been unfortunate !!? What are your expierences ?

Hi , you can buy a device that will help you tie spade hooks, I think Drennan do one, retails at a couple of £'s. I'm sure the guys in the shop would show you how to use it. Honestly it's fairly simple ( i have one and manage to use it myself !)

Sad news, I remember him fishing in a couple of matches that my father also took part in ( back in the seventies ) I'm sure I visited a tackle shop he owned in Cambridge. Percy R.I.P.

Hi Dave, I've travelled over for several years either using Holyhead-Dublin crossing or flying from Stansted, probably repeating what has already been said but here's my observations, 1) Wed(night) -Wed was always a cheaper option/offer. 2) Booking accommodation through one of the holiday cottage companies will also include a ferry crossing, which is cheaper than booking separatley 3) Booking online can get you a discount 4) Flying, If you can get a cheap flight ( almost certain ), then hire a car at the airport will probably cost you the same as the ferry. You will save time the only problems are that you will be restricted in the amount of tackle you can take. Ryanair for instance now charge for rods going through fragile and have reduced the baggage allowance, getting a inflattable life jacket through check-in and then security even with clearance from a supervisor can turn into a debacle ( allow 60-90 mins for this !! ) Good Luck

How about tackle attacking a fish !?! Several years ago when fishing with my late father, he cast out his waggler which promptly disappeared on retrival the float stem had harpooned an unfortunate small Rudd

As important as your terminal tackle is, you shoud also be confident and competent enough to handle and unhook Pike safely. Large landing net, unhooking mat, forceps and wire cutters are essential. Good Luck. Much more info at http://www.pacgb.co.uk/tipindex.html

Thanks to all, to be honest I had the pipe lagging idea at the back of my mind having seen my brothers rigbin a few years ago, I'll try both and see which one's more to my liking. That's unless someone else has any other ideas.

Hi, my first post on what looks a busy and friendly forum. My question is regards trace storage, I've just started to fish seriously for Pike and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as what to use? I'm tying my own traces for deadbaits, for me there is nothing more annoying than having a kink or twist in a stored trace. A bit of background on myself, I am forty - nearer to twenty or fifty, depending if you talk to kids or friends - scary !! have been coarse fishing on and off since I was six. The last few years I have chanced and strained my arm at the art of fly-fishing occaisionally here in Suffolk and once or twice on Lough Corrib in the West of Ireland.