Steve_MK

I need a number 3 section for the above ( the section that fits into the top 2 ), have had one on order from BOSFISH for months, but they are waiting on Middy. Middy can't or won't let them know teh problem and they don't answer my emails asking what the problem is, so no more buying of Middy products for me. Their customer service appears to be crap. Anyone got a spare for sale or know where I can get one?

I am smack in the centre, Westminster. I was looking at OBH as well, looks a good set up.

Kempo New to this part of the world, where are these lakes?

Can anyone recommend a commercial close to London that will fish well at this time of year?

Pleasure fishing on club waters, mainly lakes. The Black Magic poles have a reputation for being very stiff as well as slim. What would you look at, always willing to get advice from others more experienced

Anyone got any thoughts on the new Browning Black Magic Force pole

My lovely better half has offered to get me a new pole for Xmas, I have a 4.5 middy Baggin Machine but I was looking for either a specialist pole about 11m or a longer match pole capable of taking on commercial work price around £300. I was looking at Browning 16m Absolute power or maybe the Syntec Black Magic III 11m, Any comments on these would be appriciated.

[Monolito, sorrty I meant rear drag

Monolito, I think you are refering to the clutch systems, on most older reels you tightened/loosened the plate holding on your spool to let line slip at the rate you required, most modern reels have the facility on the back of the reel, a knob that can be tightened / loosened to allow line to be pulled off the spool. I have a pair of Okuma baitrunner reels, can't remember the name, 9 ball bearing ones with front drag they do me fine, 400 series, so not too big for tenching or the like

Where to get good breakfast near Royalty hear the Buck Palace kitchens serve up a good breakfast

Aaron You could always try a feeder in lieu of the straight ledger, 90 derees is best but not always practical on some tighter swims, unless you are after big fish, 10lb plus and you havn't got to cast out too far, you could use a lighter tip and come round to 45 deg, the lighter tip will give you a better indication at that angle. If you are using the lighter tips though make sure you do not overload the feeder or try and cast out 50m, you may not do it a lot of good.

Depends on what you want it for Elton, type of fishing, if you are going to commercial waters, the Middy Baggin machine is good value an dwill handle most things

See the tread for Argos cheap er shelter http://www.nwac.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_cop..._Umbrellas.html This is similar, cheaper and I think bigger than the Fox

Just bought a similar item from NWAC, the Grandeslam version http://www.nwac.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_cop..._Umbrellas.html Havn't had to use it yet, but erected it in the garden and all looks well, masses of space and good hieght as I am 6'4" that is useful.

With regard to Weils disease, people should also realise it can be carried in cows urine, not just rats, so fields where cattle are present of are regiular visitors should be regarded with caution. TCP make a spray on plaster and a spray on coagulant to stop bleeding, very hand thing to carry for more serious cuts, both contain antiseptic as well. Apart from the obvious things others have mentioned, I carry a razor blade, very handy for cutting out thorns and teh like just under the surface wher eyou can't get a purchase with tweasers

I think their mums and dads might object!

Swing tips are great when you expect small bites but also when you are in a compact or tight swim, to see a bite on a quiver you have to have at least a 30 degree angle preferably 45 degree, with a swing tip you can be straight out in front. You can weight them or buy diferent weights to suit the conditions. Drennan still supply them as standard on some of their feeder rods, with quivers as well of course

No they don't, they sold me the last one, or so I thought, get it home and it's the Catana Medium Feeder AX. It was in the right packaging for the match rod, but the wrong rod inside. So, as I already have a medium feeder, if anyone wants to buy a £45 rod for £22.50. PM me. I will taking it back tomorrow so make it quick.

If it's any help to anybody. Argos Extra at Milton Keynes still have them stock

I have an Abu Garcia 13 ft float rod, only cost £35 from my local shop, happily pulls in 10lb carp , good action, light and slim blanks. It does everything I have asked of it

Well done, it's always good to succeed in the face of adversity.

In this case a gang of 4 who were pretending to fish whilst knocking back a case plus of cider and leaving all the litter on the bank. How do you deal with idiots like these, one person, prehaps 2 you can have a word with, 4 pretty steamed up on the juice is inviting trouble. Took their picture when they were not looking and also the results of their fishing day out and passed them onto the club, not sure what they can do about it, looking at their tackle, I don't think theye were serious fishermen probably on a day ticket. I counted 20 cans lying around, plastic bags blowing all over the place including on the water and numerous other items of litter. Sheep graze the fields around the lake, if they get damaged by the litter the land owner will withdraw the fishing rights. What does one do? p.s. has anyone else known sheep to eat bread, even to the extent of rummeging through unattened bags to get it?

Having spent the entire weekend tiling my sons bathroom, I thought I was entitled to a few hours relaxation, so I picked up my rod, a loaf of bread (crusty uncut) and my light bag and off I went to my local club puddle. When I got there, there was a howling gale blowing only swims vacant had it blowing straight into my face, as the other side of the water was already full of guys who had more sense than me and got their back to the wind. I had a quick walk around, said a few hellos as one does, nothing much was happening, a few 1 -2 lb carp coming out that’s all. Right time for a heavy controller and let it drift into the reeds I thought, fish will be down wind with a bit of luck, nice bit of fluffy bread and long hook length. Firsts two casts, nothing bread floated in just as I wanted it, but soon as I tried to stop it short of the reeds, it just carried on going. Time for a bit of crust then says I. size 6 hook small bit of crust with plenty of fluffy on the underside, out it goes, floats in, Wham, it's off to the other side of the lake just as I was pouring out a cup of tea; 15 minutes later a beautiful 10 lb carp, good going for this puddle. Tried again, nothing much 2 or three cast later, Wham, didn't see what took it as my float was still sitting in the water some 5 yards out and I had no hook left on. Question, does a hard fight from a fish weaken the line at the point of tying? Obviously doing something right as nobody else was catching or getting bites, tried again but with bread this time, stiffened a bit more around the new hook. Let it drift back in a bout 6 m to my left, held it just short of the reads, nibble, one came up and missed it, must need glasses or something, then Whopppp off it goes, this time an 8lber. Managed a 4 on the next cast, everyone starting to look at me with more than curiosity, bit of green in the look. Nothing for another 20 minutes or so, other than me getting a wet foot trying, in vain, to recover my lost controller. Try a different tactic, imitation bread, well soaked in pineapple attractant, sent it out, could see the fish coming to it, having a sniff and taste of the pineapple but could not get one to do more than touch the bait. Waste of time and money I think: Back to basics; crust with a bit of the fluffy stuff, 5 minutes later, just floating into position, Whack again, managed to retain this float but again the hook gone at the point of tying, does it weaken after a few decent fish? On my last size 6 now, so crust again, drift in, Wallop off it does, 15 minutes later another 10lb er. Then the heavens opened, me in a tee shirt and jeans, no umbrella, so time to go home, in that wind, being wet as well was a quick way to pneumonia. Great couple of hours, lots of envious looks and questions to ask about why I lost two good fish after I had previously landed a decent one, co-incidence?

I tend to use a simple anti-tangle rig, a link bead drilled out to accept a 75-125m length of plastic tube super glued into the hole. You simply pass the line through the tube, starting at the link end, place a BB shot or ledger stop under the tube to give yourself the required hook length and attach the feeder to the link. As soon as the weight goes on the line, the tube will sit out at right angles keeping your hooklink away from the feeder when casting. I also add a little soft heat shrink type tubing over the link to avoid catching the line when realing in. As the line runs direct through the rig, you will still see the bites and knocks, if teh line gets snagged by a fish and breaks above the hooklink the rig will just drop off. Simple and safe for the fish.