TrevBoy

I have been advised that a whip would be a good way to get a nephew into fishing - cheap and easy to use. Never used a telescopic pole (I have one but its clearly rubbish) and so I will be buying him say, a 3m starter elasticated whip. That means though that he'll have 3m or so of line to swing out - surely that makes controlling the float a bit harder than it needs to be for a beginner, even on a stillwater....? Or am I missing the point? Thoughts?

Great - thanks for the tips

The last few trips I have been getting a lot of deep hooked perch. So far I have been lucky to get the hook back without apparent harm to the fish. I have been using worm under a waggler, on or around the bottom, striking as soon as the float starts to move sideways or downwards. Is it just the way they feed, or can I change something to help prevent it?

COARSE

Does anyone have experience of Phoebe's Fishery, near Old Dalby in Leicestershire? Cant seem to find a write-up but someone I met said is a nice place.....

LOL mine does exactly that - we get a lot of comments from people who think we cant hear them from across the canal! Toby Barker sits with two feet in the water, staring at the float. He gets very animated when a fish comes in, or when I cast out. I really don't know what he thinks is happening. He did that from day one (he was a rescue dog so perhaps a preious owner took him fishing....) He can be a bit of a nuisance when I am walking along trying to spot fish, as he exitedly runs from peg to peg, so I have to be careful he doesn't get in the way of anyone else. But on balance I really like having him out with me. This my view most of the time......

Thnaks for the advice, guys! Was also thinking of the Soar at Kegworth, which is fairly narrow and looks inviting for some trotting. Haven't done that since I was a kid (too many years ago!)

Hey guys, The new season has me itching to get out again (been just too hectic with work etc all summer so far ) I find the Trent too big and intimidating to be honest (not a particularly experienced angler) so I am looking to try a fishery to get me back into the swing of things. I'd like a fishery stocked with plenty of silver and tench, but the most important feature for me is that it isn't one of those venues that has anglers all sitting in full view of each other around a puddle - I like a bit of countryside feel to a place and a little seclusion (and no yobs). Happy to drive up to half an hour or so from Nottingham, so do you have any recommendations? Hackett lakes are very near me but it always looks a bit bleak ie no trees or other cover. Don't mean to sound fussy! Thanks a lot. Trev

Quote Environment Agency officers checked more than 80,000 licences and prosecuted 2,700 people across the country last year. They say illegal fishing puts stocks at risk and that money from rod licences is out back into protecting and improving fisheries. How does illegal fishing (ie without a license) affect fish stocks any more than with a license?..... What garbage. That said, I wish we all played by the same rules.

all great advice. he's 11 so not too bad at sitting down for half hour stints!

I will be tasked this summer to take a nephew out for a short session. He has been once with his Dad, with a cheapo "set" and caught a few little rudd from the duck pond. Neither his Dad or he knew what they were doing but the lad is keen to try again. I am considering being the best Uncle ever and buying him a whip to get him started as simply as possible. Does that sound like a good idea or would it be better to get him a proper rod/reel and all that entails? I am imagining a couple of hours on the canal with his whip, some liquidised bread and hopefully a dozen rudd or whatver else comes along, once the weather warms up a bit. But any advice from someone who has been through this would be gratefully received.

Thank you finding a way to express these nagging questions that I (and maybe a lot of others) have. Liking the answers so far! I sometimes feel like I'm the only one not catching anything other than the stupid little rudd and gudgeon that a child would catch!

Yuk! Why on earth....?! I dread hooking them, to be honest. really glad if they slip the hook!

Finding, or catching ?!

So much so, I just bought one! Thanks for the tip-off. I will report back as to its usefulness.

to be honest that's what I was thinking on reflection...

It doesn't look like the fed keeps it in good shape, to be honest, at least not as far as the pegs themselves are concerned - many are impossible to fish from due to a variety of reasons. That said, this, and a few other swims look pretty fishy and at £2.50 a day ticket seems good value! There's a LEVAS stretch there too, although that too didn't look too managed.

Kegworth (controlled by the Long Eaton & District Fed) by the short canal section

I have an old Efgeeco seat box, which is basically a thin metal frame with plastic fabric and a slung seat, which i got 35 years ago. I thought I might treat myself to a new one. I came across this one Avanti Seatbox £45 but would it be pretty flimsy? I suffer from back and neck issues, so do they make such an item but with a back (so more of a chair than a box I guess) - maybe I am asking too much from one item! Perhaps (thinking out loud as I type) a good comfy chair and a fishing rucksack would be a better solution.....I don't like having to walk too far carrying much weight. What do you take when travelling light-ish?

Well I didn't want to start an argument but its been an entertaining read. I might buy a pin anyway, to see what the fuss is about, but I am going to work on trotting techniques first! This is one swim I am looking to start on: On the Soar, slow-moving and not too deep by the looks of it. Looking to drift a stick float down to that willow. It looks a bit cabbagey down there but we will see what gives on or around the 16th.

Not sure if the OP was advocating using the garlic as an attractor - just using the bag instead, filled with something smelly.

LOL I left my IT days behind me years ago. Although it IS the sort of stuff I used to write. Have been toying with Android writing for a few weeks now bu this project seems too big for me now!

Why - you going to write one?!

All good advice - thank you.

I have vowed to move away from my simple stillwater fishing this year and to try some trotting on the Soar or Trent. I'd like to get a pin, but is my normal 13', middle-of-the-road float rod going to be a good trotting rod? Advice please....... Oh, and is this pin likely to be really too cheap and cheerfull for a first timer? Centre Pin