TrevBoy

Good thread, thanks. I'd really like someone to write a Google Maps overlay that shows who controls the fishing on just about every piece of water you come across - I know it'd be one hell of a job to catalogue it all, but when out and about it'd be a useful tool. I keep the stuff in the van just in case, and often see pretty stretches of river, ponds etc as I am travelling.

Thanks for the info. I will give that a try, but an hour without fishing? Are you insane?!

With the weather slowly warming up, but with cold nights now and then, what's the situation with canals? Are they likely to be hard work or worth a go? I dont have a lot of time right now so would like to think a cpl of hours might get me a few silvers. I just don't wanna waste such a short period of fishing time! I am thinking about the canal in Beeston, Nottingham, which is deep as it is navigable. Guidance as to tactics greatly received! Thanks.

You look like u r smoking a pipe in that pic! Maybe you are... Anyway, welcome to here, and good luck with your search.

Fed up with the mag - latest is just full of additive-this, additive-that; oh, use this amazing make of groundbait and you'll be successful, etc etc. in other words, its just a glorified advertiser. What happened to telling us how to fish?

Great report, thanks for the effort. Would love a small river like that near me. All I know is the massive Trent, which I hate fishing

As requested, here is an update. My 11m pole from an ebay seller came today and I just got back from trying it out on the Grantham canal. I found it really weird, all those bits of pole lying around, not knowing which bit to put on next, trying to avoid walking on any, etc etc, but all good fun. When I eventually managed to get a line wet I started immediately to see the benefits of the pole. I did nab a good haul of the usual rudd and perch, and then as the sun went down, the tench appeared and started to mooch in my swim. A big pinch of flake, lowered pretty much onto his nose, and bingo! a take and, after a nervous fight, not really knowing how best to play the beast, I managed to get the net under it, and the pole was well and truly christened. only a couple of pounds, but heck, I was quite chuffed. I didnt use the full 11m, but i did give it a try and TBH, the whole thing seemed unbalanced at that range, but I doubt I'll be using it much out there anyway. Off again tomorrow to try again.

Well, not all is spent improving fisheries - they spend 2 million "enforcing" the license for a start, then lord knows how much on that stupid waste of paper that is the "where to fish" booklet that comes out each year.

dang - I thought I might have the record!

I had to think about this - I have not been checked since I was about 12 I reckon, so thats 37 years.

all good advice, ta. now, if this blessed wind would drop.....

Polite bump.....

I nearly always have mine in the tackle box (have covered it with sticky-backed plastic) but surely if you have bought one it'll be on some computer system somewhere, so you could prove it later if you have left the thing at home...?

Every time I drive along the a60 over the Soar it makes me want to fish it, the narrow river looking really enticing. Here is a link to multimap - the bit I am on about is just south of this location, where the main road crosses the river. map Anyone know who owns the rights?

Great, thanks. Off to buy an 11m jobbie - should be enough for me on the little canal I fish.

Whichever pole I go for, do I need to grease the joins so the sections come apart easily, or will that just collect grit and make it worse?

I wouldnt need those accessories anyway, but which pole is better value would u say?

For some reason I have always thought canals are exempt from the CS....?

I have no doubt it will sell loads, but not to me I'm afraid. Yet more pandering to the dumb of society that started with The Sun.

I once forgot the only reel I owned. Improvising seemed out of the question

what's wrong with real maggots on the hook all of a sudden?!

I honestly cant remember the last time I had to prove I have a licence - without a lie it must have been when I was a kid, 35 years ago. What a joke.

You are lucky your tackle shop is open on a Sunday!

Thanks!

For some reason I no longer see an entire thread laid out on one page, but instead get one post and a tree of answers, which is pretty rubbish. Where can I change it?