Unimexsol

He's talking about the entrance to the resevoirs on Ferry Lane/Forest Road Walthamstow. Next to the Ferry Boat Inn pub. Closest tube Tottenham Hale. Then a 15 minute walk or a 123 bus.

Walthamstow. At the end of Coppermill Lane. (or at least part of it is)

There used to be, but I've a feeling that it closed down. Not 100% sure though.

I once found a piece of cord going in where I normally fish. Being an inquisitive soul I started pulling it. and kept on pulling, and kept on pulling and kept on pulling. After about 5 minutes and what seemed like a mile of cord I managed to find out what was attached to the end...........a (now empty) spool of cord.

If you drive there's one a little off the North Circular fairly near Tottenham. Get off near the Halfords and follow the road towards Chingford and it's on your right. If you need further directions either post a reply or pm me and I'll try to be a bit more specific.

Another vote for the Lee here. All species of fish and parts of it are quite picturesque in a "ocean of greenery in the middle of concrete" way too. There are tench but you are more likely to be better off going after bream and carp. Pike fishing is generally fair and there are some decent perch too. Easy to get to on public transport. Tottenham Hale tube station is 5 minutes walk from Tottenham Lock or a bit further up you've got Enfield Lock on the overground. Another alternative would be the River Roding at Buckhurst Hill although I've not fished it for a few years there used to be some good fish in there.

I was always gobsmacked at the success of camo Parker pens and camo Zippo lighters. The pens were camo until you took the lid off to use them and showed a nice silver barrel and the lighters didn't have a camo flame. I am sure that the success of both of these designs was down to the same people buying them to replace the ones that they had lost. If in fishing camo was so important then wouldn't the tips of floats be camo instead of bright red or bright yellow?

Brilliant, thanks Si - easy when you know how heh

Conversely I think that the canals and river in and around London have improved greatly in the last 10 years.

I have this problem too but unfortuately I can't install Firefox, is there some other way of fixing the problem. It only happens on this site.

If you do fish with catfood, please please please can you take your sachets and cans home with you. Over this season the number of empty tins and plastic sachets that I've found along the bank has been stupid (and annoying) I'm sure that you all take all your rubbish home with you but someone somewhere isn't!

Perch make fine livebaits for pike and large perch, you do not need to cut the spines off. Pike will go after anything, other pike are supposed to be excellent bait too although I personally have never used them as I never seem to catch any that are of "bait size".

I too would have guessed initially at around the 12lb mark however as this is obviously well off I shall have a pop at 21lb 8oz.

Cheers for all your input guys, Scaling down isn't actually an option for me due to the likelyhood of pike taking the bait anyway but it certainly has provoked some interesting points of view.

1) It sounds obvious but don't get distracted. As soon as your gaze moves from your float that will be the time when it dips underwater. 2) Disgorger. 3) Believing that spending £00's of pounds on kit will automatically make you a good fisherman.

I think you'll find that it makes it easier for them to account for the money and also helps them to plan the income streams for the following year more easily. I doubt that these are the reasons that they will give you though.

On the subject of watching fish, I was walking along a local canal this afternoon with a non-fishing friend, he got quite excited to see so many fish in the crystal clear water. I was lovely to be able to tell him that they were roach, and could be told by the lovely red fins. As we walked along a bit further, I motioned for him to come over and look. There was a small pike sitting and waiting, it couldn't have been longer than about 30 cms. He was more than impressed when it suddenly lunged at a small fry that was swimming past. No more than 10ft further along there were two more pike, both about 15cm long and a mere 2ft from each other but both out of sight of each other due to a small strip of weed. All in all it was lovely to see all these fish, both for me and for my non-fishing friend.

Thanks Newt, never been a big fan of lure fishing - usually because of lack of success paired with the expense of the number of lures that I've lost over the years. Am more likely to stick to live or deadbaiting.

I really didn't want to get into this but your negative and unhelpful comments have forced me to respond. The line that I was fishing with was heavier than I initially thought and is in excess of that recommended by the PACGB although I would ask whether a 13lb or an 18lb breaking strain an acceptable bs for a piking line? In most fishing books the answer would be Yes (I've just checked the first book of the shelf - John Wilson's The Complete Coarse Fisherman and he suggests 9-11lb bs). If I'd been using 5lb bs or no trace then I could appreciate your comments but as it is I would consider that the line that I was using was more than sufficient for most situations. Have you ever been snapped up by a pike Andy? What not ever? Well, imagine you had, would you have the humility to come onto a public forum and ask for suggestions as to why it might have happened? Saying things like "You have no business to be fishing for pike" is not only unhelpful but absolute bs. I think you'll find that I pay the same for my rod license as you do and I'm sure that when you check your license there is no rule as to what line you choose to use in respect of any species. If you care about fishing and the fish then you should seek to re-educate, not condemn. I look forward to receiving more constructive replies in future, after all the purpose of forums such as this is to help each other isn't it?

Many thanks Zedhead, scaling down probably isn't an option as I think I'm more than likely to get pike taking the bait and I wouldn't want to risk a snap. Deep hole at the lock gates? Or should I be more looking at holes on a bend in the canal - I know it will be very difficult to comment unless you know the area but even general advice will be a help. As for size of baits, I usually live bait with small roach, bleak, dace, etc of about 4 inches long - too big still? Will check out the aforementioned site too.

Thanks Grandma, I did listen to your advice but in the end took the advice of my local tackle shop from the owner who fishes the area regularly and who knows exactly where I fish. I'm sure that you'd do the same. I do appreciate your advice and input though and will always consider a different way of doing things.

Lea Navigational Canal and the River Lea would be the obvious choices. Good fishing in both - Perch, Pike, Bream, Tench, Roach, Carp, Barbel, Chub, and pretty much anything else you care to mention. Try the Enfield Lock stretch for a start. Can't promise any massive fish but there are some decent ones of all species about.

Well, I've never caught a zander and I've heard that they are spreading through the Lea Navigation Canal. (Although I've never seen one caught either). Is there any truth in this? If so is there any major differences that I should make to the piking set up that I use? I've heard that they are mainly nocturnal predators but as I usually fish at night this shouldn't make any difference to me. Also is there any particular areas/depths that I should look for in trying to target them? Do they prefer deep slow water, mouths of locks, shallow weedy areas etc? All help much appreciated.

Pretty much would echo what others on here said. If you are comfortable with using your rod then why change? I would recommend that you change the line on your reel though as monofilament line deteriates over time. I would also recommend buying a license, it might never get checked but if it does and you don't have one then it's a hefty fine and you lose all your gear. For £25 it just isn't worth the risk.

Would it not be cheaper to buy an existing lake/pond if there is one in the area? I'd have thought so, particularly if it is overgrown/underused etc. Whilst not answering your question I just thought that it's alternative worth considering.