martinchick

Hi, I haven't posted for ages but looking to get back into fishing. I did a search online to see if there were any new waters available in SW London and found somewhere listed called Ashvale Fisheries in Wimbledon on this page http://www.go-fish.co.uk/london.htm about half way down. I've lived in Wimbledon all my life and have never heard of it. Also can't find the address it mentions. Does anyone know about this place at all? Of there is somewhere in Wimbledon worth fishing (and that you can actually get on, unlike Wimbledon park) then that would be great.

I would go for a camping gas style stove for fishing every time. Like you say, they are a lot cleaner to use than liquid fuel stoves and less of a faff (you don't have to worry about a bottle of petrol leaking in your bag or having to pump up the pressure on it.) The only advantage liquid fuel stoves have over gas is at high altitude really where the butane gas doesn't burn as well as liquid but I don't imagine thats too much of a problem in most UK fishing scenarios.

Which knots are best for tying a hair rig with fluoro? I've heard that the knotless knot weakens the line. I know the palomar knot is good for tying it to swivels etc but what about hairs? Would it be better to whip a braided hair to the hook shank seperately?

I'd be interested in using snails. One of the waters I fish comes alive with snails, especially when there is lots of weed in the water. I havn't caught anything whilst the snails are in abundance, even when fishing with bloodworm or prawns, baits which can usually guarantee some bites. It's something I'd never though about before but defiantely makes sense.

I just wondered why so many waters ban hemp. Is it because it's an incredibly effective bait or are the owners worried about lots of little plants sprouting up all over the place! If it's cooked it wouldn't do this anyway, even if it was un-sterilised seed. The only logical explanation i could think is that if fish keep mistaking shot for hemp, but thats hardly a problem as they cant remove it from the line and its non toxic. Can anyone shed light on this matter?

Arrived the other day and it seems pretty light and comfy. Should be easier to carry that plus a rucksack rather than a big box. Got a day off on friday and can't wait to get out to a new lake I havn't fished yet.

I had quite a bit of success with prawns. They seem to be quite instant with tench and carp. I fished them over a bed of hemp and the fish tore into them. The runs were ridiculously hard with fish tearing away across the lake. When I say they are instant though I found that if the fish aren't taking them within an hour, at the most then it pays to switch baits going back to the prawns once an hour or so.

Thanks for the advice guys. I've decided to get one and at £22 I don't think I could go far wrong. Got a strap for a couple of quid too. Should beat lugging round my old plastic box with it digging in my leg.

Hi. I've been looking at getting a chair and have found the Fox Stalker chair at a good price. I was wondering if anyone can recommend it? From what I can see it looks prett sturdy, just wondered if anyone had any experience of it. Is it light? Also is it possible to buy a carry strap for it or do you have to buy a carry bag? Cheers

Yeah. It becomes pretty urban quite quickly. Shame about the no fishing though. Wading could have been a good tactic, it's not too deep along there.

Cheers for that. I'll have to go for a wander and see if I acn see any along there. The project was just a survey of the river, it's depth, discharge, turbidity. Stuff like that. Might be useful in finding some fish actually. Didn't get much time to look for fish when I was doing it, was due in a week later so had to get it done pretty quick.

Cheers for the heads up. Which police station are you talking about? It is quite small and clear so would be a challenge to fish but if they are moving upstream it can't be a bad thing. I did a geography project on it a few years back and thought it would be impossible for anything to live in there what with all the shopping trolleys and two sewage plants on it. The strech just under the A3 before New Malden looks nice. Do you know if fishing is allowed there?

I know exactly how annoying it is. Float fishing in water about 4 foot deep the entire bird population of th lake decided to come along and gorge themselves on the hemp I had laid down all morning. Some of the ducks even dove down to pick it up. Then before I can do anything the float's gone under and a duck it taking my line with it. Had to try and catch the duck after the line snapped. Didn't catch it but it looked ok. Totally killed my swim and didn't catch anything after that. The next weekend I fished a few pegs down and found my float, line, hook and all the shot just sitting on the platform. Was very weird.

Was wondering if anyone has ever fished on the Hogsmill river running through Ewell, worcester park, new malden and kingston? It's pretty grim near its source but gets pretty big towards the Thames with some nice looking patches. It's quite channelled, lots of concrete. But the Wandle's made a real comeback. Any info would be great.

I meant to post about WArwick Castle the other week. I went during that crazy heatwave and was going through the castle when I looked out of the window to the river just below the weir. I notice a large carp and then suddenly about 8 of them, all big came rooting around the lilly pads. The river was so clear you could see them really well and see them swirling up the mud. Was with my girlfriend, who happends to have a fear of bridges, so couldn't really watch from the bridge but that would be an amazing place to fish. It's so peaceful, even with the crowds and a really beautiful area. Wonder if they would let anyone fish there.