Mike_pk_Waters

I dont need to see the swim from the photo, I just know where the good perch live. a large prawn on a 6, lowered very carefully into the forest, and a small bobber set just over depth. then sit and watch the world go by, just feeding the small fish to get some interest. Life is good some times. On the strike I try to strike into the bank, the therory beign the natural reaction is for the fish to go the other way , and fast, which mean out into clearer water. Then is all down to the rod and feel of the angler. sometimes it actually works, but sometimes just being there and watching the kingfishers is enough. It make the enventual capture worth more knowing its watercraft and skill rather than a dubious stocking policy that has created the result

There are some good fish in the club lake at scaland, I know because I have had several over 2, including a 3lb 2 and a 4lb fish. There is a bigger one because when the 4 came out the fish following it was wider across the shoulders and longer. I have been back several times but no luck , although some good fish came out. You just need to be brave and fish right into the roots!!!! Mike

Reading through the names here brought back so many memories, Ilike most I started on my own. going to a school 400yds from Keston ponds was always going to be trouble!. I consumed books like sweets at that age, but with age I can now say that the 2 'writers' who stand out for me are Ivan marks and Len Head. Two more different anglers you could not find, but the one thing they had in common was enthusiasm and a love of all things piscatorial. It is sad that nowdays there are so few will sit and read a good book , not only to learn but to bring out ideas and questions. I fear that the instant gratification age will mean we have a generation of anglers that are narrow in there approach. All I can do is hope my sons enthusiasm persists and in later life he remembers the lessons and pleasures that a day by the water can bring.

Just got mine, and then realised that its is my 40th licence, I remember getting both a south eastern and thames for a period , but always had one for the last 40 years without fail. They should do a nectar card .

My seven year old son, He serves as , netsman, groundbait mixer, trolley puller, drink maker, bank runner, fish spotter, occasional depth gauge for magins (found this be accident and only works providing you know his current height, also has a audible temperature function with a default setting of 'its freezing') and my apprentice. I do this so that when I am too old and decrepid (not long now) he will repay the favour and take me (although I will not pull the trolley) Mike

steve, hope it goes ok at the hospital, not my favourite places. I am seriously considering applying, would love to see how the water has come on from when i first came over many years ago

Vagabond, now there is a shock, I am sure we have met, I am on commitee!! . I have to be proud of the club for its attitude, and proud of the boys for trying to learn and understand. Since I wrote the original Ross has managed to win his first comp (fished over 3 hours in a toal downpour), which at 7 is a great achievement. hopefully we xan encourage more kids to try and fall in love with the wonderful world of angling. Having read some of your posts about small stream fishing , and living close to lots of those streams has meant many walks looking with the boys, and we have found some interesting things. And on a personal note your comment about trying to catching mullet on the fly has meant I am going to have to go to lewes real soon! Fishing is so much more than catching carp after carp, and 1 wish more youngsters could do what i did as a child. Today its seems if you dont catch a 'double' then its not worth going. What happened to the pride of catching a 2oz roach from the local park. Maybe I am trying to relive my youth , but thats only because I enjoyed it so much.

Is that ilegal in sussex, I moved from kent 10 years ago and i believe it is a justifiable defence there

Dave, This brought back so many memories. In the early 70's I went to school 400 yds away from these ponds, and this is where I learnt to fish. many ties skipping school to fish instead, and spending most of my school holidays here. a black prince reel, a glass fibre rod , crow quill floats oh for the old days. I used to go to a tackle shop on masons hill, almost opposite the tigers head. the owner used to give me free maggots was really helpful. I remember watching in awe as a man caught a Tench from the top end of the pond where the waters comes down. It was this fish that made me an angler. I read all I could find and practiced as often as I could. I often pass the ponds and think about having a go. your post has renewed that thought.

Phone, I agree thats an impresive list , and a fair target The only thing they need is encouragment, transport and sweets !!!!! feel so much happier that there out doing things rather than sitting in front of a computer/playstation. lucky with my local club who have a great attitude and some nice little ponds ideal for them to learn proper things like watercraft and fish handling without camping out for days on end. Actually to be truthful I enjoy reliving my youth again. Mike

This is how my week has gone, I have a son and his friend who thanks To crowborough angling club are now well and truely hooked, Lets start on tuesday, Teaching 7 year olds to cast in the garden has not gone totally according to plan, 1 he is right handed I am left, so the reel has to be changed and then I have to think about everything backwards. 2 after first cast with 2oz lead decided to replace with a rubber as less items ( greenhouse) will need fixing. 3 after ten mins we had managed, to hit the greenhouse twice ( see what the rubber was for now) , caught a 12lb bramble , bounced the rubber of next doors car roof and hook our summerhouse which I may add put up a spirited fight. Final cast concussed the dog who stupidly stood 4 foot in front of Ross. All this and I am taking the 2 boys fishing in real water tomorrow. Help We then move to wednesday A quick summary of this morning, now I have recovered. Taking 2 seven year olds fishing is up there with invading France in the valour stakes. Sitting them in separate swims 25 feet apart may have been a mistake. As fast as I run to one to help unhook, or bait the other one would invariably hook a fish,ear,chair or tree , meaning a 25 foot sprint for an overweight unfit 53 year old. On arriving the first question was have you got the lollipops. This at least was consistent for the whole session. Letting them cast was also fun, one had the timing completely wrong and so either caught the grass behind or the lily 3 foot in front. When I cast for him as soon as I gave him the rod he would bring in a fish, thereby restarting the whole procedure. Meanwhile the other one ,having worked out his timing on the cast was attempting to beach fish at Eastbourne 12 miles away. I am sure the rod tip was going supersonic at one point. Loose feeding was interesting as well, but the local duck seemed to enjoy it, and was defiantly lower in water when we left. At one point I was in one swim and the boys were having a discussion in the other. But with all the mayhem, hooks in various bits of the body, tangles,spilt maggots and strawberry sweet corn stains we had fun and caught loads of fish. I now know why when I was younger why my dad would take me miles to the lakes, and leave me. He sure had more sense than me. And then today The boys fishing this mornings CDAA comp, Ross was 3rd and Patrick 4th, and they did it mostly on their own. Now for a relaxing coffee and a kip It seems stressful at the time, but at least i have 2 new boys to keep the sport alive.

I have series 7 avons in 1.25 and 1.5 test curves and a mk11 tench float , all of these perform beautifully and have taken many double figure fish. I cant fault drennan in that respect, but it is alway a personal choice. The rods are good quality and have never once have I felt under gunned.

i think it depends on the pudding, real black pudding is hard to come by, the stuff from supermarkets and more preservitives than blood. I have used blood from slaughterhouse before and it is brilliant, The problem is now is that you cant get it easily. There is a company that does kits for making your own black pudding online (I get my bacon cures from them), I was wondering if the dried blood would make a good additive. Might have to go and try it now

Phone, bet the people who want to beat you use all sorts of suspect things in there boilies and pastes not to mention groundbait. Roe is the most natural source of cheap (in terms of effort) protein for fish and is available at a time when they need it most. so why not use nature to help us.

hi steve, its nice to be back , i think. Have just spent a day with 2 juniors on there first comp, and they got 2nd and 4th and I think I have 2 boys who are going to be good anglers. Hopefully they will learn the same way I did, and have as much fun on the way.