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Yeah big difference between knowing stuff and doing stuff!

Yes makes total sense and no he was fishing an area in an area [emoji12]

I'm pleased to see you brushed your hair Neil . My Wife wants to know if either you or Spr were " probed " by the Aliens ? .

My take on zigs: I use zigs more and more each year and catch more as a result. Last year there were at least 2 sessions on which I would have blanked if it wasn't for the zigs. I don't always go straight under the surface like most do, in fact I normally start by splitting the depth into thirds and fishing one at the bottom of the middle third and one at the top of the middle third (particularly at night). Only on the brightest days do I pop one under the surface and even then it's only when there's a breeze on the water and I can see carp in the very upper layers. I don't find zigs are the answer when they're milling about on top on the hottest, calmest days. I use the Fox zig alingers with balck foam which are great over a hatch but have also had success on tiny bright 10 mm over-flavoured pop ups. I use lead clips with the smallest lead I can get away with. It pays to drop the lead (I'm not a fan of dropping leads but it's necessary with zigs - it's horrible playing them with a lead attached and I've dropped fish because of it). I avoid the pre-stretched zig lines, they have next to no abrasion resistance so can't deal with the weed in the Nene Valley - I discovered this the hard way. My mate put me onto X Line in 10 lb as a zig line and it's been absolutely brilliant. As said, the hardest bit about zigs is getting your head round it. I used to try it for an hour here and there but would think I was wasting a rod. It wasn't until I'd caught a few I dared keep them out for longer periods. The trick is to use them for a reason rather than for the sake of it - most guys only whack one out when they're struggling on the deck. I'll put them out where I know there should be carp (e.g. when I can see them from the trees, see a hatch, or can see them topping over bait but can't induce a take). I find chucking a zig at a showing fish is at least as effective as chucking a single (e.g. a pop up) at them, probably more so. They are very, very effective fished two thirds depth off the deck a meter or two off the entrance to any shallow areas or bays. Again, I find you need a breeze on the water, regardless of time of day or season, for them to work really effectively. I never put freebies out, just attracts the bird life. I still struggle to get my head round them a little bit - even if I've caught 4 on zigs and none off the deck I still refuse to put all the rods on zigs, I always need one on the deck. Crazy I know.

Well you know what I would do :)

Buzz . Every single TOP team has under performed this season . If EVER Arsenal were to win the PL again this had to be the year. But , and I hope Dal won't mind me saying , they choked again when it mattered . Both Manchester Clubs , Chelski and , less surprisingly Liverpoo have underperformed and this was Arsenals chance . It's how Leicester have managed to win the title and also the reason why the Mighty Hammers have been threatening the elite as well . Tottenham have been there or thereabouts for a few years now without actually threatening to win anything so after this season their fans' persistent illusions of grandeur will be a little closer to becoming reality and a return to the "glory glory days" of 50+ years ago . With the new Tv deal kicking in next season the Big Boys are going to spend BIG , as are the rest of the clubs , so it's highly unlikely imo Leicestets success will be repeated . Another factor that has to be considered is that both Spuds AND Leicester have been lucky this season with next to no injuries or suspensions . Leicester also went out of both domestic cups early so had no other distractions whereas Spuds have done well to be up there having the Europa circus to contend with. On a lighter note , my beloved West Ham had 7 first choice offensive players out injured for a 2 and a half month period mid season and there are some who are saying that if they had been as lucky as the top two , injury wise , then they would be a lot higher than their current 5th/6th position . I'm not even going to mention the atrocious refereeing decisions either :) I wasn't careful what I wished for though . SAM OUT !!!

Yonny - I suppose I mean to try and take a longer view. Yes I'd always have an aim to catch. By that if I'm not happy in the swim I could be proactive and make my confidence better for the next time. Rather than trying to chance a fish with a guessed cast for fear of spooking the swim

Newmarket - Yeah I don't like it either, he has put the effort in and reaped the rewards, seems like a proper nice chap so deserves the recognition (top rod is what I've said no one else) no not waded the lake, just the shallows. Which is only 2 swims.

Geez I too think leading around scares carp but you should still go with the intention of catching them. It only takes one carp to come swimming along 5 mins after you've finished messing about to end up with a fish in the net. I've caught loads of carp very shortly after frothing the water to a foam. As long as the rig is presented there's ALWAYS a chance mate.

Has Mr Top Rod ( I HATE that expression

Wading is the easiest way to find spots IMO. You'll often find me wandering up and down the margins poking around with my weigh crook. Certainly sounds like a crazy session and seems you'll have gained some good info. Now you just have to put it to good use!

dont start neal, yes they may be aliens but we all know it was a cold that killed kennedy he sneezed and blew his brains out

Well it's obvious isn't it ? . News of your campaign on Bayeswater , Neil and Spr , has travelled out of our Solar System , and Aliens have just had to come and see for themselves ! . Is that you in the Vass Waders Neil ? . So it seems the key to success at Bayeswater is what Yonny was more or less saying - Know Your Swim In Minute Detail .