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You make me laugh trying to compare the two. In the states the people who trap fur are fantastic at it, they know how, where etc, yet most struggle to get an otter or two a season. Here in the UK you would get dozens if you trapped the same area of land as the trap lines in the states. I know places in Europe where fish farms are killing 2-6 otters a year, and there are far fewer otter there, so what chance have our carp fisheries got. I get sick to the stomach listening to people going on about the natural balance, I wish people would wake up to the fact the HUMANS are part and parcel of the natural balance, we are not separated from nature, although a lot of people would like to think we are.

I think the new brolly is going to get a run out.....https://www.metcheck.com/WEATHER/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=Lewes&locationID=57235&lat=50.9&lon=0&dateFor=20/02/2018 Metcheck saying rain all day, Accuweather saying none at all. Now who do I believe lol!! Thing is, it looks so neat and tidy in the bag, I don't want to take it out and mess it up

Hey don't diss my Mk2's there Nick The gate design is banging and they can be zeroed - there's a cut in the weight that allows it to be pushed back further. It's a bit advanced for you MK1 boys to work out lol

It's quite expensive getting set up , even with budget gear so it's difficult to get quality bits all in one hit. I'll have a look at most things out of curiosity. But if I'm actually upgrading, then it's a "buy once" mentality. Get some info off here, or even better from someone using certain kit on the bank, sometimes pay a bit extra, then that's one box ticked off. If it's looked after, then will last a lifetime....... Good idea to look after any budget gear too, you can always get a couple of quid back for it when you are looking to upgrade.

I still have a set of the MK1's!

I did read, they do use the furs, I did say they trap them for fur did I not! They do thrive, but now YOU LOOK UP the actual statistics about populations per hectre and then try telling me. Next do you realise that carp in the UK take 5-1 usa years to grow to same size? that for every 10 fish naturally spawned here in the UK the figure is 1000 in Europe and closer to 10000 in the USA and Australia, that's why they are a pest. You simply cannot compare the different countries never mind continents. You remind me of lots of people talking about foxes," Oh there not that bad, if they were left alone there would be a natural balance" bla bla, then they move to the country, buy some chickens and phone the likes of me and its the " they should exterminate all foxes" The average persons love of Otters, Foxes and Gippos is in direct proportion to the distance they live away from them [Frank Law]. I do not wish to exterminate otters, I love seeing them, I have an affinity with them having kept them for many years, But I see them for what they are with my own eyes, not through media taught rose tinted glasses. And I know that unless something along the lines of Parvo wipes the otters out in the UK, normal carp lakes in the UK don't stand a chance, unless we simply treat them as put and take lakes, we put them in the otters take them out.

Winter in western Kansas is lasting too long, but the sunsets are pretty.

They do look the business. Always looking to spend my spare cash on carping gear!

Retro!!!

You're as bad as me Smufter. I always fit isotopes even though they do absolutely nothing other than look pretty lol. Complete waste of money but I still do it.

You are VERY wrong, the carp in the USA grow far faster than anything in the UK, its all down to degree days, and they have far more, so more food and more growth. You are right about it being pointless, because in the UK, regardless of what anyone says or does the likes of Chris Peckham will always win and the true naturalists and persons who live by the countryside will lose.

If your generic NGT ones work for you, and you're reasonably happy with them, then an upgrade would be a waste of money............but don't let that stop you lol! I was using some cheap Avid ones, which were fine. But the chains were like chocolate, so I "upgraded" to Wychwood Slugs. They work for me. I look for 3 things in a bobbin... 1) Adjustable weights. You can buy bigger weights for the Slugs, but I am happy with them as they are for the moment. Not too heavy but I can adjust them if I want. 2) High visibility. I went for the bright orange ones. I can see them from miles away, so they certainly catch my eye should they start "dancing". Bright Yellow are good too. 3) Ability to take an isotope easily.

What are you basing that argument on though BC? I can tell you now that one of the lakes I was fishing was lower stock than anything anyone else on here is or was fishing. Hasn't stopped the otter wiping it out . Bit like you can tell people who haven't fished at range .... you can also tell people who haven't had or seen the otters work close up .

Looking through pictures, found this one from June when on a flathead catfish sesh.

Cheers for the replies lads. Some lovely dogs you have there!! I've decided I'll leave it for a few more months and then think about getting one. It's mad how big a hole they leave when their gone

She's a goodun lads no doubt, her legs have just started to play up this last year or so . Been giving her a supplement the last few months & have definitely noticed she's not quite so stiff/ lame after exercise & is generally moving a little easier, there' no miracle cure for old age but think it's making her more comfortable so going to stick with it . Mans best friend without doubt.