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A quick tip on the topic of barrows. Don't, ever, leave the handles at home in the shed. Without them the barrow is of absolutely no use. Trust me. Ian.

I’ll carry on using my barrow just to save my back for the next 50 years lol

shame levigsp and others don't post anymore I have caught good fish after reading levigsp's posts, I started using heavy fluorocarbon with great results after reading posts on here , would love to know his thoughts on fussy carp that will only eat what they really like whilst ignoring a good but made for retail use bait. are carp that don't need to compete for a feed a bite time fussy eaters?

Shot knees (6 arthroscopies) and 4 collapsed discs in my back... (3 operations) I still manage to cart me toys about without a barrow... as long as I keep moving I can still keep moving... if you get me drift

I use my barrow as my seat 🤫

Not every fish spawns at the same time, some don't at all! My personal view, is just don't fish for spawning fish. On Ardleigh back years ago, I had a 13lb heavily scaled mirror from the mouth of a small bay where they would spawn, I had seen other fish splashing along the bank. 2 hours later I caught a 24 battle scarred warrior from an area 100 metres away, middle of the reservoir that had not been in the splashing fish. The 13lb mirror was munching on the spawn, there was no dripping milt or eggs, the 24lb mirror was built, but again was not dripping. It did not look empty, but was eating. At Brackens I caught a 20lb male that was pouring out milt, yet I know that they did not go into full spawning mode as mid afternoon just after they started, the weather turned cold with severe thunderstorms. 3 weeks later with no more warmer weather around, 12 fish went belly up, spawn bound after an oxygen crash. I've watched fish spawning, and despite getting heavily battered, scales etc, within a week, most damage is healing. The best person to ask is @levigsp

Essentially I would agree with you Blue, but sadly some days I struggle with sciatica and hip pain, so putting the gear on a barrow keeps me balanced as well as being able to walk faster. The days of carrying everything are gone. I carry only what I need, that does include chest waders and life jacket, I've not been conned into extras. I don't have bivvy table, but my floater rod may need setting up so spare hooklinks and hooks are in my tackle box. Go through that I don't think there is anything I don't use! I don't often take cooking stuff on summer days, but winter pike fishing a hot coffee is a big bonus, really warms you up, and tastes a whole lot better than flask coffee. Day times I often do pasta dishes (leftovers from dinner) which I can eat hot or cold.

not saying waters shouldn't close for spawning but it's a bit misleading they will be spawning on and off till the end of summer it would be better to close pegs as and when needed through out the summer it might cut down on the rush to get out as much as possible in early summer.

For days only sessions I don't take the bedchair or any cooking stuff, relying on sandwiches and a flask. I've tried slimming my gear down but it just creeps back up again! I've got a large rucksack I keep most of my gear in and the barrow just makes it easier to cart around the rod bag and bait - I do like a lot of spod late summer and into the autumn. If possible I try not to put up the brolly up as that is the biggest hindrance to moving but if the sun is beating down or it's raining, it's difficult not to succumb to the comfort.

For a day session there really should be no need for a barrow... it tickles me rigid when you see all the YouTube vids about keeping mobile and theres a barrow piled high for a 10 or 12 hour session sitting behind the presemter... my young apprentice is always moaning that I get to the water before him... I'm usually setting up bankside while he's still loading his barrow... ruckie, chair, rodbag, bait bag, thats all I take for a day session... only use a barrow for 24 hours or longer and even then the only addition is bedchair and bivvy... the carping media has brainwashed folks into taking all bar the kitchen sink... sometimes a rod reel net loaf of bread and mat are all that's needed for a days fishing... I despair I really do