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Same view this morning, but what a sunrise. Still - 2degrees but beats being sat at home

We were away in the wobbly van and as the weather warmed nicely New Year's morning, I pulled this little fella out for 15lb 3oz. It was the first of five for the day but I was just delighted to kick off the New Year with a fish. So how did you do?

Nice one mate

Yes and no! I'm possibly a few years older than you and can go back to tying your hair onto the hook. I think that the knotless knot was a late 1990's idea, (I could be wrong) as until around 1994 I was tying hairs on with mono, whipping thread or dental floss, and using either biro, shrink or silicone tubing to keep the hair to the shank, and extend the hook shank. Personally I found that on some lakes or fish, a standard knotless knot rig could be ejected, but add a line aligner and the fish would be hooked. This was watching the fish at close range, seeing the pick up with the knotless knot and watching the hook and bait get blown out. The change to the line aligner put the same fish I had seen eject the rig on the bank. Instead of ejecting it, they couldn't deal with it and ran. If everyone is fishing the same rig, same length, or even same material hooklink then the fish will 'learn' how to deal with it. Add in how you feed, your baiting situation and you can change things in your favour. There are definitely times when you need something different from the normal. Pressured fish, particular spots or how you bait up may need you to change your rig.

Good luck Nick, lovely sunrise

I was fishing Oxlease on the linear complex when another fisherman popped into my swim for a chat … 7 am 😳 this was winter time the bivvy was zipped up and I was tired having luckily had 2 fish in the early hours, I heard the tell tale crunch crunch of the gravel then a pause then a cough or two bit of a pause again then a alright mate ? then a bit of a pause then a mate you awake yet ?? I am now says I… bit of a pause again I seen your head torch on in the dark how big was your fish and get this where was your spot 😳 I gave it a extra long drawn out pause for affect and replied the fish were small and the spots went when I reached 17…then came the longest pause of all broken by the crunch crunch of the gravel and the mumblings receding into the distance.

My fears of rising petty crime were realized today. 😭 My garage on the other side of town was broken in to. All my mates fishing gear(10 years WORTH) , some of mine (luckily I had most of my gear in the van) several power tools and anything they could sell for a few quid! I'm talking a big van load of gear, not just a few crackheads! They haven't damaged the standard lock, so must of picked it! I avoided doubling the locks as a few others have, so as not to attract attention Do I go and put locks on now? If they think I have replaced any gear, they are likely to return & will get in anyway.