Leaderboard

I've been up in Norfolk pulling nights on The Wensum after seeing a couple of barbel just before I joined The Syndicate and while getting over the 'to-do' on Alton. Hard work although a friend has kept me in touch with the river, and had a couple to 9lb. That is small compared to the fish I saw in the area. Really hard fishing as there are so few fish left due to otters taking many of the fish, including barbel and chub.

Even now at the Park Lake, it's raining, but OMG muggy.....

I cut a trip short last week it was just too hot, couldn't find the fish anywhere only the odd pasty in open water, the proper ones were obviously hiding deep in snags, no early morning shows, no crashing out, seemed dead. I'm not even starting the prebaiting until this hot period has passed, gonna have a break and have a dabble for perch on the river instead.

I honestly don't want to fish the lake right now, there is very little shade. The mat even after soaking before putting a fish on it is still going to be warm. Sky would be miles too hot.

I love winter fishing... the rivers are flushed through and the chub want to play and all the fair weather carpers are tucked up at home, I'll be on the bank...

True mate, I'm at an age where my kids are grown up, I can do what I want and fishing is what I do. I had the same pod for 25+ years so a long overdue upgrade is how I saw it - no regrets. You only get one life as @thecarpcatcher would say! Good luck hiding your goodies 😂

Arrived at club lake about 2pm... Had 2 so far...a scraper double and a 15lb 6oz common (on mates rod 😬)

The quality is really inconsistent. When it's good it's good but when it's bad you end up with floating hemp and tigers that taste awful. Decent quality but pricey and full of preservatives. Worth checking Carbon Baits, I've heard good things about them. They do shelf life too. https://carbonbaits.co.uk/ No mate, this wont stop particles going off. Imo your best bet is to get a Burco and do them fresh. It'll save you money in the long run and you'll get a MUCH better end result. You can just soak once a week, set the pot going in the garden, and leave it for half an hour until they're ready. Dead easy.