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Kites are beautiful birds for sure - the colours and the forked tail and a full adult is bloomin big with those wings fully extended - wow This weekend i was so lucky to see an owl fly past really close and in the last hour of light so I got a great view, obvs no pics. I'd like to get a good deer shot - they are all around the lake, one came out from the poke hole I was fishing earlier that day, prob there whilst I was and I had no idea. This place is something else tbh - so many swans, geese, ducks, herons, white crane things etc etc too many bird types it's unreal even a tiny tiny bird in the reeds by the river. Newts, frogs - toads and crickets in the bivvy (standard). It is a nature reserve and should defo be protected if not already. This is a stinky winky screen print off my Instagram of my best fishing pic ever - I had this young kingfisher on my rods for 10 mins practicing picking stuff up out the water- insects, twigs, pebbles it was a great sight and I had my decent camera there and ready. One in a million I guess. In the full shots you can see the slack lines brilliantly too

An hour doing my favourite approach, no fish but always worth a go.

A lot of it is water dependent but on the water I fish: Location is always the most important bit but in winter more so as they're far more tricky to find. As we head into Autumn and temps drop they'll stop showing in the day and start showing at night, this is normally near where they'll end up for winter. Areas near (not in) the deepest water and central areas are worth keeping an eye on. Do a couple of nights when the temps start to drop and you should see/hear them if you're prepared to stay up late (very late in some cases). As soon as you think you know where they'll end up start putting a bit of bait in. Don't leave it too late as once they shut up shop for winter there's no getting them going again unless you get some seriously good conditions. If you can get the bait in before they shut up shop you can keep them going right through winter with consistent light baiting. Tactics/rigs etc are not that important imo, just don't go crazy with bait. The important bit is being on them and keeping them going with a little bait in the right area. Don't ignore zigs. Even if you keep them going with bait they'll likely only feed for an hour a day so zigs can increase your chances, especially during the day, significantly. For clothing, the Snugpak stuff was a massive game changer for me. SJ6 or SJ9 jacket and Sleeka salopettes are the ones. It's like wearing a sleeping bag, you can get away with just a T-shirt underneath. That Quantum winter suit is no good, it'll protect you from the wind but that's about it. DO NOT skimp on the clothing, spend proper money on proper gear (most fishing branded stuff is not what I consider to be proper winter gear). A decent sleeping bag is obviously a must of you do decide to do nights. Take plenty of tea. Enjoy yourself.

I like winter fishing as the banks are a lot quieter but they are for a good reason! If you read some of the match reports, a competent field of anglers regularly struggle and often they are won with ounces of fish using 1lb bottoms, size 20 hooks and maggots. Fishing is supposed to an enjoyment, not an endurance test. Fish a local runs water with a PVA bag or stringer. Do either an early morning or evening session although in the depths of winter we only get about 8 hours of daylight anyway. I probably wouldn't do an all nighter as the returns wouldn't justify it. Clean your tackle, tie some rigs, read a good book or even talk to the missus! Watch the weather forecast, they are pretty good these days even up to 14 days in advance. Look for that window when a South Westerly blows in with some heavy rain and plan to get out a few days after it has kicked in.

Well , as Nick said above , I’d be changing into em on arrival rather than hiking in ‘em 🤣

Really, how's that working out for you? 90% of Corben's policies everyone would agree with. Tell them it's Corben's policy and they backtrack?? Personally I have had enough of being taxed to the eyeballs & for what?? Where does it all go?? I would ask anyone to name any public service that has improved in recent decades? NHS? Police and rescue services? Inland revenue? Education? Roads? Energy and fuel? & the one that sickens my stomach our beloved coastlines and waterways 😤🤬 C'mon sheeple, it takes the masses to effect change! (sorry if that sounds like I'm on a soapbox) & I'm only registered, not involved) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

Wow that's an amazing shot, I want one myself now, I also now want a good kite shot lol, I've got a monopod I might start taking that for a walk with me and see if I can't get some nice pics, My best owl moment was in my old volvo 440 (I came way to close to deer also but that's another story) , I was driving along late one night and this big white barn owl just flew right in front of me for ages before landing in a bare tree, I would quite often see it in that tree after that, That place sounds amazing you will have to tell me where it is😉😉😉

If you want gloves and socks look at window cleaning supplies can't get over they do gloves for window cleaners my old gaffer would of sent you home just for asking about gloves think they are the seal skin brand.

Try again - Saturday night blah blah blah

Bait wise - start adding it now to the fishmeals. slowly change the ratio. start with 20% and gradually get higher 40, 60, 80%. Either go fully on to the winter bait or personally I like to keep at least 10-15% fishmeal. They'll still eat them. Also I would recommend the baileys over the bait, I have used it for a good few years now whenever im using nut or birdfood based baits. It'll work all year round. Buy the cheap stuff from Aldi or Lidl, it works the same. Also great in coffee on a winters day! Tactics - remember the fish wont be slowing down anytime soon, the weather isnt cold enough yet. Normally looking at late october/early november when they start really slowing down. All depends on the weather, we had a mild winter last year and they never really stopped for long. They'll be looking to pack on weight before winter so heavy baiting could pay off at the moment. Gear - The gas sleeves are actually worse, they'll keep the gas cold! I normally take mine out and tuck it at the bottom of my sleeping bag overnight. It's usually warm enough to work properly come morning. I also would say a small hot water bottle is essential! it'll keep you warm for ages and handy for cold feet when tucked in the bottom of a sleeping bag! Clothing - plenty of socks, changing in to dry socks has a big effect on your body temp and mentally too. Feet sweat in the heavy boots and no matter how good the socks are meant to be at wicking away moisture they'll inevitably be damp to some degree. Use the layering system to keep warm. It really helps if you have to barrow to swims and when setting up. As soon as you sweat youll be cold and its hard to keep warm.