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It makes a change for me to start one! Started well yesterday morning, got here around 7, saw a few shows, small bag with a few 10mms and pop up combi rigs put out in that direction. Literally within 5 minutes (whilst I was down the margins putting out a few freebies), my left hand rod had ripped off. I felt it on, felt a good weight, then the dreaded snag. I just kept tension & bump, it came off. Dejected I redid the rod and put the kettle on. Just about to pour & the middle ones off. Good little scrap and lovely little scaled 16lb mirror. Went a bit quiet, sun was up so tried zigs in a few different spots , moving them about every hour or so. Not even a liner! As the sun dropped , I thought I'd switch back to bottom baits as I'd already caught and felt more confident for the night. Nothing through the night and just as I was stirring the left rod was off, happy days. This one felt a bit heavier, then the line went slack, I wound in faster and found the tension to the fish, it tussled a little bit, but was easily netted. As I pulled her out I thought this is a good 30 odd, could be a new pb? Scales topped out at 43 exactly, it is a new pb! Sent a pic to my mate (who's also on here), turns out to be the big girl of the lake. I'm absolutely made up

Woke up at 7 on the dot to a lovely 27lb linear. One of my best trips for a long, long time. Not sure the moon phase had any effect as they were all caught at first light

a mid double common to christen the new rods

If it's bright I'd be starting at ~ 25% depth (from the surface). If it's dull I'd be trying mid-water i.e. 50% depth. Colours for bites or black for the biggun.

Often times the women and children are in an”safe country” and then men make the journey to Britain as the risk is high in the channel. Then once here they bring the family. Your statements show you need to do some internet research as you don’t fully understand any of what you’ve said. Women and children in Ukraine were FLOWN out at the expense of other countries taxpayer money to those countries. The men were forced to stay, those that left cant go back. One that did flee got a visa here and lived across the road from my parents. I’ve spoken to him first hand. Avoided duty because of a bad back, was here working as a labourer the following week. They have a choice on where to go. They might prefer British food to Italian. Simple as that. They have freedom of choice. also, it just sounds like you don’t care about women and children sexually assaulted by British men. So much focus on these migrants and what they’ve done when a majority of SAs in Britain are carried out by white men, same with child SAs. Get a grip on reality please. Villainising a small % of the perpetrators and ignoring the majority is utter stupidity. Are you as vocal about British rapists? If all of these migrants disappeared will you still be vocal about rape and sexual assault? Were you before they were here? they are a recent phenom after all.

Quick update on the pond/fish. The covers are back on temporarily as the trees are blossoming and there's petals everywhere. On a more positive note, water temps are around 10C now and the koi are eating every day. Water quality is looking good and the fish are looking absolutely fantastic. You'd never guess they've been overwintering. I've been busy this week installing a 3 x 3m square parasol that can be erected to cover half the pond. It sees a lot of sun so my thinking is that A) it should help a little to prohibit algae and blanket weed growth, and B) it'll give the fish some shade at the height of summer. I have some bacteria boosters ready to go in when temps are 12+ and the bulb in the UV filter is being replaced again this month. I have some blanket weed treatment ready to go in case I need it but thus far it's not required. The bio filter is topped up with media. Shed loads of food in the garage. Basically all is ready for growing season.

New wands 😁

Have you seen the crimp-it or whatever it’s called. Same thing but not a toaster, could use it to prepare them before your session and then just pop it in a toaster device if you’re choosing to heat it up. Interesting to look at RM as a business. A redesign of a toaster device, simple and easy, has propelled them in to what they are now. Goes to show how something incredibly simple can lead a business to be extremely lucrative!

I noticed my name got mentioned in one of those links for some reason lol. close the thread and let’s get back to being an SHB free zone hey Elmo have you rolled any today ?

I fished a rather secretive place that the members referred to as Toe-to-the-Brow Lagoon.... because that's how many guys set their zigs 🤣🤣

Nah you didn’t the thread just came to a conclusion and fizzled out

I used the blue or great variety of anatomy rather than nipple but like you it censored it lol but high was the closest it would let me go as well lol

Off on a 48 tomorrow, what with the sun out today, im thinking I might have to give them a try. Another minefield of depths and colours etc I'd appreciate anyone's suggestions on what's worked, as im pants at it

I went to the tackle shop Saturday. And I only bought two things. Sticky pineapple pop ups and a Gardner baiting spoon Quite proud of myself tbh. But then I bought 10kg of pellets and wafter mix off AA baits. 10 hookbait pots and 5 bait spray bottles.

We argue a bit and move on. Hence why the long term members remain. Rather argue about something that matters than if a hookbait worth the price 😂

Ok. Got it now As long as I receive my order by the 25th, I'll give you a 5 star trust pilot review.

It’s the same with all these people harping on about Iran, that regime is/was only there because they overthrew a brutal and sadistic dictatorship installed by the British under proxy for the Americans, because the leader at the time who everyone in Iran loved, wanted to nationalise oil and cancel the contracts with BP. A history well documented and factual, but that they bury whenever they can. History repeating itself again. What do they say, if you keep on doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result, they call you crazy. Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Iran…

out for a few hours enjoying the sunshine 😎

Two days after the full moon and moon set on Thursday was about 7:15 a.m. so according to the theory, it should have been a good time. I did my first 24 hours session of 2026 on Friday and started at 6:30 and within an hour saw 3 good shows close in and put a rod on it and the other 2 out tight to an island. I had 3 slight pulls within the first couple of hours on the close rod and that was as good as it got. The water has good night form but I didn't have one bleep or didn't hear one fish roll. I went in light with the bait, only about a dozen boilies and a small scoop of boilie crumb in the boat and poured some dip/oil over it so it was more smell than food. I also put on a small mesh bag of crumb on the hook and dipped that and the bait in the liquid before sending it out. I chatted to the bailiff earlier who confirmed it was hard going and I spoke to 2 blokes in the next swims up on the way out and they reported the same. The water didn't feel too cold for March as we have had a pretty wet and warm winter but I'll give it a bit longer before my next trip.

Still great for fried eggs lol

No offense mate at all... its just me having a pop at the bait company for using the SAS name... i'm getting on so a bit of a moaner lol!

Here's ya secret to the BEST pop ups in the WORLD, that i discovered recently from talking to a secret blackhat Carp fisherman on a HUGE 200 acre Gravel Pit lol! 1 egg mix: For best results NO Cheating! for 2 weeks coat ya cork balls in egg white only! add the following to ya 1 egg mix: : Thaumatin - Citric acid - Butterfat store in the fridge for exactly 27 hrs! now take ya liquid and mix ya paste, now store in fridge for 7 days, then coat ya cork balls & make popups, back in fridge for 7 days... ...now finally remove the baits and coat 'em in pure Citric acid, boil for exactly 69 seconds, dry for exactly 29 hrs, now the BIG SECRET...*microbial inhibition! BUT sorry i can NOT tell ya *that cos then YOU will discover how the carp can detect ya pop-ups from 1.2 miles away!

No but I did get a delivery from AA Baits, wafter mix today, need to make a batch with egg albumen because they are too soft without. Also got some glycerin to make a hookbait soak if that helps 😂 Then I am going to do a special process to the hookbaits shhhh it's still a secret.

Elmo have you rolled any today ? I hope you're not trying to jump the queue ??? Im still awaiting my order of SHB's

Well done @commonly great result. Really pleased for you.

Superb start to the year mate - well in 👌

Whallop. Congrats!

I don't think you did don't worry.

Knee, (censored) and nipple were the correct terms he used 😂 I like a fathom, half a fathom or even fathom and a half length zigs

That's why I find it hard that so many people still support Farage. His links to trump are a massive red flag.

How has he not been imprached?? Clearly insane. Get him on the grassy Knoll, in a convertible at the very least

Boring???? We are headed into WW3 with a convicted rapist president (Trying to cover up the Epstein Files) a weak controlled government and a country that has recently commited a genocide, we are headed towards fascism and the rich get richer and the poor will own nothing and be happy, it is this kind of attitude that allows them to get away with it, Really, ''convicted rapist president' Just carry on you lot, actually thought this forum was above this stuff tbh

Boring???? We are headed into WW3 with a convicted rapist president (Trying to cover up the Epstein Files) a weak controlled government and a country that has recently commited a genocide, we are headed towards fascism and the rich get richer and the poor will own nothing and be happy, it is this kind of attitude that allows them to get away with it, Also I haven't fallen out with anybody, we are adults we disagree and we move on.

That opens another can of worms regarding attitudes on Israel across the world and the right to claim land back because of ancient claims to the land 😂 When are the Europeans going to give America back to the natives? What if someone funds the natives to the tune of billions and billions to arm themselves and reclaim it, what would the world say? Same for Australia. Now that would be an interesting situation to witness!

You didn't mention how the UK interfered with Israel, which let's be clear is at the heart of ALL the problems of the middle east.

So why is your focus on these migrants doing it? Focus on it as a whole no? Stop it ALL not just a small percentage of it no? Wasn’t people on the streets like they are about migrants was there? A proportion of them seemingly charged with SAs, paedophilia and domestic violence, proclaiming to want to protect women and children. Make it make sense! As you said, they act like some British do, but you’re focussed on them not all again. If you know it’s not a migrant attribute, why the hyper focus? I get that it’s an easier issue to sort out but demonising them for behaviours you admit British people have as well or crimes British people also commit seems a bit ridiculous doesn’t it. my example in jest. They have plenty of reasons to prefer Britain to anywhere else. Family ties, the lifestyle, the countryside, for some of them maybe they feel that Britain played a part in causing their circumstances in their country so we owe them a safe place to live… that last one you can’t disagree with really can you.

The rules on asylum are interesting. For claiming in Britain you must prove that in your home country you face persecution on race, religion, social group or politics. You must be in Britain to claim asylum, so no claiming at a consul or embassy. There are however specific forms Undocumented Friends and Family that can be issued at consuls and embassies to get legally to the UK. In other words, an illegal entry into the country, by boat, or hidden in a lorry for example with no travel documents, you can be refused entry. As I mentioned Tony Blair negotiated a contract to house them in hostels, hotels and houses of multiple occupancy, which the Conservatives were forced to continue, with additional contracts going to Serco and Group4 along with others. At the same time, local councils had their right to refuse taken away, and homeless units for British families were closed down. There was a country that was willing to take these people in, Rwanda. A negotiated settlement by the Conservative government that the 'progressive' left disagreed with.

Our history extents much beyond those two things. The empire and atrocities committed against countries Britain invaded should be taught alongside the good things for example. Same for every country. Simple as that. There’s no excuse to be uneducated on history or any subject now the internet exists. Information is at everyone’s fingertips. Anyone that passes comment or forms opinions without educating themselves thoroughly, beyond the scope of social media and Algorithms, in my opinion has an invalid opinion or at minimum be willing to educate themselves based off evidence provided.

My last post on this thread simply because I don’t want to fall out with anyone I don’t think i actually said there was a first country rule but there should be if it’s safe in a neighbouring country then that’s where you should stop. and you should be able to apply at an embassy it’s British soil.

If they can pay what is rumoured to be thousands of pounds to cross the channel, then surely just buy a plane ticket once in a safe country. And, why once in a "safe" country do they carry on to the UK? And let's not sugar coat anything here, what about the suffering of the young girls who have been sexually assaulted by some of these men, one girl who actually worked in a migrant hotel killed by one of these men? My gripe with all this is, where are the women and children on these small boats? If it was a mix of women , children and men then i get it, but it isn't The Ukraine war with Russia, the women and children left and the men stayed to fight. Poland who don't take illegal immigrants, took thousands of Ukrainians, because they were real victims of war.

So they plan to ignore and actively hide the bad side of British history, which we all know exists and to educate people properly, should be taught to our children. It’s like Germany saying they won’t teach anyone about the Nazi party….although that does need looking in to if you have a brain on who set that policy and wrote the textbooks. the entire issue with this policy is that the internet is free, people will go and question and interrogate it for the truth and start asking questions in school, what happens then? They are expelled for questioning the history they are taught? Imprisoned? What happens? censor the internet? you teach the good and the bad side by side. You should be taught the truth. Churchill for example, he did many a bad thing, that’s facts. Why hide it? What happens if I bring that up in a Restore Britain Britain? Death penalty for the truth? the internet will always win the day unless censored, which sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship that restore criticise. The truth about what you were taught, what I was taught, what’s being taught now, is out there. go translate hitlers speeches for a start, eye opening. Go look up who publishes school textbooks. Go research the real history and current affairs. Eye opening stuff. Kids are savvy and a fake history doesn’t run anymore.

So this country can continue to afford incoming immigration? You do know that Britain has had over 10million come into this country since 2010? The cost per day to the UK taxpayer is around £6million. The majority are not refugees, not asylum seekers, but are economic migrants. The total last year who were genuine refugees is 33,000, out of 898,000. Some figures to make you think, and why we cannot continue to allow the system as it is.

Illegal immigrants… yup, no problem with that. if you want to come over then do it the correct way.

Another 3kg of 15mm done on the table, I think I've got my mix about right now 6 egg mix makes 1.5kg and mixes pretty well. Guns and rolls pretty well. Big common food. ✅☑️✔️✅

I just had one, no big surprise! I thought it might be nice to share some valuable, heart warming experiences. I just went with my son to get his first razor. Explaing the do's & dont's was very humbling for me.

The second session is at Waterside next month. Not that I'm looking forward to it (much), but there's been a reminder this week, of what we could end up connecting with🤪 https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/news/stories/uks-biggest-common-carp-banked/

So, I went to the big one show today and left with… 3x fox horizon X4S rods, 3x Sonik gravity rods, a pot of sticky banana limited edition pop ups.

Now I know why old men wear flat caps. Perhaps it's that time already.

It's been a long hard 6 months of Autmn & Winter. I haven't been able to get out since last August. Glad to finally be back at it again. Its a rock hard water, but today's not about catching. It's about being out and enjoying life for a few hours. Tight lines anyone else out there today. I hope this isn't a false spring......

Funny thing is that many freezer baits become bio-active by a simple process called efflorescence, where salts and sugars come to the surface of the boilie. It is why some baits are more effective after a couple of days out of the freezer. There were a number of bio-active ingredients, from meat meals to milk products, to pineapple juice (bromelain).