Dicky123

Elmo. Your spot on mate, I'm 67 and still creeping around. A little umbrella would be ideal for me, I hate getting wet or cold these days, but still fish a full three days a week on some very hard waters. Fortunately the technique does not limit me to any one swim, so when I arrive and the place is busy, I'm not bothered. Small rods are not essential, but help greatly in tight swims. See You-Tube video "Half a Wrap" and tell me you could do that with anything part from a 6'' rod. The umbrella idea was not only for summer, rain, sun, but winter chub fishing too. Sadly carp fishing is becoming too "pigeon hold" and many don't see past 3 rods cast to the horizon. Nothing wrong with camping carping, at times I've done it and enjoyed it with my mates in the 70s80s on the old Nene. But I always felt a bit disappointed if I didn't get the swim I felt was best. Years on I only do stalking now days, and I seem to catch a few fish, but like many my age don't talk much about it. I also like old pretty fish, even if they are under the size many think are not worth catching. For many years I didn't fish with floaters, no confidence, though I had to have special rods and reels. Now each trip I drift a few in, it's amazing how at times the fish are under a tree on the far margin, or in the lilies close to me. It's a great fish finding method, and I don't often use many. My stalking rods are ideal up to 60 yards for floater fishing. Only the other week I fished a lake and got the fish going, some nice lumps over 30lb too. The chap up from me was bottom fishing, so I walked up and suggested he come fish with me, we could take it in turns. He hardly moved out of his tent and said he was bottom fishing and didn't do floater fishing, honest, it's true. The saying goes, " You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink".

So what do you do if you don't find any fish, go home?? Myself I fish on! It may be the fish come back in minutes, but it could be an hour or more? It's obvious you don't do much of it or you would know, sorry? 🙂 You're putting stalking in a little box defining it to how you think. It's a much bigger technique than that, and setting traps is all part of it, as it is for longer stay anglers too? And it's clear you really are missing something, but each to their own Steve? 😉😉 Fo myself I'd define it as mostly a one rod technique but you may have more with you. Spending a lot of time sitting and looking for fish, maybe more time sitting than fishing. But somethings you simply cannot find the [censored]s. Then you work your traps (mostly margin spots) You may be creeping around, or simply walking featureless margins, or even putting a few floaters in the lilies, or weed. (Please don't say that's floater fishing) It is, but that's all part of stalking, you may fish on the top, or bottom, what's the difference, none, you still finding fish. You set a few baited areas and fish them in rotation, or not, you may not be able to see any margins fish due to coloured water, then what would you do, go home? No, you fish the spots, ten minutes, an hour, it's all about how you feel. If i could sum it up in a few words I'd say is "generally seeking out fish with one rod, rather than waiting for them to come to you" but it has some many variation of that. It's not a small box technique, unless you don't do it. I don't do anything else now days as I just prefer the freedom it gives me, and I don't have three matching rods for my sins!🤪🤪

Its clear you have don every little yourself, because even when stalking you have to sit and wait. Sometimes for several hours, the fish often move off, but can come back, it's like all fishing a waiting game. Stalking can mean "finding the fish" then you have to bait and wait. Do yourself a favour and try it sometime. You would find a small umbrella would come in handy, just like I've mentioned, you need to be more open minded sometimes? Stalking simply means (to me) that you find the fish before hand, but on dull or cloudy days, rough weather, it's not always possible.

The Shimano tribal velocity seems to have good reviews guys'. And as mentioned the Wychwood Extremis, 3.25lb is what I'm suggesting to him as he likes *** work on runs waters it seems?

I would like to see a "Stalking Umbrella" 35-40'' maximum size, with a good sharp spike pole. Light and made of quality materials. WHY? Well, in summer it's the odd heavy shower that catches me out. I don't take all my rain gear as most is winter orientated. So to be able to carry a small umbrella, light just to cover me and my chair would be great. Also the sun in summer, acting as a nice shade area over my head and arms. In winter I wear all my winter gear, quality stuff but still a heavy shower can get it all wet and heavy. A light brolly just to keep the odd shower off for an hour or so? Would one be of interest to you guys? How much, well I'd pay £50-£70 if the quality was good. I have tried taking a normal umbrella, but holding it all the time does not work, it needs a good lite spike.

Smuff. Good price mate, what are they like to cast and use or with a fish on. My mate likes bag work, thanks buddy.

Framey. What Soniks are you suggesting please, and what is wolf? Thanks Rich.

Guys. A friend of mine is re-taking up carp fishing and has asked me to recommend a 12'' rod for around £100. He will not be casting to the horizon, so will need 3lb to 3.25lb test so ova bags and such are possible. Now I've been out of the buying scene since I brought my Scopes, so can anyone come up with a few suggestions please? He could go to £125 if pushed. Thanks all Rich.

I heard on the TV yesterday that The footballer Gareth Bale earns £660,000 a week? Is that true? If so what do you think guys?

Cheers mate.

You have mis-quoted and misunderstood what I was saying sadly! I was simply implying how easy it is to get stuck in a way of fishing, and not always think about the situation. The Alain Blair quote was just an example, and nothing more. I raised the thread just for that simple reason. 🙄 Rich.

Greekskii. It's why I asked, you're clearly thinking about your angling. I'm sure many of us just go through the motions, never really thinking about why we are doing something. Personally I don't use mine much, mostly at long range, or very windy situations when little beeps can drive you crazy. At close range I prefer to see what my bobbins are doing, making sure my lead set up is right for the fishing I'm doing. Heavy leads in close, or light for casting over fish. I did re-learn something recently. I'm guilty of using short hook links out of fashion almost all the time. But Alain Blair said he used longer links on big fish picking up individual hook baits. He said a big fish sucks up a bait often as much as 6'' or more off the bottom, so a 12'' link was not too long. Now I knew this, its obvious, but I was NOT thinking about it, GUILTY of just doing something because it's the way I fish.

If you use them "all the time" do you think your fishing is in a bit of a rut, and you're just doing the same old thing over and over? Just asking, thinking about my own fishing too?

I find Parcel2go a bit expensive as they are a middle man only. UPS today is my favourite right now, and Hermes at times but I have had been told about problems with them, HOWEVER not me but a friend?

When would you use the line clip on your rod? Slack line fishing, at range, windy conditions, when and why?

G.P. Rods are proper issue with posting at the moment, so I agree. Parcel Force are charging about £24-£32 for a six foot rod. I agree some carriers are better, but it's finding one. I've found one but have only started to use them, for small items I go with the E-Bay one, very cheap, good. It also track the items for you, so no issue with loss. Your issue was the fact you when to the Post Offie rather than say Parcel Force, and they charge far too much for their small parcel rate. Sorry you had such a problem, always ask as people can help you on here. Best wishes. Rich.

Has anyone noticed how recently sellers (private) are reluctant to post rods out. They all want collection only, that must put most people off living a long distance away? I've never had a problem myself sending rods (maybe 30 or more to date) but I always use a door to door and signature. It costs but is worth it for peace of mind. Rich.

I don't know why I've not tried this before, amazing tool. Used it today on some difficult to splice Nash cling-on leader, really easy, works well. Job done Rich.

Nothing, no one fish in France?? I'm surprised.

Oscsha. No honest, I'm more thinking now about the standard Scope saw off 3lb 6' at £109. I really wanted to understand that if paid twice the price would I be getting twice the rod? I don't mind spending that much if it's worth it, but it seems by all feedback from people that have seen them, they are not. However no-one seems to actually own one and felt it as your suggesting i should. Sadly no shops near me stock the blooming thing. Do you get my drift now buddy? Rich.

Thanks all. Brought some Fox inline drop off bits, seems the business. Merci.

I'm told this stuff sinks, and does not require putty. Can anyone confirm this for me please? Thanks Rich.

Nice. I have those that came with the leads, but as i say they are loose?

Thanks, But its a 6' I really want for some swims i fish currently.

Is it 6' and a 3lb test curve?