Roughtor

That's light isn't it for a large pit reel ,it's a bit lighter than my Ultegras as well.. I also like the 2nd version Inc's, especially now you can get spare spools from Johnson Ross for about 17 quid .. Okuma do some great stuff ,including the Sheffield centrepin which I use ..

What about those lines that glow with a uv light on them,might be good for night fishing ,so you don't get into a mega mess if you get a take

I been reading about how good these Obsidian reels are ,but I guess not having actually seen o e they bigger than my ultegra 4500..they similar to 5500 xtb

A simple stir fry ,nothing amazing ,but I live 2 mins from the lake ,and could get my lady to bring me dinner down,but I like to eat on the bank...

My next set of reels are going to be Okuma or Penn.. Either Inc's 6000 Or Rivals ,gold spool 6000

I have used Cotswolds before ,had a custom landing net pole ,with Gerry Savages philosophy engraved on the butt,a special...removable spigot ,so could break the net down under trees ..Had to wait well.over six months for it ,and none of my contact with them were answered.. Great piece of kit ,communication zero ,I'd not bother again .. Talking about test curves ,I fish 1.000 acre inland seas ,down to tiny farm ponds ,I've just sold a set of Ctx in 2.5 tc to the Pallatrax bailiff ,bloke ,replaced by some Bob the Rod built mk 3 armalites ,first version 9 eyes ,from the now defunct Fosters of Birmingham, literally, never used,up in the attic ,job.. Those 2.75 tc armalites are the most powerful carp rods I've ever had ...I understand all about distance and TCs,but I really love the players actions on the century's, they are ,on purpose the only rods I have for carping ,I can have anything I want within reason ,but I'm happy to just use what I have,and with that comes knowledge of the limits the rods can be safely used... I'm not missing out ...,compared to others ,which is a dangerous thought to have..

In a bid to be taking less overnight kit ,bought this Speedflex bivvy it's got a nice bit of room in it sets up really fast ,got the wrap for it as well.

I bet that went like a rocket,love commons ,especially old skool looking versions

I much prefer the characteristics and behaviour of 12lb ,but as been said it depends on lake rules .. On my place I allow 12lb ,but other places I go its 15lb or .35 dia,so I just use 15lb everywhere, especially as my reels are old skool and I only have one set of spools .. My catch rates not changed ,but the Nash Bullet I use in 15 lb ,which I've put on slightly underfilled on purpose ,has a mind of its own ..its tough though..

There is one guy though from UKWOT ,( Wild otter trust ) Dave Webb ,who will actually remove a otter if its got into a fenced fishery and or give proper significant advice..they are based in Nth Devon and even have their own otter recovery ambulance..UKWOT ,also took on the last remaining otters from Tamar otter Park, sanctuary based nr Nth Petherwin lanson ,Kernow.. Funnily enough my daughter was the last customer through its doors ,and it's now closed ...there was or maybe still is a youtube vid,that showed a Heron being dismembered at that place by an otter,I sent that to Tim ,it even showed the friendly otters eating carp from their own lake,that had escaped into it.. Could go on ,but don't want depression..

Plus you can feel ,the regrowth as well.. Your so right ,the scale of denial is unreal ....there is a reason for that as well...

@kevtaylor that's a great skill your mate has,knowing about scar tissue and regeneration ..I have that skill ,hence I can tell whether a venue has been predated or not This is a pic of my little club lake ,manager insists this was caused by angler ,they need to wake up and fast ,especially when the feeder streams go into spate I started to write a book on it ..essentially the truth about rewilding and its impact on fisheries,nature and the mental health upon the owners etc

There's a guy on youtube recent Yonny ,over in France called fenesmere fishery or similar ,he's been posting about the issue.. ( when my uncle/aunt owned Sky lakes in France, they had the issue then as well,and that was a while ago I think the predation has always been there,only its been under the radar ..

Found ,from my notes approx 6 dead fish all in a significant area ,known as 'kill platform' No history of otters ever being present in the past ,despite the land being farmed ,managed for generations

Small lake ,not the nicest sight to be greeted with ...only this sight is common

Like Kev was rightly saying you have to check the fence regularly, I mean I'm down there virtually everyday ,those fences especially the ones with electric, or in my case a big solar panel, plus battery ,if the geese hit the wires,causing it to short one dark night its game over..or the local hunt get a whiff of ol foxy 🦊, they damage it as well It's a constant battle ,I have to be honest ,I've nearly packed it in because of predation ,especially as my mate did . But why should I, angling is what I do ...!! I lived with it over 30 yrs plus I'm, sadly used to it ,so many venues ruined .. We fight on ..also ,venues live or die by the attitude of the owner,or anglers, live in denial, bye bye venue... Famous local saying No fence ,no fish, no future ..

Best ,non fence I've seen is only half the lake being fenced ,and it's electrified ,honestly you couldn't make it up.. Apparently the 'expert' in attendance said it'd keep the pred out...I shook my head ,muttering things like move on,move on,to myself ,shaking my head in disbelief.. They lost a lot of lovely fish

There are so many of them out and about now,definitely they are not rare or endangered.. When there is evidence suggesting, males are tolerating other males in their ranges ,then it could be said, rewilding them has failed as its now out of kilter with the nature available to them ... I know otters raid people's koi ponds to get food ..

Ps,update ,now had some nice cyprinus in this now ,its very ,very good ..just make sure you peg it if windy it's very light but good light !

A original version two ,Solar Sod pod ,the exterior leg version so I can fish two plus one on mega slate quarries ,( can't get banksticks in,, ever )... Bit of autosol, elbow grease ,proper job ...totally against my minimalist principles, but ....needs must ... Should be good ..

Big foot ....ha ha...no seriously .. Whatever it was spooked this deer ,as it ran past me,.. made a hellish crashing noise,what with the non stop rain ,thunder ,lightning, was a night to remember.. ( I loved it )...

Look at the tail on this rocket ,I had a hellish battle with it in about 30ft of water I reckon ,it was jet propelled.. I also had 12 others ,similar to my first pic ,but didn't want put em all up., just lovely to be out in raw nature ..

Sorry mate ,I should have explained better ,it's scat ...there's a lot of wildlife out there some if which is unaccounted for ,all sorts .. I've seen stuff ....

Also during the storm, I heard a right commotion behind me in the woods and saw a roe dissappear like a rocket past me in the half light ,in the morning I put my 'tracking ,predation head on ' and soon found this ...

Where I live there is an abundance of disused ,deep quarries,some are barren,and fishless...but a few have some surprises and have held carp and other species for many years .. When you fish these places,you have to think like a miner ,and find the galleries, which are mined ,and step down into unimaginable depths ,find the galleries and you find the patrol routes.. The weather was awful ,I had a river running under my shelter,at one point ,wind,rain,hail,thunder,lightning..and a big fear of falling branches made it interesting..,then all the mica,clay residue gets everywhere...anyway .. I found the marginal gallery, and fished very simple running lead tactics ,using the Ressi specials I use a lot..After the storm had passed ,I seen kingfisher,heard deer rutting,and woodpeckers, nature at its best ..