welder

bc69, I agree with everything that Tim (Newmarket) posted above. It may be one of those fairly rare waters which responds well to beds of bait in winter but don't be disappointed if it's not I know it's a corny old cliché ..... you can always add bait but you can't take it out. Ian

I'd be looking at Bluebell Lakes, Peterborough. www.bluebell-lakes.co.uk Ian

Hi Mike, can't help with your enquiry, sorry, but I can welcome you to this cracking forum. Enjoy. Ian

If I could "Like" this several dozen times I would. As this isn't possible, believe that this one is from the heart, Tim.

Thumbnail works for me, Dan. Ian

Nick, you're learning to relax and have a laugh. It's good to see, mate. Ian

I don't do messing with other people's wives, I'm happily married. For 35 years. As I'm sure you've worked out, the café at Merrington is run be a lady called Clare. I note that you're based in Wolverhampton so Merrington is just up the road from you. Their winter syndicate will have kicked in by now (I think?) so I won't be going there again this year but intend to do a few trips there next year. I'll let you know when, mate. Ian

Same here. I'd add that staying calm helps the operation and that, after a little practice, the "twist of the wrist" becomes second nature. I've never used large barbs, microbarbs have always been sufficient. Ian

I'll have a look at that, too. I'm visiting some people who live overlooking Olton Mere, this coming Sunday, to quote them for wrought ironwork. Should be a good opportunity for a nosey. I live only a few miles from there, 6 maybe. Rick, you might want to pop into Fosters of Birmingham and have a word. They run several syndicates in and around the West Midlands, it's got to be worth asking the question. Tom Collof is the manager and he's helpful. Ian

Have a look at Pine Pool at Kingsbury Water Park, no nights allowed but good fish to go at. Willesley Pool near Ashby de la Zouch is well worth a visit and only 30 minutes drive from Brum. Nights allowed but busy at weekends. Barston Lake is pretty much a runs water and allows nights, you will catch fish here. Just up the road is Lavender Hall Fishery. Several waters, a cracking café/tackle shop and you can do nights on the specimen pool. Packington Somers, near Meriden, has several good waters all of which are worth a look, no nights. If you need more just ask, mate. Ian

Officially. We've had our caravan on Billing Aquadrome dozens of times over the years. I can be nocturnal if it suits me. Ian

Cordon, where in the West Midlands do you live, do you have you're own transport and how far are you willing to travel? If you rely on your Dad for transport how far is he prepared to drive you? You're spoiled for choice on day ticket waters. Meantime, take a look at www.Fisheries.co.uk......plenty to go at, mate. Ian

I'd do Grendon, no problem, or Billing Marina. I suspect that I know which Lordship you refer to.....up the hill from Scotland Pool? Ian

Merrington has, in recent years, been transformed from a windswept, god forsaken place to a cracking fishery. I must get back there to ask Luke, the bailiff/bank manager, about the strange happenings at his syndie lake. Oh, and to get the Full English from the café there. Clare, I love you. Ian

That could have been me typing. Cyborx, I agree with all you say, I'd love to be in that situation. Part of me wants to type "I ain't afraid of no goats". But I'm not going to. Ian

Dal, part of me agrees with your comment about the fantastic filter but I've visited some other forums in the past where profanities appeared to be compulsory, never mind acceptable. I'd rather stay with things as they are, it's one of the things I like about this forum........I'd be happy to let any member of my family have a look. Ian

Phil and I know each other well, having fished several socials together over the years. As a result he knows that my favourite film of all time is S n a t c h by Guy Ritchie. The word S n........etc is colloquially associated with ladie's interesting bits and the autocensor built into this forum's format blanks it out with asterisks. Fairly straightforward but a bit of a nuisance. Ian

S n a t c h ? I'm on it right now, ta! Ian Edited because I can't use the "S" word in one go.....still watching ****** though!

Phil, I could do any day of the week after next, I'd just have to blitz the rest of that week to catch up. You know how busy Alan and I always are. By the way, Peperami works very well on Orchard Pool. Ian

No mate. The Bowl is one of the pools on the Arden Fishery complex, it's the second oldest after Orchard Pool. It's hardly ever fished as it's a bit of a climb down to reach it and people just don't bother. Except people like me and my son, Alan. We've had some very good fish from there. Ian

It's a shame you guys aren't doing this the week after next as I'd love to join in. I'm mad busy with work all next week but I could pinch a day off the following week. I've fished Orchard Pool at Arden Fishery many times (prefer The Bowl, tbh) and may be able to offer some pointers. Oh well. Ian

Glad to help, mate. Ian

He's a really nice bloke, as it happens. Brought us tea and biscuits all day long, every day, proper Brummie. We talked about fishing, briefly, and he used to fish Salford Park in Aston when he was a kid. No surprise, he's from Aston originally and lived overlooking Salford. We didn't get round to discussing the canal and it's residents. Ian

Phil, scroll back up and read the last few lines of Cyborx' post. Then Hawkman's post will make more sense. I wholeheartedly agree with both of them, by the way. Ian