welder

Same here. Looks quite promising, especially with all those moggies Looks like a good place for a social Ian

Jaxx, once you've started constructing your own rigs you'll soon realise that it's all rather easy after all. You will very soon be progressing beyond what you originally thought to be the ideal rigs and trying all sorts. Then you'll realise that the KISS system is the way to go. Keep It Simple, Stupid. No insult intended or implied....just trust me on this. Simple rigs have caught some very large fish, worldwide. Remember that all you're trying to do is to tempt a fish into taking your bait and hook. Might I suggest that the bait and hook are the two most important elements? All you've got to do is decide how best to offer both to them carp. I almost always use inline leads, free running, with coated braid hooklinks. The coating can be peeled back to form a hinge effect if using pop-up or balanced baits, or left on if you prefer your bait/hook to be lying on the bottom. A good alternative to coated braid hooklinks is flourocarbon which is translucent and takes on he colour of it's surroundings. You'll need to take extra care over your knots as it's fairly stiff and unforgiving but worth the extra effort. If you take advantage of the search facility at the top of the page you will find lots of information on this topic. Good luck and good fishing. Ian

Jaxx, loads of questions. Great! It's really, really rewarding to see someone who is willing and determined to improve as an angler and is not embarassed to ask for guidance from those who've been at the game for a while. This forum is the font of all knowledge and every day can be a schoolday. I wish I'd had this level of information when I was setting out to be an angler. Enjoy and ask away! Ian

I've just googled celtic lakes and found their website. Also had a look on Google Earth. I could do a week on there, no problem. Ian

Yold ya Told....even. Mod has failed you. Try vodka instead. Ian 1 letter off on the keyboard. Dod off Good answer Enjot your break. Ian

Yold ya Told....even. Mod has failed you. Try vodka instead. Ian

Hi Alek, welcome to this forum. As the posting of links is sort of frowned upon I've sent you a Private Message. Ian

That's the water at the back of the Snowdome, isn't it? Never fished it but always have a long look when driving past. Looks ok but I remember reading on here that theft of/from parked cars is/was a problem. Ian

Castle Ashby for example? Ian

Hi Felly, have you had a look at www.Fisheries.co.uk? A great source of information. Also consider the BAA. Spoilt for choice, mate. Ian

Found it, thanks. I have to say that it doesn't appear very attractive, but seen from a satellite isn't always the best view of things. It's no Redmire but few pools hope to compare. I'd fish it but £300 a year seems very ambitious on the part of the owner. I shall follow this thread with some interest. Ian

There are several Newports. Which one should I look at? Ian

Just googled Field Aston...no response at all. Where is it? Ian

Don't apologise to me. Start your own "thread" amongst friends and fishing buddies....see what arises... then go public Ian.

Angela, I regret that I'm not about to offer my Facebook contacts on an open forum. Is there a search facility? I've never looked, to be honest. Ian.

I casually mentioned this situation on Facebook and was astonished at the number of comments about this woman. All negative, strangely Ian

Or money, now, presumably Ian.

Good point, well made. That is VERY expensive fishing. Ian.

Beza, the sad fact is that it's quite a pleasant place to be, or would be in the absence of the Stormtrooper Bailiff. Ian. Shame, she just a baliff or actually own it too? It's owned by British Waterways, she's manager/bailiff and the stuff of nightmares. I was discussing her with my son today, who knew nothing about this thread, and he told me that last weekend he took a fishing buddy to have a look around as they were passing. They parked near to the reception building and politely asked if they could have a look around with a view to fishing there in the future. They were told"NO, there's a match on. Leave". Son pointed out that they were only interested in Home Pool, which NEVER hosts matches. Reply was "Are you deaf? I told you to leave". They did. Never to return. She (Gail, apparently) must be costing BW a fortune in lost revenue. Oh well, it's their loss. Within 10 minutes drive from Blythe Waters I can choose from at least 5 other fisheries. So I do. I've found the forum I mentioned earlier. I'm not allowed to show it here so interested parties could PM me for the details. Ian.

Beza, the sad fact is that it's quite a pleasant place to be, or would be in the absence of the Stormtrooper Bailiff. Ian.

Angela, welcome to the forum. I've heard several horror stories concerning this woman and know of a couple of anglers who simply refuse to return to the fishery due to her strange and unreasonable behaviour. I recently came upon a match angling forum, can't remember what it's called, and there was an entire thread devoted to the female bailiff at Blythe Waters, 3 pages in total. Not one good word for her! I live 10 minutes drive from there. Don't fish there, though! Ian.

And rock climbing kit and first aid kit. I've never fished it but have walked around a few times. The rocky bank top is very narrow with steep drops either side. Small bivvies required and a good sense of balance. Ian.

The best advice I can offer you is to never, ever, under any circumstances offend or annoy that Stormtrooper Woman who runs the place. I know that my responses on here are sometimes frivolous....not this time, believe me. She really is a nightmare. PM me and I'll give you chapter and verse. Oh, and avoid contact with the high voltage Supergrid power cables which are suspended over the lake. Other than these issues the place is ok. Ian.

Manndog, welcome to this forum. I guess that you and I are neighbours as I live in Water Orton, maybe 2 miles from the stretch of the Birmingham-Fazeley Canal that you mention. You are quite right about the standard of fish in there, also try the water behind the White Horse in Curdworth, just up the road. Walk from the right side of the bridge and fish beneath the overhanging trees. Use strong tackle and enjoy! Ian

Tom, whenever you decide to visit I'll be happy to offer you a lift. I'll bring my rods............ Hey, good luck! Ian.