welder

I spent some time in this gentleman's company at one of the Go Fishing shows at the NEC, some years ago. He was a good laugh and not at all "special" despite being almost a household name at the time. I liked him. Ian.

Sounds about right. Ian.

Damo, welcome amongst us. As far as I can see Charters is an old Dutch barge converted into a bar/restaurant, moored in Peterborough's city centre. Two things, some of my most prolific fishing has been in areas least likely to be fished, like city /town centres. Second thing, imagine how much food waste is going to be "dumped" into the river in the vicinity of this barge. Get yourself there and fish for whatever takes your bait. You may be surprised how few restriction for angling apply in urban areas. Ian.

A quick tip on the topic of barrows. Don't, ever, leave the handles at home in the shed. Without them the barrow is of absolutely no use. Trust me. Ian.

I have to agree with the suggestions that we leave them be for a while. We have the rest of our lives to go fishing, there's no rush. Ian.

Have to agree with the comment about the Cyprinus bivvies. They represent very good value for money. Ian.

Hi Phil, I trust that you're well. You know where I live, where's this place, mate? Ian.

Pictures, Marty? Ian.

That's exactly how I do it, too. I once watched a demonstration of reproofing a tent whilst at a camping/caravanning show. This was the technique used. Ian.

If I caught every time I went fishing I'd very soon become complacent and my levels of concentration and enthusiasm would reduce accordingly. Frosty, may I say that three hour sessions barely give the fish time to realise that you've put bait out? Maybe a couple of full-day sessions are in order? Ian.

For me it's more important than aesthetics. I honestly believe that cork helps with my grip on my rods on casting and retrieve. It's a confidence thing, important in my fishing. Ian.

Got to be cork! Ian.

I'd pay good money to see that. Ian.

I used to remove the elasticated bit and use them as inline feeders. I can see why elasticated ones are potentially hazardous. Ian.

It all comes flooding back! I used a mix of Dynamite Baits Meaty Marine powdered groundbait and their Frenzied Hemp powdered groundbait. I used the juice from a tin of sweetcorn as a binder and added corn to the mix. One or two kernels of corn on a short hair with the hook pushed well into the ball of mix.. Must give it another go, soon. Ian.

I'll try to remember my old "secret" mix. No pellets were involved, that I do know. Ian.

Know what? I'm pretty sure that's where I bought the ones I had before. Thanks, I'll pop over next weekend. Ian.

My son and I were reminiscing about some of our past angling exploits when he reminded me how well I used to do on the method. I used to make up a "secret" mix which contained sweetcorn and use corn on a short hair, buried into the ball of mix. "Why did you stop doing that, Dad" seemed a fair question although I had no answer. A fashion thing, maybe? Anyway, I'm going to give method feeders another go. Are there any particularly good ones I should look for? Ian.

Quite right! Ian.

Gift horse is the expression that comes to mind. Whatever it takes........... Ian.

I'm surprised, Phil. I've always believed pike to be "sight" feeders rather than "scent". Hey, what do I know, the only pike I've ever caught have been by accident! Ian.

Years ago I had my Greys Prodigies converted to full cork handles. It wasn't cheap! Ian

Was a time when I always had at least one tin of Bacon Grill in my bait bag. I'm going back to that time cos I'd almost forgotten just how good a bait it is. Haven't used it for ages, that's going to change! Ian.

I have three of the 4000 Regal BRi's. Cracking reels and barely any larger than the 2500's. I find them good on rods short or long, great for trotting a float downstream or fishing the close margin with shorter rods. Ian.

The River Tame, North Warwickshire, is the lowest I can remember it being. Ian.