welder

Same here! I agree, it certainly looks like proper cork. The rods look to be great value for money, too. Ian.

Wonder what they mean by "cork style handles". Is it cork or something that looks like cork? Ian.

If you're going the second-hand route would you consider Chub Outkasts? My son has a set of three and they really are good rods. Ian.

I've just braved the weather and had a mooch in the shed. My snag ears look a lot like the ones Highy has but mine have a small 6mm adaptor on the front. I've screwed my MicroGrub bobbins to the adaptors. Oh, the manufacturers are Century-Neville. Have a look at Angling Direct Ref. No P29485, these are the ones. Ian.

No , mate. Sorry. Ian.

Mine can. Can't for the life of me remember what make they are. It's a well-known name. Ian.

Same here. Always got a selection of Cup a Soups in the workshop unit. Not absolutely essential, fortunately. My son and I are based in Digbeth, Birmingham, where all sorts of food outlets abound. My waistline bears testimony to this...…….. Ian.

Adam, Go onto Facebook and have a look at Hams Hall Fishery. Plenty of information there. The fishery is about 3 miles from my home and it's a nice place to be, trust me. 07515 547149 is the contact number. Ian.

Eat carrots. Save money. Ian.

Highy, I think you'll find that nobody "merges" with Angling Direct. They just get bought. Fosters of Birmingham were amongst AD's recent purchases. The place used to be well stocked and staffed by keen, knowledgeable people. Now the place is like a supermarket, staffed by people that don't even know where the keys to the display cabinets are kept. Two words come to mind. "Minimum" and "Wage". I wouldn't trust any one of them to even wash my car properly...……. Ian.

David, Alan tells me that Kites and Buzzards follow different feeding regimes so, theoretically, should flourish in equal, but different, measure. Ian.

Mufty, got to agree that kites are lovely to behold. Earlier this year I was fishing the tiny River Alne near Alcester and had the joy of watching two adult kites encouraging a youngster to do what they did.. The calling was fascinating. Ian.

A prime example of the powers of Mother Nature. Ian.

They're frequently seen over our village, Stevo. You've met Alan, my son. He's into hawks in a big way and tells me that the larger predators such as buzzards and kites are growing in number, year on year. I love them! Ian.

Probably a buzzard, mate. They're big, strong creatures and can easily hold station in windy conditions. Ian.

Agree with all of the above, I've had mine at least 15 years and it's still as good as new. One thing, though. Whoever specified the dimensions of the Sti 2-man was an amoeba. No way in this world will two half-decent bedchairs fit in there! Ian.

Words from my mouth! I've done France many times, often after travelling well into the night. My list of priorities upon arrival: Erect bivvy. Install bedchair , sleeping bag and/or peachskin. Get onto bedchair. Sleep. Like a log. Several logs if necessary. Ian.

I, too, used these in France. Never lost a fish yet almost all hookholds were released in the net. As stated, these are SHARP hooks! I used the straight points in size 4 and they were ideal. I'd add that I've just had a long weekend on Horseshoe Lake, the Carp Society's headquarters, using the same hooks. I blanked but one of my fishing buddies had a PB mirror using identical hooks in a very weedy water. I'd be happy to commend the hooks to anyone. Ian.

That's a cracking sight! Ian.

It must be handy being a Heron. All those fish and no tackle required! Ian.

I eat whatever my son cooks. I do the washing up. Ian.

I agree with all of the above. My nephew has three Tribal Velocity's in 3lb test and I have to say that in my opinion they represent excellent value for money. He, I and my son had a week in France early June and the rods performed very well indeed, landing fish well over 30lbs with ease. Ian.

Yes, it is. However, it's all too easy to become obsessed with the idea that bigger fish are better fish. There is nothing more pleasant than going back to our roots and fishing for whatever takes the bait. Sitting, chilling with no pressure just watching the float and wondering what will pull it under. Love it! Ian.

Those numbers are almost right. Just need several more hooklinks now...…….. Ian.

I've recently done a week at Windmill Lakes, Cosse en Champagne, France. I caught 251lbs of carp. ALL on Pallatrax Gripz in size 4. I'd be glad to commend these hooks anyone interested. Ian.