hopefull

I was tempted to wait & get the 1.4, but as work tends to get me into some, ahem, 'tricky' situations, a lens that I don't have to worry about as much is a bonus at times.

Right on!!!!! Spent all weekend playing around with a 50mm 1.8; bit soft at the edges sometimes, but apart from that, a cracking portrait lens, and gives lovely bokeh. Especially considering it cost £80! That the canon "nifty 50"? Yeh, the diddy little all-plastic one. I've only got it for portraits, and slinging in the bag for 'just in case' situations (a mate has his turned into an ashtray by a camera-shy copper last year...), but for the money it's cracking. Yes, it has its limitations, but I'm happy enough for what I'll use it for.

Right on!!!!! Spent all weekend playing around with a 50mm 1.8; bit soft at the edges sometimes, but apart from that, a cracking portrait lens, and gives lovely bokeh. Especially considering it cost £80!

Because good-quality bokeh is worth the cash! As is being able to shoot wide-open bursts & get some cracking action shots.

Ostrich eggs for the mass-baiting approach

Coated braid?

I cut the spam up into cubes then lightly fry with a tiny bit of hemp oil, garam masala, chilli powder & garlic salt. If you get it on each side of the cubes, it forms a skin that helps stop it flying off the hair. The only problem is stopping myself sitting on the bank & scoffing the lot!

I seem to remember a very well respected member on here using pheasant feeders to keep his spots topped up on a lake. Damn good idea. As for the lake, give it a go mate, you never know! Just don't go alone...

The best way I've found to fish with worms is to hair-rig about 30-40 worms on a long hair with a small poly-ball in the middle of the bunch. Use a small bit of flat foam & a pellet-peg to hold them on. Simples.

Arma-mesh? As Fox owns this forum, I wouldn't worry mate

Rushes is a beautiful place; relaxation personified. My catch report is here , but I'd like to say that Kim & Ian offer a truly blissfull fishing experience. It's not just about the carp though, with meals on the dam wall a real social experience that reminds you why it's important to have good times with friends. Plus I came back a stone heavier

If you're frying it, chuck in a bit of garam masala or similar to brown it off in & add a bit of extra flavour You could also try the Fox Pellet Pegs, I've used them with a variety of soft baits and they work a treat. Also, try tying a longer hair loop so the knot sits in the middle of the meat cube

I can think of a couple of marinas in the Midlands that are worth a crack. However, as Ian stated, some of them are off-limits to non-residents (well, kinda ... )

I think the length of the hooklink itself has more to do with hooking ability over particles, especially with regard to straightening and setting the hook against the lead. I keep my hairs the same length, normally around a 2cm separation of bait and hook, but I shorten the hooklinks themselves down from about 9-10" for a boilie approach to 4-5" at the most for particles.

As much as I dislike freezing my gonads off, I think a winter/xmas social would be a good idea. I'll get the vat of mulled wine bubbling up then