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

Thermals? You wuss We'll have to have a mini social there Some of us aren't as insulated as others mate :lol: Sounds like a plan to me, I'll be back for Xmas and gagging to get the rods out, there's only so much sea fishing I'll be able to take!

I worked it out for myself, it's not that hard

I do fish there myself, so I think I can offer an opinion I've never booked 2 weeks in advance, it's normally just the night before if I fancy going over. Having 13 lines in the water may go some way to explaining why it wasn't fishing well, I try and go mid-week so it's pretty much only me on there. Considering the size of the water, 13 lines across it isn't the best. With regard to snagging up in the weed, drop-off leads inside solid PVA bags works for me, especially when chucked into gaps in the pads/weed. Guy - I'm tempted when I come back up, time to dig the thermals out for a night I think

Should have used our bottle-rod approach to clear the ice Paul :lol: Guy - I'm still planning on having that lump out of there that I saw, it was too beautiful not to try for it

Exactly my point mate. Just because it's called a specimen water doesn't mean you'll haul out 20's all day long, it just means there's some nice fish in there that are worth having a crack at, even if it takes a while

It's a lovely place, not dirty at all. With regards to the weed, what's wrong with that? It's only natural, and a hell of a good feature (if you know how to fish it ) As for the fish, do these look horrible to you? I hate misinformed posts!!

I'd much rather go to Pool Hall than Shatty, the place is a concrete hell-hole! Combined with being overpriced, stocked with damaged/deformed fish, as well as generally being populated by nutters makes Shatterford worth avoiding in my eyes!

Hope it aint a 20lb 'er A big scaley one?

You only had 5 from the runs water? They virtually jump in your net there The speci lake never used to be weedy, though it's been a long time since i've been there. You fancy a little competition next week Guy? You know i don't compete against friends. Besides, on our last two visits to Pool Hall, i beat you I don't seem to remember those! Apart from my b'day session where mine kept falling off :lol:

You only had 5 from the runs water? They virtually jump in your net there The speci lake never used to be weedy, though it's been a long time since i've been there. You fancy a little competition next week Guy?