hopefull

Basic tench tactics work fine on there, float on the lift method with corn on the hook and a few grains scattered around As for the carp - it's not the easiest at times

I might come for a ride round to be honest, it's within spitting-distance of my house and I could do with a bit if exercise. Look out for someone on a lime-green mountain bike and shout 'noddy' at them when they come past hopefully it'll be me haha

That's the one mate. Before I got fed up of the place, I used to sit there with a pop-up rig on each rod and a tiny bag of pellet, waiting for a fish to show, then just belting it at the rings. Took a while to get all 3 rods out, but worth it in the end

There's somewhere over near the outskirts of Kiddy, but the name has completely escaped me. If I remember, I'll let you know. Have you tried asking in Hingleys? Apart from that, and from what I've been advised, you'd be much better off investing in a few local club tickets and fishing their waters instead

You not discovered the 'dip' coming off the dam yet? Always worth a bait on there. I don't agree with the peg choices though, I've had my biggest out of there (21lb 14oz common) from the peg next to Willows down near the shallows

Are you hooking the bag through the knot, or through the mesh itself?

Sweet, I'm happy for you all to kick Del instead

Sod that, does Rob Hales accept cheques? I'm off to Acton :lol:

from one who knows about such things mate...you wouldnt OK then, I'll accept a hearty kick in the plums instead! That'd still be preferable to spending £2k for a week's fishing, never mind the size of the fish.

If you think the Monument is pricey, check out the prices on one of Rob Hale's other lakes at Acton Burnell. £2,000 for a week's fishing? I'd rather cut off a nut thankyou!

Try small float stops on the line with putty wrapped around them. It'll help stop it falling off.

Black pudding? That's my speciality

You used to be able to book up the double pegs, but he's stopped that now. Not sure why to be honest. It's only 10mins from me, so it's easy enough to move on if it's stitched up. Phoning first also helps

Nik being grumpy on the phone? Never :lol: Try solid bags or PVA nuggets with long-ish hooklinks to get around the silt, make sure you spend your time finding the fish and using the weather, and don't ignore the margins on there

It's not people slagging the place off mate, it's just that some carpers want a bit more to their fishing than bagging up on small pasties My mate's dad goes there regularly and enjoys his fishing, but it's not for everyone P.S. Welcome to the forum

Why not use a shockleader knot to attach the hooklink? http://www.btinternet.com/~kevin.l.j.knight/knot16.htm

The one just inside Baggeridge mate? Or the one next to the road that was featured in that Matt Hayes programme that you're not actually allowed to fish?

Have a look at Pool Hall in Wolverhampton mate

I used solid bags as well as pva nuggets on the hook there, worked well enough for me

You have a PM mate

I read The Hobbit when I was about 9 or 10yrs old and loved it, and progressed onto the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The films were good, but as is very often the case with films made from good novels, they cannot compare with the books at times. I love the depth they go into, the full immersion and imagery you acquire from reading them, and how some of the themes are still applicable nowadays. I've wanted to read The Silmarillion for some time now, and I think I will have to go and get a copy soon.

Andy was on peg 6 and it was something of a quagmire. His groundsheet was a very sorry looking thing. Several of the lower numbered pegs really could do with some remedial attention. I imagine that the place would be even more pleasant in dry, warm weather and with rather more fish in there. Ian All they need to do is level the swims off to further back and use some railway sleepers or similar to prop it up. Also, get rid of the plastic sheeting under the woodchip that stops the water from draining off.

Try a small piece of shrink tube on the leader with a wide-bore bead pushed over it to keep the swivel in place on the cast (I use ESP shrink tube and Solar beads). It will pull off the shrink tube and the leader knot if you crack off then mate. As for attaching the leader to the mainline, I presume those leaders come with a loop in the end? If so, use a palomar knot or similar, but you MUST ensure the bead and hooklink swivel will slide over it in the event of a break-off. You may want to try a ring swivel for attaching the hooklink too, rather than the big-eye, as it will give you some more movement. If in doubt, don't cast out!!

I don't care, I was having very sweet dreams :lol:

Not too thick for a Brummie yourself mate :lol: I had a cracking weekend, didn't catch apart from that tiny pike I had on fake corn that fell off at the net! I wasn't really there for the fishing though, as you said the social side took precedence and I was crying/choking with laughter at some points I'm still trying to work out what kind of tests you can carry out on fields.... It was great to see Del again, and I wish you all the best my friend Roll on next time, and I must remember to get a bigger bivvy, a doormat and fix my damn barrow, my back is killing now! Until next time fellas