kevtaylor

I agree totally, blanking but learning is progress, knowing what you did wrong is as important as getting it right I guess - the bigger picture of understanding. I think the pressure of catching spoils it for many or they allow it to, but I'm doing this for me no one else, so I set the bar!

I'm like Ian in this respect, if it's easy what's the point? Blanking is a natural part of the process and even if I were top rod on the venue there would still be lots of blanks going on. The only people bothered by me blanking are friends and family who think it matters, I'm perfectly happy learning in my own time and enjoying the experience. Looking back now I'd have hated to catch my target early, almost a fluke, not understanding what it means to be so fortunate - if and when my time comes it will mean more to me than 10,000 fish from easy waters. Back in my 20s we fished a fairly large water, choked with weed and only 37 Leneys stocked in the 70s, we blanked for over a year but loved the lake, learning and social elements. It took away any pressure to catch coz everyone knew the size of the challenge, we didn't really think about that or understand what we'd signed up to - we just enjoyed it. We didn't know how lucky we were looking back was a great early experience that I still draw on now.

Torture! 🙃

IMO the fishery manager was weak letting them get away with that, vacate the swim or you're banned would be my take on it.

Friend of mine was getting mouth damage in Italy, problem seemed to be the 15lb supple braid cutting the corners of the mouth. Think he just upped the BS, it was odd and out the blue - no previous issues. 🤷‍♂️

Oh I'd be so angry, I'd have gone home absolutely raging after giving them what for - so bad!!! So those guys just moved the sign and got away with it. 🤬

I like this, when the fish have seen it all I find myself tying a standard hair with a bottom bait and tiny funnel web of crumb- simple as it gets, and works 👍 No baiting just a trap in the zone.

She doesnt look too impressed by Nick tbf Earned a treat yeah - where is it? Hmmm 🤣 George had a thing about mice in the garage, was like a kid jumping up and down at the door to have a sniff round and check the traps every night. Brilliant ❤️

It wasn't until I encountered rats all over the swim, on the bivvy, everywhere - on a day ticket complex that I decided I needed a new dog if I was to enjoy fishing again. I didn't feel ready for a new dog (6 months) but my daughter found one and put a deposit down in the hope I'd like it too - it was a great move looking back. Still think of George daily but a new dog does help, we are supposed to have them at the end of the day being dog people - there's one out there waiting for you to give it a great life, that's how I see it anyway. ❤️👍

I feel for you mate, such a gut wrenching loss for anyone. Jack is my 2nd cocker, food obsessed, silly as anything but I wouldn't choose anything else now - maybe a staffy as his companion in the future. I look forward to seeing the pics, Casper sounded like a cracker ❤️

Yes mate they are very easy to get in, the boots thick and low so stays in shape, the fabric is 3 different layers of lightweight stuff so they fold down and pull up easily. They go right upto my arm pits so will be able to wade out further with more confidence, adjustable at the waist so not overly baggy it you don't want that. Comes with repair kit and wader bag with mesh sides. I'm not using that obvs. Said to be breathable so may be able to keep them on without getting too hot.

Fortis waders arrived last week - look good 😎👍

Thin it right down and be clever and carpy OR buy a power barrow and take more 🤣🙃

What heavier than the Ridgemonkey Std 1 Man bivvy - never lol Just put my back out thinking about it 😂

You could buy a jar of prepared maize just for hook baits as you can see how big it is through the jar or use a plastic version 👍

Braid is savage for spodding. I've had to change to the Wolf spod. Was doing 3 times the amount of casts to get the baiting done 👎 Spod always opened with mono, hit clip, line stretches, spod opens every time 💥

Yeah used to use 10lb diawa sensor with a heavy braid shock leader, worked well tbh, but as I only want to carry the one spod/marker rod combined I went onto braid straight through, smashes the clip hard though which can mean it doesn't open, whereas the mono stretches and the spod opens all the time - not as accurate though. I don't suffer wind knots - and I don't even wet the braid for the first chuck! 🤷‍♂️

Knew there was more to Scott's recent zig success than the kickers, thought it was going to be elastic but no it's a stiff hinge hook section with swivel offering much better hooking properties - I assume you've all seen this by now?

30 years ago I got the feeling that me and my mate were being watched/stalked by a big cat, but we didn't actually see it. Round the back of the big ski lake at Grenville we found about 4-5 fresh swan kills, together in a corner. Walking past and up the far bank we could hear something following us within the bushes, snapping the odd twig. We fished a few hours and I just got feeling it was level with us and still watching. Fair to say I was nervous but no proof just a feeling. No idea if there have been any sightings in Northants tbh

Saw these new cool boxes on YouTube last night, 2 sizes very good value, this is the smaller one at under £40, seems great value and looks decent quality - coupled with a couple of thick blocks should be good for a few days - worth a look 👍 There's also a deal on the 2 sizes and blocks for less than £100 https://lidstersfishingsupplies.co.uk/product/lidsters-fishing-deluxe-cooler-ice-box-16l-fits-23-cans-carp-tackle-bait-cool/

Jag Black is decent, worth a look - got it all cannot fault!

I'm using Berkley Big Game Flourocarbon 30lb for my leader, seems banging tbh and cheaper than the tiny carp spools, easily as good as the Fox Illusion if not better. I bet it would work in lower BS for hooklinks, worth a try anyway. 👍

Easily done, I must take 12 big leads and a few small ones and backleads with me, then there's at least 20 more in the car. I wont admit how many I've got at home - can barely move the box lol

That's the first thing I ditched - a bucket of alternative hookbaits. I think the 8 tubs I carry anyway should be enough lol - all pop-ups, I figured I don't need wafters or bottom baits until later in the year anyway so they can stay in the garage. I've got beef with my tackle boxes tbh all those tiny things do seem to add up and when you don't ever use over half of the stuff what's the point I'm asking myself 🤷‍♂️ Think I need a tiny new tackle box and then keep the rest of the spares in the car. I must carry 1000 hooks easy, 10 different hooklinks minimum - just silly really