kevtaylor

How did you get on with it - any complaints? I also recommended to someone else and they bought it round last night so I could show them how I set mine up. Needless to say I was well impressed, it's hard to recommend a new version you don't own but I knew it would be great and I was not wrong IMO - I love it. A big 1 man, better poles, groundsheet, peak design, inner layer front panel addition (we took that out for now), new colour, lovely fabric. Saving up for this myself as the 2 man is a bit too big for some of the swims, this is the one for me for sure, will take by big bed, all kit and dog crate - bingo!

I've got one spod rod I use for both, 30lb whiplash to a 50lb braid leader. Just tied a clip to the end to swap from lead to spomb, or use the big loop method as described above.👍 I dont think I need the 50lb leader but I just had it on a pike reel so used it.

Yes Frank I'll be posting lots more pics for sure 👍

Risk it - you can always go to the park lake if things change? If they are not showing signs I can't see that changing this week with these temps. Could be June or July; I've seen it mid August I guess this lake is deeper than the others? Most of us are responsible enough to make the call for ourselves, annoying when you can see its not the right time for a particular water

The fish I've seen in 2 syndicate lakes are showing zero signs of spawning IMO, yet one was closed whilst I was there, which is annoying, fish simply following a new wind and mouthing fluff off the surface have either spawned already or are not even close to it - yet some wise guy says they are gathering!?!? We disagreed! Moved on to another lake and found fish slowly moving around the snags - again spawned already or not interested. If you're gonna make a call to close - try to get it right, the last week has been far too cold IMO and that's obvious. If you get a week of near 20 degrees and night time temps in double figures and see decent fish splashing about close then, not early because a couple of pasties have gone for it, what does that achieve - nothing at all!

More carp dog practice for Max - he is easier to handle at fishing than he is at home tbh - so far so good, this week I tried both dogs off lead whilst I barrowed to the swim - any fears he would run off were soon gone as he followed me close behind all the way - impressed! George wandered off as usual - not far but got told off several times, think he is trying to escape Max the poor old boy - not used to sharing.

2 nights 2 lakes due to spawning closures - no fish caught but a major carp home found - can't wait to get back and explore some more.

I'd go for 3.5lb will still play fish well but have that bit of extra backbone if required.

My travelling light days seem to be long gone - I've got nothing for you there man, maybe get the family to take less 🤣👍 Seriously though have a great time and remember it is a holiday, I think a lot of anglers would do well to remember that - have fun 😎👍 Oh and ditto what Yonny says

Are they siblings mate? My neighbor has cocker spaniel sisters, the red one attacks the black one every day. I heard somewhere that red ones can have Cocker rage? I think it's just a lack of exercise and discipline in their case though.

Just take the plunge mate - what can go wrong 🤦‍♂️🤣 A walk round sounds good - we did that but not intentionally - was also my first walk round. On the first fishing session Max jumped out my car window at the car park gate '- wasn't expecting that and forgot on the way home and he did it again lol - luckily he just ran over to me but what a mad man!

Me too mate such cowards when you need them - they're a joke 🤣👍

Max barked at a swan that was 200 yards away, yet when 20 were over my lines at the rod tips he didn't bark at all, which is just typical. Both bark if someone comes past but that's good. Just take them fishing or just him to begin with they will probably surprise you - they love it and come home exhausted, I walk them at lunchtime and play ball with Max to tire him out. 👍

Yes mate - it's been top to be fair, will do this again 👍

The social - job one complete - cookhouse/sitting room - you'd have thought we were in France for a week not up the road for 3 nights 🤣

Yes mate this is a bigger challenge in many respects and no fence to protect from unknown factors so stocks is a bit unknown. Thought to be around 30 originals left but nearly all we have seen so far have been small stockies. I will be going more often and for longer sessions simply because I like being there, whereas on busy lakes I can only stand it for a night or two at a push.

Max is on a 15 metre lead, you just can't see it in that pic, can't see that changing any time soon, he's too mad! George is OK off the lead, I trust him not to go too far, but he still hides close by and scares me silly at least once per trip, on busy lakes he is kept on a lead too.

Hands down the most at peace I have ever felt at fishing - its like a nature reserve, natural swims - very well spaced - features galore. Gonna enjoy this years fishing for sure! I needed this after fishing busy syndicates and day tickets for years - give me space to enjoy - bliss!!!

I think I've been checked for a licence by a proper bailiff once in my life and that was on Bluebell 10+ years ago. I'd have liked and expected to have been checked far far more times during that time! Maybe fisheries should check it might be a way of identifying those who are likely to break other fishery rules down the line?

At that point nowhere 😁 Max goes in a travel crate and gets covered over so he cant see out - he settles well to be fair, I wish I'd have done this with George as he's in and out of bed all night just like he is at home tbh

Young Max learning how to be a carp dog with veteran George - much to learn but he looks the part - much fun had.