iambunn

Sorry to break it to you dude, but I think the barber missed a bit! Seriously though, good effort, just a shame about the condition of the fish.

I like to keep things nice and tidy, makes me feel alot more organised and I end up fishing alot better I think

Cheers Bob Jamie, you will have to try and get hold of Tony' photos! The water shot is awesome

A few pics of the venue and the fish I had from our week in May, I'm sure the other boys will add some of theirs too The weeks bait.. Did we forget something? My little slice of heaven First fish of the week, cat at 58 First Carp and a new PB for France and setting the lake record common at 44.14 known as 'The Pipe Smoker' 24 Night time Cat 32 Common 28.4 Mirror 31 Common 26.12 Mirror 45 Cat 34.12 Common And one more Cat of 28.8...but I'll hold that photo back A few other shots from the week.. Thanks for looking

Got home last night, after a fantastic week with a great bunch of lads. Unfortunately the weeks fishing was a quiet one wiith regards to numbers of fish coming out, but made up for in the way of new PB's set for all five of our group, including Jamies half linear just short of 47lb, my common making the new lake record at 44.14 and Dans (plowman) mid 30! For the week there were I think around 25 fish out between ten anglers. Our thoughts about them getting ready to spawn were confirmed today after hearing that they started thrashing the water to a foam shortly after we left. There was also an incredible amount of natural food swimming about, so much so that the water visibility was reduced by a few feet! The carp were swimming around in protein soup, therefore eating without knowing it It has helped for some phenomenal weight gains. My ten fish, made up of 6 carp and 4 cats, all came to a snowman set up comprising of a 14mm Infinity baits C&BP boilie, tipped with a fluro pink technipop. The rigs were 8inch combi rigs, size 6 wide gape hooks with a small section of shrink tube, and hairs with a gap of around 1cm from the bend of the hook to the bait, fished blow back style. I was using leads of 1oz fished with running leads and ultra slack lines, and the takes were absolute belters! The majority of my fish, I believe, were curiosity takes thanks to the bright tip, rather than fishing over beds of boilies, as the majority of them were away from my baited patch. Thanks to keith and the girls for another great week, and the boys for plenty more laughs and banter We shall get some photos up shortly.

Oh right

I started using these run rigs after I saw this video. First time I used them was at Moorland fisheries and always use them now if going for a running rig. Are you planning on visiting Moorlands yourself?

Something I want to start building my confidence up with is the 'chod' rig, except rather than using leadcore or tubing as a leader, just have it all on your main line, and the lead tied on the end using an extremely low breaking strain mono. This ensures that if it becomes snagged, the lead should come right off, and the beads/rig can slide off with ease. I think this was touched upon recently so I'm sure someone will be able to point you in the right direction

Going to have a look in a couple of oriental places, btu to be fair its only a couple of quid from the bait companies anyway. I'll just go for whichever is more convenient

Was on the phone to keith moors last night and his thoughts were the same. He's played around with it in the past and found that he couldn't really overdo it, and now uses it in his boilies. I'll start off small and put a little more in as time goes by and see how the reactions change

CC Moores do it in a few difference versions...block, stick mix, powder, pellets and liquid. I think I'd prefer to go for the block as I know there is nothing else in it. I'm gunnu experiment with different amounts, although it may be a bit of a challenge finding the right amount on my syndicate as runs are very hard come by! So I'll probably have to give it a go on my local club water. A couple of grams to a small stick sounds about right?

I even saw that thread earlier, not really sure why I made a new one

Looking to experiment with a few baits this year, Belachan being one of them. Had a good chat with one of the guys in leslies the other day and he recommended grating it with a real fine cheese grater, then adding it to a stick mix. Does anyone have any recommendations as to how much to put into your stick mixes? Also, how have you done whilst using it? And in what other ways have you played around with it? Bunn

Cheers for the suggestions, I have played around with emmcee's idea in the past to good effect, will have to give the others a go

How would you go about making a rig with a fairly supple hooklink but stiff mono/fluorocarbon hair? I have a couple of different ways in mind but am interested to see what you guys think would be the most tidy.. Cheers, Bunn

Not sure I have the same view here, just to give you something to think about, carp are more then accustomed to feeding deep down in silt as this is where alot of the natural goodness is found i.e. blood worm and other small naturals. Whilst fishing in france this september I was fishing into 3 foot of silt, with single or double 18mm boilie, a 6inch hooklink and recieving more than enough takes You may be able to tell if the carp are feeding in the silt my looking out for any clouded water.. Is there alot of silt around the lake or just small patches?

The first fish of the week Jamie having a prod about a shallow gravel bar in the rain A couple of cool pasties and two twenties, one of which had a pectoral fin smaller than my little finger And my favourite picture of the week, my second biggest at just over 31lb As Jamie said, an absolutely legendary week, and I recommend anyone with a slight curiosity towards fishing france, check out the moorland fisheries website. You won't be dissapointed!

I'll sling a couple of photos up tomorrow! I'm off to bed, and back to reality getting up for work at 5am tomorrow Its an awesome photo that one, cheers for coming round for it!

Nice write up jamie! A quality week with plenty of laughs! Absolutely perfect!

Double 18mm air dried! Also, are you using any particle as spod? If so, they may be really attracted to this as it is small feed, leading them onto your hookbaits and freebie boilies. have you tried going for the big boillie only approach?

France, hence posting in the fishing in france section

Had a week booked at a lake starting from this coming saturday, through to the following saturday but just had a call saying the water level has dropped too low due to the hot weather and the water supply running low. Now looking for a lake that has space for me and one other angler and does a food package! If anyone has any ideas or contacts it would be greatly appreciated!

Coops, Nige and I had booked and planned our trip to a lake in Normandy running from the 5th September to the 12th. Unfortunately, Nige has had to pull out, which leaves a possible two places free, although one person would be preferable due to transport (we already have a 3 seater van). The cost will be around £270 (based on one person, for two it will be around £200 each) for exclusive use of the lake, and an extra 120 Euros for a weeks food package if you would like it. Obviously ontop of that will be the Ferry and Fuel costs. It is a mature 4.75 acre lake with full vehicular access all around the lake. Fishing is from purpose built level swims around a peninsula giving maximum coverage of the water which makes for great social fishing. For more info, please feel free to PM me, and I'll get back to you pretty sharpish. We are two friendly guys up for a few beers, a good laugh, and a couple of lumps to boot Nice one, Bunn

Hey mate, PM'd you last night with some info on a trip in september to see if you can make it. Its just me and one of the moderators from this forum at the mo so let me know if you'd like some more info. Nice and cheap, and a lovely lake. Cheers Lewis

What about hemp and parti blend? And does it help to have liquid covering it?