gidneyboy

Elmo, do you like marmite? If you do then start eating it everyday, there is a vitamin in it that mozzies don't like. It won't stop every bite but it will stop a good percentage. It is also worth investing in one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Camping-Lantern-Night-Light-LED-UV-Lamp-Mosquito-Killer-Fly-Bug-Zapper/313172610534?hash=item48ea8acde6:g:mBIAAOSw0kRfKmMK Just hang it up inside your bivvy, and you will be surprised how many of the little gits it kills each night.

The Syndicate series of books by Mark Cunnington. very easy to read, light heated and funny. I am not a great reader of fiction but these books I have read multpile times. They still make me laugh even when I know whats coming. In my oppinion the first is deffinatly the best, out the rest 1 or 2 of them in my mind are a little weak compared to the others but still worth reading.

My mate has an allotment and recieved a letter from the local council encouraging all holders to carry on tending their plots. To tend his plot he would have to drive there and open locked gates, the exact reasons I have been given why we cannot fish. I have to drive by my local lake to get to the supermarket, so why can't i visit the supermarket, buy enough provisions for 2/3 weeks and stop at the lake and fish for 2/3 weeks? Surley no better place to isolate?

I've been on Geoffs bait for 15/16 years now and have no reason to change. I have 100% confidence in everyone one of his baits and I have used a good few of them. Currently I'm to the 2tb and it is catching well, to the point where 3 or4 other lads on the lake I'm fishing have moved on to it.

Not fished it myself for a good few years but a mates son does fish it fairly regularly. He does seem to catch a fair amount of fish, nothing massive, low 20's is the biggest he has had this year as far as I am aware with the average being low to mid doubles. He does say there is a handful of bigger fish about but they are very few and far between and although there is supposed to be 1 or 2 30's in there he is not convinced that is the case. He tells me fishing tight to the island with some free bait, but not too much, is the most productive for him. A good quality fishmeal boilie and a little pellet are his preferred baits, although he has said he has done OK on Urbans nutcracker when he has run out of his fishmeal bait.

I have been using ABS for 15 years and can never see me changing to be honest. All of Geoffs bait is quality, very reasonably priced and customer service is 2nd to none in my opinion. The only downside is ringing to order bait and getting caught in a time tunnel, where what should be a 5 min call turns in to an hour plus!

Like jh92 I have 2 set ups First is for larger waters or waters that contain cats Penn Affinity 8000's 15lb tigerline no leader 120 yards at a real push Varying waters up to 40ish acres 12ft 3.25 torrix 2nd is my preferred set up, when I can get away with it Shimano ultegra 5500 mini pits 12lb tigerline, no leader No need to go past 65/70 yards Varying waters to around 6 acres 12' 6" century AK 47's twin tips, 1.75 and 2.75 tips but only really use the 1.75 tips (utter joy for playing fish on)

I have used an original worldwide since it's release and without doubt it is was of the best and most versatile pods on the market. Then a few weeks ago I saw defiantmps fantail on the bank and was so impressed I ordered one as soon as I got home and am awaiting delivery. The fantail is a truely initiative piece of kit, made of titanium (so light and tough) and. cheaper than the new worldwide, well worth a look if you are in the market for a new high end pod.

got to agree emmcee, you will find few Korda items in my tackle box but Mouth Trap is certainly one of them. I have not found anything that comes close.

Personally I don't know the water but the carpcatcher on youtube has done a series on it, which you cab find here

Fished Furnace once as a bit of a social with a mate as it is kind off half way between the two of us. All I will say is never again, booked on for 3 nights and both of us couldn't wait to get away. The place is a total circus.

Another option if you are within 15 miles of Watford town hall or can use an address that is within 15 miles, is Watford Piscators. There main complex has 5 lakes including Tolpits, which although is nowhere near the lake it used to be still has a hanful of decent fish, around half a dozens 30's to around 37lb and at last a decent stocking policy.

If you don't mind travelling, then Festival fishery in Sommerset is well worth a look http://www.festivalcarpfishery.co.uk/lake.html A well thought out and run lake, where all the swims are located on two large islands, meaning the longest chuck from any of the swim is no more than 50/60 yards and each of the 8 swims has more than enough water. It's not a runs water by any means but not hard either, with some real stunning looking scaley mirrors. There is showers on site and all the bailiffing staff are spot on. As I say a bit of travelling involved by well worth it in my opinion.

Almost forgot, after heavy rain the banks become a complete nightmare so expect to get dirty!!

Fished it 3 or 4 times about 8 years ago. Not a bad water at all considering it's free. I had fish to 21lb but sure there are a lot bigger in there. Deep and weedy, with some interesting bottom objects! Also I think the sbs use it for some diving drills but never witnessed it myself. When I fished it, there were all sorts of story's about the local kids and tackle thefts but to be honest I found them no more than a mild irritant on one occasion and had no real problems with them. I would have no problems with fishing it again when down that way,