crusian

Hello AA I'm thinking that an 11' rod would pick up / mend the line better if you were surface fishing with a controller further out rather than stalking close in . Also would you need the extra length in certain swims to reach over , play fish around margin lillies / reeds / weeds ? .

So it's what everyone is saying then , buy the MHR ! , but like Framey I hadn't considered blocking the sunlight out ; fortunately I've still got my 50" Solace if I have to fish in the open with the sun beating down .

Hello Smufter Framey beat me to it ! . I don't fish in France , and when I know it's going to be a scorcher I either do an evening session , or an early morning session and pick a swim that offers me shade - yes I know Yonny I should be choosing my swims on where the fish are , but I don't want to melt ! . However , I have got a Skull Cap for my brolly which I took off as you need to take more care putting the brolly up and taking it down ( I broke the brolly in my haste to open it up ) ; so I'm going to keep the Skull Cap on permanently and see if the double thickness of material ( and the peak ) stop , or reduce the problem you talk about . Failing that there's lots of trees around my lake ! .

Hello Smufter I've got the Wychwood Solace 50" HD and when it broke Wychwood replaced it no questions asked under their guarantee ; when I was buying the Solace the shop said a 60" would be too big , well I found the 50" too cramped if I wanted to keep my 12' rods in their sleeves inside my brolly . I looked at the MHR , but went for a Trakker 60" Tempest Brolly in the end as there's nothing inside to bash your head on ! .

Not my area , hopefully Cyborx will be along to advise you .

Thanks , Blue . I'll maybe treat myself one day .

Which of the lakes have you fished please Blue. ? .

Lovely fish , Nick . I guess that was in your American Football days ? , you look like you were built like a brick outhouse ! .

Umm this thread seems to have morphed into an Ardleigh thread , not that I'm complaining ! . Hopefully Shakey74 won't think I'm being disrespectful , but would Nick also like to comment about unknown / seldom caught monsters please ? . Ta

Happy that you're safe and sound ( but not of mind ! ) Chill. , but will the snow covering stop you registering and / or striking when you get a bite ? .

So there's only Chill. left out there , possibly lying snuggled up conserving his battery power ? .

Well if you don't get any bites you can always make " Snow Angels " , Chill .

You rotten devil CM , posting ghost stories to Greekskii . I'd have thought you'd have ordered a curry for 2 and popped down the estate lake to keep him company ! .

It's o.k. if you like Milk Ice Lollies ! .

What ! , you are fishing with your open fronted Low Pro ? ! . You mad heroic fool , Yonny ! .

Yes , very well done indeed Nick - smarty pants ! . Is that 3rd 'photo of a 30lber Nick ? .

" Personally I'll stop doing nights when I've found the winter bite time " Well that's lucky , the Winter Bite Time on my lake is roughly midday when it's the warmest - honest ! .

Not if you are indoors with the central heating on ! . All I need now is for Carp to mutate and start living down the back of the Settee and I'm all set ! .

I hope you 2 aren't too cold , and are getting some sort of perverse pleasure in fishing at night in these temperatures ! . Just out of interest , how low would the water temperature have to get before even you 2 considered it a complete waste of time going fishing ? ; or is it a case of as long as you can smash the ice to get a cast in you'd go ? .

Hi Ginger I walked around a very small fraction of the water this year - it's huge , daunting ! . Would you be considering fishing there on your own ? , because it looked kind of lonely ,and I would feel vulnerable , but then I am a wuss ! .

Hi Cyborx I've got Ocean Waders , I haven't used them a great deal , but I'm pleased with them so far - flexibility and quality feel to the material . However , I've never owned Vass Waders so I can't compare . I did try some Trakker Chesties on in the shop , but never having used Chesties before I found the amount of material a bit overwhelming .

I do the same thing , but with an iPad attached to a Joby Grip Tight Mount mounted on a Camera Tripod . I have a horrible feeling I have even less to take 'photos of than Spr

I would be more worried about the affect on my health if I spent a lot of time fishing that swim .

Hi Greekskii You could try Irish Spring Deodorant Soap , I've read it's supposed to stop rats . I'm trying it now in my garage , and so far so good .

I see Corus do a 18M Pole , is that what you are thinking about Chill. ? I'm all for spending less money so I'll investigate Match Poles LJC . Thanks for the answers fellas .