nealjt

You are correct it won't be any worse than I've already had! Just a blank from a different spot!!!

I've seen the entrance to the area plumbed at 6 foot, it is weedy = warmer? I've told there's an area of 9 foot, ive fished it once and was in about 3 is foot...

So I am a sad man

Yonny two questions for you, as you know your steel

If see a packet of hooks with the label "made by yonny" I'm getting me some!!!!

Sorry Crusian and all, the top row of my picture is a mix of Kranks and krank choddies, the bottom row are the fly hooks I brought. I can see what you mean yonny, most cases the patterns just aren't strong enough, but don't forget kamasan b175's are a trout hook.

I've got to say I'm not claiming my test is exact or in any way proper! it is more a confidence thing, Hook tied on line with a loop at the end. Hook goes onto Avon hook then loop the line under my foot, look at the dial on the scales and pull until something's snaps!!

Got the hooks, am happy so far, oddly the size 12 is pretty much exactly the same as the 10. Possibly slightly wider gape on the 10. I got 27lb on the scales before the size 8 bent, so I'm happier than the 15lb I got on the size 4 krank. Sorry mufty I couldn't see a straight eyed version

http://www.partridge-of-redditch.co.uk/products/salmon-steelhead/patriot/patriot-nordic-tube-single how about these Mr Mufty? I'll see if the shop have any when I'm there on Friday, if yes I'll get some pictures

They didn't in the shop, was similar patterns but not as strong wire, I did a quick Google and they didn't come up with straight eye, sorry

Made by partridge, nice wide gape, plenty sharp and seem strong enough

Have found my new hook me thinks....

Agreed yonny, the bad batch line isn't acceptable and wouldn't be acceptable in other retail areas! Re kranks it is a shame as I've now lost confidence in a hook I really like. I don't get why any company would sell poor items and not have decent checks in place. Do they not value their reputation? Two companies I now won't buy from are korda and tfgear. I'm sure a lot of their gear is good, but my disappointment with the kranks from korda and having got some bite alarms from Tf that were just toot, I will now not risk my money on any other products by those companies. I'm reasonably confident Tf would have replaced the alarms, (they were ridiculously quiet and quickly died in the rain) but replacement is too late when I'm on the bank and stuff fails.

he he he!

Just to add to this kranks are now off my list! Having realised how bendy they are. Not settled on a pattern yet but probably something like the kamasans, especially as they are cheaper, than most equivalent, as still sold as fly hooks. I know everything comes down to the hooks and scrimping on the isn't a good idea, but I can't help feel ripped off when I buy a carp hook @ 10 for £4 - £5 when in the fly section I can by the same patterns for half the price!

I've found on my days a sleeping bag in the chair is heaven! So I'll keep going. Maybe next time will be the one! Thinking next time I'll head where the wind is and float fish alongside the carp rods may get something at least

Yes Suffolk water park is about 10min drive from me! But the main lake doesn't interest me, to big and too open! Traditional lake maybe but for a day only I'm not keen on the opening times. I arrived at bayeswater by chance really, as my brother wanted to night fish and our usual lake of weybread carp fishery was fully booked. When he is in England he stays in colchester and we ended up trying bayeswater. My interest is it is the first lake I've found where I've a good chance of catching a 20 and also I can fish 5am until 10pm on a day ticket

Oh yes comedy moment of the day was me setting up all quiet and my brother asks "have you got a mallet?" I almost packed up straight away

It is a funny place, it feels above my ability! But i know when I catch i will be very pleased. It definitely seems to be a place where you can't just chuck a rod out anywhere and hope for the best. I need to get a lead and find clear areas as that'll be where fish feed, either due to some natural food or regular bait but and it is a biggun.... it is a pressured lake and I just can't bring myself to spend time casting about with a lead for fear of spooking the swim. There were five other angers when I arrived so I didn't have much choice for swims, and so was as quiet as I could be with no leading. However I feel if I had found a spot I would have caught more. So what ever happens next time I go I'll spend time getting a feel for the swim. I'm not catching so disturbing the water won't make my results worse!!! This time of year I think there are very small windows of feeding as the only two fish caught where in adjacent swims and about 10mins apart, and the chaps that had been there since Wednesday with no bites

So I didn't need to go to a and e! But my brother kindly brought me a set of waders also woo hoo! On the fish front I'm getting better but very slowly and painfully, I managed to hook something but very quickly lost it! Argh!!! So demoralizing! Very much feel like I need to take up golf!

Nick, when you first made this rig what was the thinking behind it? My main idea was that with some putty on the swivel end of the rig the contour would help the stiff section lay flat. Do you think this gives an advantage over a standard combi rig?

I like it

Ohh interesting, I look forward to the pic

That would be a great plan, I am sure somewhere there is another universe where there is a Neal that will be doing just that! This one however has to be content with the scraps that get sent my way! To be fair I am away with work, Sunday to Wednesday this week so I am amazed I've been allowed a day pass

So a week tomorrow I'll be there, just for the day. Fingers crossed it won't be frozen! I know which swims I want but will have to see what is available