adamkitson

Thanks nige! It's quiet and calm this morning, forecasts looking good as well. Touch wood it stays that way!

Well I'm off up to near gatten for a quick 24 tomorrow morning! gonna be windy. Hope my bivvy's up to it!

I'm in church Stretton. How about you? I'm on the look out for some nice waters close to me, there are a few day tickets that look ok. Merrington, Blakemere. I'm thinking of looking for a syndicate to get on next year. Any help appreciated from local blokes in the know! I grew up in shropshire, used to be on the three sisters syndicate, but moved south for work. Lived in Berkshire for 8 years, fished down there, but just moved back so on the hunt for nice waters.

Oh yes! Couldn't to without tapered rig sleeves either! I agree about not adding metal work where not needed, but I recon a crimp at the bottom of the hook link would help to keep the bottom of the rig on the deck. Not a problem when fishing a lead core leader of course, which I do mostly, (All extremely safely set up btw) but naked chod set up needs a bit of something to keep the rig grounded. A crimp with a bit of tungsten putty would work nicely. That's exactly what I do mate. Great, thanks for that. what hook link length do you use? I normally go for as short as possible, maybe an inch or so on a naked set up as it drops slower with nothing to pull it down, and maybe 2 - 3 inch on a lead core depending on how deep the weed or silt I'm fishing over. Sound about right to you?.

Just wondering if anyone fishes this venue, regularly or occasionally. I've strangely never been there as its only 6 miles from me, but I'm considering a first session of the year there next week. Just wondered if anyone had any useful experiences or advice to impart about the venue?

Oh yes! Couldn't to without tapered rig sleeves either! I agree about not adding metal work where not needed, but I recon a crimp at the bottom of the hook link would help to keep the bottom of the rig on the deck. Not a problem when fishing a lead core leader of course, which I do mostly, (All extremely safely set up btw) but naked chod set up needs a bit of something to keep the rig grounded. A crimp with a bit of tungsten putty would work nicely.

Yea I thought about crimping. The only ones I currently have are too thin for a double thickness of filament. Might have to get some that will work though! Thanks. I crimp mine now as well. What filament are you using if it's to thick??? ESP 15lb bristle. It's only to thick as my crimps are from my pike kit and are designed for 7 strand wire which is super thin. I'll get some new crimps I think. Ah, with you now. I use the crimps made by he who shall not be named and they're alright I believe wychwood make some as well. Yea I'll have a look for the Korda ones. Double barrel is a good idea! Crimps will keep my un-natural need for every knot, tag end or any other imperfection to be changed or covered. OCD much!?!

Yea I thought about crimping. The only ones I currently have are too thin for a double thickness of filament. Might have to get some that will work though! Thanks. I crimp mine now as well. What filament are you using if it's to thick??? ESP 15lb bristle. It's only to thick as my crimps are from my pike kit and are designed for 7 strand wire which is super thin. I'll get some new crimps I think.

Yea I thought about crimping. The only ones I currently have are too thin for a double thickness of filament. Might have to get some that will work though! Thanks.

Was just wondering what knots people use with stiff filament type lines? I'm tying up some chod rig hook links. I'm happy with the whipping knot, and blobbing the line back through the eye to hold the rig ring, (although I'm using pop up pegs which just set this rig off perfectly for me. No floss, so very very tidy presentation!) My problem comes attaching to the swivel. I've seen a lot of people passing the line through and using a simple loop knot, which I don't like as it's too floppy for me, and I feel the short length of line is ruined by a big loop tied in the end. I've also tried a palomar knot, but I can't get the loop to pull in tight due to the stiffness of the line! I'm thinking a three turn blood knot may be the way if I can stop the line kinking when it's tightened. Nice and neat, and a direct attachment to the swivel rather than a lose loop. Just wondering what you guys use?

Thanks Luke. Both places look nice! I did look at stoney lakes as they've taken over the baa side of Walcott, where I used to fish for tench and bream years ago! Maybe next year!

I was just wondering if anyone has any good info on any venues around Church Stretton / south Shropshire area. I've recently moved back to Stretton, and have been carping since I was 20 odd, so 9 years or so, so need some good venues to get my teeth into. I have fished the Three Sisters Syndicate, but that's not going anymore to my knowledge. I've been looking at Near Gatten, Blakemere and would love your opinions on these lakes. I have Parks' pool on my doorstep, which is good for a run, but full of small stuff, and packed and loud in the summer! Also if anyone fancies some company for a trip to any of these venues give me a shout too.