Ddgx

Passion for angling! Thanks for the reminder, haven't watched this for a few years and now in the process of downloading it to my pvr for a nice news year day in front of the box rewatching them I don't think I've ever seen catching the impossible so I'll be grabbing that too. Cheers gents good thread.

Hey and sometimes, I think even the 'right' location still won't get you a bite if there's no eating going on. I saw fish alllll day long over the weekend right over both rods and couldn't buy a bite. It happens.

I've thought about joining a few times. Be interested to hear how you get on, be sure to come back and give us your reviews of the lakes I used to really like "millennium lakes", now called something else, over in Mountnessing.

Sounds like an exciting session. Nice one!

Another interesting thought dal, nice one. Eventually yes I could fish them side by side, but not this weekend as where I'm going it's 1 rod only unfortunately.

Cm, had a look at a write up by Lee Burden about a rig named the 'unfair rig'. At the moment I can't figure in my head how it behaves differently compared with having the weight after the pivot point below the hook. I think I'd certainly like to tie it and see how it behaves in some water later. That's a very kind offer! Thank you! I'm going to make a point of looking out for someone in need of something that I have and no longer using, so I can pass on the favour to someone. It's happened a few times on the board lately and it always warms my heart! Nick, I didn't read it as sarcastic at all. You are always extremely helpful when ever I have a question and I thank you for that. I think I want to try and make an artificial carp mouth complete with suck and blow function (oOH Matron) to test rigs out with!

Nick, Great questions which I hadn't considered yet. Pfff well??? I suppose how they're feeding is going to be dependant on what type and quantity of offerings are down with the hookbait, how shy or aggressive they're feeding (that Vs. bait height). At the moment I only plan to pop baits up high enough to know the hook is clear of debris particularly along a tree-lined margin situation - twigs, leaves etc. If I'm scattering just boilies as freebies then (at a guess) I'd be expecting them to be cruising around picking them off (sucking).....I don't know now. My logical thoughts are gone for the day it's bed time!

I've finally found a fluorocarbon material that for me is supple enough to tie, bed down and doesn't want to curl up so much off the bottom (It's actually Fox Zig+). So, I've long been attracted to the idea of this near on invisible hooklink material so want to give it a proper shot on some simple rigs. Atm experimenting with a d-rig pop-up rig; so far what I love is it is so quick and simple to tie. Seems about as unclunky and uncluttered as it's possible to get and I also like the amount of free movement that the boilie on a rig ring offers. My slight anxiety is, at least with this size hook (6), the hook feels at an unnatural angle. So I tied version 2 as an alternative. My question is really, is anyone fishing either of these two arrangements, and what do you think, and am I just over thinking the hook angle on version 1, and it'll work just fine? Version 1 Version 2 Any other tips very welcome! Dan.

Nick, a great help as always. Thankyou! My fishing buddy and I were also discussing the efficacy of going stalking. What I mean is we had planned to turn up early Friday, walk the lake and get set up for 'static' initially - then if the weather /conditions were right potentially go stalking with floaters. Apparently you are allowed to be away from your swim (reeled in of course) for up to 3 hours before eye brows will be raised. I'm conscious of not wanting to tie up a swim when we're not in it, otherwise it's unfair isn't it? Glad to hear it's fishing well, have seen some lovely looking fish on their fb feed.

I've got that write up you did printed out ready for my trip to Tav in a few weeks Nick. Jolly excited I am too! Few things I meant to ask actually, presume it pays to be a bit mobile on such a big water? Do you feel like they are more likely to come sniffing around margins at night? Or do you rate your chances in the right margin spot in the day too? Many thanks!

That's cute! You've got a right old Farm going there Nm.

Sorry my point was I'd hope that would cut down some of the noise?

Oh I see. Well their website news updating in that case! I think the trees have matured over there alot over the years in the summer it's much harder the see the lake from the a12 nowadays I feel

They have a website and a Facebook page to look at for all the info, just had a look and specimen 1 lake they go to 40lb

Cuton lakes?

I think you stand a good chance of some action at Newlands. If it's a nice sunny one make sure he has some gear and bait to surface fish. Also definitely phone the number on the website before you plan on going to make sure there aren't any matches booked (normally affects the moat lake).

Hiya mate. Crows heath is a nice looking venue, I've never fished it but I don't think it's super easy is it? If you want a really good shout at a catch then I'd try Newlands Hall. Brook lake is the biggest and is pretty straightforward. If that's too tough there is the moat lake to fall back on which is very well stocked mostly with 2-6lb with a few surprises too. Osiers is the 'specimen' lake that used to be members only but is now day ticket. Never fished osiers myself not sure what's in there. Warning though, it's not a difficult water so naturally it gets mental busy in the summer. If you can go during the week you've a much better chance of getting on without having to battle it out with your neighbours. There must be loads of other venues like that in Essex but my minds gone blank. Tim will have some good suggestions no doubt.

I didn't realise they still sold drennan continentals! Old favourite of mine, I'm going to pick a box up when I next see them.

Oh and +1 for the multi rig too. Love it.

I'm loving the kd rig at the moment. It's simple and seems to be doing a fine job of getting hook holds for me. Been using straight through on short piece of supple braid inside a solid bag, or at the end of a combi rig, or coated braid with the end few inches stripped away. Looks a bit mad, but so easy to tie and minimal components.

Thanks for the advice. The issues you're describing with prebaiting are the same on any lake that you can't book, so always a gamble. This time of year I always have surface fishing baits with me! Does it tend to be very busy even during the week? It's quite a big lake so I'd hope to be able to get in somewhere! All I need to do now is convince the Mrs this is how she wants to spend 3 days are the facilities clean? That'll be her only concern. Thanks again!

I had a look on bing maps earlier for an aerial view. I can make out the board walk they have installed across the fields, and from someone else's blog I understand the accomodation is in a couple of what the guy described as 'nissen' huts - which I think I can also see. I will try to travel light I think and make sure I've bagged a 2nd hand tri-porter or 3 wheel barrow on ebay before i go! Been on the look out for one for a while. Actually a mark 1 carp porter came up earlier tonight on £35 buy it now - but it'll cost me about £20 to drive and collect. So I'm hoping to hold out for something more local...anyway I digress.

Wow that is a superb write-up! Thanks for pointing it out. I found a lake map on-line too with numbered pegs so I was able to follow the descriptions round and understand where they were. I've never fished a lake that big so it will be quite a learning curve I imagine, if it's as pretty as it looks I'll be perfectly happy with just being there though. Right now i'm thinking book 3 nights, arrive mid afternoon day 1 - do a good amount of walking (resist the urge to fish) maybe splish a bit of bait in a few likely looking spots and return the next morning to reap the rewards...it sounded good in my head anyway.

Hello again all. Well, this evening I've finally had some time to think about the trip. The Mrs wanted to take me away for a short break somewhere (separate to the fishing trip) but actually now having had a look at pretty much everywhere and seeing how dam expensive hotels or trips on the Norfolk Broads are during July - Taverham Mills is starting to look appealing. 1. Because there is some hint that they have cheap, basic accommodation for £90 for 2 nights for 2 people (I think I've got that right?) So I could actually take her along for the fishing. 2. It looks a really nice place to fish. Does anyone have a bit more info on Taverham? Anyone fished it? What's the accommodation like? What's the fishing like, I understand the stock is a mix of 'stockies' but also some old Redmire strains lurking? (hints and tips for the lake hugely welcome!) Does it get mega-busy (we would be going during the week not weekend)?

Not that I'm looking to open a can of worms, but there are two schools of thought right? 1) A pop-up might sometimes look unusual and out of place amongst other things on the deck, 2) Fish, particularly larger fish can't necessarily distinguish something as being 'off of the deck' thus it doesn't do any harm (in fact might help if targeting bigger fish)? Discuss...