welder

I know what you mean about the call of fishing in France, Phil. It's addictive. I did Rushes Lake twice last year and this June Alan and I are on Windmill Lakes, just up the road from Rushes. Taking my nephew with us . He'll be celebrating his 40th birthday while we're there. You'll know all about self-employment being a potential obstacle to fishing in general. I certainly do. It's all about priorities whereas a booked trip to France is a specific and can be worked into the diary. Ian.

Can I guess what's on the menu soon? Ian.

"And hanged by the neck until he was dead". I banned him. Again. Ian.

The French fishery I'm on this June has a barbless rule, too. These hooks look ideally suited, I'll get some. Thanks. Ian.

Living where you do, Phil, Horseshoe makes a lot of sense. Too much of a trek for me to do it on a regular basis or I'd be joining you. Ian.

For 39 years I've lived within half a mile of the River Tame in North Warwickshire and I've never fished it. That's going to change this year. Ian.

Dead people? Ian.

I have the Procat, had it for years and it's never let me down. I bought it 2nd hand and it came with a hopper extension which simply sits inside the existing hopper. Without the extension the boat holds around three quarters of a kilo. With extension I can double that. It's all the boat I'll ever need, quite fast, steers and handles well. Here's a tip. I bought a large plastic-coated hook and welded onto it a 3/8ths BSF set pin (bolt). I can screw this into a spare landing net pole to lift the boat into or out of the water if the bank has a bit of a drop to the water. Another tip. When first using the boat to take out your terminal tackle, lead, hook etc DON'T make the mistake I made. I didn't open the bail arm on the reel, relying on a loosened clutch to allow line off. Massive line twist was the result!!! I learned my lesson, trust me...……... Ian

Just Googled it. The Walleye is also known as the Yellow Pike and is a close relative to the European Zander. Ian.

Cracking picture! Ian.

I've just had a good look at that, myself. I could do a week on there, no problem. Ian.

Never, ever had a problem. Ian.

These are the ones I use. Why pay more? Ian.

Same! Years ago I had my Greys Prodigys converted to full cork handles and was a bit precious about them. Sought and sought suitable butt grips until I realised that these were ideal all along...…….a bag of chips is more expensive than a dozen of these. Ian

Done. Ian.