welder

I'd pay good money to see that. Ian.

I've walked around Tritiford a couple of times, spotted some decent carp but I've never heard mention of pike in there. Have a look at Olton Mere. Definately good pike in there. Don't know who runs the angling on there, though. Ian.

Have you had a look at Lifford Reservoir, Stirchley? The entrance is off Tunnel Lane, right beside Lifford Hall. Some good pike in there, some cracking carp, too. It's owned by Birmingham City Council. Ian.

I've fished at Rushes Lake, Vire en Champagne, France several times. There are wild boar in the dense woods behind one of the banks. I've heard them but never actually seen one. Yet. Ian.

A wise move! Ian.

That looks bleak! Ian.

And a tarpaulin draped over a brolly to form a shelter. If you were lucky, a folding camp bed, too. Ian

I seldom sleep even now, despite having all the necessary gubbins. I'm on a level of alertness at all times. Ian.

Hi Kieran, welcome. I Googled Pinnock Lakes earlier and found a link to the Wimborne Facebook page. Quite a lot of information there, mate. Ian.

Choprider, welcome amongst us. I well remember dismantling a Fag packet for it's silver foil. Ian.

I used to remove the elasticated bit and use them as inline feeders. I can see why elasticated ones are potentially hazardous. Ian.

It all comes flooding back! I used a mix of Dynamite Baits Meaty Marine powdered groundbait and their Frenzied Hemp powdered groundbait. I used the juice from a tin of sweetcorn as a binder and added corn to the mix. One or two kernels of corn on a short hair with the hook pushed well into the ball of mix.. Must give it another go, soon. Ian.

I'll try to remember my old "secret" mix. No pellets were involved, that I do know. Ian.

Know what? I'm pretty sure that's where I bought the ones I had before. Thanks, I'll pop over next weekend. Ian.

My son and I were reminiscing about some of our past angling exploits when he reminded me how well I used to do on the method. I used to make up a "secret" mix which contained sweetcorn and use corn on a short hair, buried into the ball of mix. "Why did you stop doing that, Dad" seemed a fair question although I had no answer. A fashion thing, maybe? Anyway, I'm going to give method feeders another go. Are there any particularly good ones I should look for? Ian.

Well, Elmo, I've seen your photo and now I've seen the dog. Guess which I prefer? Ian.

Quite right! Ian.

Gift horse is the expression that comes to mind. Whatever it takes........... Ian.

I'm surprised, Phil. I've always believed pike to be "sight" feeders rather than "scent". Hey, what do I know, the only pike I've ever caught have been by accident! Ian.

Expensive, Kev? Ian.

Years ago I had my Greys Prodigies converted to full cork handles. It wasn't cheap! Ian

Was a time when I always had at least one tin of Bacon Grill in my bait bag. I'm going back to that time cos I'd almost forgotten just how good a bait it is. Haven't used it for ages, that's going to change! Ian.

I have three of the 4000 Regal BRi's. Cracking reels and barely any larger than the 2500's. I find them good on rods short or long, great for trotting a float downstream or fishing the close margin with shorter rods. Ian.

The River Tame, North Warwickshire, is the lowest I can remember it being. Ian.

I was saddened to see that fish hauled out without the use of a landing net. On the strength of that I wouldn't consider buying the contraption. Ian.