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Hind leg!

Yes that's the one I have. These were a popular rod on the Stour in the early 90s. Unfortunately mine was about as straight as a dog's hand leg! It was like that from new. The tip was bent down quite a bit which made the quiver look way out of line. The spigot wasn't dead straight either so the...

They're a big size 10 though for a small bait for daytime fishing with small baits I find but a good hook I agree.

I agree Kevin. You can have a good bait without any artificial flavours ( Premier baits I used to use just fish oil in the mix which was a pungent fishmeal based bait) but as you say, flavours work on their attraction properties. Fish definitely care about them and how they smell or, more...

And yes, I appreciate fish don't 'smell' in the same sense as we do obviously.

I'm not sure I agree with your assertion that fish don't care what your bait smells like. You're assuming that fish are attracted to the same smells as we are! I agree with you that aminos are a big part of the attraction. The early Premier baits mixes were put together on that principle with...

Mine has the detachable quiver tip so not the same as yours. I rarely used the quiver tip!

I'd go with Century though don't know for sure. I have the 12 foot Barbel trotter which I'm pretty sure is on a Century. Despite its age its still a first class rod and the best I own for trotting lumps of flake for Chub. I also have the original Barbel quiver. There were lots of these about in...

Yes I've heard good things about those but getting a Barbel out of heavy weed or snag can be a case of reducing the pressure and waiting for a kick. I can't somehow mentally trust a hook without a barb though I think it's a good idea in theory. I don't hook that many Barbel on my local rivers...

Hooks are a very personal thing I know that. Last season I used the Gardner Target Specimen in size 10 and found it excellent. It's a small hook for its size and I found it just right for much of my fishing as I tend to use fairly small baits. It's very strong and having pulled a double figure...

I've messed about with superglue on hairs but if they're going on maggots and youre feeding them in quantity just stick 'em on the hook, either a 12 or a 10 and 3 - 5 maggots. I think you can worry about this all day long but doubt it makes any difference most of the time. In winter possibly a...

One thing to note. The factory builds ( or atleast the ones I have) only have a very small piece of cork in front of the reel seat. Given a choice I like a good 2 - 3 inches. I fish with centrepins a lot and just find it more comfortable holding the rod in front of the seat. That's an advantage...

Hi Scott. I have an 11' Torrix 1. 75 from Johnson Ross. It's excellent. I doubt you'll be disappointed with the build. Nice short handle, very nice finish. Excellent rod. It was a good price. Doubt a custom rod would be as cheap if you're conscious of the price.

I agree about the Stanton Garry. The knurled edge makes a difference when playing fish, particularly when it's wet. The one I bought was sold as a stepped up version for steelhead fishing though I have never compared it with the standard so don't know what the differences are. I like the reel...

Unless they do a size 12 wide gape or they've reduced their size 10 in size I won't be interested. I'll carry on with the Gardner size 10 Targets. Amazing hooks. Testimony to that, a double figure Severn Barbel hooked somehow in the root of the dorsal fin and brought up stream in a flood under...

Blimey. Some floats those!

I recently bought secondhand a Fred Crouch Match Aerial, one of the wide ones. I still paid a couple of hundred quid for it ( too much probably but I wanted one). Love it for legering ( though the ratchet isn't beefy enough for fishing in elevated flows even when the pawl is flipped round). Bit...

So do I. I find the hook hangs better and you don't get the annoying crinkle in the line you often get when using other knots. These things are really important aren't they when using small baits and hooks, particularly for Chub .

Top angling Neil. You have 'the knack'. No doubt about that. 👍