Recent content by David Craine

A bit difficult if purchased online , but I do take your point. I suppose a lot depends upon the areas you fish . I do a lot of bank miles in a year with minimal gear when possible and prefer to fish in lesser / never used swims , off the beaten track so yes, I do tend to force my way through...

Well based upon user recomendations I have bought a pair of these. I really hope my first impressions are unfounded. They seem very light and flimsy to me and I am thinking that my first foray wandering along a river bank will see them probably with a few rips and tears. Brambles and I are on...

Walked the banks of the River Bohme, near Fallingbostel , Lower Saxony yesterday, only a small river but has some mouth watering swims. Only saw small silvers but there must be some worthwhile Chub there . David

Lobworms. With no added ingredients . Dave

That looks very nice Robert . I have converted several cane 15 ft or so salmon rods into very capable 10 ft 6inch “ Carp Avon “ rods . As you say they are parabolic action but very pleasing to use. My favourit is a “Sharps impregnated “ which I converted for Martin James MBE. Martin uses it for...

Simple was always best for me , I just snapped a short forked twig off the nearest bush or tree, and hung it on the line between the first and second rings . If it jerked up ir dropped it was a bite. Never worried about losing it on the strike as there were probably thousands of others nearby...

Just noticed this , we recently had some work done at home and the chap who did it is a member of the National Anguilla club , we were talking and he said he had recently completed his 17 th consecutive blank night fishing expedition targetting this enigmatic species. That is commitment . I...

Hi Gavin . The Chapmans is well suited to use for Barbel . Whilst I do not have one myself I know a lot of other “ traditional “ anglers use them . I have had plenty of doubles on my split cane barbel rods and would have no problem whatsoever in using the Chapmans myself . Below is a double I...

A couple of things come to mind. In May 2024 we were staying in Helford Village , I went out one morning hoping to maybe catch a couple of Bream in the Helford River . Suddenly this surfaced in front of me, I did not know that deer could swim underwater but somehow this one did. It had...

Middle Trent at 0756 today . Plenty of colour and a bit of water on . I am ever hopeful 😊 David

You just beat me to it Mike . I will be there , my stall having vintage style landing nets plus all the other usual stuff . David

There would be no dilemma ,far as my feelings are concernned . I know of two river records from two separate rivers that were never publicised. The captors were not thinking of themselves , rather the quality of the rivers at that time and what would inevitably happen if the word got out ...

Years ago I wanted a ‘ roving ‘ brolly. Nothing too big or heavy . A bit of thought and I came up with this . I taped a bit of poly pipe to a reversed cut off extending bankstick, the brolly fits perfectly . This is the second reincarnation .Brolly is a 4 ft diameter one but I suppose it could...

I use a figure of 9 loop , its a hangover from my caving days , we used it when descending ladder pitches as a lifeline . No particular reason to use it , It is just a familiar knot which I have never had problems with . I suspect though that if there were problems they would be the same one as...

Not much help I know, but sea boat match anglers use telescopic boat rods , from about 10 ft to 14 feet long .They are quite fine in the tip and more like a freshwater rod.I have seen them in use and can say 100. % that they are very capable and handle fish in excess the size of run of the mill...