Recent content by John Newman

Something I have always hoped would happen occurred a couple of weeks back. I had a young kingfisher land on my rod but unfortunately it didn' hang around long enough for a photo. A few years back I was admiring the agility of a grey squirrel leaping from branch to branch in a tree where I was...

Whenever money is involved, scruples go out of the window! A heck of a lot of venues only allow keepnets for matches which does seem unfair for pleasure anglers and the argument for match anglers only keeping fish for 5-6 hours could be countered by pleasure anglers stciking to the same time...

I tend to fish daylight just into dark and have always been very careful not to shine the beam from my headtorch across the water. However on a number of occasions when I have been packing up in the dark I have turned my torch on and started gathering my things together while leaving my rod...

I have Merrels too but which are very supportive for the ankle, good grip from he soles and comfortable all day, however, just staring to let water creep in after 3 years. In fairness I have never re-waterproofed them and I should do it now the dew is settling in the mornings,

Another vote for Andrew Burt's floats. The "All Round" float is what I use most and comes in 4.5, 6.5 ans 8.5 gram sizes. The "Big Float" has a larger option at 11.5 gram. These floats are very visible at distance (catalogue attached but may be out of date so check with Andy for current...

There are a few Trent groups on Facebook. As a start, I suggest join them and pick up info from there.

My standard hook length is 30cm with a Kamasan Animal barbless spade end hook at one end and the other is a loop tied with one of those loop tying tools. This then attaches to my mainline using a hooklength swivel above which will be an olivette held in place between float stops. I never put...

As Richard has kindly pointed out it is the "Specimen".

I own an original Free Spirit Hi-S Power 15ft Float rod so anything to compete with this would have to be seriously good. I took a punt on an Acolyte 15ft to give me the option of having two rods set up in case I want to switch between a pin or fixed spool. Knowing the Acolytes reputaion for...

I will give another vote for the Cadence CS 7 in the 4000 size. Although I also have a Cadence CS10, again in 4000 size, the CS7 has a slightly lower gear ratio (5.6:1 Vs 6.2:1) giving a bit more cranking power should you need it. I also own a couple of the Cadence CS6 reels in 3000 size...

Annoyingly they don't. I would definitely use them as a banded hookbait if they did. I have caught them on the larger ones though while trotting a float.

I think there is a Facebook page so could use messenger.

I don't get it on my iPad but do get the adverts on my Windows PC. Would be interested in turning it off if anyone can tell me how. I use Chrome as my browser by default. I just looked on MS Edge browser and I don't get the adverts so must be something that needs changing in Chrome.

I use a Cadence CS10 4000 and have full confidence in the drag system which is the important thing for me because we all know what happens when you show a barbel the net for the first time when you only have one hand on the rod. I really don't understand back winding when modern better quality...

I would be wary about using such a short handled net when using a long (e.g. 15ft) float rod. The angle from the rod tip to the net looks like a recipe for breakages.