Recent content by Matt Shipley

A lot of rubbish coming down the river today. At least 6 or 7 foot on normal level, probably quite a bit more. I spoke to a guy last year reckoned it was good fishing when it’s flooded in winter, but the peg he mentioned he fished you couldn’t get near it today. Cold air temps probably not good...

Fished with my friend for a couple of hours today, just messing about really as we both had a chance to get out. The river was in the fields, I haven’t fished in such a flooded river before. We both got snagged and lost leads, using 4 ounce ledgers where I’d normally use an ounce at most. We...

I’d say the plus would be a good general trotting rod, I had a really nice chub on mine a few years back probably 6 + no problem, alas no scales at the time. Saying that, if I were to buy a new float rod I’d probably get the specimen since I’m sure it’s still nice to use for silvers while...

I’ve only used the plus, have caught barbel up to about 5lb on it. I think it’s a bit light to use as an out and out barbel float rod

First thought seeing the thread title, had just the same thing happen once pike fishing with my dad, a massive splash to our right and a stag swimming across the river, did the same thing, turned and looked at us and bolted across the fields behind us.

I’d have thought it were fairly easy to take a good photo on most pegs so as not to give away the location, with a bit of thought? For example the photo of you holding the barbel I’m sure many who fish that stretch would recognise it, but if you were to move to your right a bit and have only...

(Edited new price) Hi Hope it’s ok to post here before it goes on eBay. I have a McFarland fibreglass 7’ 3wt fly rod for sale, in yellow colour with a nice Ray Lee real seat. Rod is in good condition, unfished by me. Ferrule gaps are good. Ideal rod for small trout streams, or coarse fish on...

I meant it’s a shame they don’t sell a chimera 11 foot in 1.75. I’m not sure what Avon’s they do only that they do the torrix in more options at 11 foot. I only say it’s a shame in that I’ve got a couple of feeder rods that are quite tippy in action and a Harrison Avon 1.6lb which I prefer as...

Do Harrison’s do a 11 foot chimera in 1.75? I dont think they do ? I think they’re supposed to a more through action rod ? A shame they don’t do a stronger rod in 11 foot

I’ve been using a Harrison Avon 1lb 6oz I bought through the forum this year for rolling meat. Does the job well. It’s fairly through actioned, I’ve not tried any other Harrisons so don’t know how it compares to a Torrix

Just came across this old thread yesterday and was half way through listing the rivers I’ve fished when my stepmum rang to say my dad had died. A lot of memories of fishing with him, mostly for pike on the pocklington canal and Yorkshire derwent. Dad loved his pike fishing above anything else...

I started doing the same as Richard this season when rolling meat, works well. Before that I just pinched a swan shot or double swan shot just above the hook

Sausages should work? Long time ago I tried a paste made from sausage meat and breadcrumbs for carp and it did work but it was so soft you could only lower it in to the margins. I’d have thought a piece of sausage would work pretty well for barbel ?

I’ve caught nearly all my barbel on spam, with a couple on maggots. Don’t tend to find any problems recasting plenty of times with a bit of grass under the hook bend. Usually use a size 6 and find the right size bait is one where i can just about push the hook through by hand and turn back in to...

Is the acolyte specimen that much more powerful than the plus? I’ve had a few barbel on the plus but to me it’s not a rod for barbel, especially in faster water, very nice all round rod though. Are any of the new Normarks or Daiwas a better bet for barbel than a specimen ? Not that I can afford...