Recent content by Neil Blood

Have you considered 6000 OC or 6000D. Bomb proof with smooth front clutch 👍🏼

I’m the opposite Andrew, I refuse to join the Wildlife Trusts as their predator control methods (both lethal and non-lethal) are in many cases non-existent. I get really frustrated when they post about Mink and Water Voles on social media. They refuse to openly admit that they trap Mink and at...

The history of Elips pellets has been discussed many times over the years on BFW and the key points from such discussions are: The likes of Hinders, Team Severn and Sticky Baits never made them. The pellets were sourced from the aquaculture industry, hence why the originals contained...

The RSPB gets a lot bad press in many areas, much of it from shooting groups and pigeon fanciers, with their own anti RSPB agendas. Personally I feel that UK wildlife would be in a much worse state without their efforts. Some bird species would even be lost as UK breeding species without them.

On the subject of Nutrabaits, I contacted them via a social media post recently, asking why they had nothing on their website in respect to Barbel? They replied saying both Trigga and Trigga Ice were proven Barbel baits, as part of the attached reply.

I’d second that, I have a mint one in 10’ to 11’ version. It comes with two top sections having 0.75oz and 1oz spliced in tips. They are carbon tips but very sensitive and importantly slow taper. I occasionally use on the local canal or for Perch on the Severn.

To clarify on the prediction front, my concern is that normally Otters only pick off the Barbel during cold water temps when the fish are quite dormant. During drought conditions, if the Barbel effectively get trapped in small pools/holes, they become an easy target. Similar to the Chris...

At what point do we need to start seriously worrying about the current low river levels and with no significant rain in sight? Comparisons are already being made with the summer drought of 1976; however 2025 is very different and in relation to our smaller rivers: Significant larger human...

12lb Gardner Hydro-Tuff

Of interest, I’ve been after another Daiwa Ballistic reel for light lure work and couldn’t source one in the UK. I therefore recently ordered one from ProTackle Shop, who are based in Poland and appear to ship from NL. I’ve used them for low value orders previously, so took the plunge and...

Do as Huanzhou says 👍🏻

If we are talking on the reel, I change it after every few sessions, as I’m paranoid of it getting damaged on snags, rocks etc. I always use cheap backing line on the spool, so I never add more than 100 ME max of my main line. When you consider a bulk spool contains 1200 ME, its not a big...

I’ve been following a few Korum product FB posts this week and noticed that any negative feedback is immediately taken down. This latest feedback caught my eye, so I took a screenshot and sure enough it didn’t last long. Most companies seem to take negative feedback on the chin.

Knepp is incredible, 92% decline in Nightingales nationally and they went from zero pairs to 40+ pairs on the estate!

You could make a comparison re anglers who want to control Otters and Pigeon Fanciers who want to control Peregrines and Sparrowhawks. Personally I’m 100% against Otter control as like urban Peregrines its a protected species and a conservation success story. Any attempt to change the law for...