Recent content by Simon Haggis

I think what you’re looking for is the Wychwood Optimist

Had 5 bream in one night now. I am the bream master it seems..

Ignore me. Had 5 bream in the last two nights..! Buggers are reading the forums now.

Try a KD rig and use a hook two sizes bigger than you think reasonable. So if you think size 8 go for a size 4 hook with it. The bream are fussier than barbel and they’ll reject the bait when they feel the hook - just got to get over it looking agricultural but it’s worked for me on the Thames.

Thank you to all.

I’ve caught on pineapple pop ups.

Your photo didn’t attach but I googled them and they look even better - the tungsten sleeve negates the need for the putty - even easier!

For me I’d like my hook link to be safely laid out after the cast. I don’t want the hook and bait unfurling across the river bed in the flow as that’s where the risk of fouling weed can happen imo. I also want the rig to work right away without any slack in it. I leave my baits in the water...

I’ve basically fished the same rig but with varying hook sizes for the past 15-20 years now maybe. Coated braid, stripped back at the hook end to allow a bit of movement. This is fished on a quick link so I can take off the hooklink and then pull the hooklink through a PVA bag to cover the hook...

I did 48 hours on the Thames for two bream in the heavy rain. River came up a lot, looked great, hidden snags getting pushed around in the river. I can’t recommend it when the rain is pounding on the umbrella so hard there‘s no chance of sleep. Thought it would be peak time but no joy.

sadly this attitude is what has allowed the Tory party to ransack the country for more than a decade.

Just don’t vote Tory please.

Fair comment.

This is one of many examples of the decline of the UK that has been allowed to happen under Tory rule. The country needs change and thankfully not long to go now. Just awful how so many things will take years to sort out. But there is hope as long as people recognise Rishi Sunak is not the way...

I think the issue I have with the rig ring is that the distance of the bait to the hook is quite tight. That’s fine if you like catching chub but I prefer a small gap so that a chub can pull the bait, feel it’s got a big lead connected and let it go.