Recent content by Tim Marks

There will be water restrictions in the South within weeks.

No. I meant (for example) 10lb rated Fluoro and pre stretched usually breaks at less than 10. By comparison my 10lb Gardner )gt80+) breaks at nearly 14. I’ve never used Hudo-fro - so can’t comment.

Just for balance I recently tried 12lb Synchro XT and didn’t like it. I went back to my usual Gardner lines - Hydro-tuff most of the time. Remember that ‘old school’ nylon lines tend to be under -rated for breaking strain eg H-T 12lb breaks at well over 15lb. In comparison Fluoro tends to be...

The best value net on the market is sold by Westlake (go outdoors). 36” net/arms/metal spreader 20 quid. The buy a Gardner extending handle and you are sorted.

Rich; you are right about the Shimano spools. I used to use Match 3’s for float fishing and 4000 Fighting drag Super GT’s because the spools all interchanged.

I wouldn’t want to cast a 6 or 8 oz lead with a1.5 test rod…… Try fishing a big river when it is bank high. PS I’m old enough to remember when standard carp rods were 1.75 test. They worked just fine with 1.5 or 2oz leads.

Shimano XR5000. Very light and not big for a 5000 reel. Daiwa 4000 TDR, or the cheaper TDM version.

This is the stuff we use; ID is 150mm. Other sizes are available.

I’ve had a KIS case for 30 odd years and it has taken fly rods all over the World. Pretty simple (original version was for skis) telescopic case that extends to about 6ft and inches. Lockable too. The latest ones can be pretty colours and have wheels on the end. I haven’t used mine for years...

The weather has been shocking recently. I unexpectedly lost access to both my prospective tench venues 2 weeks ago - but given the intervening weather I don’t think I’ve missed much. Now (also slightly unexpectedly) I’m close to securing a couple of other venues - so I might actually go...

I've used lots of braid too and use cheap Chinese stuff for saltwater fly fishing backing with few issues. Losing fish there through tackle failure is not an option ! I use Berkeley Sick braid for light lure fishing and it is fantastic. The braid I mentioned that broke at 7lb was very...

I would expect the mono to do exactly that - if it has been looked after. I have dregs of bulk spools left from the 90's that are still fine. Im amazed at the braid, the last spool I checked for a mate was labelled 30 lb and it broke at 7.

Mixed rods and/or reels; I couldn’t give a damn (if I use 2 rods). Same with rod rests, line spools etc. As long as it is all up to the job it can be battered and secondhand. I don’t want to look like a ‘specialist’ angler. The bit that actually matters (to me) is the bait, the rig and...

I use a huge variety of additives and have done for decades. I doubt I have used an un-flavoured maggot (for example) since about 1985. Flavours there can make a massive difference. These days I use mostly boilies and paste for my barbel/chub fishing; a function of not just the fact that they...

I’ve fly fished for very big fish in the sea and the technique there is to use the rod to cast; and then the reel to play the fish. So you play the fish with a low rod - that means that the butt section bends rather than (just) the tip. You regulate the pressure on the fish with the drag of the...