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Some really good suggestions here guys. I must admit I like the look of the components from tackle box, especially the machined spreader block. I have what is maybe an irrational distrust of plastic components in landing nets which I have always managed to break. Then again I am the most...

Thanks Paul. I have seen some big barbel swim into that net of yours so I take your recommendation seriously! I really do seem to be jinxed when it comes to nets and I am hoping that my next purchase will be my last for a few seasons at least. Steve

I apologise in advance for starting another landing net thread. I have contributed to these discussions in the past but I have yet to identify my perfect landing net for barbel. I have more nets than the Grimsby trawler fleet but not one of them is perfect for barbel fishing. I have recently...

Bagging it up and taking it home has got to be the way to go. In the depths of winter this has the advantage of providing you with a convenient handwarmer for half an hour at least. Just remember to take it out of your jacket pocket when you get home. Steve

I cut supermilk with another basemix (not JB) in a 2:1 ratio. Seems to work fine. Steve

I have always used JB baits with confidence. I first started using them nearly 10 years ago when I was lucky enough to get first hand advice from John on bait making and, more importantly, how to apply it on my local rivers. I now use supermilk but cut it with another quality basemix which gives...

Lee I think Ringwood Tackle have them in stock if you are happy to pay the cover price. Steve

PM sent Steve

I have a battered first edition that I have thought of having rebound in leather. The price of doing so was pretty eye watering as I remember. Steve

A lot of my fishing involves roving on small often overgrown rivers. I might move swims several times and the rod can get tangled in branches etc when fishing tight areas. I will have a go at re-ringing a 'retired' rod. I haven't whipped a rod ring for many years so should be fun! Will also...

My barbel rods are in need of replacement due mainly to the fact that the rod rings are breaking with increasing regularity. Both rods have single leg rings that inevitably get bent backwards and forwards when kept made up in a quiver. Metal fatigue sets in and the one leg eventually snaps off...

This is my net - spoon shaped but with one detachable arm. On my net the tension clearly isn't enough to hold the arm in place. The detachable arm detached itself when I was netting a barbel and this has happened numerous times when trout fishing. As I said wrapping tape round the d profiled...

I have one of the wychwood nets and have endless problems with the arm being a loose fit in the spreader block. This has resulted in the net collapsing at the critical moment. I have had to bodge a fix by adding tape to the arm. This is almost a very good net but my quest for a quality landing...

I have had problems with a number of the nets listed above. The Gardner spoon got off to a bad start when the screws fell out. Replacements sent by Gardner were araldited in. Then the arms bent when I was lifting the net when it contained a decent barbel (yes I did support the rim). I bent it...

Madness. Signed. Steve

Sean I agree with all of the wise words above. The important thing is don't give up! Keep it simple and persevere with a well chosen quality bait and the fish will come. Listening to the distilled wisdom of Paul and Graham on the 15th April will give you a big head start. Steve

Count me in Graham. Steve

Great fish Paul. It was a case of right time right place for me Graham. I wasn't doing anything different but instead of the customary blank, a pair of Loddon beauties revealed themselves. I have posted a picture on the Loddon thread. Steve

Paul has hit the nail on the head regarding the Lower Loddon. On the face of it a good season. Chub PB that will probably never be beaten and a pleasing number of double figure barbel but the underlying situation is not good with very few juvenile barbel coming through. On a slightly brighter...

I wouldn't give up on the Thames tributaries. Hard work sometimes but the rewards are there. I blanked on the Loddon today which brings me one session closer my next big chub! Steve