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The Gardner net looks great but has a serious design flaws. Two little screws that hold the net rim in place drop out. Happened to me when I was about to net a barbel. Gardner sent me some replacement screws that I superglued in. The mesh is also a bit fragile. Caught it on a thorn and it ripped...

It is always a shame to see things like this happen. I suppose I am partly to blame - stopped buying it due to outrageously obvious product placement in articles. In the end it was like reading one long advert. Steve

Time between pulling off the drive to lowering a bait in the Loddon is under 10 minutes for me hence lots of short sessions. If the conditions are right it is wise to drop everything and go for it! Steve

Favourite barbel book - Elite Barbel by Tony Miles. Fascinating account of fishing the Ouse in its prime and Tony's notes on modern baits have had a real impact on my fishing. Not quite my favourite fishing book however.... I have a battered old copy of Confessions of Carp Fisher by BB which...

I have started using the greys 3 piece 1.5lb test curve rod this season having broken my old fox rod after years of faithful service. I have been lucky enough to catch a couple of doubles on the new rod and I have been alarmed at how soft it seems compared with my old rod. I fish a small snaggy...

I have two oval nets but neither have a deep enough mesh. I also have a 36" triangular net, can't remember the make but it has a good deep mesh. Only problem is that the mesh is very fine and it is difficult to handle in fast flowing water. My preference would be for a good strong oval net with...

I have one and I like it apart from the aforementioned lack of depth. Makes it difficult to rest the fish straight after landing, particularly if the bank is steep. The head also goes out of shape quite easily if knocked. I have quite a collection of nets and have yet to find the perfect model...

I fished into dusk last night and had three bites. One on my neck and two on my face. The midges on the Loddon can be murder! :mad: Steve

Ditto. Cleaned out the bottom of the tackle bag at the weekend - yuk! New batteries in the digital scales, new rod ready to be christened, freezer re-stocked with bait. I will be tucked away on a quiet bit of the Loddon enjoying being by the river again but probably not catching. Steve

Can't find it on ebay - can you post a link? Thanks Steve

Nipped up to Farmoor Reservoir last night after work. The buzzer fishing at this time of year can be fantastic and I had a lovely evening fishing the floating line. I came home with my four fish limit and the bbq will be fired up later today. For anyone who hasn't fished Farmoor it can be a...

I suppose we will never know whether it was the bait that made the difference for a particular fish or whether we would have caught it on any good bait presented in the right way. Confidence is important and if we believe in a bait we are half way there. Making your own bait is the only way of...

An occasional guest beer at the Bell in Waltham St Lawrence - a very nice tipple too. Steve

Theresa recently sent out a questionnaire to people in her constituency asking for comments on a range of local issues. I did take the opportunity to highlight the potential ecological disaster that would result from dredging the Loddon. Hopefully she will knock on my door in the next couple of...

I suppose it is all relative. My Dad pays £900 (discounted rate for OAPs) a year to knock a little white ball into a plastic cup (but only Monday to Friday). Steve

I will keep RDAA & TDFC but will dump Shiplake AC. Shiplake have banned night fishing which makes the Thames impossible for me rather than just very difficult. At this time each year I download the Wasing Estate prospectus - does anybody think it is worth it? Steve

Fluff chucking after an absence of several years and float fishing the margins of a local pit for tench and carp. Looking forward to catching some fish at last! Steve

Sounds like I should give it a miss. I have zero willpower when in any tackle shop and I am likley to come away with a load of stuff I don't really need. Steve

The Big One is taking place in Farnborough on the 20/21st Feb. Never been - is it worth a visit? Steve

A few years back I decided on a spot of deadbait wobbling on the last day of the season. Travelling light, I carried a few packs of smelts in the inside pocket of my barbour jacket. End of session, chucked everything in the garage and hung the coat up on the back of the door, other coats were...