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A very good season for me, with somewhere around +60 barbel. The Wandle has been fishing really well (caveat below) and I don’t think I blanked once. Short afternoon/eve sessions would always produce 1 or 2, longer day sessions 5-10 fish in the 4-8lb bracket. Always roving to find the fish. A...

Really enjoyed reading that, a great capture under the circumstances and what a tank of fish! Looking at your pic I thought “snap!” I think I caught it’s smaller twin back in Jan.

It’s finished now anyway. There are four days of lots, all the fishing stuff was on day one (yesterday). Results are here: https://auctions.iainmsmith.co.uk/catalogue/0373987fa8d2e7e6e02e41d7b8f6a274/e3a09da971d4c1afdc9c9c43d283f906/four-day-auction-of-garden-furniture-tools-large-quantity/...

I didn’t find much of interest, unless you’re looking for a fly rod, fly reel, multiplier or Mitchell 🤷‍♂️

I only use barbless hooks with the odd exception. I currently use Guru SMWG a lot (switched over from Drennan Super Specialist after some issues) rarely above a 10, a few carp hooks here and there, Drennan Ac Carp Pellet on the float 10 or 12. The exception would be if I’m fishing somewhere...

If it helps, I use the acolyte carp pellet hook, very similar to the gripper but barbless. Comparison: Both hooks are described as “the strongest hook in the range” so I think are the same gauge. As Ian said they are small (some would say traditional sizing) so go a size up from what you...

Glad to be of service 🤣. I meant to say “grinner with eyed hooks, spade end knot with spade end hooks”. Talk about getting tied in knots!

Lol indeed. I guess I should’ve said spade end (whipping?) knot for spades. Does that knot actually have a name?

Grinner with eyed hooks, knotless with spades.

I’ve got the 4.5” version and it’s a brilliant reel. Like all JWY reels, very well made & finished. As Alan said above, it is very light. That’s its USP so you might be missing out with it on a heavier rod. I usually use mine on my light trotting set up (Ac Ultra) for roach, dace etc but no...

I get where you’re coming from and likewise I do prefer a true pin - it’s hard to beat that silky smoothness. But as Richard above says, market size and economies of scale mean any such reel is going to be expensive. Anyway, any old excuse for some Triton p0rn 😉 Talking of expensive reels...

You can watch it on your TV, depending on your setup. You can play it on your phone/tablet and use screen mirroring to play on your TV or play on a laptop/PC and connect via a HDMI cable. You can also try directly via the browser on your TV but it probably won’t work as TV browsers are generally 💩

Cracking chub. I totally misread “ full of silt and sewage” as something else 😂

I think the bank tackle sizes are on the big side. Their size 10 can be similar to other size 8. I don’t have Gardner hooks to compare, but below is a bank wide gape 10 next to a Drennan wide gape specialist 10. Hope this helps.

Yep, kingfisher colours are basically one big interference pattern. A lot of blues & greens in nature are structural rather than pigments; birds, butterflies, beetles, fish…anything that is iridescent. Years ago I did some work with the NHM. In their stores they have a large tank of old fish...

An amazing array of droppers in this thread. Reminds me of the barbel book (can’t remember which one) with a guide to make a big dropper from an old tin of tuna 😂

A quick and easy adaptation: 1. take one Drennan wire avon float 2. pull out wire stem & replace with a swivel 3. dab a bit of clear nail varnish around the swivel 4. voila! You now have a Trent trotter. Enjoy catching fat dace in 6” of streamy water

Hi guys, as a follow up my new Adcock bearings turned up today: Fitted no problem: 1. Does it make a difference? For sure. 2. Is it quieter? It’s different; the old grumbly bearings make a harsh grrrr the new a smooth shhhhhh 3. Is it smoother? Yes a lot! Very noticeable in the hand. 4. Is...

Totally agree. I’ve caught 5lb chub and small barbel 4lb-ish on the ultra when fishing for silvers and it’s not enjoyable.

I’ve got the 12/14ft and it’s OK, good for the price. I bought it as it’s a 3pc 12ft rod and there aren’t many of those around. 2pc 12ft rods are a PITA on public transport. Pros are it’s cheap and will land any big fish. I mean it’s a real beast, you could float fish for Jaws with it. Useful...