If these restrictions are continued I'm going to be skint. What have you bought lately?

[Neil Smart]

Guys, there are people really struggling to make ends meet, esp the self employed, small business owners, shop keepers etc etc, stating your recent extravagant purchases is not helping your fellow anglers in these extreme times, please can you be a bit more sensitive, thank you.

P.S. I don't have 400 loo rolls.

Tough for you at the moment Derek I imagine, but chin up the rivers will still be here when this nightmare ends, and never looked better than right now...... and the ponds are beginning to wake up too, I will never take fishing for granted again.

 

[Dave Brooksbank]

During this lock down having a sort out and probably gonna be selling an ultra rare Fox mark pollard Bomb rod with 2 full tips and a Jrc bloxx compact bivvy so far.Also dug out an Abu 506 that I intend to dissect and convert it into backwind like the 501.Any tips on doing this conversion much appreciated. Hardly done any river Fishing last season due to unforeseen crap circumstances and lost my mojo but sorted now and like most gagging for some Tench fishing until the start.

 

[Jon Frisby]

During this lock down having a sort out and probably gonna be selling an ultra rare Fox mark pollard Bomb rod with 2 full tips and a Jrc bloxx compact bivvy so far.Also dug out an Abu 506 that I intend to dissect and convert it into backwind like the 501.Any tips on doing this conversion much appreciated. Hardly done any river Fishing last season due to unforeseen crap circumstances and lost my mojo but sorted now and like most gagging for some Tench fishing until the start.

I can help with the 506, I dont think I have done one for over 35 years. Its called a pawl that you have to remove. As I remember its v simple to take apart. The might even be a youtube video.

 

[John Newman]

I am on 14 days self isolation from my health care job, as my wife, a nurse in a care home, has had contact with a symptomatic resident and now has some mild symptoms herself. So I have time on my hands.

First trip into the garage revealed I had 9 rods made up ready to use! A combination of barbel and chub rods plus a trotting rod. So rods wiped down away in their bags, reels cleaned, waders and boots washed off, rucksacks (3! ??) emptied and tidied etc.

At this point I realised I have two modern centre pin reels (J W Youngs) bought at fair expense that have never been used, a couple of older (quality) centre pins I was gifted and a fixed spool bought recently that have never seen action.

Conclusion.....I already have more than I need or even use regularly so ........ No I have not been on a spending spree and on the other hand I would not part with anything.

Thinking ahead though......I want to target barbel on the float next season, tackle shops are all closed, so let's make the floats. I am now sitting looking at 20 Avon style floats I have put together from materials bought online that just need a bit more paint applying before varnishing.

Hang on a minute.......that trotting rod isn't really up to handling big floats at distance or a large barbel.

Anyone like to offer feedback on the 15ft Free Spirit Tamer Power Float Rod?

On a serious note, Stay Home, Stay Safe follow government advice and let's get through this. I feel a hell of a party coming on when we get through and lest's hope the fish accept our invitation.