TENCH TIME!
This weekend, I dusted the carp rods off and headed to my local syndicate. I always have a terrible time deciding how to fish there, as along with carp over the magic 30lb mark, the water holds a great head of bream that average 5lb, huge swathes of quality roach, and some cracking tench fishing complete with all the thrills of fizzing bubbles and terrifying proximity to lily pads. It was a bivvy day though, and by 11am both rods were cast over to a submerged treeline which had been kind to me over the years. A good dose of boilies had been peppered around the hook baits (with the help of my throwing stick), and the traps were set for something special. Just 45 minutes into the session, it hadn’t quite gone how I’d planned it… with three bream to 5lb landed, it seemed as though it was likely going to be a busy (but carp-less) day. The runs (or single beeps from the bream) were consistent, and while playing an old snotty on a carp rod isn’t anywhere near as nice as playing one on a medi
FLOATING PERFECTION!
Float making, in my opinion, is one of the finest arts in coarse fishing tackle creation. From the users perspective, there is nothing quite like using a handmade float that is delicate enough to show bites from the smallest of fish, but so hard wearing that it can withstand treacherous flows, being hurled through the air on the cast, and of course, take the battering of a heavy battle betwixt human and fish. My absolute favourite float maker is Ian Lewis. His floats are second to none, both for looks, affordability, and functionality. I find myself on his website frequently, and like a child in a sweet store, everything just looks so tempting. Having been lucky enough to acquire a few sets of these floats over the years, I enjoy these both on the bank and displayed in my home office. Below, I've shared a couple of pictures of some of these beauties, and an image of a greedy trout that was my very first capture on a grayling float (which I am still yet to catch a grayling on)!
