tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325909272024-03-13T04:20:14.110+00:00LumblandDave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comBlogger783125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-1758277331766035322024-01-04T16:32:00.001+00:002024-01-04T16:32:51.256+00:00New Year, new rods<p>The winter break saw me working as usual. In among the standard builds were some odd jobs. First up a Sledge-Hammer 60H that I was asked to build as a sea boat rod. Neither I nor the customer are sure if it will work, but at least the handle, including gimbal type butt cap, are right!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MUHnKkIpPC8kYXHzRvECZ73IMYJIcIFdMoaWrljEEXA-Tw9hrM7uJ8vP3-APXAdLu-g199m0RRGmtUN3xwscV6RRkG5zmM9GOYvBjMJNr0UK2VWvuVJ1gPPOsnn1JrCEj4k8FYn7mjMb67u-0Erd39fHC4fSqB_shvJIs-Qj5CKC_T7roXZEQA/s1200/_7513722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="1200" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MUHnKkIpPC8kYXHzRvECZ73IMYJIcIFdMoaWrljEEXA-Tw9hrM7uJ8vP3-APXAdLu-g199m0RRGmtUN3xwscV6RRkG5zmM9GOYvBjMJNr0UK2VWvuVJ1gPPOsnn1JrCEj4k8FYn7mjMb67u-0Erd39fHC4fSqB_shvJIs-Qj5CKC_T7roXZEQA/w640-h100/_7513722.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another odd job was rebuilding a pair of old, as in over 25 years, Harrison Baby Ballistas that had been chopped down to 10ft 6in. One needed a complete rebuild, one needed the tip replacing, and a third new one was to be built to match. Full Duplon handles with short flare foregrips. Now looking as good as new. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7EIQxX7ItzVLbl1kKpqOVRiAaS_rE4QnuO0nrX8wLLmQC34YNtvrkm_li65xJrvU-X__PSQi04TshOYRqpnYI4HxprvUUMqU2H8DT-gw5EpR5cXUMljywndijq95ak8rp-oruYXz9QgjoXl03-LPSbA3BZ1XtYNUZbztoSHepY5T9t3F6-3-8Q/s1200/_7513643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7EIQxX7ItzVLbl1kKpqOVRiAaS_rE4QnuO0nrX8wLLmQC34YNtvrkm_li65xJrvU-X__PSQi04TshOYRqpnYI4HxprvUUMqU2H8DT-gw5EpR5cXUMljywndijq95ak8rp-oruYXz9QgjoXl03-LPSbA3BZ1XtYNUZbztoSHepY5T9t3F6-3-8Q/w640-h428/_7513643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last up in the 'something different' category is a rod which I'll be adding to my list shortly. I had one on show at the PAC Convention and it met with approval. The blank is an American Tackle two piece, fast taper, 'Bushido'. There are two models, the one shown here is the lighter.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPiFXcLqjbxbSp-U83AsIp9lbMyjajPsojKuDyr6o7adA7oxiDq7_xlnxIjO4uooZOn4fUv3A7hRVq1uXfkgdL7Hq2p4dV1B7ObqorvFpnd6njRdDGnbuoeG9QkSUUhXo0w99xsmKUQRYHQPaF5g91yhfqAx0s3dq9l3TUV-ZadgFJtmGiWGWSA/s1200/_7513677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPiFXcLqjbxbSp-U83AsIp9lbMyjajPsojKuDyr6o7adA7oxiDq7_xlnxIjO4uooZOn4fUv3A7hRVq1uXfkgdL7Hq2p4dV1B7ObqorvFpnd6njRdDGnbuoeG9QkSUUhXo0w99xsmKUQRYHQPaF5g91yhfqAx0s3dq9l3TUV-ZadgFJtmGiWGWSA/w640-h428/_7513677.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blanks are woven for the most part, with the weave ending part way up the tip section as per a Harrison Chimera, joints are overfits. 8ft 6in long, rated to cast 130g, I've found this model to be best with lures that are cranked straight back. The tip is much softer than my Axioms and Sledge-Hammers, and indeed softer than the heavier Bushido. As soon as I can get motivated I'll be taking the heavier rod out for a play. It should be good for big swimbaits, and even for working jerkbaits as the tip is stiffer. This one is the same length but rated to 150g.<br /></div><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-70702501959817385742023-09-19T15:40:00.002+01:002023-09-19T18:52:21.158+01:00I'm still building rods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwy0cM6hKUbVU4XESZ92wymYOs30Jji5mkupmVHEcOSuJVYQyeJnI1kBbdNLFFqVz-husoVzkb0QXWtdp4VgDM0AM0NzRMmBT-o-FnqJs0gE7KVTE6et2Zyo2EGXOX6JUb2cGyYJN4P8FeZCt4R2Bg6vhs7ivQJF-MOyINamAmsQVZP1EakOXGA/s1200/_7513292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwy0cM6hKUbVU4XESZ92wymYOs30Jji5mkupmVHEcOSuJVYQyeJnI1kBbdNLFFqVz-husoVzkb0QXWtdp4VgDM0AM0NzRMmBT-o-FnqJs0gE7KVTE6et2Zyo2EGXOX6JUb2cGyYJN4P8FeZCt4R2Bg6vhs7ivQJF-MOyINamAmsQVZP1EakOXGA/w640-h428/_7513292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Summer, such as it was, has certainly slipped away now with out me getting much fishing done. I don't like rain so that stopped me fishing for some time - instead I went to agricultural shows and got drowned! When the sun came back it was too bloody hot for me.</p><p>I might not be fishing as much as I used to, but the rumour I got wind of that I have retired from rod building is well wide of the mark. If anything I'm more enthused about it than I have been for a while. A good job too because my retirement plan is to keep working! Having new rod making products to mess about with always gets me thinking of ways to incorporate them into functional, but aesthetically pleasing, rods.<br /></p><p>Way back I took delivery of a new blank. New as in one I've not seen before. It's a two piece American Tackle lure blank. Fast action with a fine tip and rated to cast 130g. I got a handle fitted straight away but the AT rings I wanted to use on it were out of stock. After much chasing an alternative set arrived last week and when they were whipped on and the varnish dried I was eager to give have a chuck with it. That's what I did yesterday. Only for a fishless hour, but I dodged the rain and got an idea what the rod will do.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRaj_k_2pBxAo7iWXn03UnfUtpNLZl6KhHYhngSMxnHUCHd2Ikg7Hv12aXhkZPNXgZ3VR1t27ErbeBlx9VBfqUtrXk-fbL-xIGzWoUGNWD_zOcWHZ45DHbVyUn48wB0jAKIVDul_dX33LIx0lm6itcVwspSUJWVHeRSs177dRHX6RwrwMD_t9Mw/s1200/_7513312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRaj_k_2pBxAo7iWXn03UnfUtpNLZl6KhHYhngSMxnHUCHd2Ikg7Hv12aXhkZPNXgZ3VR1t27ErbeBlx9VBfqUtrXk-fbL-xIGzWoUGNWD_zOcWHZ45DHbVyUn48wB0jAKIVDul_dX33LIx0lm6itcVwspSUJWVHeRSs177dRHX6RwrwMD_t9Mw/w640-h400/_7513312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />My take on the 8ft 6in Bushido rod is that it needs 2oz to load it for smooth casting. It will work with less, but it isn't optimal. While it fished a Burt well enough I'd rather use something slightly shorter with a stiffer tip for that. I'll be using it mostly for spinnerbaits and inlines, plus soft swimbaits and suchlike. I reckon it would also be useful for fishing bigger jigs.<p></p><p>After missing the PAC Convention for various reasons for four years I've got a stall booked for this coming Saturday's event at Newark Showground. I'll have the Bushido on show, plus my P-6 and another rod I've built up with a reel seat that I've just had a sample of. It's a very comfortable reel seat to hold and looks quite distinctive. That rod will be going in the PAC's raffle.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy6hKJA_GzpesU7tGTGzvVY8xG73bofCb75A9cLlSiMforIarc-MKTx7yC_U-haeVuFmu_6G3SZMdgOFCkphzII3LTEbgotCoZV2uS37BZHVayywgH2jn84-_KiE7MOgVViu_0SJKluS0jMzZiXSZTKdmYo3SvxAWTtyE3KS321SR0IbmiJ8Y6g/s1200/_7513285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="1200" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy6hKJA_GzpesU7tGTGzvVY8xG73bofCb75A9cLlSiMforIarc-MKTx7yC_U-haeVuFmu_6G3SZMdgOFCkphzII3LTEbgotCoZV2uS37BZHVayywgH2jn84-_KiE7MOgVViu_0SJKluS0jMzZiXSZTKdmYo3SvxAWTtyE3KS321SR0IbmiJ8Y6g/w640-h194/_7513285.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Getting out among the autumnal dragonflies and bright red haws got me itching to have a go for some pike. I don't want to start too early though, and there are still sheep to be photographed! Another month and the time could be right.<br /><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-63274282406290520512023-06-27T10:29:00.003+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.664+01:00Two steps back<p>Overconfidence is a terrible thing. There was I thinking I'd got this eel fishing lark sussed and was eager to have another go, this time to succeed big time. The eels brought me back to reality.</p><p>Conditions had changed. There was a nice breeze coming from the west putting a ripple on the water. Cloud cover was partially obscuring the watery sun. I needed a sweatshirt to keep the wind chill off me and selected a slightly sheltered swim. Not for the shelter but because it gave me a number of options for positioning the baits.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi2jHlQsedI9mMmOg3X3mpLI_12gJIZMSP6Sozib6_PmfUZBEmNiqULUUCTxD_usX37UtBjAD53EoTg1TST6ngbwCGAL1bYQ60qApTVJqU-IeuETamAoAcZe4C8faeY74Ew4ItoY3QowFHTIRCWiL-yap_pDqDbpxjk9etx9k85nppgCzAL9uJw/s1200/_7512866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGi2jHlQsedI9mMmOg3X3mpLI_12gJIZMSP6Sozib6_PmfUZBEmNiqULUUCTxD_usX37UtBjAD53EoTg1TST6ngbwCGAL1bYQ60qApTVJqU-IeuETamAoAcZe4C8faeY74Ew4ItoY3QowFHTIRCWiL-yap_pDqDbpxjk9etx9k85nppgCzAL9uJw/w640-h428/_7512866.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The semi-fixed leger rig has been swapped back to a running one and a wire trace had replaced the hard mono hooklink. I'd dug some deadbaits and squid out of the freezer, both to give me a bit of variety and to eke out the worm supply. You get through a lot fishing three or four on a hook on three rods when pesky eels are pinching or mauling them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUQ2tgM1gjTT3ZQ27FYV56eWzjRbHakIw3TiGqkiaXw09XuZmIFF_crZHe5KHCf1z1-aMs2lClWchn1fTheCrEt5r5CABjmDXZflHNC5DAffygPNL3UsN9rVhziEtW499mDqk16H5fcH8QiNOMRlTxutYguuS9d__qwRvj9AvtYfplOXdzt5uDA/s1200/_7512862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUQ2tgM1gjTT3ZQ27FYV56eWzjRbHakIw3TiGqkiaXw09XuZmIFF_crZHe5KHCf1z1-aMs2lClWchn1fTheCrEt5r5CABjmDXZflHNC5DAffygPNL3UsN9rVhziEtW499mDqk16H5fcH8QiNOMRlTxutYguuS9d__qwRvj9AvtYfplOXdzt5uDA/w640-h428/_7512862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Currently I'm suffering the results of chilblains on my right hand last winter. It seems to have damaged the fingernails on two fingers and the damage has now grown out to the tips causing the nails to delaminate like a badly wrapped rod blank. The flaky nail edges catch on things and break. So I'm taping the fingers up with plasters. Which makes picking up small things like crimps and hooks a real problem. Baiting up the hook points also love to snag in the plasters causing even more cursing!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN8C1ZXNV-s-F_GY56YIDpRzVhPCvc-HqIaUdvsop9RMSZ2puD5D6QzHdLfReWCakWjifdXmWHndVlcQ6T9iBWpOJDuUs0BFSvOn9jqnA93prRQ1bCdvxC_brzZV9B53BgdG3eFCOyniuRldTTn5_D6aapFG8O8KHfPXR333qXp4IJ9Su_nUKLw/s1200/_7512873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN8C1ZXNV-s-F_GY56YIDpRzVhPCvc-HqIaUdvsop9RMSZ2puD5D6QzHdLfReWCakWjifdXmWHndVlcQ6T9iBWpOJDuUs0BFSvOn9jqnA93prRQ1bCdvxC_brzZV9B53BgdG3eFCOyniuRldTTn5_D6aapFG8O8KHfPXR333qXp4IJ9Su_nUKLw/w640-h428/_7512873.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5S62E4in0ROBqD3BrfZorc0DAtlrbIgAT56iueg1h8-bSEIramVFunDyUIOut61y1QvYbQSWH-n3PZ74nOT4aI6lieGyfLMXrAii6yVQal5xHGWlIi8NnMDbyVgZhDosW8wgAEtJRD0q4rlCi0h0x8LDa3VgVcpdtIu_feng6X5LD7n0l-x4EA/s1200/_7512889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All three baits were out 8 o'clock, the first take being a strange one at a few minutes after nine to the legered worms. Although the baitrunner was slack the tip kept pulling round. of course there was nothing there when I struck, and the worms were intact. Odd. It didn't happen again. Almost an hour later the craziness and frustration began with three takes, one after the other, to the three rods in succession. Almost simultaneous takes happen quite frequently, despite the baits being spread over quite an area. It feels like the eels are conspiring to drive me mad from not knowing which rod to strike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5S62E4in0ROBqD3BrfZorc0DAtlrbIgAT56iueg1h8-bSEIramVFunDyUIOut61y1QvYbQSWH-n3PZ74nOT4aI6lieGyfLMXrAii6yVQal5xHGWlIi8NnMDbyVgZhDosW8wgAEtJRD0q4rlCi0h0x8LDa3VgVcpdtIu_feng6X5LD7n0l-x4EA/w640-h428/_7512889.jpg" width="640" /> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was gone half nine when I eventually swung an eel ashore. Another sub-pounder to the off bottom worms. This was not to be the first of many. Takes and runs came in bursts as the light left the sky fell and continued well into darkness. It was only at five past eleven that I connected with another eel, this time to the legered ball of squid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't need to retackle or make any fresh traces so didn't have the chance to try my swim lighting set up, but it was fine for baiting up. Although I only used it once as my headtorch was doing me OK for that after putting fresh batteries in.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5S62E4in0ROBqD3BrfZorc0DAtlrbIgAT56iueg1h8-bSEIramVFunDyUIOut61y1QvYbQSWH-n3PZ74nOT4aI6lieGyfLMXrAii6yVQal5xHGWlIi8NnMDbyVgZhDosW8wgAEtJRD0q4rlCi0h0x8LDa3VgVcpdtIu_feng6X5LD7n0l-x4EA/s1200/_7512889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s7sHJ3uapjDLangC8rSgdSqmOwtvwz9n7i0j-Pi1lsy9nocLRHIqk3cOMMmK9UmtXGK31QCTPApgpJTLgqyB9YsL-HgyDBwYboYCdZg2Dc8xWtvfVcoAv2snZ5MkV2soLtfAJ_k-mrEryBF6ftOmADGUI1Zbos0flwJ94zSo7Rrr5E4HdhluuA/s1200/_7512890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s7sHJ3uapjDLangC8rSgdSqmOwtvwz9n7i0j-Pi1lsy9nocLRHIqk3cOMMmK9UmtXGK31QCTPApgpJTLgqyB9YsL-HgyDBwYboYCdZg2Dc8xWtvfVcoAv2snZ5MkV2soLtfAJ_k-mrEryBF6ftOmADGUI1Zbos0flwJ94zSo7Rrr5E4HdhluuA/w640-h428/_7512890.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The action didn't slow after midnight. Encouraged to stick around I stopped until quarter past one. The takes were still coming. I was still failing to connect with them. With no eels landed worth weighing I've not bothered photographing any either. So here's a pic of my latest eel rods. They're 10ft 2.75lb Ballista Stalkers which have a tippier action than my P-4s making them better for casting leads and small baits. The only time I've had a decent bend in them so far has been 'playing' a ball of weed. There feels to be enough in the butt section to cope with decent fish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went for a low profile look with all black fittings from American Tackle and a different look to the abbreviated Duplon. Thread is my favourite shad of grey and all (minimalist) lettering is on the underside of the rods. They balance well with the near perfect 6000OC Baitrnners.<br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WR8PpSRaBWnzGt9PUoxWxFyEreVwUufwwx5XsOek8a1jHlRI3jtIgeimTJJYrnxuWlkpbzZSV38ckhKBYWQoV4LHDbDGZTCwNYHDsP5qt4cS7QjklQkT5B4oitTaHzFVcoHP776uXP45W5Hjwvu34ya98jMFyhAu6yvLpTnN5eBhP28dqoxSLA/s1200/_7512880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WR8PpSRaBWnzGt9PUoxWxFyEreVwUufwwx5XsOek8a1jHlRI3jtIgeimTJJYrnxuWlkpbzZSV38ckhKBYWQoV4LHDbDGZTCwNYHDsP5qt4cS7QjklQkT5B4oitTaHzFVcoHP776uXP45W5Hjwvu34ya98jMFyhAu6yvLpTnN5eBhP28dqoxSLA/w640-h428/_7512880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There's rain forecast. I might dust the barbel rods off and give the eels a break for a couple of weeks. Or I might restock the worm tub and keep the roll going...<br /><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-87035177463580233892023-06-26T00:00:00.028+01:002023-06-26T00:00:00.138+01:003 x 10ft 3lb Torrix for sale<p>My annual 'what rods shall I build myself' spree went into overdrive this year and in addition to my tench rods I built myself another set of eel rods, which means last year's models are up for sale</p><p>As the post title says they are three 10ft 3lb Torrix. Build is minimal. American Tackle 1k woven reel seats, AT butt caps, Fuji Alconite rings, hook keepers on left side dark grey thread. All lettering underneath except 'DLST' on top between the whippings for the hook keepers.</p><p>New build price would be £340 each or £1050 including carriage. Selling these three, hardly used, £700 including carriage.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7Ls-jtPcWVt9sA5UaK5hvDph0uGdDqUW3b4C8hRDwx74gpVNvVhWeMdU5Md9ZU0Xwfwg-2UplGHInN0mg80HBgi971Qq1aU54MJr-09UIbw9fxwpv6t5Q-i3ffr0udE4fIz7vxiuiMJ0qE7YP289pHOwXjoCVentBNzGWrrTBcF7snxFu1DE-A/s1200/_7512755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7Ls-jtPcWVt9sA5UaK5hvDph0uGdDqUW3b4C8hRDwx74gpVNvVhWeMdU5Md9ZU0Xwfwg-2UplGHInN0mg80HBgi971Qq1aU54MJr-09UIbw9fxwpv6t5Q-i3ffr0udE4fIz7vxiuiMJ0qE7YP289pHOwXjoCVentBNzGWrrTBcF7snxFu1DE-A/w360-h640/_7512755.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47kJstbRUVHcXEMk0_pj1m8iJMJC5jBHXD2Oe-oozk2MGEyUpFm9AoxqwfJpSGuxsyfxpU4H2gn8DXl4ddR7bFEtrzVgc8DD3oEokNKbF47pZBCwXxQybxVh34kB-4pdiVSDvn3B-pbJAbXKnP6vBOaxlBaIbKHPwoIrXzCxCQIzZkA5EfIMr3Q/s1200/_7512759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47kJstbRUVHcXEMk0_pj1m8iJMJC5jBHXD2Oe-oozk2MGEyUpFm9AoxqwfJpSGuxsyfxpU4H2gn8DXl4ddR7bFEtrzVgc8DD3oEokNKbF47pZBCwXxQybxVh34kB-4pdiVSDvn3B-pbJAbXKnP6vBOaxlBaIbKHPwoIrXzCxCQIzZkA5EfIMr3Q/w360-h640/_7512759.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbKidnXnNJIERN18nD8latauGpYPlXHTTL-2_tRMWbJvDsCaXBI156RWK-arZQuFcU9gzmzLxXfMEbSg0eaaxJiXaW2GutaUFBe_XZSN9lDPd1fIpJbNVXEZVkUisKQSC7caVCtZwZNQWztp3BXxGvVWjHofoPQQKZXm95mEKwZlKb_dJ3x9CNw/s1200/_7512760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbKidnXnNJIERN18nD8latauGpYPlXHTTL-2_tRMWbJvDsCaXBI156RWK-arZQuFcU9gzmzLxXfMEbSg0eaaxJiXaW2GutaUFBe_XZSN9lDPd1fIpJbNVXEZVkUisKQSC7caVCtZwZNQWztp3BXxGvVWjHofoPQQKZXm95mEKwZlKb_dJ3x9CNw/w360-h640/_7512760.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-52020904629038226642023-06-24T11:21:00.146+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.663+01:00Hard Nylon eel traces<p>Making hooklinks on the bank, in the dark by the light of a headtorch, isn't the easiest thing to do! So much so that I've packed an LED light to put on my camera tripod for my next session. It'll only be needed if I run out of the spares I'll be making at home!</p><p>Years ago I bought a spool of Mason Hard Type Nylon to make leaders when I was fly-fishing for pike. Leaders, not tippets, the flies were attached to wire which was attached to the leader. It's strange stuff. Very tough, very stiff, and very 'coily'. It's also difficult to get hold of in the UK. Mine came from Veal's, and while they still have it listed on their website it is currently out of stock and has been for some time. There must be an alternative but buying unseen could lead to a lot of money going down teh plug hole. Is the stuff carp anglers use for Ronni Rigs the same? </p><p>Other than the nylon everything else is simple. One hook, two double barrel crimps, a rig sleeve.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhBmnUEqGEpb7VZc1r7rvIz9X_B7K1XScbqZUExsi0XdF8wEqmffLSEGVmZTDFtUIjuoUmGTXnqnux3l-B5o_24XT9aZ9NtcA8n_7Pi3WTtpBU6VFURSGf6rUaoBFxMA9nT7K8WPqOa_r6WtPZ8tGbuoubFZQiV4X0oa54MfZ3k9Y_1ATJb808g/s1200/_7512803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhBmnUEqGEpb7VZc1r7rvIz9X_B7K1XScbqZUExsi0XdF8wEqmffLSEGVmZTDFtUIjuoUmGTXnqnux3l-B5o_24XT9aZ9NtcA8n_7Pi3WTtpBU6VFURSGf6rUaoBFxMA9nT7K8WPqOa_r6WtPZ8tGbuoubFZQiV4X0oa54MfZ3k9Y_1ATJb808g/w640-h428/_7512803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not all of the tools shown below are essential. In fact the crimping pliers are the only ones you cant do the job without. I use the lighter to put a blob on the tag end of the nylon before pulling it snug into the crimp at the hook. It isn't a big deal to leave it sticking out without a blob. Crimped correctly the line won't slip. The tag end can be left longer at the loop end as that will be sleeved over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nail clippers are what I use for trimming all nylon lines. they're especially good on tougher and thicker monos I find. The knot testers are used to test the connections, and have the added benefit that when doing that the curve in the nylon is pulled out. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV63ZLQIjnLg_GtYAwjrZdIicDjUhNOPAUDsYIt9D9ZHxIMPPDNIq7itHUMEnBkoZu6zxm_RDAZ5VfDGcmx4-cl7b0bAaYjbMxZsdQsyLqmXpJwKzKokK5ybEsnZTT1Gfz3A9Nq13A23fH0nSvO7Y_Zdx0XbFo95p1dnI-irAivB4aVvQVjTjq4w/s1200/_7512801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV63ZLQIjnLg_GtYAwjrZdIicDjUhNOPAUDsYIt9D9ZHxIMPPDNIq7itHUMEnBkoZu6zxm_RDAZ5VfDGcmx4-cl7b0bAaYjbMxZsdQsyLqmXpJwKzKokK5ybEsnZTT1Gfz3A9Nq13A23fH0nSvO7Y_Zdx0XbFo95p1dnI-irAivB4aVvQVjTjq4w/w640-h428/_7512801.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a close up of the jaws of the pliers. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekTYUD9-GXKuvGgPqTPoiL_X38FCaXb6Zv6Q39mAxjMUXMQ1V4CRpfayerS8YWghQfQaesoaiC11ZF2gM2kgvnejt2TXvpscN8MdsU8xVH4eTlYbgh30GyMO_cKRNBsbgksvAaijIiSp-giL_uzvdwRy_MpucnkopCBaYJVJdgVp_n0Y_YdGMEg/s1200/_7512791.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekTYUD9-GXKuvGgPqTPoiL_X38FCaXb6Zv6Q39mAxjMUXMQ1V4CRpfayerS8YWghQfQaesoaiC11ZF2gM2kgvnejt2TXvpscN8MdsU8xVH4eTlYbgh30GyMO_cKRNBsbgksvAaijIiSp-giL_uzvdwRy_MpucnkopCBaYJVJdgVp_n0Y_YdGMEg/w640-h640/_7512791.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crimp should be placed 'crossways' in the groove of the pliers, so it squashes the two barrels together flattening each barrel. Ideally the crimp should stick out of the jaws at the loop end to give an angled transition for the nylon. I suspect this is more critical when using heavier gear to big game fish than it is with this sort of tackle. The crimps I'm using are very small and fiddly enough to align correctly in the pliers without having to get a bit to stick out - the crimp length being the same as the width of the jaws. There's no chance in the dark! To give an idea of size these are one inch squares on the cutting mat.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_iN00Unup9xKJbOTa5PvirBW5rpMb3SZx9Z3H9Br02iBy_3iX3hlbyFHk-l_0PIp2gc8fIhfwJ1-HGny2ojlfzvielS5SYCEXOsLqG-GBkrxBidtxwbi61r_BePC-LePuPg3cA5QbdbWnjGUV_MQ8Wjq_lNxFbljYYHiw_6HTB4sCYrRSHeS7A/s1200/_7512818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_iN00Unup9xKJbOTa5PvirBW5rpMb3SZx9Z3H9Br02iBy_3iX3hlbyFHk-l_0PIp2gc8fIhfwJ1-HGny2ojlfzvielS5SYCEXOsLqG-GBkrxBidtxwbi61r_BePC-LePuPg3cA5QbdbWnjGUV_MQ8Wjq_lNxFbljYYHiw_6HTB4sCYrRSHeS7A/w640-h428/_7512818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2WvNm1GTxMBe72GdoNz6wSkZP11Nwfw417afkObdXYyofJPW-LXNzSYwLONjAM4RzbzdU47mcD1oCQzjhcTJ0JfnAIXbIwPjAWhYJoeX6t86kQwU4huezpdbcm7qW5bJp7ny8r_J9OxueW6QQ-f_o3Q75GBIB04rk0IwXgx2gHUuY1keopkmZA/s1200/_7512799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="1200" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2WvNm1GTxMBe72GdoNz6wSkZP11Nwfw417afkObdXYyofJPW-LXNzSYwLONjAM4RzbzdU47mcD1oCQzjhcTJ0JfnAIXbIwPjAWhYJoeX6t86kQwU4huezpdbcm7qW5bJp7ny8r_J9OxueW6QQ-f_o3Q75GBIB04rk0IwXgx2gHUuY1keopkmZA/w640-h114/_7512799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm using quick change swivels on the end of my mainline hence using a loop on my hooklinks, but a swivel can be attached just as easily. Crimping is ideal for people who have to have all their hooklinks exactly the same length. Much easier than trying to do that with knots - although having a loop at one end works.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzo7TZclJ3Y8Ms8jFGlJ8XfxhI3XTYJbd4D2I05gTSTb4kQTtJ7V_1hJWqlPh-b_YrGNXo4SZtr0e-HnYAOh4-Y9EApmxCEzqcAlM0c7hOuLr3b6ifI0q0pj16lrQMeMryWryiOqTWIou-YWgeLhoavGXsp2KApZUPGO1hh0xtNMF66btmIT8ng/s1200/_7512859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzo7TZclJ3Y8Ms8jFGlJ8XfxhI3XTYJbd4D2I05gTSTb4kQTtJ7V_1hJWqlPh-b_YrGNXo4SZtr0e-HnYAOh4-Y9EApmxCEzqcAlM0c7hOuLr3b6ifI0q0pj16lrQMeMryWryiOqTWIou-YWgeLhoavGXsp2KApZUPGO1hh0xtNMF66btmIT8ng/w640-h640/_7512859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>These are only used with worms or other non-fishy baits. Anything that I think has a greater chance of being picked up by a pike is fished on wire. </b></div><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-65521052504111572732023-06-23T11:21:00.003+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.664+01:00Progress?<p>The tight finish in the opening Ashes test match left me needing to chill. I rigged up two of my latest eel rods, sorted the gear, put the worms I'd bought last week into a bucket and set off. There was no rush, I wasn't expecting any action until half nine on a still, hot, and sunny day. After a short look around I took the easy option and started setting up in the peg nearest the car park.<br /></p><p>My approach hadn't changed from last year. the running paternoster was dropped close in to my right, the running leger cast out close to the pads. What had change were the hooklinks. Both were much shorter than in earlier years. I've been reducing the length of my eel hooklinks for some time, but now they are only about four to five inches long. It's quite tricky tying such short hooklinks in any material, but the
Hard Nylon I'm favouring is a bugger to knot at any length. It can be
done. More on that later.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iA0BMFSi9Qv_5Iw-J2nK0GDXvcylKGYvh6jLUCnmdAqpFtaRstv9AxcNDE_1MlrKAqHhrLi3X7Z4QWPdlLzmKvoPdGx5UF_JykUfKD8CQXScRJa47WhPQGyDAGa7xD7zwf-jwcxCeXvvhiQOdiCLjhXyrJJiBD-HtjQ_TVTSNJY72ozoYb8Hwg/s1200/DSCN6726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iA0BMFSi9Qv_5Iw-J2nK0GDXvcylKGYvh6jLUCnmdAqpFtaRstv9AxcNDE_1MlrKAqHhrLi3X7Z4QWPdlLzmKvoPdGx5UF_JykUfKD8CQXScRJa47WhPQGyDAGa7xD7zwf-jwcxCeXvvhiQOdiCLjhXyrJJiBD-HtjQ_TVTSNJY72ozoYb8Hwg/w640-h360/DSCN6726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />By 8.30 I was all set up and settled in listening the the birdsong and watching the sun sink low enough to stop dazzling me. Bang on cue, an hour later, I had a take on the legered worm and soon swung my first eel of the year in. Only about a pound, probably less, it was still a start.<p></p><p>The second eel took the off-bottom worms at ten past ten. One eel each to the new rods on their first outing. So much for the new tackle jinx! From then on indications came regularly. Some the annoying twitches that resulted in pinched worms, some proper runs that spun the reel spool. Most were coming to the leger rig.</p><p>It was half past eleven before I landed another one, half an hour more until the third, and ten past midnight when the smallest of the evening came in. All to the bottom fished worms. I packed up twenty minutes later to the sound of a distant owl hooting.</p><p>One of the eels had mangled my hooklink forcing me to tie up a replacement. This didn't go well in the dark. First of all I had run out of the size 6 hooks I'd been using. Go larger or go smaller? I went smaller for an eight. The first knot was messy. So was the second. Eventually I got a rig tied up. Then I had a light-bulb moment. I'd used the hard mono to make lead links by crimping it. Why hadn't I thought of crimping it to use as hooklinks? D'oh!</p><p>Wednesday morning saw me sat at my desk crimping up hooklinks. I couldn't find my cup-to-cup crimping tool so used the one I'd bought for crimping wire traces with single barrel crimps. It's not supposed to work on double barrel crimps but I couldn't pull the mono out. With a few hooklinks made up I rigged up my third new rod and swapped all my hooklinks to the crimped ones with size 8 hook.</p><p>Another empty car park saw me take a longer walk to look at swims. One looked really inviting but cramped for three rods. It could wait for another night. In the end I chose one where I could cover a lot of water with the baits spread out. As I was setting up a very loud bird sang briefly in a hawthorn behind the swim. Not a song I recognised but I guessed it to be a warbler. Once more it was the paternoster in the right hand margin, the two legers out to pad edges. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFCmA_N_7XjGe6m4RzQ15s7HyHNfyKrzFChB_EQ-K0jDXjFoDk444glU6BfJmsdabCZuRMXOXu_CrZV5EoXySpQukkT9egjMgKaZh1o3ra-uuQokxAgioaZdNlpAvRM0g72RgcZOonMfJV2sLwj-KimjzPdxlWzmrV_igd7kWOdmRX-YrZDHmVg/s1200/_7512764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFCmA_N_7XjGe6m4RzQ15s7HyHNfyKrzFChB_EQ-K0jDXjFoDk444glU6BfJmsdabCZuRMXOXu_CrZV5EoXySpQukkT9egjMgKaZh1o3ra-uuQokxAgioaZdNlpAvRM0g72RgcZOonMfJV2sLwj-KimjzPdxlWzmrV_igd7kWOdmRX-YrZDHmVg/w640-h428/_7512764.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Another thought I had during my first session was that a semi-fixed leger might be worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I had one in operation on the longest cast. After a later start I was fishing by 8.45 only having to wait half an hour until the spool spun on the off-bottom margin rod. I failed to connect. </p><p> A couple more times I was startled by the loud birdsong. Eventually I caught a glimpse of a little brown job flitting away. I made a note in my diary about the call, a visual interpretation of it that only I could understand,, and resolved to search Youtube to find it.<br /></p><p>It was shortly before ten when the indications started to come frequently and a sub-pound eel fell for to the paternoster rod. Twitched, runs, and everything in between. eventually the takes dried up and I packed away the rods at midnight. the semi-fixed rig hadn't been a success. Winding it in for recasts the three dendrobenas had disappeared every time. Stick with it or not?</p><p>Thursday morning I was on Youtube searching for 'warbler sons UK'. I found one video that claimed to haev the songs of every British warbler and clicked 'play'. I decided not to watch it but just listen. A few song in there it was! I replayed it. Yes, that was the song. I searched for other videos and other sites for the bird's song just to be sure. No doubt about it. I'd heard and seen my first Cetti's warbler! Not too uncommon a bird these days, in the right places. It was still a new one for me.</p><p>In the afternoon I did my 'big shop', calling in at the tackle shop near the supermarket to see if they had a pair of pukka crimping pliers before ordering a pair off the interwebby. They did. And they were cheaper! With the freezer filled for another month, and my bank account depleted by more than I expected (that's food inflation for you) I set about making up another batch of hooklinks. Tea eaten, the miserable Archers saga listened to (if only Helen could have a freak chess-making accident to put an end to it), I was eager to try my rigs out.</p><p>A couple of vehicles in the car park this time but nobody in sight in the area I fancied. I still had a look around before climbing down into another peg which offered a range of opportunities. This time the running paternoster was cast to my left, to a gap in the pads. The running leger went straight out to a pad edge, and the semi-fixed rig was cast the farthest to a gap between to lots of pads. I must have been keen because it was only eight o'clock! As I was setting the rods up I heard the Cetti's Warbler again. Not having been on this spring I'm left wondering if it has been around for long.</p><p>An early start didn't bring early action. Well, not too early. ten past nine saw a proper run to the running leger. Fishing three small worms I always wonder if it is an eel that has taken the bait when I strike at these runs. Anything is liable to pick up worms and there have been quite a few carp mooching about.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgvkTn4aD_KpXBNXwpIN4QbVlHbS_zPot76PV65dGReXjQ7XqAss-4NW-iDYs0bVjmyX-CrADUKMv-_rorYYFXgGwMnh96ylEu1s_3OBFOjeR3HEXxXc_OKoK7ide1tL6w0pKJLKYvyeIUJ6Dh46AKZ5zVAcsWK_oI-mzFHQ-qETaeDGubPBACg/s1200/DSCN6760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgvkTn4aD_KpXBNXwpIN4QbVlHbS_zPot76PV65dGReXjQ7XqAss-4NW-iDYs0bVjmyX-CrADUKMv-_rorYYFXgGwMnh96ylEu1s_3OBFOjeR3HEXxXc_OKoK7ide1tL6w0pKJLKYvyeIUJ6Dh46AKZ5zVAcsWK_oI-mzFHQ-qETaeDGubPBACg/w640-h480/DSCN6760.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ten minutes later the only sign of action to the semi-fixed rod was very small twitches of the rod top. Even with my Delkim on maximum sensitivity there was no sound and the bobbin moved not a millimeter. I picked the rod up and... There was an eel on the end, neatly hooked in the bottom lip! I stuck with the rig as the only way to judge its efficacy is to give it a long enough trial. I know other eel anglers are making it work.</p><p>After ten the action picked up apace. I landed five more, yet again all a few ounces either side of a pound at a guess, bar the final one which was most definitely a bootlace. Around eleven I had three takes at once and missed all of them. All the takes cam to legered worms, and one on the semi-fixed rig was a proper 'screamer'. I was sure there'd be a carp on the end when I lifted the rod!</p><p>All told an interesting few sessions. Eleven eels is a good start in terms of numbers. Not so good on teh specimen hunting scale though. The short stiff hooklinks are working a treat. The small hooks haven't proved detrimental. Quite the opposite. Semi-fixed rigs do work. Not much action to the off-bottom bait, which is unusual. Eels do have the ability to make you think. The rods have all been christened, but are yet to be tested with something worthy of landing net, let alone a photo session.</p><p>The next step? Get some different baits. Fishing three rods with worms is boring!<br /></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-84171890927417400172023-05-26T14:47:00.001+01:002023-05-26T14:50:15.898+01:00More on rings and fittingsI'm expanding the ring options for my rod builds. Not everyone likes the look of the grey frames Fuji now have and, as with reel seats, prefer the look of black framed rings. Kigan are available with a black frame but cost more than the BCLSVOG Fujis, Seymos are available but are more bulky and a pain in the bum to fettle before whipping in place, American Tackle (AT) Vortex rings are nicer to work with but the centres are not recommended for use with braid. Enter AT Salvo rings.<p style="text-align: left;">Similar in design to the old BSVOG Fuji rings I used to fit they stand off a little more than the BCLSVOGs. There's no cost increase and they come in a wider range of sizes than the Kigans.</p><p style="text-align: center;">BCLSVOG on the left, Salvo on the right.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmquM2vVjpf8hQdmX9uBvXt39VXpv0kLIQy5ssYZBtyzuwzK59BJc-aCR7wzpREZT4_ktvUdn6wg_tjqK2v8ne9eoKmMPsi5jWLa37CKfsuU3rrB5ThOGqKiGcJJzTKDw4TNyfx83gJcTxbd5N9XO9t5rzFcUQcFDLoRODyFOfJ8aOauyUX5w/s1200/_78O2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmquM2vVjpf8hQdmX9uBvXt39VXpv0kLIQy5ssYZBtyzuwzK59BJc-aCR7wzpREZT4_ktvUdn6wg_tjqK2v8ne9eoKmMPsi5jWLa37CKfsuU3rrB5ThOGqKiGcJJzTKDw4TNyfx83gJcTxbd5N9XO9t5rzFcUQcFDLoRODyFOfJ8aOauyUX5w/w400-h266/_78O2279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsJQHpus0OcLGIy0R8bZRXGx2TEjL1NSfrEGe_vbuqwPRXnBOIvMGQJJx9CScoQeDw-_le4GR8KowpFqjhy3yyKjg1pb_vm0rKhaVK3I1_II2nP-mgHkADGO6j3eg6wGjaf4dKOKd2ptfp5aHn0uCGz-1cZU1azPDLT8_i6lYJcauHeGsxdU/s1200/_78O2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsJQHpus0OcLGIy0R8bZRXGx2TEjL1NSfrEGe_vbuqwPRXnBOIvMGQJJx9CScoQeDw-_le4GR8KowpFqjhy3yyKjg1pb_vm0rKhaVK3I1_II2nP-mgHkADGO6j3eg6wGjaf4dKOKd2ptfp5aHn0uCGz-1cZU1azPDLT8_i6lYJcauHeGsxdU/w400-h266/_78O2284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">For a modest increase in price there is a more modern looking ring available from AT, in the currently fashionable 'anti-frap' style. Delta rings maybe stand off a fraction more but have the advantage that as they decrease in size they stand off proportionally less. Although I doubt it makes any practical difference I have always found the step down to the tip ring when using V framed rings like BSVOGs to look a bit odd. The Deltas make a much neater look and are not over bulky in the larger sizes. The matching tip is also anti-frap style. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">30mm Delta<br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsz0vzN-nXeE9TmbL4Sip_trxFx-KR-nz4Vtr-dta_E2VAIOWEkVOlUxE_xZOZiZ06jzMQM1Ft-NoiSpHUtHa0ewo8HUAVEkoDw2J89mHdPAeS3sOzchjdU2hEF8cpdFeNN2rpahrYAeXBERGdqNcEWZavjI9pBQl8N01dyAQY8QoxvT-SVk/s1200/_7512594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsz0vzN-nXeE9TmbL4Sip_trxFx-KR-nz4Vtr-dta_E2VAIOWEkVOlUxE_xZOZiZ06jzMQM1Ft-NoiSpHUtHa0ewo8HUAVEkoDw2J89mHdPAeS3sOzchjdU2hEF8cpdFeNN2rpahrYAeXBERGdqNcEWZavjI9pBQl8N01dyAQY8QoxvT-SVk/w400-h400/_7512594.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10mm Delta to 10mm Delta tip <br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIowZxuN3UwJ0mXYm8V8i0ZHeGY_McGbKuZMYWi-xV_Sgs-SKe9i4wNwpSffha0r_5WlRIKmEWISDsS1x4WLmdhyTtRrjw66qhTOlDvIqPDr5OuH1kG2uVlE9LhzmSvYc5tz_nCWBqb_OfkQqSqkxDuYCdmqT7FBtQfOjOAy-Yc6AnrGQ4LU/s1200/_78O2297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="1200" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIowZxuN3UwJ0mXYm8V8i0ZHeGY_McGbKuZMYWi-xV_Sgs-SKe9i4wNwpSffha0r_5WlRIKmEWISDsS1x4WLmdhyTtRrjw66qhTOlDvIqPDr5OuH1kG2uVlE9LhzmSvYc5tz_nCWBqb_OfkQqSqkxDuYCdmqT7FBtQfOjOAy-Yc6AnrGQ4LU/w640-h118/_78O2297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">10mm Delta tip </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lUyVoi2WfT04rl3VMVpduXNDY9i1Mdng9TLfGLR8Y9spaBEgtmrheZ8ZJOJT0CHsPrBuewFjwdRwFXZFKfbeZPKPUQk0LjD3YWUc86mYSCzeueV63uAD3ZQHeelCtZsbGhFkrtGjiMwAuAOXXlN2jPXsvyhehsurqDuYgIke36QsXdZkoS4/s1200/_78O2294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lUyVoi2WfT04rl3VMVpduXNDY9i1Mdng9TLfGLR8Y9spaBEgtmrheZ8ZJOJT0CHsPrBuewFjwdRwFXZFKfbeZPKPUQk0LjD3YWUc86mYSCzeueV63uAD3ZQHeelCtZsbGhFkrtGjiMwAuAOXXlN2jPXsvyhehsurqDuYgIke36QsXdZkoS4/w400-h266/_78O2294.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These AT rings strike me as being the next best thing to Fuji when it comes to fit and finish requiring little in the way of tweaking to work with. The same can't be said for Seymos and Kigans. there is nothing wrong with the functional quality of either of those brands. The ring centres won't damage your line (unlike some nasty ones I've replaced on mass produced rods), and Kigans have a slight weight saving due to their lighter (more easily bent) frames. I just prefer not to have to waste my time grinding ring feet smooth or bending frames to line them up to lie correctly on the rod blank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AT produce a number of other rings in the anti-frap style which carp anglers are drooling over. I can't see them appealing to pike or eel anglers though. They're a bit more expensive. A distance set of the top of the range rings would add over £200 per rod!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also available from AT are gunsmoke winding checks and butt caps. Same additional cost as the stainless alternatives.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TzoZZWvK7XSolsWZbVNtcL0LmgugCp4VZ7WDxUUhiIAKWtdxKQeVMOfGfOiZFt6BYs7MfZ2BTZgFb1i2obMDUp3HG-UIxR9j0f_1vBj0oqf00MndYOrqFNzzF4zMEvE5OMh4pm7q-3HFspAF9A-9nPGny1BBALwALuG6BpIqrBx8OF-M8jk/s1200/_7512570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TzoZZWvK7XSolsWZbVNtcL0LmgugCp4VZ7WDxUUhiIAKWtdxKQeVMOfGfOiZFt6BYs7MfZ2BTZgFb1i2obMDUp3HG-UIxR9j0f_1vBj0oqf00MndYOrqFNzzF4zMEvE5OMh4pm7q-3HFspAF9A-9nPGny1BBALwALuG6BpIqrBx8OF-M8jk/w400-h268/_7512570.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvnvgrT6KX9OBgukvHil_-Q_FB8bMAv9swJNVnjPc9mpU0YmGPA2CzwQxjGNWgLsJUJsjvpsaJv3-kfW4zyXDiXbUsAynFCG-Gkqq-atWsLDgYp2St3BdJAzpn10R81NrsYvTB2YOn_zT1uBPUhOBFuQOtcRWEeTvSEPwkiNa-tlxgQDhmEA/s1200/_7512579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvnvgrT6KX9OBgukvHil_-Q_FB8bMAv9swJNVnjPc9mpU0YmGPA2CzwQxjGNWgLsJUJsjvpsaJv3-kfW4zyXDiXbUsAynFCG-Gkqq-atWsLDgYp2St3BdJAzpn10R81NrsYvTB2YOn_zT1uBPUhOBFuQOtcRWEeTvSEPwkiNa-tlxgQDhmEA/w400-h400/_7512579.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><hr style="text-align: left;" /></div>Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-81649741843292183542023-05-14T15:34:00.004+01:002023-05-14T15:34:35.961+01:00Always wear sunscreen<p></p>
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Fred says "Always wear sunscreen." It was needed on Friday, possibly the hottest
day of the year so far. T-shirt and shades weather. Possibly not ideal
conditions for fishing. Nice to be out in the warmth though after the not too
cold, but miserable, winter, followed by a spring that didn't want get going.<br />
<p></p>
<p>
I had the choice of swims, so went for the one I'd have liked to fish last
time out. I don't think it was a wise selection. The only rel feature to be
found was the marginal reeds. They look like reedmace, definitely not
Phragmites. Whatever they are fish seem to like them.
</p>
<p>
I really don't like fishing off platforms, and when they are well above the
water level I like it even less. I made do.<br /><br />Conditions had change.
The wind had turned through 180 degrees from last time putting barely a ripple
of the surface. There wasn't much scum floating around, nor a large hatch of
flies. Some did appear late on.<br />
</p>
<p>
Action was slow coming. I started out by baiting up as far out as I could
catapult maggots and 4mm pellets, fishing the same two rigs that I'd left on
the rods over the bait. Corn and pellets kept getting trickled into the
margins to my left.<br /><br />
</p>
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<p></p><p>Action was slow coming.The fake corn was wound in and dropped in the edge. The baitrunner slackened right off and the rod laid on the platform. I was shocked when the rod swung round. Surprised when I picked the rod up to find nothing there. Probably because the slack baitrunner and running lead didn't offer enough resistance to set the hook. While putting the rod on the pod made the line's angle very steep it would offer a better chance of a successful hookup.</p><p>Sure enough it did. I'd just started listening to The Archers (not that I know why I bother these days, it's gone to the dogs) while watching an angler opposite dealing with a tench on a pole when the alarm sounded. This time the fish fell off. The line had been laid between reed stems and the fish had also managed to get into the reeds. It didn't feel big. No surprise there.</p><p>Repositioning the bait closer so the line didn't have to go through or round any reeds I started feeding over the rig with the corn and pellets. Third time lucky. By the way the fish was fighting I thought it might be another male tench. It was. Maybe a little heavier than the other two I've had (I couldn't be bothered getting the sling wet) it still wasn't not big enough to test the rods out. Most of the scrap took place between the rod tip and the platform. I say scrap, more like the fish swimming around on a tight line until I could see where it was in the soup and put the net under it.<br /></p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv0lgrOIscwIzmBDC0kpLJmlY3IMU2a08rsqhwZJ-unSnMJgDO7Gr906ao1AjDAbxtNJmFADsmx54TqNMHAqGyRjbklxBRRe8L_g-nXe9kqlLKY6bd98vcHxlblz3Ig_Y7osN9Lc_SGoUb0FlC0u_REQ_vjwInEGbDoGmQHE_HbZWT2XpodY/s1200/_7512419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv0lgrOIscwIzmBDC0kpLJmlY3IMU2a08rsqhwZJ-unSnMJgDO7Gr906ao1AjDAbxtNJmFADsmx54TqNMHAqGyRjbklxBRRe8L_g-nXe9kqlLKY6bd98vcHxlblz3Ig_Y7osN9Lc_SGoUb0FlC0u_REQ_vjwInEGbDoGmQHE_HbZWT2XpodY/w640-h428/_7512419.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used my smallest pair of forceps to unhook the fish so it might look bigger when laid next to them for a snap... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was my lot. Plenty of small stuff topping as the light went. One or two better, but far from huge, fish rolling noisily too. I don't mind sitting waiting hours for a bite if it results in fish the sort of size I'm after, which doesn't have to be large by national standards, but when the fish are small by any standards I'd much rather be catching lots of them. I seem to have got fishing head back on though. Which is something positive. One more try with a slightly different approach then I'll go elsewhere, or fish for something else. Or both!<br /></div>
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Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-78424421128759193342023-05-11T11:23:00.003+01:002023-05-11T12:38:53.007+01:00Rod news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnxgP28agMYdOdLqdnfWkZg4UOhkW8Ynw1LkxbGq2So7Nj-BfjNF2xdUhppaHKocHIZnI_2IbrYIKM-z_ki4FS0PLwFmZ8Xodc7VG6LXE_uqupXOdyyLGM1C-6XaPa2wUN4UnXqjBEQOGJga6wKUmbV7ZKf-u8XAIRfyhGt2r-khfSBp6qb0/s1200/_7512382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="1200" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnxgP28agMYdOdLqdnfWkZg4UOhkW8Ynw1LkxbGq2So7Nj-BfjNF2xdUhppaHKocHIZnI_2IbrYIKM-z_ki4FS0PLwFmZ8Xodc7VG6LXE_uqupXOdyyLGM1C-6XaPa2wUN4UnXqjBEQOGJga6wKUmbV7ZKf-u8XAIRfyhGt2r-khfSBp6qb0/w640-h158/_7512382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><strike>First off I have a pair of one-off rods for sale at a bargain price!</strike> RODS SOLD! They are 12ft/2.25lb multi-carp blanks trimmed to 11ft. Suitable for close range carp or flood water barbel, maybe zander or canal pike.<br /><br />Cork handles, American Tackle black DPS reel seats and AT rubber butt caps, seven Seymo Hardlon guides plus tip with black frames, hook keeper, black thread. Nominal test curve is 2lb 6oz, action through but beefy.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuty8_8iEO5Frwaq7zac7vZg6QN8nupF1GBv9FsSF1eSawR0L-2rRhOoMXxXHltrrq5Ov98l5UdX0Jtj2Eo0m2uFnHi53reLbGOErSk5Q1-cy6EJIBf1ILnbkDZiZNujn93ckRQMYa1w_Atxcw9001lBxXCJ_SzZrXcA5lAg-4KB0khnGAuMU/s1200/_7512368.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1200" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuty8_8iEO5Frwaq7zac7vZg6QN8nupF1GBv9FsSF1eSawR0L-2rRhOoMXxXHltrrq5Ov98l5UdX0Jtj2Eo0m2uFnHi53reLbGOErSk5Q1-cy6EJIBf1ILnbkDZiZNujn93ckRQMYa1w_Atxcw9001lBxXCJ_SzZrXcA5lAg-4KB0khnGAuMU/s320/_7512368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCrqClEz80Bae69KdMzbMDeDoHcaSiegAk_Qo4y-_6xGtjzBwDp01M0rI24WOxDvjejOziPzn78MkiUT6DN2cxVHZvtBeGV90SONbQnJQbdqoeT4P9OhIXxBHSR5ZA_76fq95kclpDmOd1Fv7kr_qasNg8LNHZmM7ie0aWA_-sDlbKemUBGw/s1200/_7512369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1200" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCrqClEz80Bae69KdMzbMDeDoHcaSiegAk_Qo4y-_6xGtjzBwDp01M0rI24WOxDvjejOziPzn78MkiUT6DN2cxVHZvtBeGV90SONbQnJQbdqoeT4P9OhIXxBHSR5ZA_76fq95kclpDmOd1Fv7kr_qasNg8LNHZmM7ie0aWA_-sDlbKemUBGw/s320/_7512369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq-zJa-nWtuZiA2VpCdUcSn_Ec56g8caebjh6Jp9nVP8e4bLHX4oK_kN3RuUz0hrFIkDJDPmBfClHcoi-hQEQ4a97Jw2RZ7W2Mq0yJKD1t-IN_HpSliNqCmkGT8s-vHOEgp3p_qlvhVo-Ki07kMBq4oLvFM_fuKaMCMYz_99txKORgZq8UGg/s1200/_7512370.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq-zJa-nWtuZiA2VpCdUcSn_Ec56g8caebjh6Jp9nVP8e4bLHX4oK_kN3RuUz0hrFIkDJDPmBfClHcoi-hQEQ4a97Jw2RZ7W2Mq0yJKD1t-IN_HpSliNqCmkGT8s-vHOEgp3p_qlvhVo-Ki07kMBq4oLvFM_fuKaMCMYz_99txKORgZq8UGg/s320/_7512370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH3rVTtxhdpT_MNgRVyE64t_VsG0LnPkSPgQSDSbNuIUZn_o7W_tV6bnD3XMubts-0rkaQ3uPzzbs0a4b5jYiINYKSLYHtpA_3zSichPw_ZMWT30eiJFriYAxNpVptRRbqI9_orEosDJHwBXvyRZQRKkgv4XyiY1lWqr3-vmWIaBDKiMk-tc/s1200/_7512375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1200" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH3rVTtxhdpT_MNgRVyE64t_VsG0LnPkSPgQSDSbNuIUZn_o7W_tV6bnD3XMubts-0rkaQ3uPzzbs0a4b5jYiINYKSLYHtpA_3zSichPw_ZMWT30eiJFriYAxNpVptRRbqI9_orEosDJHwBXvyRZQRKkgv4XyiY1lWqr3-vmWIaBDKiMk-tc/s320/_7512375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />I've had these blanks sitting around for a long time after the need for them for myself went away, so in a quiet spell built them up to see what the AT reelseats are like on actual rods. If ordered new these would be £280 each or thereabouts. Selling as a pair for just £390 plus carriage.</p><p>American Tackle fittings are starting to become popular in the carp rod world, partly because they offer good quality black reel seats, and also (I think) because of their steel lined rings/guides. I can't see the value of the weight reduction these rings offer on distance carp rods that weigh a ton, but I guess they look nice! However, they are not recommended for use with braid, so of less use to pike anglers I reckon.</p><p>Some of the other AT products look more practical for pikers and I hope to be investigating them over the summer. I wouldn't say the finish on AT fittings is quite as good as that on Fujis, but it runs a close second. far better than other brands I've worked with. As a rod fitting nerd it is annoying that the AT 18mm DPS reel seats are ever so slightly wider than the Fuji equivalent. It's less than a millimeter, but I noticed it straight away! They come in black, matt black, carbon weave and the never recommended soft-touch finish. Soft coated reelseats look and feel lovely. Until the finish starts to go tacky and peel off. Maybe it's just something in my sweat that does it, but I ruin the rubbery grips on cameras and lenses in no time too!<br /></p><p>I had a customer who had a craving for retro-fitting rubber RBC butt caps to his rods. The only problem was his silly Fox quiver had handle pockets that were too narrow. I had also had the same problem with an otherwise well designed Fox quiver. very annoying to have a good piece of kit that you can't use. Anyway, after a few failed dry runs I came up with some shaped Duplon that, combined with a Delrin button, makes a slim enough 'blob' to finish the handles off.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5wEVR2h88yRg2CQ75XN9_spztG53ehvBbTRVzvXeLP25mBqR5rSNXL4zkWo-4AJyzWWoYp88fvAf2widRJHocUs85Ns5oRC42LMMyXx9fimcXSkGtwhz0WkbcjVSI6d_MQwgqoYWdjQIz9ICvq7ZUNWfj4BS4jgpuXyRx_qjHdPBA2Hs-A/s1200/_7512364.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5wEVR2h88yRg2CQ75XN9_spztG53ehvBbTRVzvXeLP25mBqR5rSNXL4zkWo-4AJyzWWoYp88fvAf2widRJHocUs85Ns5oRC42LMMyXx9fimcXSkGtwhz0WkbcjVSI6d_MQwgqoYWdjQIz9ICvq7ZUNWfj4BS4jgpuXyRx_qjHdPBA2Hs-A/s320/_7512364.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Being satisfied with the handles I put on my new tench rods I had another play around to adapt it to heavier rods. This time putting the shrink tube over the Duplons.Only a dry fit and a quick snap. I'm leaving this for a while before deciding if I like it. It's an option for anyone else though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf35002cyJn3Mp46sPZ4K9PbGmbhDyLFgpxqjm3WPw_1q5m_39o3XbOE6SqqMUQBaMygk1SxetwsUtc0FgRxg9wVkKNRusivuwnFKgvS2Nbr5nOcTr_3Fft2Hj2hDzeUSe3NwwkJ179r7fIQcGUylxKIbtpQ8GO7sshYHlUrMP0cm7Ft5XMM/s1200/_7512350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="1200" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf35002cyJn3Mp46sPZ4K9PbGmbhDyLFgpxqjm3WPw_1q5m_39o3XbOE6SqqMUQBaMygk1SxetwsUtc0FgRxg9wVkKNRusivuwnFKgvS2Nbr5nOcTr_3Fft2Hj2hDzeUSe3NwwkJ179r7fIQcGUylxKIbtpQ8GO7sshYHlUrMP0cm7Ft5XMM/w640-h110/_7512350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>More rods in stock on <b><a href="http://www.dlst.co.uk/stock.htm">my website</a></b>.<br /></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-28953002465901454072023-05-08T20:34:00.005+01:002023-05-10T19:25:09.641+01:00New rods - No jinx!<p>So much for pike fishing. After a reasonable start everything went rapidly down hill. If I didn't blank completely, as in get no action at all, I got dropped takes (I <i>never </i>get dropped takes) and the one better fish I connected with fell off almost at the net. It was unbearable so I gave up. The constant rain through March didn't encourage me either. April is always a bit hit and miss for any fishing in my experience so I thought I'd wait until spring arrived in fine style before getting the rods out again.</p><p>In mid-April I was starting to get some enthusiasm back and decide that I needed a pair of tench rods, having sold my last set and not wanting to use my Interceptors now I've become a born-again fan of ten footers. 10ft 1.75lb Stalkers seemed like the best choice. Traditional through action, slim and light. At this time of year pike rod orders have quietened down and I often get the urge to try some non-standard builds for my personal use. So what to do to the Stalkers?</p><p>Go minimal. Not having tried the American Tackle Vortex guides/rings/eyes, call them what you will, a set of light rods seemed a good chance to give them a whirl. While I was at it I messed about with ring spacings and came up with a new Rover pattern of seven plus tip to suit the through action. Wanting an equally minimalist looking handle I went through a lot of dry runs eventually settling for a 16mm reel seat with shrink tube and Duplon 'bits'. A Delrin butt cap finishing the handle off. Built up with dark grey thread holding the rings in place they looked pretty smart. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxzgWHpSpN_MVmB5vD7THlw_9_T8EytN0g4GBTk7kPArcVW-6LS3xoce1bSLHgp3n0OBFGrsKutxCPahUeNLLPWNDDQew2CgWZ-cNRv9WidWuhXnikLMHSRLWliHrVOJgen3YIb4B2CwvW7nxJaUIkT3EJre-opjBurvTL3rErk3Vz0zDnrA/s1200/_7512249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="1200" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxzgWHpSpN_MVmB5vD7THlw_9_T8EytN0g4GBTk7kPArcVW-6LS3xoce1bSLHgp3n0OBFGrsKutxCPahUeNLLPWNDDQew2CgWZ-cNRv9WidWuhXnikLMHSRLWliHrVOJgen3YIb4B2CwvW7nxJaUIkT3EJre-opjBurvTL3rErk3Vz0zDnrA/w640-h146/_7512249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUaWF8oDtfF1ZoaoU2w2Z5kFPsDRNKraxyI8eXu7Ajo4n8xrnphXesdIxS3gM56mdzu33w261FsqtYrREvlYB2gWRhZaFZp2DXR78txscXchBDPBMKM5J9-ubWPlPKuBC2SNZKFqLQlbeAhyyyvWM4Z5qS3kHLhc-Vh6Hzi6hcCbTZ9CeJqk/s1200/_7512221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUaWF8oDtfF1ZoaoU2w2Z5kFPsDRNKraxyI8eXu7Ajo4n8xrnphXesdIxS3gM56mdzu33w261FsqtYrREvlYB2gWRhZaFZp2DXR78txscXchBDPBMKM5J9-ubWPlPKuBC2SNZKFqLQlbeAhyyyvWM4Z5qS3kHLhc-Vh6Hzi6hcCbTZ9CeJqk/w640-h428/_7512221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There was just one thing nagging me. They felt a bit undergunned. Tying leads to the end of line run through the rings and waggling it about making short casts in the back garden 1.75oz seemed a bit much. 1.5oz was more like it. Only one way to find out if this was a false perception. Go fishing!</p><p>It took a while for the weather and my spare time to coincide, and when it did I almost didn't bother, but yesterday was perfect. One of the warmest and sunniest afternoons for an age, with only a light wind blowing. Not only would I give the new rods a whirl, I'd go fish a new venue that I've walked round a few times. Unfortunately it's a platform job, which meant the pod had to be dragged out. With some maggots bought earlier in the week along with a bag of halibut pellets and a tin of long past its sell-by date sweetcorn I had plenty of feed for a short session.The rigs were simple enough. One rod had a helicopter feeder set-up, two fake casters being the hook baits. The second rod had a running leger armed with two grains of fake corn. Guaranteed tench catchers!</p><p>The swim I had hoped to fish was occupied so I had to have a look round. The one I chose had emergent reeds to either side and a layer of scum the prevailing wind had blown surrounding the platform. It was only a week or two since I last walked round the pit but it had turned to pea soup in that time. I wasn't over-happy about that.</p><p>A quick handful of casts with the lead rig to get an idea of depths near the reeds and I was ready to get set up. Feeder to my left, leger to my right. catapult out freebies over the top. Set the bobbins. Sit back and wait.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi80qTgPZCZIJtTmNXGr7uX2r_diWDI4aJE6YBa3aql0LykZ6I8RXI_FR9FGJnhn3YevTkrojrnkifQZqHBcCLj4YEpjH1ZWog9DLy3VvoxEFTkQQN5suY-waXMtUHZrkF1-l6J55NvBIj6EZbL47atsUgDtaogh3STwL0-sFr-OYBCqLwvQ/s1200/DSCN6682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi80qTgPZCZIJtTmNXGr7uX2r_diWDI4aJE6YBa3aql0LykZ6I8RXI_FR9FGJnhn3YevTkrojrnkifQZqHBcCLj4YEpjH1ZWog9DLy3VvoxEFTkQQN5suY-waXMtUHZrkF1-l6J55NvBIj6EZbL47atsUgDtaogh3STwL0-sFr-OYBCqLwvQ/w640-h480/DSCN6682.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The sun reflecting off the gentle ripple was in my eyes. It was time to get the sunglasses out. I had nearly left them out of the rucksack when paring down its contents but reasoned they didn't weigh much. I was glad to have them with me.<p></p><p>There was quite a bit of fishy activity. Certainly fish could be seen swirling and an odd bigger splash heard. The bubbles coming up in front of and to the sides of the swim might have been tench too. Then I started getting knocks and rattles on the feeder rod. It wasn't long before the rattling rod top didn't stop and I lifted into a fish which turned out to be a hand sized rudd. Until it broke surface I hadn't a clue what it was as visibility was nil. One rod christened. Back out with the rig and more freebies <br /></p><p>The next take was a series of pulls followed by slack line. As soon as I felt the fish on the end of the line I knew it was a tench. Jagging about and constantly changing direction. It plainly wasn't very big, even on the light rods it was no concern, but the little bugger wouldn't go in the net. Mainly because of it's erratic swimming around, and also because I couldn't see where it was!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tUfF1rTQW3ifuKK7PSYRr6QmPBKkTWeSb1ufoxmTbXhYyYmn_R7jEAd7InkgQjzNJN-tlKxDHqifpJ_3g8_Hhd7STSf7z31BsH0mCsx3-qBYux_kpKLuE3X5rtCpvdVubqfss0HQxiT75gkZkE7CCMjZb-eONZFEZeSN8xcM_wz3j49frvg/s1200/DSC_3033.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tUfF1rTQW3ifuKK7PSYRr6QmPBKkTWeSb1ufoxmTbXhYyYmn_R7jEAd7InkgQjzNJN-tlKxDHqifpJ_3g8_Hhd7STSf7z31BsH0mCsx3-qBYux_kpKLuE3X5rtCpvdVubqfss0HQxiT75gkZkE7CCMjZb-eONZFEZeSN8xcM_wz3j49frvg/s320/DSC_3033.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I can't remember catching a tench under four pounds since 1982 when I last caught tench from the local canal. Maybe I've got spoiled over the years, but a two pound tench, no matter how pretty it looks, doesn't do much for me these days. Still, I'd caught my target species, and things could only get better.<br /><br />Another fish fell for the casters. A third species, if a roach/bream hybrid counts as a species. Possibly scraping half a pound it had to be netted - along with a load of the floating scum and twigs. The scum was a mix of algae, small twigs, willow fluff and other tree debris typical of this time of year.<p></p><p>All this action happened in the first hour of my session. As the sun stopped dazzling me I could see there was a tremendous hatch on, the shuck also adding to the floating scum. Whatever the fish population is in the place they won't be short of food.</p><p>I was planning on stopping until nine thirty but the activity to the rods had dried up when the surface ripple began to die away and I was starting to wonder if it was going to be worth it. Recasting was getting tricky as the scum was starting to reach past where my lines entered the water. And even getting close to where I was positioning the feeder. I sat it out, occasionally catapulting out a few more offerings over both rigs.</p><p>At ten to nine the corn rod was away. Again I could tell it was obviously a tench when I picked the rod up. Again it did the silly swimming in circles under the rod tip thing. It didn't feel much bigger, but it was pulling harder, if that makes sense, and I suspected it of being a male. I wasn't wrong. Just for the hell of it I weighed the little blighter. Two and a half pounds of chunky, cheeky tench.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9864kYQyQ5eZOk0br1KpctsKA2Eh3SrsMoqo_xmBcDBBGdzJxWW4h-zYqOEiIzXJQHL4mkCNM4_YC_KXAcIiBsTxGtxtSrD1-NkBcCL9sbAIiw7d20UeVcrjO3zuqqzbeWqO5nU7IZBC9r_oTgLqU3OoLHQGDdMflSgDAkw4mlR6-Tg7pLQ/s1200/DSC_3037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9864kYQyQ5eZOk0br1KpctsKA2Eh3SrsMoqo_xmBcDBBGdzJxWW4h-zYqOEiIzXJQHL4mkCNM4_YC_KXAcIiBsTxGtxtSrD1-NkBcCL9sbAIiw7d20UeVcrjO3zuqqzbeWqO5nU7IZBC9r_oTgLqU3OoLHQGDdMflSgDAkw4mlR6-Tg7pLQ/w640-h360/DSC_3037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I clung on until the bitter end for no more reward. Both rods christened, if not well tested, had beaten the new tackle jinx for once. I tried a few longer casts with them at packing up time and I have to say that an empty 30gm feeder was bending the rod into the butt on the cast. Until I hook something with some weight behind it I'm reserving judgement on the Stalkers. Doing my usual back garden line tied to a hook on the garage wall tests they do feel like there's a bit in the butt. If another session on the new pit doesn't give them a proper work out, even a four pounder would do, I might take them to a carp puddle! They're a popular barbel rod though, so maybe it's just me?<br /><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-85126516211389943452023-02-12T20:45:00.001+00:002023-02-12T20:45:14.025+00:00Beating the jinx<p>When I was put on the waiting list to have my gall bladder removed in late 2021 I was told it would be a simple keyhole surgery and I'd be back home after no more than 24 hours, and back in action after a couple of weeks or so. The date finally came round in October last year. As the pike fishing where I've been going for the last few years never seems to get going until November I reckoned I'd not be missing much of it. I'd even got a new set of P-3s built up ready after liking the length of the P-4s I used last season but finding them a bit undergunned for the odd time I wanted to punch a half mackerel to the middle of the pit. For playing pike they'd been great but I prefer having rods that will cast anywhere I want but might be a bit overgunned for playing fish than the other way round.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUNIEPvWwOM6QwhSpP6uSTHshDjuULzR120gK-PmqGxjXPVB0Zrjyj791yhWYntgG0n4nj4ZD2ibmwXZ8d2w-JgkUsIDqZsdOCN4BlZpX8ZbjcOlG_KDYlTe9Aq6Er26sU6jtfuy1WKYSwLDnVEys3_nAH2zBXN1SHcsDP_ZaPl9buOHFoEM/s1200/DSC_2999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUNIEPvWwOM6QwhSpP6uSTHshDjuULzR120gK-PmqGxjXPVB0Zrjyj791yhWYntgG0n4nj4ZD2ibmwXZ8d2w-JgkUsIDqZsdOCN4BlZpX8ZbjcOlG_KDYlTe9Aq6Er26sU6jtfuy1WKYSwLDnVEys3_nAH2zBXN1SHcsDP_ZaPl9buOHFoEM/w640-h360/DSC_2999.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>I was surprisingly un-nervous when I went in for the operation. The anesthetist was a Hungarian who, when I mentioned building rods for a living, told how he found the way the death of Benson the carp was hilarious. We both had a laugh about it, as did the nurses sticking cannulas in my veins. When he got to talking about eating pikes I thought it best to keep my gob shut. He'd be keeping me pain free and oblivious to the procedure and it's best not to annoy someone doing that!<p></p><p>The first thing I aksed a nurse when I came round was 'When can I go home'. The answer was not reassuring. 'The surgeon will be round to see you soon.' Then I noticed what looked like aquarium airline coming out of my side to a plastic bag with blood in it. That couldn't be right for a simple procedure. Sure enough when the doctor appeared he told me things hadn't gone to plan and they'd had to open me up. I'd be stopping in for about a week. The next revelation explained why I was finding it uncomfortable and painful to adjust myself in bed. I had a dressing on my belly that was over a foot long!</p><p>To cut to the chase there were 30 'staples' holding the wound together. I'd not be able to drive for a fortnight and recovery would take longer than I'd anticipated. After the fortnight was up I was more mobile and drove to a sheep sale. I thought I was 90% back to fitness but after a couple of hours I was feeling a bit knackered. It wasn't until late January that I actually felt up to hoisting a rucksack and rod sling onto my shoulders and tramping round the pit.</p><p>When I did just that I headed for the furthest swim on a day that felt promising. The swim felt right too and I did what I rarely do and sat it out in the one place until after dark. I never had a sniff. With three brand new rods I suppose a resounding blank was inevitable. How many blanks would I need to endure before the curse was lifted?<br /></p><p> A fortnight later I was back, this time I had the place to myself and seeing a nice breeze rippling the surface thought it worthwhile setting one rod up to drift a bait.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pgj2npljzDWs-GgaSTxMb9aDXgvxB5PvDo9MsZqWFSQ7T2fdsB7p9optQ2sDFXkWqWJQCA_DGHMBpmh1oY78JUqMlwnTX1jFhhuBj-d9qhkbGNK2azhTmYXWPcxhg7M3iTq5wOqisENcsbnEMuwgIOlowarTyd1VniaeSSr7aSigi3l86sc/s1200/DSCN6593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pgj2npljzDWs-GgaSTxMb9aDXgvxB5PvDo9MsZqWFSQ7T2fdsB7p9optQ2sDFXkWqWJQCA_DGHMBpmh1oY78JUqMlwnTX1jFhhuBj-d9qhkbGNK2azhTmYXWPcxhg7M3iTq5wOqisENcsbnEMuwgIOlowarTyd1VniaeSSr7aSigi3l86sc/w640-h360/DSCN6593.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first drift almost went to plan until the float started heading to the right where one of my static baits was. It then took me five or six tries to get a second drift to go anywhere at all! eventually, by casting it well out, the float was on its way at a steady pace and heading in the perfect direction. This lead me to stop longer than I'd planned in the swim. I had intended to move twice but when it got to almost four it was definitely time for a move which would be the only one of the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second swim was facing into the wind, which made it feel colder than the nine degrees the car's thermometer had read. as the sun set the wind dropped which actually made it feel warmer even though the temperature was down to four degrees by the time I set off home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the last hour of daylight, with sunset coming after five I was going to stop until at least six in order to avoid the rush hour traffic, I cracked three starlights and pushed them into the tops of the foam egg floats I made last year. I actually cracked four starlights but I dropped on in the grass. I found it after dark! The floats work a treat, but the commercially made starlight holders are not a tight fit. I've lost a couple of starlights when casting. The DIY holder I cobbled together is much mor 'grippy' so the floats will be getting modified.<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbOEwrgNJJhwZvF2iv-llOoCtBNERp1ChT_dhcfZHH_ys34lxoM5kvIQ5Cp2ji427Arvr4NX7qoofCgDXTyFibFJSdCFmKK3bBf8IyvUyY9SS7ra3ZTNT3xbazfGJKlNa2rynzTQ8DNp3pRNfNYtBGa1prB3lQ50rE1oNK50ZjEr7grcTPwo/s1200/DSCN6597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbOEwrgNJJhwZvF2iv-llOoCtBNERp1ChT_dhcfZHH_ys34lxoM5kvIQ5Cp2ji427Arvr4NX7qoofCgDXTyFibFJSdCFmKK3bBf8IyvUyY9SS7ra3ZTNT3xbazfGJKlNa2rynzTQ8DNp3pRNfNYtBGa1prB3lQ50rE1oNK50ZjEr7grcTPwo/w640-h480/DSCN6597.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>At 5.20 the far right hand float wasn't where it should have been. When I wound down, however, there was no pike attached. A dropped take. I don't get dropped takes! The lamprey head was hardly marked, but they are pretty tough so that wasn't unexpected. Twenty minutes later the far left hand float started heading away from the bank. I was on it like a shot and this time there was definitely something more than a sardine on the hooks. A lily pad and stem. Another dropped take. I never get two dropped takes!! The sardine was lightly toothmarked. It was still castable because not only had I found a good hook hold in the backbone I'd also tied it on with red bait elastic. Still it was pikey activity. I determined to stick it until half six, then head to the chippy.<br /></p><p>By now it was dark enough to see the starlights glowing. It's a lovely sight. It's even better when you see one of them wobbling from side to side, which is what the middle one did with just ten minutes to go to home time. A quick strike connected with what was obviously a pike. A small one, but a pike. A pike that decided to grow a bit and put a bend in the P-3. Not a hooping bend, but definitely a bend. In the net it looked like a high single. I got the forceps and weighing kit ready while the pike rested in teh mesh of the net in the margin. The forceps weren't required as the pike had unhooked itself. The scales said I'd under-guesstimated slightly. Being lean, and somewhat tatty, it could weigh more in good nick.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kwpWEc1OSQ853g6NFR3gCL-NEltUF7gcTUJ0ekgMgEE9kXvzgE10GEWYlH-JAV4fYt2k-pgmK5uv3oetBMz6KHwOarAf_xFQDP4395yOomd8-rw56CJxLf9mUBYVDRCIurC1QS_g6gUXxUpnNl5Lijhk8KjZROyqzUHbpcZysWfHGUlytGg/s1200/DSC_3004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kwpWEc1OSQ853g6NFR3gCL-NEltUF7gcTUJ0ekgMgEE9kXvzgE10GEWYlH-JAV4fYt2k-pgmK5uv3oetBMz6KHwOarAf_xFQDP4395yOomd8-rw56CJxLf9mUBYVDRCIurC1QS_g6gUXxUpnNl5Lijhk8KjZROyqzUHbpcZysWfHGUlytGg/s320/DSC_3004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess those two dropped takes were enough to clear the hex on the new rods. I put the successful rod away, then slowly packed the rest of my gear and the other two rods. My mojo might not be back to full power, but I'm looking forward to a few more sessions this month and next when I can fit the time in with work commitments. Don't hold your breath for updates as my blogging mojo is weak!<br /></div><p></p><hr /><br />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-20682840399458802412022-08-03T10:49:00.001+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.663+01:00Different day, same result<p>I got the eel urge again yesterday. A warm day with a sprightly southerly blowing it was over 20 degrees when I arrived at the water. With the lake deserted my swim choice was unlimited. Fancying a change I plumped for one I haven't eel fished very often, the reeds to my left keeping the breeze off me and with a few features to fish to.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmBhbZ_OBwbEGL3hm3BdGSF9FQxzfzevJhuS2oJTDILnWVrzPskAiobpUXKKT0KCZGnDtsyET9RMN1OAOo3K45MqXap-rZKsN1hnfT4wL6zLUscwvbsxKjW4-uORLtCCcuPae26hg8PRikwCN6zWERypnnE0h8uZC00bzRY3joF9yj2CHzc/s1200/_7510620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmBhbZ_OBwbEGL3hm3BdGSF9FQxzfzevJhuS2oJTDILnWVrzPskAiobpUXKKT0KCZGnDtsyET9RMN1OAOo3K45MqXap-rZKsN1hnfT4wL6zLUscwvbsxKjW4-uORLtCCcuPae26hg8PRikwCN6zWERypnnE0h8uZC00bzRY3joF9yj2CHzc/w640-h428/_7510620.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p>The usual rigs and baits were in place by eight fifteen. Two fishing the margins where eels are supposed to be caught, one in open water where I have more success on this venue. No instant action this time. It wasn't until just before the stated time for sunset in my tide table that the first worm snatcher made off with a free meal from the leger rig in no-man's-land. Twenty minutes later the same thing happened to the off-bottom worms in the margin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GNwUZo-QbwQK4yfKlVsH73Sfy0ovF7mGuOJg2HzG_kA43BPMdJhtOO_FpcxA9jwR-eqrr_4F0_5PhYHEb6Iy_xPd0hJkGpFkDVUqE7zWpcPv_xayyb0XThya74n9oGHoJ1M5gccA4In_2WKLE_p-jfhdE0f7N7qQqtbw0UEJ1K_pt7p_0fQ/s1200/_7510602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GNwUZo-QbwQK4yfKlVsH73Sfy0ovF7mGuOJg2HzG_kA43BPMdJhtOO_FpcxA9jwR-eqrr_4F0_5PhYHEb6Iy_xPd0hJkGpFkDVUqE7zWpcPv_xayyb0XThya74n9oGHoJ1M5gccA4In_2WKLE_p-jfhdE0f7N7qQqtbw0UEJ1K_pt7p_0fQ/w640-h428/_7510602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It wasn't a case of cast out and an eel homing in straight away. It took half an hour before the suspended bait was nabbed again. This time I connected. With another bootlace. One that did a Houdini in reverse and tangled itself up so badly it became almost rigid. That didn't make it any easier to unhook though. I still had to chop things up and re-tackle after returning the pest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstzz7xsgK9SpIWMqqS5JwGk98zZ2By8YqB_3BKSve4DspJCOeVxOjuaJKApTJfIwcL8DR9_uhZIPATJHmmty_xuvx5yP5QXOHHVLWc7C7VkY6wujeNwfn87q4AXbul3pxlqSUk4KseGz5t843eD84Sb6KzFcPZeTQ9uv0E-sz4ynZCzSXiGo/s1200/_7510622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstzz7xsgK9SpIWMqqS5JwGk98zZ2By8YqB_3BKSve4DspJCOeVxOjuaJKApTJfIwcL8DR9_uhZIPATJHmmty_xuvx5yP5QXOHHVLWc7C7VkY6wujeNwfn87q4AXbul3pxlqSUk4KseGz5t843eD84Sb6KzFcPZeTQ9uv0E-sz4ynZCzSXiGo/w640-h428/_7510622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The air temperature stayed up as the sun set, the wind swung to the west a little before swinging back and maybe easing off. A flock of starlings swirled briefly over what used to be one of their roosting sites. A large conifer which has been chopped down. They must like the location because they dropped behind the tree line in roughly the same place as the tree had stood. There must be another roostable tree or hedge there for them.</p><p>The large mallard flock wasn't in evidence, small groups of them were sitting in a couple of swims, heads tucked under wings, beady eyes alert, as I had a look round before choosing my swim. A great crested grebe and it's near grown offspring were cruising a lily bed. Other than that bird life was quiet. </p><p>While re-tackling the rod that was out of action, I had to tie up a hooklink as I 'd come unprepared in that respect, another worm snatcher attacked the leger rig. Ten minutes later the same rod was in action. For once an actual run that took line and showed no sign of stopping! Result a slightly larger bootlace than the first one, but lip hooked and easily released. It must have hooked itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGRiIux9UvtTo39hEmNXMfdY2P-9d1CRSnl6zv5UKZZBRP9PhjqRMqHIdrC7R6bFdg6l50pubuspQeqENuZvuHCrIA6uf6N1D-Y4OhSweZrZAnCc6O0ro7my8gYNkP2cx0wDOfJ1O2IJMJffFWBsJ84ibXxBvUIMwC9Fn5JBmHvlEdRI9bg8/s1200/_7510624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGRiIux9UvtTo39hEmNXMfdY2P-9d1CRSnl6zv5UKZZBRP9PhjqRMqHIdrC7R6bFdg6l50pubuspQeqENuZvuHCrIA6uf6N1D-Y4OhSweZrZAnCc6O0ro7my8gYNkP2cx0wDOfJ1O2IJMJffFWBsJ84ibXxBvUIMwC9Fn5JBmHvlEdRI9bg8/w640-h360/_7510624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Haws and blackberries were ripening in my swim making me think of autumn. August is a strange month in the turning of the seasons. One the one hand it can be hot and sunny, a time for summer holidays, yet on the other fruits and berries are starting to appear as the leaves begin to darken and grasses turn straw-coloured. <br /></p><p>That bootlace was my lot. The bites and twitches, which hadn't been frequent, became more sporadic until they stopped altogether. By eleven I'd given up hope, but as it was still warm I hung on for another half an hour before calling it a wrap. Time for a change of venue or species I think.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32B-1iq_whQcH4puhPCj3-saIy8CvoevZ9NPPpXY_6mULJC_7cXxX6fnVjI_5fuHZvOJW3_DeL2eEUiVjo_U0b0ISsqwfkXkwUsO3YL8TInCDSOuV6mFlTq57KSLqlge_25amwjUm_HOP_lXPx_50k0LTK4yOBI1cjdzMd2w92YKYhZeRllE/s1200/_7510630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32B-1iq_whQcH4puhPCj3-saIy8CvoevZ9NPPpXY_6mULJC_7cXxX6fnVjI_5fuHZvOJW3_DeL2eEUiVjo_U0b0ISsqwfkXkwUsO3YL8TInCDSOuV6mFlTq57KSLqlge_25amwjUm_HOP_lXPx_50k0LTK4yOBI1cjdzMd2w92YKYhZeRllE/w640-h400/_7510630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-84310988422894933742022-07-17T16:35:00.038+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.664+01:00The bobbins never stopped moving and a new rod<p>
Thursday saw my eel fishing going to the opposite extreme. Even while I was
setting up the third rod something was chomping on the bunch of worms dangling
from my running paternoster. And so the evening progressed. It was one of
those sessions when the bootlaces were homing in on worms almost as soon as
they settled. In one case before I could get the bobbin clipped on the line.
</p>
<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFTMxJMwWEkUiK7do6_A5bL5-1rgfRpbv0MRYBoGrjS0g2-pu2DfVkS4gbYlKDqRdEdulrEgEv9huCMXCdRqtxW30aMb1eL6laXUT-uuUlwTuzovz4wDK-XkCcwtdOTsNVCbP7AqOPDgbFz-wmOVBLwG2KJD5mf3qhJT7h3yblJNwprvVqf0/s1200/_7521371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFTMxJMwWEkUiK7do6_A5bL5-1rgfRpbv0MRYBoGrjS0g2-pu2DfVkS4gbYlKDqRdEdulrEgEv9huCMXCdRqtxW30aMb1eL6laXUT-uuUlwTuzovz4wDK-XkCcwtdOTsNVCbP7AqOPDgbFz-wmOVBLwG2KJD5mf3qhJT7h3yblJNwprvVqf0/w640-h428/_7521371.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>
As usual when eels are in this mood it was a case of scant rewards. I'm pretty
sure that the eels were too small to get the whole bunch of worms in their
mouths and so a strike only serves to rip the worms and leave an almost bare
hook. Out of who knows how many indications I hooked two eels. Both of which
were the size I expected. Less than a pound in total weight and far more
trouble to unhook than a single eel of three times that weight.
</p>
<p>
Despite the frustration, enhanced by twice retrieving the legered chunk of
bluey to find it missing (soft and cast off?), the evening was enjoyable. I
think I was in the hauling out spot for the forty or more mallards drifting
about in front of me until it got properly dark, but a kingfisher streaking by
shortly after I arrived and dozens of mostly young swallows feeding low to the
water lifted my spirits as did the lone swift which fleetingly swooped by.
</p>
<p>
After getting the foot operated shutter release I treated myself to a new
compact tripod. It took a lot of internet searching to find one that was as
compact and short at it's highest height which also had a ball head, or
allowed one to be fitted. Most of my searches for 'small tripod' resulted in
the table top sort which are less than a foot high when fully extended. The
rest were 'full size' when extended but compact when collapsed. I was left
with two choices and went for the cheapest one.
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ahAXHkL3Nc4-ae1aM-Nl1-YVNvhOOIYjK3YPdvCcYcuQJ1T8ZjQLe5Is89oEPJKY4R9dN5jGtgifr6aMjBMNzjk0-cEJAkTeIcbv8HA_lCIKKykvE9uZNTCSmqe46l0gGXJmGqj70oKu88TeFCT0FXQZQ4aAEs_daXz0N4ovarS8MD6B0kA/s1200/_7501389.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ahAXHkL3Nc4-ae1aM-Nl1-YVNvhOOIYjK3YPdvCcYcuQJ1T8ZjQLe5Is89oEPJKY4R9dN5jGtgifr6aMjBMNzjk0-cEJAkTeIcbv8HA_lCIKKykvE9uZNTCSmqe46l0gGXJmGqj70oKu88TeFCT0FXQZQ4aAEs_daXz0N4ovarS8MD6B0kA/w640-h428/_7501389.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</div>
<p>
Folded up it's nice and compact in length, but a little bulky. Because I had
one spare I swapped the ballhead for a slightly smaller one. Doing this and
folding the legs 'the other way' so they don't cover the ballhead it packs up
slimmer and not much longer, still taking up less room than my old tripod and
weighing a few grammes less.
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn0v3AY9Xt0SnPPVvwXXtA63zynO7GOy3E9_1qDWrB0dg3hqbNQOCD97_oRWKHrXPPnc8vucbyuN9D-ge8bcGqdIAluDRNbzxZOvgUtYy-TWwYQEN-A05N3Jdegi4cxJ58fxEIRszy65d8X_wmhioE_WhJi1uSdm6ZfoMLqbOlM4bg_EgDtI/s1200/DSCN6536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn0v3AY9Xt0SnPPVvwXXtA63zynO7GOy3E9_1qDWrB0dg3hqbNQOCD97_oRWKHrXPPnc8vucbyuN9D-ge8bcGqdIAluDRNbzxZOvgUtYy-TWwYQEN-A05N3Jdegi4cxJ58fxEIRszy65d8X_wmhioE_WhJi1uSdm6ZfoMLqbOlM4bg_EgDtI/w250-h400/DSCN6536.jpg" width="250" /></a>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">
As I'm eel fishing at the moment I can't see it getting much use for trophy
shots so it'll be used for daft selfies or moon photos like the ones
below! <br />
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2Jg5SNgbBMZREygixlKekMh6In--AuuUzmymN1Bx8Jb5T0KJTwFty59uFHHA3E0fPoaVFqTJnC-swcDmkq4-Zcp9rWIeoKMyCYo03K_qLHk_CLfxsHZsJ1P2Pgs32Z2BWhWDERT3AH4Uf3GiKhumF_hAUE5gyz6lc-LcMAz-7I0GA4A5k7E/s1200/DSCN6529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2Jg5SNgbBMZREygixlKekMh6In--AuuUzmymN1Bx8Jb5T0KJTwFty59uFHHA3E0fPoaVFqTJnC-swcDmkq4-Zcp9rWIeoKMyCYo03K_qLHk_CLfxsHZsJ1P2Pgs32Z2BWhWDERT3AH4Uf3GiKhumF_hAUE5gyz6lc-LcMAz-7I0GA4A5k7E/w640-h480/DSCN6529.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl78tln-Iu169fijstJS6DESYaUpm5EX_YGlqJcC5a1AC3p-V26frC2uKs5JwoqiANgyYb6GOcn2VEzJzTn6OxYaFwtT855TECCINKNdr7n7FJukD9ZXfq_vVf6-J4EmekbTcXaMNkechpuP3nly6gCXs1k5IJlgOh8RexAMhFRHYwsfiLP1w/s1200/_7501380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl78tln-Iu169fijstJS6DESYaUpm5EX_YGlqJcC5a1AC3p-V26frC2uKs5JwoqiANgyYb6GOcn2VEzJzTn6OxYaFwtT855TECCINKNdr7n7FJukD9ZXfq_vVf6-J4EmekbTcXaMNkechpuP3nly6gCXs1k5IJlgOh8RexAMhFRHYwsfiLP1w/w640-h428/_7501380.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p>
<p>In other news I have added a new rod to my predator range, a rather niche rod. The P-6 has come about after being asked to make a beefed up P-5 by one customer to fish big natural baits for pike. When a second customer asked me for an eleven foot rod to troll large artificial baits on Irish loughs I thought of the big bait rod, which I had been using as a spod rod to pair with my 11ft tench and carp rods a few years back. I reckon it could also make a useful UK catfish rod.</p><p>The action is similar to that of the P-5 so it <i>will</i> bend if you have
something big enough on the end of your line that you aren't afraid to give
some stick. Anyone who thinks the Loch Tamer is a broom handle not only
needs to tighten their drag but also avoid The Beast like the plague!Price and spec can be found on the <a href="https://www.dlst.co.uk/baitrods.html" target="_blank"><b>Predator Rods</b></a> page of my DLST website.<br /></p><p></p>
<hr />
<p></p>Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-46876812820234746122022-06-28T11:14:00.000+01:002023-08-19T09:05:15.663+01:00The bobbins hung motionless<p>
A blank was guaranteed for my first eel session of the year. Three new rods
rigged up with three new reels was enough to enforce the new tackle hex, but a
new foot pedal release for my camera to make self-takes easier was the cherry
on the cursed cake.
</p>
<p>
It being a Monday I had the place to myself when I rocked up around eight
fifteen on a warm evening with sunshine between the clouds being blown in on a
moderate westerly. I was going to set up where I'd left off my pike fishing
but the lilies had encroached and made the swim a bit tight so after a wander
around I settled slowly into the swim next to it.
</p>
<p>
There was plenty of time before I expected the eels to start showing any
interest in my baits, the usual offerings of legered and off-bottom worms,
plus a trial run for a chunk of bluey on the leger with the wire trace. Once
the rods were out I started playing around with my camera. It took me an age
to get the flash gun working with the remote trigger for some 'arty' shots.<br />
</p>
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</div>
<br />Being just a week after the Summer Solstice it felt like it would never
get dark. Fiddling with the camera gave me something to do. Around nine there
was a bit of action on the bluey rod but only a couple of bleeps from the
Delkim. The bait was still intact.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLXL1LzlwoCKDt87j0IEaGXYC3XR1IirO7aCjitnpGoE0JDmWTqVqjuL3SUaAXNQNAkz9GY6Rr5exu6D3J8uLmma-GUiv3V8we3LIBfR_R414nyEnEc-bfkuaT5x-3cp7YSO7rgTZUGLVz0cs9ihvOG3z3xDNADZJFNK3rLM1BRInlCSt98/s1200/_7519431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1200" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLXL1LzlwoCKDt87j0IEaGXYC3XR1IirO7aCjitnpGoE0JDmWTqVqjuL3SUaAXNQNAkz9GY6Rr5exu6D3J8uLmma-GUiv3V8we3LIBfR_R414nyEnEc-bfkuaT5x-3cp7YSO7rgTZUGLVz0cs9ihvOG3z3xDNADZJFNK3rLM1BRInlCSt98/w640-h458/_7519431.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /></a>
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With nothing happening I thought I could spend a while trying out the foot
pedal. Better to get to know how best to set it up before trying a self-take
with a monster eel. As if that is ever likely for the world's worst eel
angler!
</div>
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It's just 'plug and play' really, much less fiddling around than with the bulb
release and bracket system I've been using for years. A boring 'sat by the
rods looking vacant' picture was the result.<br />
</div>
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<p></p>Available from <a href="https://rhino-tech.co.uk/shop/ols/products/rhino-release">Rhino Tech</a> (no affiliation) the pedal costs £25 and is available to suit a range of cameras - for those who haven't abandoned cameras in favour of the convenience of a smart phone... I had tried making something similar myself some time ago and it didn't last long! So I consider this one money well spent. A Velcro type cable tidy seemed like a good idea, and I found an old camera pouch which the pedal fits in to prevent it getting tangled up with the rest of the junk in my rucksack.<br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09XHO7Gu9XmB-5uX9rFU9LgjZ_B2nXm6oOfYQQsfYj0N6NBgG2lSt5tZJ2SVoDlJtuU48Zl2QdQ3_f0gdoSO8NffyFBc8lsKAOpxXPJJW3zLxPgPLD8xuLdyCbfrTstP1MEIi97tXmKtGvNBIue-mVrQ0YprDQ3MUhpbwyhSXAIgU3LZztTU/s1200/_7519458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09XHO7Gu9XmB-5uX9rFU9LgjZ_B2nXm6oOfYQQsfYj0N6NBgG2lSt5tZJ2SVoDlJtuU48Zl2QdQ3_f0gdoSO8NffyFBc8lsKAOpxXPJJW3zLxPgPLD8xuLdyCbfrTstP1MEIi97tXmKtGvNBIue-mVrQ0YprDQ3MUhpbwyhSXAIgU3LZztTU/w640-h428/_7519458.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09XHO7Gu9XmB-5uX9rFU9LgjZ_B2nXm6oOfYQQsfYj0N6NBgG2lSt5tZJ2SVoDlJtuU48Zl2QdQ3_f0gdoSO8NffyFBc8lsKAOpxXPJJW3zLxPgPLD8xuLdyCbfrTstP1MEIi97tXmKtGvNBIue-mVrQ0YprDQ3MUhpbwyhSXAIgU3LZztTU/s1200/_7519458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />When the light did eventually begin to fade the eel action hotted up. I had the legered bunch of worms stolen following a couple of bleeps, then an hour later another few bleeps and squawks saw the worms come back unmolested. That was my lot. It's great to be back eeling...<br />
</p>
<hr />
Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-39128970269650631982022-05-09T12:04:00.002+01:002022-05-09T12:04:46.110+01:00Handle options<p>I've been off the water again, waiting for this month to maybe do some tenching. But that's not happened yet! I've been busy working, when I've not been ill, and doing some unusual custom handles.</p><p>First up is a set of rods I'm building myself as eel rods. 10ft 3lb Torrix to replace my current 2.75lb versions. Nothing wrong with the ones I've been using for a few seasons now, I just wanted to try the 3lb ones out for piking last winter and felt they might work for eels. I've gone for the same minimalist handle as my current rods, butthought I'd giove the American Tackle woven carbon reel seat a try. I have to say it compliments the Torrix blank well. They do add £20 to the price of a rod though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IjAJPGfWjLKgCBMGGgcohrGyk5BkTLL1XrwqnJfDlKgZjU3qHOb5SbFmi-jucg1HX3VKnvwCQZbV6rScYJVsLEIKYC-bz5gxjcIugjOMRSFb6oedvi2tmCYfq-WMcbHIIaqYCTVTnZZXu4-2m_lMkllG3xj-m5zAWIUNV1iRu69SducSKtE/s1200/_7509220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1200" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IjAJPGfWjLKgCBMGGgcohrGyk5BkTLL1XrwqnJfDlKgZjU3qHOb5SbFmi-jucg1HX3VKnvwCQZbV6rScYJVsLEIKYC-bz5gxjcIugjOMRSFb6oedvi2tmCYfq-WMcbHIIaqYCTVTnZZXu4-2m_lMkllG3xj-m5zAWIUNV1iRu69SducSKtE/w640-h264/_7509220.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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</p><p>Next up is my revised way of doing a full length shrink tube handle, with the shrink over the rear Duplon cone. It's a more pleasing finish in my opinion. This one has a rubber butt cap at the end, just pushed over the shrink to make a practical handle configuration. Another option is to have a Duplon butt grip with the shrink over it and a button (stainless, Delrin or nylon) in the end.<br />
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</p><p>Finally a custom abbreviated Duplon handle on an Axiom. I <i>almost </i>like this! But couldn't fish with it myself.<br />
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<hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-58747719238715201772022-04-03T10:48:00.001+01:002022-04-03T10:48:14.284+01:00The Upside Down Pike Float<p>Making my foamy drifter got me wondering what other floats I could make from the orange eggs. The obvious one would be a tubed 'bung' shaped slider, but I don't use those much these days preferring bottom end floats for still water piking from the bank. My <b><a href="https://lumbland2.blogspot.com/2016/02/oops-i-did-it-again.html" target="_blank">fat cigar balsa floats</a></b> have done me proud for a long time now. However they have been in need of a touch of varnish here and there, and I also wanted floats I could stick starlights in for fishing after dark. I'd made some before but I like tinkering. When I saw starlight adapters at <b><a href="https://www.keithsfishingtackle.com/" target="_blank">Keith's Fishing Tackle</a> </b>I ordered a bag of 100.</p><p>I wanted my new floats to show up better than a 'bung', which sits low in the water. So I flipped the eggs to have the pointy end up. Not being sure if this would work I made a prototype from an old polystyrene bung and gave it a try. It did work. Now to get the foamy ones made.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856_ME79G2N_bZkWdOoabGioxaDYjLfjhWvxhVXHnzRkjr863oxhXnCIF3VtcQ7b2z8Urud3mDeB2afr6M37ba0IOn0ZNuwaJdK8-FEbyFXC3Kk7KXfdG2JDnCDzfFBo0IPatq1cC0DijpRDM08zoMgCrL5PtTItAhmFnYH7xEqn_N92uBaE/s1200/DSCN6492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856_ME79G2N_bZkWdOoabGioxaDYjLfjhWvxhVXHnzRkjr863oxhXnCIF3VtcQ7b2z8Urud3mDeB2afr6M37ba0IOn0ZNuwaJdK8-FEbyFXC3Kk7KXfdG2JDnCDzfFBo0IPatq1cC0DijpRDM08zoMgCrL5PtTItAhmFnYH7xEqn_N92uBaE/w640-h360/DSCN6492.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<p style="text-align: left;">All very simple. One egg, a length of float cane or skewer, a swivel, some glue filled shrink tube, the optional starlight adapter, glue and the paint marker I used to colour the drifter body. The photos should explain the construction. </p><p></p>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The large eye swivel was used because I have a lot of them. They have proved easier to get on and off the clips I use to attach them to the rig though. I think that's mostly down to the gauge of wire used for the eye than its size. Although they are a bit easier to grip with cold, wet fingers.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
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Two things became apparent with this float. Firstly it sits higher in the water than I'd expected so it would be more visible with a bit less black. Or no black at all - but floats don't look right in one colour! Secondly the starlight holders are a bit finicky. At least with the starlights I used one end is a tighter fit than the other. The slack fit can be too slack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My previous starlight floats had used the clear tube which comes with the starlights to attach them. That was always a snug fit. Gluing a tube to a dead starlight seemed an easy way to do things. For maximum light emission I left the tube standing proud after gluing the assembly into the top of a foam egg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This worked just great. It was a bit untidy though. For the Mk2 I pushed it all the way in to sit flush, and painted a lower waterline.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8djYXlkh5qnlqlYr7brXBviiTv2g51CKUYSuYRCAsDO9ZOoH_z8gG1cfEmQ3OrUOqWCnP_AHhilohTj_-tXkNx24jB7UFKKfVpWVTIWrx7rml_PUlaZ-2jdH2AdkQ_IuKhC8O6X0vPu_iGfh-NlFCoENYizUwRWZa9J2RqE4t2Q5tlA9xNk/s1200/DSC_7879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8djYXlkh5qnlqlYr7brXBviiTv2g51CKUYSuYRCAsDO9ZOoH_z8gG1cfEmQ3OrUOqWCnP_AHhilohTj_-tXkNx24jB7UFKKfVpWVTIWrx7rml_PUlaZ-2jdH2AdkQ_IuKhC8O6X0vPu_iGfh-NlFCoENYizUwRWZa9J2RqE4t2Q5tlA9xNk/w640-h426/DSC_7879.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqtn6WfWcxjt9HlptMKkfu_KxUJ9oLBBHHXK_k4e0xCz0odPmFRG6JMkkYKt4DvaisouxQVueDAeAFv5BUdkI9B4ZUhClgx2qJrdX-3LBXqPIPs9IrlBQseR7E5Vw-MiPgi6suERo1VL-_ZyX9GyT_ro-G8phR8x8knv3wpN8X6dSeh_43KI/s1200/DSC_7882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqtn6WfWcxjt9HlptMKkfu_KxUJ9oLBBHHXK_k4e0xCz0odPmFRG6JMkkYKt4DvaisouxQVueDAeAFv5BUdkI9B4ZUhClgx2qJrdX-3LBXqPIPs9IrlBQseR7E5Vw-MiPgi6suERo1VL-_ZyX9GyT_ro-G8phR8x8knv3wpN8X6dSeh_43KI/w640-h426/DSC_7882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKaRu3TYoRVojuyO6M5YTsJB5ETDD74_w-A5iiHbk7eAH3vMUVZ2ebmIuduJH0HTIHgspIbDpjsXMIf22aEgurBXRLq8Ez3z-AwFrLr3w597NpZmaWz7BVAmBi1LghTjSn5NbAdfEh2hGmg_KTH_CzMsmzLM4pQ6ty32Q65KjRH4n2wISONs/s1200/_7518217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKaRu3TYoRVojuyO6M5YTsJB5ETDD74_w-A5iiHbk7eAH3vMUVZ2ebmIuduJH0HTIHgspIbDpjsXMIf22aEgurBXRLq8Ez3z-AwFrLr3w597NpZmaWz7BVAmBi1LghTjSn5NbAdfEh2hGmg_KTH_CzMsmzLM4pQ6ty32Q65KjRH4n2wISONs/w640-h428/_7518217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTJn38y3TUNHxgArwPLklXuQVYPaJuMjQ8OO2Lot2tbFhOjyF_qV6m7xameieN0-lGtjR16_1D1beOzWXIz71VRJx5hnrfpVreJBcwZvL57j6jyv4wqMlrZzk2q7AtidPL0qXLWsUs5OvOw6J9t-GisD-j3b9oOJr12BA3Fwv3OYyoqk-Y0I/s1200/_7518220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTJn38y3TUNHxgArwPLklXuQVYPaJuMjQ8OO2Lot2tbFhOjyF_qV6m7xameieN0-lGtjR16_1D1beOzWXIz71VRJx5hnrfpVreJBcwZvL57j6jyv4wqMlrZzk2q7AtidPL0qXLWsUs5OvOw6J9t-GisD-j3b9oOJr12BA3Fwv3OYyoqk-Y0I/w640-h428/_7518220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For increased visibility, which I don't really need where I've been fishing, I stuck a dead starlight in a small foam ball. It was just something to play with if I'm honest! It has got me thinking about push-in vanes for a drifter though!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0CoZ_yVyvsZh2u0zl_27XQTknc4RENtZZyxew7tnf1ySGe7eZS-__voy9ptq2ftIcnXPNS7sPUi8JaOsF1s3vpMWgebPBPZTn7HERsSSaS7Jwtk7s6FKw1yXnkDooR8vNDsrPl4x1RXbAdbwEq9Bpjh0bmvuOCyiEQ9-a0x5bCizpmgKUmQ/s1200/DSC_7802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0CoZ_yVyvsZh2u0zl_27XQTknc4RENtZZyxew7tnf1ySGe7eZS-__voy9ptq2ftIcnXPNS7sPUi8JaOsF1s3vpMWgebPBPZTn7HERsSSaS7Jwtk7s6FKw1yXnkDooR8vNDsrPl4x1RXbAdbwEq9Bpjh0bmvuOCyiEQ9-a0x5bCizpmgKUmQ/w640-h426/DSC_7802.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnlMkfIdxsDJSflCvzbu5x8uLooUygGqY5cPTjzyz6lqenHTPaBUKLEyI4oGxS3OwHsi6WZp3G4IAeyXDkaahbbt3S6bWCXVgCUbC-TTgRWG-jdnLclEw_zLlgg05RudftAQvYmpzBaxKy3Hpe9KKVJXyIMJZLHLsDDMsPEJawk7bZi2W4A8/s1200/DSC_7885.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="797" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnlMkfIdxsDJSflCvzbu5x8uLooUygGqY5cPTjzyz6lqenHTPaBUKLEyI4oGxS3OwHsi6WZp3G4IAeyXDkaahbbt3S6bWCXVgCUbC-TTgRWG-jdnLclEw_zLlgg05RudftAQvYmpzBaxKy3Hpe9KKVJXyIMJZLHLsDDMsPEJawk7bZi2W4A8/w426-h640/DSC_7885.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think that's the end of my foamy egg float experiments. For now... It's a pity the orange ones aren't available in more sizes like the green ones are. Watch this space for green foamy ball and egg adventures!.
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Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-39484747759426323882022-03-24T20:41:00.002+00:002022-03-24T20:59:32.528+00:00The last rolls of the dice<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoHyh7KQGcgR0vYfSst-xTaJEcssy1oJBp-UDhCv1Gm3YP62DwWBXgyvB40VImPXGuP-7TYAJWHC2cUfGahwTruP49QRDQl8sxvsMMTiYJ0qdD1iV7X7nLDkYo5h3N0EksPVmgSydvA49-5vdPtdh1egt2ZH1q5uzyaHfLhKe_bS5Xf_zkvE/s1200/DSCN6497.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoHyh7KQGcgR0vYfSst-xTaJEcssy1oJBp-UDhCv1Gm3YP62DwWBXgyvB40VImPXGuP-7TYAJWHC2cUfGahwTruP49QRDQl8sxvsMMTiYJ0qdD1iV7X7nLDkYo5h3N0EksPVmgSydvA49-5vdPtdh1egt2ZH1q5uzyaHfLhKe_bS5Xf_zkvE/w640-h480/DSCN6497.jpg" width="640" /> </a>
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It's always the same, I get my fishing head on and 'life' intervenes. For
reasons I can't recall now, but I think involved rain, wind and work related
issues, I didn't manage to keep rolling after the session outlined in my
previous post. Eventually I snapped and thought, "Stuff work", and in autopilot headed for the swim I'd
caught from last time out. Even though conditions told me I should have fished a different
swim where I could have put the drifter to work, and knowing lightning doesn't
strike twice, I fished it anyway.
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After an hour of inaction I moved to fish the opposite bank. It was a grand
day to be out, sunny and breezy and almost mild. The move had done me no good
after another hour so it was off to a last knocking swim for the last of the
daylight and a while into dark. I'd made some new floats which take Starlights
just for this dusk to dark period. Why I bother carrying on once the light has
gone completely I really don't know. The last half hour of daylight often
produces a take, but nothing has yet happened any later. Still, on a mild late
winter/early spring evening it's no hardship to stop around.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">True to form the failing light did the trick. I had one bait on a spot that has been good to me in the past, another in the wilderness and a third in a spot that has always looked worthwhile but never thrown up a pike.Until this time! I sprang down the bank like a gazelle when the sounder alerted me to the take. A gazelle whose left knee gave way as it reached the rod. I was trying to stop myself toppling into the water as I picked the rod up and wound into the pike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like many of the other pike I'd hooked this winter this one just tried to hug the bottom, only coming to life on the surface then lying in the net while I limped up the bank to sort out the scales, sling and mat. Lifting the net from the water the fish did what others had also done this winter. Spun itself madly, this one spinning itself out of the net...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Somehow I managed to haul it safely to the mat where I saw it had unhooked itself. After unrolling it from the mesh I slid it into the sling which I hoisted up on the Avons. As the needle flickered between 13 and 14 the sounder box went ape again. The middle rod fishing the bait in no-mans-land was away. down the bank, dunk the pike out of the sling and wind down. To nothing. The bait had definitely been moved. in the half-light I could see where the lit float was when I retrieved it, but the bait looked unmarked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After recasting the dropped bait I sorted out the chaos which had been created by the spinning pike and the second take. And prevented me taking a photo for comparison with other captures. That rod got recast and I was expecting more action despite it now being completely dark. I should have known better. Stop at the chippy on the way home to celebrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After that hectic few minutes I was itching to get back. yet again reality bit and I simply couldn't manage it. I had it all planned the following week. I'd go Tuesday. It was a nice enough day but blowing a gale. No worries. Thursday would be calmer. That would have worked out great if the UPS van had turned up on the Wednesday. As it didn't the collection was rearranged for Thursday. That would be OK if it turned up nice and early. By four it still hadn't shown up. I was told it could arrive up until six. It didn't. Bang went that week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I got a hospital appointment for last Tuesday I knew the day would be pretty much a write off (and I certainly couldn't book any dubious UPS collections) , so planned to fish that afternoon/evening. Even so a still, sunny and unseasonably warm afternoon didn't feel particularly pikey. Time was getting on and I almost ditched the idea. Then around four I got the urge. It was so last minute I forgot to take the pack-up I'd got ready! By now it was stopping light until almost seven, so getting a bait in the water by five fifteen still gave me a couple of hours. One thing moving swims regularly teaches you is that one hour in the right spot can be plenty. I could fish two swims in close proximity to a likely springtime feature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfAbVX7z2Lh36KjeesbqVxgER4Dz9xDsZODekOQ8nq-ULmvbMbofJ4-iYnqBmlJ27I8DPZc23ClhYZhFhr9xr0e_Rct59LrqG4W4q67vsNh6gT1KVD6tYn1gqGKJiqYXzIRWtk_rIlOfhMLMIvMrOOrOf4tnek3TwdX7FmXVnw_Sbhv0nNi0/s1200/DSCN6508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfAbVX7z2Lh36KjeesbqVxgER4Dz9xDsZODekOQ8nq-ULmvbMbofJ4-iYnqBmlJ27I8DPZc23ClhYZhFhr9xr0e_Rct59LrqG4W4q67vsNh6gT1KVD6tYn1gqGKJiqYXzIRWtk_rIlOfhMLMIvMrOOrOf4tnek3TwdX7FmXVnw_Sbhv0nNi0/w640-h480/DSCN6508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This winter I've been enjoying using three P-4 rods. 10 feet is plenty long enough for small water piking, and they are well capable of playing and landing any pike that swims. For casting sardine-size baits and swinging larger baits into the margin they are fine, but there are a few spots where I like to punch a decent lump of mackerel out a fair way. This is where my P-5s performed better. Always a sucker for trying blanks out I eschewed the option of using a P-3 (which I knew would do the job) and got myself a 1ft 3lb Torrix blank to try. Last week I'd thrown some rings on it and fitted (but not glued) on a reel seat. It wasn't rigged up but I'd put it in the quiver with an old Shakespeare Sigma reel attached.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the first swim I'd cut the trace off one of the P-4s and rigged up the Torrix. With the head half of a decent sized mackerel on the hooks it felt like it should cast it well. It did. A season or two back I'd tried a 1ft 3.25lb Torrix and didn't like it. It felt a bit 'dead' to me. The 2.75lb ten footers I use for eeling feel much more lively, but the tips are much softer than on my P-4s and they aren't up to piking in my opinion. Better suited to casting leads and worms - or boilies - than lumps of frozen fish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the second swim the Torrix was used to swing the macky head to the same spot I'd unexpectedly caught from on my previous visit. A smelt and a lamprey head were fishing close in to the reeds I thought pike would be lurking near at this time of year. But at twenty to seven it was the float on the Torrix that started steaming away from the bank. After a fortnight my knee was more sturdy and I had no fear of a soaking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From the off this fish felt heavy. It was doing the bottom-hugging thing and took some hauling to lift it up in the water. This gave me a good chance to take a look at the fighting curve of the rod, which felt more 'lively' than its heavier sibling, and it looked fine. More tippy than a P-3 or P4, but not too 'carp roddy'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When then pike did surface it was broad across the shoulders and long looking. Could this be the monster of the pit? Coming towards the sunk net it woke up, shook its head and thrashed about, tried to make a run for it, but was turned easily enough to slide quietly over the net cord. resting in the edge it looked big enough for me. This time I wound the other two baits in and hung them from their respective Delkims. I didn't want a repeat of the fiasco I'd endured a couple of weeks earlier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unusually there was no wild spinning and tangling from this pike as I lifted it from the water and laid it on the mat. On dry land I could see that it was looking a little ragged, and quite lean. I reckoned it had spawned. Looking in its mouth as I quickly removed the trebles it appeared to have been hooked before. Maybe it was the pit's monster. The scales told the tale. Two weeks and two pounds too late. I wasn't complaining. It was still a pike worth catching, and it's not as if I haven't caught a twenty pounder before - even if it is a long time since I last had one in my weigh sling. After a couple of snaps of the pike on the mat, with the new rod and old reel next to it I slipped her back and watched her power off into the gloomy depths with a couple of sweeps of her tail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aM0tC00jGbGxdy98ps1qPlLn_HJYP552XFtKCmyxzzNRB8eXzdNDIg5bFawygO_rE_oMR_jYrLrr7a5d_sIheESlmJX4B-CjTWsw_FGJWS8bD38EdcuGkkorMhLLL4RtSc7ABdvCIv8tGi1oZ9lqcNjm6txO95X4Z7jp0NMkrQCLWpK9Tuw/s1200/DSC_2884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aM0tC00jGbGxdy98ps1qPlLn_HJYP552XFtKCmyxzzNRB8eXzdNDIg5bFawygO_rE_oMR_jYrLrr7a5d_sIheESlmJX4B-CjTWsw_FGJWS8bD38EdcuGkkorMhLLL4RtSc7ABdvCIv8tGi1oZ9lqcNjm6txO95X4Z7jp0NMkrQCLWpK9Tuw/w640-h424/DSC_2884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was tempted to pack up there and then, but it was almost seven by the time I'd recast all three rods, so I might as well listen to The Archers until quarter past and leave then. Which was just what I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two hours fishing and the biggest pike of my winter caught. Not a bad result. When I got home I totted up my stats for my piking since the start of the year when I got the bug again. Only eight sessions, all fairly short, were managed despite wanting to put more time in. Only one was a blank, which was pleasing and I had a dropped take on that one. After the previous two winters which hadn't fired me with enthusiasm, and had me worrying the pike had gone to the otter feast in the sky, it was good to have the average size up too. With the two smallest pike I caught weighing eight and nine pounds the average size was over ten. Nine doubles from eight short sessions also made it succesful in terms effort for reward. All that without getting up early or travelling very far suits a lazy old git like me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Time to leave the pike alone now. But what to fish for before I start eeling? I really don't know. I might be reduced to fishing for... No! Someone stop me, please!!!<br /></div>Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-89947886179593029322022-02-12T21:04:00.005+00:002022-02-12T21:04:49.489+00:00When you're on a roll<p>Knowing that the weather was set to turn wet for the weekend and that I'd have no time to fish next week I made sure I got a session in this week. Luckily the UPS van turned up nice and early on Thursday so I was able to get a decent length session in. I was going to fish into dark anyway to spin it out so I filled a flask, something I've not bothered doing recently just to keep the weight in the rucksack down. Fred was grateful for my effort.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR5FEOgiBHJH69vw5nLVeE0YKrzlFkA1uJY9z1DIwCY-eckweCwkpDyZ9_JYWVsNvTaYlfA3gPpun6B30BDk1uKJmFTDtecW0IPCo2bGKjULWPhCg3_HZ-cTJILD6SJJwbtN2kOEhC9CUumobpOMjQ_xL6U4_kH9IKL_-pf8dCO4lhcVrz3Ek=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR5FEOgiBHJH69vw5nLVeE0YKrzlFkA1uJY9z1DIwCY-eckweCwkpDyZ9_JYWVsNvTaYlfA3gPpun6B30BDk1uKJmFTDtecW0IPCo2bGKjULWPhCg3_HZ-cTJILD6SJJwbtN2kOEhC9CUumobpOMjQ_xL6U4_kH9IKL_-pf8dCO4lhcVrz3Ek=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I wanted to give the drifter another try out, so made my swim selection with that in mind. With a bait out close in to my left and another a bit further out to my right I started drifting. Looking at the chop on the water the float should have headed straight for an ice feature I could have inched it back from. What the wind looks like it'll do to a float rarely turns out to be what it actually does. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh972yr-5qJJEpNTUkDVukfEHUehb5XmLWDrOklAKXpHf8SDru5LcjqUv82eB12MYWFD04DQR2prJts5EmUCKSpX3mfh1P1mLlJZu6EgX-s0z2-sVAEAWFsrFYSlnnUU-AfSxzW0OJKzVWLABb_niJzhLf0jsCjN7taLtbt75zvM20MV54-PXk=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh972yr-5qJJEpNTUkDVukfEHUehb5XmLWDrOklAKXpHf8SDru5LcjqUv82eB12MYWFD04DQR2prJts5EmUCKSpX3mfh1P1mLlJZu6EgX-s0z2-sVAEAWFsrFYSlnnUU-AfSxzW0OJKzVWLABb_niJzhLf0jsCjN7taLtbt75zvM20MV54-PXk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Instead it spent a lot of its time blowing the drifter towards my right hand float. Eventually the wind swung a bit and I got the float just where I wanted it. Then the left hand float dipped and started to move off. When I got to the rod the float stopped moving. I have a suspicion that it was my clod-hopping tread that disturbed the pike. I checked the bait and swung it back out, a little further along the margin this time.<p></p><p></p><p>There's been heavy overnight rain which had made the banks muddy and slippy. The more I trudged around the swim the muddier it got and my boots were soon caked in clag.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-5_drT8Tubej_7S0y_mWDkcsoc_l2BJagg94zHrx51E58ubj739WV3sw5zLCefkcrYSucBMqvh8foiWPMKI5zwCZ4notO-Xhw4tmGVHqm2WXTdfQQpZ7pHMiRngVP5fFAPyub-RBqYqN4qYDrabr4SFMLr_hZzq3WxLD-XoMe1gmBjZPOvg8=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-5_drT8Tubej_7S0y_mWDkcsoc_l2BJagg94zHrx51E58ubj739WV3sw5zLCefkcrYSucBMqvh8foiWPMKI5zwCZ4notO-Xhw4tmGVHqm2WXTdfQQpZ7pHMiRngVP5fFAPyub-RBqYqN4qYDrabr4SFMLr_hZzq3WxLD-XoMe1gmBjZPOvg8=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Not having felt the hooks I had a feeling the pike would still be hanging around and up for a second bit at the lamprey head. For once I was right! This time the float kept moving and I connected. By the time I'd netted, unhooked, weighed and returned the fish the drifter had gone off course and was round the back of my right hand float. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6VOX9fxo-VbLJhld-THBtZbQB_MHlBjycMDEsR5wPq1X4aOmSHPR3Uw_19Rk5izZCipgWaaAwLF5bF0rfR-yctfnuXRQbr1voEt8z0HJLYrbjXj5XiY76L1qyk3HMxYVEVsUokrHK5TQy83ioaQnkKGIJQEahMW2aAnY0R3hDCX-ThbMOBAg=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6VOX9fxo-VbLJhld-THBtZbQB_MHlBjycMDEsR5wPq1X4aOmSHPR3Uw_19Rk5izZCipgWaaAwLF5bF0rfR-yctfnuXRQbr1voEt8z0HJLYrbjXj5XiY76L1qyk3HMxYVEVsUokrHK5TQy83ioaQnkKGIJQEahMW2aAnY0R3hDCX-ThbMOBAg=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p>It took a while to sort the mess out but at least the wind was taking the drifter out nicely by then. I was pretty confident of more action but none came my way. With an hour and a half of daylight left it was time for a move, and a switch to three static baits to take me into dark. The new swim was quite sheltered from the chilly wind and offered me three nice locations to place baits. It was, however, on a bit of a slope. A bit of a very slippery slope. Moving the rods I felt my feet lose grip and with as much grace as an ice dancing superstar I dropped the rods and pirouetted round to keep myself upright.</p><p>After a while I'd worked out where the safest route round the swim was in case I had to leap to the rods to deal with a take. The knowledge only came in handy when it was time to wind the baits in and go home.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93ixFC3CpMMm_UozPcJuisoeUTrkjdOA69JwOgKeKyJil0rkxWBQmupI5WH4-8PE2skjE_iPMAFpj_PQaF1IG1I0WLgvDJKYL7MJrbwlTfC-HHbYwFM01Sc_w6JnUXBRZZE-dL3NehudnbX5rJrzRT_M8Gv-Hbfcfswwm5RFm0LjH4yOEbtk=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="797" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93ixFC3CpMMm_UozPcJuisoeUTrkjdOA69JwOgKeKyJil0rkxWBQmupI5WH4-8PE2skjE_iPMAFpj_PQaF1IG1I0WLgvDJKYL7MJrbwlTfC-HHbYwFM01Sc_w6JnUXBRZZE-dL3NehudnbX5rJrzRT_M8Gv-Hbfcfswwm5RFm0LjH4yOEbtk=w213-h320" width="213" /></a></div>I had a lot to do on Friday, but I was still itching to get back for more pike action. And to have another play with some floats I'd made for fishing into dark. Unusually I managed to get my jobs done in good time and was looking for a swim by two. Ideally I wanted the wind behind me but it had swung through almost 180 degrees overnight and I couldn't find a spot that would give me both a good drifting line and let me put bottom baits where I felt confident. One of my jobs had been to buy a clip-lid box to put the drifter in. It did a good job while it languished, unused, in my rucksack.<p></p><p>For some reason the swim I was in, with the wind blowing in to me at a slight angle, felt right. Slowly retrieving the far mackerel head a decent looking pike turned behind it about a rod length out. That made me think that a drifted bait might have scored if all the pike were as active as that chaser.Even so I resisted the urge to move. Instead I took the float and leger weight off the rig and cast the mackerel had around the swim for a few minutes. It looks strange, but I've caught on 'wobbled' half baits before. When the pike didn't reappear I reattached the bomb and float and recast it a bit further out. I'd barely sat down when the float was away.</p><p>Winding down I felt the fish. Then it came adrift. Winding the bait in I could see the trace had got round the top treble and the points were facing backwards. Bugger. Never mind, that could have been a different fish. My confidence rose another notch.</p><p>It was about an hour later the left hand float, which had been drawn back a few yards from where it had been cast, wobbled over and the line went slack. When I picked the rod up the float was moving away steadily. This one got hooked. Then kited into the reeds. Back in open water it stayed deep then made a run from the net. Time to get the mat, sling and scales out. Laid on the mat for a snap I could see from the patch of what look like regrown scales behind the gill cover that this was a repeat capture of a fish I'd caught last month. It had lost a couple of ounces - although that could be a weighing discrepancy.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_mzoSe-A9ungN0RRZq8Ti2U81h8EY2_hlSbOioR3zbAtpMMQ_96gs70tusi-DspIUKkEdU5kRCygb5pX50VtjiNlYmDGLDdSpDkrl6o-XBNBs31ySCAQuDKr9cP5DzIXqY_DySQyAwmawAnXhaKpXtxiVh5-PLOw28j69LtoF9oe7pE_5BpQ=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_mzoSe-A9ungN0RRZq8Ti2U81h8EY2_hlSbOioR3zbAtpMMQ_96gs70tusi-DspIUKkEdU5kRCygb5pX50VtjiNlYmDGLDdSpDkrl6o-XBNBs31ySCAQuDKr9cP5DzIXqY_DySQyAwmawAnXhaKpXtxiVh5-PLOw28j69LtoF9oe7pE_5BpQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Being unable to think of a better swim to move to I decided to break with my usual habit of moving regularly and chose to stick it out in this one until I'd had enough. It seemed like I'd made the right choice when the right hand margin float began to behave oddly. It was just moving away when I got to the rod when... It stopped moving. I'm becoming convinced that when fishing these margin baits a rod length away I am running the risk of spooking pike as I approach the rod. Again my thinking was that the fish hadn't felt steel so might come back. There wasn't enough time to move swims before dark fell anyway.</p><p>The sun was low and casting a warm light on the reeds when the right
hand float made off more confidently. When I set the hooks I could feel
that the pike was somewhere in the submerged willow branches. Once out
of that potential tangle area it fought pretty well, but not being a
monster was soon laying on the unhooking mat. Not a fish I recognised
this time. This rig was the one I'd had the drifter on and instead of my usual quick change lead set up I'd simply attached the bomb to a paper-clip through the top eye of the trace swivel. Coming through the branches the paper-clip had done it's job as a weak link and the lad had gone.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6Bm0R0bCnD-uiR7Qg0O0xzFWIi98kchi2_2YMHM25uGz8YdS1TTWOX9S0MJJwQpvuLoDWiCLH8Mv87xBdy2KKRHJt3JACPH5R_ldFZwcU31xXbI399j7vFghMeWFQfeZr8CLaic_O-Iu5BK7Sh3xYZF8FisQ7FfHnrd7FbLNDFJJnZXuBEc8=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="797" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6Bm0R0bCnD-uiR7Qg0O0xzFWIi98kchi2_2YMHM25uGz8YdS1TTWOX9S0MJJwQpvuLoDWiCLH8Mv87xBdy2KKRHJt3JACPH5R_ldFZwcU31xXbI399j7vFghMeWFQfeZr8CLaic_O-Iu5BK7Sh3xYZF8FisQ7FfHnrd7FbLNDFJJnZXuBEc8=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>After dark I felt like there might be another chance but after half an hour that feeling had left me, so I left the pike and the pit for home. I've caught a few pike from this place which have required the use of a headtorch for me to see what I'm doing when unhooking them. Stopping into dark hasn't paid off though. Maybe I need to stop more than an hour after sunset? Or maybe the pike don't feed in the dark. Having caught one when eel fishing in the dark I'm not too sure. I might give it another try when I can get back. It would allow me to make later starts and have a decent length session when the UPS van doesn't turn up early.<br /><p></p><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-40178107880091215992022-02-05T21:06:00.007+00:002022-02-05T21:16:52.769+00:00Never say never<p>After my last session I'd been thinking about piking quite a bit, the idea of covering water with an off bottom bait had inspired me to get making prototype drifters (see previous post) and also mess about with some other float ideas that are probably superfluous. I'd even stocked up on deadbaits as my supply in the freezer was limited in both variety and quantity. Reluctantly I'd bought a pack of lamprey halves. I much prefer being able to chop a whole lamprey down to a size I like, and keep the tail sections short enough to discard as they don't fill me with confidence when used on the hooks, But no full lamprey were to be had. So it was Hobson's choice.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL7LP-vqCvnEtu9-3O_PU_kZR6nyma_aAjBaDFR9pDQ7y_LbbKMi8lRmaE99gcwktVBU0IeYyiKWJeIfCg8uGebLbFA-MNhzZzvaO7VvYxO13tXfZRmg1Dw2JvY6ADkSK73GwOAJbX8acd5cTgk7-eJ5ZnChti5t32dXJ3O-n_gV9vy0tBwxE=w640-h480" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: left;">With a replenished freezer and new floats to try out I couldn't wait to get back to the pit. Ideally that would have been on Thursday when it was dry and warm. With the temperature set to drop for Friday and with showers forecast it wasn't my preferred day. My couriers had other plans, so when they arrived late on Thursday for a collection it was Friday or not at all.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Not only had the temperature dropped, the wind had picked up and was adding a considerable wind chill factor coming from a roughly northerly direction. The rain had gone by lunch time but a shower was predicted around two. Oh well. I took the chance of leaving the brolly at home and after I'd decided where to go left my waterproofs in the car. </p><p style="text-align: left;">My plan before setting off had been to fish the far end of the pit as that would give me good long drifts to test the float out. I had a short wander before loading my gear on my back and saw that a closer swim might also offer a drifting opportunity. As it's a swim that has been good to me before it seemed like an idea to start there. By quarter past one I had two float legered baits covering the margins and a third drifting about further out.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I hadn't bothered putting my fresh packet of lamprey in my cool bag as I was sure I still had a head section left from before (I put the bag in the freezer complete with contents after every session), but added the pack of small smelts I'd bought to go under the drifter. When I got to my swim I discovered the only bits of lamprey I had left were two tails I'd cut off. One of them got stabbed with my bait knife and the other rod got a decent mackerel head.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The drifter float did a great job. Alas the smelt wasn't to the pike's liking. I'd forgotten how much work is involved with fishing a drifter. They never go exactly where you want them to, and in a slight cross wind have a tendency to drag in to the bank you are fishing from. As that could have resulted in the float going behind a point it restricted my range. The rain arrived a bit late, at two thirty. It wasn't heavy and by standing behind some shelter I only got damp. When it turned to hail I almost wished I'd put teh brolly in the quiver. After fifteen or twenty minutes the shower had blown past and I was starting to dry in the wind. It was time for a move.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Again I thought of a productive swim that might let me get a drift in and by three I was set up with the left and right margins covered with the bottom baits and the smelt drifting over the site of a lily bed. After twenty minutes the mackerel head rod was in action. Another confident run that, as last time, saw a lightly hooked double in the net after a short but dogged scrap. This time the hooks hadn't come out in the net but the bottom one was only just inside the mouth. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</p><p>The macky head was replaced with a tail section and I went back to working the drifter around a few features. By four it was time for my final move to a swim where the drifter would be no use. It was wound in and I started to unship the float in readiness to switch to a bottom end cigar float to use with a float legered bait. I was just about to swap the one ounce lead for a two when an alarm sounded. The useless lamprey tail had been taken! This fish was again lightly hooked and just as the first went mad in the net after a more lively fight. It didn't quite make double figures but it did make me consider stopping where I was. I recast the lamprey tail and carried on with my rig change. I'd move regardless.</p><p>When I got to the last knockings swim I wasn't sure if I could face an hour or more with that icy wind blowing straight at me. As I had the place to myself it would be an ideal chance to try a swim I'd never caught from, and had only tried briefly once before. It had the added benefit of being nicely sheltered. I retraced my steps and started a slow set up.</p><p>In my early piking days I was always in a rush. I'd turn up and head straight for a swim I'd had in mind before I got there. Then I'd sit it out all day. I didn't want to spend any time without a bait in the water. As I got older and (hopefully) more experienced I slowed down and became less concerned with keeping a bait in the water. I now know that spending time thinking about where to fish is usually well spent. Ten minutes in the right spot with one bait is worth more than a full day in the wrong place with four baits.</p><p>The new swim had a lot going for it. A marginal bush overhanging the water, like so many swims here, and marginal reeds, like so many swims here! The lamprey tail went by the bush the weight of the mackerel tail was used to cut across the wind to reach some far reeds, and a smelt went to my left close in.</p><p>I'd not been there half an hour when the lamprey tail, yet again, was taken at five fifteen. Maybe it's the cold or the time of year but the pike are doing a lot of bulldogging, staying down and shaking their heads. I had no idea how big this one was. When a Pike opens it's mouth during the fight it acts like a drogue and makes for a lot of resistance making the fish feel bigger than it is. This one was another ten pounder. I thought it might have been the same one I had last month as it had a similar look to it's teeth. However, it was chunkier and a comparison of the photos showed differences.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhqvdPnu3rqRJ-XF5xhBFCERynufKV0GTuITOuSsVwEidjtP77Ny-MVa-ymUO9V_dMS4B9gEU7fR2QMPtGA7a9GTCp8hx0M3-MBoCQidAxyzvRuU2MgMC6NmmaXNS94dPIGXfPyMNOQqPByLoqJKy1wNSW9KRZ0h4UqFHMrg97e8E6OICpuDQ=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhqvdPnu3rqRJ-XF5xhBFCERynufKV0GTuITOuSsVwEidjtP77Ny-MVa-ymUO9V_dMS4B9gEU7fR2QMPtGA7a9GTCp8hx0M3-MBoCQidAxyzvRuU2MgMC6NmmaXNS94dPIGXfPyMNOQqPByLoqJKy1wNSW9KRZ0h4UqFHMrg97e8E6OICpuDQ=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p>The last lamprey tail got hooked up and cast out to the same spot. By now it was starting to get dark. Not as soon as last week though. At this time of year the speed with which daylight hours lengthen is picking up. I could still just about manage without my head torch when an alarm sounded a warble accompanied by a crackling sound. At first I thought the alarm was playing up again. Seeing a float steaming out from the bank suggested it wasn't! This one had taken the smelt, a bait I have almost as much faith in as lamprey tails. It was obviously the smallest of the session. Again only just hooked, it wasn't going to get weighed but as the sling and scales were out it got the treatment and proved to be heavier than I'd guesstimated.</p><p>I put the last smelt on and had a final cast. By six it was too dark to see the farthest float clearly so I wound the rods in and drew a surprisingly successful afternoon session to a close. F\our pike, three on baits I don't rate! An added bonus was that by hanging on the rush hour traffic had thinned and I didn't have to queue at the junction with the main road. Happy days.<br />
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<hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-5190210952472179852022-02-05T11:22:00.006+00:002022-02-05T22:52:33.148+00:00Foamy Drifter<p>Drifters don't have to be used simply to get as far out as possible on huge water, they can be used to cover water on small venues, and even on them there can be places just out of casting range. Also on very shallow waters, say four feet, a standard drifter always struck me as having too long a stem for fishing baits set at a couple of feet. The standard vanes also struck me as too big and can also move the float too fast at times. On small waters a large vane isn't required for visibility in the way it is on big pits and ressies. I made my first mini-drifter back in the 1980s for fishing a shallow sand pit and it worked a treat. As with my big drifter I fished it bottom end on a boom. This set up was my preferred rig, but meant having a rod dedicated to it, or putting up with the faff of rigging it up when required. Threading the boom was a real pain when on the bank.<br /><br />
More recently I made a small drifter that could be used on my normal stillwater float leger without having to break the rig down. That worked but I do like tinkering. Plastic vanes have never seemed ideal to me. They crack, fall off, and are just generally crap. I've seen carbon vanes somewhere, but they struck me as unnecessarily heavy. A few years back I bought some 3mm EVA (Duplon) sheet to make an attachment for a flash gun. Why it took me so long for it to click with me that it might work as a drifter vane material I put down to a lack of interest in drifting. Or old age! last week the lightbulb lit up when I was thinking of making some more pike floats. I only had black foam sheet but gave it a try. While I was at it I bought some foam eggs and some line clips. I'd used line clips on my <a href="https://lumbland2.blogspot.com/2018/01/no-fish-bay.html" target="_blank">last model drifter</a> so I knew that bit would work.</p><p>This was to be a cross between my previous version, which was based on a design which appeared in Coarse Angler many years ago and the much imitated ET design. First time out it did what it was supposed to do as far as drifting a bait, unclipping under pressure, and being easily swapped to a bottom end float for fishing static.</p><p>The construction is dead simple. The only tools required are a pair of scissors, a craft knife, a heat source, and possibly a fine saw. For the illustrations here I am using orange foam sheet. The materials are the EVA sheet in a colour of your choice, a foam egg, a bamboo skewer, a swivel, some 3mm glued heat shrink tube and a line clip (I used a Tackle Box own brand this time). The only glue I used was some Gorilla Glue Clear to fix the line clip in place, although I'm not sure it was required. I coloured the foam egg and skewer using a UniPaint marker pen. Less hassle than a brush or spray can!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs6nIQv0hYCNFMuk8RSdEtYupzCSBtdOHSgbNVVoTIeYlxjf12zs9U4Zl5TGFUP5K9MzyF4B5EARZbhdZliWfDJPqMxyW71WeK7gmdaIt1Hqyv6g23jRe-_w7AcmAtPBkNsMkwOUTv5sGG7ppMTJSoQ7vrMpkdjjpNyxKklXcHUxmx4iZkC_M=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs6nIQv0hYCNFMuk8RSdEtYupzCSBtdOHSgbNVVoTIeYlxjf12zs9U4Zl5TGFUP5K9MzyF4B5EARZbhdZliWfDJPqMxyW71WeK7gmdaIt1Hqyv6g23jRe-_w7AcmAtPBkNsMkwOUTv5sGG7ppMTJSoQ7vrMpkdjjpNyxKklXcHUxmx4iZkC_M=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>There's not much to the construction. Colour up the skewer, or not, and push it through the pre-drilled foam egg to get the dimensions you fancy and cut it to length. Attach the swivel to one end of the skewer using the shrink tube. This is a surprisingly strong connection and I'm sure would work for making leger stems, provided long casting wasn't required.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN0ObOJwjJtEd0MhMt4SeP9NRWfNrikHgz7t8sjVQUWFYNnwH5tiGgkw0uOuAlnJ-sgdSexp4Ajq4zoar8wPTdusSPb21_hfayD49dCQ94EGZV4crtaq_Ru4DrenB0I9COQHjYORA3pD-Zrqiv2XVDF_1o1koCt2YOCym67d4rPRcw0w3cqIs=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN0ObOJwjJtEd0MhMt4SeP9NRWfNrikHgz7t8sjVQUWFYNnwH5tiGgkw0uOuAlnJ-sgdSexp4Ajq4zoar8wPTdusSPb21_hfayD49dCQ94EGZV4crtaq_Ru4DrenB0I9COQHjYORA3pD-Zrqiv2XVDF_1o1koCt2YOCym67d4rPRcw0w3cqIs=w428-h640" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p>The line clip is screwed into the foam egg just above the waterline. I didn't bother to make it adjustable but set it to a tension that I thought would unclip under a bit of pressure before screwing and glueing. If you did want to retain the adjustability then you'd have to keep the glue off the mechanism.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc2G4CygpA0_2AuQJZB4kiNbqMcT4iMT3R7G2Zt2qzZGd0C4DRBmq5XK6LHSzIZMsoIO65hhxLgRVWxw8yt7bfGrtWdVbYmU3aq10PQS75UzmK7C-sie32s9_3a5emj6yVM3qkLgO4P0zsp02bpB-IPomdalZsSE8aSCK9IqXeWKpnObjOWZg=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc2G4CygpA0_2AuQJZB4kiNbqMcT4iMT3R7G2Zt2qzZGd0C4DRBmq5XK6LHSzIZMsoIO65hhxLgRVWxw8yt7bfGrtWdVbYmU3aq10PQS75UzmK7C-sie32s9_3a5emj6yVM3qkLgO4P0zsp02bpB-IPomdalZsSE8aSCK9IqXeWKpnObjOWZg=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>The egg can either be glued to the skewer, or wedged by building up the stem with more shrink tube. I opted for the latter approach on the prototype. Finally cut the vane to your preferred size from the sheet of EVA. Use the sharp end of the skewer to poke a couple of holes in it for the float stem to go through. The vane will hold in place.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK25p2j8AJSS35O3jZTsOyOAS4Byab3B0PtjgxXuAJailF2vye2yG4ltDYbUIkg0zDsOZnhATSXxNnHcfRy_cTjcdMp_qPHjl5ZAHC4Qm-tthUSfbE9pgjVuvf4zgWaH5St9V9bWfvHujKKvvsiOSLA8C2Ses6rFCDc6A9IAVzGhR_KH5Pnt4=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK25p2j8AJSS35O3jZTsOyOAS4Byab3B0PtjgxXuAJailF2vye2yG4ltDYbUIkg0zDsOZnhATSXxNnHcfRy_cTjcdMp_qPHjl5ZAHC4Qm-tthUSfbE9pgjVuvf4zgWaH5St9V9bWfvHujKKvvsiOSLA8C2Ses6rFCDc6A9IAVzGhR_KH5Pnt4=w428-h640" width="428" /></a></div><br />That's it. This photo shows Prototype 1 in use and should explain how it is set up. A one ounce weigh is just right to cock the float and a bomb clipped to slide on the line as for a float leger might look a bit uncouth but works well enough. I'm sure the pike won't care as that's what I used to do when float trolling! The float's swivel is attached to a snap link on the line as for a float leger rig. If you're paranoid and use an uptrace for drifting the lead can be clipped to the mid-trace swivel using a paper clip which will open out should the lead snag up. Alternatively use monster split shot squeezed round an open loop of weak nylon in link leger style.<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglmPhfr06NGuCXGWBeNwQNlHjCAM6TOMjT_VxGWh3CZOwAfTdBR3aioXUOWhzkhF3QgeujRqIYMJ1Pv6Ux-egDb-Tv3FFma2kHgZsbT6N1gAGnV5K-bXrCNKKtS27K_hV28Nkp8XzUq6AAIno5wvvCs75blGJAkWY9HZOnaiTRB7qbDVGE_Sg=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglmPhfr06NGuCXGWBeNwQNlHjCAM6TOMjT_VxGWh3CZOwAfTdBR3aioXUOWhzkhF3QgeujRqIYMJ1Pv6Ux-egDb-Tv3FFma2kHgZsbT6N1gAGnV5K-bXrCNKKtS27K_hV28Nkp8XzUq6AAIno5wvvCs75blGJAkWY9HZOnaiTRB7qbDVGE_Sg=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></p><p>As yet this float hasn't sunk in anger. But it has been quickly swapped over to fish a float legered bait which caught a pike. And that was half of the thinking behind it's design.</p><p>Variations on the theme are, of course, possible. The same design will work at a more usual size but will require a different longer stem, probably using a different material. There's no need to use orange eggs, drab coloured ones will also work. The only concern I have is how long lasting the vanes will be. I wonder if too much abuse will see them split where they are pierced. If they do then I have a cunning plan to overcome that drawback. But given the price of the EVA sheet, it's probably easier to cut a load of spares.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG-DQV1rlOxBNOZm2DbJLpdHtu-mZssxzx-WyTAGPp7q4X8IL-EzuAxx29bjlJ7dc8nKHD0sd_qMIA-wPShNhsTRP9XtIbmSlb0vUr7_6ukm4JtKHykdfZJkhkzG1tA_rKWthNpo8rvwPbujQGh3xVvOwWViVQT1EB7AA0SSXc9OOf7koQ9Wc=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG-DQV1rlOxBNOZm2DbJLpdHtu-mZssxzx-WyTAGPp7q4X8IL-EzuAxx29bjlJ7dc8nKHD0sd_qMIA-wPShNhsTRP9XtIbmSlb0vUr7_6ukm4JtKHykdfZJkhkzG1tA_rKWthNpo8rvwPbujQGh3xVvOwWViVQT1EB7AA0SSXc9OOf7koQ9Wc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-72293721439318208822022-01-28T20:29:00.006+00:002022-02-01T12:33:56.514+00:00Return of the mojo?<p>There's nothing like catching to make you want to catch some more. So after my first session of the year I was keen to have another try. When I pulled up to the gate another car pulled up behind me, and the angler was in a hurry to get to his swim. It wasn't where I'd planned on going so I wasn't bothered. It was, unfortunately, near a swim I planned to end up in on dark but not wanting to be seen there I had to change my plans a bit.</p><p> The rest of the pit was free so I was spoiled for choice. First off I dropped in a swim that looks as pikey as hell but has only thrown me one small jack to a lure. I'd soon lost confidence and moved to a swim that's been much kinder. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</p><p>Yesterday I cracked when the air temperature rose and the sun shone. I put the rods in the car after an early lunch. This time there were three vehicles in the car park, but nobody fishing where I fancied. Walking to my Plan A swim I got the urge to fish a different one. This one has been hit and miss. It's another that screams 'pike' but doesn't throw them up to me too often. This time was another failure. I do wonder if I should give these less productive swims longer, maybe a whole session, to give them a fairer chance. Not this time though, after an hour and a bit I was on my way to the swim I'd first had in mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6B2miFYfMXf2_jaM-LGB68TL8fZ9NnMNyA1T1HajYXscmrSW8EL42-HuFWxrOZ4zwx8Fz7L1yP9cZgAEDcUVVPssKPlBnAJsmY-mtFjdb1u21WisSx_xIIMMF6Ma1hE60pn1RI_BRx7lIiVmh6xr5EmcceS_1K2dcA2U-3VggHVx0JLCouw0=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6B2miFYfMXf2_jaM-LGB68TL8fZ9NnMNyA1T1HajYXscmrSW8EL42-HuFWxrOZ4zwx8Fz7L1yP9cZgAEDcUVVPssKPlBnAJsmY-mtFjdb1u21WisSx_xIIMMF6Ma1hE60pn1RI_BRx7lIiVmh6xr5EmcceS_1K2dcA2U-3VggHVx0JLCouw0=w640-h360" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day was just about right. Not too cold, sunny with a stiff breeze blowing to put a nice ripple on the surface.Three baits went out, one on the paternoster Id started using as a change of tactic without any attention from old esox - so far. I'd not been settled in to the swim for long when one of the Delkims set up a continuous fast warble. I jumped up but none of the baitrunners were spinning. What?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Locating the culprit it was clear the thing had developed a fault. I tried a fresh battery. No joy.I think I'd got water in the alarm when I moved swims. Bugger. I'd have to keep a watchful eye on the float. With the gusting side wind catching the braid the bottom end floats were alternating between standing proud and leaning at a rocking 45 degrees. As the wind gusted strong the float's stood up, as it dropped they keeled over. I was pondering how I'd know a take if it came because the float action would be different because a float would stab down sharply, when the float on the now silent alarm stabbed down, rose, stabbed down and stayed down. Then the baitrunner began to spin like fury! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One great benefit of braid for pike fishing is the direct contact it gives for setting the hooks. Before I had the rod up enough to put a curve in it I could feel the weight of the pike. It's been a long time since I sold the pair of P-4s I used when boat fishing, but this season and last I've had a set rigged up to use off the bank. I'd forgotten how useful they are. The one in my hand had cast the mackerel head and two ounce bomb as well as my beloved P-5s and was now well bent and giving this pike some stick as I pumped it towards me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weight felt respectable but the fish wasn't doing anything so it was hard to judge. It could have been a high single with it's gob open. Once under the rod top it woke up and did a bit of charging around and thrashing of the water before I slid it over the net. As I'd netted the pike I couldn't see the hooks, but when I peered down at the fish from above the hooks were in the net mesh. The bait had long since been lost. I made a better guess at the weight of this one, being optimistic to the tune of three quarters of a pound.<br /></div>
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The dilemma I now had was to stay or go. Part of me felt like sticking around in the swim until dark, the other part felt like a move to another favourite for last knockings. In the end I compromised by stopping a bit longer than my usual hour in a swim. The final move did me no good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There had been a lack of bird life all afternoon. Which surprised me. Maybe the wind had kept them down. I did wonder where all the mallards which had been around on my previous two visits had gone. There had been dozens, but I only spotted four this time. It's not yet February and the days are lengthening noticeably. Still no sign of the chinking of great tits heralding the approach of nesting season though. It can't be far off.<br />
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Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-58896625016937849082022-01-05T21:37:00.004+00:002022-01-05T21:37:34.424+00:00Long time no fishBack in November I began my winter pike campaign. Before I'd got my third bait in the water on my first session the second bait I'd cast out was taken. A lack of practice saw me wind down from an unfavourable angle and not hard enough only to feel the pike (not big) and fail to set the hooks. Not to worry, the conditions were good and the pike were feeding. I'd get a chance or two more before dark. Three swim moves later I packed up having blanked. There ended my piking for 2021...<p>I hadn't really enjoyed myself. Moving swims was a pain and failing to catch anything even more of a disincentive. I have no patience for blanking these days. In the past I'd happily settle into a swim before dawn and stay there
all day regardless of how little action I had, then pack up after dark. Now I get bored if nothing has happened after half an hour. This only seems to be the case with pike fishing though.</p><p>Since that November session I've come close to getting the pike rods out again, but something has always seemed like a better option. From going out with a camera or staying home and putting the kettle on again. Today was different. I had vaguely planned to have a pike session when I got up by getting something quick to heat up for tea out of the freezer. Then I went to the Post Office and off to pick some work related stuff up. When I got back it was time for lunch. I nearly didn't bother putting the rods in teh car but I got that autopilot feeling as if something was making me get eth gear sorted. By one thirty I was unlocking the car park gate. The day was fresh and bright. A gently cool wind was rippling the water and I had the place to myself. <br /></p><p>I went for Plan B and walked to get the wind off my back. The first bait, a lamprey head, was dropped in the margin to my right where I've had pike from before, the herring head went out to what will be a lily bed come summer. The third rod needed re-rigging before casting another deadbait out to my left. The float stops had perished and fallen off. I have a feeling they were cheap, unbranded, ones I'd bought in bulk rather than the ones I have always used in the past which last for ages. That'll teach me. It was getting on for an hour before I gave in and moved to a swim I'd been looking at across the water. A swim that had been Plan A.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFWA3RvrfvYMUhLqfJRBof0KeyO25CeCVnKj0mSglTM61QaPTTSzSDXv8ULqZ4Xr8tOK1Vdq9AQ_sY5ebofhOqJojZH8aUZQFzGYkQ80fmraDV37XZ40cQ6wDrQJgcurPaQ5mL4r2qQYmEA7FFBHIsaqLX6mqj8oct-L7SlBIAuFN7yTbQODY=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFWA3RvrfvYMUhLqfJRBof0KeyO25CeCVnKj0mSglTM61QaPTTSzSDXv8ULqZ4Xr8tOK1Vdq9AQ_sY5ebofhOqJojZH8aUZQFzGYkQ80fmraDV37XZ40cQ6wDrQJgcurPaQ5mL4r2qQYmEA7FFBHIsaqLX6mqj8oct-L7SlBIAuFN7yTbQODY=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div> <br />One time this swim did me proud and from one spot. The lamprey head went straight in there. There are a couple of other spots which look like they should produce, but haven't done for me to date. With all three rods fishing and the alarms set I settled back in my low chair, my mind not thinking about fish. I was soaking up the scene. All the leaves were gone from the trees and bushes, and the hawthorn berries which had been abundant in November had disappeared, no doubt down the necks of winter thrushes. They were mostly gone too. I only saw a single fieldfare.<p></p><p>My session in November had been the debut outing for a new winter hat. A peaked affair with faux fur ear and neck flaps. New hats are always a curse so I should have expected to blank. thinking of this made me doubt my choice of headwear. A new woolly hat. While this was it's first fishing trip I had worn it a few times when out with a camera and just going to the Post Office. Maybe that would help?</p><p>With these idle thoughts in my head, and despite having gone deaf in one ear recently (I suspect a build-up of wax) I heard the warble of the sounder box. A quick scan of the floats and it was the lamprey on the move. This time I remembered how to 'strike' a pike run. Pint the rod at the fish from as low an angle as you can, then wind down hard. Success! I felt the weight of the fish and a head shake. Then it did a good imitation of a wet sack and was straight in the net. It looked about eight pounds so I left it there while I got the unhooking mat and forceps ready. The forceps live in the same rucksack pocket as my scales and sling. Pulling them out I decided I'd check the weight for the hell of it.</p><p>This was one of those fish that saved its fight for being on the bank and gave me a severe case of knuckle rash. It's amazing how much blood spills from the graves across the top of your knuckles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAOrs8ArC-E--loj5TfSPIH9hs02Jup7HFtEBy6ddKAupKMTACzwcMr7WbyuKMNvBZv2vhTZNluGTpl-cRHTaxDOsb_pyN5dzBBRfvJiBB7MGRC2jJQqihy6_9gna-AOBmnulRU4CcsAF3Ngsh0yb0dboLiBCRUqDHr_eCj7buQydsLR_JaZY=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAOrs8ArC-E--loj5TfSPIH9hs02Jup7HFtEBy6ddKAupKMTACzwcMr7WbyuKMNvBZv2vhTZNluGTpl-cRHTaxDOsb_pyN5dzBBRfvJiBB7MGRC2jJQqihy6_9gna-AOBmnulRU4CcsAF3Ngsh0yb0dboLiBCRUqDHr_eCj7buQydsLR_JaZY=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p>I got a pleasant surprise when the needle on the Avons did a full sweep and a bit more. Not only out of practice with hooking pike, out of practice at estimating their weights.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtyRnFT8aLw4WWOx38Z4IZhvT7NFG865zCoBuBXrcV7JLXXPCsGQsl23CyLgKi1OcuP8B8mda5WY_tRDn58T_YZZEoEP_FlS7_8VNiJ5G_j5K1FpR4GpEfhjITaE8qvuG_fLXuWR6LsVkxp-atXcq3f0BgV-FSv2Y8GEFm-9c5Hnk6M2cagmg=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1200" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtyRnFT8aLw4WWOx38Z4IZhvT7NFG865zCoBuBXrcV7JLXXPCsGQsl23CyLgKi1OcuP8B8mda5WY_tRDn58T_YZZEoEP_FlS7_8VNiJ5G_j5K1FpR4GpEfhjITaE8qvuG_fLXuWR6LsVkxp-atXcq3f0BgV-FSv2Y8GEFm-9c5Hnk6M2cagmg=w640-h226" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p>Now I was feeling confident. Confident of another take from the same spot. Ordinarily I'd have made one more move before dark but something kept me where I was.</p><p>The wind was dropping and the sun dropping lower. I found myself looking at the colours of the reedmace against the sky reflected in the calming lake. Painters' colours. Reed stems of Naples yellow, burnt umber seed heads and pale, Payne's grey water. Wintry but not melancholy. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ06ZfmqqYh9SEFaC1lfhzvMNjC50NOm_qxPf5ejy3KJ7OaQfGy-MxuL5RbIthDvoh9ep15Gw7KjNATn7bRN9ex8t-0qXerb9ThE3_7ABB2eVb6aVJV8aob-liwjFqGaMbCFW5VUlEBEQ71CmcOAVqDpF3ytuVflBepodJXoxg_t8F4QoLh8w=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="1200" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ06ZfmqqYh9SEFaC1lfhzvMNjC50NOm_qxPf5ejy3KJ7OaQfGy-MxuL5RbIthDvoh9ep15Gw7KjNATn7bRN9ex8t-0qXerb9ThE3_7ABB2eVb6aVJV8aob-liwjFqGaMbCFW5VUlEBEQ71CmcOAVqDpF3ytuVflBepodJXoxg_t8F4QoLh8w=w640-h260" width="640" /></a></div><br />As the light faded a robin visited me briefly. I had nothing to tempt it to stay longer. Then it was time to leave myself. Should I have made that last move?<p></p><p>I'd enjoyed this session more than the last. I hadn't gone because I thought I should, I went because I couldn't help myself. That's how I am with fishing these days. It shouldn't be a chore - or a habit. It isn't compulsory.<br /></p><p>Happy New Year!</p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-62797198896752677232021-09-24T19:15:00.004+01:002021-09-24T21:15:19.296+01:00No fishing, just rod and tackle news<p>Having lost my mojo, yet again, with a few agricultural shows finally taking place over the last month, lots of work to be caught up with and a week of illness I've been away from the water with no great desire to get back to it. This is a period of transition. It's too early for pike on my pit and the river is still short of water. Can I face some back-end eeling, or should I set my stall out for whatever comes along to a set of feeders on the pit? Indecision and lack of enthusiasm has kept me indoors trying to up my game at the product photography job to update my website to show the new look rod fittings from Fuji. This is just a post to put some of them in one place. More will follow as I get more builds done using them.</p><p>First off my standard bait rod handle.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmFo2rrlqDA/YU4SWuClGrI/AAAAAAAArLg/-tyYG2k8hrgV-vnYEoAY10zO8yPC3ahaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/handle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="1500" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmFo2rrlqDA/YU4SWuClGrI/AAAAAAAArLg/-tyYG2k8hrgV-vnYEoAY10zO8yPC3ahaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h158/handle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9PuD8GpUg8/YU4SWIwExNI/AAAAAAAArLY/YgJlVI2UV1Iqx_0Ai9GcmwLb07wQQ5BrACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/_7503758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="500" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9PuD8GpUg8/YU4SWIwExNI/AAAAAAAArLY/YgJlVI2UV1Iqx_0Ai9GcmwLb07wQQ5BrACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h234/_7503758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>All these are the new 'black chrome' finish. This is the trigger reel seat I fit to baitcasters.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMCwi1fY4nE/YU4SWVUw6GI/AAAAAAAArLc/1l3SJI5BFEIgdXlNf_1tAOEmb96pEVEFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/_7503759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="500" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMCwi1fY4nE/YU4SWVUw6GI/AAAAAAAArLc/1l3SJI5BFEIgdXlNf_1tAOEmb96pEVEFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h264/_7503759.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">18mm DPS used on standard cork handles.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wSaCykvGPM/YU4UF-fh0RI/AAAAAAAArL4/b2CQ8E_aOiIjI7IlRhr8ozZBpF61712EACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/_7503750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="500" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wSaCykvGPM/YU4UF-fh0RI/AAAAAAAArL4/b2CQ8E_aOiIjI7IlRhr8ozZBpF61712EACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h224/_7503750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And on a set of custom full slim Duplon handles. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVP1ynPnZEw/YU4SRLqWGMI/AAAAAAAArLU/d0DtBDkBDacrPyewMBfGWMgm6TlOOxMlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/_7513801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1200" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVP1ynPnZEw/YU4SRLqWGMI/AAAAAAAArLU/d0DtBDkBDacrPyewMBfGWMgm6TlOOxMlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h454/_7513801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've changed the standard thread colours on Axiom rods to a tricky to photograph dark grey tipped with metallic Pewter. Shown here with the new Gunmetal finish on the SiC rings. It's a bit shinier than the old Gunsmoke.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnF1ljvMWOg/YU4SJiqeyzI/AAAAAAAArLQ/CslioQZBUjcrN2W076JhT6jrkq6oGQscgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/_7513800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnF1ljvMWOg/YU4SJiqeyzI/AAAAAAAArLQ/CslioQZBUjcrN2W076JhT6jrkq6oGQscgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/_7513800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> In addition to the new trebles I introduced a while back I now have some traditional bronzed ones in bulk packs. Sizes 4 and 6, barbed or semi-barbed, in packs of 25. Available <b><a href="https://dlstshop.co.uk/epages/ef306bf6-9000-48f9-adb4-f2d1c35cd9f5.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/ef306bf6-9000-48f9-adb4-f2d1c35cd9f5/Categories/10">here</a></b>.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvvsrqXedWM/YU4VGbF_jNI/AAAAAAAArMA/3LFICefOh_w0TBMJwR2qakhZkRo7x3z2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/bulk-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvvsrqXedWM/YU4VGbF_jNI/AAAAAAAArMA/3LFICefOh_w0TBMJwR2qakhZkRo7x3z2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/bulk-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt7_uPj_mYE/YU4VGaICIQI/AAAAAAAArME/2uw9YGQMvTwX1A73ZPo6gN2n4e_dP1ZHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1669/_7503708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1669" data-original-width="1669" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt7_uPj_mYE/YU4VGaICIQI/AAAAAAAArME/2uw9YGQMvTwX1A73ZPo6gN2n4e_dP1ZHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/_7503708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><hr />Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-42728368203585992282021-08-10T22:07:00.004+01:002021-08-10T22:07:41.557+01:00The final straw<p>
Regardless of the stream of small eels continuing to pester me I was still
keen, although running out of cunning plans, following my post last month. It
was on the third session that I finally had enough. If I'd done what I usually
do and fished a swim out of sight of anyone else I'd have carried on in
blissful ignorance, but I reasoned that the angler tench fishing across the
pit would be packing up shortly as I'd arrived late. So why not fish a swim I
fancied rather than one which was out of sight?
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<br />I got my rod pod set up, baits in position and had settled down on
my low chair in what was a reasonably spacious peg, for a change. Then I looked
up and saw the tench angler was playing something and having a fair old tussle.
He was in a swim I always fancy for eels but which has never thrown anything
much up for me.
<p></p>
<p>
The tench kept on fighting until it broke surface. That was when it's
snake-like head became obvious. Maybe he was just making a meal of it. After a
couple of attempts the eel was in the rather too small for it landing net.
When it was lifted ashore its size, even from 100 metres (Google maps) away,
was obvious. After looking at it for a while the angler removed the hook from
the eel and put it back. Unweighed. It looked as big as any I've caught from
the pit, maybe bigger. Who's the idiot who said effort equals reward? At least the eels were feeding, I supposed.<br /></p>
<p>
Dusk fell and I had the place to myself. And the eels. It was no run fest. I
had a few runs and finicky takes before I connected with one. Yet again to the
off-bottom worms. It didn't feel all that big. It wasn't. Possibly the
smallest eel of the year. But what it lacked in size it made up for in
tangling technique. The lead link on my off-bottom rig was over three feet
long, but somehow this tiny little bootlace managed to wrap itself up in the
link sufficiently to have the lead dangling directly below it';s jaw!
</p>
<p>
I tired letting the tying untangle itself in the margin. To no avail. I had to
resort to cutting the bloody creature free just so I could get my forceps on
the hook. A complete re-tackling was called for. I fished on with waning
enthusiasm until midnight when I was glad to see the back of the place.
</p>
<p>
Since then it's been a case of work turning up (at long last blanks are
beginning to trickle through) followed by a wet spell which further reduced my
eeling drive. I've taken a break and done some photography top revitalise my fishing mojo.<br /></p>
<p>
The ring situation caused by the change I've mentioned before is still causing
me confusion as to what is available and what isn't. SiC rings being the
latest ones to have me baffled. I think I've got that sussed now and should
have some back in stock soon.
</p>
<p>
With the new 'grey' (which is similar to
the old gunsmoke) frames on the standard rings I use I'm going to change my standard thread colours on Axiom
rods. I've no blanks to build for them at present so can't show a photo of
what they'll look like but I have built a couple of X-1s using the thread
colours.
Shown below with an 'old style' gunsmoke reel seat.</p>
<p>
I think the grey thread tipped with metallic pewter looks good along with the
grey reel seats and rings on Ultra Matt blanks. It's as near as I've managed
to 'invisible' whippings. <br /></p>
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<p></p>
<p>
In other news I have some new size four and six trebles in stock to replace
the Partridge hooks I used to carry. These are a round bend treble with a
round eye and a slightly shorter shank than the Partridges. Wire thickness is
a bit heavier but not excessively so and the barbs are small and crushable.
Available from my webshop -
<a href="http://www.dlstshop.co.uk">www.dlstshop.co.uk</a> at £4.50 per pack
of ten. More sizes might follow later in the year.<br />
</p>
<p></p>
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<p>
</p><hr />
<p></p>Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32590927.post-53116995689995328352021-07-08T19:29:00.004+01:002021-07-08T19:29:46.855+01:00Everything merges with the night<div>
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After my last blog post I thought the rot had set in when I blanked on yet
another evening into night session after eels. I had runs and missed them
all.
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A couple of days later and it was back to the familiar sessions of old. Lots
of twitchy bites and some runs, this time some I connected with. During this
session I was getting far more positive runs than I had on earlier sessions
for some reason even though the eels were no bigger. In total five were
landed, but nothing over a pound and a quarter. I weighed that one because
it had felt double the weight when I was bringing it in and I wanted to get
a gauge for future guestimates. It didn't look the heavier weight though.
I'd been fooled by teh lad link of the running paternoster dragging a load
of weed.
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Each time I've gone eeling I've fished a different swim. A week later I was
in a swim I'd forgotten had an ant nest in it last time I fished it. Luckily
the ants weren't making themseleves known if they were still at home. The
eels weren't either. It was a slow session resulting in one more sub-pound
eel to the off bottom worms. I got more bites from the mozzies. The
following morning my hands and back of my neck were covered in itchy red
lumps.
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Two days after that, when the itching was easing off, I fished a swim I like
a lot, but which has never matched it's initial promise. It did produce
though. Four more eels not worth netting, never mind photographing,
fell to worm baits with one bumped to a deadbait. Most of my action has been
coming to worms, but I've been putting that down to me fishing two rods with
them as bait and only one with a deadbait chunk.
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Fancying a change of approach I picked up a packet of squid and settled into
a swim I've never fished before for my first session of July. There was a
glorious sunset casting a red glow on everything, including the moorhen
which seemed to want to join me. I was wondering if I had taken up it's
night time resting place, and if it was a young bird because of it's lack of
fear of the big ugly creature on the bank.
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My landing net must have been propped up in its usual hauling out spot as
it clambered on the bank and tried to walk under the mesh. After
drifting about in front of me for ages it got out at the other side of the
swim. It wasn't keen there so ambled back to the water, where it eventually
gave up, after squawking loudly at me from within the reed beds and making
me jump!<br />
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The moorhen interlude was the highlight of the session. When I checked the
weather forecast before setting off it had looked set fair. However, when I
spoke to another angler near the car park he said there was rain forecast to
arrive around dusk. The sky did look slightly threatening and it felt muggy. I
always have a set of waterproofs in the back of the car so I stuffed them in
my folded low chair. It was around ten thirty when the drizzle started. Five
minutes later I missed a run to the squid chunk.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
That didn't herald the start of a mad feeding spell. At eleven fifteen yet
another bootlace snaffled my off bottom worms. With the rain getting heavier I
packed up shortly after that. One benefit of finishing early was that I didn't
need an afternoon nap the next day!
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
All these short eel session are starting to merge into one fuzzy session of
missed runs and small, slimy knot-tying eels. Without my diary notes I'd never
remember what happened on which session, or how many sessions there were!
Still, I was back again last night but this time in the first swim I'd fished
this year.
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<p>
This turned out to be another slow session. Proper runs were few and twitchy
takes the norm when there was action. The only take I connected with came to a
piece of squid fished close in to the edge of a reed bad. It was yet another
bootlace which somehow managed to tie the rig and itself in a great slimy
tangle when I foolishly netted it. Things were so bad I had to cut the line
and the hooklink to get the eel free. I did get the hook out of the eel -
somehow. If eels weren't supposedly endangered (there seem to be plenty round
here!) I think I'd be sticking these bootlace tangle-masters in the freezer
for pike bait!<br />
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<p style="text-align: left;">
Despite the frustration having returned I'm sure I'll be back again soon. At
least for one more try. If it's another bootlace-fest I might give the eels
a break for a week or two and try for something else.<br />
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
I had intended posting a rod advert on here, but no sooner had I listed it
on The Pikers Pit than it sold. Which surprised me as it was an 11ft 1.75lb
Torrix more suited to small river barbel or stalking carp.
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
I'd ordered the blank for myself during my summer of carp fishing but it
arrived after the short-lived interest in carp had faded away. Hence I only
got round to building it recently. Actually I started it during lockdown one
but gave up when paying work started coming in again. As I'm in a lull at
present waiting for blanks ordered months ago to turn up I passed a day
finishing it off.
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
It's a shame that Harrison's aren't supplying brown blanks any longer
because built up whipped in sand tipped brown they look rather nice. The
newish Vortex rings also look good on slim blanks like the lighter
Torrixes.<br />
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
As I spent some time trying to take some vaguely professional looking photos
of the rod (shiny things are tricky to photograph) I'll post them anyway -
despite the fact I can't replicate the build.<br />
</p>
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Dave Lumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11185234642586845923noreply@blogger.com