Crafty Carper April 2015 - Sample

A FISHING HOLIDAY WORTH £1,200

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No.212 April 2015

April 2015 | Issue 212 | £4.10 ALSO FEATURING

Simon Crow Dave Lane Ian Russell

UNKNOWN

Lewis Read Julian Cundiff

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Gary Bayes

PENNIN WITH ADAM Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

PREBAITING TA CT IC S PREVAIL

On sale 18th March –

21st April 2015

GEAR GALORE

NASH, AVID, CHUB, SHIMANO craftycarper.co

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Crafty Carper /// Issue 212 /// April 2015 /// www.craftycarper.co On the cover: Adam Penning reaping the rewards after taking on the unknown.

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Editorial James Turner

Editor James looks at what’s in store for

105

In Session With…

Adam Penning

We join Adam for a day on a local lake, to see if

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Scarper Carper Competition To mark the 10th anniversary

of Scarper Carper being open to the

he can turn up to a lake he’s never fished before

public, we’ve got a £1,200 lake exclusive

and manage to winkle one out for the camera.

week-long booking to give away to one

In true Penning form, he over-delivers.

lucky reader. One not to be missed!

you in this issue of Crafty Carper, as well as giving you his thoughts for the month.

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The Knowledge Dave Lane

Laney experiences a tough month in his latest instalment, as he plays around with a new toy and searches for the fish in the epic depths of Bundy’s Pit.

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The Secrets Of An Ouse Valley Carper Dave Little

River stalwart Dave Little looks back at some of his greatest sessions as he seeks the nomadic river carp of the Ouse.

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Crafty Carper Reader Challenge Dan Hadman

We took a Crafty reader out on the bank and challenged him to fish his favourite stinky pop-up Zig approach against some imitation Zig beetles. Which came out on top?

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Crafty Catch Column Sponsored by Sticky Baits

This is the place to get your catch pictures published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize from those top guys at Sticky Baits.

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The Great Crafty Debate This month’s panel of experts in

the debate give their opinion on whether there is such a thing as a big-fish rig or big-fish bait – or is it all just hearsay?

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The Longshank Evolution Mat Woods

Mat looks at how the lethal longshank hook rig has evolved over the years, and explains why it’s still one of his alltime favourites as a go-anywhere rig.

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From The Crow’s Nest Simon Crow

Make bait an edge – Simon looks at how your choice in bait can be the biggest edge in your carp-angling armoury, and backs it up with plenty of results from various baits over the years.

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BYCAC – The British Young Carpers’

Angling Championship Ever wanted to become the champion? It’s easy to enter, and you can pit your wits against other junior anglers, as well as carp

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to over 40lb in Linear Fisheries’ Oxlease.

The One-Day Campaign

Gear Galore

James Fox

There’s tons of the latest gear reviewed in

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Crafty Carper Under-21s In the Under-21s section

If you’re currently looking at undertaking your 2015

this issue, from some of the biggest names

campaign and thinking it will be a long hard slog,

in the game. If you like to know what’s

you’ll be interested to find out how James Fox’s 2014

currently available and keep up to date with

of the capture of his personal best,

campaign started and ended within just 12 hours.

the latest tackle, you’re in the right place.

Single Scale, and BYCAC champ Michael

this month, Kai Richards tells the story

Bamber checks in with his blog.

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Contents /// April 2015

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Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest

and greatest products of carpy cuisine on the shelves of a tackle

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shop near you, as well as the Editor’s Choice of the month and a crafty tip from Joe Turnbull.

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Carp Food In Focus – Blakes Baits

We take a look at what’s in store from the guys at Blakes Baits. Not only do they produce top-quality boilies, there’s also plenty more to intrigue you.

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Solving The Rig Puzzle Ellis Brazier

If you’re stumped when it comes to rigs, then page 65 is well worth a look. Ellis outlines three straightforward rigs for varying situations, while explaining why he makes these choices.

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The TicketMaster We’ve got four day ticket

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In Focus – Chub At the other end of the

pricing spectrum are the Chub Outkast rods, which already have a huge

fisheries from across the country

following. With a price tag under

in the pages of TicketMaster

£100, we’re not going to argue, and

this month, and free fishing

you get a lot of rod for your money.

offers for every reader to take advantage of. Get on it!

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Hot Holiday – Cretelakes Looking to go on a cross-

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In Focus – Prologic After 2 years of extensive

development and testing, we check out the brand new Prologic Mimicry 3D

Channel angling adventure? Check

monofilament main line. We took it on the

out the Cretelakes complex on

bank and gave it a workout in the water.

page 74; there’s something for everyone and big carp galore!

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Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of

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Inbox Keep up to date with what’s

been going on, and you can get in touch with us too. The best reader letter wins a £50 voucher. You can also see who

Find The Spring Feeding

won the Facebook catch competition in

Zone Steve Broad

conjunction with Fox International.

As spring takes hold, Carpworld editor Steve Broad explains

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Diary Of An Everyday Carp Angler Julian Cundiff

the best products on the market,

how finding the area in which

and give you the low-down on

a carp is most comfortable to

what’s hot and what’s not. Plus

feed can totally transform the

he’s also up against some cruel weather, a

the Crafty Team reveal their

beginning of your season.

flat tyre on his bike, and the syndicate work

essential items this month.

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In Focus – Nash The Scope range has

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Jules not only battles against time this month,

parties. In spite of this, he still bags a few.

The Question Is This month’s carping

conundrums are answered by our

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Taking On Wraysbury Jo Green

Well-known lady angler Jo Green relives her

been really well received, and with

panel of experts. If you get your

the introduction of two brollies

question answered you’ll be receiving

memorable trips to RK Leisure’s famous

into the range, it’s only right that

a cracking prize straight to your door.

Wraysbury 1. Never did she think she would

we take a proper look at them.

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In Focus – Avid Carp Carp care is of the utmost

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get amongst the fish on her first visit.

Hinders Competition We’ve got a whole host

of the awesome Betalin & Black bait

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Five-Minute Interrogation Miranda Brown

Competition carp-angling lady Miranda

importance, and we take great pride

range from the guys at Hinders to

in caring for our catch, so it’s only

give away to some lucky readers, so

is in the hot seat this month, as we

right that we have the right tools for

it’s well worth heading to page 111.

find out exactly what makes her tick,

the job. Roll out the Avid Carp Cradle.

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In Focus – Rod Hutchinson

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Subscribe If you want to get your

favourite carp-fishing magazine

what she hopes to achieve, and why she devotes so much to her hobby.

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Mega Deals If you’re up for a bargain

Bait is very much a personal

through your letter box every month,

preference, and with a range going

then this is the place to go. Take

by the name of Gourmet from Rod

advantage of our great offer this

over to page 130 to check out our

Hutchinson, it sounds like it’s going to

month and you will receive a whole

Mega Deals, for the best offers from

be tasty. Find out more on page 85.

host of Sticky Baits’ Vor-Tex.

the country’s leading retailers.

then you’ll definitely want to head

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The Secrets of an Ouse Valley Carper Dave Little

ANGLER PROFILE.

Dave Little Age 38 Hometown

Welwyn Garden City

With the river season coming to a close, we catch up with Dave Little, who, over the years, has had plenty of success on the mighty River Ouse. We find out about some of his favourite captures, not to mention all the hard work which goes into each one. Rivers can be full of secrets and something of a mystery to many, and if you’re thinking about a campaign and baiting some stretches in the close season, river carping isn’t for the faint-hearted.

I

’ve lived in the Ouse Valley for a

wandering around an old boatyard, I

they eat? How long and far do they

number of years now, and have

caught my first glimpse of such a living

swim? Where do they hide in winter?

been quite spoilt with fishing in

thing; I came across a carp of epic

The last question is one I have

general, and the wildlife and nature.

proportions for a river. It was huge,

asked myself for a number of years

Plumber

With huge windswept gravel pits

bobbing around on the still surface of

now, and in truth I still don’t have the

UK personal best

and leafy overgrown ponds, the

the water in the boatyard, but it was a

foggiest idea. It concerns the mystery

45lb 3oz

area is a pure delight for all carp

few years before I managed to actually

of these wandering carp, which really

Favourite venue

anglers. Carving its way through the

catch one from the river, although I

do travel for miles up and down our

Windswept big pits and rivers

middle of it all is the majestic River

have continued doing so ever since.

waterways. I was given proof of this

Fishing the River Ouse has been

with my own capture of a river carp I

Did you know...

and has been somewhat generous

a challenging affair, but also a

had caught previously; it then turned

in sharing with us some real gems

worthwhile one. When quizzed about

up in a catch shot 5 miles downstream

and truly stunning river carp.

tackling the river, the biggest question

and through two locks, to the good

I get asked is where to start. On

fortune of another lucky angler – 3

the river, chasing gudgeon, bream and

such a mile-long venue and with the

years after I caught it. This in itself is

chub. I had heard the rumours of river

captures of the fish not being noted,

a truly amazing feat, not only because

carp in this most uncharacteristic of

their wild and nomadic nature is also

of the distance the river

venues, and one summer’s day, whilst

a mystery. Where do they go, what do

nomads are prepared to

Occupation

Dave has travelled the globe doing his other hobby, which is surfing.

Ouse. The river is 143 miles long

I was just a boy when I first fished

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Carpers’ Kit

Team Crafty Carper

Starbaits Air-Dry Bag RRP: Standard £10.99; XL £13.99

Wychwood The Slug

Online: starbaits.co.uk

RRP: £12.99 each Online: wychwood-carp.co.uk

A very good-quality air-dry bag which will definitely last more than one season of use.

The Slug bobbin aids bite indication because it can be used for whatever

It features tough zips, a rubberised mesh, and

situation you are faced with, whether it be slack lining, fishing tight

good-quality handles. Perfect for keeping your

lines, or semi-slack. You get a fair deal with each one too, as you

boilies close to hand, hanging from a nearby

receive adjustable weights, chains and a Dacron cord. Perfect!

branch or the like when on longer sessions.

Heritage Ltd Edition Skinny Tip Protector RRP: £7.99 Online: heritageltdedition.bigcartel.com Keeping your prized possessions intact is always a good start, so tip protectors are an essential item of luggage. These skinny versions from Heritage are spot on. Not only are they available in the DPM Camo pictured, you can also get them in Olive or Black. Nice!

Avid Carp Transit RC Chair

DAY SESSION ESSENTIAL

RRP: £109.99

Chub Vantage Daysack

Online: avidcarp.com

RRP: £29.99 Online: chubfishing.com

This beauty has been designed for total comfort on the bank, boasting a fully adjustable

If you want to scale down for fishing quick day sessions, then

back which reclines, as well as adjustable

this is most definitely an essential piece of luggage. It’s stylish,

legs with mud feet and armrests. The seat

lightweight and compact, while boasting a generous 20ltr capacity,

of the chair is amazingly comfortable, with

and is perfect for roving anglers or the stalkers who wish to keep

boosted cushioning and a pillow area.

all essentials to hand. The shoulder straps are well padded and comfortable, even when fully-laden, and the waist belt and chest harness is a nice touch for added comfort. There’s also a pocket for a hydration reservoir with an outlet, as well as an internal access music player pocket with headphone port. There’s a pocket to the front, an adjustable side bottle holder, and an integrated rain cover.

Rig-It Tackle R1 Hand Sharpened Hooks RRP: £7.50 per pack of 10 Online: rigittackle.com For those of you who would like to use handsharpened hooks but don’t have the knowledge or sharpening equipment to do so, the guys at Rig-It supply their own brand of hooks which have been sharpened by hand – and talk about sharp. The R1 is a Wide Gape pattern.

Stillwater Carp Pit 6-Leg Bedchair RRP: £79.99 Online: chapmansangling.co.uk With six adjustable legs, a lightweight frame, an integrated zip-out pillow, tilting mud feet, a wellie wipe, and a weight of 10.6kg, you get a lot of product for such a reasonable outlay. The wide padding is a nice touch, and it covers the handwheels to ensure you won’t lay on one.

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Carpers’ Kit

Team Crafty Carper

AFFORDABLE CARBON JRC Skyliner Carbon Throwing Stick

It “Rig orked w on kle Tac magic end r e i the C’s, th tely SS bsolu .” a my y ult e awa e r s m m blew l Cotta Bil

RRP: £39.99 each Online: jrc-carp.com

Gardner Phazor Headtorch RRP: £9.99

This new carbon throwing stick from

Online: gardnertackle.co.uk

JRC is a great affordable alternative

weight, so very easy on the arm when

light and a 50 lumen output, while

you want to get some long-distance

only weighing 1oz. It’s water-resistant

heavy prebaiting done, and establish

and takes standard AA batteries.

your own bait on a new water this

The Phazor also has the option of a

year. It utilises T36 carbon with a

red light, and the best thing is that

1K woven carbon finish with a matt

you get all that for under a tenner.

surface treatment, and a Japanese shrink rubber handle finish, which is a nice touch and gives easy grip. The stick also comes supplied within a neoprene protection sleeve, so you definitely can’t complain at the price.

Nash Zed Bed 3 RRP: Standard £175.99; Wide 208.99 Online: nashtackle.co.uk

Shimano Aspire Fluorocarbon RRP: £8.99 per 50m spool

The Zed Bed offers a lay-flat frame design, with a super-strong frame and

Online: shimanofishing.com

comfortable mattress, and the head section can be inclined for comfort too.

The legs are fully adjustable with swivel mud feet, and it folds down to a

Aspire is made in Japan, and once submerged the

very minimal size. There’s both a Standard and Wide version available.

fluorocarbon becomes practically invisible, plus it sinks like a stone. It’s perfect for creating fluorocarbon rigs to give a natural presentation, or utilising within a combi-rig. The 0.30mm has a 14.7lb breaking strain, and the 0.35mm version is rated to 18lb. It also comes foil-packed to help prevent UV damage to the line.

NGT Insulated Carryall RRP: £17.95 Online: facebook.com/nextgentackle This is a great piece of competitively priced luggage. It’s well made and ideal for a variety of purposes, either storing bait or your own food if you want to keep everything as fresh as possible.

The bag is well padded with a generous main pocket, adjustable straps and good-quality zips.

E-S-P Anchor Braid RRP: £5.95 per 10m spool Online: esp-carpgear.com

END TACKLE AND HAND-SHARPENED HOOK SPECIALISTS

on the market. It’s extremely light in

catalogue offers two levels of white

DISCOVER LIFE AT THE SHARP END

to many other carbon sticks currently This new addition to the Gardner Tackle

Available in Gravel Brown and Weedy Green, this heavyweight hooklink braid has been designed to sink quickly without the need for putty. It’s extremely supple and hugs the contours of the lakebed with ease. Available in 15lb and 20lb breaking strains.

Phat Fish Bobble Hat RRP: £14.99 Online: phatfishclothing.co.uk

Visit our website to find your local stockist

With the mornings still being chilly, you want to keep your head warm while still looking good on the bank. Phat Fish have

www.rigittackle.com

done a good job of combining both function and style with this cool-looking bobble hat.

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T 07722 881 823 E rigittackle@gmail.com 09/03/2015 16:05

C O M I N G S O O N T H E L AT E S T B O O K F R O M A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S

Three

BIVVY

I

t goes without saying that carp fishing is different things to different people. As in most other things, time spent carp fishing changes you. You revisit some of your previous material when you come down to the nitty-gritty of the mundane chores required for the completion of a book project – like coming up with the jacket material. Having based the introduction to this book on a quote by Ernest Hemingway, I was surprised to read the following on the back flap of the jacket of More From the Bivvy: ‘…the buzzer sounding will always be meaningful and uplifting, but there came a time when the need for a sense of achievement started to conflict with the simple need to catch something.’ I was surprised, not because it isn’t true, but because I didn’t remember writing it! In my case, that change in outlook is emphasised in my carp-fishing approach in From the Bivvy, and the two books from 20 years or so later, More From the Bivvy and Bivvy Three. Over the years, what I caught, and from where, has become increasingly meaningful. If it is of any consolation to those of you who are too responsible, or simply don’t have the inclination, to pursue big fish, or fish long sessions, then I cannot pretend that carp fishing hasn’t become less enjoyable over the years, because for the most part it has. It is fitting that the Bivvy books have finished where they began, in Shropshire. I have travelled far and wide, but my memories of Snowberry in Bedfordshire, and Birch Grove and the Mangrove in Shropshire, eclipse all else in terms of the joy of simply being by the water, and trying to catch carp. Some captures are more significant than others, but if they bring you joy, then they are all meaningful..

£30.00 PRE-ORDER FROM

0114 258 0812 W W W. T H E C A R P S T O R E . C O M

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