A FISHING HOLIDAY WORTH £1,200
craftyc
arper.c o
No.212 April 2015
April 2015 | Issue 212 | £4.10 ALSO FEATURING
Simon Crow Dave Lane Ian Russell
UNKNOWN
Lewis Read Julian Cundiff
G
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.
65
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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Crafty Carper
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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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