NIDAY I W OL WO A H R T CE
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arper.c o
No.219 November 2015
November 2015 | Issue 219 | £4.25
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE WEEKEND
MORE INNER-CITY ADVENTURES
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Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
DIY HOOKBAITS
GO-ANYWHERE RIG
LANEY LOOKS BACK
On sale 21st October–17th November 2015
Create your own cost-effective, successful, alternative baits
Tom Maker details the rig which catches carp everywhere he goes
Dave ponders why this month has often been his most successful
craftycarper.co
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 219 /// November 2015 /// www.craftycarper.co
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On the cover: Alan Blair with a mirror taken from suburban surroundings.
Editorial James Turner Editor James looks at what’s
in store for you in this issue of
17
Crafty Carper, and reveals what he’s
40
Alternative DIY Hookbaits
Urban Banx Alan Blair
Ian Hirst
been up to over the past month.
Our exclusive with Alan and his Urban
Ian has got a few tricks up his sleeve when
Banx series continues, as he and Oli Davies
it comes to alternative hookbaits, and here
head off to Amsterdam. However, a stop-off
he showcases how to create your own on
in Belgium is needed because Oli has a score
the bank. It’s quick, simple, and it catches.
to settle from their last adventure.
15
Avid Carp Competition Avid Carp are releasing a new
Day Session Kit, which is something to be admired, and we managed to get them to offer up some for our readers. Head over to page 15 for your chance to win.
28
They’re Just Like Buses Rich Bennewith
After 25 years of carp angling, Rich Bennewith had never caught a 40. That soon changed while fishing Dinton, followed by another from Farriers, and then the biggest fish in Wales, all in a matter of weeks.
35
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 the top guys at Sticky Baits.
47
Crafty Carper Under-21s Dan Price begins his monthly
blog properly, so you can find out what he’s been up to over the last month. Prolific young angler Harry Pratt heads off to France, and our overseas blogger, Troy Cavey, has been out doing it, as ever.
54
Eden’s Lake Competition This month, our friends at
Eden’s Lake in France are giving you the opportunity to win a holiday for two (worth £500) on one of their lakes. This is an epic prize because the place is stunning.
57
Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and
greatest products of carpy cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you, as well as the Editor’s Choice of the month, and a crafty tip from Joe Turnbull.
65
The Key To A Healthy Environment
David Smith Our resident fishery consultant, David, looks at a couple of jobs which are a regular occurrence for a lot of fisheries,
23
on the market, and give you
hauling machine, we caught up
back on his St Ives syndicate.
the low-down on what’s hot
with him on the bank to find
The month of September has
and what’s not. Plus the
out which rig does the business
been kind to him in the past,
Crafty Team give you their
for him. He actually uses the
and he was hoping for that run
of experts. If you get your question
essential items this month.
same rig for all situations.
to continue – but does it?
answered you’ll receive a cracking
We take a look at
some of the best products
Go-Anywhere Rig Tom Maker
With Tom being an all-out
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and explains the benefits. Get ready
99
Carpers’ Kit
The Knowledge
for lots of weed-raking, and the science
Dave Lane
behind why chalk is applied to lakes.
This month, Dave has been
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The Question Is This month’s carping
conundrums are answered by our panel
prize delivered straight to your door.
4
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Contents /// November 2015
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Moving Into Winter: Ring The Changes
Rich Seeds On page 103 you’ll find a review of
126
the latest offering from Edwards Custom upgrades. They have now created their own bite alarms and receivers, hand-built in England, and it’s tarty tackle at its finest.
80
Subscribe If you want to get your
favourite carp-fishing magazine through the letter box every month, then this is the place to go. Take out a subscription this month and you can take advantage of a new set of Nash Sirens.
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Weigh Up Your Options Rich Adams
Rich looks at the problem we are often faced with when selecting which approach to take. Do you fish a popped up hookbait, sit it on the deck, or go in between with a balanced hookbait attack?
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In Focus – Avid Carp On a visit to the recent
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The TicketMaster We’ve got four day ticket
Avid Carp trade show, we managed to
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Gravel Pit Carping Marv Wait
The big windswept gravel pits
see and feel a whole host of quality
are seemingly a very daunting
fisheries from across the country in the
gear from the boys at Avid, and it’s only
place to go chasing carp. Marv
pages of TicketMaster this month, and
right that we let you in on what’s set to
looks at a few pointers which
free fishing offers for every reader to
hit the shelves. Put it this way, there’s
should put you one step ahead
take advantage of. Get on it!
lots, and it’s all good!
and help you out along the way.
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Hot Holiday – Petit Pretre If you’re looking for a venue
overseas for next year, take a look at
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In Focus – Navitas We get an exclusive look
at the latest addition to the Navitas
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Inbox Keep up to date
with the latest news, and
the beautiful Petit Pretre in France.
clothing range; they are set to release
you can also get in touch
Hurry though, because it’s fast
the Core range, which will enable
to see what’s happening
becoming a very popular choice.
you to pick up the same great quality
on the carpy grapevine.
103
In Focus – Wychwood On page 103 you’ll find
a review of the latest offering in the
items at a fraction of the usual price.
107
In Focus – RidgeMonkey
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Diary Of An Everyday Carp
Angler Julian Cundiff
RidgeMonkey are well known for
Jules is back with his diary,
the Waters Edge Boots. I’ve been using
the sandwich maker, and now
with a whole 2 months to
them for the last couple of months, so
they’ve moved into the world of
fit into one issue, and he’s
it’s a full used-and-abused account!
carbon throwing sticks. They’ve
been doing what he does
done a very good job too, so
best – catching carp for fun.
footwear department from Wychwood,
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take a look on page 107.
108
In Focus – Nash The new Scope Black
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Escape To Morocco
Jo Green
Ops range is getting plenty of air-
As winter hits the UK, our
time on social media, so we took a
regular Crafty contributor Jo
closer look. We’ve got to say that
Green heads off to warmer
the Scope Black Ops are totally
climes, namely Morocco,
next level – check them out here.
and the enormous inland
109
In Focus – Greys
Renowned for creating top-quality rods, the guys at Greys have unveiled
sea of Bin el Ouidane.
130
Mega Deals If you’re up for a
bargain then you’ll definitely
their new spod and marker rods,
want to head over to page 130
and we got to take them out for a
to check out our Mega Deals for
test drive with Greys’ Ed Betteridge.
some of the best offers from
Find out more on page 109.
the country’s leading retailers.
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Knowledge The
Dave Lane
Over the years, September has been very kind to Dave, but was it as productive this year? We’ll let the man himself give you an insight into his last month of angling.
S
eptember certainly started off
By mid-afternoon, I had managed
and healthy for the years ahead.
with a bang, but unfortunately,
to convince myself that a swim on
not for me. I arrived at the lake
the opposite bank was worth a try. I
target fish had just been caught, the
to find that the Island Swim I had been
settled in that night with a fair amount
capture changed the shape of my
concentrating on was already occupied;
of confidence, in the bait positioning
session considerably. Dave decided
in fact it had been since the day I
at least. I knew the spots were good
to celebrate his good fortune at a
left! Dave Little had taken a week off
anyway, so it was just a matter of if
pre-planned barbecue that evening,
work to concentrate on the lake and
there were actually any carp present to
to be held on my side of the lake. As
see what he could bag. Amazingly, he
notice. At some time in the wee small
his work at the lake was now done, he
was still to get a bite. I say amazingly,
hours, I was woken by a shout ringing
suggested we swap swims. He could
because the swim was showing lots of
out across the lake, and I made out
be nearer to the festivities and, as it
signs of life, with fish bubbling up in
the word ‘Colin’ as it bounced about
turned out, not even sitting behind
the silt and the occasional roll on the
the trees. I knew what had happened
rods, and I could have a night in the
surface. He was as mystified as I was
straight away, and I also knew where
going swim. This worked perfectly
about the lack of action. I would have
it would have occurred. Dave had
for me, so after setting up house
loved to have been able to have a go
bagged the lake’s biggest resident,
and clipping up the rods at the right
in there, but his session wasn’t due to
Colin the Carp, from the Island Swim.
distances in my new plot, I wandered
end until the day I was going home,
I was very interested as to what it
As it transpired, although my
round to join in the fun for a few hours,
so I set off for a walkabout, to see
might weigh. In a strange way, I was
where looked like second best. That’s
hoping it had dropped below 50lb, as
the problem with busy lakes. Once the
the last time I had seen it on the bank
often occurs around the beginning of
fish get settled in an area, if you aren’t
at 53lb, there was a very apparent
September, and that’s the changing of
the one in the swim, then you struggle
build-up of spawn, and a fish which
bite times to night feeding. It is almost
for confidence fishing elsewhere.
holds on to its load after the others
as if a switch gets thrown, and all at
I realise that it’s highly unlikely
have shed theirs can be heading for
once, the wee small hours of morning
that all the carp in any one lake are
trouble the following spring. Luckily
are the prime time, and the more
occupying the same piece of water,
though, she looked extremely healthy
traditional dawn spells seem to drop
but often that’s where they go to
and had dropped to 47lb, which would
off considerably. Often, it evens itself
feed, and that’s where the majority of
be about right considering the size
out over the following months, but
the bites come from. Even on massive
of the frame and the time of year. A
when it does first change, it is sudden
lakes I have fished in the past, there
fish of those proportions can easily
and complete, and this lake appears to
are always one or two areas which,
replace a pound every week or two
be no exception. The two or three bites
come the start of autumn, do the
over the autumn period, and I would
prior to Dave’s were also in the night,
vast majority of the bites, and that
assume that she will be back over the
the first ones for ages, so it was no
leaves an awful lot of water which
magical 50lb barrier before winter
real surprise when I was dragged from
isn’t really worth the effort to fish.
sets in. And, most importantly, nice
my bed by a belting take at 4.00 a.m.
before casting out just before dark. There is a strange phenomenon that
It may have been due to the glass of Getting set for some September night action.
wine I had washed my pork chops down with the previous evening, but as far as I heard, there were no preliminary bleeps or forewarning. The alarm went from silent into meltdown mode as line was ripped from the clutch. I rolled out of bed, neatly missing the boots I had carefully laid out for such an occurrence, and in my now soggy socks, I bent into the fish. My elation, however, was extremely short-lived, and no sooner than the battle started, it was over, with the hook pulling clean out and the line falling slack.
September 18th, and the big Northants leather went back.
I was mortified, having only lost two
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The Knowledge Dave Lane
other fish all year, and both of those in heavy weed conditions. This one had just dropped off in open water, only 20 yards or so from the bank, with no apparent reason whatsoever. The hook was still razor-sharp (although I changed it anyway, just in case) and the lead had dropped off, leaving me in full contact. Sometimes it just isn’t meant to be, I suppose. As it grew light that morning, I knew there was no way I could possibly pack up and go home on a loss like that. I obviously had fish feeding in the swim and chances like that don’t come about every day, so I rearranged my life a bit and settled in for an extra night. I was red-hot confident of a take, and this was rewarded when, just before daybreak, one of the other rods, also fished in the silt, ripped off. This time the carp stayed firmly hooked. He embedded himself for ages in a big raft of floating weed which had drifted into my right-hand margin, and at times, it was all getting a bit nerve-wracking. In the end I managed to slide the net under 32lb of mirror carp and about 50lb of attached weed! Sometimes you have to go the extra mile to get the result you want, and then, in this case, work twice as hard to meet your deadlines when you get back home a day later than planned. September is often one of the best times in the carp-angling calendar. I have always had a thing for mid-September. It harks right back to my early years on Harefield and Pit Four in the Colne Valley, and the times when I used to fish with my old mate Keith Jenkins. September 14th is his daughter Christine’s birthday, and the 12th was my then girlfriend’s birthday. Unfortunately, it was also the week when we seemed to get our best results. We used to struggle to get away from home, obviously, but we somehow managed, and I had a few personal bests and big catches during this period. Even now, decades later, the 2 weeks in the middle of September is one of
“I was mortified, having only lost two other fish all year, and both of those in heavy weed conditions. This one had just dropped off in open water, only 20 yards or so from the bank...”
my most confident times, second only to late May. I don’t know quite what happens at this precise time of year, but if I hover the cursor over any digital pics of September, most
of the more memorable ones will reveal a date that is spookily similar. Last year I had a huge hit on Burghfield, including the lake’s biggest surviving mirror and 10 other fish. My campaign for
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D
A A V L IA
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M I A
IR T
H
URBAN BANX B
NEV ER MIS S AN OPP ORT UNI TY!
Alan is back, and this time in Urban Banx, he heads off on a road trip to Amsterdam with Oli Davies, but not before Oli tries to settle the score at the Belgian canal he blanked on in last year’s big Euro Banx road trip.
I
don’t need an excuse to go on a
space in the car at a premium, I took
mission, but being as busy as I
some of the bulkier kit over in advance.
am, a lot of my angling revolves
We met at Dave’s house for a quick
around visiting somewhere for work,
catch-up and offloaded my gear. While
and squeezing in a bit of fishing
we were in the area, we decided it
around it. This kind of approach ends
would have been rude not to stop off at
up taking me to some interesting and
the now well-known canal spot where
unusual places, often just for a few
we went for a quick dangle. Oli had a
hours or a quick night, and occasionally,
score to settle, as he still had to bank a
Oli tags along for the adventure.
Belgian carp. With a tight schedule we
So, with a shop day coming
couldn’t stay long – it was a
up, in, of all places,
case of lowering in a rod
Utrecht in Holland,
each and laying them
it was a great excuse to throw some rods in the van and sample some Dutch carp fishing while we were there. There
on the deck for a
“After a ballistic scrap in and out of the snags, he duly banked a typical long, lean Belgian common”
few minutes. As it
Amsterdam, meeting up with Matt from the Nash office, who was out there with a few mates.
only 2 minutes
mirror of over 20kg. Unfortunately, it
we were biteless, and it was
for the tip of Oli’s
had actually been caught the previous
time to pack up and move on.
Scope to slam
day, but although it was unlikely to
We drove to Henglesport Utrect
over, and after a
slip up again, we decided to have a go
to drop off the stuff for the shop
ballistic scrap in and
anyway. Set in the middle of a housing
day, and have a chat with the owner,
out of the snags, he
estate, it’s a typical park lake; shallow
Sander. With the rest of the day to
duly banked a typical long,
with an island, and a stream running in
kill, he pointed us in the direction of
lean Belgian common. Job done!
and out. There were a gang of kids on
a couple of spots worth fishing.
After our brief pit stop, we bid our
mopeds and a few dog walkers there,
was the added incentive of a night in
Urban Banx!
happened, it took
We started off on a tiny dyke, which
It was late February and the water was
friends farewell and got back on the
but thankfully, no other anglers, and
was so narrow that you could almost
still cold, so we were under no illusions
road, and we were buzzing. We headed
after a quick lap we went to get the
jump across it; the polar opposite to
that this trip would be easy fishing,
across Belgium and soon crossed the
and any fish we caught would be a
border into Holland. It was well
bonus. If anything, it was a recce trip,
dark by the time we arrived
with a return in the warmer months in
in Utrecht, and we wasted
mind. We could have not bothered, but
no time in heading over
mirror carp slowly saunter
up and down, chasing bubblers and
you have to be in it to win it, right?
to our first stop of
off, so two of his rods
lowering baits into the silt kicked up
the trip, a tiny park
were placed right in
by feeding fish, but all I had to show
Channel Tunnel. We were both excited
lake in the suburbs.
the edge. As usual, I
for my efforts was a couple of bream.
to finally be off on a little jaunt – it
This lake is home
went all-out to try
Once again, it was time for a change
had been too long! My enthusiasm
to a handful of carp,
to catch one, but
of scenery. We stopped off at another
inevitably led to me tying a few rigs
including one giant scaly
As with all Euro trips, it began at the
gear out of the van. Oli flicked on
the huge shipping canals of Oostende.
his headtorch in the margins,
Amazingly, in there lived another large
and was surprised to see the large pale shape of a
come 8.00 a.m.
mirror carp, also over the magical 20kg mark. We spent a few hours roving
spot where we hoped to do the night.
while we were whisked under the sea,
Situated next to a retail park on the
and by the time we arrived on French
outskirts of Utrecht, this was a large
soil, the van was starting to look
shallow bay with a space-age water
like a rig board. No Euro trip
treatment works right in the middle.
is complete without
It’s part of a system of waterways and
a quick stop-off
is joined to the canal, which runs into
in Belgium to
a massive lake a few hundred metres
see our mates
away. The fish come into the shallow
Gio and Dave, so we headed along
bay from the main lake to spawn, but being February, it was
the coast towards Oostende. It
unlikely they would
was actually a bit more than a
be there just yet.
social call, as I was going back
Still, when I had
to Belgium a few weeks later,
visited the
camping with the family, and with
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previous year, I
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Urban Banx Alan Blair
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HOT HOLIDAY VENUE
PETIT PRETRE It’s the time of the year when we all want to fish in warmer climes, so we’re taking a look at a cracking holiday retreat over in France which goes by the name of Petit Pretre, or ‘Little Priest’ in English. It might be right up your street for a trip to the Continent in 2016.
P
etit Pretre is situated within
for a relaxing carp-fishing holiday.
theme, the individual lakes are named
on the two lakes already open to the
the beautiful Champagne-
Petit Pretre was originally excavated
Cloisters Lake, Chapel Lake, and the
public; seven on Cloisters and four on
Ardennes region of France,
by monks hundreds of years ago,
soon to be opened Temple Lake. There
Chapel. When Temple Lake opens next
just a 3½hr-drive from the port
in order to supply them with food,
are also plans to excavate a fourth
year, an additional three anglers will
of Calais. The lakes are nestled
and was first recorded and mapped
lake on the complex, above Temple,
fill the complex, although Temple will
within 52 acres of idyllic, unspoilt
during the reign of Louis XV in the
which is to be called St. Andrew’s Lake,
be available on a lake-exclusive basis.
woodland, giving you a very
mid-1700s, hence the name Petit
after the patron saint of fishing.
secluded location which is perfect
Pretre (Little Priest). To continue the
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At the moment, 11 anglers can fish
Facilities at the venue include a large chalet with toilets and showers,
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FISHERY FACT FILE:
PETIT PRETRE Location: Champagne-Ardennes region; 3½ hours from Calais; nearest town Montier-en-Der (2km). Lakes: Cloisters (7½ acres) and Chapel (5½ acres); New lake (Temple) available 2016 (4 acres). All lakes feature clay bottoms with silt-filled gullies, overhanging trees, reedbeds and islands. Fish stocks: Cloisters – 300 carp to 61lb (mirror), cats to 88lb; Chapel – 250 fish to 50lb (mirror), average weight 30lb; Temple will have 200 carp to 35lb.
cost, with breakfast and evening
cats to 88lb. With 11 swims for
Facilities:
meals taken in the clubhouse, and
the seven anglers fishing the
Toilet/shower block; kitchen area
the reviews we’ve had of the meal
water, there is plenty of room for
next to clubhouse; electric points;
package have all been positive.
everyone. The lake has tree-lined
meal packages (breakfast and
margins with margin reeds, and
evening meal £120 pp/pw);
all tastes, with the two lakes holding
plenty of features to fish to, with
guests are allowed (one per
fish up to and over the magical 60lb
depths to around 7ft. The water
angler, free of charge).
barrier, following the recent capture of
has a clay bottom and features silt
a 61lb monster from Cloisters, which
beds and several small bars. There
Bait:
is one hell of a fish to add to your
is also a sunken island which is a
Boilies, particles and pellet allowed;
photo album. The Chapel Lake isn’t
natural fish-holding spot, and a
all particles to be purchased on site;
far behind, with fish fast approaching
large island with numerous features
bait boats allowed; bait available
the 50lb mark. The average size is
which is fringed with trees.
to purchase; bait deal 15kg offer
Angling at Petit Pretre caters for
30lb and the lakes are well stocked.
@ €76 – 5kg boilies/5kg pellet/5kg
There are also some cats up to 88lb
CHAPEL LAKE
particle; 30kg offer @ €136 – 10kg
in the waters. The third lake on the
Slightly smaller at 5½ acres, and
boilies/10kg pellet/10kg particle.
complex, Temple, which opens next
with four swims for the four anglers
year, will be more of a runs water,
fishing, this lake holds around
Booking/equipment hire:
with fish up to 35lb to begin with, but
250 fish to nearly 50lb. There are
Exclusive bookings taken;
with the way they’ve been growing
several small islands with bars
unhooking mats and weigh
in the other lakes, it won’t take them
leading off, which are good fish-
slings provided; bedhairs and
long to break the 40lb barrier.
holding areas. Both lakes have an
chairs available for hire.
Petit Pretre came under the
average fish size of 30lb, and like
ownership of Bob Merrills and Helen
Cloisters, this lake is reed-fringed
Prices:
Cundall in June this year, and they
with willow, birch and beech trees
2016 prices – Cloisters Lake
live on site with their energetic
overhanging the water. The depths
exclusive (up to seven anglers)
pointer puppy called Donut. It’s a
go to around 10ft and it has an
£1,500 pw. Chapel Lake exclusive
home-from-home setting, and they
undulating lakebed, so there are
(up to four anglers) £925 pw.
are always on hand to ensure anglers
plenty of features to fish to.
Individual booking £250 pw.
and a clubhouse where anglers can
have a relaxing and rewarding holiday,
meet, enjoy a meal and a drink, and
so don’t hesitate to ask for any
TEMPLE LAKE (AVAILABLE 2016)
enquire for details. Breakfast
recharge their batteries – as well as
pointers before you start angling.
At 4 acres, Temple will open for
and evening meals available.
Shorter sessions available,
angling in 2016. It is intended
phones, etc. There are also fridges and freezers for bait storage, and
CLOISTERS LAKE
to be more of a runs water than
Contact:
bait and some tackle supplies are
This is the largest lake at Petit Pretre,
Cloisters and Chapel, and will be
Tel. (0033) 0659 137286.
available to purchase on site. A meal
at 7½ acres. It is stocked with 350
rented as an exclusive booking
Email: petitpretrefishing@gmail.com
deal is also available at an added
fish to 61lb and there are several
venue for three anglers. CC
Web: www.petitpretre.com
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By Dave Levy Fallen Kings is the story of Dave Levy’s angling so far, and takes its title from the mirror and common carp under the king carp strain. It follows Dave from being a small boy who dreams of catching fish, angling in streams, to growing up to become a wellrespected carp angler fishing some of the well-known big-fish waters in the country. What is most extraordinary about Dave’s story is the fact that he’s achieved his ambition of catching big carp while balancing everyday life that most of us face.
£30
+P&P
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW FROM: www.thecarpstore.com A4_DaveLevyBook_Ad 1
11/09/2015 14:08