Crafty Carper March 2016

win » cygnet Gear

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worth over £750

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No.223 March 2016

March 2016 | Issue 223 | £4.25

EXCLUSIVE An

UrbanBanx Adventure Jason Massay AND ALAN BLAIR tackle the Wharf in Cardiff’s city centre with spectacular results

10

Stillwater

REELS

TO BE WON

your essentials for the weekend

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

The best baits Latest new rigs

Worth over

£520

Must-have gear

competition

Expert advice

On sale 17th February–22nd March 2016

Understanding zigs

Day-ticket tactics

have faith in singles

Dave Lane reveals why midwater baits should never be ignored

The man of the moment, Tom Maker, shares another epic session on St Johns

Crowy explains why fishing lone hookbaits can be simply deadly

craftycarper.co

ADVANCED BAIT ATTRACTION Boost your PVA for unbelievable results 001_Cover_CC223.indd 1

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Crafty Carper /// Issue 223 /// March 2016 /// www.craftycarper.co

7

On the cover: Jason Massay with a lovely carp caught while fishing Cardiff Wharf with Alan Blair for the Urban Banx feature.

Editorial Steve Broad Steve’s taken over the hot

seat as editor for the time being. He

14

Cygnet Competition Cygnet’s 20/20 bankware

is some of the best around, and

reveals what’s in store for you in this

87

Don’t Doubt The Singles Simon Crow

issue of Crafty Carper, and looks at

Do you have enough confidence

the exciting changes on a syndicate

to fish single baits in winter? Simon Crow

there’s lots to be won, along with

says you should, and here he lets us into the

butt grips and even indicators,

secret of how keeping it single and simple

in this £750+ competition.

can be a very effective style of angling.

venue that’s close to his heart.

16

Urban Banx – Cardiff Alan Blair

Crafty has the exclusive on Alan’s urban travels across the UK, and in this issue he heads over to a city-central venue that’s home to some cracking fish, the famous Wharf in Cardiff.

25

Mine’s A Pint Darren Belton We all know how effective

maggots are, but if your budget won’t stretch to the massive amounts of wrigglers that are often needed, can you still catch carp? Yes, says Darren Belton, and here he reveals how.

31

Take A New Line Steve Broad Braided main lines aren’t just for

spod and marker work, they also have a place on baited rods. Here Steve Broad explains where, when, and how to use this massively misunderstood product.

37

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 a chance of a great prize courtesy of Sticky Baits.

43

The Joy Of Solitude David Cooper

Many anglers don’t really enjoy the long, cold, lonely days of winter, but for David, this is the time when he can look forward to the peace and tranquility that fishing alone can bring.

51

PVA – The Biggest Edge Ever Roy Allen

PVA has made a massive impact on baiting tactics over the years, and Roy believes that when used correctly, this dissolving miracle will help you catch more fish than anything else in your armoury.

55

Crafty Carper Under-21s Our resident blogger, Dan Price,

has been out and about recently, and although the weather’s not been too kind, he’s still managed to bag several good fish, and on tactics that most of us would only use in summer.

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Understanding Zigs Dave Lane Are you a fan of fishing Zigs? If not

you need to read this feature from Dave,

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Red-Letter Day Tom Maker Tom makes a return visit to the

prolific St Johns on the Linear complex,

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Carp Food Hinders’ Blitz Multi-Mix comes

under the scrutiny of Steve Broad,

as he thinks it’s a tactic that should never

where he had an incredible Christmas

along with tips and tricks on how to

be ignored, and one that will definitely put

session. Little did he realise he would face

use maggots from Joe Turnbull, plus

more fish on the bank this spring.

another epic trip, a true red-letter day.

a look at Sticky’s famous Krill range and Mainline’s liquid additives.

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Crafty Carper

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Contents /// March 2016

61

Carp Food Special –

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Enterprise Tackle and PCF

We take a peek at the latest range of imitation baits from one of the best manufacturers around, Enterprise Tackle, and review Premium Carp Food’s Coco Fruit popups and hardened bottom baits.

71

Fishery Management – Fish Movement and

Health Checks David Smith This month, our resident fishery consultant takes a look at the logistics of transporting fish, and reveals that there’s a whole host of regulations to deal with before you can even think about netting them.

76

The Question Is Kevin Nash, Mitch Smith,

John Kneebone, Ellis Brazier and Rich Adams look at questions as diverse as hand-sharpening hooks, tackling poissons chats, and when and where to use different styles of hook.

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The TicketMaster Here are four more cracking

118

Stillwater

venues from all around the country

Competition

for you to try out – and each one is

Fancy a new set of big pit

offering free fishing for every reader.

What have you got to lose? Get out

reels? You could be one of five

there and make the most of it!

lucky readers who will get their hands on a pair of Stillwater’s

93

Advanced Stick

cracking BPX Big Pit Reels in this

Attraction Ellis Brazier

easy-to-enter competition.

How do you make your hookbait more attractive? There are loads of ways to

113

121

Rig Special Julian Cundiff This month,

do this, but using a stick mix has got

Julian reveals his favoured pop-up

to be one of the best around. Ellis looks at how to harness the power of

rig, which he has christened the

the stick.

Tubed Multi-Rig. Take a look – it might be just what you’re looking

99

Carpers’ Kit

for, and Jules swears by it.

We take a close look at a new

126

Subscribe

reel from SONIK, alongside two pages

Get your copy of

of all the best kit that’s in your local

Crafty Carper delivered to your door

tackle shop. There’s also a peek at what the Crafty team class as essential

each month, instead of slogging

items for your day on the bank.

down to the newsagents. Take

103

In Focus – Banana Rods

If you’re in the market for a set

105

In Focus – New Direction Alarms

By harnessing the power of Bluetooth

108

Spring – Nature’s Great Awakening

Adam Clewer

out a subscription and receive Nash alarms or a money-off deal.

128

Inbox

of bespoke rods, the likes of

technology, these feature-packed

After the long, cold days of winter,

which you’ve probably never seen

alarms can be used with the bespoke

spring is finally on its way, and

before, then quite possibly, these

remote or your mobile phone. How did

Adam says that by thinking carefully

around the carp-angling scene,

beauties from French company

they fare on the bank? Turn to Page

about your tactics, you can bag

along with the chance to win

Banana Rods will fit the bill.

105 to find out.

yourself an early-spring carp.

prizes if your letter is published.

104

In Focus – Wiley X Sunglasses

You’d be amazed at how a good

107

Nash Competition Nash has a new range

of Indulgence chairs which not only

113

Solving The Puzzle Ryan Heaton

RG Baits boss Ryan Heaton

Keep up to date with

all the latest news and views from

130

Mega Deals There are bargains

galore from some of the leading

pair of sunglasses reduces water

embrace comfort and strength, but also

reveals how, by taking time to

retailers around on offer in

glare and enables you to spot

redefine posture and lumbar support.

study your options, you can solve

our Mega Deals feature, so

fish you otherwise wouldn’t see.

This is your chance to win one of

the puzzle of carp location at

make sure you check out

These new models from Wiley X

four fantastic Indulgence Daddy Long

this time of year, and achieve

what’s on offer this month.

are some of the best available.

Legs LS chairs worth £131.99 each.

success on short sessions.

Crafty Carper

5

5.6ft

90º 2.7ft

G N I D N A T S UNDER DAVE L A N E

5.6ft

1.8ft

28º

1.2ft

1.2ft

g tle faith in fishin lit ve ha s er gl an Many s Dave Lane reveal re he so s, ig R g Zi r be that should neve why it’s a tactic at will definitely th e on d an d, re igno ring. the bank this sp put more fish on 10

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Understanding Zigs Dave Lane

Black and yellow is a good combination to use.

O

ver the last few years, I have

Zigs for a few hours each day. After all,

bottom. Basically, you have to hit

really started to appreciate the

what do you have to lose if you aren’t

the right level and be prepared to

difference that fishing a bait

receiving any bites on the bottom?

change it when the bites stop.

in the mid-layers can make when the

On the other hand, if you are waiting

water is at is coldest. There is something

for a specific bite time that occurs

odd take, even with the Zigs, it can be a

about low water temperatures and air

once a day, what about the rest of the

leap of faith to change from something

pressures that we seem to be missing

time; what are the fish doing then?

only a short while after catching on it.

in our winter, and especially early-

The truth of the matter is that the

On waters where you only expect the

Changing the depth of a Zig can, in the

spring fishing. The problem is that we

fish spend massive proportions of their

right conditions, bring instant results,

already think we know too much, and

time somewhere in the mid to upper

but if you go the wrong way, it can mean

personally, I believe we are already

layers of the lake, and are perfectly

no more action. The obvious solution

resistant to the plain and obvious

catchable with the right

truth, particularly if it doesn’t fit in

approach. Personally, I

with our current way of thinking.

think that they are

to the problem of finding the right depth is to fish all

“I HAVE WASTED three rods on Zigs set ENTIRE WINTERS at different depths, SITTING ON BIG DEEP and this, nowadays, PITS, WAITING FOR BITES is how I generally THAT NEVER CAME, AND fish throughout the LOOKING BACK NOW, I early spring months, COULD KICK MYSELF at least during the FOR NOT TRYING TO hours of daylight. I FISH ZIGS...”

In the past, and I only mean a few

only physically

years ago, we all assumed that deep-

comfortable on

water pits fished better in the winter

the bottom for

because they were not affected so

short periods of

much by the change in temperature.

time in the winter,

We assumed, and believed, that any

hence the short and

reasonable depth of water would stay

exact feeding times.

warmer for longer, and the fish would

Whether it’s down

be more willing to feed in the deeper

to temperature (which I

water. The more we fished throughout

doubt), air pressure, oxygen levels,

the winters, the more we realised that

or some other common denominator, it

is always a good chance of action on

long on these sorts of venues. I just

this wasn’t exactly the case. In fact

really makes no difference to us. Just

the bottom at these times, and then I

plumb the depth in front of me and start

it was entirely the opposite. Shallow

the knowledge that they are in those

wind all three rods in and attach Zigs.

off with one in the middle, one a bit

waters were a lot more susceptible

mid layers is all we need to know. All we

Nothing else in the setup needs to

higher, and the other lower. For example,

to changes in the weather and would

have to do is find the best way to utilise

change. It is a simple case of cutting off

in 16ft I would start with Zigs set at 6,

respond a lot quicker to a rise in air

this knowledge to our advantage and,

the rigs and attaching the Zigs. Even

8 and 10ft from the bottom. If I had a

temperature. Even a single degree could

most importantly, decide at which depth

the same areas can be fished, and often,

bite at 8ft, I would then swap one of the

affect a shallow lake, and in reality,

the fish are at certain times of the day,

if you have been getting any action

other rods to 8ft as well, but leave the

the deeper pits were more likely to

because this seems to vary incredibly.

on the bottom, this is the best plan.

other to see if the bite depth changed.

close down for long periods of time.

There is no set depth (or height) at

usually fish bottom baits

at night, and up until about 10 o’clock in the morning, as there

So, which depths are best, and when?

in the middle layer. For example, the optimum depth in a 15ft-deep area is between 5ft and 10ft. Even on lakes with depths of only 5 or 6ft, Zigs can still work. I’ve had quite a few bites fishing hooklinks between 2½ and 4ft

I feel that the bite depth is likely to get

I have wasted entire winters sitting

which a Zig is ultimately successful,

It varies from lake to lake, but in my

higher throughout the day, so I would

on big deep pits, waiting for bites that

and a bait fished at the wrong depth

experience, a good starting point is

leave the 10ft Zig and change the one

never came, and looking back now, I

will produce as little result as one

always the central third. Simply take

at 6ft. If I then got a bite on

the depth, divide it by three, and fish

the 10ft Zig, I would fish two

could kick myself for not trying to fish

fished on the

Everything you need, for not a lot of money.

Light mono is best, and this one is my own personal choice.

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X N A B URBAN BANX N A B UR CARDIFF CARDIFF A

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As ever, Crafty has the exclusive on Alan’s urban travels across the UK, and this time he headed over to the famous Wharf in Cardiff. There are some cracking fish to go at in this urban jungle, and he was bang up for it!

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B

L

A

I

R

that was it. I knew I had to fish this

It wasn’t the nicest of areas; in fact it

place. It was all about trying to find out

was far from it back in the day. However,

a bit more through Google Earth and

in recent years the whole area has

tapping up other anglers. I eventually

undergone extensive redevelopment,

made contact with a guy called Andrew

much like Salford Quays, and it is now

Riste. We got chatting via email, and it

a more affluent part of the city.

n late 2015, it became hard to

The fish were pretty special too; they

transpired that he had recently taken

ignore the Wharf in Cardiff. There

weren’t small (there were reports of

responsibility for the water. It had

on and it has become one of the top

was a spurt of catch reports in Carp-

Over the years the fish have grown-

them being over 40lb), and they were

previously been a free-for-all, and long

fisheries in Wales. Andrew and a few

Talk, and the backdrop of the concrete

good-looking – quite a mixed bag, and

before that a club had run it, but it had

other guys, who are interested

jungle really grabbed my attention.

when the 40lb grass carp turned up,

been left to go to ruin a few years back.

in the future of the Wharf and

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Urban Banx Alan Blair

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Carp Food

Team Crafty Carper

QUICK BITES îîCrafty Catcher Crafty Floaters

èèBaitology

RRP: £3.99

Black Squid Pop-ups and Dip

Online: copdockmill.co.uk/crafty_catcher/

RRP: £3.75 Online: baitology.com

These little beauties are like nothing else. They’re a bit like a spongy version

If you’re on a budget but don’t want

of a floating mixer, and they come in

to sacrifice quality, then take a look

several colour/flavour combinations.

at what Baitology has to offer. The

They last ages and are packed with

low prices belie the quality, and these

oils and flavour. A really novel idea.

pop-ups and dips are just a sample from Baitology’s large range.

èèMistral Baits Rosehip Blanche Pop-ups RRP: £5.99

èèStarbaits Tracix Bait Dye

Online: mistralbaits.co.uk

RRP: £3.75 Online: starbaits.co.uk

Rosehip is one of those baits that lots of anglers use in France, as

Available in several colours, Tracix is

they seem to repel the dreaded

ideal for adding colour to groundbait/

poissons chats and crayfish.

Method mixes, liquids, or virtually

There are several

any sort of paste or spod mix. It

colour versions

creates a cloud of colour which

available, and

pulls fish in to investigate.

don’t worry, the carp absolutely love ’em.

èèNorthern Baits Krillicious

êêRG Baits The Formula

RRP: £139 DKK (approx. £12.75)

RRP: £10.95/kg

Online: northernbaits.dk

Online: mistralbaits.co.uk

This liquid is 100% pure liquid krill, and it’s

A predominantly fishmeal bait, with

so thick that it’s hard to get it out of the

added krill, kelp and RGs secret Formula

bottle! It sinks to the lakebed where it slowly

liquid, this is one bait we really like. It

dissolves, oozing flavours and attractants into

has a pungent fishy aroma, and contains

the water. Great as a thick, gloopy bait dip.

just about everything that current thinking says should be in a good bait.

ççDNA Baits Betastim RRP: £4.99 Online: dnabaits.com Betastim harness the natural form of betaine, as opposed to the synthetic betaine with which HCL anglers are more familiar. DNA say that because of this, Betastim can be used in large amounts because it cannot be overused. Sweet, sticky, and ideal for coating pellets.

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Crafty Carper

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Carp Food

Team Crafty Carper

MAINLINE BAITS ADDITIVES AND OILS ONLINE: mainline-baits.com

oils. By mixing oils you can get them

Meta-Mino

RRP: Multi-Stim – £10.25; Fosoil – £6.65;

to settle at various levels which

Another feed-inducing liquid,

Hempseed Oil – £7.75; Meta-Mino – £10.25

can prove very attractive to carp.

Meta-Mino is packed with various

Like virtually every other bait manufacturer, Mainline

Hempseed Oil

on as a feeding source. It has

Baits have a range of oils and additives that are designed

This oil is one of the all-time classic

very little smell, so it’s great

to add extra attraction to bait, but what do they actually

natural attractors for carp. Mixing

for adding to flavours to use as

do, and what’s the best way to make use of them?

it into pellets or groundbait mixes

a dip. It’s very soluble in water

creates a huge slick on the surface

and is ideal for all-year use.

amino acids that fish home in

Multi-Stim

for boilies, and even maggots

of the lake, and it’s irresistible to

Try mixing it with hempseed or

This is an ideal stimulant to use in

and sweetcorn. One of the good

every fish, not just carp. Try mixing

Fosoil because it dissipates in

winter because it’s very water-

things about thicker oils is that

it with other oils so that they all

the water differently, creating

soluble. It has various feeding

they tend to last longer in the

rise and slick at different rates.

various levels of attraction.

triggers and is ideal for adding

water and also settle at different

to spod or groundbait mixes, and

levels in comparison to lighter

it also works well when used in pastes. Try mixing it with Meta-Mino, which will boost the amino profile as well as stimulate feeding. It also works well when mixed with Mainline’s flavours, such as Profile Plus, Activ-Ade or Response ranges, and used as a bait dip to stimulate feeding as fish start to feed more in the spring.

Fosoil This is a thick oil with a pungent aroma. Originally designed for the fish-farming industry as a feed inducer, it’s great for coating pellets and mixing into fishmeal base mixes (5ml per egg). Try mixing it into groundbait or Method mixes at a rate of 20ml per kg. It’s quite a bit thicker than most oils, so it also makes a good coating

STICKY BAITS KRILL ONLINE: stickybaits.com RRP: Various

lightly on weed or silt. Looking at

required. Try dipping them into

the bait/boilies themselves, the

the krill liquids or the dips, and

dumbbells are different from the

then into the pure krill powder

norm because they’re coated with

to get a liquid/powder coating

We’ve looked at Sticky’s Krill range

a liquid hydrolysate, which allows

a water-soluble layer that gives

that will rise and fall through

before, but it’s well worth revisiting

amino acids to be absorbed much

more instant attraction. They

the water column.

because it’s one of the most popular

quicker into the body. Treating with

are excellent for short sessions

bait ranges at the moment. The

enzymes is the key to making Sticky’s

or stalking when a little

difference with Sticky’s krill products

Pure Krill and Cloudy Krill liquids into

extra pulling power around

is that pure fresh krill is used in the

highly water-soluble liquid sources of

the actual hookbait is

liquids and powders. There are some

protein which are highly stimulatory

out there which are treated or mixed

to fish. There are lots of different

with other products because krill is

products to choose from in the

getting expensive, but not Sticky’s.

Krill range, including a very

The production of krill liquids is

interesting pure krill powder.

quite interesting. After harvesting

This is very buoyant so is really

from the cold Antarctic or Southern

good for adding to base mixes if

Pacific oceans, it is pulped and heated

you fancy making up baits that

up, which starts the hydrolysis

sink very slowly. Alternatively,

(predigestion) stage. At this point,

why not try adding it to spod/

enzymes are added to produce a

groundbait mixes; it sinks

controlled breakdown of the krill into

so slowly that it just rests

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N I W

BAG UP

WITH A PAIR OF BIG PITS

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Competition Stillwater

This month, five lucky readers will get their hands on a pair of Stillwater’s excellent BPX Big Pit Reels in our cracking competition.

C

hapmans Angling

office for long-term testing, and we

off to give line on the take, and

is one of the major

were impressed from the start. The

can be locked-up solid in two full

retailers in the UK,

reels look good in their matt black

turns. During some prolonged

with an ever-expanding

and red livery, and they have a good

and powerful battles, the clutch

range of tackle under the

solid feel to them, which inspires

has been very impressive

Stillwater brand. We’ve

confidence. However, like anything,

and displays no snatching or

seen a lot of this gear

it’s only when you use something

sticking; it’s a great performer

now, and to be perfectly

that you can truly comment. On

and inspires confidence. This

the bank we filled the reels with

reel has the power and guts to

heavy-duty 0.40mm line, and off we

be an excellent spod or marker

went. The BPX is actually what we’d

reel, but don’t be fooled into

call one of the new generation of

thinking that it doesn’t also make

essential part of your gear, as it

compact big pits. There are certainly

a great all-round carp-fishing

is the drive train that does all the

bigger reels available, but sometimes

reel of a size that is perfect

work. Big pit reels, in particular, come

they can be a big unwieldy, and

for most fishing situations.

in for some real stick in use, both

the BPX is a great compromise. It

from fighting fish and from slogging

holds more than enough line for

and offers outstanding value for

away winching in rigs, spods, or even

most of us, yet it’s well balanced on

money, and when you consider

marker floats from long range. Quality

the rod. The machined aluminium

you can pick up these reels for

is key in big reels, and it used to be

spool is impeccable and finished

only £44.99 each, you can’t really

the case that to get a good big pit

superbly with a line-friendly

afford to ignore them, can you?

reel, you needed to take your money

clip; in fact, it takes a stated

to the tackle shop in a wheelbarrow!

160yds of 15lb breaking strain.

honest, we’re amazed at how good it is for the money.

Take the BPX Big Pit Reel as an example. A good reel is an

These days, though, it’s perfectly

TECH SPEC

However, those nice people at Chapmans have given us 10 reels to give away, so if you fancy

possible to get a reel that performs

the line lay has remained perfect so

being one of the five readers

well at a more reasonable price.

far, which is 3 months of heavy use.

lucky enough to win a pair, just

The clutch is also very smooth and

answer the question below to be

has the capability to be slackened

in with a chance. CC

A few months ago, the Stillwater

• Bearing 5+1 • Easy to use, linefriendly line clip • One-way clutch system • Instant anti-reverse • Rubberised sure-grip handle • Machined aluminium spool • Super-compact body design

In use, the reels cast superbly and

The BPX is well worth a look

BPX Big Pit Reels came in to the

WHAT YOU CAN WIN

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE:

Five anglers will each receive a pair of Stillwater BPX Big Pit reels.

£449.90

TWO WAYS TO WIN. FIRST, ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION:

Q

How many yards of line does the

BPX spool hold?

A: 160yds B: 200yds C: 275yds

1

ENTER VIA MOBILE PHONE

Simply text CC3 then a space, followed by your answer to the question (either A, B or C), to 82070. For example, your answer could be CC3 A. Messages cost £1.50 per message plus standard network charge.

Under-18s only with bill payer’s permission. Text details may appear on phone bill. Service provider Digital Select Ltd. Helpline: 0844 448 0165.

2

ENTER ONLINE

Head over to www.craftycarper.co to enter via our website.

The competition is open to UK and European entrants only. The winners will be selected at random and will be notified within 28 days of the closing date and be required to provide a delivery address to which the prize will be sent. Please allow a further 28 days for the delivery of your prize. No cash alternative available.

Competition opens Start date: 11/02/2016 End date: 21/03/2016

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119 09/02/2016 11:58

Fallen Kings

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

O R D E R Y O UR CO P Y N O W AT WWW.THECARPSTORE.COM M A IL O R D E R H O T LINE 0114 258 0812 A4_DaveLevy2016_Ad.indd 1

20/01/2016 10:23