NEW Improve your LOOK BRITAIN’S BIGGEST SELLING FISHING MAGAZINE
ON SALE: FEB 25 — MAR 25, 2009 ISSUE 217 £3.10
coarse
FISHING WILD
RIVERS
WWW.GOFISHING.CO.UK
How Matt Hayes’ bread tactics unlock Britain’s whitewater fisheries
ED TESET AT VALUE FOX’S GR NEW WARRIOR ROD RANGE
GARLIC & CHILLI Spice -up your baits to catch more in the cold
WALKER, YATES, BITE ALARMS... 50 HISTORY MAKERS THAT SHAPED FISHING
FEATURES RIVER WYE WITH MATT HAYES
Tip watching A cloud of breath escapes on an icy River Wye morning
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IYCF Issue 217
“It’s dawn on the River Wye and I’ve just cast my bread hookbait into a
CHUB HOTSPOT I’m expecting a bite any second now...” P ICTURES : L LOYD R OGERS
g On sale February 25 – March 25, 2009 IYCF
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FEATURES RIVER WYE WITH MATT HAYES
How to tie the four-turn
WATERKNOT T
HIS is one of the simplest leger
1
To tie the four-turn water knot just follow
Take note of the overhand knots I tie in
rigs to tie and also one of the most
the step-by-step guide shown below. It will
the leger/feeder link. These are designed to
effective. I’ve used it for years and
produce a versatile set-up that is equally useful
weaken the line so if the feeder gets snagged
see no reason to change.
for leger or swimfeeder fishing.
you don’t lose your entire rig.
2
The four-turn water knot allows you to to nail the hooklink and reel line together without using swivels or connectors. To start, lay the reel line (this is Total Fishing Gear Red Mist) and the hooklink alongside each other to create a double length of line
3
4
Then get the end of both pieces of line, wet them to stick them together, and pass through loop
7
Repeat this four times (this is why it’s called the four-turn water knot!) so that the lines wrap round each other like this
8
Slide your fingers two and a half to three feet apart along the length of doubled-up line and form a loop with both pieces of line (inset) – this loop will form the centre point of the finished knot
5
6
Moisten the knot with saliva to lubricate the coils of line as you pull them together. This reduces friction and improves the knot
9
3
Gripping all four parts of line (the mainline and hooklink above and below the knot) slowly pull the coils tight
10
1
2
This will produce a neat barrel knot that will not slip. The hooklink and mainline are now locked together
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IYCF Issue 217
Cut off the tag end of the hooklink that is jutting out of the top side of the knot running towards the reel
You now have reel line above the knot (1), a hooklink (2) and a tag of mainline (3) on to which the feeder or leger will go. Tie on the hook
Trim the tag of reel line to 18 inches. Weaken the link with a couple of overhand knots and attach a feeder (above) or pinch on split shot (right)
FANCY EXPLORING THE RIVER WYE? TURN NOW TO PAGE 41 FOR OUR GUIDE TO GREAT TACKLE SHOPS AND ACCOMMODATION NEAR THE RIVER
“The next few weeks are your last chance to catch river chub this season - don’t miss out on this fabulous fish”
IYCF top tips This rig is brilliant with cheesepaste. Turn to page 62 to discover how I make this great hookbait
Mini leger
Using non-toxic SSG shot as a link leger is far less likely to snag up and they’ll easily slide off the line to release a snagged rig
On sale February 25 – March 25, 2009 IYCF
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FEATURES KEBAB RIG WITH MICK BROWN
“Welcome to the Fens where the
BIG PIKE can’t get enough of my kebab rig”
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IYCF Issue 217
Catching in the cold
This winter’s been full of days like this – blue skies and cold temperatures
MICK BROWN
WORDS: KEV GREEN PICTURES: MICK ROUSE
Reveals how travelling light and keeping on the move can track down elusive drain and canal pike, even on the coldest winter days
S
TANDING on a wind-battered bridge in the middle of the Fen flatlands, it looked like Mick Brown had been blast frozen to the railings. With his eyes locked on the featureless water stretching to the horizon, his motionless figure
looked like it’d been rooted to the spot for decades. On a blue-skied winter afternoon cold enough to make a penguin shiver, the odds were against him. It was 1pm but Mick was already visiting his third swim of the day – the previous two hadn’t produced. Then, in a flurry of spray that sent a vortex spinning across the water in the shadow of the bridge,
an unseen predator laid waste to a small prey fish. “That’ll do for me”, whispered Browny. “Spotting a pike strike is a right bit of luck!” Trotting off the bridge and creeping down the steep banks of the Twenty Foot Drain in Cambridgeshire, Mick’s baited rods landed where the silverfish had met a grisly end…
On sale February 25 – March 25 2009 IYCF
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Learn! {10 of the best f lavours} Quick Bites
How to
Do it now!
Pike bait Edges
Day tickets answers
DO IT NOW!
10 of the best cool water flavours to use next time
C
ONTRARY to popular belief, there really
flavours, dyes and other additives designed to turn
can be just the ticket to help you get a few extra
is no single X-factor bait used secretly
a good bait into a guaranteed fish-puller.
bites in the coming few weeks.
and only by the country’s greatest anglers.
In fact, there are many widely available bait
In cold-water conditions especially, when you
With this in mind, Features Editor Mark Parker
are not looking to put a lot of freebies out, having
looks at his list of top ten bait flavour/additives, as
a really potent smelling, highly attractive hookbait
well as suggesting when to use them and for what
Great for targeting carp, chub and barbel
Liquid Liver £8.75
Richworth
Red Aggressor bait dye £3.99
Bag ‘em Matchbaits
Prologic DD Baits DNA Lunker Liquids £5.99
Tangerine Dream flavour £9.49
Nash Baits
Originally designed as a natural additive for homemade boilies, Richworth’s Liquid Liver is also fabulous when added to paste mixes or to groundbait.
Not only does this dark red liquid dye any bait you care to mention, it is also flavoured with monster crab, making it my first choice when flavouring deadbaits.
With 11 variants in the range, DD Baits Mussel Juice is my favourite. Made from Scandinavian mussel meat, this PVA-friendly liquid is great for carp,barbel and bream.
Created by bait-legend Gary Bayes, Nash Baits’ Tangerine Dream is one of the best roach additives I’ve ever used. I add 5ml per pint to maggots.
www.richworth.com
www.bagem.co.uk
www.prologicfishing.com
www.nashtackle.co.uk
Good for flavouring maggots
Van Den Eynde
Various supermarkets Ground turmeric powder £2–£3
Juniper berry essential oil £4.90
Wasp Grub Spray Flavour £6.20
Designed for predator anglers, this strange-smelling meaty red liquid has toffee undertones and is well-loved by carp, bream and chub, as well as predators.
Although not a true bait additive, match anglers have used turmeric to flavour and de-grease maggots for years. Roach absolutely adore the flavour.
Essential oils are very underused as bait additives. Juniper berry is my favourite for flavouring maggots when I’m targeting big roach. Use 6-7 drops per pint.
These Richworth spray-on flavours are available in a large range of different variants. They are mixed in such a way so you can use as much as you like.
www.vandeneyndebaits.com
various supermarkets
www.neph-aromatics.co.uk
www.richworth.com
Liquid Predator Plus £2.99
Pulling power
PICTURES: BOB ATKINS AND MATT HAYES
This lovely, fin-perfect, River Welland chub was caught on a freezing cold day, using a large lump of cheesepaste laced with a couple of drops of tea-tree oil
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IYCF Issue 217
Sprit of Nature
Richworth
Try soaking your hookbaits with this oil
Bag ‘em Matchbaits
Dynamite Baits
Natural Attractors £3.99
Hi Attract Pineapple Plus £6.99
For barbel, their are two flavours that outscore any other bait combo – salmon oil and garlic. This product has both and is great in groundbait or as a pellet soak.
Proved as a great winter carp flavour more times than I’d care to mention, tench, roach and bream also find baits flavoured with pineapple irresistible.
www.bagem.co.uk
www.dynamitebaits.com
IYCF top tips This top-ten list is in no way definitive. There are loads of great flavours on the market
“Bait flavours and additives can really help you to big“Emerges from the boost your water mist in pursuit catch rates”
ofincreasingly elusive monster pike from Lake District”
Spray-away
Improve a simple bait like breadflake with a quick squirt of liquid flavour I really love fishing for chub on small, intimate rivers, many of which I could just about jump across. On tiny streams like this, not only are there some great specimens in residence, but the
bait needs to be highly appetising to entice these large and very spooky fish into feeding. A couple of squirts of Richworth’s spray-on Wasp Grub flavour on a lump of flake will add attraction.
On sale February 25 – March 25, 2009 IYCF
65
GearUp {New kit for the bankside} Dave’s award
Live Test 1
New Gear
Live Test 2
What’s on the market
Newgear
The latest kit to reach the shops
1
DURABLE Both compact reels punch well above their weight and are extremely durable
SPOOLING UP You get two shallow aluminium match spools with each reel
TAKE YOUR TURN Single power and double balanced handles comes as standard equipment
TOUGH GEAR High-strength drive gear means you can catch big nets of powerful carp week in week out THE REEL DEAL
1
Preston comes up with the reel deal New reel range for fishing on the float or feeder. RRP £69.99
Technical Information GEAR RATIO WEIGHT SPOOLS BALL BEARINGS
5.1:1 290g (3000), 405g (4000) two, aluminium 10 + 1
HANDLES
double and single handles
LINE CAPACITY 140m/4lb (3000) 280m (4000)
This is Preston’s new, 10 ball bearing, front drag, match reel available in float and feeder sizes. The PXR 3000 is a compact, lightweight model for floatfishing or light legering that requires just 140m of 4lb (0.18mm) line to fill it.
The larger PXR 4000 carries 160m of 6lb line for legering or big commercial carp work with baggin’ wagglers. Both reels have aluminium bodies, gear ratios of 5.1:1, sensitive, multi-washer front drags and long-life, high strength drive gears
for modern fishing where 100lb plus nets of match carp are constantly on the cards. Both reels are supplied with a single power handle and a balanced double handle, and a spare aluminium spool. They cost an identical £69.99 apiece.
‘Got a question?’ Please email me at: dave.woodmansey@bauermedia.co.uk and my direct line is: 01733 465618
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IYCF Issue 217
With Dave Woodmansey
2
BOOTED
2
TF Gear X-Tuff boots
P These excellent Nubuck leather performance boots ensure you can walk safely and in total comfort over any terrain. Advanced fabrics are 100% waterproof and are breathable. In sizes 6-12, pay £49.99. THEORIES
3
Daiwa Theory Carp Rod
P This range of 12ft rods have progressive actions, and look and feel above their catalogue price. A blend of high performance carbons
The genuine Fuji reel seat ensures absolute security for your reel
3
produce a crisp and highly responsive feel capable of blasting leads into the far horizon, yet with the ability to soak up and iron out sudden lunges from big fish and prevent hookpulls under the rod top. The progressive taper is maintained thanks to the seamless overcap joint while balance is enhanced by the use of light but strong, single leg SiC guides. The rod is finished with a Fuji DPS reel seat, Japanese shrink tube grips and etched aluminium butt cap. Available in test curves of 2.5lb, 2.75lb, 3lb and 3.5lb, they all cost £99.99. RODS ON ROAD
4
Savage Gear Roadrunner Travel rods
P Savage Gear has added two new, fivesection travel rods to its successful Tournament rod range. They’re fitted with Fuji Gold Label reel seats, top quality SIC guides and Japanese hard EVA handles. Each rod comes in a luxury bag. Available in 7ft (casting weight 12g-40g) or 6ft 6ins with trigger grip (70g). Both cost £59.99. INVISIBLE
5
Etched end cap is attractive detailing on the Daiwa Theory rod
4
5
P Developed following extensive underwater testing, this camouflaged leadcore is reckoned to be virtually invisible on the lake bed, thanks to a new manufacturing process. Available in brown or green, both are available in 45lb on either 10-metre (£9.99) or 25-metre spools (£19.99). TAKE A REST
6
Maver MX Ripple Arm and Ripple Rest
6
P The Ripple Arm holds spare extensions and pole sections. The threaded end takes rests, butt rests, windsocks and V rollers. Length 50cm, RRP £10.99. The Ripple Rest is for big-river feederfishing with rods in the air. Length 58cm, RRP £9.99.
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On sale February 25 – March 25, 2009 IYCF
DAVE’S GEARUP
Fox Adaptive Camo Leadcore
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Learn! {Tips to improve your fishing}
NEW SERIES
LEARN! Quick Bites
How to...
Do it now!
Pike bait Edges
Day-ticket answers
New 16 pages of the best angling instruction
F
IRST of all, welcome to LEARN!, Improve Your Coarse Fishing’s brand new 16-page section that is totally dedicated
to bringing you the very best angling instruction there is – every four weeks. Set out in five sections - Quick bites, How to..., Do it now!, The
Edges and Day-ticket answers, it builds into a comprehensive partwork. Our aim is to give you cutting edge tactics as well as all the basic nuts and bolts you
QUICK BITES
£59.99
will need to become a better angler. And it’s all presented in a straight-talking, no-nonsense, easy-to-follow way. We hope you’ll LEARN! from it.
Contents
62
How to make Matt Hayes’ fish-pulling cheesepaste
64
PURE TEATREE OIL This potent, clear essential oil is more commonly used for its antiseptic and antifungal properties
Do it now: choose yourself the best flavours to boost bait
66
Learn Extra
Essential tip
Adding a couple of drops of essential oil to your baits can give you a real edge With only a couple of weeks of the river season left, why not try and make the very most of it and end your river campaign on a real high by attempting to put a big chub on the bank? One of the best baits to use for targeting chub is cheesepaste (see page 62). But this time-honoured bait can be made even
more special with the addition of a couple of drops of tea-tree oil. This potent essential oil, used mostly as an antiseptic, becomes an absolutley deadly edge when added to cheesepaste. Just be careful not to add too much as it will ‘overcook’ and ruin the bait.
CHEESEPASTE This is one of the best chub baits you can use, especially when boosted with an extra flavour
“One or two drops of tea tree oil per pound of cheesepaste is a superb chub edge”
Edges: the things you can do to improve your pike catches
72
Day-ticket answers: your problems sorted
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On sale February 25 – March 25, 2009 IYCF
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