Nash E-zine Autumn 2012 by Simon McCabe

Autumn 2012

E-ZINE ive! exclus

) H C T I D ( D R A H D R RIC A BALL PLUS!

In the mix -

HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR AUTUMN EARLY WINTER E-ZINE. ONCE AGAIN WE’VE GOT A FANTASTIC LINE UP OF ARTICLES AND TECHNICAL FEATURES DESIGNED TO ENSURE WE ALL GET THE VERY BEST OUT OF THE NASH TACKLE AND BAIT THAT WE USE AND LOVE. THERE’S PLENTY OF TOP TIPS, TACTICS AND IDEAS THAT WILL HELP TO MAXIMISE THE CHANCE OF SUCCESS DURING THE COLDER MONTHS AHEAD. YOU WILL ALSO FIND DETAILS OF NEW GROUND BREAKING NASH PRODUCTS SOME OF WHICH ARE SET TO TURN THE WORLD OF CARP FISHING ON ITS HEAD. THERE’S LOTS MORE TO COME IN THE NEAR FUTURE, SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS WILL I’M SURE RADICALLY CHANGE THE WAY THE FORWARD THINKING ANGLERS AMONGST US FISH FOREVER!

OBSERVATION

Looking ahead slightly, the most important tool this winter will be your eyes and ears, the lakebed on most, if not all carp lakes will have changed dramatically since the summer. The process often continues throughout the winter with weed beds and other sub surface vegetation shrinking, changing in shape and perhaps even disappearing completely. Carp patrol routes and feeding areas will change as the lakebed changes and cycles of natural food come and go. The most important thing is to stay positive and keep going whenever possible, short sessions can be very productive during the colder months particularly if you are in tune with your target water and can spot or read the signs. If you’ve got time to go then it pays to, even if it’s just for a few hours. Providing the lake is within reasonable traveling distance, whether it’s a morning, afternoon or an over night visit, it’s never a waste of time. I don’t know if you can get your head around this idea but it works for me, if I’m fishing the same water regularly, instead of treating my visits as short winter sessions, instead I think of them as one long seasonal one with gaps.

SCOPE FOR THE FUTURE

One product that really excites me is the new 9ft and 10ft Scope rods. I’ve actually been fishing with 9ft rods a great deal this year and I’m completely sold on the concept. I’ve found very few situations when a longer rod actually provides any real advantages. There’s been the odd occasion when I’ve dropped a bait tight in the margins and whilst walking the rod back to my swim it’s been a bit of a stretch to ensure the line hasn’t snagged on some reeds but that’s about it really. I can cast as far as I need to and in many situations the shorter rods have provided a real edge. Believe me, once tried there’s no going back!

It really gives my confidence a boost and if I’ve managed to gain an understanding of the workings of my target water and my strategy is the right one, the bait will be working for me and I’ll be ‘fishing’ even when I’m not there. To be successful during the winter there’s also a mental battle that needs to be won first. When its freezing cold and you are huddled up under your brolley trying to keep warm its easy to imagine that the carp will be doing a similar thing too, maybe they’ve hibernated and you won’t catch one again until the spring? But in actual fact nothing could be further from the truth, below the waves for the vast majority of the winter the carp are active hungry and on the lookout for food. This is particularly so on winter waters that are being fished regularly, a steady trickle of quality winter bait is one of the most if not the most effective stimulants for keeping carp active and searching for food.

In the mix -

BAIT CHOICE

Winter bait is another subject that many anglers spend a lot of time thinking about at this time of the year, Gary Bayes offers sound advice in his Bait Talk column and you will also find within these pages detailed information on what’s available in the Nash Bait range. All Nash Bait products are very effective ‘all seasons’ carp catchers so all you need to do is choose one and fish it with complete confidence! As for tactics, we’ve all got differing ideas on that I’m sure, but for me it won’t involve sitting behind a bank of static rods for long periods fishing unproductive spots and hoping rather than expecting to catch.

GET ON THE ZIG BUGS!

The revolutionary and much copied Zig Bugs will again catch lots of carp this winter, I’m sure of that, but make sure you avoid using those poorly conceived inferior imitations! Zigs will catch you bonus fish, particularly on those days when we all struggle to get bites using more conventional tactics. Zig Bugs are a winter essential, if you haven’t already done so, it’s worth spending time perfecting your zig fishing. It pays to spend a day or two on a relatively easy water experimenting and fine tuning tactics, just take the zig gear and nothing else and make zigs work to your advantage. Later in year when winter really takes hold you’ll find it was time well spent!

The autumn and winter months are a magical time to be out on the bank, so keep warm, keep at it and enjoy -

Good luck!

www.nashtv.co.uk 7

LIFE AT NASH

ALAN BLAIR

Yes, Yes, Yes – a place in the sun

All the days and preparation – it’s your reward. There’s nothing like being under the pressure of competing against others and bagging LOADS of carp – Love it!

The summer has just flown by and it’s now that exciting time of the year when we can finally unveil our new product range for 2013. The last 18 months have been a real killer for me with the new SCOPE concept with regards to not being able to talk to anyone about it. I’ve been testing the complete luggage and rod setup for all of this time but have only been able to use it on ‘closed shop’ type waters with no prying eyes. At last the day has finally arrived and I can now get out and use the Scope gear anywhere! I’ll be going on plenty of river and canal missions over the next few months, continuing to tackle the big pit with Kev and of course getting the odd pike session in when the really cold weather is upon us. I just can’t stress how much I love this concept - Scope is the future and as they say in Essex ‘it’s a bit of me’ - if a product has ever made me want to stop everything I am doing and get out there and dangle – well SCOPE is it! I’m sure many of you are already up to speed with what Nash have to offer in the coming months, either through the recent magazines, Facebook pages and of course through our wonderful E-zine. But its worth remembering that as well as our initial Autumn launch we also have over 60 other new products in the pipeline including some excellent bait concepts, some very tidy TT bits, some must have luggage, clothing etc and not forgetting Peg One, there are some great new Fish Frenzy and tackle products for the general pleasure/specialist angler too.

Didn’t get the biggie I was after but it means it’s all to play for again next spring and summer.

d nights, the effort and the s all forgotten when you finally get

It really has been another great year here at Nash Tackle – no day is a dull one and I simply love coming to work every day, watching things develop, ideas and concepts come to fruition – sometimes it’s almost more exciting for me than actually going angling. When you’re really focused and determined to achieve something, whether that is your work, angling or anything for that matter, its great when things go well and you are rewarded for your efforts. Been loving my fishing as much as ever and as usual I’ve drifted and dabbled from one thing to another just trying to catch anything I can on the day and simply enjoying being out on the bank with good company, in beautiful surroundings and most importantly learning from each and every session I go on. I hope you guys have had a fruitful summer with regards to catching what you were targeting – don’t forget to let us know how your fishing is going by dropping us an email at info@nashtackle.co.uk with some pictures and a catch report. Have a great autumn and let’s hope for a mild winter this side of Christmas. Alan Blair.

My partner in crime – simply love getting out on the bank with Kev and making it happen.

I’ve caught myself a silly number of fish on the Zig Bugs – watch this space for future developments

SCOPE – need I say more

I’ve do manner much to

What greater satisfaction than myself and all the consultants giving up our weekend to help others at one of our many Fishery Road shows.

one so much fly fishing this summer for all r of species – it’s a true art and I’ve got so learn about it.

Out with the boys at work! Some days I have to sit up and realise how lucky we all are to be doing what we love.

A my com bank of fishin especiall tackle and

I think Scope told me that th they’re talking ab which they couldn car park in full view. year or so. My punt is Scope. It’s mad, isn’t it scene changer.

LIFE AT NASH

KEVIN NASH Is it really autumn again when all the endeavours of the year bear harvest? For ‘harvest’ at Nash, read ‘bundles of new gear’. Farmers may bemoan this year’s weather and say that the rain has hugely affected crop production and quality, not so for us. 2012 will go down in the Nash annals as a bumper year, with some of our best innovative ideas. You may already know that some of our new products have certainly caused a stir, especially on my Facebook page; in particular, I refer to Scope, the concept of using nine-foot rods for the static stuff – ie. Not for stalking but rather for chucking out 3oz leads and heavy PVA bags. I thought that this was going to be one that would take some putting across to carpers, so I am absolutely gobsmacked at how many anglers get it. Indeed, it appears that quite a few have been using nine-footers understanding how much easier they are to manoeuvre, play fish on and that casting accuracy is significantly enhanced with surprisingly little detriment to distance. Even I was blown away when Terry, the caster put a lead out over 170 yards with a 9ft Scope.

All this 9ft rod stuff is pukka, but for me, the big innovation is downsizing y gear and luggage with my idea of the retractable butt. You’re in a mpletely different scene when the system holding your rods, landing net, sticks, bite alarms, indicators leads…is only 44 inches long! My way ng – walking and upwardly mobile has been made that much easier, ly when struggling through brambles, bushes and reeds and such d rod holdall-grabbing vegetation.

e is a bit of a lifestyle change as well. A number of people hey will keep the Scope set-up in the boot of their cars, and bout ‘popping into lakes’ for an hour or two after work, n’t do before with a conventional set-up left in a works’ . It will be interesting to see what happens in the next s that the majority of anglers will see the logic behind t? I never saw it coming, but this is a massive carp

LIFE AT NASH

RICHARD (Ditch) BALLARD

Monster Squid, Fang Xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and D-Cam Helicopter Leaders doing the business

In my last ‘Life at Nash’ piece I finished off by mentioning a club lake ticket which I was waiting for the postman to deliver. Well, my ticket turned up a couple of days after the Nash E-Zine ‘went to press’, and so armed with a few bags of bait I headed over there to size the place up and give the lakes residents a taste of the good stuff. The lake is a crystal clear gravel pit of approximately 6 acres, roughly L shaped with an island located near the centre and plenty of weed and other underwater features to fish to. The stock is still pretty much unknown to me. I had been shown photos by a friend of three different 30lb fish, but I had heard from other members that there were as many as 10, so figured the only way to find out was to go and catch some of them! As I would only be fishing the lake for mid-week overnighters I decided to visit and bait it during the last few hours of light every day – it made sense to me as that was when I would be fishing. On that first visit I managed to locate a good number of the lakes carp population basking off the back of the island, in an area which received the last rays of sun. I decided to bait up about 20 yards further around the island margin, as it seemed likely they would move out of the sun trap and into the main lake once the sun had set, hopefully intercepting my hook baits on their way. A quick flick to my chosen area with a lead revealed a steep, clean shelf with silt at the bottom before a big bank of weed stretched out into the main lake. I deposited a couple of kilos of the faithful Monster Squid at the bottom of the shelf with my posh new throwing stick (In my humble opinion – the new Cybershot throwing stick is going to be the angling product of the year!) and sat back on a high bank watching the water into darkness. I repeated the baiting twice more on consecutive evenings and by the third evening, approximately 20 minutes after the bait went in, there were carp bubbling and rolling all over it – lovely job! I won’t bore you all with the events that followed but over 9 nights angling I landed 11 carp to just over 20lb. Not what I really wanted to catch on work overnight sessions, but the fish are truly stunning and they fight like tigers so I’m not complaining too loudly – especially when I only saw one other guy catch during the nights I fished. I think it’s fair to say that the lakes larger

A lovely little club lake common that likes Monster Squid!

lin “Yo that

Instead spool and back on its of all this go something to and then Tom h rising up from th hold of the mainlin appeared on the su thought to myself, “so and liiiiffffffftttttt…” as I the boat and it tried to u and Tom!). I fell to my kne cat still in the water getting Leaning backwards to restor at least 7 feet of slimy catfish. Watching and waiting for a really big one to come along!

residents are loners, preferring to feed elsewhere whilst all the smaller fish filled their boots on my bait. I will be back on there in the spring to try for a real big ‘un so will keep you all posted. October came around quicker than I had anticipated, and I had a mad rush to sort all my gear out in time for another trip out to my dad’s place on the river Ebro in Spain (www.ebromadcats.co.uk). I love fishing wild and remote locations, and the particular stretch of river that my dad lives on certainly fits the bill there. I was to be fishing with two pals; Scott Walter who used to work at Nash HQ, and Tom Colloff from Fosters of Birmingham. Really, we couldn’t have timed our trip any worse, as the first rains to fall in the region in 6 months meant that the river was pushing through quite heavily and a lot of lose weed was floating through – a bit of a nightmare for static fishing. Still, we weren’t about to let a bit of bad weather deter us and as soon as we arrived we got the rods out and got stuck in to some Ebro cat fishing! We baited up every hour or so with a few scoops of 22mm Halibut Pellet soaked in NashBait’s Monster Crab and Crayfish Boilie Dip, and when the cats arrived in the swim big slicks of oil would rise up to the surface indicating their presence. The catfish came steadily, with most days producing four or five bites and we caught fish to around 70lb. By day three we had filled our boots and we were all willing an Ebro monster of giant proportions to come along and have a little feed.

It was the answer to our prayers when on day four, after another string of hard fighting cats, something a little larger decided it liked the taste of Tom’s Halibut Pellets. The take was violent as usual, but when the rod was almost wrenched from his hand we knew this fish might be a bit bigger. The 100kilo Power Pro braid began ticking off a semi-tight clutch, and the more ne the fish took the faster it seemed to get. I can remember saying to Tom, ou might want to start thinking about getting in the boat and going after one mate - it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop!” Up on the scales it went just shy of 120lb d, Tom made the brave but wise decision to clamp down on the d stand his ground, and as the rod hooped over to almost double self the cat slowed to a halt (we got some epic video footage oing on, and hopefully Winston the NashTV genius can piece ogether out of it all). The lunges carried on for 15 more minutes had her in the margins where she slowly but surely started he depths. I jumped down into the small boat and grabbed ne as what looked to be well over 100lb of river slug urface. “Right, okay, need to get this one in then” I so watch out for the hook, glove on, hand in mouth lifted, the weight was all hanging over the back of upended on me (much to the amusement of Scott ees to stop myself going overboard, and with the increasingly lively, I decided it was now or never. re some balance I heaved it up into the boat The light was fading fast and so we moved

Long, lean and powerful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an upper 20lb Ebro common

quickly to do the weighing and photos. It was a bit of a job lifting it, but up on the scales it pulled the needle round to just short of 120lbs. Not bad â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and considering it was Toms third different species over 100lb a bit of a benchmark for our brummy mate! Before I left England I had filled two rod tubes with my favourite NashBait (and a couple of rods of course!) and made the journey through a very crowded London Stanstead airport with about 20kilos of boilies on my shoulder in a 6ft 6inch long cardboard tube. I did get a very strange look from the bloke at the outsized baggage check in when he picked it up to carry it to the plane and the weight slowly shifted from one end to the other as the boilies rolled down it! Poor fella! Anyway, I was very grateful to him now, as all the time we had been fishing for the cats I had been trickling a couple of kilos of bait into some likely looking areas. Whilst out in the boat exploring the river I had seen some good carp bolting off through the

Just like the St

The sun setting over the Spanish hills for another day

streamer weed, and the obvious feeding areas were clear spots in amongst it all that were covered in smashed Zebra mussel shells. Well, at least if they didn’t like my boilies I knew what I needed to use for hook bait – a zebra mussel! I had been mixing a little maize in with the 15mm Monster Squids and depositing roughly a kilo of bait every morning and evening. By the time I got around to fishing the spots they had grown to probably three times their original size and as I lowered a baited rig onto the first one it hit the riverbed with such a whack it felt as though the carp had dug down to the bedrock! Those lower Ebro commons remind me of the carp in the St Lawrence River in Canada, where if you use a cheap reel the clutch will most likely be brown bread after the first couple of takes. Well, this place is no different, and my first take was so violently fast that I was scared to strike for fear of ripping the hook out! It makes sense that only the strongest and fastest carp survive in such a predator dominated river - I saw Zander, Black Bass, Pike and Catfish of all sizes during my stay, so any slow/fat carp is probably going to be lunch before it makes it to 8oz! From the first to the last, none of those fish wanted to give up without a real fight. In all we had 9 takes from the carp over the next few days and landed some absolutely stunning commons. I can’t wait to have another go next Spring that’s for sure, and if the boss man lets me have the time off then I might be back over there in December to have another go for a 40lb river common.

t Lawrence, except warmer and closer to home…

I will be back again to try for a 40lb’er from the river!

LIFE AT NASH

TOM FORMAN

a the

The c the lau working soon upon times and th makes for “en

As I write this, I managed my bigg If I wish to beat my couple of months to We shall see…

As always the last few months have been as busy as ever at Nash HQ and before we know it, we’re waving goodbye to the summer and welcoming in the Autumn with open arms… Yeah right! I say this, however in terms of my fishing, I love nothing more than being on the bank during the Autumn period, and just this week began my Autumn perch campaign as I do each year. It’s also a great time to catch carp as they are often at the biggest weights and looking pristine. I will be on the bank as much as possible over the coming months, which is only right as my fishing has taken a bit of a back seat over the summer. If I’m totally honest I get distracted with other things like holidays, music and festivals. We’re only young once, right? When I have switched my fishing head on, it’s often been for opportunist day sessions fitting in and around works hectic schedule. When we were graced with a spot of nice weather though I was away, floater rod in hand. If I’m honest I would say 80% of my captures this year have been floater caught, often during quick afternoon or evening sessions, but If I’m honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the style, approach and ultimately the buzz of floater fishing and would do it 12 months of the year if possible.

I’m also “bang on“ my photography at the moment and learning and improving each day. I have always been keen, however over the last year or so decided to take it the next level and I’m now rarely without a camera in hand when out on the bank. More than likely this is the reason I don’t catch as many as I should, as I’m often distracted away from the fishing just one of the many things you witness when out on the bank. (That’s my excuse anyway ). I’ve also been spending as much time as possible with Oli Davies, learning from his experience and skills. I’ve even been out shooting a few features of late and I’m hoping there will be many more to come in e not to distant future.

coming months will see things become even busier at HQ, what with unch of the new 2013 product range. Everyone in the offices are at full pace at the moment and with the start of the winter shows n us, I can’t see things easing up too much. However it’s exciting here’s a real buzz around the place at the moment which always entertaining” days work.

have just returned from an evenings Perch fishing and gest of the season so far at 2lb 8oz. I have a way to go y PB however I will be trying my hardest over the next achieve this. A PB chub would also go down well!

LIFE AT NASH

MIKE WILSON

This summer has all been rather mad with lots going on so fishing kind of did get pushed to the back of my mind while it was all about parties and holidays and then starting my new job at Nash HQ. Some of you may not know, but I’m the new boy at Nash in the design department and so far I love it. Everyone at Nash has made me feel so welcome and I have learnt so much in the last Month already from some of the boys such as Tom, Reedy, Alan and Kev himself. But as I look out the window right now it is clear that summer has gone and it’s time for my winter campaign. Since I’ve been at Nash I’ve managed to get a couple of nights on my syndicate but at the same time I have been doing a bit on day ticket venue’s testing hopefully future products for Nash and also been catching a few along the way. I done a quick overnighter a couple of weeks ago on Gary Bayes Day Ticket Lake and had four bites and landed three fish up to just over 22lb on the ever faithful Scopex Squid. I must add that anyone that’s looking to catch fish that’s local to Chelmsford, Essex area should definitely give this place a crack as the fish have great potential and you even have the chance to have ago at five 30lb+ fish up to 38lb.

As I said summers over and now it’s time for my syndicate to get a kick in. This week I haven’t managed to get out but I will be going at least two/three nights through until December and then start back up again in February. This season so far has been a bit of a struggle for me and it’s gutting seeing my target fish on the bank three times when it’s not in my carp cradle but hey ho, good things come to those who wait right? I have been baiting three spots these last couple of weeks and I will be continuing to do so all winter. My target has been out in the last two weeks but it has a habit of coming out and then coming out again a few weeks later and then no one will see her for months, so this next month I believe she is going to get her head down and I think I know where she is going to do it as I’ve seen her three times now in the last couple of weeks around the same area of the lake. To give you a bit of a background on the lake I believe it holds around 60/70 Carp in around 5 acres of water with a 40lb+ common known as Spike (my target), a stunning 38lb zip linear and a further 5 30lb+ fish with the rest being mainly twenties with a lot of them being 25lb+. It’s time to put this lake to bed as I just need to catch this fish and move on as I don’t really want to rejoin next year as I have my mind set on other venues. Well that’s it from me, my fishing head is now on and I’ve got the bug back and all that’s on my mind is catching this carp, have a cold but action packed winter and go catch that winter chunk that every carp angler dreams of. As for me I’m going to get the rods out and stick the kettle on in pursuit of this big girl. Tight lines, Mike Wilson.

LIFE AT NASH

OLI DAVIES

Par summ to sho for the 2 know that be bigger a caught live fo products. The see how the tes some real fish-ca in a style that has m very special bonus fe

So with the rain looking barbell gear. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping t some bait in, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep y

Well, it looks like Autumn is really upon us. It’s chucking it down outside and looking good for a bite on the bottom. Although for most carpers this is their favourite time of year I’ve really enjoyed the summer and I’m sorry to see the end of it. I’ve really got into the stalking this year, rarely fishing far from the bank and with more than one rod, trying to make the best use of my fragmented time. It’s been incredibly exciting, and very educational as I’ve regularly been able watch the fish feeding right under my feet in ginclear water and even picking up my rigs. Although it’s a very different type of fishing my rigs haven’t changed, but my lead setup has and rather than my preferred running rig I’ve had to use a drop-off system due to the snaggy nature of the fishing. Not a fan of lead clips personally, I’ve been really impressed with the Flat Square In-lines I’ve been using. They are incredibly low profile meaning they sit flat to the lakebed and the shape is perfect for ensuring that the maximum bolt effect is achieved. The textured coating also renders them really inconspicuous too, and from what I’ve observed the setup is pretty efficient.

Another eye-opener this season has been the awesome Riser Pellet. Initially I was a little skeptical as to the effectiveness, but having had a summer to play with it my opinion has most certainly changed. Without a doubt it induces the carp into feeding when ordinary mixers just don’t appeal to them. Not only do they feed, but if conditions are in your favour they are like a pack of Piranhas, such is the aggression of the feeding. It is most definitely an edge and I now use both mixers and riser in combination, rather like you would bait on the bottom with a particle bait and a scattering of larger food items such as boilies. You get the preoccupation, but the odd bigger bait ensures that they are easier to hook. If you haven’t given it a try yet, I recommend you give it a whirl!

rt of the reason that my time has been limited is that at Nash, the mer is a very busy time with lots of new products arriving, features oot and of course Winston and I have been hard at it filming content 2013 Nash DVD. Those of you that have seen the 2012 DVD will t the bar has been set high, but don’t worry, this years is going to and better than ever. There are loads of big and beautiful carp or the cameras, along with Kev showcasing some great new ere is plenty of wisdom from the man himself, and you can sting process for new products means that you are brought atching edges. Of course it is all filmed in beautiful HD and made Nash TV the best out there. There will also be a eature so don’t miss out!!

g like it’s here to stay, I reckon it’s time to dust off the to bank a really big one this year. I’m off to trickle you posted as to how I get on…

trade As you are all doubtless aware, this product was scheduled for launch in late spring. Well, we had last minute trials and tribulations when we got the S5 into production – this can happen. I am delighted to say that at last the Siren S5 is here, and I trust you will all agree it’s a cracking bite alarm for only £24.99. Unlike the majority at this price point, the S5 is English designed, and it shows.

£2 4. 99

This one’s a bit different. Kevin Nash has long held the opinion that so-called marker rods are too light and soft in their action to do the job properly. In fact, it is his opinion that a marker rod should be as stiff as possible to achieve response in the tip and feel through the blank. He always used his spod rod for this purpose, so we have listened to him, and are delighted to announce the launch of our fantastic Entity Duo – a spod and marker rod in one.

eshow 2012 insight THE AMAZING SCOPE CONCEPT Kevin Nash has come up with what we think is a blockbuster in rod design. Scope rods feature a retractable butt section, enabling the overall pack-down length of your rod to be reduced to the minimum, with no detriment to the action of the rod. From this innovative idea, Kevin then experimented with rod lengths, and this is when it became really interesting. He discovered that reducing the length of a carp rod to 9ft made it a dream to use in all situations except at extreme range, and please note that we mean ‘extreme range’. Our casting king, Terry Edmonds, has put a lead over 170 yards with a 9ft Scope! Nine-foot rods are far easier to use in confined or tree overhung swims. They enable you to cast accurately and tightly to far-bank margins, and they make playing fish a dream. Scope Rods are ultra-light, further enhanced by utilising the incredible new SS304 rings. Available in two lengths; the more radical 9ft and the traditional length of 10ft - the length Richard Walker chose for the legendary MK4 carp rod. With its retractable butt innovation this provides a pack down size of 44ins for a 9ft Scope and 50ins for the 10ft Scope, enabling the angler to carry the most compact kit ever designed for carp fishing. Kevin has also designed the most awesome landing net to complement the package. The Scope landing net features a telescopic lockable pole, retracting to a miniscule 44”, but extending to a very useful 6ft 10ins. The Scope concept is the ultimate in mobility for the focused active carp angler. Scope rods and luggage will even fit in your car boot away from prying eyes and the risk of theft. Scope for the future. Pat. Pending

2012 insight

tradeshow

GROUNDHOG AND HOG These are featured because we felt compelled to make a change with the development of the new space-frame umbrella, which features a shortened stub to maximise space inside. The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top selling brollies just got better!

TITAN BROLLY FAMILY Following the incredible success of the Titan Brolly AS we are now delighted to announce the Titan Brolly 1-Man AS and the Titan Brolly 2-Man AS. Please note, we have listened to our customers and included rear vents in the design. The vents have also been added to the Titan Brolly AS, which will be renamed the Titan Brolly AS Pro. We would like to draw your attention specifically to the 2-Man version, which has been designed with increased height. Many anglers have requested this and we have a feeling that it will be a blockbuster â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not only for couples fishing, but also for the single angler desiring a bivvy with more headroom.

2012 insight

tradeshow 30

Indulgence Hi Back Chair Brought back into the range because of demand. New exciting bed and bedchair innovation from Nash Indulgence Tall Boy Air-Lite SS We predict that this will be a blockbuster and equally as big as when we launched the Indulgence Wide Boy beds. The Tall Boy features a closed leg length of 44cm and an extended leg length of 60cm. At the closed length, it is roughly the equivalent to a Daddy Long Legs chair, which is the preferred height for sitting, and most importantly, for ease of getting into and out of for people with knee and back problems - or who are quite simply getting a bit creaky with age! Indulgence Tall Boy has the Wide Boy width and length to maximise comfort. Note: Because more and more anglers are turning to Sleep Systems as they realise the bedchair concept is outdated, we see no logic in producing a Tall Boy Bedchair.

EVO

LVIN G

A market tester…. the future? There was a time when anglers used a bed to sleep on at night and then doubled it up as a chair in the day, hence the term, bedchair. Few anglers do this nowadays, leaving their bedchair in their bivvy in bed mode, and then sitting on a separate chair in the day. We have long held the opinion that hand wheels to tilt ‘beds’ are not necessary, as you can achieve sufficient tilt by adjusting the legs on the head section, but we were fearful to delete them from our top-selling Indulgence bedchairs in case it affected sales. With the advent of a certain bedchair which lies flat but cannot

BED

DES

IGN

be tilted to maximise head/pillow comfort, and yet still retains the cumbersome bulk of a hand wheel, we watched events with interest. While the design was illogical, we did note an interest in flat beds and observed that anglers were getting caught up in the flat bed marketing concept. Enter Zed Beds; the carp world’s first truly flat bed that entirely eliminates the necessity for a hand wheel. Wide Boy width, extra-long, and incredible value - two versions are available; a Sleep System with one extra-thick layer of duvet, and a mattressonly version.

2012 insight

tradeshow 32

H Gun Sleep System Following on from the Sleep System logic, we are delighted to announce that in January there will be an H-Gun Sleep System. No longer will entry level carpers have to mess around fitting and taking sleeping bags off their bedchair, or become tangled up in their bag at night. At only £149, why would you?

Frostbite Sleeping Bags We have to take our hat off to Kevin. The new Frostbite sleeping bags are an illustration of his total commitment to carp tackle innovation. Kevin fished throughout last winter, no matter how bitter and cold the weather was, and not because of a singleminded desire for a winter carp, but rather to evaluate and test the sleeping bags and future

sleep system concepts. The new Frostbite sleeping bags feature a super-light, soft, waterproof outer membrane with superior hollow-fill insulation and a unique internal heatretaining baffle system – the brainchild of Mr Nash. The problem with anglers is that we want big, roomy sleeping bags, whereas mountaineering bag technology revolves

around the smallest sized bag to fit close to your body, so that you are not trying to warm up large voids. This is why carpers’ sleeping bags require more insulation. Kevin has come up with the idea of fitting internal baffles that lie down the sides of your body, and at the feet, to speed up the warming process and to enhance insulation. It’s a simple solution that maximises sleeping comfort.

Barrowlogix Cube Compact We have been pleasantly surprised by the huge interest and sales of our Barrowlogix Cube, and as a result of feedback from customers, some small improvements have been made to the Cube. We are now also delighted to announce the introduction of a baby Cube. The Barrowlogix Compact Cube – a sure fire winner like its big brother. Barrowlogix Emperor Bedchair Bag Introduced due to demand.

Pursuit 100+ Noticing that there is a trend going back toward rucksacks, this is a version of Kevin Nash’s own rucksack, which he swears by. Kevin uses it himself, so you can guarantee that it works and it’s practical!

2012 insight

tradeshow 34

Elevator and the Carp Cradle MK2s At first glance you may be shocked and wonder why we have scrapped the incredibly successful Carp Cradles. You will realise why when you check these out. The key reason is the package â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they simply fold in half and are extremely easy to carry. You can even put kit inside them and go stalking.

Cybershot This awesome throwing stick quite simply makes any other obsolete. It will stick out baits further and with more accuracy, with a speed that only our Cobra Quick Sticks can compete with. Importantly, with the Cybershot there is no resistance on your arm, alleviating the risk of arm injury, pain, even tennis elbow or permanent arm damage. It is the ultimate throwing stick at sensible money.

WITH GARY BAYES

BAIT TALK

BAIT MY BEST CAMPAIGN TYPE WINTER FISHING HAS BEEN ACHIEVED WITH TWO BAITS, SCOPEX SQUID ON THE ALL SEASONS MIX AND AMBER STRAWBERRY. Seriously, if you are attacking a lake with the intention of getting consistent action, the single hook bait approach isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the one, nor is heavily dipped baits or single PVA bags cast to the horizon. You need to keep the carp looking for the next good boilie and to do this its easier if they see some on a regular basis. Therefore the bait has to be good and also suitable for cold water. I know fishmeals do work on some waters in the cold but baits with less or no fishmeal will work better.

I have a few field testers who catch a lot of fish in the rich S Mix Squid mix, that’s the same take rate winter and they actually use more bait when it’s cold summer and winter, the only thing I altered was the than they do in the summer, simply because there are base mix. I’ve since found a little extra sweetener also less anglers and those that are about only fish half boosts takes in the winter months on some waters. heartedly when it gets cold, so my field testers I make up quite a few take it on themselves to hand mixes in the winter, ALSO AS HOOK BAITS I LIKE keep the carp feeding just to try different and reap the rewards. flavour levels, colours TO USE THE WHITE RAINBOW Often the best method and shapes. I’ve had POP UPS, AS CONVENTIONAL is not to introduce any spells where the extra POP UPS OR TO BALANCE bait while actually fishing. strength of the bait will MY SNOWMAN RIGS USING A It’s like the carp will catch more fish. I know DOUBLE STRENGTH BOTTOM hang around in a winter lots of examples where BAIT HOOK BAIT. feeding spot even if they anglers have changed have eaten everything from frozen ready mades and if you add too much to shelf life ready mades food on the day it can and improved their take too long for them to get to a hook bait. Another catches. Shelf life baits generally have more flavour observation I have is that you can kill a swim by over and in the cold water when the carp’s senses are fishing it so bait several swims around the lake. slower the extra flavour will be detected easier. I find having the extra flavour in the bait mostly works better Scopex Squid All Season is an extremely successful than coating the bait with dips and liquid attractors. cold water bait, many years ago when we were in the Maybe it’s a more subtle way and carp that have field testing stage of the Squid mixes I averaged a take been under pressure all summer will be tricked easier every 10 hours on one water after switching to the without the dips. milk protein boosted All Season mix from the fishmeal

“

WITH GARY BAYES

BAIT TALK

A RECIPE FOR WINTER SUCCESS THE RECIPE IS FOR A 4 EGG MIX USING THE SQUID ALL SEASON MIX 9ml Scopex Squid Top Rod Formula liquid attractor 1ml Intense Sweetener (the extra mil is for the colder months only). All Season Squid base mix to suit. As hook baits/pop ups I make a mix doubling the flavours (2 egg with same flavour levels as a 4 egg) this is ideal for making cork ball pop ups and bottom baits too. When I use double strength pop ups I like to have half a dozen similar free offerings, it just might convince a carp to eat the hook bait more confidently if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eaten similar free offerings. Also as hook baits I like to use the white Rainbow pop ups, as conventional pop ups or to balance my snowman rigs using a double strength bottom bait hook bait. Amber Strawberry is a stunning cold water bait. In all honesty I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t used it all that much, electing to fish for other species in the winter the past few years. Amber Strawberry is designed to be a winter bait although we tweaked it a little to make it an all season one. Interestingly on my syndicate it was top bait for 2

summers although it is really winter orientated. Again you can use the Top Rod Formula (Amber Strawberry) to make white, orange, yellow and brown baits. This will give the carp a colour choice and provides an edge as on some waters the white just might be too easy for the birds to see. When we tested this bait white tested the best but on a couple of waters I know other colours seem to work better. The base mix used for this is 50/50 Amber attractor and All Season Squid although you can use just one or the other as they both work well in the winter. I personally prefer the Amber attractor on itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own as this lets the flavours come out stronger. Amber Strawberry already has a lot of sweetener in the recipe so needs none adding but an excellent over dip is the Strawberry Oil Palatant, very slightly sweetened with a mil of sweetener per 100 ml bottle. The Oil Palatants work very differently to a dip or normal flavour and a light coating of sweetened Palatant will work with the bait not masking the food signals of the boilie like some dips do. So, winter bait, choose one with a good cold water track record, pre-bait regularly and you could catch a lot of fish, not just the odd one like the single hook bait anglers probably will. GOOD LUCK!

ZERO TOLERANCE THE SECOND GENERATION LEGENDARY ZERO TOLERANCE CLOTHING HAS ARRIVED! IF YOU CAN’T STAY WARM DRY AND COMFORTABLE ON THE BANK DURING THE COLDER MONTHS, YOU WON’T FISH EFFECTIVELY, YOU’LL PROBABLY PACK UP EARLY OR YOU MIGHT END UP NOT GOING AT ALL. ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY KEVIN NASH, AN ANGLER WHO FISHES THROUGHOUT THE WINTER AND WHO KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING WARM AND DRY. ZT CLOTHING IS UNIQUE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH OTHER INFERIOR GARMENTS. RELIABLE PERFORMANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR WINTER ANGLERS. ZT UTILISES THE HIGHEST QUALITY FITTINGS AND THE LATEST CUTTINGEDGE MATERIALS – AND IT’S STYLISH, TOO!

ZT ICE HOODY A superb, authentic winter hoody. Featuring a twin skinned thermal hood & crossover throat gusset to eliminate chilling winter winds. Double thickness thermal main body, velcro phone pocket & a spacious front zipped kangaroo style pouch make this a winter chill stopping essential. ZT CREW NECK A 21st century jumper with heritage - stay warm, but look cool, not only on the bank but also when sharing a pint with your mates down the pub. Utilizes a chunky, luxury brushed wool fabric to maximise body heat retention. ZT DUO JACKET The ultimate high-performance winter garment. Designed for the hardcore carp angler fishing in subzero temperatures, but with the flexibility to wear the outer, waterproof shell or the thermal fleece only on milder winter, spring & autumn days. ALL THE GARMENT OPTIONS YOU WILL NEED IN ONE OUTSTANDING DESIGN!

OLERANC

ZERO TOLERANCE

ZERO TOLERANCE OUTER WATERPROOF SHELL • 100% waterproof (8000mm) & breathable • (3000g/m2 24hr) • Three external fleece-lined zipped pockets • Inside zipped pocket • Elasticated & adjustable cuffs • Elasticated & adjustable waist • Top quality, heavy duty main zip with velcro storm flap • Fleece lined collar & concealed hood with stiffened peak INNER FLEECE • Inner Fleece Jacket, dual membrane to maximize heat retention and prevent wind chill. • Two external zipped pockets • Elasticated waist and cuffs ZT BODY WARMER The ultimate body warmer. Combining the ZT ethos of winter bankside warmth and comfort with an urban look. • • • • •

Twin skinned thermal removable hood Double insulated quilted main body Watershed suede effect outer Three external zipped pockets Waist adjustment

ZT DUO TROUSERS Designed by Kevin Nash using four decades of winter fishing experience. Far more flexible than a traditional ‘Bib & Brace’, the ZT Duo trousers enhance comfort & ease of use. Braced for secure trekking, part insulated & 100% waterproof.

OUTER WATERPROOF SHELL • 100% waterproof (8000mm) & breathable (3000g/m2 24hr) • Four external zipped pockets 2 of which are fleece lined, handwarmer pockets • Zipped access to under trouser pockets • Heavy-duty fly zip • Adjustable, elasticated waistband with belt loops • Removable, adjustable braces • Reinforced, cushioned butt and knee pads • Elasticated, adjustable ankles with anti-draught baffle ZT ARCTIC BIVVY SUIT A modern take on a Nash iconic garment. Designed to keep you warm where you need it most, whilst you are static watching your rods, or sheltering in your bivvy. If it’s raining and you get a take, slip on a waterproof coat and take it off when you get back into the bivvy. The Arctic Bivvy Suit concept ensures you are always warm, dry and properly insulated. DOUBLE QUILTED INSULATED BODY (IT’S LIKE WEARING YOUR SLEEPING BAG!) • Watershed suede effect outer • Five external pockets • Heavy duty two way main zip • Reinforced, cushioned butt and knee pads

A TIP FROM KEVIN NASH ‘Always keep a pair of ZT trousers in your kit. Even in autumn & spring, the evenings can be chilly. Slipping on the trousers with a hoody can make all the difference’.

ZERO TOLERANCE WINTER2012

ATTITUDE TO ADVERSE ELEMENTS www.nashtackle.co.uk/ZT www.nashtv.co.uk www.facebook.com/OfficialNashTackle @nashtackleuk

N A M R E G E E N E TH E C D S I S N P I R E H A T C FROM W E I V

A TOBI

GE E I L PF

YPES US T D O I R F VA HOL RS O S, SOME E T A VOIR OF W ERS D RESER B M NU AN ED HUGE L LAKES S. PROV E R M I A A E Y R E L N CAL LL O NATU THER MATI ANY ERE ARE NLY SMA A N THE R M D R S E IN Y GERMA 0KG. A S H A IN GE IZES, TH S HOLD O Y E T N I R 3 A L C S R IS M QUA E IN OVER AND SH OTHE ATER A MASSIV LT OF TH H MANY I W F S BIG ED ESU WIT EAR NT Y TRIGGER D. AS A R BIG FISH E ARP C E O Y AN C O R RN ER F E E R U P V L T O O UR URA S IN IN M S OF HE E +), H HA Y OF NAT NUMBER T C I N I H IT W 5KG RLY ABIL GOOD GULA +), JOE (3 E R AVAIL S HOLD R ST 0KG PEAR WATE H AP S MARY (4 +) ARE JU Y S I F ESE MAN 0KG CH A OF TH FISH SU ONICA (4 P IN GER CH. Y N MA ZINES. VER BIG CAR TO CAT ) OR A + G VE N’’ A G M (35K ‘’ KNOW OULD LO R E V E L W I S S TH OR E OF Y ANGLER ITS F SOM N M A R M E D, P RS THAT GLAN SH WATE N E IN FI N LIKE D CA E BIG JUST OF THES AND AN . BUT M Y E MAN HIGH DE ACQUIR N O L I T L ARE FICULT E STI ND R A F I E BE D SO THER O BE FOU LL. T A EVEN WATERS BLE TO A E L I M A AV SO ARE THAT

RULES

In Germany individual states have different rules, these are strictly enforced so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s very important to clarify these before fishing. Night fishing is unfortunately not allowed in every state. Where night fishing is prohibited, this is usually between the hours of 24:00 to 05:00. During this time you will be required to spend this time

away from the water. But its not all bad news as most of my big carp have been caught during the daytime! There is a two rod limit on many waters although in some states fishing with 3 rods is allowed, its worth remembering that violation of this rule usually results in your tackle being confiscated.

N A M R E G E E N E TH E C D S I S N P I R E H CA FROM T VIEW

TOP TIPS BAIT CHOICE On the bigger venues that I fish using large quantities of bait is crucial for success, these venues hold a lot of fish, large numbers carp and also bream and tench will be competing for the food. Pre baiting creates a massive advantage, I like to use large amounts of particles, hemp, maize, nuts, tiger nuts in particular are my favourites, groundbait boosted with liquid additives can be very effective too. When exploring any new water, the sooner you start and the more bait you apply the bigger the rewards. Boilies and halibut pellets in various shapes and sizes are also an important addition to the mix. My personal favourite boilie for the large reservoirs is Monster Pursuit, I’ve enjoyed some great results on the big lakes in Germany, particularly during the warmer months and I’ve got real confidence in it. I’m convinced this bait has real big fish pulling power. On the well stocked venues sweet or fruity baits also work very well, my personel favourite is the Classic Pineapple boilies. The potent fruity attractors and bright yellow colour has proven to be a top catcher for me and will often out fish all other angler’s baits .

TACKLE CHOICE Suitable tackle will be pretty much the same as that used in England. If the use of boats is not allowed, the incredible Nash NRXD 12ft. 3.5 lb rods are a must to ensure I can hit the distance. But if I can boat my baits out then the 12ft. 2 3/4lb Entities are my rods of choice, these really are the perfect rods for playing fish from the boat. The new De-Cam mono is a great all round carp line but for boat use I favour 20lb Bullet Braid combined with a 0.60mm mono Snagleader. NASH TT For big water fishing and big carp, hook choice has got to be the Fang Uni in sizes 4 to 6. These are my favourite hooks, they are sharp and also very strong and refuse to open out even when playing big hard fighting carp. If I’m fishing for smaller carp I simply change to a smaller size. Rigs are simple and strong, 25lb Missing Link and a Uni hook make an almost indestructible combination that can be used with complete confidence BOAT USE AND CHOICE A good quality stable boat is vitally important, a life jacket should always be used, never take a chance and go out on the water without one. A high-resolution sonar is an indispensible tool. My favourite here is the Lowrance HDS-5 Sonar used in conjunction with the Structure Scan Kit, this allows me to quickly and reliably explore and map a large body of water. The sharp and detailed colour screen, displays even the smallest of features. Another important tool is a knock lead, this consists of a ball lead attached to a non stretch braided line, this is perfect for exploring and finding hard fishable spots. Hopefully I’ve given you an interesting insight into carp fishing in Germany, if you decide to make a trip yourself –

Good luck!

WATSON’S ANGLE MARK SAYS KEEP AT ‘EM! I’M WRITING THIS SITTING IN THE TITAN AT ST IVES SHALLOW LAGOON, AUTUMN IS HERE AND WINTER WILL SOON BE IN FULL SWING. ALONG WITH LATE SPRING, IT IS MY FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR TO BE OUT HARASSING CARP. THE FISH WILL BE FEEDING WELL, THE MOZZIES WILL HAVE DISAPPEARED AND MY HAYFEVER WILL BE FORGOTTEN FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

BE PREPARED

LOCATION

I’ve called this piece “Keep at em” because that’s exactly what the most successful anglers will be doing. After a few blanks or some poor weather it’s easy to stay at home in comfort but you’ll have to ask yourself how much do you want to catch? It’s easier to carry on if you are comfortable on the bank and nowadays there is no excuse for not being. The awesome Titan will be protecting me from the worst mother nature has to throw at me while the Indulgence will be making sure I get a good nights kip. After taking the mickey out of Jamie Clossick on several occasions in the past for using a hot water bottle I have now seen the light. They are a godsend on a cold night and if you haven’t used one, I strongly suggest you do. The Nash bottle with its fleecy cover will transform your life!

As the weather cools off I have no qualms whatsoever about fishing in the deeper areas of the lake. Carp are cold blooded and will seek out the warmest areas of the lake which will be the deep spots. The deeper the water is, the longer it will take to cool off which is why deep lakes carry on producing. Having said that, I don’t just find the nearest bit of deep water and sling a bait into it. A lot of muck and detritus will be on the bottom in deep water along with areas of black stinking silt. I’ll avoid this and instead look for bloodworm beds and cleaner areas. A clean area in deep water is usually there because fish have cleaned it and bloodworm can be found very deep. The deepest I’ve ever pulled some up from was 37+ feet in Elstow 2. They were also the biggest, juiciest bloodworm I’ve seen.

DO YOUR HOME WORK There’s little point in slogging away into the cold months on a water that has little or no form for producing back end. I’m sure there will be some exceptions but it has been my experience that smaller, shallower, weedier waters can be very difficult late on in the year. Bigger, deeper pits that haven’t been overly weedy through the summer are more likely to carry on producing. The main St Ives lagoon is a prime example of this. It is a good sized pit, hasn’t had a great deal of weed this year due to flood water coming in and the lakes biggest fish, The Black Pig, has form for getting caught late on in the year. I can think of several October captures and even a December one. It has been caught a couple of times this year over 40lb after spawning so will be back near its top weight of 46lb+ very soon. There are also a handful of originals still there to be caught along with 70 or so scaley stockies to keep the action coming. Despite what the rumour mongers have been spreading, the stockies are all still there even with the floods due to a fence and the hard work of fishery manager, Gordon. The lake is still a challenge but while it is as quiet as it is, The Pig is there just waiting to be caught!

“THERE ARE ALSO A HANDFUL OF ORIGINALS STILL THERE TO BE CAUGHT ALONG WITH 70 OR SO SCALEY STOCKIES TO KEEP THE ACTION COMING.”

On the flipside, we will get high air pressure weather at times which will bring sunny days and cold, frosty nights. Areas of the lake where the fish can soak up a bit of sun should never be ignored and exploring varying depths with zig bugs can provide bonus fish when the weather doesn’t look too favourable. My own fishing this autumn will be very limited after October

but with good reason. I’ll be doing the level 2 coaching qualification run by the Angling Development Board. By the end of it I’ll be a fully qualified angling coach and ready to pass on my knowledge and experience to others. I could have just advertised my services and jumped straight in like some have but I’m not that arrogant. Being able to catch carp and being able to teach are two completely

different things which is why the course is vital and something I’m looking forward to. I’d also advise any carpers out there looking to brush up on their skills with a tuition to look into what a coach can offer. Those with the level 2 qualification will be trained coaches, insured, CRB checked and first aid trained. Others may not be any of these and are just out for the cash so be careful. You wouldn’t employ an unqualified sparky to do your electrics so it makes sense to always choose a qualified coach.

THE LUCKY PRIZE WINNER WILL RECE LEG BEDCHAIR AND H-GUN SLEEP H-GUN BEDCHAIR £105.99 H-GUN SLEEPING BAG £60.99

A quality lightweight, robust and functional 3 leg bed chair and 4 season

ION

COMPETIT

EIVE A H-GUN 3 PING BAG

Competition for the Autumn edition is as follows:

ns sleeping bag

TION FEATURES INCLUDE adjustable legs for ease of set up and adjustable head section featuring H-Gun hand wheels allow the bed to be used flat or with the head end raised as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;chair.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The new H-Gun sleeping bag is a top quality lightweight 4-season bag. Features include a splashproof cover made from soft touch lightweight polyester, and a soft luxurious fleece inner. This, coupled with a high quality fibre filling for maximum insulation makes the perfect bag for all year round use.

Also featuring our unique crash zip system which allows quick and easy access in an out of the bag without the hassle of snapped zips etc....There are also two toggled draw cords, one around the hood and the other around the neck. These allow you to close up the bag to prevent heat loss when cold. With the addition of underside pockets at either end to secure the bedchair as well as a tensioning strap to secure the sleeping bag in place resulting in minimal slip.

Who is this? Option 1. Kevin Nash Option 2. Tom Selleck Option 3. Jerry Hammond Option 4. Julian Cundiff

Visit the Nash website to enter www.nashtackle.co.uk/ competitionsList Good luck!

N M U T U A R E T WIN

DURING LATE SUMMER OR EARLY AUTUMN MANY ANGLERS START TO THINK ABOUT CHANGING BAITS READY FOR THE COLDER MONTHS AHEAD, NASH BAIT USERS DON’T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS ALL OF OUR BOILIES WILL CONTINUE TO CATCH THROUGHOUT THE TWELVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

THERE ISN’T ANOTHER BAIT COMPANY ANYWHERE THAT CAN MATCH US FOR QUALITY AND CHOICE, NASH BAIT ALSO HAS AN UN-MATCHED BIG CARP CATCHING TRACK RECORD THAT MOST OTHER COMPANY’S CAN ONLY DREAM OF.

BOILIE CHOICE

The ‘Top Rod’ range of boilies are available in both frozen and shelf life formats, being able to use frozen and shelf life versions of the same boilie provides a major advantage. Some anglers seem to think that Nash shelf life boilies are somehow inferior to their frozen counterparts, which is a big mistake.

Nash Bait Top Rod shelf life boilies have an almost identical nutritional profile and same high food value as the frozen baits. Unlike some inferior products Nash Bait Shelf Life’s do not contain chemical preservatives. The shelf life’s which are just

different rather than inferior to their frozen counterparts are produced from a slightly different formulation and contain marginally higher levels of attractors, adding colour to the shelf life versions also helps to boost visual attraction. During the colder months the shelf life’s will sometimes out-fish the frozen baits; they often produce the first take of a session at any time of the year. Sometimes the fish will show a preference for the frozen baits, experimentation is the key. Fishing with a mixture will most definitely increase catch rates, experimenting with different hook bait options will soon let you know if the carp have a preference.

MONSTER SQUID Carp absolutely love Monster Squid, our field testers, consultants and valued customers are continuing to catch well on this amazing bait. The catch reports have been flooding in all year and will continue to do so through the colder months. There is also a special edition black version of Monster Squid available in the range. Nash Bait have been making black boilies to special order for many years, they provide the thinking angler with an edge. Pressured carp will sometimes shy away from coloured or Hi-Viz boilies, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that the same fish will often feed with enthusiasm on a black bait. Diving birds donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to immediately recognise black boilies as food which is another advantage and black Monster Squid Air Ball pop ups are proving incredibly effective on the chod.

IC1 The iC1 is a top cold water catcher. During the big freeze ups of 2011 and 2012, the iC1 helped many anglers turn around a difficult winter season, even in sub zero temperatures, if the water was fishable anglers caught carp. Summer or winter when the bait is first introduced to a water, carp seem to find the complex spicy fishy aroma and taste impossible to resist.

AMBER STRAWBERRY Although some anglers use this boilie as a dedicated winter bait, the Amber is a fantastic all seasons carp catcher. Anglers fishing pressured venues looking to use something different to the crowds have been catching well on this brilliant white incredibly instant boilie all year. During autumn - early winter rather than make a complete change, many Nash Bait users prefer to mix the Amber S in with an already established boilie, this is a red hot tactic that will ensure continued success throughout the colder months.

SCOPEX SQUID AND SCOPEX SQUID RED For many top anglers these well proven boilies tick all the boxes. As well as being an instantly attractive all seasons carp catcher, the Squid also has an impressive big fish track record. Scopex Squid is considered by many devotees to be the number one carp bait of all time, looking at the number of catch reports we receive each week throughout the twelve months of the year, they could well be right!

N M U T AU R E T N I W DON’T OVER LOOK THE CLASSICS!

Nash Bait also manufacture a range of Classic Shelf Life Boilies, these are also high quality high food value baits. The attractor combinations are as the name suggests ‘classic’ carp catchers that have been catching fish in England and throughout Europe for many years. Fished as a hook bait in isolation or over a scattering of Classics or Top Rod boilies, a bright coloured bottom bait makes a very effective alternative to the usual over used pop up. Used on their own or combined with Top Rod boilies and other Nash Bait peripheral products, the Classics are hard to beat.

SCOPEX Bright orange Scopex is a classic in the true meaning of the word. This bait catches so many carp each year and some really big ones too for those in the know. It is also a top choice to use on any water where crayfish are a problem. Although carp find the Scopex Classics hard to resist, the dreaded crayfish will often ignore them completely. A top catcher and very popular choice for fishing in crayfish infested waters abroad.

STRAWBERRY Red strawberry is a consistent top seller and a very effective instant carp catcher. Summer and winter on any type of water the Strawberry Classics just go on catching year after year. If the carp are proving a bit tricky on a given day, a Strawberry hook bait and matching Chain Reaction is a good bet to produce that elusive first bite.

WHITE CHOCOLATE Although many anglers switch to White Chocolate during the colder months, these brilliant white baits will catch carp at any time of the year. So if you are looking for something a little different to use on a pressured water, these are the ones to try. Many big fish specialists highly rate White Chocolate. A single white bottom bait or pop up for example fished over a scattering of Top Rod boilies has caught many of this countries most highly prized monster carp.

TUTTI FRUTTI There are Tutti boilies available from numerous bait companies but this one is extra special. The exclusive fruity attractor used in the bright orange boilie was purpose designed and developed in the Nash bait laboratory and over a number of years it’s proven to be a very special carp attractor. As with all the Classic baits, carp find them instantly attractive but will also happily eat them in quantity.

SHELLFISH SENSE APPEAL Shellfish Sense Appeal is one of the most potent carp attractors known to man! When applied in quantity these dark red fishy baits have the potential to absolutely dominate a water. If carp are preoccupied on natural food or are proving hard to tempt, this bait often provides the key to success. Many top anglers consider it a bait bucket essential.

PINEAPPLE What can you say about yellow Pineapple boilies? There can’t be many carp swimming that haven’t been caught on one! The Pineapple Oil Palatant used in the Nash Bait variation is a potent carp attractor and one which also gives the bait a very more-ish taste and massive appeal. First choice for many anglers as a hook bait to chuck at a showing fish, lightly baited spots will also produce multiple takes when the carp go on the feed.

Rig TALK 60

DIFFUSION LEADS THE WAY ON MANY WATERS DURING THE COLDER MONTHS WATER CLARITY CAN MAKE CONVENTIONAL SOLID COLOUR RIG COMPONENTS STAND OUT HORRIBLY. COLD LETHARGIC FISH ALSO TEND TO FEED MORE METHODICALLY AND LESS COMPETITIVELY WHICH MEANS THERE’S MORE CHANCE OF THEM SUSSING OUT OR SPOOKING OFF OUR END TACKLE. CARP FIND DIFFUSION LEADERS, TUBING AND ASSOCIATED RIG COMPONENTS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT. THE NEW DE-CAM MAIN LINE ALSO PROVIDES THE SAME LEVELS OF INVISIBILITY; FISHING WITH ANYTHING ELSE THIS WINTER JUST DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE.

g i R LEAD ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IN WHAT SITUATIONS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND USING THE SAFETY BOLT BEAD? The original Safety Bolt Bead was invented by Kevin Nash, for many years this much copied innovation has been the number one choice for most anglers around the world wanting to fish with a semi fixed lead arrangement. The Nash bead has evolved during this time and is still considered by many to be the best ‘use anywhere’ system available today. As well as providing an effective bolt effect and efficient hooking, Diffusion Camo technology also ensures the complete system is almost impossible to spot on the lakebed. The Safety Pinz System keeps the crucial components locked into place ensuring the clip works as intended and releases the lead should it become snagged in weed or underwater obstacles. For anglers looking for just one simple none tangle system that will work effectively in most angling situations likely to be encountered, this is the system to choose.

Rig TALK

THERE ARE SAFETY BOLT BEADS AND WEED SAFE BEADS IN THE TT RANGE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE DIFFERENCE? The Weed Safe Bead provides all the same attributes as the standard bead but when a hooked carp bolts from the trap, the lead is immediately discharged from the bead. In open water with the lead released, this puts the angler in direct contact with the fish making it easier to play and control. Often the fish will rise to the surface quickly which also helps to stack the odds

in the anglers favour. In any weedy situation, the lead seems to attract the green stuff like a magnet which puts extra pressure on hooks, rigs and end tackle components increasing the chances of a failure. Being able to play the fish without a lead in the equation provides a major edge and is proven to significantly improve hooked to landed fish ratios.

WHAT ADVANTAGES CAN BE GAINED BY USING A NASH RUN BEAD? The Nash Run Bead creates a very effective running set up, the Safety Pinz System also allows leads to be changed or removed quickly which makes it a practical system too. As we head into the colder months, bite indication can be even more critical. Used at short to medium range, the Run Bead is proven to transmit more information back to the bank. Used with the unique speed sensitive bite indication provided by the Nash Sirens, it’s a deadly combination that will in many situations make the difference between a banked fish or another missed opportunity. On pressured waters, feeding in baited areas and avoiding capture is all part of the carp’s daily routine. Pressured riggy carp can become very adept at dealing with semi fixed lead set ups at any time of the year some fish can hook themselves and then get rid of the unwanted mouthful with little or no evidence of an occurrence being transmitted back to the bank. This is another situation when a running set up can make the difference between success or another disappointing blank.

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It’s worth noting that heavy leads create the most effective running set ups, lighter leads tend to move around on the bottom when the rig is picked up by a fish which tends to create more of an inefficient bolt effect. But obviously if you are stalking or angling for fish you can see you have to balance this against the chances of spooking the fish, in this situation a 2 oz lead makes a good compromise WHEN SHOULD I USE AN IN-LINE LEAD? Some anglers like the relatively simple streamlined and possible ‘low spook’ nature of an in line set up and the effective bolt effect that they can create, so use them for all of their fishing. A simple lead release system can easily be constructed which can make in line fishing an effective and versatile method. But most anglers probably use them for PVA bag fishing, in particular well packed solid bags are very effective for fishing at range. With practice extreme distances can be hit accurately with ease. Using the Nash NXR rods, our in house rod expert and casting maestro Terry Edmonds has hit some incredible almost unbelievable distances using this method. TEXTURE COATED LEADS SEEM ALL THE RAGE AT THE MOMENT, IS IT JUST ANOTHER FAD OR IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO BE GAINED? Since we released our own range of texture camo coated leads there does seem to have been a rush by others to copy. If you take a close look at the coating on the Nash leads with a magnifying glass you’ll see it looks rather like multi coloured rough sand paper. The idea is based on advanced military camouflage technology which allows a single object to blend effectively against a multitude of coloured backgrounds. There are two options available, weed green and sand/gravel, in a real fishing situation , these leads genuinely disappear, combined with Diffusion Rig Components, the unique texture coated Nash leads are without doubt the very best available.

Rig TALK FANG TWISTER

Unflavoured Mutant boilies and corn have caught more than their fair share of big carp this year, a wafting hook bait whipped to the shank of a size 10 Twister KD style has been the rig responsible. It seems to be an irresistible mouthful for elusive pressured carp that might otherwise shy away from a more conventional flavoured boilie or over used particle hook bait. Once sucked in, the mechanics of the rig make that super sticky Twister impossible to deal with, this creates panic, the fish bolts and another highly prized target fish makes one of its infrequent visits to the bank!

FANG GAPER

More and more anglers are enjoying great success using a size 6 Gaper as a chod hook. Many anglers seem to think that a chod hook must have an out turned eye for it to work effectively which is a big mistake. The unique wide gape, short shank and straight eye actually makes the Gaper the perfect choice for chod and pop up fishing. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve met quite a few people at our road shows this year who have been fishing chods and suffering with poor hook holds or lost fish. Changing to a Gaper hook has in most cases completely solved the problem.

FANG UNI

GET RIGGED FOR SUCCESS! FANG X

The Snowman seems to have made a come back this year, a good number of notable captures have been credited to the rig. In particular a blow back ring rig tied up with 20lb Missing Link, size 7 or 8 Fang X, 1.5mm rig ring and a simple knotless knot has been producing a lot of fish. A double hook bait consisting of a wafting 15mm pop up and bottom bait attached to a longish hair giving around 2 cms separation between the bait and bend of the hook has proven to be a deadly combination. But we are reliably informed that as we head into the colder months a double or treble 10mm wafter combination could be the way to go.

All Fang hooks are renowned for their strength and sticky sharp points, during initial development, the Fangs out performed all other hooks that we bench tested against them. But when any hook point comes into contact with stones gravel or even aggressive weed, that vital edge can be lost. Usually just coating the point with Vaseline creates enough of a barrier to solve any issues, Vaseline is a proven carp attractor too! But if that fails to solve the problem, changing to the slightly beaked pointed Uni will solve any blunting issues. The Uni is a versatile hook well suited to bottom bait, pop up, zig and surface fishing and is a tackle box essential for many top anglers.

THE SUMMER MONTHS ARE BY FAR THE BUSIEST IN THE PEG ONE TEAM’S CALENDAR. WITH ROAD SHOWS ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY, FISH-INS, TALKS, SHOP DAYS AND EVEN A BIT OF FISHING THROWN IN WE ARE CERTAINLY KEPT ON OUR TOES! Summer is also the time when we get to test out a lot of the new products that should be hitting the shelves in 2013, and also the whole team gets to use all of the new products in their own fishing. Normally we spread the new product samples around, so each member of the team gets input into some of them, following longterm testing. I can’t obviously at this stage say too much about what is on the horizon, but certainly it has been a productive year for the team so far!

SUPER SIX

Probably the star of the Peg One team this year so far has been Ted Bryan, after all, how many anglers have caught six forty pound carp and numerous thirties this year? Ted has certainly got his carp head on at the moment, although he has also found time to catch some brilliant tench and bream along the way, and the results have just kept on rolling for him. Ted certainly doesn’t rely upon any complicated rigs, but careful baiting with his favourite IC1 and Scopex Squid boilies, and bang-on location have kept him catching on a weekly basis right through the summer months. Ted’s biggest piece of advice is to keep watching the water, and if you see fish moving elsewhere then get on your bike and get after them! Just how Ted’s season will finish up is anyone’s guess, but so far it has been an absolute blinder!

STICK IT TO ‘EM

It was Yorkshire match ace Paul Yates that originally put us onto the idea of producing a sticky pellet specifically for Method feeder fishing. After some serious testing and numerous samples we finally came up with a pellet that we were happy with and the result was the awesome Fish Frenzy Sticky Method Pellet that we now sell. Now, we knew this was a great product, as in testing it really knocked the socks off our normal baits, but just how popular it has become is amazing! Instead of whetting Sticky Pellet like a normal expander, it is mixed up much more like a ground bait, with just a tiny amount of water. This soaks into the outer skin, activating the natural binder that is in the pellet and giving you within just a few minutes, the perfect Method pellet. Originally we thought that Sticky Pellet would be ideal for fishing at range, or in deep water, but in tests we found that is was much more versatile than that. The secret is that because the pellet is only lightly dampened with water when prepared it continues to expand when immersed in water. This expansion massively speeds up the breakdown time, and so you can actually watch the pellets fall away from the feeder before your eyes! We now rarely use anything other than Sticky Pellet on the Method feeder, the only situation being when we need to use slightly bigger pellets.

ON THE RIVERS

Barbel are one of our favourite species, and the team have taken some mightily impressive fish this season already using a variety of different Fish Frenzy baits. Perhaps the most consistent of the team has been Lewis Baldwin, who seems to catch doubles for fun almost everywhere he goes! Lewis has been

catching on a range of different Nash Bait boilies, some he is keeping close to his chest, but we do know he has been ordering plenty of the new Monster Crab and Shellfish! Lewis has mainly been adopting a boilie or pellet and boilie approach, feeding a mixture of whole and broken up boilies

rather than the more normal pellet approach, and this certainly seems to be catching him a high average size of fish. Dave Pimlott has also been catching plenty of barbel, a recent session in Dorset resulted in no less than five doubles to over 13 pounds gracing his landing net.

Dave adopted a roving approach, mainly fishing just hookbaits of boilies wrapped in paste on leger rigs with long Zig Flo hook lengths and spending no more than an hour or so in each swim as he searched the venues looking for big barbel. A great result on these challenging southern rivers.

OUR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR? The Peg One Landing Nets and handles have gone down a storm since their release; so much so that we have struggled to keep them in stock for long! Product of the year though has to be the superb Transformer Carp Rods, that have proven extremely popular, not just for carp, but also with the barbel fishing fraternity. In fact, despite the name, these rods really are useful in so many different situations that we have received massive amounts of feedback on just how good they are.

to release, 2013 is going to be an awesome year for our brands and anglers. We try and keep our Face Book page and website updated almost every day, so keep an eye

on that for all our latest fishing and product news, and we love to hear about your catches too, so please tell us what you are up to on our Face Book page.

For 2013 we have some more models lined up and ready for release, which we believe will be just as ground breaking. Look out for more news early in the new year. It really has been a tremendous second year for Peg One, and with Fish Frenzy now in its fourth year we have built up a fantastic following. With more new and innovative products already well on their way

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Tony and Pete with Tony’s 150-pounder

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Set up on the Top Lake

In the water with the 150lb cat

CATFISH VIRGINS

Tony ‘Pieater’ Balfour tells of a ﬁrst

trip to the Ebro.

lease don’t think that by Doncaster boy Pete ‘Webbo’ reading this article, your Gareth is a catfish/carp-mad Webster, preparations were soon skills as a catfish angler Brummie and not the Gareth underway and a plan was are going to improve. This being Edwards of Welsh rugby is formed. A couple or three fame just a tale of a first trip guiding and once British pike record to the services were shortlisted River Ebro in pursuit of thanks holder, but of course that the to that new fangled gadget didn’t huge catfish that dwell the stop us ripping the mickey in the Interwebnet. The big English out of Ebro/Segre system. firms him all week. that we wanted were all fully With European and even We were informed by the booked for the week (in worldwide fishing destinations hindsight ever-helpful members of this was a bit of a godsend), the Pike becoming more and more but and Predators forum that eventually the one man band early accessible the decision to of May could be a hit or miss head Gareth Edwards and his affair abroad was an easy one. guiding with the fish having spawning Once a service under the name in willing fishing companion of Catfish mind rather than feeding, had Tours was contacted and but as I been found in the form of we were was going to catch nowt sitting in booked. I think it must be said that Wigan, 2nd to 9th May were the

UK DAVE MUTTON CATFISHING IN THE 2

CATFISHING IN THE UK

Tony’s ﬁrst ever cat at 54lb

dates allocated for our attack. As always at my age the days passed all too soon and, two hours after leaving Liverpool John Lennon Airport, I was in Barcelona. Twenty minutes after this the hire car was sorted, followed by a quick brew, and Pete was with me after ﬂying in from Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport... no, I never knew Doncaster had an airport either.

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or we would have done but for wanted and could not have one unforeseen problem been we any closer to the riverbank. hadn’t thought of: being Spain not Gareth was with us for 7am and only do they drive on the wrong the plan for the week’s fishing side of the road but the steering took all of two minutes to wheel, gearstick and pedals sort out, of the with Gaz having one task, to hire cars are also in the wrong catch us some fish, simple’s. place! After a quick spin round the Both Pete and I had discussed Airport car park we were off and targets for the week and the two-hour drive was pretty agreed that a fish over the ton was much straightforward. Follow not the too much to ask, so with motorway out of Barcelona, this in turn mind we set to our task with left at Llieda and you are in gusto. If I’m honest, though, Mequinenza, so literally four and neither of us had caught half hours from leaving Liverpool a catfish before so any fish we caught we were in Mequi’s catfish would be a bonus. country. A quick phone call for directions and a flash of the ON N THE MOV MOVE headlights found us meeting Gaz, A spot was chosen opposite and another 10 minutes saw us in where the coloured waters of the the apartment with brew in hand. Segre meet the clear Rio Ebro. I was up early the following From the off we knew it was morning and while Pete slept on going to be a struggle as the Segre was flowing at a fair rate of knots, and the first four or five hours of the trip were taken up reeling lines back in to clear the

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the shower thanking my lucky stars we had separate rooms. The apartment was ﬁne for what we

Above: Powerful rods and sturdy reels are required

Dave Thinking of having a go for wels catﬁsh? to tell you how. Mutton begins a two-part feature

Main: The sensor array of a catﬁsh

at sensing particle displacement if it did its mouth. This means that it in the water using its highly it could possesses a proper stomach, catfish not like the taste of a bait, y the time you get to lie up developed lateral line. The hook will gorge on food and then water reject it, even without the read this, the frosty days food can sense vibrations in the mouth. to digest it. The catfish finds and being anywhere near it’s of winter will be just a smell, such as a fish in distress, if you by combining its sense of it nears its This is worth thinking about in memory; a memory that move towards them. As using taste and by sensing vibration that will are going to target them two hopefully is full of fat pike prey, receptors in its barbules the water. The catfish has boat. the cat artificially flavoured baits. have graced the bank or pick up the vibrations and sets of nostrils and has an to do? As The catfish will actively hunt – in So what are you going starts to fine tune its approach. excellent sense of smell to the two for prey, particularly in warmer In Some of you may continue the catfish nears its victim, Britain only the eels’ is keener. can often be found in linked to months, and fish for pike through the long whiskers will point straight fish, smell is very closely many of rod, the upper layers of the water a highly warmer months, whilst ahead almost like a divining it taste and the catfish has it hunting for fish. This is when buds you, as soon as the days and when it gets within range of developed array of taste rays employs a third sense, that its cavernous its lengthened and the suns adept suddenly opens in which are located along its prey. vibration. The catfish is very around started to have some warmth mouth and simply engulf barbules as well as in and with a them, give a sigh tinged Unlike pike or zander, the rows of touch of sadness as the This 43-pounder is catfish does not possess wels has clearly capable of deadbait rods are put away proper teeth. Instead the taking very large palate again to sit there untouched baits pads in its upper and lower you may of tiny until October. Some of which consist of hundreds other these be after tench, bream or Velcro-like teeth. It uses may be it then species, whilst others pads to grip its prey which for targeting carp. I also fish passes back to four crushing but at those species on occasion, pads, two top and two bottom, to gain I never seem to be able the back of its throat. the same level of enthusiasm as I do for non-predatory fish TO THE LIMIT my to for predators. That is why So what tackle are you going and very summers are usually spent need to tackle this large key to targeting that other apex hard fighting species? The predator, the wels catfish. all catfishing tackle is reliability is The wels catfish can be and strength. The wels catfish all of described as a predatory very powerful and will test a scavenger, in that it will eat your gear to its limit. When baits, off huge variety of meat or fish hooked they will either surge natural run both alive and dead. Its on a seemingly unstoppable diet consists of fish, amphibians, that will have your reel screaming, to worms, waterfowl and small or hug the bottom refusing much hooped mammals. It will eat pretty move and the rod will be its very more anything that it can fit into over to the butt as you apply most to get large mouth. However, like and more pressure trying GREAT SPECIAL OFFERS WHEN YOU are predators its feeding spells SUBSCRIBE – CALL 01430 440624 OR VISIT WWW.PIKEANDPREDATORS.CO.UK infrequent and, as the catfish

GRAEME PULLEN CATFISH CAPERS IN BRITAIN

CATFISH CAPERS IN BRITAIN

After many years of not really paying attention, Graeme Pullen discovers catﬁshing alternative summer species for UK is a viable predator anglers.

hile I like my floater fishing for carp, I can see the attraction of avoiding Gerty the Thirty of the overcrowded carp world, in favour of Ton-up Tessie of the wels catfish world. It was while filming with Phil Williams in deepest Devon that I began to realise just how much of a cult fish the catfish has become. We were at Zyg Gregorek’s Angler’s Paradise, which I had never 2

fished before but we dropped in rather than being full of carp with a couple of cameras catfish is like a B&Q bucket, on the anglers, around so nno half of the big fish worries way back from a fruitless about whether they can guys were after catfish. session hoping to break eat it or not! Livebaiting at the Supposedly night feeders, the British porbeagle shark the fishery is not allowed, but record. catfish at Zyg’s complex didn’t Zyg has a very large head deadbaits are okay if you of seem to have read the books get catfish at the complex, running and them from Zyg. So, what many were coming out in do the from five-pounders up to broad anglers catch on? Top selling over daylight – blazing sun and bait 50lb, which I certainly consider blue in the site’s tackle shop was sky. the well worth catching. While giant sized halibut feed pellets. filming There were different In and catching everything fact many of the anglers from techniques, different rigs threaded golden tench to grass carp and them on a hair rig as doubles and some clonking great baits to ornamental koi I noticed in use make even bigger hookbaits. that, – the mouth on even a 20lb I fished a couple of hours for a cat

DAN WILLIAMS CAT CRAZY

ANGLERPROFILE ANGLERPRO

A sustainable food source exists in Devon, where Zyg Gregorek that the cats crash provides shoals of rudd into at night

Name: Graeme Pullen. Age: 59 Hometown: Hook, Hampshire. Favourite Venue: Royalty Fishery, Hampshire Avon.

Favourite Species: Barbel and pike. Most Memorable Catch: None, they are all totally awesome!

Young anglers are quickly zoning in on the catﬁsh, like Andrew Pillings took this 40lb-plus who from the lakes at Angler’s Paradise

one evening on a smaller lake and watched a guy walk down to a personal tally of several corner, lob out what I thought hundred tackle shows and meet with was catfish... many an enormous bait dropper, anglers who say they would then love walk back to his swim, feeding to catch a catfish, but they out Graeme Pullen: Give are not us line as he went. I sent Phil in many waters. However, off on a introduction on that is the history of the mission to find out. It turned not the case today. With out British catfish. I seem to over 500 he was using a half tin of recall the waters holding pork cats, most anglers first time I read of them was luncheon meat as a monstrous many are probably within striking years ago at a place called hair rigged cube. Now that’s distance of a suitable venue. what Woburn Abbey”. I call fishing! Phil got a 15-pounder, so he’s off the GP: Is the CCS an elite club, mark Simon Clarke: Yes, they or with a new PB, and although were can anybody join it? I introduced as a folly of the didn’t get my first cat I was aristocracy in the late 1800s suitably impressed with the into SC: It was started back in Woburn Abbey Lakes by 1984 by enthusiasm level, and as the Duke catfish enthusiasts. soon as Basically it’s a of Bedford at the time. It I got back I decided I needed wasn’t club to help beginners and to until the 1950s that their help learn more. understand the species. distribution expanded around There are the no real cat experts. Even country with some local though I Cats are long so SIMON SAYS clubs have fished for them for being given stock, and it more make sure you As fortune would have it basically than 25 years I am still learning my local have a good sized all started from there. Tackle Up fishing shop is something from every session unhooking mat owned I and run by Simon Clarke, – watch out for do. After all, that’s the magic who is GP: What sort of sizes were of chairman of the Catfish them snaking they going fishing in the first place. running back then? about Conservation Group and has a GP: Let’s start with the tackle SC: Around 1970 the record a was beginner to cats would need. only some 31lb, so they Start started Chairman of at the sharp end with hooks. out small. There were supposed the Catfish to be accounts that they Conservation reached SC: What you need is to Group, Simon up to 70lb, but there was match a lack of the size of hook Clarke, with to the size of bait. photos. Now with the upsurge of his recent UK Invariably you will be using commercial fisheries and big PB cat of 56lb high baits – lobworms, meat, protein baits going into the fish, waters squid, luncheon meat – and there has been a rapid increase it can in be very easy to mask the hook if growth, so 30lb is no longer an you are not careful. What exceptional fish. you need isWHEN a hook YOU with aSUBSCRIBE nice wide – CALL 01430 440624 OR VISIT WWW.PIKEANDPREDATORS.CO.UK GREAT SPECIAL OFFERS gape, long point and long GP: Now the sizes have shank so it can sit nicely off the increased are there many hook bait waters corner, or you can hair rig where the beginner to catfishing it. Catfish have big bucket can go and have a reasonable mouths. They come in and nab the chance of catching? bait so you need plenty of hook to go into that large and very hard SC: 20 years ago I would jaw. An have adequate size for a bunch said there were less than of small 50 worms would be a size 2 waters in the entire country; or 4. • The wels can live for at • The British record for the today With a great bunch of lobworms there are over 500. I go least 35 years. wels was closed to further to a lot of then a 1 or 1/0 would match claims on 23rd October the • The wels has no scales. WWW.GIFTS4ANGLERS.CO.UK 2000. • The wels can be found all • The wels was introduced over Europe. Despite their 3 into the UK more than 100 fearsome looks, • The wels is predatory and years ago. wels are usually will anything from insects, quite docile on • The original stocking took rats, birds to fish. the bank place at Woburn Abbey in • The wels prefers to stay in Bedfordshire. sheltered locations but • Spain, Italy and France can be found in both still have all got established and flowing water. wels stocks. • The wels features a total • The wels thrives in warm of six barbules; two long temperatures where there ones on the upper jaw and is also an abundance of four shorter ones on the food. lower jaw. • Prey is detected by both • The wels can change their smell and vibration. colour depending on their capture and a sign of this can be and allow it to breathe, regain its environment. Dark in clear • Although predators, wels seen by them changing colour strength and swim off strongly. Do water and pale in turbid are also scavengers and and becoming lighter. If this not leave a fish unattended and water. will eat pretty much happens then it is paramount to take the time to ensure it swims anything. • Female wels can produce return them to the water straight off safely. You may need to hold up to 30,000 eggs per • Water temperature is a away. Because the wels catfish and support them in some cases. kilogram of body weight. major factor in growth has no scales they can get line It is very important to respect the rates. • When wels spawn they marks during the fight, but these fish you are fortunate enough to use a ‘nest’ positioned in • Wels are ideal for are not a long-term damage and catch so that they can give other tree roots or underwater controlling the numbers of do fade. Once it is time to return anglers the same joy you have vegetation. crayfish in a water. the fish, hold it upright in the water experienced. • Wels eggs are around • The Latin name for the It is important to 3mm in diameter. wels is Silurus glanis care for all catfish More information on catfish care can be found at regardless of size • Eggs can take less than • The wels is one of the www.catfishconservationgroup.com Catfish are five days to hatch. biggest freshwater fish in usually hooked the world. • Only 10% of fry are likely in the corner of A large to survive. • The wels is also known as the mouth – take unhooking A big cat is one the sheath-fish, sheat-fish extra care with • Males guard the nest until mat is a of the hardest their sensitive or giant European catfish. must the eggs hatch. fighting fish you’ll whiskers ever encounter • The wels is just one of • The average growth rate thousands of different of a UK wels is 1-2lb a catfish species across the year. world. • The wels can grow to • The wels has fantastic nearly 10 feet long and hearing due to a sound weigh more than 330lb in amplification system rare cases. called the Weberian • You need special apparatus. important features of the catfish is photographing in daylight, and can permission to stock wels • The wels has a highly its whiskers so take extra care to become a proper handful. If your in England from the developed sense of taste not damage them as they help the catch is particularly lively on the Environment Agency and due to the whiskers and DEFRA. catfish survive. Ensure camera bank then covering its eyes will mouth/lips being covered equipment is at the ready if you help it keep calm. • Young wels (under 30lb) in taste buds. want a photograph. Some people flesh can be consumed as • Once a wels reaches RETURNING THE FISH can be frightened by catfish but food. around 50lb, it has no they are docile and easy to handle The catfish are very powerful • Wels eggs are poisonous natural predators. fighters and will need a short rest on the bank if cared for correctly. and should not be before being returned. Catfish can However, they recover quickly if consumed. also become very stressed during a retained for a few hours for

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WELS CATFISH FAC FACTS

DID YOU KNOW..?

This being a catﬁsh special edition, occasional cat angler Dan Williams has a few tips and cat facts for other cat novices.

he wels catﬁsh is one the most impressive ﬁsh swimming and it deserves every bit of respect after it’s given us the pleasure of catching it.

LANDING THE FISH A very large landing net is a must when cat fishing. It is one of very few species of fish that can swim backwards and they often do this when nearing the net in the final stages of the fight. If there are shallow margins then boots or waders should be used to ensure the catfish is landed properly. Fishing with someone else is an advantage as it can be a big task just getting a catfish into the landing net – a helping hand is always welcome. Be sure to check all fins are flat against its body and the hook is not in a position that will tear its mouth when lifted (slacken off).

ON THE BANK Catfish are big so once the fish has been landed it should be place on a large, wet unhooking mat (multiple unhooking mats can be used). As a rough guide, a 10lb catfish is around 3ft long and a 60lb specimen can be around 5ft long so you can see why you need large unhooking areas and mats. A weigh sling should be wetted and zeroed on a set of scales which should be at the ready to ensure the catfish is out of the water for the minimum amount of time. The hook will most likely be set in the soft corner of the mouth. If you are wary of catfish then wearing gloves will help protect you

against Velcro-like teeth – though these very rarely hurt the angler. Strong forceps or pliers can also be a good idea to help remove the hook if it is held firm. Catfish can feed in hot conditions so it is wise to unhook and photograph in a shady area, and a bucket or two of water should be at hand to keep the catfish moist. One of the most

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mInUtES wIth chrIS yatES £2.95 ISSUE 128 aprIl 2012

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they Longe, slim and acrobatic, and roll have been known to jump with their in the surface splashing big tails; a very un-catfish-like fish is behaviour. In Bolivia this means known as saltador, which has a jumper. Piraiba sometimes the mysterious ‘milk’ gland at pectoral anterior upper part of its but in fins. Its function is unknown, Colombia this fish is therefore means known as lechero, which milkman.

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will ever any freshwater fish you in the catfish that lodges itself 2500 encounter on rod and line! fish, t is estimated that over urethral openings of other the The piraiba is the largest species of fish occur in even animals or occasionally catfish in the Brachyplatystoma Amazon. The order for its humans(!), to the monstrous the genus, and is notorious reported Siluriformes (catfish) is piraiba, which has been voracious eating and solitary and second most diverse and to grow over nine feet long is the true giant of Many of lifestyle. This probably the most spectacular of weigh in excess of 150kg. With the Amazon with many stories group of Amazon species. of Amazonian Locals than the larger species fish weighing over 500lb! 14 families, including more catfish are migratory, extremely call the juvenile fish (those 1000 species, the Amazon active and aggressive predators of all weighing under 100lb) filhote. accounts for almost half in fast water. world! that live mainly are over 50kg, locals catfish are Once they the catfish species in the Pound for pound, these the call them piraiba. They range in size from – than as strong – if not stronger parasitic diabolical candirú, a tiny

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When they’re juveniles, with piraiba are light to dark grey down and Piraiba look for food as far small spots on their dorsal older, as 50 metres. They will scavenge lateral sides. As they get prey like top and but also actively hunt for they turn dark grey on the and small catfish, characins light grey/white on the bottom. big piranhas. Piraiba, like other This coloration aids in as the Amazonian catfish such camouflaging their massive jau, or redtail catfish, dourada and bodies as they hunt in midwater and think do not worry about the sharp shallow places. Most people fin dwellers, pungent dorsal and pectoral of catfish as true bottom for spines of small catfish. Examined but the opposite is the case shoveldourada and piraiba specimens piraiba, dourada and the revealed perforated and/or nosed catfish species. Piraiba likely the scarred stomachs most search for food throughout The at night caused by catfish spines. entire water column and no just slicing teeth of piranha are they can be caught at or they problem either, even though below the surface. where to inhabit the same waters Piraiba have an appetite hundreds of piranha school. bodies. thick match their massive these These giants have extremely Fishermen who’ve caught resists tough leathery skin that have found small they are massive giants inside. such attacks. By the time monkeys, birds and cats can monkeys five feet in length, piraiba While they don’t hunt for problem move freely in the deepest or birds, piraibas have no fear of Amazon waters without scavenging on already deceased predators.

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T h e l o n g - a wa i t e d s e q u e l t o 1 9 9 4 ’ s ‘ F r o m T h e B i v v y ’

ob Dylan’s cri de coeur ‘How does it feel…?’ in ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ was the inspiration behind From the Bivvy and this book, both of which were written on the bank during sessions. Pictures can convey the beauty of carp fishing through the scenery, the sunrises and the sunsets. They can even convey something of the harshness of sessions, but there is no wetness or discomfort in pictures of rain, and only words can try to get across the reality of spending six days and nights in wet clothes, as happened during the cataclysmic Rainbow November session described herein. It was horrendous, but for me it is one of the highlights of the book, simply because it was carp fishing in its rawest state, and a period of such conflicting emotions, highs and lows. It was a headbanger, but during it I caught my second-biggest fish ever, which made it all worthwhile. The session on Kevin Nash’s Church Pool was another highlight – with a sting in the tail when I had to pack up and battle my three-trip way back to the distant car park through the torrential rain and bitter easterly wind. No pain, no gain. ‘How does it feel?’ It is the question I’ve tried to answer through words and pictures in compiling More From the Bivvy.

Tim Paisley

“From Gigantica to Church Pool, Ashmead to Rainbow, Yateley to Madine – this book will not only have countrywide £30 appeal, but dare I suggest, worldwide appeal. This is a book that will stand the test of time and it will appeal to all anglers, young and old, who enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.” Julian Cundiff, January 2012 + £2.95 P&P

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM ANGLING PUBLICATIONS ORDER YOUR COPY AT WWW.ANGLINGPUBLICATIONS.CO.UK OR CALL 0114 258 0812

RS TE!

IF YOU WANT TO UP YOUR CATCH RATE OR PB THIS AUTUMN AND WINTER OUR TOP ANGLERS HAVE GOT THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL GIVE YOU AN EDGE SIMON CROW

The need for plumbing and searching out the ‘hot spots’ becomes more obvious in autumn than at any other time of the year. Results can be a bit hit and miss in September into early winter because the fish are likely to have been bombarded with hoards of baited rigs in the preceding months. Yet if you track down the spots they visit regularly, you can certainly sneak a few chances before they get their heads down when the climate really changes in November. A well planned pre-baiting campaign will help overcome any shyness built-up by the carp, and a good plumb around now will uncover all sorts of otherwise hidden areas, especially those which are generally termed as ‘cleaned areas’. These areas of the lakebed may only be a few feet across, and as the weed density drops off with the cooler water, such ‘hot spots’ can be uncovered much more easily. A smooth piece of bottom is what I look for, where the lead ‘glides’ across the deck and comes back with clay-type markings on it. Obviously a ‘cleaned area’ may well have been created by the feeding activities of the fish, in which case, should I uncover one, I will have hit onto a sure winner. However, another suggestion is that carp rub themselves on the bottom in the early part of autumn as a form of marking territory more than anything else. As the food stocks deplete, the fish get more aggressive amongst themselves, and their marking of territory is a survival instinct. Despite the fish all thinking that ‘cleaned’ spots are their own, it isn’t unusual for multiple captures to come your way from one if you get things right. I’ve had some great results from them in autumn and I’m sure you will too if you put the effort in to look for them.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE

One of the best ways of uncovering ‘cleaned areas’ is with a boat and some sort of looking glass, but not all venues allow anglers to do this so it is necessary to have a good cast around. I use two rods to do it thoroughly, the first armed with a simple marker float set up, and the second loaded with a baited rig. I’ll simply cast the marker out to the area I want to check, and then follow it with the rigged rod, taking note of anything I bring back on the hook. I’ll cast all around the marker, giving the rig plenty of time to settle on the bottom, before retrieving it and moving my attention to another area.

UP YOURS MATE! 73

RS TE!

UP YOURS MATE! NIGEL SHARP

For many years and more than I care to remember I’ve looked upon the August bank holiday weekend as being a marker for when things start to change from the high summer tactics of using particles and mixers to it becoming boilie time of year again. This is not to say those summer methods don’t work after the last holiday weekend of the year because they do but like I say I use it as a marker of when I like to start changing my approach. Also as the water temperatures start to fall I also tend to stop using oily products such as high oil pellets and boilie dips. My reasoning behind this is so that these don’t start fatting up like candle wax in the carps digestive systems. If I am going to rev up say a bag of boilies with a little extra attraction I’ll tend to go for the less oily matching Nash Food Dips rather than the Boilie Dip. The same goes for the pellet thing if I feel the need to introduce any. Obviously we’ve got the Soluballs and Monster Carp Pellets for this line of attack but in the main I’ll be sticking to the boilie approach from now on. As the leaves start to fall and litter the bottom, I’ll also start to favour pop-up rigs over bottom bait presentations so that I can guarantee that my hook points are clear of any debris. Basically in the short this pretty much covers my autumn approach and if I am intent on staying on the water into the colder winter months I’ll start introducing my favoured winter baits by mixing them in with the bait that I’m currently using. For example at the moment I’m on the good old faithful Scopex Squid Reds but I’m intending to use some Amber Attract with Chocolate Malt when it gets really cold but I’ll not make a sudden change over, I’ll simply just add a couple of handfuls of Amber to each kilo of Squid Reds as I go. As time goes by I’ll be upping the Amber and using less of the Squid Reds and be fishing different hookbaits on each rod to see if there’s a noticeable change in the carp’s preference to one bait over another as the water cools. I’ll have a bet there will be and will let you know next time.

RS TE!

UP YOURS MATE!

Just watching the water religiously is key for keeping a step ahead of the fish.

RICH WILBY

I know that spring fishing can be prolific, but the cool autumn months are my favourite and simply the best time to be on the bank after carp. In the last week the nights have cooled down significantly and I am buzzing about my fishing. I want to be on the bank as much as I can in the next two months whereas in the summer months I try to pick the odd day or night which looks good. The strange thing is, which really hit home last year on my fishery, is that 50% of anglers stopped coming after the first week of October. I know on big fish syndicate waters a 50% drop might not be the case, but on your average “20lb stamp of fish” day-ticket water I think it’s a very accurate figure. That’s not great for me as a fishery owner, but it benefits me massively as an angler. Quieter banks and fishing for carp which are in plump condition with their autumn colours is what makes me drag myself out of bed before first light. Last autumn I made up for a lack of summer fishing and I plan to do the same this year. My main line of attack is to fish heavily with boilies and get as much bait as I can into my chosen venues on a regular basis in between sessions. Then on short day-trips I can be mobile and know any area I drop into has seen some of my bait and hopefully the fish will be quick to respond to my hookbait. I will be sticking with the Monster Squid well into December but may start mixing in some Amber Strawberry after the first proper cold snaps.

RS TE!

UP YOURS MATE!

STEVE BRIGGS

Autumn early winter is one of my favourite times to be out on the bank, it’s when the big fish go on the feed more heavily and because of that they also tend to be at their best weights. When I look back at past results, the months of October and November have always produced something good for me wherever I’ve been fishing around Europe. It’s the time when the fish start to move out more and deeper areas start to come into play, which is a shame in one way as I do love stalking fish in the margins but really it’s the clear spots in between weed beds or channels in between bars that I’m looking for as the temperatures start to dip. Weed will be starting to die off a little perhaps but it still gives off warmth as well as cover and the carp never want to be too far away from that. Tactics vary from water to water but I don’t vary my baiting approach too much from the summer. It does mean being a little more patient as the bites might not come as quickly as they did in the summer but I’ve got no problem in giving the fish plenty to eat as sooner or later they will find it and clear it up. In fact much is said about using pop ups at this time of year when there are lots of decaying leaves and debris on the bottom but although those tactics may well get the odd bonus fish I tend to find that carp are very good at doing the ‘housework’ and the areas where they have fed consistently will be clean and smooth, so an area where you are retrieving lots of dead items from might well be worth avoiding! I’ve got plenty of fishing planned over the next few months and the main attack will be with Monster Squid 15mm boilies and the hook bait will be either a single or double bottom bait or a little snowman set up. As time goes by I find it less and less necessary to complicate things so I’ll put all my faith in the one bait I’ll also try to whittle it down to one set up that I’m happy with. There are a few big lumps out there that I’ll be aiming to get my hands on before the year is out so here’s hoping that my name is on one or two of them!

RS TE!

UP YOURS MATE!

JULES CUNDIFF

During autumn the hours of darkness and light are almost the same and although its a great time for catching carp those of us that are restricted to ‘shorter’ sessions can end up with a bit of SAD ( Seasonal Affected Disorder)..No longer is it possible to nip down before / after work for a few stolen hours, if you do you’ll be either setting up/packing up in the dark or both! But remember -YOU CANT CATCH THEM SAT AT HOME!! So believe that you can catch them and most importantly WANT to catch them enough so that you push yourself and make the extra effort. How much do you WANT it ? Well that’s something money can’t buy and you either do or you don’t. If you like the water

you are on and feel happy with your approach you are more likely to WANT it so the first issue is to ensure you are where you want to be and have a realistic chance of catching them NOT just going through the motions. That’s for you to figure out and if you are not happy STOP right now and find a place where you will be happy. Once you have the right water then its important to organise your LIFE and get to the water as often as you can without upsetting the BALANCE in life I try to use flexi-time as and when I can, to take half days to tie in with feeding spells and to run into or start on a weekend so I have some hours of daylight to play with. I prefer mid week to weekends on the busier waters for

the obvious reasons but on less busy ones I utilise a Saturday or Sunday. Don’t let things slip and think “oh next week will do” as time will run away from you and once you lose contact with a water its harder to get back into the groove when you do come back. I take a digital radio to setup and pack up to Planet Rock on low volume. I have some magazines and books to while away the hours if need be. Plenty of coffee and decent food keeps me fuelled. Warm clothes, a Profile brolly proofed twice a year to keep it waterproof, groundsheet, subtle gas lamp and so on. Its not rocket science, its common sense but if you take away some of those ideas and utilise them, from now to mid-winter could be very kind to you indeed!

RS TE!

UP YOURS MATE!

JOE JAGGAR

My bait choice for the winter remains the same, the awesome Monster Squid, however, I have already started mixing it in with the equally amazing Amber Strawberry. I begin mixing it at a ratio of 3 parts Monster to 1 part Amber, slowly increasing the amounts of the White stuff until the original ratio is reversed and I am using Amber Strawberry almost exclusively. This method of baiting has worked extremely well for me over the past two years, I recommend you give it a try! With angling pressure at its lowest, the colder months are my favourite time on the bank. Most anglers seem to fine down their end tackle which can often result in lost fish. I feel that once you have created a scenario where the fish are feeding confidently on the bait youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve applied, rigs can become almost secondary and fining down simply isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessary. My winter fishing will be closer to home this year and targets regarding weights will be lower. A low 30 might not sound anything special but in Cumbria it automatically becomes somewhat colossal! The campaign is going to be by no means easy as the lake is low stock and pressured. One thing is for sure though, when the going gets tough, Nash Bait gets going so my confidence is sky high!

Autumn & early

Winter is worth it! TRAVELLING CARPER KEITH WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT TAKING A TRIP ACROSS THE CHANNEL

THIS TIME OF YEAR IS MY FAVOURITE TIME FOR GOING TO FRANCE. THE CARP ARE AT THEIR BEST WITH THEIR RICH COLOURS STARTING TO SHOW, THE COUNTRYSIDE IS BEAUTIFUL TOO. I LOVE WATCHING THE MIST COMING OFF THE LAKE EARLY MORNINGS WHICH IS A PRIME TIME FOR CATCHING THOSE MASSIVE CARP.

Autumn & early

Winter is worth it!

It is not easy fishing this time of year, as you can imagine the lakes are hammered week after week so the fish can be a bit spooky. It is essential you get your timings right. There is normally a short period when the weather conditions are just right and at this time the carp will feed most vigorously. You should be looking for a mixture of low pressure and mild conditions. It is really important the month before your trip to look at what the weather is doing so you can plan your tactics. Pay particular attention to what is happening in mid France. Cold nights and warm days do not bode well because fish find this uncomfortable and feeding slackens off. Temperatures can fall quite rapidly and with the nights being long it is even more important to be ready for all the sudden weather changes that could be thrown at you. It is therefore important to take appropriate clothing as you cannot guarantee what weather you are going to have during your week`s session. Planning is therefore crucial to success. Regards bait it may be the case that you need a lot of feed as the carp may start their annual feast in preparation for the winter. I always take plenty of boilies but I particularly like to take 10 millers as well. You will also need stacks of sweetcorn, Nash Mutant corn and a few packets of maize are essentials for me too, pellets and hemp also make a good back up. Check that the lake has a freezer on site so you can keep the boilies frozen otherwise you will need to air dry them at home a couple of weeks before you go. Don’t wait until you get there as the weather will be against you on the bank and you could end up with mouldy bait.

are likely to spot carp feeding on the previous angler’s baits Normally during the first 24 hours I would not put too much feed in just in case the previous anglers have discarded any leftover bait on their last day! I always have a rod on Nash Mutant Corn, as I have lost count how many fish over forty I have caught on this method at this time of year. A Mutant – KD or blow back rig and Nash Missing Link is a deadly combination. The second rod will go out with a couple of 10 mm baits on a blow back rig. I have found that these smaller baits certainly attract the bigger carp that may have become spooky with the amount of larger baits they’ve seen during the summer. The third rod is baited with 15mm boilies to enable me to establish a feeding pattern. As the session progresses if one bait starts to produce I will change all rods to that one. One last point, it’s often beneficial to take your rods out for a couple of hours a day to take the pressure off the swim. This is also a great opportunity for a bit of a social with your mates! All the advice given here has served me very well over the last couple of years and has significantly increased my catch rate and the size of my catches. Autumn and early winter are my favourite times of year for fishing in France and in truth I can`t wait to get back over there.

Thinking about tactics, firstly check the rules that apply to your venue, the lake may specify barbed or barbless hooks, leaders or lead core could be banned. Also check what mainline you can use, either braid or mono. On a long journey down to mid France I normally drive through the night and I like to be set up ready to go so there is no work to be done when I am newly arrived and exhausted. I like to be clued up as to where I am going to fish and will hopefully get the swim I want, learning from past mistakes I normally go with a group of anglers who I know and book the lake exclusively. It is advisable not to be in too much of a rush to get those rods out, keep an eye on the water, as the lake has probably had no lines out in the few preceding hours before the changeover, and you

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Autumn 2012

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