cuzza

I use a snap to change lures quickly - tried a snap swivel but the lures kept hooking up on the line so ditched the swivel and just tie the snap on direct - much easier than tying on a leader every time.

I use fluro leader for fly fishing (I use a mixture of the BPS White River stuff and Rio) and when I'm using braid as main line, when fishing with flies, you sometimes see the fish come in for a lookand turn away so anything that makes the bait look more natural is helpful I think (a natural nymph doesn't have a visible line sticking out of it after all) and with braid (I use green Power Pro), it's more a confidence thing for me, it doesn't seem right to have a dark coloured line tied direct to the bait but you'll get plenty of responses from people telling you that tying direct doesn't make a difference to their catch ratio. Try fishing with braid without a leader and see how you go - it's one less knot to weaken your setup and if you don't get any hits, try a leader.

WTH?? Snagging to keep it, while inexcusable still makes more sense than snagging then releasing it

Thought this would do for my 100th post http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7966826/Kayaker-hit-in-the-head-by-30lb-carp.html

I wouldn't think they're obliged to give you anything apart from replacing the waders - household insurance should cover the keys and the Blackberry. My first thought was that it was pretty decent of them to offer you anything above a replacement but do they want you to send your Blackberry and keys to them? That could be a real PITA.

My name's Richard and I'm a fishing tackle-aholic I'm not going to start adding it up but I know I've saved quite a lot by buying lures on eBay so the more I spend, the more I save, right?? I do buy quality gear rather than cheap crap though, some of my Shimano reels are 8-10 years old and still going strong.

I think it's more fish the downwind end of the lake, just facing into the wind isn't enough (so in a wetserly breeze, you'd fish the eastern end of the water rather than 100yds down from the westerly end but casting into the wind), it's not like all the fish face into the wind like windsocks, they move around. Fish have a wide field of vision and their natural food approaches them from all directions so i don't think direction matters too much. Having said that, it's easier for them to move forward to take a bait than circle round for it.

Yes - me!! Used to race Caterhams before moving to Canada, great fun Was up at Mosport for some regional races last year and I'll probably head up for the race on Sunday - does it get crazy busy?

As you're an X-Rap fan already, try the X-Rap Shad Shallow - same depth characteristics as the Flat but a more robust lure.

If you're going to use a massive indicator and tip your flies you might as well cast a float and worm rig out. 8wt with a 16 hook? Talk about unbalanced! Tommy, you might want to take this *advice* with a good helping of salt ETA - good effort on the carp laszlo!

There's a review of loads of wading jackets in one of the fly fishing magazines this month - I think it's Fly Rod and Reel.

I use Power Pro and the leaflet in the box advises using an Albright knot for larger diameter mono and as, for a given breaking strain mono is thicker than braid, that's what I use (it recommends uni to uni for similar diameters). The one time I had to pull for a break, the knot at the hook broke before the Albright knot did. http://powerpro.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/nl/powerpro/company/using_powerpro/knots.html

Nice report Mike, had my first outing on the Grand at Paris on Saturday and connected with a few smallies on the fly and the water was murky then too, looking forward to going back when the level is back down again.

Sorry guys, forgot to add the link http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Fishing/Rods/PRDOVR~0781285P/Shimano%252BBob%252BIzumi%252BSignature%252BPro%252BSeries%252BFishing%252BRod.jsp?locale=en

These were on sale last year and quite a few folks took advantage so thought I'd give a heads up - only until tonight though (sorry about the short notice) Just picked up the 6' Med/Light aand it looks/feels liek a nice piece.

I look after the Engineering Systems (CAD and database stuff) for a large engineering company in Oakville

From your description I think I know where you mean - being form Oakville too, we're not exactly blessed with hundreds of bass spots! Polaroids are your friend, there is some structure (stumps and big rocks) although depending on the water level you may not see it all. Assuming it's the place I'm thinking, I've only caught or seen babies (one was literally holding on to by bait ) so mum and dad must be in there somewhere!!

Bass Pro has one on sale....... http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10205349?hvarTarget=search&cmCat=10012933 Admittedly not leather but not bad for $4 or so!

That is a very generous offer John - I'm surprised this topic hasn't attracted any takers. I'm still feeling my way round some spots (mostly flyfishing) so may well drop you a line when I have something worth trading

LOL @ 16lbs!! If it is a 51 then he's a very big lad for 14! If he's lying then he knows it and the catch means nothing. FWIW, this IS a 51lb carp albeit a mirror, not a grass carp and the guy holding it is a 6ft plus beanpole

My bad, sorry - I don't fill up there very often but was fairly sure they were all ethanol free on premium, I guess not.

I don't think any of the 91s contain ethanol (my car runs on 91 only and I check the labels when filling up) whereas most of the 87s are 15% or thereabouts. Esso, Petro, Sunoco and Shell all have ethanol free 91 octane AFAIK

Doing what? Not qualifying for tournaments? Supporting any team the English play against?

I think Argentina look ominously good along with Holland. I don't hold out much hope for England on Sunday. This is Vinnie Jones in action on Paul Gascoigne......

I'll defer to these two guys ^^^^^^ who obviously know more than me - my last paragraph still stands though.