Fishing

I'm dusting off the tackle (so to speak) for the first time in a few years. Having moved to Leyton from SE, can anyone recommend some decent river fishing nearby where I don't need club membership or can get a day pass?

Its a Daiwa Prorex/Predator(?) net of some sort. If folds down, and clips onto a bag.. I like it.
I'd definitely recommend perch fishing, it's great fun.

I used to dread catching a perch when I was a kid...because of THE FIN

I used to dread catching a perch when I was a kid...because of THE FIN

Also the little ones absolutely LOVE to take the bait alllll the way down so you have to use a disgorger

Yes that too! #PrayForRoach

I do pray for roach, mainly that I can repeat the 24lb catch of them I had yesterday when I go again tomorrow (biggest 1-12). I am currently channelling my inner match angler, trying to remember the 13 year old me fishing for Lee Working Mens Club. Tiny roach are great perch bait....

This is making me nostalgic - I remember some excellent roach action on the Cam in the winter of 89/90 (outside the Anchor pub on Silver Street) but the perch in Burwell Lode were far better! And I remember fishing for pike below a sluice at the end of Mill Lane, using a dace deadbait, and landing a monster chub to my surprise. I haven’t fished in decades and don’t think I will again, but I can’t walk past any river without looking for signs of fish life.

Perch are great fish. That is all.

Fewer roach today, but when they're this quality who cares?

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Beast!

Lush! I've never had a Roach anywhere near that size!

You mention perch and they shall appear....

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This is making me nostalgic - I remember some excellent roach action on the Cam in the winter of 89/90 (outside the Anchor pub on Silver Street) but the perch in Burwell Lode were far better! And I remember fishing for pike below a sluice at the end of Mill Lane, using a dace deadbait, and landing a monster chub to my surprise. I haven’t fished in decades and don’t think I will again, but I can’t walk past any river without looking for signs of fish life.

Cambridgeshire fens? That's my next place to try once lockdown is lifted as it's 30-40 miles away

Burwell Lode is ace - or was. Perch and pike, all very quiet and remote. I had a lovely opening morning at a pit at Mepal one year, caught one fish only but it was a perfect tench. If I keep posting here I might just have to buy a rod licence and dust off the tackle in the garage.

Do it. Apparently the fens fish well all year round. I hadn't coarse fished for about 25 years and the modern rigs/bait is all some crazy shit but very effective.

Things have obviously changed since my schooldays, I just remember catching very little and the Fens being mind-buggeringly cold.

In fishing news today, I caught 100+ roach, with none over about 6oz. Unremarkable except for some bank sliding action....

With the speed and grace of a khaki glacier I headed towards the wet stuff, breaking my fall with the nearest available 3 rods, rod pod and landing net handle, mine. I then tested the temperature in the margins by dipping my left elbow and ear into them, they were cold. No rods were hurt in the production of this farce, but an historic rod pod and landing net handle are now sadly deceased. Thankfully there were no witnesses.

3 rods on a pod for roach? times have changed

Nah, one for roach, one at 60 yards for bream, one on a float paternoster with a tiny roach for perch. Pods are bloody useful when you are fishing four or five swims in a day.

I can't fish more than one on the river - the feeder rod goes off nuts in the middle of a trot and suddenly fishing isn't relaxing any more. Sometimes I have to take everything out the water just to have a cuppa. I think some different venues will take me back to two static rods out with a bit of time to look around and sit back. Plus I love using my original Optonics.

Gone Fishing with Mortimer and Whitehouse Christmas Special last night was lovely, really superb telly. Hit me in all the feels 🖤

Don't think I'll ever get bored of Bob's issues with gravity, or Ted.

Today I had a 20lb+ carp leap repeatedly over my cunningly presented bait. You would've thought that the exercise would make it peckish. So I stayed an extra hour, it didn't.

Anyway, just got home to find that it's New Rod Day. My unsuccessful quest for a 2lb roach demanded a rod with a reel seat which (unlike my 20 year old match rod) doesn't eject the reel when most awkward. The latest carbon whizzbang from Mr Maver has arrived, apparently it offers reserves of power in the butt. Now, I've been a cyclist all my life, if it offered biceps of steel or a 6 pack I would be delighted, I don't need a more powerful butt. I am slightly concerned that this rod is the fishing equivalent of Pinarello and full Skyneos kit wankerdom. Still, at least I have an excuse to go fishing tomorrow....

Useful fishing tip of the day: don't fart in a one piece waterproof suit.

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Hi, I'm looking for some advice if possible...
I'd like to get a new rod (and/or reel), but I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the choice.
It'll be mainly used for pike, and hopefully barbel fishing next year. - Is there such a rod (and reel combo) that can manage both? any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Kinda depends on which methods you'll use and how far you're looking to cast a bait or lure, but I'd go for a carp rod really. Maybe 2.25 to 2.5 lb test curve. 12 ft will be good all rounder. Again depending on whether you want to lob deadbaits a fair chuck, or do some float or lure fishing. If you're predominantly lure or spinning, maybe a ten footer would be suitable. I've done light spinning on a dedicated 6ft spinning rod, but would be absolutely useless for Barbel.

Don't know what your budget is like but my Greys Prodigy rods are coming on for 15 years old and still like new (mainly because I never catch anything)

Reels. I've always had Shimano baitrunners. Couple of years ago I went to Daiwa. Wish I'd stuck with Shimano really

My 2p anyway. Nash probably do a purpose built multi purpose (?) rod called The Exterminator or something wank like that...

After looking for a specific rod for 3 months on eBay (10ft 1.75tc) the seller neglected to tell me the cork handle was damaged so that had to go back. For a Nash Exterminator I thought it was alright actually.

@MattG87 I know it's hard at the moment but I'd recommend going to a local shop and handling the reels. From what I've gathered equipment can be very personal. I love my retrogrouch Daiwa Whisker and wouldn't go back to Shimano for example.