I like the idea of the smaller ones for surface fishing amongst weed

However a week away from fishing would not be a bad thing as I had been fishing at least once a week for 50 out of the last 52 weeks and to tell you the truth the fishing tackle was in a serious need of an overhaul. Therefore I took the opportunity to give it all a spring clean and to renew the consumables. The line on all three reels was in need of replacement after a heavy yearís use. To be honest I am surprised I had not lost a fish due to line breakage. Iím sure there must have been a weak spot on one of them somewhere after a year stalking in amongst bankside bushes and underwater snags. I still swear by 15lb Big Game line, after all the years having so far never being let down by it, I used to use Brent line which was superb but you cannot get hold of it these days. Big Game though suits my needs and is cheaper than some of the Ďin vogueí lines around now. As for hooks, well Iíve been through a few over the years but for the last ten years I have used Drennan ones of various patterns. I used the starpoints for a few years, especially the continental variety, until I had one straighten out and one snap on me, so they went out of favour. At the moment Iím using the continental boilie hooks which seem superb but I have an liking for ESP products so I may try the raptors sometime for a change. I like the idea of the smaller ones for surface fishing amongst weed. Hooklengths will always be a changing view for me as I seem to go through ideas ten a penny and when I think Iíve found something that works I find a reason why it is not ideal and change to something else. If I could get away with it Iíd use mono hooklengths all the time but to find one strong enough to handle close in stalking work means the presentation is appalling so I use braid most of the time. Recently I have drifted back to Kryston quicksilver in 25lb bs as it is both strong and relatively subtle at the same time. However, it does tend to loop up on the bottom, so blobs of putty are still needed along its length. I used it for years for catfish and perch fishing, as well as carp fishing, so I have a soft spot for it. For surface fishing mono cannot be bettered, the new chemo invisible lines are okay but their ‘no-stretch’ mean they snap at a drop of a hat, be warned if you use them, play your carp very carefully. The type of carp fishing and the waters I fish mean that leadcore leaders are essential and whilst I liked the Nash one, the ESP one is superb, it sinks faster than a 3oz lead! Even after a hard years use they are as good as new, so once a length is tied up there is no need to replace it. Despite the initial price it is cheap really. The only problem is that they get shorter and shorter as rigs and main lines are changed over the year, what started at three feet ends up at eighteen inches by March. A safe lead release mechanism is essential with leaders and these need replacing every now and again. I keep leads simple, just pendant leads ranging from a quarter of a ounce up to two ounces depending on the distance and whether I want the carp to hook itself or not. Yes there are times when I do not want a carp to hook itself believe it or not but this is not the place to explain those situations, I need another article for that. Then there are the more expensive bits of tackle. I was in the unfortunate situation of having to replace my rods due to one being snapped and the other in serious need of repair. The Harrison 3lb tc rods were okay for winter but if I use them for the spring and summers margin work then Iíll end up with ripping a carps head off! Only joking, but they are just too powerful for margin fishing. However they do come in handy. The 16lb mirror I had last week that I hooked on the edge of a snaggy overhanging tree at 40 yards would have been under the branches and away if I had not been using the powerful rods. I was able to hold it and walk backwards at the same time turning it away from impending danger, a lesser rod would have failed me. However, I do need some softer rods so I purchased a couple of Normark two and a quarter twelve footers at a more than reasonable price. They will do me a great service for a few years. Iíve repaired both the old ones as well to give me an extra floater rod and a slightly stiffer, slightly shorter, stalking rod, four rods for the price of two, nice one. Bedchair and shelter have been sorted out recently, even if I do not know what shelter I have, I must phone you Paul to find out what you sent me! So Iím okay there. Bait is sorted; I would not change that if you paid me (oops)! All set then for another years fishing. Despite the weather I went down the new water to have a look around anyway, after sorting out the lock on the car park gate! It was as I remembered it, a really nice looking water with loads of possibilities for the stalker. It gets really weedy in summer, which is something I love so Iím looking forward to that as well. I know its going to be hard though as only a few carp get caught every year and the carp spend a lot of time held up in the snags away from danger, but I can but try. Also this year I want to catch a big perch as I have always wanted a 3lb plus one. Iíve identified two small lakes and a small river that all produced perch well over 3lb last season so the time is right, if I leave it any longer the cycle will have turned and they will have gone, as perch do. Who knows I may have to change the name to ĎPerch Diaryí!

Have fun!