In reply to Post #5
Funny enough I didn't read this before we went but your comments were bang on. We ended up on the narrower end (bit you first come to) and had quite a few bites under the willows on solid bags. Did 36h and had 5 out between us. Baliff was super helpful in the shop and said similar things to you. From memory most people were fishing the middle of the lake over loads of bait, he just don't do that, keep it tight and light bait in the margins. Worked a treat.

It's interesting hearing the comments on business etc. as it was definitely rammed. We went midweek and I'd say it was still 90% capacity. I'd go back mainly because it's bang in the middle of me and my mate and I want to have a go on one of the proper waters there. No rats seen!

A mate and I are doing 36 on Bluebell Lake at the Bluebell complex next week. Has anyone fished there before and got any experience that they can share?

In reply to Post #646
Are they the ones on the site at the moment Mark? If I just add them to my basket like normal will that work?

Some cracking looking fish there!

In reply to Post #641
I'll be interested in grabbing some of the 16mm balanced Mark

In reply to Post #3
I imagined to save it somewhere I think before it got taken down.

I'm going away for a week tomorrow but drop me a PM to remind me and I'll send it over to you

In reply to Post #22
Don't think you'll be disappointed with the Wychwood mate. Seconds to put up really once you get used to it and loads of room. You can put it away with the front zipped in if you really need to as well

In reply to Post #308
This is what I used, had a big selection

In reply to Post #301
This was really useful thanks. A few of the bigger fishing stores on there qualify. Took the opportunity to stock up on hooks

Morning all,

My friend and I are planning our first ever French trip for Spring/Summer 2023 and having not been before we're looking for a few recommendations. Base requirements include:

- Happy with a junior coming along (10 years old)
- Food packages available
- Ideally well stocked, with a good chance of a bite
- Good facilities where a 10 year old will feel safe etc.

Anyone have any thoughts or previous experiences to go by?

Carp tax mainly annoys me when it's to do with an item that's not in their specialty. Powerpacks are a really good example of this. Specialized companies have been making these for years and they are significantly better quality than the carp branded ones, at a lower price point.

That being said I agree with what people have said on here about profits driving innovation. As a businessman I'm always skeptical when people talk about corporate greed, as I think there's a massive unappreciation for what those profits drive. Companies like Korda, Fox, Nash etc. have essentially created an established industry out of relative obscurity over the past 30 or so years. This industry now employs thousands of people, contributes to our economy and results in 'easier' adaption of 'good' angling for us all. All of that has happened because of the opportunity to make profit. I can see the other side of the argument that this has ruined fishing and that we were better in 'the good old days', nostalgia is a powerful thing.