Gillaroo

Yes, Dungeness is fishing brilliantly. Had first codling of the season on Friday to whole squid 40 yards out behind boats. Bass being caught mainly in daytime and cod at night. A few big ones have been caught as well. Whiting can be a pain though so I'd suggest big baits. Tight lines Gillaroo

Next door's guns for hire have shot out nearly all the decent bucks over the last couple of seasons. Then the landowner next door "mopped up" a lot of the prickets to leave two very panicky large groups of does which are incredibly difficult to get near these days. They even had the bloody cheek to put a high seat 25 yds from the boundary and think it's fine to track anything wounded over this with out any permission whatsoever!! How happy I was last Saturday morning to see a real big fellow move onto my patch and in my mind he's welcome to stay as long as he likes. There is hope but some people just haven't got a clue!!

Any dates you're still looking for beaters? Can give keepers' references if needed?

PM sent

Hi David Can BASC (as an advertiser) get a list of exactly what cover mounts have been on all shooting titles as WH Smith are implying these could not be sold/given away to under 18s? If they have made this decision with no basis on legality then surely this is prejudice? G

Firstly, Kate Swann is no longer at WH Smith so waste of time emailing her. Secondly, after a bit of investigating, Juliette Cavilla is a governer at her local primary school so you could always send emails to them for her attention... admin@haydonwick.swindon.sch.uk or simply message her on Facebook... http://www.facebook....iette.cavilla or Tweet @ JulietteCavilla Hope that helps?

I've got to the next level it seems... "Thank you for your further e mail which has been passed to me as Head of Customer Services for investigation and response. I apologise if you feel that our initial reply did not sufficiently address all of your previous concerns. I would like to assure you that WHSmith respects the views expressed by all customers. We are therefore now in the process of assimilating all of this further feedback, to assist us in looking into this issue. If I can be of any further assistance at any point , please do not hesitate to contact me. Juliette Cavilla Head of Customer Services" Juliette.Cavilla@whsmith.co.uk

Kate Swann is no longer at WH Smith in case anyone is trying to contact her to complain... customer.relations@whsmith.co.uk

I just sent them this email... "Dear WH Smith Just wondered why, when you cannot get a driving licence at the age of 13, you would be happy to sell Top Gear magazine to one of your younger customers? 2,284 people died in 2009 in traffic accidents! Also wondered why, when you can legally get a shotgun licence as young as 9, you will not sell Shooting Times to someone who is 13? There were 58 gun homicides in Great Britain in 2010, many of which were gang/drugs related and nothing whatsoever to do with shooting sports and the countryside. Also in 2009, 645 people died of alcohol related causes and 2,325 died of skin cancer so I'd be grateful if you could also look at the supply of "The Good Pub Guide" and "A Place in The Sun" magazine to under 14's please. See where I'm coming from? I'm wondering why this is now your company policy as it is a dangerous precedent to set. Will you be looking at all your publications and any associated crime/death figures and apply the same thinking and policy across them all? I look forward to your reply." Will update with any response although I'm not that hopeful of getting one!

Due to lack of sloes round us I've made some fig brandy this year. Never tried it before but it's got a good colour already after a few weeks.

That will send me all of a quiver!!!

My first proper reel was a Galion (Mitchell/Leeda?) which served me well until I eventually poached enough trout to pay for a 300A which I've still got. God how I wanted to shove in the river those kids with their smooth running Cardinals and their dad's with their metallic red shiny Abumatics! Some were so flash they even had screw in swing tips rather than my paper clip selotaped to the tip after I broke it running through the woods being pursued by the bailiff. Happy days! Gillaroo

How about... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/35190/Marin_Hawk_Hill_Bike_2011 or... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/28788/Saracen_Zen_2_Bike_2010 Always loved Marin myself and may be worth giving ATB Sales a call to see what ex-demos they've got.

Did you get the leaders and flies PB? Cheers Gillaroo

Made me laugh

Totally agree regards quality hooks and leader and I've made my sage rods redundant now thanks to a couple of Airflo 40 plus rods which I got for £40 each. My sponsorship is a token only and runs to a fly line and a few hundred metres of fluoro but it is greatly appreciated but nowhere near what some teams get and it is them who need to push a product. You've dangled the carrot Kent so please tell us all what's been written about you? Seriously, I am interested to know and this isn't a dig in any way. If you are an angler that I can share ideas with then fair play so here's the olive branch. Cheers Gillaroo

Sorry Kent but that is an unbelievably stupid comment! The main difference being is that we do use it as do the majority of competition anglers I know because it is the best. Even if I wasn't sponsored I would use it and gladly recommend it. I also use TT floating lines and the Predator for which I am sponsored as I rate these the best in class but carry around 20 lines on a day out in the boat including Cortland (blue, ghost tip), SA(SSI, WC etc), Rio (midge tip, T-11 custom cut etc), Airflo (Slow/Fast glass and Di2 through to Di8) and Scierra (Aqua Tip). I have used these lines in both individual and team events including National and International finals but will still take the majority out on a pleasure day on any major reservoir as it gives me the armoury of tactics to work out what works best on any given day. The problem with textbook anglers is that they are exactly that and will happily lend advice gleaned from studies such as your 5% nick theory (which I doubt was your own experiment) rather than get on the water and offer advice based on real experience and knowledge gained. We spend hours on the water trying to find fly fishing solutions rather than Googling them - remember I fish with and against some of the most innovative anglers out there so at least my opinion is based on what I know to work (or not as the case may be). Look at what gives you an edge and then improve it - same goes for all sport. So I have let you know my fly fishing experience (for trout anyway) so let's hear yours Kent or at least tell us which website gave you your 5% theory or surprise me and say you carried the test out in your own lab. Go back to your textbook or get on the water and tell us something we don't know rather than offer sly comments regarding me and any sponsorship I have earned. Cheers Gillaroo PS to Pegasus Bridge - If you want me to tie up a couple of leaders PM me your address and you can give the Soft Plus a go. If you feel happy with 12ft I'll do that and if you tell me where and how you like to fish I'll tie on some flies as well. The Sexy Loops site is also worth a look to iron out any casting issues... http://www.sexyloops.com/movies/flycastingstandard.shtml as I am sure Kent knows.

Meaning what exactly? As you mention it is slippery and the soft plus is... yes you've guessed it... softer. I should know as the team I fish for to national and international level is sponsored by them. Cheers Gillaroo

No need Kent using the 13.7lb soft plus! It's only .235mm so same diameter as Fulling Mill 7lb and knots and tangles slip out easily compared to other leader materials. It is the go to leader for most people I fish with - a double up of Bewl blues on anything else and you're in trouble. If a novice (not a complete beginner) can be shown to open up the loop, short line (20 yards) and roll cast in front of a drifting boat why would they be getting tangles? No need to hit the horizon and the same would apply for a novice fishing stocked stillwaters. It seems by your emoticon you think I don't know what I'm on about? Cheers Gillaroo

Agreed Kent BUT he is managing a 12ft leader with a dropper for the occasional stillwaters and stockies. Why complicate things? I took a novice out on Saturday and in no time he was handling a slow glass with a 15ft straight through leader and three flies on a balanced set up.

So long as the leader is balanced (ie you haven't got a heavier fly on your dropper than your point) I would bet you could go to at least 15ft to include a dropper or 2 with the 13.7lb Soft Plus leader. At 12ft no need to taper at all for what you are doing - just look at stopping your line at the last second on the forward cast to turn everything over. PM me if you need any help. Cheers Gillaroo

Straight through 18-24ft of Grand Max Soft Plus in 13.7lb for me unless I'm on the dries. Droppers are usually 6ft apart for 3 flies and 5 ft apart for 4. No need whatsoever for tapered leader for "occasional still waters and stockies" IMO. Cheers Gillaroo

Also check out Stewart's deals here... http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines-tippets-etc-classifieds/1161-pitsford-pirate-castaway-fly-lines.html Cheers Gillaroo

Never used the Ambush lines Paul - not really designed for the sort of fishing I do. As I said, call Tony and he'll put you straight on what's best for your needs.

Also, explain to Tony what exactly you want the line to do and your capability in terms of different casts and he'll give you the best option. He's a good guy and really knows his stuff.