plaicemat

I hadn't realised you'd joined the 'wand wavers', Mike. Have you tried it yet? Terry.

Are you ever able to go during the week, Jas? Terry.

I am a paid up member of the band that use the Fladen Maxximus solid C rods and think they are a great sporting rod. Even quite a small fish will put a very satisfying bend in it but I have also used it for cod and pollock on wrecks. They come in various sizes and, although the r.r.p. is

Rich, I'm shocked! It's not like you to let something as mundane as work to get in the way of fishing matters. Terry.

Come on! Name names. Terry

Not as amusing, but factual all the same, once again in the late 50's, the people of Florida used to have their own sun tan lotion. This was, of course, before the days when a tan suddenly became dangerous. At about this time, Hawaian Tropic brought out their tanning oil which would, indeed, enhance the natural tanning process. It did not take Floridians long to work out their own product which did eactly the same; cooking oil and iodine. It was slapped on me on arrival and I can testify that it works. The only side effect is that in extremely hot weather, there is the unmistakeable aroma of cooking pork. Not unpleasant but slightly worrying. Terry.

Rich, I would just like to stick up for us in a small way. The U.K. is well known for it's unpredictable weather; anyone who has spent time in the mountains here knows how quickly the weather can change. Other places, like Florida and the landlocked mountains of Europe, have more predictable climates. As you say, the Florida coast has it's afternoon storms so the prediction is only of time of arrival and severity. In the Tyrol on Achensee, the wind actually turns 90 degrees around midday, hardly ever fails as I found during sailing trips there. Oh, for the luxury of predictable weather, but isn't that which makes the U.K. so much fun? Everyone complains that Britain comes to a standstill when it snows, whereas places like Austria still keep moving. Nobody realises, though, that the law there says you have to fit winter tyres after October and if we did the same, there wouldn't be the chaos. However, we don't get enough or frequent snow to make this worthwhile. Similarly, the benefits from setting up an early warning system around our coast with our unpredictable weather systems would be outweighed by the cost. I had three trips out of Weymouth earlier in the year with ideal met forecasts and got thrown about and soaked in each case. Similarly, I have cancelled trips because of weather systems building to the west, only to find that there were ideal conditions on the day. Just remember, in Florida, nobody says "Good morning, beautiful day". because their weather is so predictably fine, apart from a few glitches like hurricanes. Just be grateful for at least one topic of conversation. Terry.

Without wishing to sound pedantic, I hope you mean, here's Debs' (with apostrophe) otherwise, you're being very cruel to your better half! Terry.

I have to add that I was recommended to use copper grease. Not sure of the benefits but it works! Terry.

You're absolutely correct, my mistake (how big is that). Terry

Or, with a bit of lateral thinking, fix the two ends first and then work it round using a fulcrum to gain the last bit of stretch over the final bend. No experience but worth a try. Terry.

I hate to be pessimistic and join the negative brigade, Gordon, but I think you'll be lucky at

I think there's a degree of masochism in your makeup somewhere, Tom. Terry.

In fact, this summer I've caught more cod than in the winter on just one trip. Mind, that wouldn't be difficult; I haven't caught any winter cod for years and those were at home in Norfolk. Terry.

Adam, no it doesn't, only if the water is too hot. The female section expands first, before the heat gets to the inside. This is not a conjecture on my part; I've done it and it worked! Also, to assist grip I use that rubbery matting stuff that people put on dashboards to stop things moving around. I always have some in my box as I have limited grip in my left hand due to (temporary, I hope) knackered tendons. It is very cheap from

Someone should snap up the reel. The Magnum has to be one of the best value reels for years. Simple but very reliable and smooth in use. Good drag too. Terry.

I solved a similar problem by applying hot (NOT boiling) water to the joint and then pulling apart. It is important not to get it TOO hot because if you twist it too much pulling it apart, it will distort the fibres. If you do get it pretty hot, only exert a straight pull. I don't know what your rod is made of; mine was a carbon fibre mix salmon fly rod. Terry.

Very philosophically put, Jack. I hope, then, that you are not pestered by too many fish to spoil your trips! Terry.

Don't mess with the best in the west. In the days of the Wild West, there was a young cowboy who wanted more than anything to be the greatest gunfighter in the world. He practiced every minute of his spare time, but he knew that he wasn't yet first-rate and that there must be something he was doing wrong. Sitting in a saloon one Saturday night, he recognized an elderly man seated at the bar who had the reputation of being the fastest gun in the West in his day. The young cowboy took the seat next to the old-timer, bought him a drink, and told him the story of his great ambition. "Do you think you could give me some tips?" he asked. The old man looked him up and down and said, Well, for one thing you're wearing your gun too high, tie the holster a little lower down on your leg." The young man did as he was told, stood up, whipped out his 44 and shot the bow tie off the piano player. "That's terrific!" said the cowboy, "Got any more tips for me? " "Yep," said the old man, "cut a notch out of your holster where the hammer hits it. That'll give you a smoother draw." The young man took out his knife, cut the notch, stood up, drew his gun in a blur, and shot a cufflink off the piano player. "Wow!" said the cowboy, "I'm learnin' somethin' here - got anymore tips?" The old man pointed to a large can in a corner of the saloon. "See that grease over there? Coat your gun with it." The young man went over to the can and smeared some of the grease on the barrel of his gun. "No," said the old-timer, "I mean smear it all over the gun, handle and all." "Will that make me a better gunfighter?" asked the young man. "No," said the old timer, "but when Wyatt Earp gets done playin' the piano, he's going to shove that gun up your a**, and it won't hurt as much"

feliz anivers

This is not an expert opinion but last year I caught quite a lot fishing the ledge. I don't know if this is a 'hot spot', but I was pleasantly surprised at this addition to the menu. Terry.

? Terry

Added to which, I don't think man-eating sharks is the kind of media hype the tourist office particularly wants. Terry.

Is this a fishing programme I've missed? With baracuda on the menu, it sounds as if it's about dipping your worm in exotic places. Terry.

Not as much cred, though. That is important to some folk. Terry