Free access to Ordinance Survey maps

A lot of people like to use Ordinance Survey maps to search for new waters, certain areas etc.

I've seen in a few books the suggestion that it's a good place to start when looking for local, unfished venues.

In the past this has invovled a trip to WH Smiths to stock up on maps, however I've noticed that Bing Maps (http://www.bing.com/maps) provide access to them for free.  You can also put 'drawing pins' on areas to keep track of those you've looked at and those you haven't.

Access to Ordinance Survey maps is under the 'road' subheading.

Chasing shadows

Well it's been a pretty poor season so far for me.  Been fishing the same old swims on one drain that's been kind to me in the past for a total of a 15lb 8oz Pike so far.  The fens are a 50 mile drive for me so going out on a limb and trying an off the beaten track obscure place always feels like a gamble, however after deciding enough was enough I visited such a place yesterday and I'm glad I did.  I managed 5 doubles in about 5 hours and whilst not huge (two 10lbers, two 11lbers and a 13lber) it was nice to get a half decent bend back in my rod.

Examining the photos I think the two 10lbers may be the same fish, and potentially the two 11lbers might be as well.  I've only ever come across repeats in the same session on one water previously (Denton Reservoir) at a time when they looked old, very thin and the place had been ravaged by cormorants so I assumed they were just so hungry they had no choice (I subsequently stopped fishing the place as I didn't think it was right), however the pike out of this drain weren't like that at all, they seemed fairly chunky as the below photo shows...  Maybe it was just one of those days when they were feeding so hard they didn't care.

Tackle manufacturer contact details

I was struggling to find who supplied Ron Thompson suits tonight, having had a buckle go on it I wanted to contact them to see if they sell spares.  I cam across the below list which may be of some use to people: -

Abu Garcia: 08450 500091 www.abugarcia-fishing.co.uk/


Ackoo Floats: www.freewebs.com/ackoos--floats/

Anchor: 01985 840765 www.anchortackle.com/

Angling Concepts: 02085 736216 www.anglingconcepts.co.uk

Angling Intelligence: 07792 639290 www.anglingintelligence.com

Angling Technics: 01666 575144 www.anglingtechnicsbaitboats.co.uk

Antbait: 01403 756789 www.antbait.co.uk

Aquaflow: 01933 270463 http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Aquaflow-F...ality-tackle

Avanti: 01246 540140 www.dragoncarpdirect.com

Bag'em Match Baits: 08458 811234 www.bagem.co.uk

Bait-Tech: 01473 241811 www.bait-tech.com/

Bait and Feed Company: 01920 438338 www.baitfeedonline.co.uk/

Baitworks: 07723 060849 www.baitworks.co.uk

Belstane: 01335 372600 www.belstane.com/main.aspx?type=tackle

Berkley: 08450 500091 www.berkley-fishing.co.uk/

Black Cat Baits: 01694 724126 www.blackcatbaits.co.uk

Blue Lagoon Carp Baits: 01933 665787

Braham & Murray: 01487 711317 www.purehempbait.co.uk

Braided International Lines: 01455 822234

Brilo Box Co: 01282 613374 www.briloboxco.co.uk/

Browning 08707 502326 www.zebco-europe.com

Bruce & Walker 01487 813764 www.bruceandwalker.co.uk

Carp-R-Us: 01787 282370 www.carprus.com

Carp-Tech: 01728 688555 www.carptech.co.uk/ (note the telephone number is for Carp-Tech's distributors ASI)

Carp Vader: 01332 380608 www.carpvader.com

Carp Wizard: 01297 445995 www.carpwizard.com

Carp Zoom: 0036 34312 496 www.carpzoom.com/

Chapman and Co - Split Cane Blanks: 01920 462658 www.chapmanblanks.co.uk/

Chub: www.chubfishing.com

Chris Lythe Centre Pins: 01423 867267 www.chrislythe-centrepins.co.uk

Coleman: 01275 845024 www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

Colmic: www.colmic.com

Cormoran: www.cormoran.de/co/en/1/5,1,..._cormoran.htm

Cralusso: 02085 736216 www.anglingconcepts.co.uk

Daiwa: 01698 355723 www.daiwasports.co.uk/

DAM: 0049 9171 85000 www.dam.de/

Delkim Bite Alarms: 01234 721116 www.delkim.co.uk

Demon Baits: 01933 270463 www.demonbaits.co.uk

Dexter: www.dexterproducts.co.uk

Dick Clegg: 01226 247590 www.internettackleshop.co.uk/

Dinsmores: 01922 456421 www.dinsmores.co.uk/

DNA Baits: 01845 574761 www.dnabaits.com

Dragon Match: 01246 540140 www.dragoncarpdirect.com

Drennan International: 01865 748989

Drennan Seatboxes: www.drennanseatbox.eu/

Dynamite Baits: 01159 899060 www.dynamitebaits.com/

Edge Baits: 08701 999783 www.edgebaits.co.uk/

Edward Barder Rod Company: 01635 552916 www.barder-rod.co.uk

Enterprise Tackle: 01767 691231 www.enterprisetackle.co.uk/

E.S.P.: www.esp-carpgear.com/brochure/home.html

Essential Baits: 01278 427634 www.essentialbaits.co.uk

European Groundbaits: 01473 744411

Fisheasy Products: 01527 894228

Fishrite: 01942 675020 www.fishrite.co.uk

Fishtek: 01647 441020 www.fishtek.co.uk/

Fox: 02085 596500 www.foxint.co.uk/

Frenzee: 01686 622400 www.frenzee.co.uk

Fuji: 01527 853822 www.hopkinsholloway.co.uk/

Garbolino: www.garbolinouk.com/

Gardner Tackle: 01483 454678 www.gardnertackle.co.uk/

Good Fishing: 01233 503841 www.goodfishing.i12.com

GOT Baits: 01296 432417 www.gotbaits.co.uk

GP Pelletts: 01606 831110 www.gppellets.co.uk/

Grauvell UK: 01235 821877 www.grauvell.com/eng/empresa.htm

Greys: 01665 602771 www.greysfishing.com/

GTI Luggage: 01616 202190

Halkon-Hunt: 01302 833274 www.halkonhunt.org.uk/

Hardy: 01665 602771 www.hardyfishing.com

Heathrow Bait Services: 01932 877577 www.heathrowbaitservices.com

Hillbilly Floats: 01538 360343 www.hillbillyfloats.co.uk/

J Range: 02085 444863 www.jrange.jemell-online.com/

John Wilson Baits: 01933 419900 www.johnwilsonbaits.co.uk

J.R.C: 01527 510570 www.jrcproducts.com/

Kamasan: 01865 343434

KC Angling: 02086 426222 www.kc-carpa.com

Keenets: 01985 214551

Kiley Fishing: 01362 690587 Mobile: 07771 910560 www.kileyfishing.co.uk

Kombat: 02476 716500 www.polaristackle.com/zencar...in_page=index

Korda: www.korda.co.uk

Korum: 01952 290520 www.korum.co.uk/

Leeda: 08001 300621 www.wychwood-tackle.co.uk/leeda.html

LitterBuggy: 01904 607496 www.litterbuggy.co.uk/Angling.htm

Lureflash: 01709 724700 http://lureflash.co.uk/

M.A.D Angling Suplies: 01302 361549 www.mad-angling.co.uk/

Mainline Baits: 01268 541006 www.mainline-baits.com/

Malman Floats: 07827 815799 www.malmanfloats.com/

MAP: 01527 587450 www.map-fishing.co.uk/

Masterline: 01684 299000 www.thenumberone.co.uk/

MatchBox: 01214 477272 www.matchboxtackle.eu/

MatchForce Tackle: www.matchforcetackle.com/

Matrix Innovations: 01992 448003 www.matrixinnovations.co.uk

Maver: 01527 406300 www.maver.co.uk/

Maxima: 0049 8171 51075 www.maxima-lines.com/

Medusa: 0800 9885921 www.medusafeeders.co.uk/

Merlin Baits: 01977 647288 www.merlinbaits.com/

Middy: 01773 533533 www.middytackle.com/

Milo: 07866 317357 www.milo.it/

Mistral Baits: 01933 419900 www.mistralbaits.co.uk

Mitchell: 08450 500091 www.mitchell-fishing.co.uk/

Mosella: 0065 729 3200 www.mosella-fishing.com

Mustad: 0047 6113 7700 www.mustad.no/

MW Floats: 07707 068900 www.floatman.co.uk/store/

Nash: 01702 233232 www.nashtackle.co.uk/

Nisa Feeders: 01502 563965 www.nisafeeders.co.uk/

Normark: 01684 299000 www.thenumberone.co.uk

Norman Agutters: 01233 626748 www.norman-agutters.com

Nutrabaits: 01709 370990 www.nutrabaits.net/

Octoplus: 01942 243443 www.octoplus.co.uk/

Okuma: 02920 791700 www.svendsen-sports.co.uk

Original Muckboot Company: www.muckbootcompany.com/

P-Line: 08450 943716 www.tackle-master.com

PA Megabaits: 01749 880066

Penn: 01418 146565 www.pennfishing.com/

Penn Reels: www.pennreels.com/

Penrose: 01909 774555 www.penrose-uk.com/

Platt-Forms UK: 01744 26244? - I still cannot identify the last digit of this telephone number

Polaris: 02476 716500 www.polaristackle.com/zencar...in_page=index

Pole Pot Company: 01213 131139 www.polepots.co.uk/

Preston Innovations: 01952 290520 www.prestoninnovations.com/

Pro Logic: 02920 791700 www.prologicfishing.com/

Protak: 01625 590140 www.protak.com

Pro-Tie: 07796 004106 www.pro-tie.co.uk

Quantum: 08707 502326 www.quantumfishing.com/

Real Ideas: 01572 756666 www.realideas.eu/

Redport Nets: 01278 793135

Reuben Heaton: 01455 293000 www.reubenheaton.co.uk

Rhino: 08707 502326 www.zebco-europe.com

Richworth Baits: 02089 417771 www.richworth.com/

Rigmarole: 08009 070907 www.rigmarole.co.uk

Rive: 0033 164 050357 www.rive-france.com/?langue=EN

Ron Thompson: 02920 791700 www.svendsen-sports.co.uk

SBS Baits: 01562 754172 www.sbsbaits.com

Sensas Carp: www.sensascarp.com/mainindex.html

Sensas Match: www.sensasmatch.com/mainindex.html (for regional contact numbers see website)

Seymo: 01527 853822 www.hopkinsholloway.co.uk

Shakespeare: 01527 510570 www.shakespeare-fishing.co.uk/

Sharpes: 01466 700257 www.sharpes.net

Shimano: 01386 425826 http://fish.shimano-eu.com/publish/...l/index.html

Skee-Tex: 01268 768282 www.skee-tex.co.uk/fish/original.htm

Smart Bait: 08456 445414 www.smartbait.co.uk

Solar Tackle: 01689 827489 www.solartackle.co.uk/

SonuBaits: 01952 210535 www.sonubaits.co.uk

SPRO: 02085 736216 www.anglingconcepts.co.uk

Standard Bait Co: 01986 872385

Starmer Baits: 01268 690300 www.starmerbaits.com

Stayon Bait: 01676 522444

Sticky Baits: 01302 350917 www.stickybaits.com/

Sundridge (Clothing): 01634 253487 www.sundridge.co.uk/

Svendsen Sports: 02920 791700 www.svendsen-sports.co.uk

Tails Up Bait: 01449 672673 www.tailsup.co.uk

Teme Severn: 01384 77756 www.teme-severn.co.uk/ - Again I still cannot locate the finial digit of this telephone number.

The Air Dry Boilie Company: 01245 237435 www.seriouscarping.co.uk

Titan: 01915 361141 www.titanproducts.co.uk

Total Fishing Gear: 08719 117045 www.totalfishinggear.co.uk/

Trabucco: 0039 521 618000 www.trabucco.it/en/

Trakker: 01142 727783 www.trakkerproducts.co.uk/

Travin: 01444 242929 www.travin.co.uk

Trev Tomlin: 01527 853822 www.hopkinsholloway.co.uk/

Tri-Cast: 01706 861807 www.tri-cast.co.uk

Tubertini UK: 02866 347891 www.tubertini.co.uk/

Ultima: 01843 599595 www.ultimauk.com/

Ultrabite: 02082 891743 www.ultrabite.co.uk/

Ultrafloats: 02476 716500 www.ultrafloats.co.uk/

Vespe: www.vespe.com/

Vintage Fishing Tackle: 01344 776241 www.vintagefishingtackle.net/

V.M.C: 01684 299000 www.vmcpeche.com/

Waterline Angling Products: 01142 425454 www.waterline.org.uk/

WB Clarke: 01386 423350

Willis Worms: 01686 668788 www.willisworms.com

Wychwood (Carp): 01527 587428 www.wychwood-carp.co.uk/

Wychwood (Game): 01527 587401 www.wychwood-game.co.uk/

Zebco: 08707 502326 www.zebco-europe.com

ZLT: 01384 895141 www.non-toxic-fishing-weights.com

RIP Barrie Rickards

http://pacnews.blogspot.com/2009/11/passing-of-barrie-rickards.html

we all owe Barrie a lot, Fishing for Big Pike, what a classic book....

Fishing Trip 31st October 2009

Well I managed to get out on one of my favourite drains yesterday... unfortunately the larger fish didn't want to play.  It started off ok (McDonald's breakfast!) but soon turned to farce once I arrived at my chosen swim and the 'light' rain the Met Office had predicted turned out to be bloody heavy.  I washed my two piece suit in the summer (having used it for two seasons) and re-waterproofed it with a spray from a camping shop... unfortunately it didn't do the biz and within half hour I was soaked!

Still the boys seemed to enjoy themselves...

Anyway in the end I did manage to catch a couple of fish (a couple approximately 5-6lbs) so at least I avoided a blank.  The drain I fished still had some weed about in the shallower areas and once it started running off I had to sink the rod tips to avoid false runs from the lily pads etc coming down on the surface

Well it's back to work for the week tomorrow, hopefully the missus will allow me to go again next Saturday... I could really do with connecting with a decent 15lb+ fish!

Another EA hydro-acoustic survey

Just had this off the kind chaps at the EA.  Ely Ouse for 2009 - http://www.scribd.com/doc/21912556

Looking forward to tomorrow actually going to get some fishing done instead of just talking / thinking about it!

EA Hydro Acoustic Surveys

Spoke to a nice chap at the EA this week.  They've been doing surveys of some of the fenland waterways for a few years via a technique called hydro acoustic surveying.  Basically it sounds like a rather expensive fish finder with can record the fish present without doing a traditional netting job.  Obviously you don't get the breakdown of species etc but you do get a feeling for the stretches with a larger biomass that others.  I'm hoping to try a few of the stretches this year, see if it improves my results.  Hope yo ufind them useful: -

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21402134/Relief-Channel-2008
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21402096/Relief-Channel-2006
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21402044/Middle-Level-2009
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21402010/Middle-Level-2006
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21401958/Ely-Ouse-2008
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21401888/Ely-Ouse-2007
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21401840/Ely-Ouse-2006
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21401800/Ely-Ouse-2005

I've signed up for the mailing list so hopefully as more reports become available we'll get to see them...