Improve Your Coarse Fishing - Issue 386

WIN! MONTHLY TACKLE PRIZES + 16 BADGES TO COLLECT GEAR WORTH OVER £1,000

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Top tips to embrace the cold Tie the ultimate wafter rig Match fishing edges all big-carp anglers need

RIVER SKILLS

Master the art of catching chub on the waggler

EXPERT TACTICS TO TRY DES SHIPP Top three rigs for stillwater roach

ANDY MAY NICK SPEED Reservoir silvers Feed heavy with maggots right now! on the pole

PLUS THE FEEDER ROD THAT DOES IT ALL

Feb ruary 8 – March 8, 2022 £4.20

Bag a winter whacker!

ISSUE 386

This month...

Issue 386 February 8 – March 8, 2022

Fishery Focus 8

White Springs Fishery

14

Worsbrough Reservoir

Swansea

South Yorkshire

14

Tactics 24

30

35 40

Hadrian Whittle

Master the waggler on running water

Richard Naylor

Turn back the clock for quick session success

Lee Newson

The modern wag ‘n’ mag

Andy May

40

Lash in maggots for roach 44

47

52 52 4 IYCF | Issue 386

56

Quick fix

58

Dan Brackley

62

How to attach your pole rig to a dacron connector Succeed on the UK’s best predator venue

Rig School

Heavy trotting rig

Cast to a new spot after each bite!

Fish Better with Des Shipp Catch more stillwater roach

Kieran Marsden

Dobbing with a difference

Tony Grigorjevs

66

Q&A

Your questions answered

70

74

70

Tackle 70

74

Your IYCF

Live test

Shakespeare SKP Concept 10ft Light Feeder rod

New gear

90

76

Subscribe...

For just £3.90 a month

Support your local Tackle shop guide

The latest tackle releases 86

Carp tactics 86

20

102

Lance Barton

One bite at a time

Rig of the month Turbo German rig

Kayleigh Dowd & 92 Ellen Beedham

78

Specimen vs Match

98

100

80

Carp Q&A

Sticky’s experts solve your problems

84

What is a bite alarm?

Have your say

Daiwa Mission Your catch shots

Puzzle break

Win a Korum groundbait bowl and riddle set

Bob Roberts’ diary

102 Find out what our top all-rounder has been up to

The technology that lets you know when you’ve caught 24

Your letters

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE! From for just £2.60 a month*

VISIT: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/IYCF CALL: 01858 438 884 QUOTE: ‘AIAA’ CLOSING DATE: Mar 7, 2022 *When you pay by Direct Debit. Digital only.

Print option £3.90 on Direct Debit

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 5

FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket

Worsbrough Reservoir, South Yorkshire

The legendary fishery that clings to its roots Nick Speed sets out to prove that this iconic stillwater isn’t just about carp now, with silverfish still playing a huge part in catches Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

W

HEN Worsbrough Reservoir received it’s first batch of carp almost a decade ago, opinion was divided as to whether the move should have gone ahead.

The traditionalists that had built an affinity with the South Yorkshire venue were firmly against it, declaring that the silverfish sport that it had become so famous for would decline.

On the flip side, those in favour felt that a change was needed to boost dwindling visitor numbers and that following part of the hugely successful formula

14 IYCF | Issue 386

relied on by commercials was the required fix.

Fast-forward to the present day and the unease that once existed has vanished, with the fishery now flourishing on all fronts.

Top match angler Nick Speed has been a firm fan of Worsbrough since the early days of his career. Before he hit the elite level that he now finds himself in, he would head down to the venue and sit behind some of the sport’s greats, with the likes of Dick Clegg, Tommy Pickering and Denis White all sharpening their skills on it.

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 15

TACTICS: FLOAT SPECIES: CHUB DIFFICULTY:

24 IYCF | Issue 386

TACTICS

Master the waggler on running water Many anglers reckon they aren’t good enough to score with the float on rivers, but Hadrian Whittle promises it is easier than you think Words Tony Grigorjevs Photography Ryan Hayden

T

HERE’S definitely been an increase in anglers fishing rivers in recent years.

It used to be the norm for me to only see the occasional person on the banks of running waterways when I was out shooting content for IYCF. That has all changed now, with dozens of anglers often sharing the same stretch.

Improved access, better fish stocks and a desire to try something different have tempted

many anglers to leave the comfort of their local commercial fishery. Many of them are so enthralled by their new world that they have no intention of going back to their old ways.

It’s proof that the rivers have a major part to play in the future of our sport. One aspect that always strikes me, however, is how the vast majority of these anglers are fishing.

Regardless of whether it is a wide, marauding

river like the Trent or a narrow, intimate venue such as the Great Ouse, most are relying on the feeder or bomb.

It’s accounted for plenty of success for many of them but when quizzed on whether they’ve ever tried the float, I often get the same answer: “I don’t think I’ve got the skills in the bag to do it”.

Placing a heavy feeder or lead on the deck and pointing the rod skywards gives them confidence

SUBSCRIBE TO IYCF TODAY...

FOR JUST £3.90*

SCAN HERE FOR OFFER

*when you chose the print option and pay by monthly direct debit

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE OR BY PHONE QUOTING 'AIAA' Visit: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/IYCF Call: 01858 438 884

"Make the most of every second you spend on the bank and boost your angling skillset by never missing an issue of IYCF. Each month the magazine is jam-packed with easy-to-follow advice and tactics covering a wide range of methods and species. Whether you fish on your own, with your mates or with the whole family, we’ll make sure you’re the top rod!"

PLU CHA S

TO W NCES TACK IN NE W LE ISSUEVERY E

James Furness, Editor

CHOOSE FROM TWO OPTIONS: PRINT ONLY

DIGITAL ONLY

£3.90 A MONTH

£2.60 A MONTH

OR

OR

13 ISSUES FOR £49

13 ISSUES FOR £33

WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

WHEN YOU PAY BY ONE-OFF DEBIT/CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL

WHEN YOU PAY BY ONE-OFF DEBIT/CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL

WHAT IYCF SUBSCRIBERS SAY: JOIN US!

DISCOVER ALL OF THE BENEFITS

“Great mag.

Ideal for both the experienced and inexperienced angler”

“Fantastic magazine.

Great for amateur anglers”

“Excellent y magazine ver informative”

t lots of n r a e l e v “I' and have s g in h t new bits I'd w e f a t n r s. re-lea my hiatu g in r u d forgotten ly pleased I I'm real ” signed up

Terms and Conditions: *Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. The minimum term is 13 issues. Recurring payments will continue to be taken unless you tell us otherwise. This offer closes on March 7, 2022. Cost from landlines for 01 numbers per minute are (approximate) 2p to 10p. Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate) 10p to 40p. Costs vary depending on the geographical location in the UK. You may get free calls to some numbers as part of your call package – please check with your phone provider. Order lines open 8am-9.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat). UK orders only.

Overseas? Phone +44 1858 438828. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training purposes. For full terms and conditions: please visit http://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/offer-terms-and-conditions

Offer ends: 7/3/2022

LINES OPEN 8am-9.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat) OVERSEAS READERS CALL +44 1868 438884

TACTICS: FLOAT/FEEDER SPECIES: SILVERFISH DIFFICULTY:

30 IYCF | Issue 386

TACTICS

Turn back the clock for quick session success

River fishing enthusiast Richard Naylor reveals how an old-school outlook can pay dividends on your local river Words & Photography Richard Naylor

T

HE harsh reality for many anglers is that the pressures of daily life, work and family commitments can often mean the opportunities for days on the bank are few and far between. This does not mean that regular, rewarding trips are not possible though, they just require a little extra commitment. And an early alarm!

When I exchange a lay-in at the weekend for a dose of piscatorial therapy, I need to know that my time

will be spent purposefully and that I can maximise my chances of catching.

Carefully choosing a target species and venue that lend themselves to the weather conditions is paramount, as is planning your tactics and, above all, having the right bait to encourage plenty of action in a short session.

At this time of year, I frequently find myself on local rivers targeting roach, dace and chub and to this end, hemp is the best thing since sliced bread – though I take some of that too!

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 31

EFEEtDto LOOS l catapu

Use a 13m line e feed th up the 7m p and to by hand zone

ONES Z H C IT W S o oth areas t REGULA

Introduce 1 R BAIT 0 over each linmaggots 30 seconds e every to k shoals occu eep the pied

40 IYCF | Issue 386

Rotate b coming keep bites he session tt throughou

TACTICS

Lash in the maggots to spark a frenzy Andy May shows why a positive feeding approach will tempt quality roach to compete within inches of the surface in winter Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

T

HE car engine started and seconds later a high-pitched beep sounded to warn me that it is below 3oC outside.

Water poured down the windows as the frost melted and everyone I passed on the journey to Staffordshire’s Pipehill Fisheries was donning multiple layers to shelter themselves from the frosty elements.

Yet upon my arrival, it seemed I had entered some form of parallel universe. Fully expecting our angler for the day to be taking it cautiously on the feeding front, he was fishing a shallow pole rig and lashing maggots in at a rate of

TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: SILVERS DIFFICULTY:

knots. It was working wonders too, with bites coming thick and fast from the silverfish.

“I love feeding lots of bait! No matter what people tell you, it works a treat for silvers even when it is freezing cold,” exclaimed the one and only Andy May. Based on the stamp of the roach that were coming to the net, it was hard to argue with that bold statement.

An angler of Andy’s calibre was bound to make it look easy but as with every style of fishing, it’s the finer details that will dictate just how successful your session will be.

Bite’s were fast and furious thanks to Andy’s feeding routine

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 41

RCIHGOOL S

ALLOY STICK FLOAT TROTTING RIG

A hookbait presented beneath a weighty float along a flowing river is a classic way to tempt a variety of species

O

N A cold winter’s day there is no nicer way to catch roach and chub than by running a float down a pacey river glide. You can also expect some chunky dace, and maybe grayling if they are present, in a mixed catch of fish on this simple trotting rig.

A common mistake made by many river anglers is to use a float that is too light. A big float, carrying plenty of loading, has several advantages for the river angler. A

big float will tend to track straight down the current, even when fishing further out than the rod tip, giving a more natural presentation.

You will often get more bites when the progress of the float is checked and held at about half the pace of the surface current.

This is because the flow near the riverbed is much slower than at the surface. A big float makes slowing down the rig without the bait riding up in the water much easier.

By using an olivette to shot the float, the bulk of the weight is concentrated down the line, keeping the hookbait down where the fish are most likely to be. An olivette is also less likely to tangle, even when overhead cast to reach fish further out in the river.

Set the float so the maggot hookbait just trips the riverbed when the rig is slowed down and expect really positive bites. From chunky chub to glistening dace, this is a simple float rig that is ideal for winter rivers.

HOW TO TIE An alloy stick float trotting rig

1

Thread a 10mm piece of float rubber on to the mainline. This should fit snugly around the tip of the float

2

Thread two 5mm pieces of float rubber on to the stem of the float and position them like this to hold the float in position

3

Place 15mm of float rubber Thread an olivette on to the over the end of the stem with mainline. Use a weight that about 5mm beyond the stem. This is about 0.5g lighter than the helps to avoid casting tangles float’s loading

4

5

6

7

8

Next, lock the olivette in place Use an eyed hook tied to the using two No.6 shot pinched line using a spade-end knot on to the mainline at the top and passed through the eye. This will bottom of the olivette help you hit more bites

56 IYCF | Issue 386

Tie the hooklength to the mainline using a four-turn water knot. The hooklength should be around 20cm in length

Place a No.6 shot just above the hooklength knot. Don’t shot the hooklength. Add more required shot below the olivette

YOU WILL NEED

l 4g-8g alloy stick

float l 4lb mainline l 3lb hooklength l Size 16 forged maggot hook l No.6 shot l 3g-7g inline olivette

FLOAT

Secure the float with a piece of 10mm float rubber at the top and two 5mm and one 15mm float rubbers on the alloy stem

OLIVETTE

HOOKLINK

Having the bulk of the weight lower down the line keeps the hookbait close to the deck. Use an olivette 0.5g lighter than the float’s loading weight

The 3lb hooklength should be around 20cm in length and attached to the mainline with a four-turn water knot

HOOK

A size 16 hook is the perfect size for fishing with a double maggot hookbait and catching a range of species

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 57

Fish better with...

DES SHIPP

Brush up on key angling skills with England International Des, to put more fish on the bank

THIS MONTH: CATCH MORE STILLWATER ROACH

I

F THERE is one species that almost guarantees bites during the depths of winter, it is roach.

No matter how clear or chilly the water gets, they remain more than willing to feed.

Most commercials are teeming with roach and having been neglected for the majority of the year, they’re on the hunt for plenty of S IP Despite this, fishing for them can TOP T L grub.

A I actually be incredibly frustrating. Your C R E feeding, bait choice and rigs need to be H COMRM OACN ! carefully considered in order to keep the G I roach bites coming. This month I reveal five BAGG top tips to ensure your net is full of redfins.

USE FINE WIRE HOOKS Plenty of attention is usually paid to scaling down the line diameter but the same level of consideration rarely goes into the hooks. While the size of them is often reduced, the thickness of the wire is equally important. This is because it partially dictates how fast the hookbait falls and, when roach are your main focus, a slow drop is paramount. A Preston Innovations SFL-B is my number one choice, going with a size 16 for double maggot or caster or a size 18 for singles.

1

2

3

FEED TO KEEP THEM ON THE DECK

RELY ON LIGHT ELASTICS

Roach are unfazed by coming off the deck and will often do so in order to intercept bait that has just entered the water. This can cause problems with fish that are sat above the hookbait brushing against the mainline and producing line bites.

With this in mind, it is better to try and keep the fish on the bottom. Your feeding can help achieve this. Start the session by throwing in 15 casters every few minutes but should you suspect the fish have come up in the water, switch to feeding 70 casters twice on the bounce every 10 minutes.

This provides the quantity of bait they want but reduces the number of times you make noise which is often the trigger for fish coming shallow.

Roach have very soft mouths, and the hook can easily be pulled out if too much pressure is applied. A soft elastic is vital to stop you bumping them and also preventing escape as they frantically dart around close to the landing net. If I expect to catch roach above 4oz, I use a grade six Preston Innovations Slip elastic, dropping down to a four or five for smaller samples.

4

5

CARBON STEMS SCORE BEST

STRING OUT YOUR SHOT

Slimline floats with the tip well dotted down are essential if you want to spot the tentative bites that roach are renowned for. The material of the stem also needs to be considered and I always use carbon. This is extremely light and when combined with a strung shotting pattern, it will cock slowly and increase the chances of any fish sat off the deck spotting the slow falling hookbait. You simply can’t go wrong with a 4x12 or 4x14 Preston Innovations Chianti.

You may try to pin the fish to the deck with your feeding, but there will always be a few stragglers that refuse to go down. In fact, these are often the bigger roach. In order to give yourself a chance of catching them, string out your shotting over the bottom third of your rig. Use No.10 or No.11 shot so that none of the weight is concentrated in one spot, enabling the hookbait to sink at a natural pace.

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 63

LIVE TEST

A concept you’ll love!

Tony Grigorjevs gets his hands on a new feeder rod that will do you proud in dozens of different scenarios 70 IYCF | Issue 386

TACKLE

W

HEN I’m given the opportunity to test a new rod, I aim to run it through the mill to gain a rounded picture of just how good it is.

It can take a full day on the bank to see every element in action, with a mixed catch often required to eek out every last detail.

Bagging a carp every chuck on the Method feeder is great fun and you’ll soon see just how powerful the rod in question is. On the flip side, it doesn’t give you any indication to whether there is any finesse hidden away.

The same issue crops up time and time again, with each species usually only testing a few of its attributes.

My latest mission was to put the 10ft Shakespeare SKP Concept Light Tip Feeder

10ft SHAKESPEARE SKP LIGHT TIP FEEDER RRP £69.99 through its paces. Although a whole day had been set aside to draw my conclusions, I had everything I needed within a couple of hours of getting underway…

All-rounder tag

Shakespeare is clearly aiming to make a real dent in the rod market this year and has released dozens of new products in recent months as part of its SKP range.

The rod I had for the day is classed as a jack of all trades. While it’s main aim is to provide sensitivity that will spot shy biters such as roach and bream before then proving soft enough to keep the hook firmly lodged, it was also supposed to have the necessary grunt should it be used for carp and F1s.

With almost every stillwater more suited to ice skating than fishing at the time, a river was my only option.

IYCF designer Tom Scarr had been giving the team regular updates about his success on the Wellingborough & District Nene AC stretch of the River Nene in the Northamptonshire village of Barnwell.

Chub were the dominant species, and it seemed every fish had the potential to act in a different manner.

Some would produce bites that were difficult to spot, while others tried their best to rip it off the rests! It sounded like the perfect place for the trial, and I was soon flicking out a link leger rig baited with a pungent cheesepaste.

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 71

TIPS, TACTICS & RIGS TO CATCH MORE

ONE BITE AT A TIME! Lance Barton has loved winter fishing over many years and here are his top tips to ensure you too turn the colder conditions into friend not foe Words Lance Barton Photography Tom Gibson

CARP

W

HILE we may now be closer to the end of winter than the start of it, it’s still too early to start thinking about warmer weather tactics and big hits of fish.

At this time of year the water in most venues will be at its coldest and even if we have the odd milder day it’s important not to get ahead of ourselves.

Just because conditions are tough, though, doesn’t mean that we can’t still put a few carp on the bank. I’ve managed to enjoy a successful winter on my local waters by following a few simple rules…

Carp usually follow a warmer wind, so keep your eyes peeled on the end of them if you’re struggling with location. It’s the same for a cold wind, they’ll it off the back of them to shelter from the brisk temperatures.

Keep zigs in your locker

I often use zig rigs in the winter and spend a lot of time finding the warmest layer in the water column. If you can pinpoint the location of carp and work out the depth they are comfortable to sit in, a zig is the only way you’ll potentially nick a bite.

I prefer to use trimmed down hookbaits that I’ve soaked in Study the weather Mulbz booster spray for even I watch it every single day more attraction in the water. without fail. In fact, I check it You can check to see the zig multiple times. The details leaking by holding a bait in I’m looking for are mainly the margins! the temperature – in Work the layers initially as particular rises – the air well as using different pressure and the moon colours, and if the carp are phases. Any steep changes there, you’ll no doubt get some from cold to warmer fronts is a indication. This can easily unlock great time to be out angling. The Soak your zig hookbaits your chosen winter water. The high carp will respond to these fronts and for extra pressure which tends to dominate it’ll usually entice them from their attraction during the winter will usually mean sleepy winter slumber. carp are suspended mid-water, so Winds are also good to watch, relate this tactic to the weather to really give especially if they’re warm ones as they’ll turn yourself a good chance. and oxygenate the top layer of water.

Fishing for liners is a great way to locate carp

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 87