Sound advice - no pictures!

As the "split cane thirty project" enters season two I continue seeking advice, via the wonders of You-tube, amidst the copious offerings; ref - Carp fishing! The vast majority of these efforts are amateur, video blogging, "Look at me on holiday in France" etc, etc... However, there are plenty of  other, very professional, company sponsored/endorsed, programs which have been specifically produced for this web platform and it is these that I am drawn to in order to derive some snippet which might aid my cause. I've scrutinized rig tying, studied underwater footage of fish behavior, seen some amazing fish, caught by the very best carp anglers at some of the top venues.

Danny Fairbrass is the "Guvnor" at Korda, and competent angler to boot. It was something he said in a recent "Master Class" offering that really hit home. I don't know the guy, never met him, or any of his cronies, so this is a genuine thumbs up for a very honest piece of advice. I'd been watching Danny and Darryl Peck, catching some awesome carp in Germany, when he offered this pearl of wisdom. I won't make a direct quote but, instead, give my reaction to the implied sentiment. It is two pronged - firstly he said that it was perfectly acceptable to copy the example/methods of successful anglers. Nothing too outrageous in that concept, I've been attempting to copy the example set by successful anglers since Mr Crabtree! However, the real crux of his message, which could easily be overlooked, was that although it was acceptable to replicate, the aim should be to improve upon it! Now that's very special advice. Kevin Nash calls it "the edge"- that something which sets you apart from the other anglers at your venues. "Do the same but do it better!"

Getting involved in carp angling, 2017, is a bit like dabbling in the dark arts of the Harry Potter stories.  I'd still like to think that my apprenticeship will stand me in good stead - location, location, location. It isn't all about baits or fandango rigs. If I can locate these fish, then I will catch them, just as Dick Walker had done sixty years ago. So what I gleaned from Danny's spiel was that I need to be at the top of my game to ensure I give myself the best chance of a successful outcome. It's not simply about using "Cell or Key" boilies - it's when, and, more importantly, where, you put them!

April 1st, on Saturday, and we are already planning our strategies for the coming season. We are not only competing with the carp, we also have the actions of other anglers to consider. There are a small group of anglers who are already extremely successful at this fishery, they are highly accomplished and very cute (read sharp!) with their methods and approach. Then there are the others - unthinking, wannabe, carp anglers - "all the gear; no idea!" It is these guys who will shape our campaign as things move forward. Benno, Luke and myself are not a registered charity, we aren't about to become a benevolent society for the lame brains. Our methods and swim choices are not about to go viral if we hit the jackpot. We are only too happy to exchange ideas with others, especially those encountered on the bank, but we ain't dotting I's or crossing T's for lazy parasites. We'll be fishing beside a public footpath, absolutely nothing we can do to hide our presence, even if we wanted to? I think that the best mentality I can use is that of our River Stour barbel exploits. All three of us caught some exceptional fish during that project, without getting involved with the "circus" which accompanied those times. Let's hope that we can replicate those events over the next few months, catch a few decent carp and walk away without any fuss?