The Carp Years

by Tony Miles

This book is about Tony’s love for carp fishing, and how that love has grown over the last forty years, since his first ever carp capture in 1967. The book is not an instructional book, although there is plenty of useful information within its pages and endless inspiration. Tony takes you through the early years on various waters, until that magical day in 1984  when he caught his first 20-pounder. The next target, a 30-pounder, follows in 1996 and then, in 2003, the first 40-pounder. As well as

that, a trip to France results in an unforgettable encounter with a 58lb monster. Within these pages, Tony invites you to look back with him over a lifetime's carp fishing, and share the highs and lows, the disappointments and successes, and some of the lighter moments along the way. This is a book you will not want to put down. Tony's graphic writing will transport you to the banks of windswept gravel pits and atmospheric, secluded estate lakes.

It will make you tingle with anticipation as an alarm screeches out its warning, and make the hairs on your neck bristle as you read the account of the spooky happenings on the banks of Redmire Pool. It will allow you to share in the sheer euphoria as another huge carp is safely engulfed in the landing net.

This 120-page hardback book is well illustrated and is available now from  the Carp-Talk Shop for £24.95 + £3.00p&p

AOL Users

If you viewed Carp-Talk Xtra using an AOL browser you may have experienced some difficulties last week. Hopefully, we have now resolved the problem. This was due to a security update that took place that mainly affected AOL servers.

If you ever experience any problems when trying to view Carp-Talk Xtra please let us know and we’ll endeavour to rectify the problem.

New Tracker Products

Tracker have just announced they are to introduce several new products to further enhance their current line of quality products. To preview some of these forthcoming products visit there website at www.trakkerproducts.co.uk. While your there why not have a look at the new web pages where you can read diary entries from big names such as Frank Warwick, Clive Gibbons, Steve Renyard, Martin Pick and Iain Macmillan.

Keep an eye on forthcoming issues of Carp-Talk and Xtra to see full product reviews of all the new Tracker products.

90lb Koi...

It was reported last week in the Daily Mail that “a British fish fan has taken delivery of the world's biggest koi carp - a 4ft monster that tips the scales at a staggering six-and-a-half-stone.”

The mammoth, 17-year-old fish – nicknamed the Big Girl  – was bought by Geoff Lawton for £10,000 from a specialist breeder in Japan. But Geoff has already put a £30,000-plus price tag on the claimed 90lb specimen. Take a close look at the picture - it may well measure almost four foot, but here in the Carp-Talk office it didn’t appear the Big Girl’s weight looked anywhere near 90lb. What do you think? Why not let us know by dropping us an email? The article then went on to reveal that “The Big Girl was settling into her new home – an 8ft-square show pool in the centre of Geoff's shop”.

Nine Days of Rockin'

at Kingston, Tennessee, USA

October 27th through to November 4th will see nine days of arm-wrenching action in Tennesee for an official American Carp Society Sanctioned event! There are currently over 30 anglers registered from seven different States participating: Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Georgia, and California.

This is the venue where seven months ago over 5300lb of carp were caught by 11 anglers in just

Nowt as queer as folk!

Welcome to another feature packed edition of Carp-Talk Xtra. We're now in our fifth month and each week just flies by. One week merges into the next, with one deadline after another. I just don't have the time I once did.  To further compound the problem here in the Carp-Talk office we are inundated with calls about the most obscure questions. In particular we are regularly asked about records. Like who caught the most forties in a season and how many did they have, what is the biggest surface-caught brace, who's caught the largest UK carp on sweetcorn whilst wearing blue pants, etc. You'd be surprised! Unfortunately, there are no official records kept for any of these situations. If the BRFC struggle to keep up to date with the largest fish caught on a rod and line what hope do we have with all these other parameters. We will always try our best but we simply don't know everything. Sorry.

Whilst recently out on the bank I was approached by a young lad who I'd once met before and he knew I'd fished this particular venue quite successfully in the past. He politely asked what I thought would be the best way to approach his swim. And after I'd divulged several hard-earned facts he retired to his plot. I was just thinking to myself, he's in an excellent swim and armed with the information I’d just relinquished he should definitely bag one tonight. But then I looked up to see him cast out well beyond the near marginal spots I'd told him about. I simply shook my head in disbelief. I'm not criticizing him, perhaps he just wanted to do things his own way. It's just a little frustrating that’s all. I'd just spent over half an hour trying to help someone out and they had just totally ignored what I'd said. Why did he bother wasting my time? Anyway, neither of us caught so who am I to say who was doing the right thing or not.

Ben Wales

Fox EOS-R Deal

Eric’s Angling Centre are currently offering an amazing deal on these superb alarms. Not only do you get a top-of-the-range Fox EOS-R presentation set (which includes three alarms, a RX3 receiver, chargers, clip on covers, hard cases and spare LED covers), but they are also throwing in a Fox Elite Halo Bivvy Light which is interactive with the alarms and free of charge. All of this lot would normally set you back £520 but Eric’s are currently selling it for £380.

This package would make an ideal Christmas present for any budding carp angler. They will also deliver it on the next working day without any additional cost. To obtain this exclusive deal all you have to do is either phone the shop on 01132646883 or visit their web site at www.ericsangling.co.uk.

Geoff Lawton holding his latest imported Koi carp, which now resides in his Melksham, Wiltshire shop.

Fox launch new

Stratos Magnesium reels

Days of being left in sandy water,

followed by constant re-casting to achieve distances of over 200 metres is how Fox consultant Ian Chillcott has been testing the new Fox Stratos MAG reels – due for release in December 2007.

“The new models will be the flagship reels in the hugely popular Stratos range. But before we could launch them to the general public, we asked our team of consultants, including Chris Rose, Steve Spurgeon, Colin Davidson and ‘Chilly’ to literally test the reels to destruction. Therefore, over the past two months each angler has been putting the reels through some of the most extreme fishing situations possible, to ensure they live up to our beliefs that they will be the best big pit reels available.”

Chilly took it upon himself to ensure these reels won’t let the angler down.

“I expect the best when carp fishing and my tackle must be of the highest standards. That’s why I wanted to ensure these reels would put up with the most extreme fishing situations.”

Over the space of two months Chilly caught a number of carp, including a staggering 12 carp over 30lb and two breaking the 40lb barrier. But, this test alone wasn’t enough. It was then that he spent hours upon hours constantly re-casting with a 4oz lead and 15lb braid to achieve distances of over 200 metres. He wanted to make sure none of the internal components tightened or locked under this abuse – they didn’t! Then, he left the reels in sandy lake water overnight before re-casting throughout the day – again, the reels were faultless! This process was repeated a number of times.

The new range will include two models, both made from a Magnesium body which makes them lighter and stronger than traditional reels. Exact specifications will be released in the coming weeks, but we can confirm that they feature a Supa-Slow oscillation to achieve the perfect line lay. Although exact prices are still to be confirmed, we expect the reels to sell for around £300 each.

This picture shows how Ian Chillcott tested the new reels.

Oxlease Lake Closed

Richworth Linear Fisheries have announced that, as of today, Wednesday 24th October, Oxlease Lake will be closed to all anglers until the spring of 2008. A full statement will be released in Carp-Talk next week and on the Richworth-Linear web site regarding this matter - www.linear-fisheries.co.uk

Preston Innovations Trade Show

On Wednesday 17th October Preston Innovations, Korum and Sonu Baits displayed their new range of products to the press. There were plenty of exciting new products on display from all three companies.

Korum are releasing a ruck-bag designed for the mobile angler. The unique features that make this bag stand out from other similar products were the full hard-back base for laying on the ground and the two carry hooks that enable you to attach a Korum Light Weight Chair. With the chair attached the bag remained very comfortable and would pose no problems should you wish to travel miles of bank to reach your desired swim.

Sonu Baits had an impressive range of pellets and their Tuna Wraps boilies certainly looked the business. This particular boilie is complimented with matching pellets, a spod mix, dip and pop-ups.

Preston Innovations do not specialise in specimen carp gear. However they do manufacture some of the best products available for match/commercial anglers. Of all their new products on display it was a pair of rubber and neoprene boots that caught my attention. These are the most comfortable pair of boots I have ever worn, having a very soft rubber sole. They are also well insulated, but it’s just a shame they only make them in blue.

For further information regarding any products mentioned visit their web sites at www.korum.co.uk

www.prestoninnovations.com

www.sonubaits.com

a few days! Prizes include official American Carp Society Reuben Heaton Specimen Hunter Scales, for the largest carp of the event, and a Resistance Tackle Deluxe Brolly for the largest Mirror of the event. In addition to the Reuben Heaton Scales the angler that catches the largest fish will get an official plaque proclaiming them as ‘The Carp King of Tennessee’ and a K-1 Baits gift certificate. This event is free to attend and is going to be a terrific learning experience as well as a chance to spend some bank time with a great group of carp anglers. For further information please contact Wayne Trapp on 01-865-590-0714 or 01-865-387-4473.

Crowy Lands PB

Our very own Simon Crow has been on top form this season (unlike me - sniffle!) having caught thirties from five different Yorkshire venues. We’ll he’s just been in touch to inform us that whilst on holiday in Austria he’s also managed to catch himself a new personal best. He went to Austria with the hope of catching a 50lb common. Well, he’s gone a bit better with a common weighing in at 60lb 11oz. From all of us here at Carp-Talk - bloody well done Simon. No doubt you’ll be seeing some fantastic pictures in a forthcoming edition of Carp-Talk.

New Century Rods

We hear there are to be a new set of rods

available from Century in the coming months.

The range will be know as FG and we understand

they are a totally new concept, built on high-quality UK blanks using the same Auto-Clave technology as all other Century rods. We should hopefully be able to show you some pictures next week with some more facts on their specification. For information regarding any of Century’s products visit www.century.gb.com