Or travel rod if you prefer. ;)
Ordered one of these 8 1/2 foot #5 weight, just to see what it was like. Should fit discretely into the rucksack.
Anyone tried these rods?
https://www.anglingactive.co.uk/shakespeare-oracle-2-exp-fly-rod.html
I have a 7 piece 9ft 6wt in that series and it is surprisingly good in the blank but understandably fairly basic in the fittings. I was given it as an unexpected present so it was even better value. Fits in the top pocket of the float tube. It had no outer maker's protective tube case so I made one with a short piece of shed guttering downpipe.
With the 7 pc design and the budget price tag I'm not expecting it to be like my Sage ZXL ;D but having a very portable rod is handy sometimes. I expect it will be a bit poker-like.
Got a 9ft 6 and love it. Don't get me wrong it's not much compared to my hardy rods but for the price it's good.
Use mine for hill lochs where I spend more time walking than fishing.
Fits easily in a small rucksack so no more lugging big tubes strapped to bags up hills. Plus now is always left in the van with a reel and few flys just incase and takes no space up so keeps the mrs happy (ish)
I think this is the newer version of the agility 2? I bought mine for the same reason as Keith, for the Galloway hill lochs. Have only used it a couple of times, seems pretty good.
You will not find it poker like if it is anything like mine. I would give it more towards medium and not tippy and stiff. I expect you will be very pleased after 10 minutes on the water .... unless they have stiffened it up since I got mine !!
I've got one of the newer demon smugglers for lochs where a gamey might be a problem! Excellent fishing rod but a bit fragile.
Quote from: Sean Freeman on July 04, 2022, 12:56:08 AM
I've got one of the newer demon smugglers for lochs where a gamey might be a problem!
A useful thing to have. There are so many lochs with no commercial fishing value and you know that asking for permission is a sure way to be met with a blanket refusal. I don't blame the estates, I'd likely say no myself were I in their position Saying yes is a sure-fire way to end up with a trashed loch, dead fish, litter, all the usual stuff. I certainly do not condone poaching, but I have heard it said that the best way is just go with stealth, take no fish and leave no trace. No one is any the wiser, no one gets angry, no one gets hassle. I guess this is where the rod in the rucksack comes into it's own. I wouldn't know though. :)
I wonder how Dod is doing, never hear from him these days............................
Is it poaching if you don't take a fish? 8)
I've a hill loch locally that is on an estate owned by folk that I have little respect for, given their record. I'll happily spend an hour on the water, I don't take fish nor leave anything but footprints.
One high lochan I used to fish a lot - before I fished it I phoned the estate office asking about permits - offering to pay - and was told in no uncertain terms there was no fishing allowed.
I fished it many times anyway and only ever met one person up there - Prince Charles - he wasn't fishing and neither was I when we met. By the way the loch was not on the queen's estate. Odd thing was he was alone and with no security, so clearly he wasn't expecting to meet anyone up there either.
A gentleman, who lived by the river, prided himself on putting a fresh salmon on the table for New Year's Day.
The new riparian owner dismissed the tale as impossible- "there were no salmon in the river that early" and illegal.
The gentleman suggested otherwise and pointed out that nobody watched the river on Hogmanay.
You know where this is going.......
I first-footed the gentleman around 1am one Ne'er Day. There was a still-live salmon in the kitchen sink.
Quote from: Inchlaggan on July 04, 2022, 05:38:23 PM
A gentleman, who lived by the river, prided himself on putting a fresh salmon on the table for New Year's Day.
The new riparian owner dismissed the tale as impossible- "there were no salmon in the river that early" and illegal.
The gentleman suggested otherwise and pointed out that nobody watched the river on Hogmanay.
You know where this is going.......
I first-footed the gentleman around 1am one Ne'er Day. There was a still-live salmon in the kitchen sink.
:D :)
I've been thinking about getting a poachers rod myself ;D
Lost count of the times I've been out hillwalking and spied a wee lochan that looked worth a cast but didn't have a rod.
As far as I'm concerned, all hill lochs are fair game, regardless of whether some sketchy estate claims it's theirs or not. At the end of the day, I am not taking any fish. If some toff appears in an ATV with clients in tow, I would leave anyway. They can only ask you to leave after all...
To be fair we have it quite good up here with access. I was down south for work last week in rural Berkshire and everywhere you look is trespassers will be prosecuted signs. I had a look at a chalkstreamish river as i was crossing a bridge. It had signs up saying syndicate fishing, private land etc. Directly below the bridge I watched a large brownie of around 5lb just cruising around. Looked into the fishing rights and they don't even fish it for trout, only interested in the course fish! :D A different world down there.
Quote from: admin on July 04, 2022, 09:16:05 AM
but I have heard it said that the best way is just go with stealth, take no fish and leave no trace.
That's what i've done on many a loch for years Fred 😂
Quote from: ianmck on July 04, 2022, 08:32:38 PM
I've been thinking about getting a poachers rod myself ;D
It's something every serious hill walker should have. ;D
Quote from: ianmck on July 04, 2022, 08:32:38 PM
I've been thinking about getting a poachers rod myself ;D
Lost count of the times I've been out hillwalking and spied a wee lochan that looked worth a cast but didn't have a rod.
Hardy Demon Smuggler. 8ft 4-weight. Brilliant and surprisingly versatile rod.
I have the 10ft 7 weight version of that rod Fred and find it a really good rod. A little bit faster than my 11ft 7 weight Agility or Leeda but still well up to the job. I'd have another one.
Well I got this rod and took it down to the river for a trial cast with a Maxcatch Gold line. Frankly I'm astonished how good it is. It is quite stiff and fast but I'm used to rods like that. Very good value for money.
Quote from: admin on July 05, 2022, 02:39:31 PM
Well I got this rod and took it down to the river for a trial cast with a Maxcatch Gold line. Frankly I'm astonished how good it is. It is quite stiff and fast but I'm used to rods like that. Very good value for money.
Always nice to get something decent at a good price :-)
What annoys me is that I like the Rio Versatip fly line on my 7 weight rods, and they are nearly £200 now and don't really wear that well. Makes the rods seem very good value indeed.
Quote from: caorach on July 05, 2022, 04:16:45 PM
Always nice to get something decent at a good price :-)
Indeed. I may even buy an #8 wt for the pike. :)
I've now ordered the 8wt version so I'll let you know how it goes.
You just can't have too many rods. ;)
Quote from: admin on July 04, 2022, 09:16:05 AM
A useful thing to have. There are so many lochs with no commercial fishing value and you know that asking for permission is a sure way to be met with a blanket refusal. I don't blame the estates, I'd likely say no myself were I in their position Saying yes is a sure-fire way to end up with a trashed loch, dead fish, litter, all the usual stuff. I certainly do not condone poaching, but I have heard it said that the best way is just go with stealth, take no fish and leave no trace. No one is any the wiser, no one gets angry, no one gets hassle. I guess this is where the rod in the rucksack comes into it's own. I wouldn't know though. :)
If I had my card in my pocket, you would be opening your rucksack (or plod would at the road).
I had a day ruined by a "leave no trace guy" at Hamanavay a few years ago (or rather the two elderly punters had). Up to that point, I cared not about the freeloaders, I do now.
Aye you have to watch them for sure! ;D
Just took delivery of the 9 1/2 foot #8 weight. Looks good and comes with 3 fighting butt options - none, small and large. :)
Quote from: Laxdale on July 09, 2022, 07:17:53 PM
If I had my card in my pocket, you would be opening your rucksack (or plod would at the road).
I had a day ruined by a "leave no trace guy" at Hamanavay a few years ago (or rather the two elderly punters had). Up to that point, I cared not about the freeloaders, I do now.
It may be different where you fish, but there's not a cats chance in hell I'm challenging folk on the local rivers, and even less chance that the Polis would be interested, sadly.
Quote from: Laxdale on July 09, 2022, 07:17:53 PM
If I had my card in my pocket, you would be opening your rucksack (or plod would at the road).
I had a day ruined by a "leave no trace guy" at Hamanavay a few years ago (or rather the two elderly punters had). Up to that point, I cared not about the freeloaders, I do now.
But that's surely a different thing Laxdale? Anyone having a 'few unpermitted casts' on the main Hamanavay waters is going to know that they are basically poaching on an extensively managed and expensive migratory systems that the Estate relies on to make money from. That feels quite different to me to some remote mainland hill loch with a standard head of brownies only that the estate has no interest in and probably haven't been near in years, but which they won't sell permits for. There's even less justification for the Hamanavay poaching too given the tradition out your way that access is free to non-migratory waters (as long as it's not interfering with landowner's business). Lots of trout waters there (including on Uig and Hamanavay) where you can fish for free either at will or after a quick check with the estate.
Quote from: GallowayBlueline on July 13, 2022, 02:41:44 PM
and even less chance that the Polis would be interested, sadly.
That depends. If you simply report a burglary chances are you will get no response.
However if you tell the police the burglar miss gendered you a rainbow coloured squad car and a policemen in a bumblebee outfit will be at your door in minutes. ;D
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Quote from: Crawhin on July 13, 2022, 03:00:25 PM
But that's surely a different thing Laxdale? Anyone having a 'few unpermitted casts' on the main Hamanavay waters is going to know that they are basically poaching on an extensively managed and expensive migratory systems that the Estate relies on to make money from. That feels quite different to me to some remote mainland hill loch with a standard head of brownies only that the estate has no interest in and probably haven't been near in years, but which they won't sell permits for. There's even less justification for the Hamanavay poaching too given the tradition out your way that access is free to non-migratory waters (as long as it's not interfering with landowner's business). Lots of trout waters there (including on Uig and Hamanavay) where you can fish for free either at will or after a quick check with the estate.
The law is the law. I am paid to police it.
Estates re now beyond pissed off with the number of locals and visitors that think they can rock up and fish where they please. Encouraged by a "loose" interpretation of the SOAC by accommodation and holiday providers, tackle shop proprietors, etc. Ultimately, this can only lead to an erosion of what has been a good thing for all anglers.
Quote from: admin on July 13, 2022, 03:20:45 PM
That depends. If you simply report a burglary chances are you will get no response.
However if you tell the police the burglar miss gendered you a rainbow coloured squad car and a policemen in a bumblebee outfit will be at your door in minutes. ;D
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Yu would be amazed at,
1) How closely we work with the local police now.
2) How many hours that either I have been touring in a cop car in the last couple of months, or how often they have been in my motor.
They are even less inclined to take a loose interpretation of the law than I am.
This happened and is getting more common-
Me (guiding two paying punters), "You cannot fish here. Get back in your car and go elsewhere (but deffo not running water)"
Thick @rsehole. "The guy in the tackle shop said I can fish where I want (citing SOAC)"
Guy stops opposite us and unhitches fly.
Me. "This is a warrant card and if I have to go round there to stop you fishing you will be tackleless, carless and arrested"
Now Disgruntled Thick @rsehole. "You are a ******** *******", said he as he buggered off.
We came on him poaching a community owned salmon river the same evening........ He was driving a new Audi beamer.
Just buy your tickets, seek out your permissions, or feck off is my advice to visitors now.
But do as you wish, just dont whinge if it ends badly.
Quote from: Laxdale on July 13, 2022, 05:05:24 PM
I am paid to police it.
It sounds like a very rewarding job. You could also get yourself a drone and save a bit of leg work. I'm pretty sure the courts accept video evidence these days. It has been used to convict a few gamekeepers for illegally killing raptors. They are not expensive, a decent one can be had for about £1000 and the licence is easy enough to get. It's a 40 question multiple choice exam that is done on the CAA website. You also need a flyer ID, no exam for that and costs £10 / year.
If I was doing that job I'd be asking the boss to buy a drone for sure. You can scan a huge area without breaking a sweat.
We have plenty nifty gadgets to play with. Drones too, if required, but they are of limited use in the pitch dark, with a gale and possibly rain. ie, Usual working environment.
A drone would certainly be the way to go in daylight. Look at the view of this river in Philip's latest video at around 0.15. You could spot a poacher a mile off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgcMPaUK11A&t=15s
Laxdale, I sympathise, and it's good to hear the old bill are on board, good stuff.
But as ohers have said, it's entirely different from an hour on a hill loch that some estate owner hasn't an interest in, but doesn't want you to fish just because his ancestors came across the land by whatever means half a millenia ago.
QuoteJust buy your tickets, seek out your permissions, or feck off is my advice to visitors now.
But do as you wish, just dont whinge if it ends badly.
Quite right Gordon, it's not like 30 years ago when it was nigh on impossible to get a decent day permit for migratory fish, almost all estates now offer decent fishing at some point of the season.
Quote from: Laxdale on July 13, 2022, 09:02:19 PM
We have plenty nifty gadgets to play with. Drones too, if required, but they are of limited use in the pitch dark, with a gale and possibly rain. ie, Usual working environment.
A bit more expensive, but way more useful is a thermal imaging drone, we use them in Mountain Rescue, fantastic for finding a missper in wooded area or on a hillside if they are wearing 'natural' colours, where a standard camera will struggle to pick them out. You could literally scoot along the river at a fairly fast speed, if there's someone there they stand out like a whisky nose.
https://www.dronesdirect.co.uk/p/buncb.20220317025083210/dji-matrice-30t-drone?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Free%20Listings&utm_campaign=shopping%20feed&utm_content=free%20google%20shopping%20clicks&refsource=ddadcenters&mkwid=IRPpTuST_dc&pcrid=74560787989047&product=BUN%2FCB.202203170250%2F83210&pgrid=1192970877979923&ptaid=pla-4578160327490031&channel=bingsearch&msclkid=c6daee13272c1d9744b78cc2042c8710&utm_term=4578160327490031
Quote from: GallowayBlueline on July 15, 2022, 10:23:01 AM
A bit more expensive, but way more useful is a thermal imaging drone
Aye, expensive, but protecting these 7 inch troot is worth every penny. ;D
Quote from: GallowayBlueline on July 15, 2022, 10:23:01 AM
thermal imaging drone, we use them in Mountain Rescue, fantastic for finding a missper in wooded area or on a hillside
It had not even occurred to me the MR were using drones. Pretty obvious application of the technology really. Just getting up a few hundred feet quickly must make a huge difference.
With the massive decline in migratory fish and general angling demand it's easy to forget this has been more than made up for with the huge demand for more general (some would say more wholesome) recreation; hiking, wild camping, Munro bagging, photography, bird watching, NC500 etc etc. Just a quick look at Youtube and the number of regular hillwalking and climbing contributions from people like Murray and Robin confirms this. No need to deal with idiotic archaic rules and impossible permit nonsense either - these activities are there for everyone - all you require is a bit of imagination and a strong pair of legs.
Interesting too that countries like the USA and NZ do not seem to be suffering this demise in angling. In the USA fly fishing has achieved almost cult status and popularity. Might that be something to do with patterns of ownership and attitudes? There is no doubt that the general public's profiling of UK game fishers would be more privileged crusty old Tory than Brad Pitt and his River Running Through It. ;)