John takes up the story: “I moved swims to an area on the back of a big south westerly wind because I didn't want to add to the angling pressure already present on the end of it. I was gambling that a few carp could have started to back off due to the intense pressure. Luckily for me the gamble paid off, firstly with a 28lb mirror, followed by another mirror of 34lb then a sort after ghost common of 31lb and finally another mirror of 31lb, which meant I banked three 30+’s on the bounce!” John used a host of Fox products during his successful session including FX2 rods coupled with Stratos 12000MAG reels, which were loaded with 18lb Illusion XS main line. On the rig front John used a semi-stiff hinged rig made with a 2ins Rigidity hooklink attached to a soft boom section constructed from Illusion Soft. Successful hook was a Size 6 Arma-Point SR whilst the winning hookbait was a New Grange pop-up from Mainline Baits.

A cracking 34lb mirror was the first of three 30’s for John.	A sought after ghost common of 31lb.	Another stunning 30+ for John.

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We’ll let Lee take up the story “I have been targeting a very weedy gravel pit in Cambridgeshire for the past month or so, the stock of which I didn’t really know a lot about other than it was home to a very scaly mirror that was in excess of 30lb. Due to the thickness of the weed hit and hold tactics were called for and in situations such as this strong reliable rig components are a must. A friend of mine had been having some great success on the new Fox XSC hooks and couldn’t recommend them highly enough so I thought I’d give them ago myself. I have to say I have been thoroughly impressed with what I have found having banked a string of captures on them including my target scaly mirror! I cannot believe how strong and sharp this hook pattern is and the hookholds on all of my captures have been excellent. I think it is fair to say I will be using the Arma Point XSC’s for the vast majority of my fishing from now on!” Lee also used 15lb Fox Illusion XS fluorocarbon main line to tempt his prize and again commented on how well this particular product has performed during very testing conditions.

A stunning 35lb 2oz mirror that was nailed on a Size 6 Arma Point XSC hook.	The Arma Point XSC hooks are proving to be one of the most popular hook patterns of 2010!

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Mark takes up the story “The other day I thought I would go straight to the lake after finishing my night shift at work, as it was the school holidays and I thought it would be the best place to go and get some kip! I am glad I did as I banked a stunning 33lb 10oz common within hours of casting out! I caught the fish by casting tight to some lily pads that were next to an island at about 20yds range. The common went like stink and for a second I thought I'd lost it in the pads but luck was on my side and it was soon in the net. I used a number of Fox products to catch the fish including a 1.5 oz Flat Pear lead on a Fox Lead Clip System. The rig was 8 inches of 15lb Gravelly Brown Coretex attached to a Size 8 Arma-Point SSX hook. My successful bait was a 15mm Mainline Cell boilie, which was balanced with a cork insert. The rig was fished over a scattering of about 100 free offerings. A few days later I returned to the lake, again straight off of my night shift and managed to bank a stunning mirror of 30lb+. This time my successful tactic was casting a Chod Rig to a showing fish. The Chod Rig was constructed from a Size 6 SR hook and 25lb Rigidity hooklink and the hookbait was a Mainline Baits Pineapple Juice pop-up. The bite came just an hour after casting out and was very much appreciated after a hard night at work!”

A stunning common of 33lb 10oz.	Another 30+ for Mark on a short session straight after finishing a night shift.
Mark used the presented his lead on an Awesome Fox Lead Clip System.	By using the Fox Nut Drill and Cork Inserts, Mark was able to create a balanced bottom bait.

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The trio will be helping to man the Fox stand along with specialist angler ian Welch and match fishing legends Bob Nudd and Mark Pollard and all of them will be on hand to answer your questions and demonstrate the latest products from the Essex-based tackle giants.

Bob Nudd	Ian Chillcott	Mark Pollard

Better still you can buy after you try too as a number of leading retailers are present at the show which is now in its seventh year – and getting bigger and better every time!

Show times are 9am to 4pm on Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sunday with admission at £6 for adults, £4 for juniors with free entry for under 12’s. Discounted rates are available for pre-booked tickets on the hotline number of 01606 46060 or via the website at www.fishingtackleshows.co.uk

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Tom takes up the story “I had fished the Walthamstow Complex for a number of years when I was a lot younger, however since pulling off there in 2005 I hadn't ever been back. That was until recently when I decided to go back up their with the intentions of fishing the Number 1 reservoir. I got to the gate just before opening and was amazed to see only one other angler waiting, so I quickly loaded the barrow and waited for the gate to open. Once opened, I parked my car, paid my money and off I went to look for some carp. I headed straight up the middle of the lakes, between the 1 and 2&3, in the hope I might get lucky and see a few in the 2 to fish for as these tend to be better sized carp. This seemed to pay off, as when I got about 100yds along the 2nd I spotted a carp head and shoulder just abit further up. I quickly ran up there and put my barrow in the swim and stood and watched as about 10 other carp showed in quick succession! I had tied some rigs the previous night in preprarion, which were constructed with the ever-faithful 20lb Fox Coretex and the super sharp Size 5 Arma-Point SSBP hooks. My hookbaits were Mainline Cell bottom baits, which I fished in conjunction with three bait stringers.

Tom with his stunning Walthamstow mirror of 26lb 7oz.	The Arma-Point SSBP hooks are a real favourite of Toms.

I placed my three rods at various ranges as the carp seemed to be spread out all over. I then set about scattering around a 1kg of Cell all over the swim. Once the rods were in and the bait was out the heavens opened so I quickly put my Evo over my barrow and sat out braving the conditions to watch the fish. At around 8.30am I had what at first appeared to be a bream bite. I lifted the rod and knew instantly it was no bream and I was infact into a very angry Walthamstow warrior! The fish took me all over the place, staying very deep and trying its best to snag me in the fallen tree to my right! However, after a hefty bit of pressure I coaxed my prize to the waiting net and was met by the sight of a beautiful old dark mirror carp. On the scales it went 26lb 7oz, but the size was irrelevant as it was such a cracking looking carp! With the pictures taken and the fish safely back, it was time for a celebratory brew. It was a great way to start back on the ‘Stow’, and a fish that certainly has given me the bug for the place again!”

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