Every month FISHINGmagic will nip down to the local newsagent and buy the latest coarse fishing magazines. Then we’ll flip through the pages, stopping here and there, and tell you what you can look forward to.
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Personality
The North’s very own monthly angling magazine, newspaper style with a glossy outer and newspaper inner, covering South Yorkshire, North Notts, and parts of West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. This is one from the old school.
If you liked Angling Times as it was in Dick Walker’s day then this is the monthly read for you. A good mix of national and local angling writers, the magazine has news, views and features and is particularly strong on opinion and comment columns. It covers all aspects of sea, game and coarse fishing.
Feature Finder
Reflections on the National: John Essex says a winter of discontent could swiftly envelope the match fishing scene.
Benny and the Mutton Butty: Alan Barnes tells a true story about angling legend Benny Ashurst.
Has Angling Lost its Soul: Jim MacDonald (Mac the Knife) talks about all sorts of topics in this opinion column.
Tackle Box
Great Grayling: Rob Calbrade looks at the tackle and flies needed to catch some of the finest fish in Europe.
Bait Box
Carp Fishing in Winter – Part 2: Baiting strategies discussed by Simon Crow.
Reviews
Tackle Talk: Derriboots, pellets, hooks, floats, etc, tested by the Star experts.
The Things They Say
’16 Cormorants can destroy a two-acre fishery in just six weeks.’ Martin Read in ‘Angler’s Enemy No.1’.
The Things We Say
‘And yet we are still being asked to justify protecting our fisheries’
Cost: 65p.
IMPROVE YOUR COARSE FISHING
Personality
A beginner’s and improver’s publication from the EMAP stable, pictorially pleasing with some outstanding full and double-page shots.
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Covers all aspects of coarse fishing with the emphasis on what we term pleasure fishing, that is, not specialising in anything in particular. As Europe’s best selling coarse fishing publication it can’t be bad.
Feature Finder
Casting Off: In which fishery biologist Dr Stuart Clough gives an insight into the realities of flodd conditions.
Cold Water Carping: Des Taylor tells us about how he deals with catching carp in winter.
Backwater Bag-Up: Andy May explains how to get the best from a flooded river.
Tackle Box
Ultimate Guide to Lures: Describes what lures to look for in a given set of conditions.
Core Skills: Explains how to choose a pike float and how to fit legs to a seatbox.
Bait Box
Core Skills: Looks at fishing with worms.
Reviews
Magnificent Seven: looks at a selection of videos and books.
2001 – A Tackle Odyssey: Martin Ford looks at the very best in new tackle for the new year.
The Things They Say
‘If all anglers were a little bit more helpful the sport would be a lot more enjoyable for all’. Martin Connolly (15) – Letters Page.
The Things We Say
‘Dead right there Martin.’
Cost: £ 2.50
CRAFTY CARPER
Personality
Covers all types of carp fishing and catering more for, although not exclusively, improvers rather than the seasoned carper.
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Predominantly a ‘series’ journal which is good for in depth information because, let’s face it, a single article can only scratch at the surface.
Feature Finder
Bivvy Cuisine: Chris Hammond explains how not to starve on the bank.
Thinking Carping: Co-editor Tim Paisley braves the elements.
Tackle Box
Rig Sense: New series by Graham Slater.
Baitboats: Mark Catley looks at what’s available.
How Do They Do That?: Keith Moors takes a long, hard look at anti-eject rigs.
Bait Box
Opinion Leader: Part 1 of a series on winter baits.
Reviews
ESP suit and salopettes, Chub Leisure Headlamp and Mallet and Carptech’s Minesweeper leads are just a few of the products covered.
The Things They Say
‘If you are of the “Yeh Bollocks”, fraternity then consider this – living a few more years will, if nothing else, at least give you longer to chip away at that PB!’ Chris Hammond in ‘Bivvy Cuisine’.
The Things We Say
‘We’ve never heard of that fraternity. Maybe we’re eating the wrong kind of food.’
Cost: £ 2.20
MATCH FISHING
Personality
Another perfect bound, quality magazine from the David Hall Publications stable covering general match fishing on all types of waters. Some excellent photography illustrating tackle and techniques in close-up.
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A nice flavour between serious how to do it pieces scattered with light-hearted, irreverent humour.
Feature Finder
Deadly Dozen: 12 deadly feeder tips from Bristol Avon feeder ace Tim Gay.
Talking Point: Should match fishing have an Elite League that separates the best from the rest?
Bridgewater Blues: Young England international Stu Conroy on the Bridgewater parting with some of the tips that have taken him to the top.
Tackle Box
Hit and Hold: A guide to the margin pole.
Worth The Wait: Dave Wesson looks at the new Antares and Diaflash Competition poles from Shimano.
Bait Box
Magic Mixing: French groundbait chef Philippe Sempeski lists his favourite ingredients.
Reviews
What’s New: Looks at the Fisheasy Roller Clamp, the Definitive Guide to Pole Fishing video, the Lerc Diatex 7030 pole and other goodies.
The Things They Say
‘Sad to see top specimen hunter Peter Stone died back in November. Does that make Graham Marsden the elder statesman of angling writers now?’ ‘Snide Rumours’.
The Things We Say
‘Gulp!’
Cost: £ 2.75
MATCH ANGLING PLUS
Personality
EMAP’s magazine for the match angler with the usual emphasis on good quality illustrations. A ‘busy’ publication with a wide range of features.
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Generally takes the ‘step by step’ guide which is great for beginners, but also has more in-depth features for those who have passed the improver stage.
Feature Finder
My Best Ever Canal Match: When Kim Milsom drew a top bream peg on London’s Grand Union Canal the rest of the field were fishing for second.
Howard’s Way at Hayfield: John Howard tells you everything you want to know about Yorkshire’s Hayfield Lakes.
Keep Warm and Catch Loads: Says Alan Scotthorne and reveals some magic tips to bring you more fish in your winter matches.
Tackle Box
Hydrolastic: A close look at the new liquid lacky as it’s put to the test where it counts – on the bank.
Bait Box
Sillybait Black: On the bank look at this new Silly groundbait.
This Stuff Smells Like Manure!: Mac Campbell looks at the many Method groundbaits on the market.
Reviews
New Tackle: More than 20 items of match gear are covered.
How Good Are They?: Long term reviews of more products that have stood the test of time.
Triple Strike!: An exclusive look at the new range of seatboxes from Matchbox.
The Things They Say
‘The angler on the next peg had to go for a walk he was laughing so much. Barsteward!’ Ian Brocklehurst in ‘Big Softie’.
The Things We Say
‘Maybe he was going to fetch you a drink?’
Cost: £ 2.70
ADVANCED CARP FISHING
Personality
A bi-monthly from David Hall Publications. As the name suggests this journal takes a more in-depth look at carp fishing, assuming the reader already knows enough of the baisics.
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A cool but capable look at carp fishing with no off-beat characteristics.
Feature Finder
Essential Answers: Mike Willmott shares his thoughts on winter location, baits and feeding spells, and suggests you try the Medusa rig.
Locating River Carp: Neil Wayte tells you where to look and how to find them.
The Big Chill: Carp are strange creatures says Bob Roberts, but come the depths of winter and they can become predictable.
Tackle Box
Unplugged: Bob Roberts talks to Dave Chilton of Kryston Products.
Which Boot?: Dave Barham takes a look at thermal boots and sees what’s on offer.
Bait Box
The Jigsaw: Keith Napier debates the size, flavour and colour of baits, and asks ‘what about shelf life or frozen?’.
Approaches: What bait and how much to use? Is the question asked, and answered, this month by Brian Skoyles.
Reviews
Poseur Power: An in-depth look at Daiwa’s new Infinity X 5000 BR reel.
On the Bench?: A closer look at the gear from Badger Classics.
Tackle Box: Eight bits of kit are put under the spotlight.
The Things They Say
‘My editorials have ruffled a few feathers, but that’s an editor’s job when something needs to be said!’ Bob Roberts, editor, now ex-editor. Editorial.
The Things We Say
‘Stop rubbing the birds up the wrong way then Bob’
Cost: £ 2.50
ADVANCED POLE FISHING
Personality
Another bi-monthly from David Hall Publications. Match fishing with the obvious emphasis on pole fishing.
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Not really for just advanced pole anglers, it’s a good guide to pole fishing for beginners and improvers as well, with the emphasis on gear.
Feature Finder
Get Knotted: The best method for attaching hooklengths to main line.
Cold Play: Grant Albutt is the man to beat on carp pools. In this feature he fishes the Docklow Pools complex.
Worm Perfect: Chopped worm expert Nick Edwards reveals loads of tricks on the Grand Union Canal.
Tackle Box
Ones To Watch: Eight top poles that are going to be popular in 2001.
Baggage Check: What’s available in pole holdalls.
Flat Out: The flat float, or lollipop, looks odd, but can be very effective in running water says Dave Wright.
Bait Box
Punching Power: John Farrer passes on a few tips to put more power in your punch.
Food For Thought: A few cold weather tips to apply to your bait that could increase your catches.
Reviews
Top Gear: More of the latest poles, clothing and accessories revealed.
Hot Feet: Guide to buying thermal boots.
The Things They Say
‘Stun the worm to straighten it out’ Rob Gandley. ’10 of the Best’.
The Things We Say
‘And they say livebaiting for pike is cruel?’
Cost: £ 2.75
COARSE FISHERMAN
Personality
A quality, perfect bound magazine from Metrocrest, established in 1978.
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A magazine that deals with coarse fishing in greater depth and is aimed at those anglers who have passed the elementary stage and are ready to move on to being thinking anglers. It covers all aspects of coarse fishing but leans towards specialist angling for better quality fish.
Thankfully it does it all with a great sense of humour.
Feature Finder
Heavyweight River Chub: In which Stewart Allum shares the techniques that to bring success on the country’s biggest rivers.
The Diary of Ken Townley: Ken returns to France for a spectacular two-lake carping stint.
Safety First: The Korda Lads look at one of the most important aspects of carp fishing – rig safety.
Tackle Box
What’s My Line: Mick Brown looks at monos and braids for piking.
Carp Clinic: The internal foam pop-up rig is dissected in words and pictures.
Bait Box
Taylor Made: Des Taylor looks at how he’s fished meat for the last decade.
A Lethal Combination: Steve Crowther catches difficult fish on his special lures.
Reviews
‘Head to Head’: Match carp rods, reclining chairs, two baitrunner reels and five tins of luncheon meat(!) go up against each other.
The Things They Say
‘Don’t drop anti-tangle tubing and come up with fancy rig ideas – it’s not necessary, believe me.’ Julian Cundiff.
The Things We Say
‘As a leading fancy rig exponent did you really say that Julian?’
Cost: £ 2.50
