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Ed’s Piece
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Ed’s Piece April 2009

A few weeks, before this magazine hit the shelves, I saw something that really truly amazed me. After the coldest winter in what, 18 years, the sun finally came out and it felt like the first signs of spring. After not strolling around my pond for several months I decided to have a look to see if they’d turned up in the shallows yet. It was early in the morning, still nippy and overcast. They weren’t there. However, five hours later the sun suddenly starting beaming through the office window, so I decided to have another look. Sure enough, that small window of heat from the sun (a mere twenties minutes) was more than enough to get them moving and up into the shallows. And a couple of handfuls of pellets and a bit of corn was all that was needed to get them to have a munch. It just goes to show how quickly they’ll response to increased light levels and extra sun heat. Note to all: time to have a spring-clean and get out there.
      I love this time of year, for that very reason – cleaning all your gear down, restocking the tackle box/bag, getting the bait sorted and generally getting excited about the forthcoming season. I’ve followed Damian Clarke’s advice in this month’s Idiots Guide To… (P19) on re-spooling the reels, I’ve read (and reread) Ali Hamidi’s first instalment of his new ‘advanced’ rig guide (P30) and finally I’ve loaded the freezer with my chosen boiled food this year on the back of James Anderson’s Tank Tests (this month’s is on page 74) a few month’s back: Mainline’s new Grange. Now I’ve just got to get some time to go…
      Fortunately though, I’ve been able to watch others, like Myles Gascoyne (P23) who this month targeted the intimate CEMEX Angling Yateley Pads Lake – and caught. I’ve also been able to extract passion and enthusiasm from our cover star, Dave Lane, who kicks off a new monthly diary slot, covering every aspect of his angling from tactical stuff through to angling job roles.
      The suns out, the carp are moving and you’ve got the most comprehensive angling manual money can buy – now go catch some! Enjoy the issue…
Joseph Wright, Editor

Contributors
Words: Damian Clarke, Ken Beech, Lewis Read, Brian Skoyles, Pete Castle, James Anderson, Ali Hamidi, Simon Maris, Leon Bartropp, Gaz Fareham, Myles Gascoyne, Bill Cottom, Dave Lane, Mike Willmott, Keith Sykes, Mitch Smith, Nigel Sharp and Pete Regan. Pictures: Lewis Read, Damian Clarke, Gaz Fareham, Leon Bartropp, Simon Maris, James Armstrong, Dave Lane, Keith Sykes, Nigel Sharp, Ken Beech, Ali Hamidi, Brian Skoyles, Myles Gascoyne, Pete Regan, Hall of Fame entries and various tackle companies. Special thanks this month to: Lewis Read, Keith Sykes and James Armstrong.
The Social - March 2009
Inside Our Month For This Issue…
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Visited the Dynamite Baits factory. This month, just two words: mind-blowing. Next month: how they produce over a billion boilies a week…
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“That’s not a bivvy – it’s a castle!” StarBaits’ ‘international bankside home’ found whilst we attended The Big One show.
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Perhaps the most hammed-up-pose-for pictures ever taken. Danny Fairbrass meets CARPology’s Heavyweight Hoodie – youth rekindled
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Talking of Fairbrass, we got a very irate phone call from the TV star. Bad ad placement? Incorrect review details? Neither. He was complaining about last month’s Fitty! Is this one any better, Danny?
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This mug saved this man’s life. Find out how on page 6.
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CARPology’s biggest hoot of the year so far: Dave Lane starts a new monthly diary slot. Yours, ours, fishing now improved. Page 36.
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That’s Keith Sykes! And from the look of it, wearing his trousers like Simon Cowell. Page 56.
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Attended the Trakker brochure photo shoot. Lunch was on John Claridge. Page 13.
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Popped into the Premier Baits premises. They’re not just bait producers – they’ve got a super-sized tackle shop too!
The Cover
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Cover Shot
Name: Dave Lane
Photographer: Lindsey Sylvester
Name of Fish: Big Linear
Venue: Undisclosed Suffolk water
Weight of fish: 36lb 12oz
Footwear: Crocs
Fashion director: Stewart Downing from JRC!