When things go wrong, they really go wrong. Like the day after we went to print with our biggest and most extravagant headline to date: Live Rig Tests! The tank (the one containing our two pets that would dictate which is the best rig) blew up. Quite literally too. One minute it was fine, the next 600ltrs of water was trying to gush out at once. It was a nightmare. Suffice to say, this revolutionary series isn’t kicking off this month and even worse, I’m left with a rather expensive carpet-cleaning bill.
However, there is some good news. Rob Hughes (P40) and his air tanks are back from this month as we continue our tour of finding out exactly what happens down there – not just what the experts predict. And what’s even better news is our new changed format for The Tank Test (P86). For the past 14 months we’ve trialled all the major bait manufacturers boiled food on Otley College’s finest carp. Some have shone, some haven’t, but now is the time to move onto something new. From this month onwards we’ll be testing liquids to see which one provokes the most aggressive feeding reaction and we’re starting with four of Mainline’s finest.
This issue’s other key features include Jed Kent’s The Art Of Zig Rigging and like the subtitle on the cover says: he’s not striking, he’s hand striking. Sound like a bit of a gimmick to you? I promise you it isn’t and it’ll make perfect sense when you read it on page 48. Of course we couldn’t forget Li’l Nige Sharp, who this month looks in detail at his winter fishing and how the smallest change can make a big difference to your catch card.
And finally, in the last in the current series of Stop Those Silly Mistakes (P25), Joe Morgan has a dangle over at Sutton-at-Hone 1 where he’ll correct four common errors which are almost guaranteed to catch you more fish.
Although this issue has 2009 slapped across it, we’re looking at the next month as the first for ‘09 and as you’ll see from looking at page 118, it’s one hell of an edition. But for now, all it leaves me to say is Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a Happy New Year. Many, many thanks for all your support in 2008 – I can guarantee next year will be even better!
Joe Wright, Editor