Elliott Gray's winter essentials...

I must admit, the answer is probably a no. I have a very varied angling style, and even though I do all sorts of different things, at different times of the year, there’s nothing I can think of that I see more necessary in winter than any other time of year.

I’ve recently got the Coleman stove back into action, I broke mine a couple of winters ago and have used gas ever since. It’s only now that I’ve got it back in action that I’d say there’s a very slim chance that I’ll be without it again during winter. There’s something pretty incredible about a Coleman during winter, and although I’ll not be using it during the summer, you can’t beat it at this time of year.

No head torch, no sanity – it’s dark for too long to be without one during winter

If I had to pick a tackle item, that wasn’t related to rigs, it would be fluorocarbon. I use fluoro a lot, either as a main line, or since becoming an avid user of braid, as a leader. Most venues will really clear up, as far as water clarity is concerned, and you cannot beat a fluorocarbon in this situation. Lines are one of my biggest worries when fishing, I think they’re the most easily recognisable sign of danger that we present to the carp, and knowing that your main line is sunk well and hard to spot is a big thing for me. I’ll always fish as slack as I can get away with too, thus helping the cause further.

Most of the things I class as essential, I class as essential during the rest of the year too. Oh, I’ve got one – a head torch! I could definitely spare the head torch throughout the majority of the seasons, but not during winter. It’s ALWAYS dark it seems and to be without a head torch would probably drive me to insanity!

Fluorocarbon is something I cannot be without during the cold – it’s king in clear water