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Ed’s Piece
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Ed’s piece December 2009

Editor’s notes
12/09
Although my annual analyses of the year is still a month away – looking at the successes and failures, one thing that is set to change now is my angling habits and I don’t appear to be the only one if this month’s magazine is anything to go by. Sitting it out on these long dark winter nights isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – myself included and I must say I get far more enjoyment from arrive at the lake just before dawn, having a day’s angling before packing up just after dark. It seems to be the most productive style of angling in the winter too – take Shaun Harrison for example, a seasoned hardcore winter pro, who this month writes, “It struck home to me a few years back that most of the fish getting caught from the Shropshire mere I was then fishing were coming out in the daylight hours, so one week I decided to make the four-hour round trip for just 8hrs fishing. Result: five decent fish including a pure English 35lb common!” Shaun explains how he does it in his aptly named feature, Office Hour Carping on page 58.
Elsewhere we’ve got the second part of Jason Hayward’s The Case For Criticals (P34), where he takes a closer look at hookbaits and what their role is within the mechanics of a rig. Nick Helleur once again impressed me during our trip out to CEMEX Angling’s Yateley South Lake (P42). We were looking at a mix he told me about almost nine months – a mix that turned his winter around last year, going from two bites a night to 20. It’s a very simple concoction, but it’s one that you’ll probably never have used let alone seen before.
The sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed CARPology’s facelift continues this month with a new-look Carp Fuel section and improved Hardware section. And to celebrate those changes and the fact Christmas is just around the corner, we’ve rustled up our best ever subby deals, so you can get CARPology delivered to your door every month and get a ton of gear FREE. More details on page 108.
Joseph Wright, Editor

Contributors
Cover shot: Bill Cottam Words: Jason Hayward, Kevin Nash, Terry Hearn, Pete Castle, Shaun Harrison, Keith Sykes, Gary Bayes, Bill Cottam, Nigel Sharp, Bill Cottom, Dave Lane, and Pete Regan. Pictures: James Armstrong, Kevin Nash, Shaun Harrison, Pete Castle, Keith Sykes, Terry Hearn, Jason Hayward, Dave Lane, Nigel Sharp, Pete Regan, Hall of Fame entries and various tackle companies. Illustrations: Mark Smith. Special thanks this month to: Richard Wilby and Bill Cottam.
The Social - December 2009
Our month in pictures and captions
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“More women in waders. And bring back Becky.” ANON (my wife would kill me!) No problem Darrell! Darrell French! (You sent it from your personal e-mail account). Anyway, page 126…
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Laney swaps fish spotting for Eddie Stobart lorry hunting. Better explanation on page 50.
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Marvelled at Jason Hayward’s rig thinking ideas. These are clever and they’re on page 35.
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Watermark Fisheries get-together at Little Horseshoe. Guess who uses Persil For Colours and who doesn’t. Page 64.
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Went fishing! Albeit spinning on the River Yare. Caught two though.
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Learnt how to tie Terry Hearn’s Snell Knot – the best knot for tying Choddies and Hinged Stiff Link. Tricky but well explained on page 20.
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Nick Helleur revealed his best edge for this winter. It’s natural, seriously smells and doesn’t cost a lot. The answer is on page 42.
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We’re only on page 2 and you’ve already seen Bill Cottam four times. Another pic on page 102.
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Shan Harrison took our working title ‘Office Hour Carping’ to the extreme. Page 58.