10 Things I Love by Oli Davies
Oli Davies runs through his ten favourite things from the world of carp fishing
1. Azera
Whoever came up with instant coffee that tastes (nearly) as good as that poncy filter stuff is a genius. You just need a kettle, no extra equipment, presses and there is no messy waste. Call me a philistine and stick a couple of sugars in mine, please!
2. Kingfishers
The king of all the fishers, it’s always a treat to hear that distinctive call, and even more so when one alights nearby and you get to watch the real pro in action.
3. Bright Headtorches
I’m so over silly weak torches. I’ve come to learn that they don’t bother carp half as much as they bother other anglers and these days I like to be able to actually see what I’m doing after dark!
4. Power Barrow
Since my barrow got batteries and a motor, life has been so much better. It allows me to fish like a maniac, carrying all my kit all the time and fishing off the barrow. I don’t turn up in a swim and need to sit down for 20 minutes to recover!
5. The Magic Lens
My 85L is a bit special. It makes ordinary things look magical, and for bigger fish it takes very fine catch pictures.
6. Baby Carp
Big carp are impressive but baby carp just make you feel warm inside. The sheer variety is amazing, and of course, we love to imagine how good they would look when they eventually get big!
7. Scope Rods
Whoever made 12ft rods the default for carp fishing has a lot to answer for. Short rods really have changed the game, and I for one don’t miss those oversized, cumbersome, specialised casting tools one little bit in my angling.
8. Bushwhacker
I had to have this one on the list. Quite simply, it allows me to catch carp quicker than if I were casting. My fishing has been elevated immeasurably, allowing me to turn watercraft into fish on the mat, sometimes almost instantly!
9. Pellet
Still one of the most underrated baits for carp. I don’t really understand why many anglers choose boilies instead. They are convenient, relatively cheap and there isn’t a carp that swims that doesn’t love them.
10. Bokeh
Balls. Spheres. Lemons. Out-of-focus stuff that really makes the stuff that’s in focus stand out. Using fast prime lenses like my magic 85L means that I can get creative with depth of field. Creative use of depth of field can turn the ordinary into something special.
