Just by changing the way you search the internet, you can automatically help raise important funds to support angling projects, without it costing you a penny.

The ATA has signed an agreement with Global Search Solutions Ltd (GSS) to supply a bespoke angling browser page that can be used by every angler.

Every time anyone uses this new page, it will activate a donation funded by a well-known internet giant. These repeated donations will be collected in the newly formed Angling Participation Fund (APF) and be used to support angling projects and allied good causes across the UK.

By visiting the Angling Participation Fund website and following the simple instructions, you can enjoy regular angling news updates whilst searching the internet, and help us raise money automatically at no cost to you whatsoever.

The search engine is powered by Yahoo, so you'll still get reliable search results.

Naidre Werner, ATA Chair said:

"By using this search engine page as their default, anglers will release vital funding every time they click. The more traffic this page receives and the more people who chose to use it, the greater the accumulated funds. All of the money will be devoted to charitable projects which directly benefit the whole sport of angling as the management of the scheme will be through voluntary effort."

The Angling Trades Association is the voice of the British angling industry and represents angling manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, fisheries, publishers and. Incorporated in 1973, and celebrating its 40th year, the ATA remains the only trade body representing the angling industry.

Matt's chapter, Out To Pasture, is all about his time on Dinton Pastures, in pursuit of its stunning, scaly inhabitants.  It's a really involving read as each contributor recalls his personal journey in their quest. 

Printed with top quality materials and richly adorned with images Finding The Time To Cast is available from Calm Productions and Amazon.

Find out more about the show

We all need this injection of optimism at the moment. For way too long the talk in the media has been all doom and gloom - it's as if the only news they want to highlight is bad news. Yet if you just glance at the programme of events for 2013 there is so much to look forward to, including potentially one of the best new events for many a year, the Longleat Fishing and Country Show to be held at Longleat Estate in Wiltshire on 14th and 15th June.

The organisers at Longleat only gave this show the green light as recently as mid-January, yet already there is a buzz about it. At the Roadford event on Saturday almost everyone I spoke to wanted to hear about it. All elements of the tackle trade have expressed support with exhibitors ranging from tackle manufacturers, retailers, destination holiday companies, trade bodies and guilds and even a Kayak manufacturer.

The emphasis of the Show is firmly centred upon showcasing our sport. It's also the first event of this kind where all elements of fishing will be involved and this is only possible because of the site layout at Longleat. The series of three lakes makes it ideal for the purpose, with the top lake being reserved for specimen Carp with fish up to 34 lbs, the middle lake for a mix of Carp and Coarse fishing, and the lower lake for fly and game. Visitors will not only be able to watch expert anglers in action throughout the show, but also they can take part themselves. Youngsters and beginners will be able to enjoy real fishing and they will have every chance of catching their very first fish at the event.

Whilst the hope is to attract many young people into the sport, there will be something for anglers of all levels of ability. Tutorials and demos will be a big feature, but so too will be the viewing areas, set out in such a way that you can settle down and watch every element of the ‘live' fishing. Top names in the game will be showing why they are so successful, including Bob Nudd, John Bailey, Charles Jardine and many more.

On the Carp lake, bivvy sites will be set out so that you can watch real-time Carp fishing. You see the baiting process, tackle set up, casting techniques and (hopefully) fish handling. Demos will be much less formal than at other shows, with visitors encouraged to get up close and personal with the stars, to ensure they get maximum benefit from the experience

On the game lake, Trout will be stocked to give a very ‘real' fishing demo - they will involve fishing action instead of just casting shows. As well as a casting clinic there will be an advice centre run by Hardy & Greys and tutorials for anglers of all levels of casting ability. The rod test area will include specially built pontoons so that visitors can try and compare rods and reels before buying

The non-fishing visitors will also be very well catered for as there is a superb hospitality area with a host of catering options together with a lakeside picnic area. Then there's a food village with all kinds of food and drink from local and international producers. There will also be a 4X4 area where you can experience off-road driving on the specially designed course through the woods.

Bringing this show together represents a big investment and a massive undertaking for Longleat Estate and it's also a huge statement of confidence in the sport of fishing. As most of the big shows are midlands based, people living south of the M4 corridor have felt rather left-out over the years. This is a chance to put things right and the hope is that both the public and the fishing trade will support the venture. It's a unique show with ‘live fishing' and it will have an atmosphere that is totally different from anything seen before. As such it deserves the support of anyone with a vested interest in the future of fishing.

All the other attractions at Longleat will of course be available including the house itself, the safari park, birds of prey centre and much more. The staff at Longleat pride themselves that their visitor handling systems will ensure that there will be no delays on entry or exit and there will be none of the queues or frustration associated with some other country events. With an established hard road system around the site the show is also ‘weatherproof' so even if it rains your wellies are an option rather than an essential.

Tickets are very competitively priced at £17 for adults and £7 for children, with a special family of four ticket at just £40. Looking at what's on offer this is fantastic value for money. Tickets are available now from: www.longleat.co.uk

Chris Ogborne

Ed has been a consultant for Greys & Chub for three years and has taken on an increasing work load in that time. He is a successful big fish angler and has landed 7 Carp over 44lb, his current PB being a 49.12lb Mirror known as Choco that was banked after a 3 year quest on Stoneacre. Ed is also a well known angling writer and a fully qualified Level 2 Angling Coach. He has appeared on Sky Sports Television as well as performing blogs on his own You Tube Channel.

Andy Charlton, current Carp, Coarse and Predator Marketing Manager, is leaving the company to concentrate on parent duties. He commented:

"I've worked with Ed for all of 2012 and he was an obvious choice to take up the role when I announced I was leaving. Ed possesses a single minded approach that gets the job done, and his wealth of angling knowledge is exceptional. I have no doubts he'll do a brilliant job as Carp Marketing Manager".

Greys were also voted in 3rd place for the best 12' Carp rod and 2nd for the best 13' Carp rod. Chub were also voted 3rd with the best Chair/ Bedchair Range.

We are very proud to have achieved such a great result and would like to thank everyone who voted for us.

The Chub Tri-Brid Shelter has been reviewed by UK Carp magazine. Read more

Watch out for it in Carpology, Total Carp and UK Carp magazines. 

The new Precision™ stainless steel range is constructed from high quality 16mm stainless steel barstock and has been designed to last a lifetime.

The range consists of three different size bank sticks and fixed and adjustable buzz bars in two, three and four rod versions. There is also a bank stick auger, expandable stainless weigh bar and a bank stick stabiliser.

In the bivvy category, the new Vizor™ bivvy is available in 1 and 2 man versions and utilises all of our latest advanced bivvy system developments. The bivvy has a lightweight 16mm aluminium frame with a Climatex™ high performance breathable canopy. A widened storm peak provides extra protection for the doorway and clear side windows have been included to maximise visibility in the worst weather conditions. A unique Backdraft™ Ventilation System allows the angler to control the volume of air circulating through the bivvy, keeping users comfortable, no matter the weather. Also available are Vizor™ Extreme Canopies which offer more room and added protection.

Also in the bivvy / shelter category, the new range of S-Plus shelters and bivvys are sure to be popular for anglers on looking for great value. The S-Plus shelter, priced at £80 is perfect for day sessions or quick overnighters; it features side wings to offer increased protection and a half size groundsheet that keeps weight down to a minimum. The S-Plus bivvy priced at £110 features an additional zip in front panel and full groundsheet for anglers that prefer complete protection.

Other new products to see from Chub include the Outkast 11' Compact- a multi-piece carp rod that doesn't sacrifice on performance.

Angler's Mail mag have reviewed the Chub S-Plus 1-man Bivvy.

Featuring 84 pages of product, 15 how to features and editorial subjects from rig tying to catching the ultimate Carp, long distance stalking to under the rod tip stalking.

Hardy & Greys Marketing Manager, Ed Betteridge describes the Catalogue as, "the perfect blend between, product shots, specifications, and interesting feature content. My predecessor, Andy Charlton, has done the brand proud with this Hybrid of catalogue and angling magazine." Ed goes on to say, "I believe there is feature content in here to interest anglers from entry level, with the rig step by steps, through to the seasoned Carp angler with stories of the Ultimate Carp."

The catalogue details all 2013 products and includes RRP prices, measurements and weights. It also contains QR code links to video footage of the products being used or related feature material on our official YouTube channels.

To order your FREE catalogue delivered direct to you, simply click on one of the following links.

Chub 2013 Catalogue

Greys 2013 Catalogue

1. Be prepared! Make sure you have the kit to keep you warm and comfortable.
2. Scale down your tackle. Drop a hook size, or use a lighter breaking strain hook link and fluorocarbon lines to combat the clear water conditions.
3. Bait correctly. Don't fill the lake with bait, small baits and mouthfuls of free offerings to begin with.
4. Choose a venue to suit your angling. Well stocked day ticket waters will keep you catching all year!
5. Keep ‘em' peeled. Observation is key, be prepared to move onto showing fish.
6. Work out the bite times! On most lakes a feeding spell may only last a few hours, make sure you are on the lake for these times.
7. Chose a high quality bait that will keep the fish feeding 365 and don't neglect the naturals. Maggots are a fantastic winter bait and can fished relatively easily, with a simple mag aligner rig and mesh bag of freebies.
8. Do your homework, once you have chosen a venue, research it as much as possible, the internet angling forums are a great place to gain snippets of information.
9. Plenty of warm food and hot drinks.
10. Enjoy it! The fish are at their top weights and looking as good as they ever will, don't let a blank session put you off, perseverance is the key. 

At Hardy & Greys we have all felt for some time that the south of England was sadly neglected on the show front with almost all of the big fairs being midlands-based, so news of a really big show south of the M4 corridor is music to our ears. Couple that with the prestige venue of Longleat, one the top country estates in England, throw in fabulous grounds with a series of fishing lakes and an existing road network that negates any worries over bad weather, and you have the perfect recipe for a top event.

The new show will comprise all angling disciplines with separate areas for coarse, carp and game fishing. There will be a particular emphasis on attracting youngsters and new anglers to the sport with tutorials, demonstrations and a great team of experts on hand to answer any enquiries. It will be a very 'hands on' event with visitors of all ages being encouraged to have a go and sample the delights of fishing. Hardy & Greys will be there of course, showing all our products and advice centre.

This will also be a show for all the family. There will be a food village where local and national producers will be sampling their wares, plus a 4x4 off road area where you can try your hand at some mud-plugging. There will be a whole variety of quality food and drink franchises to tempt your palate and if this wasn't enough you can also investigate the regular Longleat delights of the safari park, the house, the falconry centre and much more.

Access and Parking at Longleat is very easy and there will be a caravan and camping area on site, with all the facilities you'd expect from a top class event

We'll be giving you more information nearer the time, but for now just make sure that you put the event in your new diary. The 14th and 15th of June 2013 will be a date that you won't want to miss!

Ian Gemson gives his top tips on fishing in winter. Read more.

Read more from Richard Chapman

The impact of criminal behaviour on angling is a concern for us all, and now a new partnership between Crimestoppers and the Fish Health Inspectorate is trying to combat four key areas of crime threatening angling:

• Smuggling fish from abroad
• Illegal fish movements between waters
• Fish theft and poaching
• Tackle theft

As well as reporting illegal activity to the Crimestoppers service, anglers are being encouraged to spread the word about the campaign by printing and displaying the Angling Under Threat Poster. (download here)

From the FHI webpage:

"You can help to combat these crimes by taking more responsibility for your sport and providing information on illegal activity. With your help we can then target the right people: the ring leaders, the organisers, the individuals who stand to make the biggest profits - those with no care or interest in your sport or the welfare of the animals.

It couldn't be easier to help. Through a new partnership with Crimestoppers you can now leave information completely anonymously: either online or by telephone on 0800 555 111."

In addition The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at Cefas, produced videos explaining the current problem of illegal imports spreading fish disease, which can damage fisheries.

Find out more here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/aahm/guidance/angling-under-threat/

"Over the past couple of winters rather than stick it out on my main target waters in the hope of sneaking a bite, I have chosen to visit a variety of both day ticket and club waters in search of some action. Mainly consisting of shorter day sessions, not only is it more enjoyable than being sat in a bivvy for hour upon hour of darkness but it can also bring with it excellent results..." Read more from Richard

"For me, Carp fishing is riddled with bouts of pain. Pain from not knowing if my hunches are right, pain from suffering aggro from loved ones because I'm not at home, pain from being wet through, pain from biting insects and pain from the Carp that I see but feel I will never put a hook in. But you know what? That's why I love it!"

Read more from Mark Holmes

Read more from Matt Eaton

Read more from Matt

The Carp were stocked when they were very young, about 1-2 seasons old weighing about 1lb. However, these tiny Carp grew very quickly and put on lots of weight due to anglers feeding them with hi-protein and Marine halibut pellets rather than maggots. This meant that the match scene soon started to change and evolve. Match anglers, who would normally be using small hook and baits trying to catch just a few pounds in weight of silver fish, now had to step there tackle up quite dramatically to cope with the ever growing size of Carp they were facing.

Watch the clip now

Subscribe to our free magazine, The Session to watch regular tips videos from the Greys & Chub Academy. 

"My production run Bivvy (with fully taped / waterproof seams) arrived in May. It really helped my mobile approach that I adopt in the spring. If I saw fish show in another swim, I was able to wrap it down in seconds and get round to the area before anyone else could beat me too it, and the weight of the bivvy certainly help with that. I only carry 7 pegs in order to help save more weight, because I find I never use more than this, even on windy days. In fact most of the time I use less because I usually fish the bivvy with an open front, this allows me to see the rods and a big section of water from my bedchair. I spend most of my time in and around my bivvy, whether that is making a cup of tea, tying up rigs or sheltering from the weather, so if a fish shows out in front of me then I don't want to miss it. But I do like to leave the front folded up at the front of the shelter with the first few inches zipped in, so I can close the bivvy quickly in case the wind swings round and the weather changes - it will come as no surprise to anyone that I have used this a lot this year! The weather has really put it through its paces this season and I'm sure most other rapid erect/light weight bivvies would have faulted, but the Tri-Brid has stood firm. If I was to be extra picky I would make the Bivvy slightly smaller and not include the large mozzi-mesh panels to help save more weight, but that is just me looking to improve the product.

"I have access to all the Chub range of Bivvies, yet the Tri-Brid is the one I favour for most of my fishing, so if you are after a bivvy that ticks all the boxes and is value for money then check out the Tri-Brid."

Ed Betteridge

Find out more about the Chub Tri-Brid Bivvy.

Click the attachment to read the full review

"There are three sizes of banksticks, and all feature tapered collars and long tapered points to penetrate even the hardest of banksides."

The Buzz Bars, Banksticks, Platform Support Stand, Bankstick Stabiliser and the Rear Rod Rest were said to be "a lot more substantial than some others on the market."

In his own words, Darren said:

"Having arrived at the lake on Sunday lunch time I settled on a swim that I have been baiting heavily just recently.There were fish in the area,but I had to wait until 3am for a take, which resulted in a small mirror. No more action was had that night, but I baited heavily the next morning and rested the swim for most of the day. Around about 10pm, I had a savage take and, after a prolonged battle the old warrior was sat in the net. I settled on a weight of 40lb 2oz, making it my second 40 of the year. Well chuffed."

Subscribe to our online Carp magazine, The Session now to win a 24 hour session on the bank with Darren!

Ed was fishing a 5 acre Nene Valley syndicate water using new Greys prototype rods when he received the bite.

Marketing Manager, Andy Charlton said:

"I was thrilled to hear the full story of how Ed tricked the fish into picking up his bait... genuinely exciting stuff! It showed a tremendous amount of dedication. The fact that he landed it on one of our new prototype rods is equally thrilling."

Commenting on the capture, Ed said;

"The memory of banking Cut Tail is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

"Over the course of a few weeks I observed most, if not all of the lakes 20 odd inhabitants. I adapted my presentations to suit, fishing in an unpopular weedy swim where they were happy to visit regularly .

"A bit of pre-baiting allowed me to get them feeding confidently in the area. To actually see my target fish pick up my hook bait was a very special moment."

Cut Tail is Ed's 8th biggest fish, 2nd biggest common, and first 40lb fish of 2012. The bait used to land the monster was The Edge from Aqua Dynamix.

Firstly, you need to look at the water you are fishing and find out what else lives there other than Carp. Lakes see so many little round balls thrown into them that it's not just the Carp that utilise the protein and goodness within them. It's no coincidence that Bream are now hitting the 20lb mark, and even the Roach anglers are using 10mm boillies as standard hookbaits. Everything eats boillies and, if the pond you are targeting holds lots of other fish then bulking out your bait with pellet and particle is the right way to ensure that the Carp won't see your chosen boillies before they get eaten by something else! If this is the sort of water you are targeting then big baits are the way to go. 20mm will still get attacked, but it stands a much greater chance of staying on the lake bed for your target to find than smaller offerings. In fact, if you aim to bait with small boillies, I would go as far as to say you may as well throw pound coins in the lake, at least they will still be there when the Carp come around!

You don't need to fill the lake with hundreds of pounds worth of bait. Find some quiet areas in little corners and put 20 or so baits on these spots every night for a few days before your session and chances are the Carp will have been making the most of the free food, and the areas are primed for your arrival. Look for little snaggy areas, bushes or weed beds - anything that looks like a Carp haven. The little and often approach can be devastating, and wont cost you a fortune either. My own personal choice of bait is from the mainline stable. The cell has caught so many big fish and taken numerous waters apart that you can't help but be confident of a capture. That said there are an awful lot of good baits on the market, and it's always worth finding out which boillies catch well on your chosen venue. Confidence in what you are using is a massive head start; all you have to do now is catch them! There is so much I could say on this subject, and maybe in the future I will go into it in more detail, but for now, tight lines and good luck.

Darren

"It always amazes me how Dave takes captures like this in his stride! What would be the catch of a lifetime for most of us is simply not uncommon for Dave. He's inspirational to other anglers and it's fantastic to have him on board with his knowledge and experience".

Dave was fishing swim 21 on Rainbow at long range using 3.5lb Greys Torsion Rods and a new blow back rig that he is still testing.

Commenting on the captures, Dave said; "It's a little too early to comment on the blow back rig, but I'm optimistic. I was also testing a new bait created for cold water conditions. It could be a one-hit wonder so I'm looking forwards to giving it another crack".

Dave has more recently been concentrating on the UK and has just had a great week on Bundies. He took 10 fish with 2 x 30lb amongst them.

New Academy member, Richard Chapman offers his latest blog update. Read more

Read more

UK Marketing Manager Andy Charlton said;

"Only a handful on anglers in the UK have landed so many landmark fish, and we are absolutely delighted to congratulate Darren on his achievement. We hope he can notch up a 20th in the not too distant future!"

Commenting on the capture Darren said;

"This was my sixth night on the pit this year, and despite fish showing in front of me, nothing happened for the first 24 hours. I decided to stay put, as I knew fish were in the area, and boy was I glad I did!

"At around 10pm that night I received a screaming take that resulted in me sliding down the bank to my rod, due to the recent rain. I then had to jump into the lake as the fish decided to kite into a bay to my right! After a very hard fight of over 20 minutes she was in the net. I was soaked, covered in mud, but over the moon."

Darren was fishing over 3 kilos of 20mm cell boilies using the new Rigmarole Skinfull hooklink, free fall lead system, and Greys 3.25lb TC Torsion rods.

Now, I would class myself as quite normal (although I know plenty that wouldn't!) in the fact that a lot of my fishing is based around quick nights, sessions of maybe 12 hours fitted in around work commitments, so my views on bait are going to differ greatly from someone who has time to fish longer sessions of a few nights at a time.

Generally I like to keep it simple and for the most part I am using straight boilie. Now just a quick tip here... if you are just getting into your Carp fishing something that I see way to many people doing is buying a different bait week in week out, especially if they don't catch on it during the first session. Baits WILL catch fish and the way I look at it is you are best to pick a bait, do a bit of research beforehand, and maybe ask at your local tackle shop to find a one that suits you and the waters you are fishing.

Stick with your bait. This will help you in so many ways. First is the fact that you build confidence in the bait and once you have caught a few fish it's one less thing to worry about - you know it works so you just need to focus your efforts on finding the fish. Secondly you have the added bonus that if you are targeting a single water for the season, by staying on one bait you're steadily building the fishes confidence. Finally, once you have decided on your bait you can actually save a fair bit of money by buying in bulk, either directly from the supplier or from your local shop. Working in a tackle shop I see just how often anglers end up confusing themselves by changing bait all the time.

So back to my baiting approach at this time of year. I will always try to find the fish and as time is limited on these short sessions I want to get as close to them as possible. The last thing I want to do is turn up and whack 5 kilos of boilies on their heads or spod it to death, as on most waters they are not going to hang about!

So assuming that I have found a couple of fish showing and dropped in a swim where I can cast to them, I will keep the baiting to a minimum as I'm looking to get a bite as quickly as possible. The fish are already there so you shouldn't be looking to attract them into the area. You just want them to spot a light snack nearby and in situations like this every freebie out there is reducing the odds of your hook bait being picked up. I usually start with 20-30 baits in the area - a nice spread with a throwing stick - which I see as just enough to create a bit of visual impact, but not enough so they can be too fussy about what they are picking up.

I always try to bait up when I'm leaving in the morning, because this is where you can really improve your chances for later when you return. If you have caught it definitely pays to get some bait out there to hopefully keep them visiting the area, and build their confidence, so when you are next fishing you stand a much better chance. It's exactly the same as when people are fishing long sessions and rest the swim... you have bait down there but no lines in the water so the fish can feed freely throughout the day. I like to look at limited time as a bit of an advantage over long stay anglers.

Fishing like this you can really make the most of a short session. Your bait is working for you whilst you are away and you can build a swim up over a few days. If you haven't caught during the night there is always the chance to prime another likely looking area to give you a starting point for your next session.

Another option on short sessions is single hook baits, and generally these will be bright and smelly to attract attention. I'm sure you will have your own personal ‘blank savers' that always get chucked out for the last couple of hours if you haven't caught.

One method that proved to be quite successful last spring, on a club water close to home, was fishing food baits as singles. At first it was something that took a bit of getting used to as a fairly dull boilie in the middle of nowhere doesn't sound the most likely way of getting a bite. But if you think about it there will be literally thousands of single stray boilies finding their way into lakes, whether it be a poorly aimed bait with a throwing stick, spod spill, or a flicked hook bait in the edge at the end of a session. The fish will come across these little tidbits all the time, so a single food bait will be quite a natural occurrence. On pressured waters the bright ones are often more readily taken.

That pretty much covers my spring baiting. The emphasis is on finding the fish, keeping bait levels low, and fishing for a bite at a time. If I have a quick look in my bait bucket now there is a couple of kilos of 16mm Edge boilies, as I'm going to be putting a bit in at the end of the session. A tub of matching cork ball pop ups, a couple of tubs of bright pop-ups in various colours, and a tin of tigers just in case! Not loads of bait but a couple of different options for hook baits if I want to have a bit of a change around.

As a side note I have just returned from a short overnighter and the tactics outlined above proved successful. My right hand rod screamed off at 4am, fished with 20 baits scattered around with a throwing stick. The result was a chunky common of 31lb 15oz.

Richard Chapman

Find out more about academy member, Richard Chapman.

Read more from Mark Holmes

UK Marketing Manager, Andy Charlton said;

"We've been looking for a talented young angler to join the ranks, and Richard fitted the bill perfectly. He's on the bank 3 nights per week and works really hard at his fishing. We are delighted that he has joined, and we look forwards to learning a trick or two from him!"

Richard was born in 1991 and has been Carp fishing since he was 12. He's based in Burton On Trent, where he works in a tackle shop. He's currently targeting a Nene Valley syndicate water that holds fish to over 40lb's, and has recently land a new PB mirror of 39lb.

Richard has already been featured in Total Carp, Advanced Carp, Crafty Carper, Big Carp, and The Session.

Check out Richard's blog.

Sign up the receive The Session free in your inbox every month now.

Carpin' On

"The Carpin' On show started slowly on Saturday, whether this was due to the mild weather or not is debatable, but Sunday was very busy, and more than made up for the Saturday lull. The entertainment on the central stage was second to none and the reduced footfall was very noticeable when the likes of Terry Hearn and Jim Davidson were talking to the amassed crowds.

The Big One

"The Big One at Farnborough caters for all forms of carp and coarse angling and, as a result is a bigger event than Carpin' On. The talks are in a separate hall so unfortunately I personally didn't get the chance to attend them because the interest on the Greys and Chub stand was phenomenal! Our retail partner, Davies Angling seemed as busy as us with plenty of Chub and Greys products exchanging hands.

"We had a lot of interest at both shows in our current product with the Chub Vantage clothing range being very popular. The most unusual question for me over the two shows was about where the iPod pocket was on the jacket, and I must admit it took me ages to find it with the multitude of zips and pockets that the coat has to offer, but we got there in the end!

"The Chub Neuron Bite Alarms were a big talking point and I a good number were sold. As always, there was the usual interest in the Rods and the amount of attention the Greys Stalking Rods received surprised me and I hope it indicates an upward trend in anglers starting to hunt their prey rather than adopting the usual sit and wait tactics.

"The Chub Super Cyfish and Tri-Brid prototype Bivvies were also very popular and, if this initial interest is anything to go by they should sell quickly once they're released in the summer. I must admit I love the Tri-Brid and I hope there is one with my name on! But, by far the most popular product at both the shows was the Chub Black Precision Aluminium.

"All in all the shows were a huge success from a Greys and Chub point of view, which makes the six hour drive that the lads from Alnwick had to endure well worth it. From a personal perspective it was very nice to meet some of the guys that I have spoken to on Facebook and I had some interesting discussions from anglers that had read an article or two of mine about many aspects of angling.

"So, until next year, tight lines and happy angling."

Ed Betteridge

UK Carp magazine have reviewed the Chub Vantage clothing accessories.

Read more

Ed has risen within the ranks of named anglers thanks to his hard work on the bank, and string of notable catches including Choco at 49.12lb and his most recent 44.04lb common. His highly regarded articles have featured in most of the UK's top publications, and he writes regularly for various internet based media including The Session E-zine, and Korda.

Ed performs regular tips on rig applications, bait advice and video blogs on his YouTube channel (EdBetteridge1) and is currently taking his level 1 angling coaching badges.

Andy Charlton, UK Carp, Coarse and Predator Marketing Manager commented;

"I am delighted that Ed has accepted this position. He's been in the Academy for a number of years now, and has contributed greatly during his time here. He possesses a wealth of angling expertise, and brings a great deal of digital media experience to the table, something that we will be focusing on moving forwards."

Ed replaces previous Academy Manager, Jason Green, who has left to pursue other activities. We would like to wish Jason all the very best.

Find out more about the Greys & Chub Carp Academy. 

Total Carp magazine review the Chub Cloud 9 Chair and Bedchair range.

Read more

Mark Holmes has updated his blog.

Read more from Mark.

You will also find Stevie at the meet and greet area with angling personalities incusing TV's most famous angler John Wilson.

Alongside the casting demos, the show will feature talks, the Interactive Youth Zone, cooking demos, top fly tying demos, and free casting and fly tying lessons from APGAI-Ireland. There's something every angler and angling enthusiast.

Hardy, Greys and Chub fishing tackle will be available via the show's trade stands.

Find out more about the show on the Ireland Angling Show website. 

Stevie was among only two Europeans asked to give a fly casting clinic at this high profile event and was interviewed by Argentine T.V and sampled the fishing on the World famous Rio Grande River. The other was top caster Danish caster Henrik Mortensen. The show was a great success with Stevie showing fly casting with Hardy rods and reels which the local guides and anglers also tried and enjoyed. Stevie would like to thank all involved with this marvellous event and hopes he can return.

The second part of his trip Stevie stayed at The Estancia Despedida lodge, hosted by Danny Lajous and Ozzie, this is where Stevie landed his biggest ever Sea Run Brown Trout which tipped the scales just over 24lb, taken on a fly given to him by his show interpreter and now friend Jorge Luis Calvo Laubli or Tato for short.The deadly pattern was a Black & Red Articulated dressing.

Stevie tells us the Despedida Lodge is "lavish and relaxing" set in a beautiful wilderness with not only fishing on the Rio Grande but also the beautiful rivers Rio Menendez and Rio Mc Lennan. Stevie said Danny and Ozzie are the ultimate lodge hosts: "Their kind nature coupled by a rich fishing knowledge made me feel right at home. As the only owner-operated lodge on the Rio Grande, Despedida has the comforting feel of staying with your fishing family.

"Danny's son Tommy and his friend Jorge are fantastic guides with an uncanny ability to find big fish that will take. Ozzie's entertaining conversation at the dinner table ranged from Argentine history to rock, Jazz and blues music to world affairs. Chef Oscar served excellent four course meals with elements of Argentine and European cuisine that were well-matched with best Argentine wines"

Stevie definitely will be back hopefully as a guest again to the show and also Despedida Lodge have asked him to promote and host trips to this wonderful destination to U.K and Irish anglers, so anyone interested in sampling this magnificent part of the world and its great fishing contact Stevie Munn by email

Total Carp Fishing magazine review the Chub T5 Bite Alarm.

Read more

Total Carp Fishing magazines' Marc Coulson picks out Chub Vantage Clothing as some of the top products that have caught his eye this month.

Read more

UK Carp magazine review the Chub Eazi-Flow Floatation Weigh Sling. 

Read the full review

Some of the first pictures of Jason Green's 83lb 4oz monster. For a full write up from Jason on the capture subscribe to our monthly carp mail out, The Session today.

Watch a video of Jason's catch on our Official YouTube channel.

Watch the video on our official Chub YouTube channel.

(Note, this picture is NOT of the 80lb+ fish!)

Advanced Carp Fishing magazine review the Greys Distance Marker Rod.

Read more from Matt Eaton.

Mark said;

"I have been fortunate enough this year to have had the time to dedicate fishing Lakeview consistently. This Carp is the 2nd 50lb+ I have had from Lakeview and represents a great pinnacle to my season. Contrary to popular belief the lake is fished by some very good anglers and therefore the Carp are very tricky to catch, especially now as they have grown bigger.

"After leaving the baited rig untouched for 48 hours, I was rewarded with a steady run on the last day. The Carp fought very, very hard as do all Lakeview fish and when I finally landed it, I knew it must be close to 50lb. To say I was elated with the fish was an understatement."

Mark's successful tactic was a slack line with inline drop off lead, size 8 hook using Greys 2.75lb TC Torsion rods. This is Mark's sixth UK 50+ and comes after a succession of good catches over the summer.

Watch the video 

Read more from Mark Holmes

UK Carp magazine review the new Chub Vantage All Weather Suit.

Read more from Dave Springall

Check it out!

Also, don't forget to take a look at Carpworld this month for Ed's article on fishing Christchurch. 

Read more in this review by Tackle & Guns magazine. 

"I had an excellent day. Best bit was learning a new knot from Matt." Kim Smith

"Just chatting and getting some of the guy's experiences from them has helped me look at my carping differently now and my little boy enjoyed every minute. Thanks to you all." Steve Howlett 

"I'd like to say a big thank you to all the guys from the Greys & Chub Carp Academy who were at the Churchgate Lakes Open Day. It was nice to see them fishing, and to be able to spend time getting hints and tips from them, thanks again." Danny Everett.

We would like say a big thank you to everyone who attended our Academy Open Day at Churchgate Lakes on Saturday.

The event was the first of its kind held by us and, with hundreds attending we would especially like to thank Churchgate Lakes for hosting the event. The venue proved to be very successful with every academy member catching regularly throughout the day.

Greys & Chub Product Manager, Lee Collings said;

"What a fantastic day. I would personally like to say thank you to everyone who attended the event, tried out our gear and joined in the fishing. I hope this is the first of many similar events in the future."

We hope you all enjoyed the day and hope to repeat this event again next year.Don't forget you can now follow us on Facebook. 

Read more from Mark

Read more from Matt

Read more from Matt Eaton

Read more from Mark Holmes

Myles Gibson has updated his blog.

Mark Holmes has updated his Blog

Read Matt Eaton's latest Blog.

Read more

Read more about Ed's latest adventure

Dave Springall's account of capturing Big Lin at 40lb 13oz. Read more

Ed Betteridge has updated his blog. Read more

Darren Belton has updated his blog. Read more.

Read more

Kevin Benham has updated his blog following recently catching Vanessa. 

"As stated in my last blog just over 2 weeks ago, Yateley Car Park is now closed for 3 months so I would be concentrating on a particular Mid Kent gravel pit as there are a couple of gems in there I would like to catch..."

Read more

Read more

Check out Mark Holmes full catch report as he lands Big Bernard at 48lb 2oz here.

Please keep watching for a full report and pictures within the next few days.

Read more

Chris Lowe has updated his Blog following his last session on Acton. Read more.

Mark Holmes has updated his blog. Read more

Read more

UK Carp magazine review the Chub S-Plus Carp Rods.

Academy member Mark Holmes has recently landed a 37lb Carp. Read more

Chris Lowe has updated his Blog

His recent lump, a 43.12 Common called Box Common was caught during a four night session on an Oxford syndicate. 

Russia is an exciting market for the company and the firm has had good relations with the Russian Federation for many years. Hardy & Greys be exhibiting through our Russian distribution partner, Eco Technology, who are the most established importer of foreign fishing tackle to the Russian Federation.

International Sales & Events Manager Andrew Sowerby will be on hand to meet Russian customers, discuss products and the new areas of innovation we're working on.

The Hunting and Fishing in Russia Exhibition will feature over 700 exhibitors from Russia, CIS and foreign countries demonstrating the best samples of their products and services including hunting and fishing equipment and accessories, vehicles, fishing and hunting tourism, recreation, books, souvenirs and gifts. The exhibition will be attended by companies from Belarus, Ukraine, Italy, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Korea, China, Japan, New Zealand, as well as almost all Russian regions. It is expected that the number of visitors will be more than 60,000 people.

For more details on the show, please contact Andrew Sowerby asowerby@hardygreys.com

Andrew Sowerby is the International Sales & Events Manager for Hardy & Greys. Andrew has been with the company for 10 years, travels all over the world, and appeared on TV in various countries. Andrew's a keen angler, loves to get out and fish in whichever location he finds himself, and has caught a variety of species across the world on lure, bait and fly. Andrew is pictured with a a large Kahawai caught on Lure at the mouth of the Hurunui Rover in New Zealand.

Chris Lowe has updated his Blog

Jason Green (Manager)
Tony Makepeace
Ed Betteridge
Kevin Grix
Dave Moore
Alex Bransby
Myles Gibson
Darren Belton
James Coleman
Chris Lowe
Ian Gemson
Mark Holmes
Detlef Zedler

"Marketing Manager Gav Burn said;

"I am pleased to announce our Carp Academy members for 2011. These guys form an integral part of our business, offering a wealth of knowledge and Carp angling experience."

Check out the Greys & Chub Carp Academy. 

Read Myles Blog

Read Mark Holmes Updated Blog

UK Carp review the all new range of Cloud 9 3 Season Sleeping Bag, Thermal Sleeve and Fleece Lined Cover.

A cute little Dog followed by a scouting party of Goats! Read more about Darren's fishing adventures by visiting Darren's Blog!

Watch out for it coming soon in Total Carp, Advanced Carp Fishing, UK Carp, Carpology, Carpworld and Crafter Carper magazines.

Download the advert

In his interview Alex talks about his fishing career, memories from past fishing experiences including his strengths and weaknesses, and what frightens him most when out on the bank.

Read the interview

Check out the review or leave your own comments on our official Chub Facebook Fan Page. 

We hope that your visit was pleasant and you are as excited as us about our new products for 2011.

For all those people who purchased products on the day we hope you enjoyed the show and look forward to seeing you next year at Brentwood.

Watch out in January for our new products coming to a tackle dealer near you.

A highly respected angler, Jon was the man behind the concept of the hugely successful Korda underwater DVD's. Jon was also Assistant Editor of Big Carp magazine and the Editor for Carp Addict magazine for five years and the first person to represent Carp angling on BBC 1 when he appeared in Griff Rhys Jones show, Rivers around Britain.

Jon currently writes for Carpworld and Crafty Carper and has a monthly slot in Carp TV.

Jon said;

"Having the chance to join Hardy & Greys Ltd is a very exciting prospect for me. I have total respect for the talented North East based team because they are totally and unequivocally customer driven. In short they really do care about their fellow anglers and for me that is nothing short of paramount.

"I have also watched the emergence of one of the most exciting and well thought out product ranges I've seen to date, but again that comes with being in touch at base level with the end user. I am looking forward to very exciting times ahead."

Marketing Manager Gav Burn said;

"To be able to bring a guy of the calibre of Jon Banister to Hardy & Greys signals our intent to grow the media side of our brands within the Carp market. Jon will be working with us on a part time basis heading up our Carp media development strategies."

New products to see include the Cloud 9 range of Chairs, Bedchairs and Sleeping Bags, X-tra Comfy range of Chairs, Superlite Chair and Floatation Weigh Sling, 

31 year old Dominic is a highly talented mutli-disciplined angler who has had over 70 angling features published in the last few years with magazines such as Anglers Mail, Angling Times & Total Fly Fisher.

Dominic said;

"As a writer whose work has covered everything from small stream fly fishing to specimen Pike, Hardy & Greys seems the perfect match for me as they produce such a wide range of quality kit. Equally however, I'm drawn by the more traditional values of the company, which is important for my writing- that aims to capture the magic of the sport without the hard sell. It's great to be involved with a company that has listened to angling legends from Richard Walker to John Bailey."

Marketing Manager, Gav Burn said;

"I'm delighted that we have been able to secure the services of a young, dynamic and professional angler such as Dominic. We look forward to working with and helping to develop Dominic in the years ahead."

Read Animal's Blog.

More information on the Eazi-Flow Floatation Weigh Sling

Chub has also been voted the best brand for Carp rods below 100 Euro and in the best luggage category for the 2010 tackle awards.

These awards are presented to some of the best fishing tackle manufacturers in the world and we are pleased to have been successful.

Angling Unlimited believe people should have the opportunity to:

• Experience and enjoy angling
• Enjoy a healthy competitive environment
• Have a quality introduction to angling suited to their level of personal development
• Be offered excellent teaching, coaching and resources
• Progress along a structured path of achievement
• Fulfil their angling potential

Angling Unlimited works in partnership with local public services such as the Police, Youth Offending Teams, The Environment Agency and schools, as well as voluntary and community organisations.

Hardy & Greys Ltd are pleased to support Angling Unlimited

Caught at 49.12lb, Ed has been targeting Choco for a number of years and his perseverance and undoubted angling ability has finally paid off.

Ed Said;

"3 years and 3 weeks, 188 nights, 75 captures, 20 lost fish that could have been the one, half a ton of bait, 12000 miles and 200 hours on the road, £6,000 in diesel and tickets, hundreds of laps of the 50 acre lake watching and baiting... all to catch one fish - Choco! To say I'm pleased to finally catch him is a massive understatement. I just can't believe I have at last ended my quest with him."

Marketing Manager, Gav Burn said;

"I'm really pleased for Ed, I know how long he has been targeting Choco so for him to finally land the fish is fantastic news."

Read Ian's Blog

Read Ian's Blog

Read the article

Read part 1 of the article

Chub Carp Academy member, Ian Gemson gives his top tips on what fishing tackle is best to start Carp fishing. Part 1 of 2.

Read the article

Read Ian's Blog

Watch the latest You Tube clip from Alex Bransby 

Check them out on our official Chub You Tube channel!

Read Chris's Blog

The channel is now live. Visit now to watch the video of Felix Kaczmarek from the Hardy & Greys Germany Fishing Team carp fishing on various gravel pits and lakes in Northrheine Westphalia, Germany during May and June 2010 and look out for more videos coming soon!

Over the coming months we will be adding more videos to the channel including set up instructions for our bivvies and more from the academy. Subscribe to the channel to make sure you dont miss out!

Read Chris Lowe's Blog

The fish was caught on the surface using a Greys X Flite 3lb test curve rod and double chum mixer dog biscuit two feet from the bank.

John said;

"The fish took me a hair raising 5 minutes to land and required me to jump into the lake to get her into my 42" Greys X Flite Landing Net.

"I have been after a 40lb common now for over 7 years and to catch one this big is mind blowing!"

Available at your local dealer or as a download the 83 page consumer catalogue showcases some of the most innovative products Chub have ever produced.

Featuring products including the brand new S-Plus Bivvy range, which incorporates the S-Plus Shelter, S-Plus Bivvy, S- Plus Bivvy Overwrap, S-Plus Max Bivvy and S-Plus Max Overwrap Bivvy. These bivvies all feature 5000 mm hydrostatic head waterproof covers, 16mm 6061 aluminium poles & shock corded pegging points.

In the rods category, the new Snooper Spod and Snooper Marker Rods , these rods offer serious value for money whilst not compromising on quality. Featuring a 18mm gunsmoke reel seat , double leg SIC guides and an anodised laser etched butt cap.

In the Bedchairs category, the new X-tra Comfy Bedchair and Classic Bedchair. The X- Tra comfy bedchair features a fully removable fleece covered mattress & three legs for stability, the classic bedchair comes complete with fully adjustable locking leg mechanism and a solid steel frame.

Chub are well known for providing great Carp Care products and view fish welfare with the utmost importance. This year the company are pleased to announce the launch of a number of new Unhooking Mats and Cradles. These include the Barrow Mat, Xtra Protection Cradles and Euro Xtra Protection Cradles.

Carp Product Manager, Lee Collings, said:

‘At Chub we take pride in producing top quality products for top anglers, the same can be said about our new 2010 catalogue. Packed full of our latest carefully designed innovative products, all of which are incorporated and illustrated within 83 pages you can see the quality and design for which Chub has become renowned.

Manufactured to the same high standard, the Compact Xtra Protection Mat is designed for the angler who does not require a large mat and is ideal for day sessions or for stalking. More information on the Chub Compact Xtra Protection Mat.

A Very large mat dedicated for use with barrows. Based around the design of our Snooper Xtra Protection Mat, this mat is sure to become popular with barrow users and syndicate owners alike due to its large size and added protective features.

More information on the new Barrow Mat from Chub.

The Cradles now feature a unique fold flat design, stiffer non-collapisble sides, calming and protective overflap and a kneeling pad.

Read Alex's latest Blog update. 

Read his blog

Read his Blog

Read blog

Read more

Read more

More information on the X-Tra Comfy Bedchair

Gary arrives with a wealth of experience after ten years in the food service industry followed by thirteen highly successful years with fishing tackle manufacturer, Shimano.

Gary said of his appointment;

"It was a big step leaving Shimano, but when the opportunity arose to move to such a forward thinking, progressive company such as Hardy & Greys I found it impossible to refuse.

Since joining Hardy & Greys Ltd I have been overwhelmed with the level of customer focus and passion to succeed. I am looking forward to rekindling many old acquaintances, making some new ones and playing a full part in what looks certain to be a very bright future indeed."

Sales and Marketing Director, Ken Brewster said;

"I am delighted that Gary has joined us. He has a wealth of experience and tremendous customer relationships throughout the trade. He has fitted into the team instantly and will, I am sure, do a terrific job for us."

Gary replaces Steve Peterson who is taking up his new role as Game Marketing Manager for the Company starting at the end of April.

UK Carp Magazine have excluisvely tested the Chub Vizor bivvy for the first time.

Read the review

Chub Academy member Chris Lowe has landed a double whammy!

Fishing a 48 hour session on a private syndicate water, Chris not only landed the 47.3lb Mirror, breaking his PB; but also put himself in pole position for largest fish caught by a Grey/Chub academy so far this year this year.

Using a Greys Torsion 13' 3.5lb tc  rod , Chris's rig consisted of a fluorocarbon leader to an Ace lead clip and a 2.5oz Ace lead, a flurorocarbon hinged stiff link hooklink connected to a size 8 Korda choddy hook. Hook bait was a 14mm lobworm pop up and a new white corn popper from SBS.

Chris said:

"This is a great start to the new year after all the bad weather that we have had, upping my PB mirror is great but also with my target fish from this water, I am made up with this capture."

Read Chris's Profile

Dave had been working as a Consultant for the Northumberland based fishing tackle company for over three years, and has been heavily involved with rod and tackle design during this period. This includes working on the highly successful Hardy Marksman, and the new Greys Prodigy Specimen & Specialist Coarse introductions.

Dave has been a highly successful match and specialist coarse angler for many years. He has written extensively for the Angling press and currently writes weekly features for the Angler's Mail magazine. He will continue to contribute to this popular magazine from his new location and home in Alnwick, which will no doubt delight many northern anglers!

Commenting on his new position Dave said;

"I'm deeply honoured to have been offered the position of Coarse Product Manager and I relish the challenge.

"Hardy & Greys Ltd is a major, forward thinking company who are going places fast in both the Coarse and Carp markets, and I can now be even more involved with this exciting success story.

"I have made many new friends in Northumberland and I can't wait to explore the fishing up there."

Managing Director of Hardy & Greys Ltd, Richard Sanderson said;

"Hardy & Greys are pleased to announce Dave is joining our Product Development Team on a full time basis. Dave has been working with us for many years as a consultant and brings a wealth of experience with him from both the coarse market and fishing tackle industry. We are very excited to have Dave on board and look forward to launching many new products with his expert knowledge of the coarse & match market."

Carpworld magazine have recently reviewed the Chub Stove Bag in their recent edition of Carpers Cuisine.

Read the review 

Carpworld magazine review the Chub All Season Gas Canister Sleeve.

Read the review

Read more

Read Darren's Blog

Read more

UK Carp magazine review the Chub S-Plus Shelter.

Read the review

The 45lb 12oz Carp was caught at Bluebell's Swan Lake on a Greys Torsion rod. Using mixed particles along with chopped Mistral i40 boilies.

Alex said;

"On arrival at the lake I located a couple of fish moving around at about 70 yards range out towards the centre of the lake. With the least amount of disturbance I managed to find a nice area of light silt close by and a fair amount of mixed particles and boilies were duly spodded to the area, in a bid to try and hold the fish present.

"Throughout the night fish were showing over my baited area. Then just before dawn I received an absolute one toner, which straight away shed the heavy lead I was using, making the fish a lot easier to control. However, once in the margins the fish gave me the run around for a while before eventually tiring.

"At this point I still didn't know how big the fish was until I went to slide the net under it only for the draw cord to hit it's body, at that moment I realised what a deep framed fish it was. This particular fish is one of those rare visitors to the bank. In fact it hadn't been out for over fifteen months and from pressured water like Swan lake that makes the capture of this new personal best even sweeter."

Angler's Mail magazine feature the Chub Vizor Bivvy and its features in their latest issue. 

Carpology magazine review the Chub Cyfish Tri-Lite Bivvy. 

Read the review.

UK Carp magazine have reviewed the new Chub Outkast Rod as part of their Hot Gear section.

Read the full review

See the advert

Check back soon for more in Alex's own words. 

Read more

The Chub Carp Academy has recruited a new member.

Ian Gemson of Smart Carping Limited has joined the Academy. Ian has been fishing for 40 years and carp fishing for 12 years. He first started fishing as a child in Hampshire before going onto fish matches in a local team on rivers, canals and lakes and winning many events

Ian has transplanted much of his coarse fishing skills across from his early days as a match angler to help him catch many large carp from all across the UK.

A qualified Angling Coach to Level 2, Ian runs a Carp fishing coaching company called Smart Carping Limited, based in Hampshire which aims to help anglers of all ages and abilities to get the best from their hobby. In 2009 Ian's coaching sessions saw fifty twenty pound carp caught and fifty three personal bests smashed in the process.

Ian's PB is a 35 lb 11 oz Mirror from a southern gravel pit.

Ian said;

"Smart Carping Limited started with the intention to show anglers simple and effective fishing techniques and how to get the best from their hobby however, at the same time showing people quality equipment that would give them everything they wanted, but wouldn't break the bank.

"Chub and Smart Carping have the same ethos - both quality companies with a quality brand. I believe this perfect marriage will benefit each other and our customers and I am looking forward to working with the Academy."

Chub Academy Manager, Jason Green said;

"The Chub Academy are proud to welcome Ian onto the team. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience from working one-on-one with novice, intermediate and experienced anglers and he is a great asset to the Chub Carp Academy."

Ian's PB is a 35 lb 11 oz Mirror from a southern gravel pit.

See Ian's Profile and read his Blog.

Read More. 

Read more

Read more

At 64lbs 2oz Benson has been a target fish at Bluebell Lakes Carp Fishery, Peterborough for many anglers for years and Chub Academy member, Chris Lowe was lucky enough to catch the big common just over five years ago

Chris said;

"At a personal best weight of 56lb, which to this day still stands as my PB it has saddened me to know that the big fish had died. It gave me some good memories and is a capture that I will never forget.

"It is also a sad time for Tony, the owner of the fishery where the great fish resided as this is the second big fish to die recently on the complex and I'm sure it will have a big impact on him. My condolences go out to him."

The iconic Carp was stocked in 1995 at 24lbs.

Read more here

Since its launch at the trade show, Tackle & Guns the MK2 Cyfish Bivvy has caused a stir amongst Carp anglers and the Carp fishing media with UK Carp magazine who describes it as ‘Light yet sturdy, compact yet spacious, the new Chub MK2 Cyfish+ bivvy is even better than its illustrious predecessor... this is one hell of a bivvy.'

This updated bivvy has been 2 years in the making and features slimmer 16mm aluminium poles which make it light and more compact. Pole insert joints and collars prevent wear, allowing for a quick and easy setup and the upgraded 210D oxford weave polyester fabric is extremely tough and breathable whilst the 5000mm hydrostatic head makes it highly waterproof.

The bivvy still retains the twin fronted zip system with the full mozzi front being upgraded to Chub's exclusive heavy-duty green mozzi mesh.

The Mk2 Cyfish+ also comes complete with a full winter wrap, offering the benefits of a two skin bivvy when required. Inline tension bars with double locking screws are also included in the package, along with a heavy duty groundsheet and T-pegs.

The Mk2 Cyfish+ 2 man has also seen some additional improvements.

The bivvy frame has been redesigned with an extra large back rib. This increases both the depth and the height at the rear for extra comfort and head room on longer sessions. The Mk2 Cyfish + is now the first genuine 2man, three pole bivvy system that offers the perfect balance between size, comfort, weight and transportation.

Further information on this product.

The 41lb 2oz Common was caught whilst James was fishing on a three day session on a Southern venue.

James said;

"I had 8 takes and 8 Carp at 12lb, 17lb, 18lb 8oz, 23lb, 25lb, 26lb, 27lb as well as my new PB. This new PB makes this Carp my 8th UK forty and I am very pleased with my catch.

James was fishing using the new Greys Torsion 2.75TC rods for the first time and said;

"I had no hook pulls in 8 takes and I am extremely impressed with these new rods."

The fish were taken on Nash Scopex Squid Liver+ 16mm With Bait & Feed Company particle 42 groundbait. 25kilos were used in total over the 3 day session. The Carp certainly liked it.

A neatly padded pouch specifically designed to safely transport your Chub Digital Scales and stop them getting scratched or damaged in transit.

The pouch has two double zipped compartments which allow for carrying items such as forceps, pliers and carp care kits and also features elasticated loops on the back of the pouch designed for storing your weigh bar.

The pouch is manufactured from heavy duty Oxford Weave 600D material and also features 5mm foam padding for added protection.

Visit your local dealer today for more information and to purchase.

Read More

View more information on the Chub Snooper Carp Rods.

Caught whilst fishing using a Wapsi ‘Egg Yarn' fly pattern just below the surface of the water Zdravko said;

"What a day! I saw a big shadow swimming slowly near the surface, and I tried few times to cast my fly in front of it. Finally the fish took the fly and after 10 minutes of fight I managed to land it. The 20kg Carp is likely to be the first 20kg+ Carp caught on fly rod in Croatia."

Zdravko was also using a floating Hardy DT 6wt line.

Caught whilst fishing using a Wapsi ‘Egg Yarn' fly pattern just below the surface of the waterZdravko said;

"What a day! I saw a big shadow swimming slowly near the surface, and I tried few times to cast my fly in front of it. Finally the fish took the fly and after 10 minutes of fight I managed to land it. The 20kg Carp is likely to be the first 20kg+ Carp caught on fly rod in Croatia."

Zdravko was also using a floating Hardy DT 6wt line.

On a recent session at St Johns Lake, Oxford Chub Carp Academy Member Chris Lowe landed 15 Carp up to 30lb.

Catching a thirty at 34lbs, seven twenty's, five doubles and two singles  using a selection of SBS corn poppers, SBS fruit and nut boilies and hi vis pop ups, Chirs caught the fish using his trusty Chub Vantage 13ft 3.5 rod.

Chris said;

"This is my largest catch in one session and on St Johns Lake - a thirty is a great result."

Top angling magazine, Improve Your Coarse Fishing has recently reviewed the Chub Snooper Carp Rods.

"If you're on a budget and want one of the best carp rods on the market for around 50 quid, then look no further." Read more

Snooper Carp Rod - Improve Your Coarse Fishing February 2009.

View more information on Snooper Carp Rods

The Hardy, Greys and Chub Carp Academies recently held their first meeting of 2009. 

The meeting, which was held at Kingfisher  Lakes, Norfolk, saw all three Academies come together to discuss a range of topics  which included existing and future product development, Academy events, media activities and show calendars - laying down the plan for what's set to be, an exciting year ahead!

The weekend also saw three new members welcomed into the Academies:

Alex Bransby, who was the worthy winner of Total Carp magazine's Chub Carp Academy competition, and has subsequently been promoted to a full time member.

Expert anglers Jonathan Watt and Lee Taylor have joined the Hardy and Greys Coarse Academy; both are keen anglers and have already had articles published in several fishing magazines.

Hardy & Greys Ltd, Trade Marketing manager, Alan Yates, who organised the event, said:

"We are keen to set a high standard within the academies and having an annual get together is a vital part of this, not only does it give all the members an opportunity to have their input and share their valued opinions, but also how we work more closely with the Academies and improve communication, something I am keen to pursue this year.

"Despite being Valentine's weekend we had a 95% attendance which shows the members commitment and I would personally like to thank all of them.

"I would also like to thank Kingfisher Lakes and Apartments for the use of their stunning multi-discipline complex. I am sure we will be visiting again and believe that some of the coarse Academy members have already undertaken a feature at the complex since the meeting!"

Kingfisher Lakes was chosen as it offered excellent facilities, modern accommodation with an extremely diverse range of angling disciplines including River, Specimen Carp, match fishing & junior lakes. The venue lent itself perfectly to the diverse range of anglers within the Academies.

For more information on Kingfisher Lakes visit www.kingfisherapartments.co.uk

Alex Bransby, winner of the Chub Carp Academy competition has been promoted to a full time member of the Chub Carp Academy.

As winner of the Total Carp magazine competition in 2008, Alex was granted a 6 month trial membership to the Chub Academy and has now been fishing with the Academy, attended shows and is now starting to have input into both future and existing products.

Alex, 30, from Northamptonshire has now proven his ability as a top Carp angler and at the recent Academy Meeting, held at Kingfisher Lakes, Norwich, was promoted to a full time member of the Chub Carp Academy.

Alex said;

"It truly is an honour to be accepted as a full time consultant with Chub.

"For as long as I can remember fishing has been in my blood, so to now be part of the academy marks exciting times ahead for me."

Chub Carp Academy Manager, Jason Green commented;

"Alex has more than proven himself as a member of the Chub Carp Academy. An excellent all-round angler, Alex has done features and had articles published in several magazines.

"We welcome Alex into the Academy and look forward to working with him."

Alex has been fishing for over twenty years, specifically targeting Carp for the last fifteen. He enjoys Carp fishing on a variety of different lakes, rivers and canals around the Nene Valley and has caught many Carp in their twenties and thirties. Alex's current Carp PB is 38lb.

Alex highlights his strengths as being able to quickly adapt to a wide variety of venues and the challenges they bring. He also believes that the key to successful carp fishing is a mix of sound watercraft, sensible bait application along with learning to trust your instincts.

Available at your local dealer or as a download from www.chubfishing.com the 75 page consumer catalogue from the Alnwick-based fishing tackle manufacturer showcases some of the most innovative products Chub have ever produced.

Featuring products including the new and improved Mk2 Cyfish + Bivvy with slimmer and lighter aluminium poles, the bivvy is light and compact and made with a tough, breathable and highly waterproof polyester material.

In the rods category, the new Outkast 10ft rod, is a truly versatile rod from Chub. A must have addition to any anglers set of rods, the Outcast 10ft is soft enough to be used as a short conventional Carp rod - perfect for tight swims, floater fishing or the mobile angler.

Chub Product Managers have worked hard all year designing and developing the new Sat-A-Lite Lantern and Head Torches.

Utilising the most sophisticated and up to date controlled technology to give maximum output of light intensity and battery life, Chub have created one of the best performing lanterns and compact headlights on the market.

To Chub, Carp care is an utmost important and the company are pleased to announce the launch of a number of new Unhooking mats and Weigh Slings.

Carp Product Manager, Lee Collings, said:

"As a development team, we have worked hard all year to produce a range of durable and reliable products for 2009.

"All of our products are designed and developed in Alnwick and go through a rigorous testing period.

"At Chub we pride ourselves on the care and commitment we put into the development of all of our products, always with the aim of keeping ahead of the game."

The new catalogue also features the Chub Carp Academy. Launched last year, the Academy and its members have quickly gained popularity within the angling trade and press, regularly attending major tackle shows and events plus writing comments in many leading fishing magazines.

For the first time, a German translation is also available.

The show, which took place on the 7th and 8th February at the Ijsselhallen in Zwolle, Netherlands, saw the new Hardy Carp rod, designed for the Dutch market, stolen prior to the Show on the evening of the 6th February.

Andrew Sowerby, International Sales and Events Manager for Hardy & Greys Ltd said;

"I am sickened by this theft. As it is a prototype, this specific example of the rod is of little value, even worse, anglers had travelled several hours to the show specifically to see, handle and discuss the Hardy Goldbow - this is exactly why anglers go to shows."

This rod, together with a number of Hardy Marksman Coarse rods were stolen. The Hardy Goldbow rod is clearly identifiable by its distinct rich brown blank, full cork handle and has no bag, tube or stopper. The Marksman Coarse rods are easily identifiable as they also have no bags, stoppers or tubes and the Hardy Feeder rods only have one 2oz quiver tip in each of them.

Police are now looking to find the stolen items and Hardy & Greys Ltd are offering a complete finished Hardy Goldbow Carp rod as a reward to anyone who has information that leads to the recovery of this prototype.

Chub Academy Member, Angie Lawley has made the front cover of the Richworth-Linear 2009 Brochure.

Angie, partner of Chub Academy member, Chris Lowe, is featured posing on the annual fishery brochure front cover while holding her p.b 41lb 4oz Common. The fish was caught in March last year while she was fishing at Linear, Oxfordshire.

Angie, who has been Carp fishing for 10 years said;

"It is an honour to be featured on the front cover of the Linear Fisheries brochure for 2009.

"Chris and I have been fishing Linear for 5 years and it is my favourite venue. Through publishing a female on the front cover of the brochure - it is great to see women being recognised and appreciated in the sport."

The Richworth-Linear brochure gives full detailed information on the top UK venue, including its 8 waters, information on looking after your catch, a look back at catches of 2008 and a page dedicated to ladies who fish the venue - ‘The Ladies Page'.

Request a 2009 brochure by visiting www.linear-fisheries.co.uk

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new interactive website which we will be updating daily.

Featuring on the site are all of the new products for 2009 including the Vantage and range of Outkast rods, Cyfish Tri-Lite and Cyfish Tri-Lite Extreme Canopy Bivvies and a range of accessories which include the new 3,4,5 and 6 Star Holdalls and Luggage ranges.

Pease check back for further news and product updates coming soon.

The fish was caught in a 20 acre southern pit that Darren has been targeting for most of the summer.

Caught at a range of 40 yards, this is Darren's 13th 40lb+ Carp. Darren also landed a 25lb Mirror during the session.

Darren said;

"It is a great achievement for me to have caught this fish with such a good result. Where I was fishing, the fish have been down in weight due to heavy spawning so it came as a pleasant surprise to have this one at over 40lb."

Steve Broad - UK Carp

Click here to read more

The session did not get off to a good start when Jason hooked and lost a fish after it picked up another anglers line that had cut off and was trailing from a nearby weed bed. However Jason later managed to land a 26lb common.

The 44lb 12oz Mirror put up a good fight, getting weeded up on numerous occasions in the weed, Jason managed to land the largest fish in the lake in the early hours of the morning.

This success follows that of a 71lb French PB caught by Jason in France only two weeks ago.

Jason said;

"I really do not know what to say. I don't seem to be able to do anything wrong at the minute whilst fishing."

Chub Product Managers have utilised the most sophisticated and up to date controlled technology to give maximum output of light intensity and battery life, creating two of the most comfortable and compact headlights on the market.

The Chub Sat-A-Lite SL100 is the perfect LED fishing headlight.

Its compact and lightweight body with angle adjustment and single white LED provides a bright and focused beam whilst the dual red LEDs produce soft night vision illumination.

The Chub Sat-A-Lite SL200 is the perfect LED fishing headlight for the angler that requires a more powerful and focused main beam.

Featuring a pivotal head for easy angle adjustment, dual red LEDs provide soft night vision illumination.

The SL200 has a slim power pack fitted to the head pack which also features a rear facing LED.

The Sat-A-Lite SL300 Lantern has a powerful output of 300 luments - perfect for providing ultra-bright all round illumination.

Three 1W Nichia White LEDs offer 3 days continuous illumination in high mode and 6 days on the low setting.

The lens is removable to provide a forward directional beam when required and there is a built in hanging hook on the lantern base to allow wider light dispersal when elevated.

The SL300 also features 3-mode electronic switch that provides ‘instant off' in any mode, and a small green LED indicator is fitted for easy location in the dark.

The Chub Sat-A-Lite Lantern can offer up to three days illumination on high mode and six days on the low setting.