The bit you should read.

I’ve always been an angler and after around the country moving I wanted to discover and document the best places to fish (where ever I might be) in the way of rivers, lakes, canals and ponds. When previously fishing in South Wales I often fished in club and winter league matches, however living up north presented me with new challenges, venues and angling clubs that I acquainted myself with. Now down in the South West I plan to do the same.

This fishing blog details my angling adventures around the UK (although depending where I am in the country I also sea fish from both Boat and Shore, Carp, Pike and Fly fish). I will be giving a summary of 3 values considered by most anglers as well as the additional Disabled Access rating. Since being diagnosed with CIDP and regaining my motor function Disabled angling and Disabled access is now something I always consider when visiting venues. They will all be rated on a scale of 1* to 5*;

1. Fishability *****

2. Accessability *****

3. Value for Money *****

4. Disabled Access *****

I think these 4 points are the key issues which are readily identifiable with all anglers. Feel free to take a look and add your own comments along the way!

Monday, 8 August 2011

Store Review - Leeds Angling Centre, Armley

Leeds Angling Centre, visually it looked quite tired and I’m probably wrong in saying this but I got the distinct impression the gentleman behind the desk wasn’t particularly interested in my custom. After I hung around about and checked out what the store had to offer it was obvious that he was a wealth of information to the right people, but when I approached him and asked fairly specific questions about where to fish and what was catching, that information seemed to disappear.




As far as shops go there is a reasonable choice of ground baits, additives and attractants, the shop is heavily aimed at course anglers (especially the pole, feeder and waggler fans) with very little in the way of a predator and specimen carp section. I found this very surprising as the Leeds – Liverpool canal is renowned for producing lots of pike of all sizes.
There is also a very reasonable selection of hooks, pole elastics and waggler floats. The bait is reliable with the Maggots usually having a large enough feed spot to last a few days providing they are kept nice and cool. The fact that it sells worm, caster and pinkie which are only available at certain times of the year (depending on where you’re buying your bait from) is also good to know.
What is slightly disappointing is whenever I can get advice from the store owner; it is unfortunately the same advice which has been re-hashed to me several times now in a variety of ways (tales with photographic evidence of a 15lb Pike from the canal near the Leeds Royal Armouries if you’re wondering...). Also, although keen to dispense information on Leeds Amalgamated Society of Anglers, when asking about public waters to fish nearby, apart from Roundhay Park (which use to be a Leeds ASA Fishery) the responses I received were very limited. So for the time being I will stick with Google and keep my ear to the ground to find out about anywhere fishing particularly well.
The Leeds Angling Centre is a small and basic shop, good at providing fresh bait and standard equipment. If you are just starting out fishing in the Leeds area I would recommend you go there for you basics and fresh bait, you can also pick up some more specialised pole, waggler and feeder gear, but you’d be hard pushed to get any real sound advice on consistent locations. As far as stores go it is an average store, and will see you right for the essential bit and bobs.
Store Review ***

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