#21 The Craft With Bill Cottam

This episode see's the return of the fantastic angler and bait specialist,  Neil Messenger. Listen to Neil's amazing story on how he managed to catch 2 of the most iconic carp in history, Heather and Basil. Neil also managed incredibly to land these titans within 6 months. We chat about the struggles, and a masterclass in what it takes to catch the special ones.  Join Rez and Matt with some chat on products, competition give away and all things carpy. 

We've got a true inspiration In the world of women's carp angling,  with our guest Bev Clifford. Bev has been involved with the sport for decades and was a publisher for the hugely popular and historic Carp Talk. Bev is the current England women's  carp angling Captain and Manager. We discuss the challenges she and other women have faced and the best way for the sport to move forward for women. Also what part do the big fishing companies and fisheries play, how far women's angling has come and what the future looks like for this growing community of anglers. She has been a major player in giving the women's fraternity a voice in sport and inspiring her peers. 

Join us for our longest episode to date, with some great chat and insite into one of the finest carp rivers in Europe, the Ebro. Our guest is Paul Booth who is a veteran river guide on the Ebro and owner of Ebro Crazy Cats holidays. Paul was also part of the England carp team and played a key role in helping team England win gold in 2015. Listen to Paul's adventures and extensive knowledge on how to get the best from this epic river.

We chat to veteran carp angler and co-founder of Nutra-Baits, Bill Cottam. Hear Bills amazing journey into the world of angling and bait, alongside the legend Tim Paisley. With deep discussion on his knowledge of watercraft techniques and tactics. Learn how Bill has caught some of the biggest fish out there.

For our 20th episode we chat with the legend that is Derek Ritchie. We 'get it on with the Don' and delve into Derek's 60 years as an angler and how his passion and love for the sport has stood up to the test of time. Listen to how to get a 'Wanger on the Banger' and how the sport has truly changed in Derek's time and how it matches up with todays carp angling. Hear some very funny stories and the great adventures, from one of the great characters of our sport.

This episode we are joined by big fish angler and a veteran of the iconic waters of Rainbow and Graviers, Peder Lichtenberg. We chat to Peder about his adventures and tactics that are required to come at on top at these legendary lakes. Join us for some great insite into these epic French lakes. With also our popular features thrown in.

We are joined by carp guru Adam Penning, who gives us more of his outstanding knowledge and wisdom on his return to the podcast. Adam enlightens us on bait application over the four seasons and the best methods needed to get fish on the bank. Join us for our longest episode to date, with plenty of carpy chat from a true great of our sport.

We chat carp match fishing and what it takes to become successfull in these competitions. We are joined by arguably the finest match pairing in England. World cup winners Jamie Londors and Billy Flowers . These guys are serial winners and they give us their knowledge and experience on how to come out on top at these highly pressured events.

This episode the guys chat about tournament match fishing and how the organisers get through the huge logistical problems that can occur with these large scale match angling events. Were joined by Tim Gray who has been involved with some of the largest Match fishing events at home and abroad. With once being the go to guy for Korda and there logistical expeditions, he now runs large events for the armed forces and inter-services, with the very successful Forces Carp Classic to name one. Join Matt and Rez for a taste into the world of events and all things carpy.

We chat about understanding bait and the things you should be looking out for when it comes to quality bait. We team up with the experts from DT Baits, Fenton Trewick and Neil Messenger who give us the low down on these issues. With also our brand new monthly competition feature, with some great prizes up for grabs, this is one not to be mist.