Testimonial - Graham Elliot
Ian is a PAA qualified angling coach and I was interested to see his approach to tuition as well as bring myself pretty sharply up to date with the latest methods being employed to consistently catch carp. I also wanted to determine if any of the methods would convince me that barbel would also respond to them. It was obvious from our initial exchange of messages that it would be fun.
My offer to bring a wheelbarrow, spare guest bed, cooking stove with microwave and copious amounts of lager were all taken in good humour. Even the request for a portable bite alarm, so I could spend the time in the 'chippies' was met with the comment, “If you bring your butler!”
Ian was there when I arrived on the dot, and after a warm handshake we headed off with enough tackle to open a shop (on a wheelbarrow!). It was fun to see Ian's face as I offered to carry his expensive rods - just a moment's hesitation before he said it was OK, then he spent the next five minute's walk watching my Sherpa efforts like a hawk.
It was soon pretty clear to me that Ian had the day's tuition and lesson pretty much planned out to the finest detail. We started with the good old Elf n Safety. A must when taking paying guests within a professional organisation. Ian's attention to detail never flagged, telling me hooks are very sharp and also having a life rope for any unplanned swimming adventures. This was followed by a demonstration of the tackle we would use, the rod's TC rating and details about the reels he uses. When I commented that a couple of the rods seemed pretty firm he pointed to an Island that, after straining my eyes, seemed to be about 200 yards away - he was having a laugh, surely. That is until he popped a lead out 5 yards short of the Island. Bloody hell! Great instruction and demonstrations followed. Spodding, bait choice, spod mixes, marker floats, casting, line marking, use of the line clips, rig makeup and the variations, lead core usage and how to make lengths of it up. Followed by leading to establish the water depth in front of our swim, a drop-off after a plateau being the choice to concentrate on. Hook types and their uses, lead weights, hook length choices, knots. It continued without pause until it was time to have a go at casting and spodding.
What you get with Ian is a top level professional approach that would help every angler that fishes for all species. He is also great fun to be with and picked up quickly on my rather odd humour.
Ian was like a man possessed, It's obvious that his prime intention is to ensure that his customers have a great day and catch some of the superb carp on offer at the venue, Thorpe Lea. Beautifully coloured golden orange fish, including near linears came to pay us a visit. Many had mouth damage, a legacy from their days further afield in a heavily fished match lake.
Now, if I can offer any advice, book a day with Ian Gemson of Smartcarping. Not only will you have a great day in great company but also, you will learn plenty, and I have no doubt, adapt your current approach and simply, catch more.
Thank you Ian for a great day.
Read more:
- Graham's own write-up of the session on FISHINGmagic.com
- Smart Carping's photo gallery from Graham's session
