As an ancient old fart I must be doing something wrong. All my rods are carbon fibre, I have two Fox Mini Microns, a bivvy, a pod, I use the hair rig often, have caught lots of fish on boilies, have experimented at length with flavours, I am considering purchasing a "Real Tree" jacket. I don't use gaffs or gags when pike fishing and I also carry an unhooking mat!!