In reply to Post #510
We are going barbel, fishing again later this week to many will be out over the holiday weekend so we will give it a miss for the next few days.
Thinking back to when I was a youngster I started my fishing, at a very young age I think I was about three years old I soon learned I lost my father in the war. My mother married again my stepfather, was a brilliant man who encouraged me to carry on fishing, in those days you could not go fishing, where you liked as most rivers, and lakes, were strictly private, so there was only one way to fish, and that was to poach the lakes, and rivers.
It was a chancy thing to do as most waters were under the care of water bailiffs, and Gamekeepers, you were always on edge fishing the waters, I poached the big estates, and got away with it. There was one such lake, not far from my home I don't think it had ever been fished, so one autumn day saw me away on my bike, on arriving I hid my bike then got over the wall that surrounded the estate, the lake was around twenty acres where do I start I was only a young slip of a lad.
I had took plenty of bait bread, was my favourite plus a few red worms, that I got from the farmers dung heap, I did manage to get a few maggots, from mr Tays abattoir but collecting them made you stink a bit which did not go down well with my parents.
I started to float fish this water it was situated in front of the big hall, belonging to a member of parliament, I will not mention names as not to embarrass his family he has long gone but his family still own the estate, I started to catch Rudd, they were lovely deep bodied fish, they were not small and averaged over two pounds in weight I was using worm this one day I watched as the float, vanished I struck and away it went it felt quite heavy I had no landing net, in those days so you can imagine my surprised when I dragged a lovely trout to the side god the owner must have stocked the water with trout, I shook with excitement what a beautiful looking fish. This fish was not going back to cut a long story short I had another six on worm I was about to cast out again when I heard a shout he is over there keeper he,s bloody well catching my trout bring him back to the house i'll get the police.
God he must of spotted me from the big house, I was away through the undergrowth, I fell over a couple of times I would not be able to get to the wall, it was to far away there was a big old horse chestnut tree, so I hid my tackle, and up I climbed it had still got plenty of leaves, on i lay across one of the top most branches by now there was two other chaps, looking for me as well. I just hoped they would not find my bike then the police arrived I recognized the one he was a constable, from our village, the sgt I did not know I think he came from Ludlow, well they never once looked up in the trees, I was shaking a bit god i think I am going to get caught everything goes through your mind I was only thirteen, but I need not worry as they moved away when the owner arrived, we can't find him sir said the keeper, bloody poachers, the owner said they wan't shooting what do you think sgt we will get him sir, and then they were away I stayed where I was for another hour before I moved.
I had seven trout, in my bag I would have to be very careful on the road going home I decided to go through the woods instead I would have to push my bike but it was safer, although it would take longer I eventually arrived home a bit worse for wear and very tired the biggest trout, was over four pounds in weight my family were well pleased plenty to share out with our neighbours. I thought that was that until I arrived at school ,on Monday we were in assembly when the headmaster said the police wanted to give us a talk, bloody hell it was the sgt that had been looking for me, he gave us a talk on poaching especially fish and if we knew any one doing it report them to the police station, he had no prove who it was but did know it was a youngster. well that was that I did fish the lake again and never had anymore trouble. well a bit more latter
We are going barbel, fishing again later this week to many will be out over the holiday weekend so we will give it a miss for the next few days.
Thinking back to when I was a youngster I started my fishing, at a very young age I think I was about three years old I soon learned I lost my father in the war. My mother married again my stepfather, was a brilliant man who encouraged me to carry on fishing, in those days you could not go fishing, where you liked as most rivers, and lakes, were strictly private, so there was only one way to fish, and that was to poach the lakes, and rivers.
It was a chancy thing to do as most waters were under the care of water bailiffs, and Gamekeepers, you were always on edge fishing the waters, I poached the big estates, and got away with it. There was one such lake, not far from my home I don't think it had ever been fished, so one autumn day saw me away on my bike, on arriving I hid my bike then got over the wall that surrounded the estate, the lake was around twenty acres where do I start I was only a young slip of a lad.
I had took plenty of bait bread, was my favourite plus a few red worms, that I got from the farmers dung heap, I did manage to get a few maggots, from mr Tays abattoir but collecting them made you stink a bit which did not go down well with my parents.
I started to float fish this water it was situated in front of the big hall, belonging to a member of parliament, I will not mention names as not to embarrass his family he has long gone but his family still own the estate, I started to catch Rudd, they were lovely deep bodied fish, they were not small and averaged over two pounds in weight I was using worm this one day I watched as the float, vanished I struck and away it went it felt quite heavy I had no landing net, in those days so you can imagine my surprised when I dragged a lovely trout to the side god the owner must have stocked the water with trout, I shook with excitement what a beautiful looking fish. This fish was not going back to cut a long story short I had another six on worm I was about to cast out again when I heard a shout he is over there keeper he,s bloody well catching my trout bring him back to the house i'll get the police.
God he must of spotted me from the big house, I was away through the undergrowth, I fell over a couple of times I would not be able to get to the wall, it was to far away there was a big old horse chestnut tree, so I hid my tackle, and up I climbed it had still got plenty of leaves, on i lay across one of the top most branches by now there was two other chaps, looking for me as well. I just hoped they would not find my bike then the police arrived I recognized the one he was a constable, from our village, the sgt I did not know I think he came from Ludlow, well they never once looked up in the trees, I was shaking a bit god i think I am going to get caught everything goes through your mind I was only thirteen, but I need not worry as they moved away when the owner arrived, we can't find him sir said the keeper, bloody poachers, the owner said they wan't shooting what do you think sgt we will get him sir, and then they were away I stayed where I was for another hour before I moved.
I had seven trout, in my bag I would have to be very careful on the road going home I decided to go through the woods instead I would have to push my bike but it was safer, although it would take longer I eventually arrived home a bit worse for wear and very tired the biggest trout, was over four pounds in weight my family were well pleased plenty to share out with our neighbours. I thought that was that until I arrived at school ,on Monday we were in assembly when the headmaster said the police wanted to give us a talk, bloody hell it was the sgt that had been looking for me, he gave us a talk on poaching especially fish and if we knew any one doing it report them to the police station, he had no prove who it was but did know it was a youngster. well that was that I did fish the lake again and never had anymore trouble. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #2
not been on for a bit m8
I see your still ok 
not been on for a bit m8
I see your still ok
In reply to Post #513
great story keep it up
great story keep it up
In reply to Post #513
hi jacko hope your well yes i'm still here not passed away as yet nice to hear from you not been up to the lake as yet
Thanks nick very much appreciated
hi jacko hope your well yes i'm still here not passed away as yet nice to hear from you not been up to the lake as yet
Thanks nick very much appreciated
In reply to Post #515
As I sit here writing on this sunny day, I think back when graham and I were young and poached a lake well more of a pool really it had an old boat house at the one end but it was a route march to get there it was some time in the sixties I know we had A35 vans and had plenty of room in the back for our Tackle.
THIS pool was in south Shropshire, I had only fished there once that was in the late fifties, I fished it with a lad called jones. I would cycle to his dad's farm which was at a place called Branden hill Clungunford, although I had not been to the pool for years, I could still remember the way or so I thought I can still remember us parking the car on the road side and walking across the fields, loaded with our tackle, to the big wood. over the fence we got and were in ferns, over our heads. Which way do we go said graham straight on said I after a good hour we still could not find the pool it reminded me of another pool nearly the same which I mentioned in part one of my stories It was also deep in the woods, and took some finding we just had to sit down what with the ferns, and the midges, we were well and truly lost.
After a breather we decided to carry on god it was hot the sweat ran down my back like a river, we eventually found the pool it was a beautiful place it had an island and boat house,at the one end there was a dam the water trickled through a big pipe, and then ran down a stream into another smaller pool we could not believe our eyes wallowing in this small pool no more than two feet deep were four carp, and they were a fair size, those were the ones we could see they must of got in through the pipe, from the top pool, when there was to much water coming into the lake from the stream that flowed into it. It never took us long out went a piece of bread crust on a size four hook they were not interested and would not even take free offerings.
So we decided to fish the top lake we float fished bread flake tipped with maggot we just could not go wrong it was a Rudd, a cast with fish between a pound and two pounds. I wonder who owns the pool said Graham I had no idea what if someone comes said Graham, we will hide in the ferns but to be honest it looked if no one had been there for years we could hear dogs, barking from deep in the woods but we never took much notice it was not until we heard someone calling his dogs, that we realized whoever it may be was coming our way we grabbed our tackle, and hid in the ferns we could just about see the pool if we stood up and we could see there were two men who looked like Gamekeepers, they had buckets and carried guns, and had four springer spaniels, with them we will feed the big ride Bert, said the one man, they crossed the dam and vanished into the woods, the other side and were gone it was late afternoon by this time and we decided to give it best one thing that was a bit off putting was the number of snakes, we saw in and around the water, I myself saw at least seven and Graham saw a few they were mostly grass snakes but there must be adders, as it was ideal ground for breeding. We would be back again next week as we came to the field we could see the car, in the distance onto the road we got it did not take us long to load the car with our tackle I noticed something stuck on our windscreen, it was a note please report to the police station, as soon as possible bloody hell what police station, there was only two Craven arms, or Ludlow, what are you going to do pete nothing and I never heard any more. I think maybe it was a farmer, next time we hid the car up a lane we fished it loads of times and caught some impressive Rudd, but not once did we catch a carp, I often wonder if the pool is still there it was a most beautiful place deep within the woods an idyllic place to dream and spend your time.. Well a bit more latter
As I sit here writing on this sunny day, I think back when graham and I were young and poached a lake well more of a pool really it had an old boat house at the one end but it was a route march to get there it was some time in the sixties I know we had A35 vans and had plenty of room in the back for our Tackle.
THIS pool was in south Shropshire, I had only fished there once that was in the late fifties, I fished it with a lad called jones. I would cycle to his dad's farm which was at a place called Branden hill Clungunford, although I had not been to the pool for years, I could still remember the way or so I thought I can still remember us parking the car on the road side and walking across the fields, loaded with our tackle, to the big wood. over the fence we got and were in ferns, over our heads. Which way do we go said graham straight on said I after a good hour we still could not find the pool it reminded me of another pool nearly the same which I mentioned in part one of my stories It was also deep in the woods, and took some finding we just had to sit down what with the ferns, and the midges, we were well and truly lost.
After a breather we decided to carry on god it was hot the sweat ran down my back like a river, we eventually found the pool it was a beautiful place it had an island and boat house,at the one end there was a dam the water trickled through a big pipe, and then ran down a stream into another smaller pool we could not believe our eyes wallowing in this small pool no more than two feet deep were four carp, and they were a fair size, those were the ones we could see they must of got in through the pipe, from the top pool, when there was to much water coming into the lake from the stream that flowed into it. It never took us long out went a piece of bread crust on a size four hook they were not interested and would not even take free offerings.
So we decided to fish the top lake we float fished bread flake tipped with maggot we just could not go wrong it was a Rudd, a cast with fish between a pound and two pounds. I wonder who owns the pool said Graham I had no idea what if someone comes said Graham, we will hide in the ferns but to be honest it looked if no one had been there for years we could hear dogs, barking from deep in the woods but we never took much notice it was not until we heard someone calling his dogs, that we realized whoever it may be was coming our way we grabbed our tackle, and hid in the ferns we could just about see the pool if we stood up and we could see there were two men who looked like Gamekeepers, they had buckets and carried guns, and had four springer spaniels, with them we will feed the big ride Bert, said the one man, they crossed the dam and vanished into the woods, the other side and were gone it was late afternoon by this time and we decided to give it best one thing that was a bit off putting was the number of snakes, we saw in and around the water, I myself saw at least seven and Graham saw a few they were mostly grass snakes but there must be adders, as it was ideal ground for breeding. We would be back again next week as we came to the field we could see the car, in the distance onto the road we got it did not take us long to load the car with our tackle I noticed something stuck on our windscreen, it was a note please report to the police station, as soon as possible bloody hell what police station, there was only two Craven arms, or Ludlow, what are you going to do pete nothing and I never heard any more. I think maybe it was a farmer, next time we hid the car up a lane we fished it loads of times and caught some impressive Rudd, but not once did we catch a carp, I often wonder if the pool is still there it was a most beautiful place deep within the woods an idyllic place to dream and spend your time.. Well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #516
What a most beautiful morning it's now September I hope it carries on for a bit longer. I can remember when I was a lad fishing a small lake not far from my home we would cycle there our rods, would be tied to the cross bar of our bikes, the lake held some carp but not huge although I did manage a ten pounder that was around 1954, I can remember all these strange men in their big hats coming to have a look at my prize, and giving me advice on how to hold it and have it photographed, I did not have a camera but I needn't of worried along they came with their box cameras, I really felt like a star a gentleman called peter finch, had taken me under his wing he was a dedicated carp man and told me it was the biggest carp, to come out of the lake, it rolled off my back like water to me it was a fish, any fish, was a good one for a youngen like me.
I absolutely loved that lake and spent most of my summer holidays fishing, there I can remember night fishing two young lads huddled together under the stars, anticipating a bite and we did catch fish, we had no landing net then so its was into the water which was not deep, and pick the fish up with our hands, most only grew to around five pounds but they were fish, and we caught them night fishing, it was a wonderful feeling after returning the fish we would still be shaking with excitement, the owner off the lake would come down and see us in the morning he never once charged us and would bring us big bottles of homemade ginger beer.
I learned how to catch the carp, with bread crust, casting it out into the weed beds, there would be a big swirl and the crust would vanish up with the rod and I would be in. It took some doing to extract them from the weeds at times we had an audience watching us, my mate was a lad called Ray Evans it was nothing to catch half a dozen fish using bread flake, or crust. We both had our fair share of carp with floating crust, we also found we could catch them using a big float and a big bunch of worms they were positive bites that would tow the float along the top of the water before vanishing under the surface it was wonderful fishing and we were lucky to even be there the farmer trusted us both we loved this old man and his family and fished the lake for many years.
Bunches of little red worms caught the carp
There was one other lake that held carp, it belonged to a man who was high sheriff of Shropshire, the locals said You will not get permission I went up to the big hall and banged this big knocker on the door, eventually someone came it was one of the maids, can I see sir you best come in, he seemed a nice old man how can I help you youngman I was wondering if I can fish your lake sir, he thought for a bit you're that lad who comes beating with old Sam the keeper yes sir I answered, I don't see why not but not in the shooting, season thank you sir I was shaking with excitement over the months I got to know him realy well I caught some very nice fish from his water and did they fight they were true wildies.. well a bit more latter
wildies like these held by graham and Bernard
More wildies from years ago
What a most beautiful morning it's now September I hope it carries on for a bit longer. I can remember when I was a lad fishing a small lake not far from my home we would cycle there our rods, would be tied to the cross bar of our bikes, the lake held some carp but not huge although I did manage a ten pounder that was around 1954, I can remember all these strange men in their big hats coming to have a look at my prize, and giving me advice on how to hold it and have it photographed, I did not have a camera but I needn't of worried along they came with their box cameras, I really felt like a star a gentleman called peter finch, had taken me under his wing he was a dedicated carp man and told me it was the biggest carp, to come out of the lake, it rolled off my back like water to me it was a fish, any fish, was a good one for a youngen like me.
I absolutely loved that lake and spent most of my summer holidays fishing, there I can remember night fishing two young lads huddled together under the stars, anticipating a bite and we did catch fish, we had no landing net then so its was into the water which was not deep, and pick the fish up with our hands, most only grew to around five pounds but they were fish, and we caught them night fishing, it was a wonderful feeling after returning the fish we would still be shaking with excitement, the owner off the lake would come down and see us in the morning he never once charged us and would bring us big bottles of homemade ginger beer.
I learned how to catch the carp, with bread crust, casting it out into the weed beds, there would be a big swirl and the crust would vanish up with the rod and I would be in. It took some doing to extract them from the weeds at times we had an audience watching us, my mate was a lad called Ray Evans it was nothing to catch half a dozen fish using bread flake, or crust. We both had our fair share of carp with floating crust, we also found we could catch them using a big float and a big bunch of worms they were positive bites that would tow the float along the top of the water before vanishing under the surface it was wonderful fishing and we were lucky to even be there the farmer trusted us both we loved this old man and his family and fished the lake for many years.
Bunches of little red worms caught the carp
There was one other lake that held carp, it belonged to a man who was high sheriff of Shropshire, the locals said You will not get permission I went up to the big hall and banged this big knocker on the door, eventually someone came it was one of the maids, can I see sir you best come in, he seemed a nice old man how can I help you youngman I was wondering if I can fish your lake sir, he thought for a bit you're that lad who comes beating with old Sam the keeper yes sir I answered, I don't see why not but not in the shooting, season thank you sir I was shaking with excitement over the months I got to know him realy well I caught some very nice fish from his water and did they fight they were true wildies.. well a bit more latter
wildies like these held by graham and Bernard
More wildies from years ago
In reply to Post #517
Autumn is nearly on us once again I suppose i was around twelve years old when I met my old friend Sam, he was a gamekeeper who lived in a cottage deep in the woods with his dear old wife. They were both so kind to me over the period I knew them it was quite by chance I met old Sam, i was up the woods trying to get a pheasant or two he was watching every move I made he was hidden behind a big tree, the first thing I heard was his voice you like a bit of shooting, do you young man, it was to late to run he had me, not my pheasants, I hope he had a big grin on his face no sir I answered. He had a very kindly face but you could see that life had been hard for him he had worked as a keeper most of his life.
I shall not say much about Sam as I have already told you about him in part one of my stories one thing I can say he taught me so much about life, and nature. He taught me about the birds. and the animals that roam our countryside, I have never been afraid of the dark. Sam would say theres nowt to hurt you in those woods and fields only another human, and he was right I have always felt comfortable when in the woods, by myself it was a regular thing to be out at night poaching the pheasants, or catching the brown trout, I never saw any one worse than myself I did see the keepers. If I had been discovered and then the chase was on I was young and could run, I was not a bad climer, and hid up a few trees ,i was never caught, I can well remember one night I was after the trout, from the river which ran through the woods, and fields, belonging to the estate, when I heard the dogs in the distance as they came nearer I knew it was old Bell, the keeper, and his helpers I had caught a few trout and put them in the bag on my back and I was away rod in hand I waded through the water, to the other side them made for the grounds that surrounded the blind school. I could hear a bit of shouting and looking back across the river I saw a flashing blue light it was the police land rover, I thought now were to, I ran through the grounds which belonged to the hall over the wall, then over the road and ended up in a big garden, with a number of greenhouses, over the garden I went and dived head first into a big greenhouse, it had not been used for years, and was quite overgrown inside, so I got down and crawled through what felt like old raspberry bushes and there I stayed.
bells river all over grown today
As my eyes became used to the darkness I could see another door at the other end. So if i was discovered I could be away through that door I heard the landrover, door being shut and I bit of talking I just lay there I could not see who it was but they were searching the grounds I thought oh bugger I have had it, then this big old lab, nearly walked over me god was I scared there must of been at least six looking for me I thought this dog will surely give me away but he did not after about half an hour they moved away. I was out the other side found my bike I had hid up the fields and I was away I dared not cycle on the road so went across the field arriving home at 3 30am I was scratched all over and had made a bit of a hole in my trousers but I was home I put the trout in the shed and went to bed we were awoken at six thirty with a knock on the door it was the police wheres peter, said the sgt in bed said my mother and away he went he knew it was me but could not prove it mother used to get frightened I would get caught I would say I can run faster than them. well a bit more latter
Bells wood looking across the feilds
Autumn is nearly on us once again I suppose i was around twelve years old when I met my old friend Sam, he was a gamekeeper who lived in a cottage deep in the woods with his dear old wife. They were both so kind to me over the period I knew them it was quite by chance I met old Sam, i was up the woods trying to get a pheasant or two he was watching every move I made he was hidden behind a big tree, the first thing I heard was his voice you like a bit of shooting, do you young man, it was to late to run he had me, not my pheasants, I hope he had a big grin on his face no sir I answered. He had a very kindly face but you could see that life had been hard for him he had worked as a keeper most of his life.
I shall not say much about Sam as I have already told you about him in part one of my stories one thing I can say he taught me so much about life, and nature. He taught me about the birds. and the animals that roam our countryside, I have never been afraid of the dark. Sam would say theres nowt to hurt you in those woods and fields only another human, and he was right I have always felt comfortable when in the woods, by myself it was a regular thing to be out at night poaching the pheasants, or catching the brown trout, I never saw any one worse than myself I did see the keepers. If I had been discovered and then the chase was on I was young and could run, I was not a bad climer, and hid up a few trees ,i was never caught, I can well remember one night I was after the trout, from the river which ran through the woods, and fields, belonging to the estate, when I heard the dogs in the distance as they came nearer I knew it was old Bell, the keeper, and his helpers I had caught a few trout and put them in the bag on my back and I was away rod in hand I waded through the water, to the other side them made for the grounds that surrounded the blind school. I could hear a bit of shouting and looking back across the river I saw a flashing blue light it was the police land rover, I thought now were to, I ran through the grounds which belonged to the hall over the wall, then over the road and ended up in a big garden, with a number of greenhouses, over the garden I went and dived head first into a big greenhouse, it had not been used for years, and was quite overgrown inside, so I got down and crawled through what felt like old raspberry bushes and there I stayed.
bells river all over grown today
As my eyes became used to the darkness I could see another door at the other end. So if i was discovered I could be away through that door I heard the landrover, door being shut and I bit of talking I just lay there I could not see who it was but they were searching the grounds I thought oh bugger I have had it, then this big old lab, nearly walked over me god was I scared there must of been at least six looking for me I thought this dog will surely give me away but he did not after about half an hour they moved away. I was out the other side found my bike I had hid up the fields and I was away I dared not cycle on the road so went across the field arriving home at 3 30am I was scratched all over and had made a bit of a hole in my trousers but I was home I put the trout in the shed and went to bed we were awoken at six thirty with a knock on the door it was the police wheres peter, said the sgt in bed said my mother and away he went he knew it was me but could not prove it mother used to get frightened I would get caught I would say I can run faster than them. well a bit more latter
Bells wood looking across the feilds
In reply to Post #518
Well we have been after the barbel once again its been very hard with the river so low, but I did manage one don't look at my mouth its caused by smoking a pipe for forty five years they thought I had suffered a stroke I have had numerous tests but thank god all negative i'll write more stories latter so here is the photo.
Barbel caught today been very hard river very low
The swim only using one rod I mostly use two
Well we have been after the barbel once again its been very hard with the river so low, but I did manage one don't look at my mouth its caused by smoking a pipe for forty five years they thought I had suffered a stroke I have had numerous tests but thank god all negative i'll write more stories latter so here is the photo.
Barbel caught today been very hard river very low
The swim only using one rod I mostly use two
good to speak to you today pete, keep up the good work 
In reply to Post #519
Thanks Rob shame you wont be there thanks for writing to keith ken has also had a word with him we will catch up some time
Thanks Rob shame you wont be there thanks for writing to keith ken has also had a word with him we will catch up some time
In reply to Post #519
It has been busy week end graham and myself went barbel fishing on Friday we never expected much as the river was to low it wants a bit of fresh water. After sitting there for a number of hours we were just deciding what to do ie go home or stay when the top of my rod hooped over, I just managed to grab the rod before it was dragged in I had taken my eyes of it momentarily the fish took off down stream I managed to get it back towards the net, but it was having none of it. The fish took line from my reel I tightened the clutch as far as I dared and it still took line it was making for the weir that was upstream from where I was standing. I said to graham this is a good fish I did wonder if I had hooked a salmon as the bait was halibut pellets a friend of ours caught one that weighed eighteen pounds on the same bait the fish, stayed very deep and never showed once I did manage to get him towards the net and thought we had won the day but it was not to be he took off into the middle of the river the line went slack and he was gone behind me was an audience I think they were more disappointed than myself looking at the line after it was a clean break not at the hook but further up the hook link well that's fishing.
A good barbel from the weir
Saturday we went to the game fair it was not a bad day I took my mobility scooter, I spent a few quid I bought a new landing net for my barbel ,fishing and a new coat and a few odds and ends, a good day was had by all and it managed to stay dry but unfortunately graham was not to well he goes into hospital Wednesday for a small operation I will take him and fetch him back I realy think he did to much walking as he is seventy seven and it took its toll, but he now feels a lot better so weather permitting we will be away fishing tomorrow, it was nice to meet a few friends at the show that we had not seen for a number of years we all did a bit of reminiscing about the past we all fished and shot together a number of years ago so it was nice to share a few stories some good and some not
I had some wonderful times with these friends but that was many years ago I was young and the world was my oyster nothing worried me I would be away fishing most weekends that was with graham we fished for the big Bream that inhabited the big meres at ellesmere Shropshire as I have said before in part one of my stories we caught some truly big bream for that era that led to our friendship with Dick walker who really inspired my fishing. well that's it for now more latter.
A big bream from ellesmere
It has been busy week end graham and myself went barbel fishing on Friday we never expected much as the river was to low it wants a bit of fresh water. After sitting there for a number of hours we were just deciding what to do ie go home or stay when the top of my rod hooped over, I just managed to grab the rod before it was dragged in I had taken my eyes of it momentarily the fish took off down stream I managed to get it back towards the net, but it was having none of it. The fish took line from my reel I tightened the clutch as far as I dared and it still took line it was making for the weir that was upstream from where I was standing. I said to graham this is a good fish I did wonder if I had hooked a salmon as the bait was halibut pellets a friend of ours caught one that weighed eighteen pounds on the same bait the fish, stayed very deep and never showed once I did manage to get him towards the net and thought we had won the day but it was not to be he took off into the middle of the river the line went slack and he was gone behind me was an audience I think they were more disappointed than myself looking at the line after it was a clean break not at the hook but further up the hook link well that's fishing.
A good barbel from the weir
Saturday we went to the game fair it was not a bad day I took my mobility scooter, I spent a few quid I bought a new landing net for my barbel ,fishing and a new coat and a few odds and ends, a good day was had by all and it managed to stay dry but unfortunately graham was not to well he goes into hospital Wednesday for a small operation I will take him and fetch him back I realy think he did to much walking as he is seventy seven and it took its toll, but he now feels a lot better so weather permitting we will be away fishing tomorrow, it was nice to meet a few friends at the show that we had not seen for a number of years we all did a bit of reminiscing about the past we all fished and shot together a number of years ago so it was nice to share a few stories some good and some not
I had some wonderful times with these friends but that was many years ago I was young and the world was my oyster nothing worried me I would be away fishing most weekends that was with graham we fished for the big Bream that inhabited the big meres at ellesmere Shropshire as I have said before in part one of my stories we caught some truly big bream for that era that led to our friendship with Dick walker who really inspired my fishing. well that's it for now more latter.
A big bream from ellesmere
In reply to Post #522
We have been barbel fishing once again what a day it absolutely poured with rain it was very hard fishing we came home early as graham has to go into hospital in the morning for a small operation I did manage to winckle one out not big but it gave me some satisfaction as no one else caught and there was a few fishing today. more stories latter
We have been barbel fishing once again what a day it absolutely poured with rain it was very hard fishing we came home early as graham has to go into hospital in the morning for a small operation I did manage to winckle one out not big but it gave me some satisfaction as no one else caught and there was a few fishing today. more stories latter
In reply to Post #523
nice fish pete, well done.
same swim as before??
nice fish pete, well done.
same swim as before??
In reply to Post #524
Hi Brian yes same swim its realy hard at the moment it could do with a good flush I haven't landed one of the biggies as yet but I will before long thanks brian appreciated .
Hi Brian yes same swim its realy hard at the moment it could do with a good flush I haven't landed one of the biggies as yet but I will before long thanks brian appreciated .
In reply to Post #527
with the rain we're getting, it should get that flush through pretty soon!!
with the rain we're getting, it should get that flush through pretty soon!!