In reply to Post #543
I told you all about the top pool at berrington anyone caught fishing there would be in real trouble as sir peter Allcroft fed his ducks on the water, I had a good relationship with sir peter and graham and I regularly rowed his wife and children around the pool at berrington. I asked him about the possibility of fishing the top pool his answer was always no until this one day he relented but keep away in the winter, and when I start to feed the duck, yes sir said i. It was a bit of a job to get to the side of the water as it was very badly overgrown but we did manage to make a swim we started fishing with the float and caught mostly small roach, we did catch one or two tench, to around four pounds they fought well on light tackle but the perch, were big I don't think we had one under two pounds and we caught them up to three pounds, the problem was the pike, the place was full of jacks this one day we caught over twenty one on spinner it was really good fun we did catch one at ten pounds. But it was the big pool that we had some surprises we fished with a sliding float with maggot as bait the roach, were beautiful we caught them to over two pounds we also caught bream, to eight pounds plus perch, to three pounds we had to be careful with the perch, they seemed to get the bends if we brought them up to the surface to quickly.
Rods out at berrington absolutely years ago pig pong balls for indicators
All the years I fished Berrington I never once saw a carp, then I was told by members of the syndicate that several carp had been hooked and lost when fishing for the Bream. I know my friend Bernard weaver caught one at thirty three pounds I said to him where had they come from no one seemed to know they mysteriously arrived overnight I certainly did not complain although I did worry about disease, some of the members wanted them out but that was a no no because of the great depth of the pool. I had got have a go I remember struggling down to the pool this one lovely morning bernards, brother Charlie, was fishing and pushed my barrow too the swim that I fanced. I was certainly struggling with my arthritis, but that was not going to give up I remember fishing two rods one to the Lily bed and one beside the reed bed, boilies were the bait the right hand rod was away within minutes I was really shaking as I played the fish away from the bed of lilies god did this fish fight I got it to the net it was a lovely marked mirror, it weight in at twenty three pounds, not long after I had another of twenty pounds I ended up with two carp, and twelve tench, not one under five pounds it was a great mornings fishing. more to come latter
I think this is one from berrington
I told you all about the top pool at berrington anyone caught fishing there would be in real trouble as sir peter Allcroft fed his ducks on the water, I had a good relationship with sir peter and graham and I regularly rowed his wife and children around the pool at berrington. I asked him about the possibility of fishing the top pool his answer was always no until this one day he relented but keep away in the winter, and when I start to feed the duck, yes sir said i. It was a bit of a job to get to the side of the water as it was very badly overgrown but we did manage to make a swim we started fishing with the float and caught mostly small roach, we did catch one or two tench, to around four pounds they fought well on light tackle but the perch, were big I don't think we had one under two pounds and we caught them up to three pounds, the problem was the pike, the place was full of jacks this one day we caught over twenty one on spinner it was really good fun we did catch one at ten pounds. But it was the big pool that we had some surprises we fished with a sliding float with maggot as bait the roach, were beautiful we caught them to over two pounds we also caught bream, to eight pounds plus perch, to three pounds we had to be careful with the perch, they seemed to get the bends if we brought them up to the surface to quickly.
Rods out at berrington absolutely years ago pig pong balls for indicators
All the years I fished Berrington I never once saw a carp, then I was told by members of the syndicate that several carp had been hooked and lost when fishing for the Bream. I know my friend Bernard weaver caught one at thirty three pounds I said to him where had they come from no one seemed to know they mysteriously arrived overnight I certainly did not complain although I did worry about disease, some of the members wanted them out but that was a no no because of the great depth of the pool. I had got have a go I remember struggling down to the pool this one lovely morning bernards, brother Charlie, was fishing and pushed my barrow too the swim that I fanced. I was certainly struggling with my arthritis, but that was not going to give up I remember fishing two rods one to the Lily bed and one beside the reed bed, boilies were the bait the right hand rod was away within minutes I was really shaking as I played the fish away from the bed of lilies god did this fish fight I got it to the net it was a lovely marked mirror, it weight in at twenty three pounds, not long after I had another of twenty pounds I ended up with two carp, and twelve tench, not one under five pounds it was a great mornings fishing. more to come latter
I think this is one from berrington
In reply to Post #543
this one day when in the distance we saw what I could only describe as a big white missile coming rapidly towards us it was a bit late to move it missed us by ft bloody hell
oh pete that made me chuckle reading that!
my brother & I used to fish an army firing range, anyway one day we ignored the red flags because the weather was spot on,
laying on the shingle in the dark whilst tracer fire flew over our heads in the dark was a bloody scary experience i can tell you.
almost 2 hours we lay there, scared to lift our heads up & hoping they didn't hit our rod tips!!!
we did bag a few codling though!!
this one day when in the distance we saw what I could only describe as a big white missile coming rapidly towards us it was a bit late to move it missed us by ft bloody hell
oh pete that made me chuckle reading that!
my brother & I used to fish an army firing range, anyway one day we ignored the red flags because the weather was spot on,
laying on the shingle in the dark whilst tracer fire flew over our heads in the dark was a bloody scary experience i can tell you.
almost 2 hours we lay there, scared to lift our heads up & hoping they didn't hit our rod tips!!!
we did bag a few codling though!!
In reply to Post #545
Brian I can imagine it and how you felt, we were a bit shook up seeing this big white missile with a red tip it was absolutely huge as it past the boat you could of cast over it that's how close it was to the boat if it had hit we would not been here to tell the tale although he did have life jackets and such it was bit
Brian I can imagine it and how you felt, we were a bit shook up seeing this big white missile with a red tip it was absolutely huge as it past the boat you could of cast over it that's how close it was to the boat if it had hit we would not been here to tell the tale although he did have life jackets and such it was bit
In reply to Post #545
In reply to Post #546
a bit shook up? i bet thats an understatement!!
at the time, we were scared ****less!!
it was only afterwards that we could joke about it.
still a pleasure reading your thread pete. hope you are well.
a bit shook up? i bet thats an understatement!!
at the time, we were scared ****less!!
it was only afterwards that we could joke about it.
still a pleasure reading your thread pete. hope you are well.
In reply to Post #548
still a pleasure reading your thread pete. hope you are well.
second that
keep it going Pete
M
still a pleasure reading your thread pete. hope you are well.
second that
keep it going Pete
M
In reply to Post #549
Thanks Brian and martin very much appreciated
Thanks Brian and martin very much appreciated
In reply to Post #544
Well before I fished Berrington I fished another lake that has now disappeared it was part of a big estate and strictly private just like most lakes were in those days. So the only way was to poach it, if you got caught you certainly would end in court. My tackle then was a bit crude old cane rods plus the tank aerials but they got me by, I knew the small lake held one or two good fish mainly big Rudd and a few nice perch I had asked owner permission but I was always refused he would shout dunner let me catch on my farm or I will shoot y even his workers were frightened of him he was a miserable old bugger. I remember two land girls who worked for him say he made them cry, but I was not frit of him I was determined to have a go my young mates said I would get caught but I took no notice.
I watched the water for a couple of weeks to see if any one came near I did see the keeper come with a chap with horse and cart they started to empty the contents in the pool I found out latter they were rotten potatoes apparently he used them to get the duck feeding and they certainly did they came in there hundreds the potatoes stank a bit but I soon got used to it I would fish the lake in the morning as that was the quietest time. I float fished using bread paste and a few maggots that I got from the fishing shop they would let us youngster have six pennies worth they always put them in a brown paper bag I would transfer them into a box when I got home.
The first time I fished the lake I made swim in the reeds that grew along the side of the lake I can remember casting out i was shaking with excitement I sat quietly and watched the float it suddenly wobbled then disappeared under the surface I struck into something solid it certainly put a fair bend in the old tank aerial rod, it took me some time to get it to the side i had no landing net in those days so it was matter of picking it up and laying on the grass to unhook this monster well it was to me I was only a young un. I could not believe my eyes I was sure it was a carp as I has seen a picture in a book it was about twelve inches long I would look it up when I got home I was really exited the next fish was a Rudd it was a most beautiful fish I caught another three before it was time to go.
like the one I had years ago
I left it another week before I went back I was quite excited I had looked the fish up in my book it was indeed a common carp, I set my rods up and moved into the same swim the first fish was a rudd with lovely bronze flanks a red fins it must of weighted over a pound I had just cast again when I see two men coming down the field towards me I could see they were policemen, how do they know I am here I had been very carful not to leave any signs. I could also see the old codger from the farm he was on horse back they were a good field from where I was hidden, which gave me time to get myself together I was away up the field then into a small wood I did hear shouting but I never looked back I crossed the next field and hid under a railway bridge, they were not to far behind as I could hear them shouting I made my way across the railway and hid in a wood called the Berries I climbed the nearest oak tree after hiding my tackle under some old broom bushes. I stayed up that tree for some time they followed me into the wood but lost me although I could see them after about an hour they packed up looking for me and went back the way they had come god that was a bit to close for comfort I managed to get home by crossing the fields. I would go again but give it a rest for a few weeks I might even have some of those ducks with my old air rifle they were mallard and would make a good meal for family and friends ill tell you more how I got on a bit latter. more to come
Well before I fished Berrington I fished another lake that has now disappeared it was part of a big estate and strictly private just like most lakes were in those days. So the only way was to poach it, if you got caught you certainly would end in court. My tackle then was a bit crude old cane rods plus the tank aerials but they got me by, I knew the small lake held one or two good fish mainly big Rudd and a few nice perch I had asked owner permission but I was always refused he would shout dunner let me catch on my farm or I will shoot y even his workers were frightened of him he was a miserable old bugger. I remember two land girls who worked for him say he made them cry, but I was not frit of him I was determined to have a go my young mates said I would get caught but I took no notice.
I watched the water for a couple of weeks to see if any one came near I did see the keeper come with a chap with horse and cart they started to empty the contents in the pool I found out latter they were rotten potatoes apparently he used them to get the duck feeding and they certainly did they came in there hundreds the potatoes stank a bit but I soon got used to it I would fish the lake in the morning as that was the quietest time. I float fished using bread paste and a few maggots that I got from the fishing shop they would let us youngster have six pennies worth they always put them in a brown paper bag I would transfer them into a box when I got home.
The first time I fished the lake I made swim in the reeds that grew along the side of the lake I can remember casting out i was shaking with excitement I sat quietly and watched the float it suddenly wobbled then disappeared under the surface I struck into something solid it certainly put a fair bend in the old tank aerial rod, it took me some time to get it to the side i had no landing net in those days so it was matter of picking it up and laying on the grass to unhook this monster well it was to me I was only a young un. I could not believe my eyes I was sure it was a carp as I has seen a picture in a book it was about twelve inches long I would look it up when I got home I was really exited the next fish was a Rudd it was a most beautiful fish I caught another three before it was time to go.
like the one I had years ago
I left it another week before I went back I was quite excited I had looked the fish up in my book it was indeed a common carp, I set my rods up and moved into the same swim the first fish was a rudd with lovely bronze flanks a red fins it must of weighted over a pound I had just cast again when I see two men coming down the field towards me I could see they were policemen, how do they know I am here I had been very carful not to leave any signs. I could also see the old codger from the farm he was on horse back they were a good field from where I was hidden, which gave me time to get myself together I was away up the field then into a small wood I did hear shouting but I never looked back I crossed the next field and hid under a railway bridge, they were not to far behind as I could hear them shouting I made my way across the railway and hid in a wood called the Berries I climbed the nearest oak tree after hiding my tackle under some old broom bushes. I stayed up that tree for some time they followed me into the wood but lost me although I could see them after about an hour they packed up looking for me and went back the way they had come god that was a bit to close for comfort I managed to get home by crossing the fields. I would go again but give it a rest for a few weeks I might even have some of those ducks with my old air rifle they were mallard and would make a good meal for family and friends ill tell you more how I got on a bit latter. more to come
In reply to Post #551
What a couple of weeks we have had no fishing I did get down to my syndicate shoot I have not seen so many ducks for many years mallard and teal there must have been at least four hundred came off our small pool but my mind was not on my shooting , all I could think about was my poor mate graham he has cancer. I took him to see a specialist at Sutton Coldfield last week well my grandson drove my car he has to have a operation within two weeks its a very rare form of cancer but it is very curable so he should be ok he will only be in three days at the most but we will all miss him very much I have fished with graham for fifty years and can't think of fishing with anyone else.
Tony and his dogs he helps me run the shoot and another member rodger
In the mean time I have had a few pictures of fish that my bailiff friend has sent to me he knows I take a keen interest in the vermin control on our river all the shots are of barbell most show signs of attack and most have had parts of their tails bitten off. But they survived in all my long life i have never seen so many otters they seem to be everywhere the difference is years ago they were very shy animals but today they are semi tame and are not frightened of humans. Something really wants doing but there would be a human out cry if they were touched after speaking to a good many of the general public when I have been fishing most have been on the side of the otter. And they honestly think he is a lovely cuddly animal, and that is also taught in schools, you have only to look at tarka the otter or ring of bright water two films that have been shown in schools, I have loved nature all my life and will admit the otter, is a most beautiful animal, when I was young you never saw many and then they had the hounds, that controlled the creature not a very nice way to die the river ran red with the animals blood, the problem is there are to many people that think they know it all, and are blinkered to any damage the otter causes I don't think an answer will be seen in my lifetime but we will have to wait and see I am sorry about me ranting on as it has all been said before. I will put a few of these photos up so all can see hopefully I will get back to my stories soon I was going to tell you all how I got on poaching the duck on the small lake I mentioned in my last thread but that can wait for today. more to come latter
Shows the damage to their tails I have a few more photos but that will do for now
What a couple of weeks we have had no fishing I did get down to my syndicate shoot I have not seen so many ducks for many years mallard and teal there must have been at least four hundred came off our small pool but my mind was not on my shooting , all I could think about was my poor mate graham he has cancer. I took him to see a specialist at Sutton Coldfield last week well my grandson drove my car he has to have a operation within two weeks its a very rare form of cancer but it is very curable so he should be ok he will only be in three days at the most but we will all miss him very much I have fished with graham for fifty years and can't think of fishing with anyone else.
Tony and his dogs he helps me run the shoot and another member rodger
In the mean time I have had a few pictures of fish that my bailiff friend has sent to me he knows I take a keen interest in the vermin control on our river all the shots are of barbell most show signs of attack and most have had parts of their tails bitten off. But they survived in all my long life i have never seen so many otters they seem to be everywhere the difference is years ago they were very shy animals but today they are semi tame and are not frightened of humans. Something really wants doing but there would be a human out cry if they were touched after speaking to a good many of the general public when I have been fishing most have been on the side of the otter. And they honestly think he is a lovely cuddly animal, and that is also taught in schools, you have only to look at tarka the otter or ring of bright water two films that have been shown in schools, I have loved nature all my life and will admit the otter, is a most beautiful animal, when I was young you never saw many and then they had the hounds, that controlled the creature not a very nice way to die the river ran red with the animals blood, the problem is there are to many people that think they know it all, and are blinkered to any damage the otter causes I don't think an answer will be seen in my lifetime but we will have to wait and see I am sorry about me ranting on as it has all been said before. I will put a few of these photos up so all can see hopefully I will get back to my stories soon I was going to tell you all how I got on poaching the duck on the small lake I mentioned in my last thread but that can wait for today. more to come latter
Shows the damage to their tails I have a few more photos but that will do for now
In reply to Post #552
I started to fish the little pool but I was always on my guard and watching to see if the keepers came. Most days I had seen the owner of the pool riding his big stallion around the fields but he came no where near the small pool i caught some nice fish I would watch the duck, circling over head before they came in to feed on the potatoes, the keepers had put in around the shallow side of the lake. I was around sixteen at the time it was in the late fifties I watched a couple of shoots they had on the pool, there was around sixteen guns made up of gentlemen, and their ladies, they shot a good many ducks mostly mallard. I stood behind the big hedge in the old oak wood I might just get the chance of a couple of mallard, if any came down where I was hidden, it was a bit chancy as there were a number of keepers, present I could see old bell, amongst them and old Gerry Haiz, and his under keepers they had dogs, picking the ducks, up I managed a couple and I was away I had seen enough for now I was determined to have a go at a latter date.
I had a chat with a friend of mine a chap called Harris, he was game to have a go it was now the middle of December and any surplus game, would be sold I had a few orders for Christmas, for pheasants, and duck, so one afternoon saw johnny and myself hidden in the reeds waiting for the duck to arrive in those days there was no sporting shots, we were there for one thing ducks, we would shoot them on the water and wade out and fetch the dead ones we had just shot around sixteen, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a dog, god john run its Gerry and his dog, I don't think he had seen us until we ran stop he shouted or ill shoot, we had just got over the fence into the wood when there was Bang Bang he shot over our heads looking back could I see an old tractor with two other men coming our way dump the ducks, john hide them over the railway line we both went until we came to the old shooting range that was used in the war by dads army, we manage to squeeze down behind the sandbags, and there we lay I did have a look towards the main road and saw the police landrover stationery by the gate, I could see the sgt, and a constable, we stayed there for at least two hours when we left it was dark. John went back and collected the duck i'll have a couple for my parents if that's ok pete take what you want, we poached to live in those days. I went over the fields to our house and hung the ducks, in the shed, peter the sgt been here looking for you said my mother, I told him you were out down town, you're going to get caught one day dad just laughed but we never did this is how we lived. next week we would be after the holly and mistletoe and a few pheasants i'll tell you more later
the poached pheasent
I started to fish the little pool but I was always on my guard and watching to see if the keepers came. Most days I had seen the owner of the pool riding his big stallion around the fields but he came no where near the small pool i caught some nice fish I would watch the duck, circling over head before they came in to feed on the potatoes, the keepers had put in around the shallow side of the lake. I was around sixteen at the time it was in the late fifties I watched a couple of shoots they had on the pool, there was around sixteen guns made up of gentlemen, and their ladies, they shot a good many ducks mostly mallard. I stood behind the big hedge in the old oak wood I might just get the chance of a couple of mallard, if any came down where I was hidden, it was a bit chancy as there were a number of keepers, present I could see old bell, amongst them and old Gerry Haiz, and his under keepers they had dogs, picking the ducks, up I managed a couple and I was away I had seen enough for now I was determined to have a go at a latter date.
I had a chat with a friend of mine a chap called Harris, he was game to have a go it was now the middle of December and any surplus game, would be sold I had a few orders for Christmas, for pheasants, and duck, so one afternoon saw johnny and myself hidden in the reeds waiting for the duck to arrive in those days there was no sporting shots, we were there for one thing ducks, we would shoot them on the water and wade out and fetch the dead ones we had just shot around sixteen, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a dog, god john run its Gerry and his dog, I don't think he had seen us until we ran stop he shouted or ill shoot, we had just got over the fence into the wood when there was Bang Bang he shot over our heads looking back could I see an old tractor with two other men coming our way dump the ducks, john hide them over the railway line we both went until we came to the old shooting range that was used in the war by dads army, we manage to squeeze down behind the sandbags, and there we lay I did have a look towards the main road and saw the police landrover stationery by the gate, I could see the sgt, and a constable, we stayed there for at least two hours when we left it was dark. John went back and collected the duck i'll have a couple for my parents if that's ok pete take what you want, we poached to live in those days. I went over the fields to our house and hung the ducks, in the shed, peter the sgt been here looking for you said my mother, I told him you were out down town, you're going to get caught one day dad just laughed but we never did this is how we lived. next week we would be after the holly and mistletoe and a few pheasants i'll tell you more later
the poached pheasent
In reply to Post #553
I went down the woods today with my syndicate I stood under the bows of the old oak trees they are now bare of leaves awaiting the winter snows I managed to walk over to the silver birch trees and stood and thought of all those years ago, it is the same wood I poached, I looked over at the stretch of water that ran down the side of the the wood. The old ivy tree is still there where the big dog fox used to climb and hide in the ivy. it brings back happy memories. You could smell the rotting vegetation the leaves are lying underneath the trees another winter now approaches. I went down to the badger set I just hope they will not get shot they have used this set for generations and although I shoot I love every hair on their bodies there are no farmers in the region with cattle so I just hope they leave this set alone it has around forty holes and is a huge set.
My beloved badger
Last Wednesday I took me binoculars, down with me and watched the wood from a short distance while sitting in my car I wondered what was upsetting the pigeon, and duck, a few ducks,
took off from our pool, then I saw the culprit a beautiful dog fox, he looked a picture of health with his winter coat then the small vixen, appeared from out of the undergrowth I suppose they have now mated she has been around for a number of years so she is quite old. She has avoided being shot or hunted she truly is a lucky vixen she must be around 6 years old so that is a good age
for a fox, they either get snared shot or hunted not many make it through the first year of their life I must admit I love the old gentleman of the woods and it would be a shame if the were not there I don't mind seeing one on our shoot.
We only shot around six hours as we are mostly old pensioner and most feel tired after a bit of walking some are crippled like myself and can't walk to far over 500 duck came off our small pool mostly teal I was sitting on my shooting stick by the time they flew over me they were sky high you would be wasting your time even shooting at them but it was nice to see the birds, I also saw a lot of wood cock, there were quite a few shot I spent my time with tony pulling out the pen feather, for the gentlemen that had shot them all in all it was a lovely day out and I feel much better by being there. My poor mate graham is still very poorly and on top of his cancer, he had a bad cold he has his operation on Tuesday so I hope his cold gets better he has to be at Sutton coldfield hospital for 7 30 in the morning so I shall leave here about 5 30 am I am sure this operation will cure him the specialist said it would I don't know what I would do without him we have fished and shot together for at least fifty years.
well that's it for now more latter.
One of tonys dogs
I went down the woods today with my syndicate I stood under the bows of the old oak trees they are now bare of leaves awaiting the winter snows I managed to walk over to the silver birch trees and stood and thought of all those years ago, it is the same wood I poached, I looked over at the stretch of water that ran down the side of the the wood. The old ivy tree is still there where the big dog fox used to climb and hide in the ivy. it brings back happy memories. You could smell the rotting vegetation the leaves are lying underneath the trees another winter now approaches. I went down to the badger set I just hope they will not get shot they have used this set for generations and although I shoot I love every hair on their bodies there are no farmers in the region with cattle so I just hope they leave this set alone it has around forty holes and is a huge set.
My beloved badger
Last Wednesday I took me binoculars, down with me and watched the wood from a short distance while sitting in my car I wondered what was upsetting the pigeon, and duck, a few ducks,
took off from our pool, then I saw the culprit a beautiful dog fox, he looked a picture of health with his winter coat then the small vixen, appeared from out of the undergrowth I suppose they have now mated she has been around for a number of years so she is quite old. She has avoided being shot or hunted she truly is a lucky vixen she must be around 6 years old so that is a good age
for a fox, they either get snared shot or hunted not many make it through the first year of their life I must admit I love the old gentleman of the woods and it would be a shame if the were not there I don't mind seeing one on our shoot.
We only shot around six hours as we are mostly old pensioner and most feel tired after a bit of walking some are crippled like myself and can't walk to far over 500 duck came off our small pool mostly teal I was sitting on my shooting stick by the time they flew over me they were sky high you would be wasting your time even shooting at them but it was nice to see the birds, I also saw a lot of wood cock, there were quite a few shot I spent my time with tony pulling out the pen feather, for the gentlemen that had shot them all in all it was a lovely day out and I feel much better by being there. My poor mate graham is still very poorly and on top of his cancer, he had a bad cold he has his operation on Tuesday so I hope his cold gets better he has to be at Sutton coldfield hospital for 7 30 in the morning so I shall leave here about 5 30 am I am sure this operation will cure him the specialist said it would I don't know what I would do without him we have fished and shot together for at least fifty years.
well that's it for now more latter.
One of tonys dogs
In reply to Post #554
When I was a young lad this time of year was fantastic although we had little money we always had great Christmases people would get together and share things you might have a bit of butter going spare they would swop for some potatoes it was a magical time for us youngsters old sam the keeper would drop us a brace of pheasants some times a big cockeral or maybe a big old goose, I would laugh at my mother feathering a goose she would be covered in feathers they were great days us lads would be away up the fields with a big sack and cut the holly and mistletoe and take it to woods the grocers who gave us a few coppers for our trouble the farmers, always kept a blind eye to our little forays we would go up to the fir wood and see the estate manager and scrounge a Christmas tree or two there was so many cut and stacked ready for collection they would go by train to the cities.
Before myxomatosis I would be up the field with a neighbour of ours a mr davis, I would take my big hob ferret with me he lived in my shirt when we were poaching we would catch a few and would divide them out between the neighbours this one xmas a swan got caught in the overhead power cables which was killed instantly it dropped to the ground some neighbours called merricks, plucked him and he was eaten for xmas dinner, nothing was ever wasted we made quite a lot of money carol singing, I can remember going up to the big hall and singing them a carol we were invited in we stood under this huge tree in the hall we were given mince pie, and asked to sing another carol for the family the squire gave us five pounds between us, bloody hell we thought were rich we divided it between the four of us, my schoolmistress miss owen, asked if I could get her a brace of pheasants no problem I had them by nightfall she gave me a couple of bob I kept all money I made towards buying fishing tackle and maybe a few sweets.
The ferret
one Christmas I was up at sams give this to yer mam lad he said what is it sam venison I really did not know what it was he explained that it was deer from one of the estates sam was a lovely man who I will never forget as long as I live, he taught me all I know about nature and poaching, as I have said before he was not past doing a bit himself I can still see my mothers face when I gave her this big joint of venison we had it for xmas day it was wonderful lovely and tender sometimes I would go fishing to stokesay pool, but I never caught much in the winter but I loved every minute I did catch a pike of around three pounds this one xmas eve the owner wanted to kill it for eating but I let it go they would eat anything in those days. well a bit more latter.
When I was a young lad this time of year was fantastic although we had little money we always had great Christmases people would get together and share things you might have a bit of butter going spare they would swop for some potatoes it was a magical time for us youngsters old sam the keeper would drop us a brace of pheasants some times a big cockeral or maybe a big old goose, I would laugh at my mother feathering a goose she would be covered in feathers they were great days us lads would be away up the fields with a big sack and cut the holly and mistletoe and take it to woods the grocers who gave us a few coppers for our trouble the farmers, always kept a blind eye to our little forays we would go up to the fir wood and see the estate manager and scrounge a Christmas tree or two there was so many cut and stacked ready for collection they would go by train to the cities.
Before myxomatosis I would be up the field with a neighbour of ours a mr davis, I would take my big hob ferret with me he lived in my shirt when we were poaching we would catch a few and would divide them out between the neighbours this one xmas a swan got caught in the overhead power cables which was killed instantly it dropped to the ground some neighbours called merricks, plucked him and he was eaten for xmas dinner, nothing was ever wasted we made quite a lot of money carol singing, I can remember going up to the big hall and singing them a carol we were invited in we stood under this huge tree in the hall we were given mince pie, and asked to sing another carol for the family the squire gave us five pounds between us, bloody hell we thought were rich we divided it between the four of us, my schoolmistress miss owen, asked if I could get her a brace of pheasants no problem I had them by nightfall she gave me a couple of bob I kept all money I made towards buying fishing tackle and maybe a few sweets.
The ferret
one Christmas I was up at sams give this to yer mam lad he said what is it sam venison I really did not know what it was he explained that it was deer from one of the estates sam was a lovely man who I will never forget as long as I live, he taught me all I know about nature and poaching, as I have said before he was not past doing a bit himself I can still see my mothers face when I gave her this big joint of venison we had it for xmas day it was wonderful lovely and tender sometimes I would go fishing to stokesay pool, but I never caught much in the winter but I loved every minute I did catch a pike of around three pounds this one xmas eve the owner wanted to kill it for eating but I let it go they would eat anything in those days. well a bit more latter.
In reply to Post #555
I used to fish the river Rea, for years I think I cut my teeth on this old river, when I was a youngster it was strictly private but the farmers used to let us go. There was some nice fish in this small river,i had great sport with the chub,and caught them to over four pounds,I used to get a loaf from the bakery,I would chuck a few pieces of bread in they would go mad for it, the line would straighten and I was in it was great fishing I also caught some lovely roach on the float,trotting down with maggots they were mostly around half a pound but great sport the biggest I caught was two pounds, the river also held some wonderful eels, I would go down at night and ledger a bunch of big lob worms,I would cast it into a bit of slack water under the far bank, the rod tIp would tap tap then over it would go god we had some good eels over three pounds,in those days they would be eaten and I always took a couple home with me.
Bag of chub and roach from all those years ago from the river Rea
There was also a few trout,they had been in there for years I looked at a record book that a friend had kept and the fish he had caught from the river,George.was now in his late seventies I was only sixteen he told me stories about those years long gone,and how the river was baliffed,by the many keepers,the biggest trout george had caught was four pounds a beautiful brown trout,he also told me about the salmon,that came up the river to spawn in fact he had caught them up to ten pounds,I said to him did you have permission to fish the river god no he replied my brother and I poached it did you ever get caught I asked not likely if we had we would of been taken to court and given a severe sentence maybe prison poaching when I was young was a big offence and was not tolerated by the landowners I thanked him for the information no problem pete one thing george how did the salmon get over the two weirs that were on the lower part of the river,they came up in the floods well george i have caught one it was only around eight pounds it gave me a good fight on the rod I was using, what did you do with it he said with a wink what do you think I replied I took it home it was eaten.
Thinking back they were wonderful days there were water voles,all along the river king fishers,and little dippers,there was an abundance of wildlife I saw no otters,there was the fox,of course I found the king fishers,nest, in a hole under the bridge and climbed to it, but the rope parted company and I fell in the river, over the years I walked that river for miles and never saw a soul I would tickle the trout,higher up the river they were a deep golden colour and covered in spots they only went to around half a pound but lovely to eat those years have long gone. well a bit more latter
I used to fish the river Rea, for years I think I cut my teeth on this old river, when I was a youngster it was strictly private but the farmers used to let us go. There was some nice fish in this small river,i had great sport with the chub,and caught them to over four pounds,I used to get a loaf from the bakery,I would chuck a few pieces of bread in they would go mad for it, the line would straighten and I was in it was great fishing I also caught some lovely roach on the float,trotting down with maggots they were mostly around half a pound but great sport the biggest I caught was two pounds, the river also held some wonderful eels, I would go down at night and ledger a bunch of big lob worms,I would cast it into a bit of slack water under the far bank, the rod tIp would tap tap then over it would go god we had some good eels over three pounds,in those days they would be eaten and I always took a couple home with me.
Bag of chub and roach from all those years ago from the river Rea
There was also a few trout,they had been in there for years I looked at a record book that a friend had kept and the fish he had caught from the river,George.was now in his late seventies I was only sixteen he told me stories about those years long gone,and how the river was baliffed,by the many keepers,the biggest trout george had caught was four pounds a beautiful brown trout,he also told me about the salmon,that came up the river to spawn in fact he had caught them up to ten pounds,I said to him did you have permission to fish the river god no he replied my brother and I poached it did you ever get caught I asked not likely if we had we would of been taken to court and given a severe sentence maybe prison poaching when I was young was a big offence and was not tolerated by the landowners I thanked him for the information no problem pete one thing george how did the salmon get over the two weirs that were on the lower part of the river,they came up in the floods well george i have caught one it was only around eight pounds it gave me a good fight on the rod I was using, what did you do with it he said with a wink what do you think I replied I took it home it was eaten.
Thinking back they were wonderful days there were water voles,all along the river king fishers,and little dippers,there was an abundance of wildlife I saw no otters,there was the fox,of course I found the king fishers,nest, in a hole under the bridge and climbed to it, but the rope parted company and I fell in the river, over the years I walked that river for miles and never saw a soul I would tickle the trout,higher up the river they were a deep golden colour and covered in spots they only went to around half a pound but lovely to eat those years have long gone. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #556
Christmas is here again let me tell you all about a lake that was supposed to be haunted, the locals would say don't go in them woods tonight you will hear the bells from the church ringing under the lake, the locals believed that a wicked man lived in the village, and was warned that if he did not change his ways his village, would come to a bad end and the story goes that one night there was a huge storm that flooded the valley, where they lived and it drowned all the people living there.
I laughed at such an idea I have been down those woods all hours and I have seen nowt worse than myself. I was determined to have a look myself they only rang on Christmas eve, so it saw me and a pal going in to the woods are yer taking the gun pete, we could have a few of them longtailed uns said Gerald, in his broad Shropshire voice. Well I suppose we could have a couple a piece said I. we waited until old gerry had gone to his local which was the three fishes on our village, he would not be back until midnight and if he came back early we would hear his motor bike so away we went it was not long before we're deep in the woods I would use the four ten tonight it was a webley bolt action gun, Gerald held the light he shone it up into the trees,i picked out a bird, bang it fell to the ground pick them feathers up Gerald leave no evidence. we had six birds for six shots that's enough for tonight it had started to snow and it was coming down quite heavy lets go past the big lake and hear those bells not on yer life he said don't be such a prat I answered theres no such thing as ghost bells, so we made our way down the track towards the lake. On arriving at the path that ran through the woods above the lake, the heavenly bells started to ring, before I could say anything Gerald was away dropping the bag in his haste to get away, I shouted come back Gerald, not on your life he answered. I heard the clang as he got over the the five bar gate at the farm its the quickest mile he had ran for some time.
What did I do I made my way to the side of the lake the bells were chiming in Christmas, they did not come from the lake but from condover church, which is about half a mile away, for some reason the bells seemed to come from the lake, whether it was because the lake was in a valley I don't know as I made my way over the field to towards home I could see the church spire it was all lit up, the bells were ringing out Christmas carols, pete I heard this voice it was Gerald, I binner going there anymore them ghosts i'll have y don't be daft Gerald the bells are ringing from the church over yonder at condover, na they came from the lake I could not make him understand so the story still goes on to this day. On the same lake a few years ago two friends fished the lake on Christmas day when they heard a scream, thinking someone was being mudered they both went to investigate and saw a woman running up through the wood they called to her she turned around and they could see she was bare from the waist up and she was wearing a long black skirt they both shouted stop, we will help you she got over the fence onto the adjacent field they both followed on getting over the fence there was no sign of the women, she had simply vanished there was nowhere for her to hide. Believe or don't believe I knew these chaps well one was x army who was quite level headed the other man called dave who was a good friend, I had no doubt they saw something that should have not been there unfortunately only dave is alive to tell the tale as the other man died a number of years ago. A bit more latter.
I would like to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a happy new year. god bless you all pete
Christmas is here again let me tell you all about a lake that was supposed to be haunted, the locals would say don't go in them woods tonight you will hear the bells from the church ringing under the lake, the locals believed that a wicked man lived in the village, and was warned that if he did not change his ways his village, would come to a bad end and the story goes that one night there was a huge storm that flooded the valley, where they lived and it drowned all the people living there.
I laughed at such an idea I have been down those woods all hours and I have seen nowt worse than myself. I was determined to have a look myself they only rang on Christmas eve, so it saw me and a pal going in to the woods are yer taking the gun pete, we could have a few of them longtailed uns said Gerald, in his broad Shropshire voice. Well I suppose we could have a couple a piece said I. we waited until old gerry had gone to his local which was the three fishes on our village, he would not be back until midnight and if he came back early we would hear his motor bike so away we went it was not long before we're deep in the woods I would use the four ten tonight it was a webley bolt action gun, Gerald held the light he shone it up into the trees,i picked out a bird, bang it fell to the ground pick them feathers up Gerald leave no evidence. we had six birds for six shots that's enough for tonight it had started to snow and it was coming down quite heavy lets go past the big lake and hear those bells not on yer life he said don't be such a prat I answered theres no such thing as ghost bells, so we made our way down the track towards the lake. On arriving at the path that ran through the woods above the lake, the heavenly bells started to ring, before I could say anything Gerald was away dropping the bag in his haste to get away, I shouted come back Gerald, not on your life he answered. I heard the clang as he got over the the five bar gate at the farm its the quickest mile he had ran for some time.
What did I do I made my way to the side of the lake the bells were chiming in Christmas, they did not come from the lake but from condover church, which is about half a mile away, for some reason the bells seemed to come from the lake, whether it was because the lake was in a valley I don't know as I made my way over the field to towards home I could see the church spire it was all lit up, the bells were ringing out Christmas carols, pete I heard this voice it was Gerald, I binner going there anymore them ghosts i'll have y don't be daft Gerald the bells are ringing from the church over yonder at condover, na they came from the lake I could not make him understand so the story still goes on to this day. On the same lake a few years ago two friends fished the lake on Christmas day when they heard a scream, thinking someone was being mudered they both went to investigate and saw a woman running up through the wood they called to her she turned around and they could see she was bare from the waist up and she was wearing a long black skirt they both shouted stop, we will help you she got over the fence onto the adjacent field they both followed on getting over the fence there was no sign of the women, she had simply vanished there was nowhere for her to hide. Believe or don't believe I knew these chaps well one was x army who was quite level headed the other man called dave who was a good friend, I had no doubt they saw something that should have not been there unfortunately only dave is alive to tell the tale as the other man died a number of years ago. A bit more latter.
I would like to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a happy new year. god bless you all pete
In reply to Post #557
Greaf stuff
Greaf stuff