In reply to Post #103
Well we made another start after the Barbel this morning it was an overcast morning and felt very humid the river had a fair bit of colour so i was very confident we would catch i had a few casts with a big feeder putting a fair helping of bait in hoping to draw the fish upstream, i sat there for the next hour casting every five minutes and then it happened the rod bent over and i was into a very angry fish which headed down stream i played him for about five minutes before he snagged me on the underwater rocks no way would he move and i eventually pulled for a break, i was a bit surprised when i got my hook link and feeder back it was not long before i had another take and managed to bring it back to the net not a big fish but better than nothing it was grahams turn next he hooked into another what seemed a very good fish only to loose it to a hook pull.
A barbel from today
another from today
WE could not believe in the amount of goose-sanders, that were on the river i had a line of over twenty of these fish eating birds going through my swim and more or less diving all together they are a most horrible bird and do seem to hunt in packs when i was young we never ever came across the birds but they are definitely on the increase on the river Severn its time something was done about them but i cant see that happening in my life time. I was sitting there dreaming when my rod bent into an ark i picked it up and felt a reasonable fish it started to run up stream against the current and was taking line off the clutch i knew it was a big fish i said to graham it feels very heavy i had just about got it under control when all went slack the hook pulled, so out i cast again and immediately i was into another fish i played this fish with care on landing him i could see it was about six pounds no biggies at all graham was really struggling and a few anglers came up for a chat saying they were really having a bad time of it but that's fishing it was not long before i was in again and i just could not believe what happened next he broke me how big i don't know but i suspect my hook link got cut off on the sharp rocks that adorn this part of the river we had fished the best part of nine hours so we headed for home just beating the rain we will be back on Friday i have to many appointments wed and Thurs so i will leave it until then we will keep at it for the next few weeks and leave the carp until latter on well that's it for today. more latter
Well we made another start after the Barbel this morning it was an overcast morning and felt very humid the river had a fair bit of colour so i was very confident we would catch i had a few casts with a big feeder putting a fair helping of bait in hoping to draw the fish upstream, i sat there for the next hour casting every five minutes and then it happened the rod bent over and i was into a very angry fish which headed down stream i played him for about five minutes before he snagged me on the underwater rocks no way would he move and i eventually pulled for a break, i was a bit surprised when i got my hook link and feeder back it was not long before i had another take and managed to bring it back to the net not a big fish but better than nothing it was grahams turn next he hooked into another what seemed a very good fish only to loose it to a hook pull.
A barbel from today
another from todayWE could not believe in the amount of goose-sanders, that were on the river i had a line of over twenty of these fish eating birds going through my swim and more or less diving all together they are a most horrible bird and do seem to hunt in packs when i was young we never ever came across the birds but they are definitely on the increase on the river Severn its time something was done about them but i cant see that happening in my life time. I was sitting there dreaming when my rod bent into an ark i picked it up and felt a reasonable fish it started to run up stream against the current and was taking line off the clutch i knew it was a big fish i said to graham it feels very heavy i had just about got it under control when all went slack the hook pulled, so out i cast again and immediately i was into another fish i played this fish with care on landing him i could see it was about six pounds no biggies at all graham was really struggling and a few anglers came up for a chat saying they were really having a bad time of it but that's fishing it was not long before i was in again and i just could not believe what happened next he broke me how big i don't know but i suspect my hook link got cut off on the sharp rocks that adorn this part of the river we had fished the best part of nine hours so we headed for home just beating the rain we will be back on Friday i have to many appointments wed and Thurs so i will leave it until then we will keep at it for the next few weeks and leave the carp until latter on well that's it for today. more latter
In reply to Post #104
We are going to have to leave the fishing tomorrow my poor old mate graham went with his brother shooting rabbits last night got up this morning did not know where he had been and did not remember anything about it the doc called he does not think its a stroke i really hope not as graham has been my fishing partner for years not only fishing shooting as well i first fished with graham in the sixties its a long time ago he has been a true mate and friend.
I first met graham in 1963 we both worked at sankeys at wellington he said he liked fishing and our friendship went from there in those early days we fished the river for its chub and roach catching some half decent fish our tackle was not that goods but we got by we poached a good many of the old estate lakes in Shropshire catching some good tench and roach with a few carp thrown in they were not big fish ten pounds the biggest but it was enjoyable fishing we would poach Acton we caught some beautiful tench from that old water we eventually got permission to fish the place it was so quiet no other anglers on there we had it all to our selves those days have now long gone we helped form the three counties specimen group that was 1969 it was formed mainly to fish for the big Bream that inhabited the big Shropshire meres at Ellesmere and we were very successful catching some wonderful fish also breaking the English bream record three times it was while fishing there that we formed a friendship with dick walker our fishing really took off we got quite well known in Shropshire for our fishing exploits.
We also shot together all over Shropshire some legal some not we did our fair share of poaching mainly pheasants and rabbits but what we sold paid for our cartridges and helped buy new fishing tackle we would go out long netting with his brother dick and caught a fair amount of rabbits it was all poaching on the big estates around Shropshire we could catch one hundred rabbits in a night not bad going they were mostly sold at bridgnorth market and to friends who has placed orders they were great days we were young the world was our oster the wages were not that good then and we both had young familys to keep so any exrtra money helped out so i do hope my old mate gets better i dont know what i would do whithout him we are now both getting on i am seventy next birthday graham is seventy five its gone so quick but with a bit of luck we will continue fishing for a few more years. a little more latter
We are going to have to leave the fishing tomorrow my poor old mate graham went with his brother shooting rabbits last night got up this morning did not know where he had been and did not remember anything about it the doc called he does not think its a stroke i really hope not as graham has been my fishing partner for years not only fishing shooting as well i first fished with graham in the sixties its a long time ago he has been a true mate and friend.
I first met graham in 1963 we both worked at sankeys at wellington he said he liked fishing and our friendship went from there in those early days we fished the river for its chub and roach catching some half decent fish our tackle was not that goods but we got by we poached a good many of the old estate lakes in Shropshire catching some good tench and roach with a few carp thrown in they were not big fish ten pounds the biggest but it was enjoyable fishing we would poach Acton we caught some beautiful tench from that old water we eventually got permission to fish the place it was so quiet no other anglers on there we had it all to our selves those days have now long gone we helped form the three counties specimen group that was 1969 it was formed mainly to fish for the big Bream that inhabited the big Shropshire meres at Ellesmere and we were very successful catching some wonderful fish also breaking the English bream record three times it was while fishing there that we formed a friendship with dick walker our fishing really took off we got quite well known in Shropshire for our fishing exploits.
We also shot together all over Shropshire some legal some not we did our fair share of poaching mainly pheasants and rabbits but what we sold paid for our cartridges and helped buy new fishing tackle we would go out long netting with his brother dick and caught a fair amount of rabbits it was all poaching on the big estates around Shropshire we could catch one hundred rabbits in a night not bad going they were mostly sold at bridgnorth market and to friends who has placed orders they were great days we were young the world was our oster the wages were not that good then and we both had young familys to keep so any exrtra money helped out so i do hope my old mate gets better i dont know what i would do whithout him we are now both getting on i am seventy next birthday graham is seventy five its gone so quick but with a bit of luck we will continue fishing for a few more years. a little more latter
In reply to Post #105
It was raining heavily as we walked across the field making our way towards the old pool, the woods were dank and damp and smelled of decay it was September, the old pool was deep in the woods the undergrowth was wet our trousers were soaked but we were determined to fish this old pool who had stocked the water and built the boat house i do not know we were poaching and were traveling light one rod and reel and a few bits and bobs carried in a bag on our back the pool although small maybe half an acre held some good fish the Rudd were beautiful you could not get your hand around them it also held carp we had seen some reasonable fish on a earlier visit but this was our first time fishing the water, i had fished it many years ago and had caught Rudd to over two pounds i was hoping they were still in the old pool, we eventually arrived at the waters edge it was really over grown but the dam end had been used as a walk way maybe by the keepers but there was no sign any one had ever fished there the keepers cottage was further on by the old hall which had burned down years ago you could hear his dogs barking in the distance it always gave my adrenaline a big lift it was exiting fishing if the keeper came we would hear his approach and would give us plenty of time to hide in the extensive under growth
I think the pool had been an old marl pit the as water was blue the boat house had fell into disarray and wanted repairing i decided to float fish using maggot and bread the water was quite deep so i used a sliding float graham used the same out i cast, the float came to the surface and cocked i had a bite instantly and could feel it was a good fish it was duly landed and what a lovely sight it was a Rudd, we only had the old spring balance scales it weighted in at two and three quarter pounds by dinner time we had caught at least twenty of these lovely fish between us, all a similar size this was good fishing we had not seen a soul and all we heard was the occasional pheasant piping up and the bark of the keepers dogs we did not have a camera in those days it was middle sixties and could not afford such things we carried on fishing still catching, then i caught the distinct smell of pipe smoke drifting throught the woods then the crashing off under growth i called graham we must hide there's some one about we lay in the extensive ferns and watched the keeper with bucket in hand cross the dam wall he was going to feed the pheasants so i thought but how wrong could i be he had come to feed the pool for the wild ducks he never noticed where we had been fishing and left the pool going the same way he had come we resumed fishing but it had cut off we had no more bites and decided to call it a day, we fished this old pool many times over years and never once did we get caught it still lies deep in the woods no one ever fishes there it is as though time has forgot it. They still shoot the estate and use the old pool for duck shooting last time i had a look it was very over grown with brambles and bushes and there was no sign of fish i said to graham i wander if they are still in there we are to old to give it a go now so, its left to the elements and nature one day some one may come across the old pool and give it a go until then it is hidden from sight deep within the woods well that's it for now more latter.
It was raining heavily as we walked across the field making our way towards the old pool, the woods were dank and damp and smelled of decay it was September, the old pool was deep in the woods the undergrowth was wet our trousers were soaked but we were determined to fish this old pool who had stocked the water and built the boat house i do not know we were poaching and were traveling light one rod and reel and a few bits and bobs carried in a bag on our back the pool although small maybe half an acre held some good fish the Rudd were beautiful you could not get your hand around them it also held carp we had seen some reasonable fish on a earlier visit but this was our first time fishing the water, i had fished it many years ago and had caught Rudd to over two pounds i was hoping they were still in the old pool, we eventually arrived at the waters edge it was really over grown but the dam end had been used as a walk way maybe by the keepers but there was no sign any one had ever fished there the keepers cottage was further on by the old hall which had burned down years ago you could hear his dogs barking in the distance it always gave my adrenaline a big lift it was exiting fishing if the keeper came we would hear his approach and would give us plenty of time to hide in the extensive under growth
I think the pool had been an old marl pit the as water was blue the boat house had fell into disarray and wanted repairing i decided to float fish using maggot and bread the water was quite deep so i used a sliding float graham used the same out i cast, the float came to the surface and cocked i had a bite instantly and could feel it was a good fish it was duly landed and what a lovely sight it was a Rudd, we only had the old spring balance scales it weighted in at two and three quarter pounds by dinner time we had caught at least twenty of these lovely fish between us, all a similar size this was good fishing we had not seen a soul and all we heard was the occasional pheasant piping up and the bark of the keepers dogs we did not have a camera in those days it was middle sixties and could not afford such things we carried on fishing still catching, then i caught the distinct smell of pipe smoke drifting throught the woods then the crashing off under growth i called graham we must hide there's some one about we lay in the extensive ferns and watched the keeper with bucket in hand cross the dam wall he was going to feed the pheasants so i thought but how wrong could i be he had come to feed the pool for the wild ducks he never noticed where we had been fishing and left the pool going the same way he had come we resumed fishing but it had cut off we had no more bites and decided to call it a day, we fished this old pool many times over years and never once did we get caught it still lies deep in the woods no one ever fishes there it is as though time has forgot it. They still shoot the estate and use the old pool for duck shooting last time i had a look it was very over grown with brambles and bushes and there was no sign of fish i said to graham i wander if they are still in there we are to old to give it a go now so, its left to the elements and nature one day some one may come across the old pool and give it a go until then it is hidden from sight deep within the woods well that's it for now more latter.
In reply to Post #106
When i look at the tackle today it makes me wonder how we managed years ago i suppose i was lucky two tank aerial rods they did everything from carp fishing to Rudd fishing we had no specialist tackle like you have today our choice of hooks was very limited also line was not easy to get i managed for years using the old silk line that's all that i could get when i eventually got nylon it was very springy stuff how things have come on reels were the old wooden star backs but do you know what we caught even using this primitive tackle, it was fun i would float fish the hooks were tied direct to the silk line we did manage to get split shot of sorts for floats i used porcupine quills if lucky you may get some cork bodied jobs or the white plastic floats with the red tips money was in short supply you could only get what your parents could afford and bought for you this was in the late forties early fifties i always remember getting my first fix spool reel it was a green Jobey it was a bit crude but it worked especially with nylon line i soon learned how two spin for the trout using one, i would catch the minnows in a trap then mount them on a flight needle through the body then clamp the fins top the minnows head the hooks going into its side it really helped my poaching as in those days we needed the food nothing was wasted i would be up at first light in the summer and walk the river bank casting here and there maybe walking two or three miles it was deadly fishing and would arrive back home for breakfast with a bag full of beautiful brown trout my parents always welcomed the trout as it was a change in our diet not only that it helped feed our neighbors as well the trout was always welcomed by them.
I also caught some nice perch while spinning for the trout these would be eaten as well i think folks in those days would eat most things i used to put a few night lines down as well tying the line to a peg then the line was buried ,the peg was covered up with grass i had quite a few using that method the river was looked after by the water bailiffs as it was quite well known for its trout and grayling in those far off days, they would walk the river bank every day that's why i would go early morning before they got up i knew the river onny back to front and knew where to hide if you saw the bailiffs coming, some times you would be taken by surprise no way could yo get away without them seeing you so i would lie down in the under growth and reeds under the river bank i have been stung a few times from the nettles and got a bit wet but it was better than being caught as you would have your tackle confiscated or you could end in court as poaching was a big offence in those days this is how i learned to fish i learned by my mistakes i had no one to show me but it was great fun i still think about those days i did not have a care in the world and i lived for my fishing they were the days of my youth so full of fun and love for the countryside those days will never return but i have my memories of those years long ago. more a bit latter
When i look at the tackle today it makes me wonder how we managed years ago i suppose i was lucky two tank aerial rods they did everything from carp fishing to Rudd fishing we had no specialist tackle like you have today our choice of hooks was very limited also line was not easy to get i managed for years using the old silk line that's all that i could get when i eventually got nylon it was very springy stuff how things have come on reels were the old wooden star backs but do you know what we caught even using this primitive tackle, it was fun i would float fish the hooks were tied direct to the silk line we did manage to get split shot of sorts for floats i used porcupine quills if lucky you may get some cork bodied jobs or the white plastic floats with the red tips money was in short supply you could only get what your parents could afford and bought for you this was in the late forties early fifties i always remember getting my first fix spool reel it was a green Jobey it was a bit crude but it worked especially with nylon line i soon learned how two spin for the trout using one, i would catch the minnows in a trap then mount them on a flight needle through the body then clamp the fins top the minnows head the hooks going into its side it really helped my poaching as in those days we needed the food nothing was wasted i would be up at first light in the summer and walk the river bank casting here and there maybe walking two or three miles it was deadly fishing and would arrive back home for breakfast with a bag full of beautiful brown trout my parents always welcomed the trout as it was a change in our diet not only that it helped feed our neighbors as well the trout was always welcomed by them.
I also caught some nice perch while spinning for the trout these would be eaten as well i think folks in those days would eat most things i used to put a few night lines down as well tying the line to a peg then the line was buried ,the peg was covered up with grass i had quite a few using that method the river was looked after by the water bailiffs as it was quite well known for its trout and grayling in those far off days, they would walk the river bank every day that's why i would go early morning before they got up i knew the river onny back to front and knew where to hide if you saw the bailiffs coming, some times you would be taken by surprise no way could yo get away without them seeing you so i would lie down in the under growth and reeds under the river bank i have been stung a few times from the nettles and got a bit wet but it was better than being caught as you would have your tackle confiscated or you could end in court as poaching was a big offence in those days this is how i learned to fish i learned by my mistakes i had no one to show me but it was great fun i still think about those days i did not have a care in the world and i lived for my fishing they were the days of my youth so full of fun and love for the countryside those days will never return but i have my memories of those years long ago. more a bit latter
In reply to Post #107
I hid the rods up the old drain pipe and climbed the nearest tree it was a fir i lay in the top branches and listened as the keepers and police made there way towards me my heart was beating like a drum and i was pumped up with excitement from the running i had done, i could now see the the keepers and the police land Rover they were standing directly under the tree where i was hidden it was a moonlight night it was not a poaching night but i needed a few trout for a few of our neighbors i was shaking with excitement i listened as they talked amongst them selves i could here Mr bell the keeper telling the Sgt there was only one fishing and he must be caught as his employers were not to happy having there fish poached it was not the first time i laughed to myself thinking it wont be the last time either, the dogs sniffed about but could not get my scent they moved on down the river still looking i suppose the year was about 1959 i was sixteen years old I waited for them to return and vanish the way they had come then i climbed down the tree it still stands today when all was quite i collected my rod and resumed my fishing trundling a worm under neath the far bank it was exiting fishing and i regularly came away with at least a dozen trout they were never wasted i think i supplied all our neighbors but to me it was a game being out in the country side i spent a fair bit of time out at night but i loved to be out on the rivers rod in hand the smell of the bank side vegetation the night noises it was all part of my life i have sat down put my back to a tree and just listened to the different noises you would hear it was quite different to being out in the day.
Before i went home i took a couple of trout and hung them on old bells gate i always did this to say thank you not once did they catch me although we did get a visit from the Sgt he could never prove it was me i was chased a good many times it was exiting i loved every moment in season i would have old bells pheasants i would lie in the under growth and use a piece of nylon line with a hook attached with a sultana or current on the hook the pheasants could not resist them i would scatter a handful around before i actually used them on the hook building there confidence up i would catch six or seven like this then move on to another spot leaving no evidence i had ever been there, if i caught to many to carry i would hide some and return for them latter but usually i did not over do it and only took what i needed this is how we lived food was still scarce so we supplemented our diet by eating pheasant fish an the occasional rabbit if they could be found as the myxomatosis had nearly wiped them out but they were returning but not in large numbers. well a bit more latter
I hid the rods up the old drain pipe and climbed the nearest tree it was a fir i lay in the top branches and listened as the keepers and police made there way towards me my heart was beating like a drum and i was pumped up with excitement from the running i had done, i could now see the the keepers and the police land Rover they were standing directly under the tree where i was hidden it was a moonlight night it was not a poaching night but i needed a few trout for a few of our neighbors i was shaking with excitement i listened as they talked amongst them selves i could here Mr bell the keeper telling the Sgt there was only one fishing and he must be caught as his employers were not to happy having there fish poached it was not the first time i laughed to myself thinking it wont be the last time either, the dogs sniffed about but could not get my scent they moved on down the river still looking i suppose the year was about 1959 i was sixteen years old I waited for them to return and vanish the way they had come then i climbed down the tree it still stands today when all was quite i collected my rod and resumed my fishing trundling a worm under neath the far bank it was exiting fishing and i regularly came away with at least a dozen trout they were never wasted i think i supplied all our neighbors but to me it was a game being out in the country side i spent a fair bit of time out at night but i loved to be out on the rivers rod in hand the smell of the bank side vegetation the night noises it was all part of my life i have sat down put my back to a tree and just listened to the different noises you would hear it was quite different to being out in the day.
Before i went home i took a couple of trout and hung them on old bells gate i always did this to say thank you not once did they catch me although we did get a visit from the Sgt he could never prove it was me i was chased a good many times it was exiting i loved every moment in season i would have old bells pheasants i would lie in the under growth and use a piece of nylon line with a hook attached with a sultana or current on the hook the pheasants could not resist them i would scatter a handful around before i actually used them on the hook building there confidence up i would catch six or seven like this then move on to another spot leaving no evidence i had ever been there, if i caught to many to carry i would hide some and return for them latter but usually i did not over do it and only took what i needed this is how we lived food was still scarce so we supplemented our diet by eating pheasant fish an the occasional rabbit if they could be found as the myxomatosis had nearly wiped them out but they were returning but not in large numbers. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #108
I do wonder what this country is coming to badgers where protected now there going to shoot them there has got be some sort of control i am the first to admit, there's far to many but i don't think shooting is the answer i have taken many people over the years to watch badgers in there own environment they are a communal animal and lovely to see in the wild, i have hand fed them the only problem i had the old boar would spray my boots with musk you would smell like a ferret i have been out at night, and they have brought there cubs down the fields with them a wonderful sight they are a very clean animal and change there bedding on a regular basis i have seen at times a fox try and use the same set as the badgers but they kicked him out as he is a dirty animal they will not stand that.
My main concern with shooting it would be very easy for a good shot to kill thirty or forty a night and then you have the cowboys shoot at anything that moves there are some real unscrupulous characters out there the government say they are going to be selective we will wait and see i would hate to see them exterminated the same thing will happen with the otter protect any animal without proper control they will grow in numbers and as long as the food chain is there for them they will flourish
If i remember rightly they gassed a good many sets in devon and somerset a few years ago i don't think it had any effect on bovine tuberculosis i was talking to Bern the badger man the other day he feels inoculation should be tried before other methods badgers have no real enemies only man they are a big animal they have no predators a few years ago you would rarely see a badger now it is common to see them on the roads not always killed by a car some are shot by unscrupulous farmers and dumped on the road making it look if they have been run over not all farmers do that i have many friends who are farmers who love to see old Brock around. The country side would be a sorry place without him i have a big boar badger that visits our garden on a regular basis he comes after the worms next door feed him with peanuts ,with they leave out in a big bowl i wonder how much longer he will last i know where his set it is on land that is used for growing potatoes and such the farmer does not have cattle, the government have now canceled the cull for another twelve month and are having further consultations on the matter they really should talk to the people that know this noble animal and it ways i really hope i have not bored you all with my rant about badgers but i have a real love for the country side and all that's in it. well a bit more latter
I do wonder what this country is coming to badgers where protected now there going to shoot them there has got be some sort of control i am the first to admit, there's far to many but i don't think shooting is the answer i have taken many people over the years to watch badgers in there own environment they are a communal animal and lovely to see in the wild, i have hand fed them the only problem i had the old boar would spray my boots with musk you would smell like a ferret i have been out at night, and they have brought there cubs down the fields with them a wonderful sight they are a very clean animal and change there bedding on a regular basis i have seen at times a fox try and use the same set as the badgers but they kicked him out as he is a dirty animal they will not stand that.
My main concern with shooting it would be very easy for a good shot to kill thirty or forty a night and then you have the cowboys shoot at anything that moves there are some real unscrupulous characters out there the government say they are going to be selective we will wait and see i would hate to see them exterminated the same thing will happen with the otter protect any animal without proper control they will grow in numbers and as long as the food chain is there for them they will flourish
If i remember rightly they gassed a good many sets in devon and somerset a few years ago i don't think it had any effect on bovine tuberculosis i was talking to Bern the badger man the other day he feels inoculation should be tried before other methods badgers have no real enemies only man they are a big animal they have no predators a few years ago you would rarely see a badger now it is common to see them on the roads not always killed by a car some are shot by unscrupulous farmers and dumped on the road making it look if they have been run over not all farmers do that i have many friends who are farmers who love to see old Brock around. The country side would be a sorry place without him i have a big boar badger that visits our garden on a regular basis he comes after the worms next door feed him with peanuts ,with they leave out in a big bowl i wonder how much longer he will last i know where his set it is on land that is used for growing potatoes and such the farmer does not have cattle, the government have now canceled the cull for another twelve month and are having further consultations on the matter they really should talk to the people that know this noble animal and it ways i really hope i have not bored you all with my rant about badgers but i have a real love for the country side and all that's in it. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #109
Well my old mate graham seems to be well again so we should be of fishing again next week he really is a jammy sod his wife won a new car in a local lottery draw while he was poorly she was given the keys on Wednesday it was also grahams birthday 75 years old so she gave him a new mini for his birthday he has never had a new car in his life so i am well pleased for them both, we should be going barbel fishing once again and hope to start where we left off.
my old mate the bailiff Rodger did it again catching another superb double barbel weighting at just over ten pounds a lovely deep fish he has not been out fishing that much owing to having a small op but he tweaks them out where others fail doing short sessions a couple of hours at a time so i am quite looking forward to getting out on the bank once again we will be having a go for the carp over the coming weeks i love my carp fishing but i also like to catch other species so at my age now i do not put the hours in i did once upon a time for the carp, over my life time i have been lucky and caught my fair share it does not give me the thrill it used to i can not do the long sessions any more i finished night fishing a couple of years ago owing to my health issues but i do miss them as for me it was not just the fishing but everything else that went on around me i miss the sound of the Tawney owl the scream of the vixen or her sharp yap when calling her cubs i miss watching the skeins of geese as they pass over head there was always something to hear and see i loved the stillness of the night i would watch the planes fly over head and wonder what foreign shores they were heading to.
RODGER WITH HIS DOUBLE FIGURE BARBEL
The splash of a fish far out in the lake would bring me to my senses the coot giving her shrill call as thought she was frightened maybe a mink had crossed her path this was all part of my life i also miss the scream of the alarm as a big fish picks your bait up and heads out into the lake to hold the rod in pitch black and feel the strength of the fish and the bucking of the rod as it fights to get away far out into the lake, wonderful memories playing this giant of the lake and watch it slide over the rim of your net to part the net and stare in wonder at what lay within to weight and photograph that great fish and slip him back, and watch him swim away in the beam of your head torch is what i miss the most life is so short, so i would get out fishing at every opportunity it does not seem long ago when i was friends with dick and jack Hilton and many more they have now passed on and i suppose i am now old as well it does not seem like five minutes ago since i fished the big meres in Shropshire and Cheshire time flies by when graham and i fished the big meres we were in our prime young chaps the world was our oyster but all we have now is our memories of those times long ago. a bit more latter
Well my old mate graham seems to be well again so we should be of fishing again next week he really is a jammy sod his wife won a new car in a local lottery draw while he was poorly she was given the keys on Wednesday it was also grahams birthday 75 years old so she gave him a new mini for his birthday he has never had a new car in his life so i am well pleased for them both, we should be going barbel fishing once again and hope to start where we left off.
my old mate the bailiff Rodger did it again catching another superb double barbel weighting at just over ten pounds a lovely deep fish he has not been out fishing that much owing to having a small op but he tweaks them out where others fail doing short sessions a couple of hours at a time so i am quite looking forward to getting out on the bank once again we will be having a go for the carp over the coming weeks i love my carp fishing but i also like to catch other species so at my age now i do not put the hours in i did once upon a time for the carp, over my life time i have been lucky and caught my fair share it does not give me the thrill it used to i can not do the long sessions any more i finished night fishing a couple of years ago owing to my health issues but i do miss them as for me it was not just the fishing but everything else that went on around me i miss the sound of the Tawney owl the scream of the vixen or her sharp yap when calling her cubs i miss watching the skeins of geese as they pass over head there was always something to hear and see i loved the stillness of the night i would watch the planes fly over head and wonder what foreign shores they were heading to.
RODGER WITH HIS DOUBLE FIGURE BARBELThe splash of a fish far out in the lake would bring me to my senses the coot giving her shrill call as thought she was frightened maybe a mink had crossed her path this was all part of my life i also miss the scream of the alarm as a big fish picks your bait up and heads out into the lake to hold the rod in pitch black and feel the strength of the fish and the bucking of the rod as it fights to get away far out into the lake, wonderful memories playing this giant of the lake and watch it slide over the rim of your net to part the net and stare in wonder at what lay within to weight and photograph that great fish and slip him back, and watch him swim away in the beam of your head torch is what i miss the most life is so short, so i would get out fishing at every opportunity it does not seem long ago when i was friends with dick and jack Hilton and many more they have now passed on and i suppose i am now old as well it does not seem like five minutes ago since i fished the big meres in Shropshire and Cheshire time flies by when graham and i fished the big meres we were in our prime young chaps the world was our oyster but all we have now is our memories of those times long ago. a bit more latter
In reply to Post #110
Tim walker emailed me today about the plaque erected outside dicks birth place i really think this is a wonderful way to remember such a great angler and freind. the piece about dick is as follows.
Richard Stuart Walker (29 May 1918 – 2 August 1985) was an English angler.
One of the first to apply scientific thought to angling, 'Dick' Walker wrote many books on the sport. He also wrote for the angling press, most notably for the Angling Times. He held the record for carp in the UK for 30 years with a fish of 44 pounds caught at Redmire pool in Herefordshire.
Biography
Walker's birthplace at 32 Fishponds Lane in Hitchin Walker was born at 32 Fishponds Road in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1918; he lived there until 1928. His father was a professional soldier and his mother an employee of the Post Office. He started fishing at an early age, being taught by his grandfather in Hertford. He was educated at the Friends School in Saffron Walden and St Christopher School in Letchworth. He went to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War, during which he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. He flew regularly over Germany and was deafened in one ear by a shell which exploded just outside the aircraft.
After the war he joined Lloyds and Co, manufacturers of high quality grass cutting machinery as technical director.
His inventions included the electronic bite alarm and the Arlesey Bomb weight, and he was instrumental in the development of the carbon-fibre fishing rod. Considered by many to be one of the best fishermen of the twentieth century, his books are now collector's items. One of his personally handmade Mark IV carp split cane rods is worth some thousands of pounds.
He lived by the river in Biggleswade from 1978 until his death in 1985 after a long battle with cancer. A biography by Professor Barrie Rickards was published in 2007.
A blue plaque was unveiled on his birthplace in June 2011.[1]
Published works
Tim walker emailed me today about the plaque erected outside dicks birth place i really think this is a wonderful way to remember such a great angler and freind. the piece about dick is as follows.
Richard Stuart Walker (29 May 1918 – 2 August 1985) was an English angler.
One of the first to apply scientific thought to angling, 'Dick' Walker wrote many books on the sport. He also wrote for the angling press, most notably for the Angling Times. He held the record for carp in the UK for 30 years with a fish of 44 pounds caught at Redmire pool in Herefordshire.
Biography
Walker's birthplace at 32 Fishponds Lane in Hitchin Walker was born at 32 Fishponds Road in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1918; he lived there until 1928. His father was a professional soldier and his mother an employee of the Post Office. He started fishing at an early age, being taught by his grandfather in Hertford. He was educated at the Friends School in Saffron Walden and St Christopher School in Letchworth. He went to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War, during which he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. He flew regularly over Germany and was deafened in one ear by a shell which exploded just outside the aircraft.
After the war he joined Lloyds and Co, manufacturers of high quality grass cutting machinery as technical director.
His inventions included the electronic bite alarm and the Arlesey Bomb weight, and he was instrumental in the development of the carbon-fibre fishing rod. Considered by many to be one of the best fishermen of the twentieth century, his books are now collector's items. One of his personally handmade Mark IV carp split cane rods is worth some thousands of pounds.
He lived by the river in Biggleswade from 1978 until his death in 1985 after a long battle with cancer. A biography by Professor Barrie Rickards was published in 2007.
A blue plaque was unveiled on his birthplace in June 2011.[1]
Published works
In reply to Post #111
I really wander some times if the younger generation know anything about dick walker and co what makes me say that you might say i was talking to a youngster the other day who had no idea who walker was or cared i think this very sad as dick was the grand father of carp fishing he put it on the map.
He helped form the carp catchers club it would really do good for some anglers to read this wonderful book it was written by the great Maurice ingham a good friend of dicks i was lucky to acquire my copy it was sent to me by friends from another forum oh how dare i say such things. when i came out of hospital from my operation to straighten my leg i have read it at length maybe two or three times and i never tire from reading it for those that don't know the club was formed in 1951 it is one of the most famous angling club in history it is about the waters they fished the tackle they used there up and downs .
There is quite a bit about Redmire leading up to the capture of the magnificent record carp he was in the presence of his long term friend peter Thomas who i believe is still alive he must be the last member now living from that old club i never really got tired of the stories Dick told me about the capture years before i would be traumatized as i sat listening to his stories in his office at the factory where he worked he would take me out in his BMW car it was coloured green he would take me around all the local lakes he had fished i don't think you could imagine, how wonderful it was for a young man like me in the presence of this big man he was my hero and not once did i envisage ever meeting him he took me under his wing gave me tackle and advice i could not believe he was interested in me and what i caught but he was and always wanted to know about my latest captures.
As i have stated before i met his mother on a few occasions a most wonderful women she lived in this lovely old house and would fill me up with of her home made cake and tell me tales of her resident ghost i never once saw anything resembling a ghost and Dick would laugh as she told the stories to me he would say take no notice Pete i have not seen, it myself as yet but she honestly believed and why not the house was set in a most beautiful garden and i loved listening to her but that was long ago i can not say much more about this great man but when i sit by the babbling brook some times a tear forms in my eyes as i think about the times i had talking to him all those years ago a man i formed a freind ship with some one i could talk to who always gave advice a kindly gentleman who helped a good many out we shall never see the likes again so i raise a glass and say rip to A man that was a freind. more latter
I really wander some times if the younger generation know anything about dick walker and co what makes me say that you might say i was talking to a youngster the other day who had no idea who walker was or cared i think this very sad as dick was the grand father of carp fishing he put it on the map.
He helped form the carp catchers club it would really do good for some anglers to read this wonderful book it was written by the great Maurice ingham a good friend of dicks i was lucky to acquire my copy it was sent to me by friends from another forum oh how dare i say such things. when i came out of hospital from my operation to straighten my leg i have read it at length maybe two or three times and i never tire from reading it for those that don't know the club was formed in 1951 it is one of the most famous angling club in history it is about the waters they fished the tackle they used there up and downs .
There is quite a bit about Redmire leading up to the capture of the magnificent record carp he was in the presence of his long term friend peter Thomas who i believe is still alive he must be the last member now living from that old club i never really got tired of the stories Dick told me about the capture years before i would be traumatized as i sat listening to his stories in his office at the factory where he worked he would take me out in his BMW car it was coloured green he would take me around all the local lakes he had fished i don't think you could imagine, how wonderful it was for a young man like me in the presence of this big man he was my hero and not once did i envisage ever meeting him he took me under his wing gave me tackle and advice i could not believe he was interested in me and what i caught but he was and always wanted to know about my latest captures.
As i have stated before i met his mother on a few occasions a most wonderful women she lived in this lovely old house and would fill me up with of her home made cake and tell me tales of her resident ghost i never once saw anything resembling a ghost and Dick would laugh as she told the stories to me he would say take no notice Pete i have not seen, it myself as yet but she honestly believed and why not the house was set in a most beautiful garden and i loved listening to her but that was long ago i can not say much more about this great man but when i sit by the babbling brook some times a tear forms in my eyes as i think about the times i had talking to him all those years ago a man i formed a freind ship with some one i could talk to who always gave advice a kindly gentleman who helped a good many out we shall never see the likes again so i raise a glass and say rip to A man that was a freind. more latter
In reply to Post #112
Pete, do you remember the groundbait that Dick and Fred J invented during the early sixties, called Pomenteg and manufactured by Efgeeco? It was always something of a mystery. What did the name Pomenteg stand for?
Considering the product was intended as a meal for the fish, and knowing Dick's great sense of humour, I'd bet money that the name was derived from:
POtato, MEat ‘N Two vEG
Pete, do you remember the groundbait that Dick and Fred J invented during the early sixties, called Pomenteg and manufactured by Efgeeco? It was always something of a mystery. What did the name Pomenteg stand for?
Considering the product was intended as a meal for the fish, and knowing Dick's great sense of humour, I'd bet money that the name was derived from:
POtato, MEat ‘N Two vEG
In reply to Post #113
Pete, do you remember the groundbait that Dick and Fred J invented during the early sixties, called Pomenteg and manufactured by Efgeeco? It was always something of a mystery. What did the name Pomenteg stand for?
Allen i remember the ground bait i have used it myself but i do not no what it stood for perhaps some one else can throw some light on it, you have got me over this one i wonder if Tim knows i might give him a ring some time in the week
Pete, do you remember the groundbait that Dick and Fred J invented during the early sixties, called Pomenteg and manufactured by Efgeeco? It was always something of a mystery. What did the name Pomenteg stand for?
Allen i remember the ground bait i have used it myself but i do not no what it stood for perhaps some one else can throw some light on it, you have got me over this one i wonder if Tim knows i might give him a ring some time in the week
In reply to Post #114
When i was a young lad the fields and hedgerows where ablaze with flowers the hedgerows were covered in honeysuckle sadly lacking today the fields i knew have now been opened up hedges removed to make way for the combines making it easier to plough and get the crops in unfortunately it has affected our wild life the grey partridge is one such bird the yellow hammer and many more the hobby and the Merlin would hunt the hedgerows or you would see him skimming low to the ground hunting the meadow pipit skylark the chaffinch and wheatear or hunt the hedgerows looking for the voles moths and beetles its a real shame as i took both birds for granted when i was a youngster you very rarely see them today its all to do with farming methods and feeding the population we have today.
In our part of the country you would see the curlew when young i would look for her nest they were a common sight but no more i saw one pair last year there habitat has gone the big hay fields they relied on are no more we really should take notice in my opinion we are destroying our wild life when a youth i could walk the hedgerows and find the partridges nests no more those days have long gone most pools and small lakes contained fish but they have gone the same way filled in to make the fields that bit bigger to produce that bit more food at what cost making the fields a big dust bowls, no drainage, any more the hedgerows was the drainage i know i go on about such things but i remember how it was not like today i am not living in the past i am generally concerned about our lovely country side and how it is disappearing at an alarming rate i am very passionate about the country side and its wild life i really wonder how you the younger generation will see the country side in say fifty years will it even exist or will it be built upon making a concrete jungle i really hope not but it is now up to the younger generation of farmers not to make the mistakes that there fathers made by pulling the hedgerows up.
Well moan over maybe i will be fishing tomorrow i am awaiting graham to say yes or no, only he has experienced a bit off a problem with the new mini he won something to do with the computer controlling the car gone are the days when you could fix it your self he has got to take it in latter today for the dealers to sort out so as far as the fishing is concerned i am awaiting grahams decision i do not like going by myself any more owing to my health problems well i have been told by the hospital to always be in company of another angler just in case i fall over it has happened in the past and without a bit of a helping hand i would have difficulty getting up old age who wants it not i well that's it for today. a little more latter i hope i have not bored you to much with my rant about the country side.
When i was a young lad the fields and hedgerows where ablaze with flowers the hedgerows were covered in honeysuckle sadly lacking today the fields i knew have now been opened up hedges removed to make way for the combines making it easier to plough and get the crops in unfortunately it has affected our wild life the grey partridge is one such bird the yellow hammer and many more the hobby and the Merlin would hunt the hedgerows or you would see him skimming low to the ground hunting the meadow pipit skylark the chaffinch and wheatear or hunt the hedgerows looking for the voles moths and beetles its a real shame as i took both birds for granted when i was a youngster you very rarely see them today its all to do with farming methods and feeding the population we have today.
In our part of the country you would see the curlew when young i would look for her nest they were a common sight but no more i saw one pair last year there habitat has gone the big hay fields they relied on are no more we really should take notice in my opinion we are destroying our wild life when a youth i could walk the hedgerows and find the partridges nests no more those days have long gone most pools and small lakes contained fish but they have gone the same way filled in to make the fields that bit bigger to produce that bit more food at what cost making the fields a big dust bowls, no drainage, any more the hedgerows was the drainage i know i go on about such things but i remember how it was not like today i am not living in the past i am generally concerned about our lovely country side and how it is disappearing at an alarming rate i am very passionate about the country side and its wild life i really wonder how you the younger generation will see the country side in say fifty years will it even exist or will it be built upon making a concrete jungle i really hope not but it is now up to the younger generation of farmers not to make the mistakes that there fathers made by pulling the hedgerows up.
Well moan over maybe i will be fishing tomorrow i am awaiting graham to say yes or no, only he has experienced a bit off a problem with the new mini he won something to do with the computer controlling the car gone are the days when you could fix it your self he has got to take it in latter today for the dealers to sort out so as far as the fishing is concerned i am awaiting grahams decision i do not like going by myself any more owing to my health problems well i have been told by the hospital to always be in company of another angler just in case i fall over it has happened in the past and without a bit of a helping hand i would have difficulty getting up old age who wants it not i well that's it for today. a little more latter i hope i have not bored you to much with my rant about the country side.
In reply to Post #115
Hey pete child hood dreams are not lost or never..Lost.
i've seen with great satisfaction today younger generations of the familys sibblings catching fish!!
Tinchas mainly (Tench to the learned) caught from less than 1 metre wide cuts.
Thats what fishing is all about, looking and learning where fish are,
I'm really quite impressed an happy to see it's not all computers and games etc.
a love of the wild....
overjoyed at catching something!!!
Didn't want to jump in your thread Pete. but had no where better to post my joy..
Hope you understand Peter,;
Pete..
Hey pete child hood dreams are not lost or never..Lost.
i've seen with great satisfaction today younger generations of the familys sibblings catching fish!!
Tinchas mainly (Tench to the learned) caught from less than 1 metre wide cuts.
Thats what fishing is all about, looking and learning where fish are,
I'm really quite impressed an happy to see it's not all computers and games etc.
a love of the wild....
overjoyed at catching something!!!
Didn't want to jump in your thread Pete. but had no where better to post my joy..
Hope you understand Peter,;
Pete..
In reply to Post #116
In reply to Post #115
Hey pete child hood dreams are not lost or never..Lost.
No problem pete i know you love the country side from our conversations well from your pms be my guest more the better thanks for putting it in my stories
In reply to Post #115
Hey pete child hood dreams are not lost or never..Lost.
No problem pete i know you love the country side from our conversations well from your pms be my guest more the better thanks for putting it in my stories
In reply to Post #117
After tin off maggots posted in the thread it has made me think about the joys of nature and fishing, i know what joy means and its not just about fishing the different seasons gives me great joy to look back from hill country and see the mist drifting across the tree tops in the valleys below to look at the colours of the trees in autumn the beautiful shades of rustic brown the orange the reds they all give joy to watch the mountain hair as it runs from the approaching beaters, to watch your float glide down the river see it dip strike and play another fish to the waiting net this has also brought me great joy. I loved to watch the rod tip as i trundled a worm for that beautiful coloured fish the brown trout even to hold him in my hand and stand and look at this wonderful fish with his vibrant colour to take a youngster fishing let him hold the rod and catch his first fish watch his face so full of joy this is what life is all about it gives me a great feeling i am at piece with the world .
Even the new born lambs up on the high tops gave me great pleasure a great satisfaction watch them skip and jump towards there mother what a great world we live in it gives me a great lift to see such things watching the buzzard high above as you lie in the heather in a dreamy state watching the peregrine hunting its prey it stoops like an arrow shot from a bow it hits the pigeon sending a shower of feathers floating down just like snow this is nature at its best i loved to see the Deer on an autumn day i would creep close lying on my belly how they blended in with the colours of the woods and nature to hear the old buck roar for to me that's how it sounds to hand feed the badgers on some quite dark night with not a care in the world it all; brings joy and happiness to me.
To sit in your bivie and watch the stars above and listen to the noises of the night the fox the badger to hear the hedgehogs, fighting can be quite off putting if you do not know what they are, to hear the fox cubs out at play and the sharp bark the vixen gives as a warning to her cubs to hear the call of the moorhen the coot as well and watch the great created grebe feed her young as the light fades away to play the big carp to the waiting net it all gives joy i am so easy to please you do not need money to enjoy nature as it is all free and a wonderful way to spend your time.
well a bit more latter
After tin off maggots posted in the thread it has made me think about the joys of nature and fishing, i know what joy means and its not just about fishing the different seasons gives me great joy to look back from hill country and see the mist drifting across the tree tops in the valleys below to look at the colours of the trees in autumn the beautiful shades of rustic brown the orange the reds they all give joy to watch the mountain hair as it runs from the approaching beaters, to watch your float glide down the river see it dip strike and play another fish to the waiting net this has also brought me great joy. I loved to watch the rod tip as i trundled a worm for that beautiful coloured fish the brown trout even to hold him in my hand and stand and look at this wonderful fish with his vibrant colour to take a youngster fishing let him hold the rod and catch his first fish watch his face so full of joy this is what life is all about it gives me a great feeling i am at piece with the world .
Even the new born lambs up on the high tops gave me great pleasure a great satisfaction watch them skip and jump towards there mother what a great world we live in it gives me a great lift to see such things watching the buzzard high above as you lie in the heather in a dreamy state watching the peregrine hunting its prey it stoops like an arrow shot from a bow it hits the pigeon sending a shower of feathers floating down just like snow this is nature at its best i loved to see the Deer on an autumn day i would creep close lying on my belly how they blended in with the colours of the woods and nature to hear the old buck roar for to me that's how it sounds to hand feed the badgers on some quite dark night with not a care in the world it all; brings joy and happiness to me.
To sit in your bivie and watch the stars above and listen to the noises of the night the fox the badger to hear the hedgehogs, fighting can be quite off putting if you do not know what they are, to hear the fox cubs out at play and the sharp bark the vixen gives as a warning to her cubs to hear the call of the moorhen the coot as well and watch the great created grebe feed her young as the light fades away to play the big carp to the waiting net it all gives joy i am so easy to please you do not need money to enjoy nature as it is all free and a wonderful way to spend your time.
well a bit more latter