In reply to Post #635
The hot weather is playing havoc with the fishing the water where i was fishing yesterday was warm very warm you could of bathed in it we did have a slight breeze on the water but the carp had there minds on other things the one corner of the lake was packed with fish follow the leader they were spawning once again this is the second time this year. graham did manage one fish a small mirror a low double but yours truly blanked and so did the others fishing the lake it was very overpowering and i was not sorry when we packed in it was like fishing in a desert red hot. so it was a day of watching the wild life i had a visit from some white geese very tame but looks if they are a cross with the grey lags bars on there wings really strange birds but they seem to have taken a shine to me and sat beside me most of the day. i don't think i have seen so many grey lags for years there seems to be more there every time we go. The little wren has now gone her brood have at last left the nest i will quite miss watching her feeding her young. i watched a peregrine falcon hunting way above us a wonderful sight it had a pigeon and hit it at a tremendous speed feathers every where there is always something to watch.The dab chicks are still around and are growing very fast but i see some of the ducklings have gone missing maybe a mink, why i say that is because as i was sitting in front of the rods the ducks became very agitated and a mink ran out in front of me saw me and was away. another thing that's has kept me amused is a vole he is back and forward all day and vanishes into some short grass beside the swim further investigation i found a small hole in the grass he does not bother about me at all and is really quite tame well i don't think the fishing is going to improve much till we get a bit of cooler weather so i think it may be a few late night sessions after the barbel well all for now more latter
The hot weather is playing havoc with the fishing the water where i was fishing yesterday was warm very warm you could of bathed in it we did have a slight breeze on the water but the carp had there minds on other things the one corner of the lake was packed with fish follow the leader they were spawning once again this is the second time this year. graham did manage one fish a small mirror a low double but yours truly blanked and so did the others fishing the lake it was very overpowering and i was not sorry when we packed in it was like fishing in a desert red hot. so it was a day of watching the wild life i had a visit from some white geese very tame but looks if they are a cross with the grey lags bars on there wings really strange birds but they seem to have taken a shine to me and sat beside me most of the day. i don't think i have seen so many grey lags for years there seems to be more there every time we go. The little wren has now gone her brood have at last left the nest i will quite miss watching her feeding her young. i watched a peregrine falcon hunting way above us a wonderful sight it had a pigeon and hit it at a tremendous speed feathers every where there is always something to watch.The dab chicks are still around and are growing very fast but i see some of the ducklings have gone missing maybe a mink, why i say that is because as i was sitting in front of the rods the ducks became very agitated and a mink ran out in front of me saw me and was away. another thing that's has kept me amused is a vole he is back and forward all day and vanishes into some short grass beside the swim further investigation i found a small hole in the grass he does not bother about me at all and is really quite tame well i don't think the fishing is going to improve much till we get a bit of cooler weather so i think it may be a few late night sessions after the barbel well all for now more latter
In reply to Post #635
The hot weather is playing havoc with the fishing the water where i was fishing yesterday was warm very warm you could of bathed in it we did have a slight breeze on the water but the carp had there minds on other things the one corner of the lake was packed with fish follow the leader they were spawning once again this is the second time this year. graham did manage one fish a small mirror a low double but yours truly blanked and so did the others fishing the lake it was very overpowering and i was not sorry when we packed in it was like fishing in a desert red hot. so it was a day of watching the wild life i had a visit from some white geese very tame but looks if they are a cross with the grey lags bars on there wings really strange birds but they seem to have taken a shine to me and sat beside me most of the day. i don't think i have seen so many grey lags for years there seems to be more there every time we go. The little wren has now gone her brood have at last left the nest i will quite miss watching her feeding her young. i watched a peregrine falcon hunting way above us a wonderful sight it had a pigeon and hit it at a tremendous speed feathers every where there is always something to watch.The dab chicks are still around and are growing very fast but i see some of the ducklings have gone missing maybe a mink, why i say that is because as i was sitting in front of the rods the ducks became very agitated and a mink ran out in front of me saw me and was away. another thing that's has kept me amused is a vole he is back and forward all day and vanishes into some short grass beside the swim further investigation i found a small hole in the grass he does not bother about me at all and is really quite tame well i don't think the fishing is going to improve much till we get a bit of cooler weather so i think it may be a few late night sessions after the barbel well all for now more latter
The hot weather is playing havoc with the fishing the water where i was fishing yesterday was warm very warm you could of bathed in it we did have a slight breeze on the water but the carp had there minds on other things the one corner of the lake was packed with fish follow the leader they were spawning once again this is the second time this year. graham did manage one fish a small mirror a low double but yours truly blanked and so did the others fishing the lake it was very overpowering and i was not sorry when we packed in it was like fishing in a desert red hot. so it was a day of watching the wild life i had a visit from some white geese very tame but looks if they are a cross with the grey lags bars on there wings really strange birds but they seem to have taken a shine to me and sat beside me most of the day. i don't think i have seen so many grey lags for years there seems to be more there every time we go. The little wren has now gone her brood have at last left the nest i will quite miss watching her feeding her young. i watched a peregrine falcon hunting way above us a wonderful sight it had a pigeon and hit it at a tremendous speed feathers every where there is always something to watch.The dab chicks are still around and are growing very fast but i see some of the ducklings have gone missing maybe a mink, why i say that is because as i was sitting in front of the rods the ducks became very agitated and a mink ran out in front of me saw me and was away. another thing that's has kept me amused is a vole he is back and forward all day and vanishes into some short grass beside the swim further investigation i found a small hole in the grass he does not bother about me at all and is really quite tame well i don't think the fishing is going to improve much till we get a bit of cooler weather so i think it may be a few late night sessions after the barbel well all for now more latter
In reply to Post #637
Its so many years since i fished and poached the local rivers and woods that abound in shropshire looking at some now little has changed the same old woods the same trees but the excitement has gone the sparks gone out. the excitement i got from it was immense testing your self against some of the best keepers in the land and fishery bailiffs. i was only talking ,to a friend the other day who was saying what a life i had. but as i explained i only poached for the pot so we could live and i also made a bit of money out of my exploits. i explained to him that there was no money in those days my father i think earned about six quid a week a nothing really so i poached a few rabbits trout pheasants and such to keep us and a good many of our neighbors happy In those days we were one big family every one helped one another sadly those days have now gone you certainly could not leave your back door open like we did years ago but i suppose we never had much for a thief to take well what we did have was not worth that much but one thing we did have was love and respect for one another which is sadly missing today. i suppose i was jack the lad and lots of the oldies on my village remember what i got up to and i still get comments like you were a rum one. i learned at an early age to look after myself yes i would fight i remember old sgt landers taking me and a lad called Pete clee to the local nick because we had been fighting only to given a pair of boxing gloves and to put them on and box fair and the sgt re fed us for around three rounds until he was satisfied that we had enough good days i think they were you would not get that happening today the way of life has changed so much well ill write a bit more about this latter
Its so many years since i fished and poached the local rivers and woods that abound in shropshire looking at some now little has changed the same old woods the same trees but the excitement has gone the sparks gone out. the excitement i got from it was immense testing your self against some of the best keepers in the land and fishery bailiffs. i was only talking ,to a friend the other day who was saying what a life i had. but as i explained i only poached for the pot so we could live and i also made a bit of money out of my exploits. i explained to him that there was no money in those days my father i think earned about six quid a week a nothing really so i poached a few rabbits trout pheasants and such to keep us and a good many of our neighbors happy In those days we were one big family every one helped one another sadly those days have now gone you certainly could not leave your back door open like we did years ago but i suppose we never had much for a thief to take well what we did have was not worth that much but one thing we did have was love and respect for one another which is sadly missing today. i suppose i was jack the lad and lots of the oldies on my village remember what i got up to and i still get comments like you were a rum one. i learned at an early age to look after myself yes i would fight i remember old sgt landers taking me and a lad called Pete clee to the local nick because we had been fighting only to given a pair of boxing gloves and to put them on and box fair and the sgt re fed us for around three rounds until he was satisfied that we had enough good days i think they were you would not get that happening today the way of life has changed so much well ill write a bit more about this latter
In reply to Post #638
To live my life in the country side has been a wonderful To learn about the animals trees wild flowers has been my life. to sit in the woods and listen to the different bird songs or out at night and listen to the noises of the night its really has been a privilege. To poach the willy trout from the meandering stream or take the pheasant from deep in the woods always filled me with excitement to be one with nature and to be ever on the watch for the crafty keeper. when out at night i went alone never in two or threes i was responsible for myself not others it is surprising how sound will travel on a quite night i liked to be out on a wild and windy night that's the night i would get a few pheasants and would be away before the keepers ,realized i was ever there. The only time we went in threes was when i used a long net for the rabbits you needed at least three chaps you could trust on a good night you could catch over one hundred rabbits not a bad nights work and you made a bit of cash. But i really liked to go alone i think i have said before i would be on the river and fish it into the night or i would go first light and spin for the brown trout it held or trundle a little red worm these little rivers were stocked with trout for the gentry and the estates i would take what i needed as i have said before food was scarce and anything was grateful accepted by our neighbours. I have been chased on many occasions but was always lucky i never got caught but most of the land i fished and poached i knew so i always had an escape route whether it meant swimming the river or climbing a tree and hiding in the branches which i did on many occasions and have even listened to the keepers and the police talking below they have even had dogs with them alsatians but never did get my scent or even looked up the tree i have laid down in a ditch and the dogs have walked over me that time i was scarred stiff as there was three keepers but i ended up getting away once again. one thing i always did was to hang a couple of rabbits or pheasents on the keepers gate it was away of saying thank you but it did wind them up at times. well more latter
To live my life in the country side has been a wonderful To learn about the animals trees wild flowers has been my life. to sit in the woods and listen to the different bird songs or out at night and listen to the noises of the night its really has been a privilege. To poach the willy trout from the meandering stream or take the pheasant from deep in the woods always filled me with excitement to be one with nature and to be ever on the watch for the crafty keeper. when out at night i went alone never in two or threes i was responsible for myself not others it is surprising how sound will travel on a quite night i liked to be out on a wild and windy night that's the night i would get a few pheasants and would be away before the keepers ,realized i was ever there. The only time we went in threes was when i used a long net for the rabbits you needed at least three chaps you could trust on a good night you could catch over one hundred rabbits not a bad nights work and you made a bit of cash. But i really liked to go alone i think i have said before i would be on the river and fish it into the night or i would go first light and spin for the brown trout it held or trundle a little red worm these little rivers were stocked with trout for the gentry and the estates i would take what i needed as i have said before food was scarce and anything was grateful accepted by our neighbours. I have been chased on many occasions but was always lucky i never got caught but most of the land i fished and poached i knew so i always had an escape route whether it meant swimming the river or climbing a tree and hiding in the branches which i did on many occasions and have even listened to the keepers and the police talking below they have even had dogs with them alsatians but never did get my scent or even looked up the tree i have laid down in a ditch and the dogs have walked over me that time i was scarred stiff as there was three keepers but i ended up getting away once again. one thing i always did was to hang a couple of rabbits or pheasents on the keepers gate it was away of saying thank you but it did wind them up at times. well more latter
In reply to Post #639
Well on the fishing front its been quite hard the hot weather has certainly put them off the feed. we have managed a fish or two but nothing really big i did manage a big old mirror today . We have had one go for the barbel but the river is so low and clear it really wants a good flush through. a friend managed a nice double the other evening a ten pound plus. We are aiming to fish some late nights for them next week as that seems to be the time the bigger ones are turning up. Fishing for them in the day seems to be a waste of time well for the time being until we get some coloured water. The ones being caught in the day are on the very small size three pounds plus. Talking to the local anglers its not just the Barbel but chub and roach that are also suffering the low level of water so roll on some rain we really need it. I have noticed on two of the waters i fish they have now gone green the yearly algae bloom we experience this usually once a year and it soon clears up but it certainly seems to put the fish off the feed for some time. The fox cubs that i found have now moved on i did catch a glimpse of one the other day but he was by him self and seems to be big enough to fend for him self. i still have the cubs in the garden but they are growing very quickly and i would think they will move on before very long the vixen will take them up to the fields and woods or into the cover of the corn and barley fields i have got the badger visiting the garden at night digging holes all over looking for worms she really does make a mess. one thing that has really stood out this year is the wild fowl ducks and geese they certainly seem to have had a good breeding season. with some really large broods nice to see one thing we seem to have is a shortage of is Canada geese i did hear they have had a cull because of the damage they have been doing on some of the farms i do hope not as i loved to see them in flight on a cold winters day well a bit more latter
Well on the fishing front its been quite hard the hot weather has certainly put them off the feed. we have managed a fish or two but nothing really big i did manage a big old mirror today . We have had one go for the barbel but the river is so low and clear it really wants a good flush through. a friend managed a nice double the other evening a ten pound plus. We are aiming to fish some late nights for them next week as that seems to be the time the bigger ones are turning up. Fishing for them in the day seems to be a waste of time well for the time being until we get some coloured water. The ones being caught in the day are on the very small size three pounds plus. Talking to the local anglers its not just the Barbel but chub and roach that are also suffering the low level of water so roll on some rain we really need it. I have noticed on two of the waters i fish they have now gone green the yearly algae bloom we experience this usually once a year and it soon clears up but it certainly seems to put the fish off the feed for some time. The fox cubs that i found have now moved on i did catch a glimpse of one the other day but he was by him self and seems to be big enough to fend for him self. i still have the cubs in the garden but they are growing very quickly and i would think they will move on before very long the vixen will take them up to the fields and woods or into the cover of the corn and barley fields i have got the badger visiting the garden at night digging holes all over looking for worms she really does make a mess. one thing that has really stood out this year is the wild fowl ducks and geese they certainly seem to have had a good breeding season. with some really large broods nice to see one thing we seem to have is a shortage of is Canada geese i did hear they have had a cull because of the damage they have been doing on some of the farms i do hope not as i loved to see them in flight on a cold winters day well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #640
There is a thread on at the moment about the late dick walker. He was a great man and i am very privileged to have known him. it was the late 60 early seventies when the man first crossed my path we had just formed the three counties specimen group with dennis kelly of the big bream fame. i had and other members been catching some good bream big for that time 10 pounds plus and bigger eventually breaking the British record which really put our group on the map. i received a letter in the post which was from dick asking about are exploits after the big bream on the Shropshire meres and could he give me a ring which he soon did. he wanted to know more and invited myself and dennis, graham and another friend to go down and meet him at his private fishing hut on the river ouse and stay the week end. it was very cold November day. and i can always remember this chap walking across the field with his standard big hat on his head. hello Pete catching much i was stunned he had been my boy hood hero and now he stood before me i was really humbled. i have brought you these he said are they any good any good two built cane rods one a ten ft Avon the other 11ft built cane trotting rod i was speechless the evening was drawing in and getting very cold. I have a couple of bottles in the car lets get the gas fire going and have a drink by god could he tell a story or two we laughed our heads off till well gone midnight. we eventually said our good buys ill be in touch pete and he was i went down to his factory on many occasions. he would take me out to dinner at the letch worth hotel and he was always interested in my fishing. i met his mother on a number of occasions she was a lovely old lady and lived in a beautiful old tudor house do you believe in ghosts pete as we have one here she was immensely proud of dick and his achievements and she made some really good cake i would gorge that much it would make me feel sick but she was so friendly and always made me feel welcome. one day dick said come up the garden ill get a fork he proceeded to dig these little red worms up take these home and put them into some compose i still have a few of those red worms the ofspring of dicks worms from all those years ago more latter
There is a thread on at the moment about the late dick walker. He was a great man and i am very privileged to have known him. it was the late 60 early seventies when the man first crossed my path we had just formed the three counties specimen group with dennis kelly of the big bream fame. i had and other members been catching some good bream big for that time 10 pounds plus and bigger eventually breaking the British record which really put our group on the map. i received a letter in the post which was from dick asking about are exploits after the big bream on the Shropshire meres and could he give me a ring which he soon did. he wanted to know more and invited myself and dennis, graham and another friend to go down and meet him at his private fishing hut on the river ouse and stay the week end. it was very cold November day. and i can always remember this chap walking across the field with his standard big hat on his head. hello Pete catching much i was stunned he had been my boy hood hero and now he stood before me i was really humbled. i have brought you these he said are they any good any good two built cane rods one a ten ft Avon the other 11ft built cane trotting rod i was speechless the evening was drawing in and getting very cold. I have a couple of bottles in the car lets get the gas fire going and have a drink by god could he tell a story or two we laughed our heads off till well gone midnight. we eventually said our good buys ill be in touch pete and he was i went down to his factory on many occasions. he would take me out to dinner at the letch worth hotel and he was always interested in my fishing. i met his mother on a number of occasions she was a lovely old lady and lived in a beautiful old tudor house do you believe in ghosts pete as we have one here she was immensely proud of dick and his achievements and she made some really good cake i would gorge that much it would make me feel sick but she was so friendly and always made me feel welcome. one day dick said come up the garden ill get a fork he proceeded to dig these little red worms up take these home and put them into some compose i still have a few of those red worms the ofspring of dicks worms from all those years ago more latter
In reply to Post #641
I have a bit of time today so ill tell you more about our dick. he used to sell gang mowers and lawn mowers to Shropshire council. And one day a chap called Kieth wilkinson rang me from the council saying would i like to come down to the factory with him as dick had been in touch and asked him to bring me down to see him. this was the first time i had been to his factory and if i remember right it said to work here you had to be a fisherman or a footballer. but what i found amazing was dick he knew every one he employed he would take me around the factory and introduce me to his workers he knew every one by name and really treated them with utmost respect. he would not have time study and such in his factory and said on many occasions if i want to give my workers a rise i will what ever the government says. i was in his office on one occasion and his secretary gave him a roll of notes my wages he says pete i really don't need it as i make as much out of fishing i was cob smacked. with tongue in cheek i once said to the great man you some times write a load of crap i thought bloody hell i should not of said that but he smiled and said if i did not i would be out of business when you write for angling times and such you have to be controversial and he was right. i was in his office one day and he says i have brought you these try them out let me know how you get on with them you will be able to get some sleep with these little beauties of course they were a pair of heron bite alarms i certainly did try them and had lots of success using them. We would be away in his green BMW and he would take me around some of the lakes he had fished he was so knowledgeable not just fishing but on wild life two. He wanted me to write for angling times but i was married and had a young family and really was not very versed in english well im still not but i got by he said write it as you see it then send it to me i will edit it well i think i got a fiver or so for the stories . they were good days a little more latter
I have a bit of time today so ill tell you more about our dick. he used to sell gang mowers and lawn mowers to Shropshire council. And one day a chap called Kieth wilkinson rang me from the council saying would i like to come down to the factory with him as dick had been in touch and asked him to bring me down to see him. this was the first time i had been to his factory and if i remember right it said to work here you had to be a fisherman or a footballer. but what i found amazing was dick he knew every one he employed he would take me around the factory and introduce me to his workers he knew every one by name and really treated them with utmost respect. he would not have time study and such in his factory and said on many occasions if i want to give my workers a rise i will what ever the government says. i was in his office on one occasion and his secretary gave him a roll of notes my wages he says pete i really don't need it as i make as much out of fishing i was cob smacked. with tongue in cheek i once said to the great man you some times write a load of crap i thought bloody hell i should not of said that but he smiled and said if i did not i would be out of business when you write for angling times and such you have to be controversial and he was right. i was in his office one day and he says i have brought you these try them out let me know how you get on with them you will be able to get some sleep with these little beauties of course they were a pair of heron bite alarms i certainly did try them and had lots of success using them. We would be away in his green BMW and he would take me around some of the lakes he had fished he was so knowledgeable not just fishing but on wild life two. He wanted me to write for angling times but i was married and had a young family and really was not very versed in english well im still not but i got by he said write it as you see it then send it to me i will edit it well i think i got a fiver or so for the stories . they were good days a little more latter
In reply to Post #642
Thinking back what can i really tell you all about this tremendous man that you all don't already know. he was a kind and generous man who would go out of his way to help fellow anglers. he was a great character could tell a really good joke but he also had a big impact on all aspects of angling. from match fishing fly fishing to carp fishing. and designing of fishing tackle from rods to the arsley bombs. He had such an impact on our hobby. And as i have said he truly was a great man. the likes we will never see again. When i was young all my mates myself included all looked up to this man and we learned from him through his articles. I never once thought that one day i would meet him and i. would like to think we became good friends over the years i knew him. He had an outstanding personality but as i have said before did not suffer fools gladly. looking back dick was well into trout fishing when i knew him which he soon landed the British record rainbow trout so another record beside the carp from red mire i would sit and listen to the great man tell me all about the capture of that stunning carp what a story i. loved to listen to his tales and when i left his company my head would be buzzing. In those days we were fishing for the big bream in the shropshire and Cheshire meres one particular water was proving to be a bit hard we could not hit the bites. so graham and myself made some floats that were at least fourteen inches long at the tip of the float was a a ball of balsa wood which we painted fluorescent pink the stem was bulb-as and the bottom was whipped with lead wire making it partly self cocking we would fish this at fifty yards and used a torch with a pencil beam we would cast out and fish it slightly over depth tighten up till you could just see the ball on the tip when you had a bite it would rise up in the water and you would be in we caught loads using this method. When dick heard how we were catching them please bring me one of those floats pete i think he was quite impressed well i did make him one but whether he used it i really don't know but i suspect he did so it was really a great privalidge knowing dick and long may his name be rembered. rip mate and god bless you were an insperation . More latter
Thinking back what can i really tell you all about this tremendous man that you all don't already know. he was a kind and generous man who would go out of his way to help fellow anglers. he was a great character could tell a really good joke but he also had a big impact on all aspects of angling. from match fishing fly fishing to carp fishing. and designing of fishing tackle from rods to the arsley bombs. He had such an impact on our hobby. And as i have said he truly was a great man. the likes we will never see again. When i was young all my mates myself included all looked up to this man and we learned from him through his articles. I never once thought that one day i would meet him and i. would like to think we became good friends over the years i knew him. He had an outstanding personality but as i have said before did not suffer fools gladly. looking back dick was well into trout fishing when i knew him which he soon landed the British record rainbow trout so another record beside the carp from red mire i would sit and listen to the great man tell me all about the capture of that stunning carp what a story i. loved to listen to his tales and when i left his company my head would be buzzing. In those days we were fishing for the big bream in the shropshire and Cheshire meres one particular water was proving to be a bit hard we could not hit the bites. so graham and myself made some floats that were at least fourteen inches long at the tip of the float was a a ball of balsa wood which we painted fluorescent pink the stem was bulb-as and the bottom was whipped with lead wire making it partly self cocking we would fish this at fifty yards and used a torch with a pencil beam we would cast out and fish it slightly over depth tighten up till you could just see the ball on the tip when you had a bite it would rise up in the water and you would be in we caught loads using this method. When dick heard how we were catching them please bring me one of those floats pete i think he was quite impressed well i did make him one but whether he used it i really don't know but i suspect he did so it was really a great privalidge knowing dick and long may his name be rembered. rip mate and god bless you were an insperation . More latter
In reply to Post #643
What a terrible day. i planed to go barbel ,fishing on the severn. Well we did go we were going to fish into the dark but we had a monsoon arround about 7-30 did it rain it absolutly hammered down so graham and i called it a night. but trying to get my tackle up the bank i slipped and down i went and i could not get back up its realy a good job my mate graham was with me its a problem with my arthrites if i get down i have a problem getting back up thats the problem old age setting in. There was another five anglers fishing close to me and they all blanked exept one who had a nice fish arround eight pounds i lost one he got into really fast water and we parted company. The rain will do some good in the long run and it should help us if they have had a good storm up in wales and it adds a bit of colour to the water. some freinds have had a few fish this week i think the biggest was arround 10 pounds but better than nowt. We really have been struggling with the carp as well no big ones only hight doubles we have seen some real big fish showing we have tryed zigs as well but the fish are just not having it im putting it down to the weather. well day off from fishing tomorrow but we will be back out thursday probably after the carp the cooler weather may just help and get the on the munch. i think this is the worst year we have had as far as catching fish. we have managed arround twenty fish up to now with a few over the twenty mark but size really does not matter to me i just like to be out and be one with nature well more latter
What a terrible day. i planed to go barbel ,fishing on the severn. Well we did go we were going to fish into the dark but we had a monsoon arround about 7-30 did it rain it absolutly hammered down so graham and i called it a night. but trying to get my tackle up the bank i slipped and down i went and i could not get back up its realy a good job my mate graham was with me its a problem with my arthrites if i get down i have a problem getting back up thats the problem old age setting in. There was another five anglers fishing close to me and they all blanked exept one who had a nice fish arround eight pounds i lost one he got into really fast water and we parted company. The rain will do some good in the long run and it should help us if they have had a good storm up in wales and it adds a bit of colour to the water. some freinds have had a few fish this week i think the biggest was arround 10 pounds but better than nowt. We really have been struggling with the carp as well no big ones only hight doubles we have seen some real big fish showing we have tryed zigs as well but the fish are just not having it im putting it down to the weather. well day off from fishing tomorrow but we will be back out thursday probably after the carp the cooler weather may just help and get the on the munch. i think this is the worst year we have had as far as catching fish. we have managed arround twenty fish up to now with a few over the twenty mark but size really does not matter to me i just like to be out and be one with nature well more latter
In reply to Post #644
What better hobby is there than fishing in my opinion none. The people you meet and the friends you make. and on top of all that you have the nature. the animals birds and the wild flowers. it all changes by the day theres always something else to see or learn. i feel i have been really lucky although i suffer with arthritis i can still get out and fish my mate graham is now 74 years old and is still looking good we have fished together for approx 50 years a very long time and i really don't know what i would do without him he is really a big help getting my tackle to and from the swim a true friend. . He is truly one of the old school anglers and came down with me when i first met dick walker. dick also gave him a nice rod another 10 ft Avon. it seems such a long time ago since i met graham and we used to go and fish the atcham stretch of the Severn at shrewsbury and fish for the chub we would catch. our methods were a bit crude we used nut and bolts for ledgers the rods were really not that good i still had the tank aerial rods the line was thick and springy we made our own floats as our wages were not that great and we had young families to keep. we would go night fishing for the eels and in those days we would catch loads the river was stuffed with them. we would give or sell a few to the local pub landlord who always liked them kept alive in a bucket of water before he killed them he would jelly them and sell them in the pub i well remember taking a rather large specimen in the bucket it was around three pounds plus i gave the bucket to his wife behind the bar on having a look the eel came over the top of the bucket and slid onto the floor behind the bar i kid you not the barmaids panicked and shouted the bar was in turmoil we could not stop laughing we eventually got it back in the bucket the landlord's wife banned him having any more eels from us. thats only one of many stories i can tell that still sticks in our memorys well a bit more latter
What better hobby is there than fishing in my opinion none. The people you meet and the friends you make. and on top of all that you have the nature. the animals birds and the wild flowers. it all changes by the day theres always something else to see or learn. i feel i have been really lucky although i suffer with arthritis i can still get out and fish my mate graham is now 74 years old and is still looking good we have fished together for approx 50 years a very long time and i really don't know what i would do without him he is really a big help getting my tackle to and from the swim a true friend. . He is truly one of the old school anglers and came down with me when i first met dick walker. dick also gave him a nice rod another 10 ft Avon. it seems such a long time ago since i met graham and we used to go and fish the atcham stretch of the Severn at shrewsbury and fish for the chub we would catch. our methods were a bit crude we used nut and bolts for ledgers the rods were really not that good i still had the tank aerial rods the line was thick and springy we made our own floats as our wages were not that great and we had young families to keep. we would go night fishing for the eels and in those days we would catch loads the river was stuffed with them. we would give or sell a few to the local pub landlord who always liked them kept alive in a bucket of water before he killed them he would jelly them and sell them in the pub i well remember taking a rather large specimen in the bucket it was around three pounds plus i gave the bucket to his wife behind the bar on having a look the eel came over the top of the bucket and slid onto the floor behind the bar i kid you not the barmaids panicked and shouted the bar was in turmoil we could not stop laughing we eventually got it back in the bucket the landlord's wife banned him having any more eels from us. thats only one of many stories i can tell that still sticks in our memorys well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #645
Its certainly not nice weather we went fishing to another water today it absolutely rained heavy on getting to the lake it was green all over the old algae bloom has appeared once again. i got talking to some other anglers fishing the water who had been on a 48 hour session and had blanked they were putting it down to the algae bloom. it seems no one has been catching for at least a week by the time we went most others had packed and gone home. we both persevered but it was hopeless The farmer had but barley straw in the lake in the early spring but it has not done much good up to now. so it was another blank. i am going away for a short holiday next week so i really do hope things improve by the time i get back. our syndicate water has also not been producing like it should. i really did think it would with the cooler weather. i am going on a badger watch over the weekend i have been asked to take a party of youngsters out i just hope they keep quite as it will be a waste, of time we usually take a few peanuts and scatter them around broc really loves them. if thing go right they may even see some cubs as the sow may bring them down the bank finding the peanuts we scatter at the side of the wood where we have our hide. the cubs will be quite big now. they may even see a fox or two so i have told them to bring thier cameras. we shall continue our barbel fishing the fresh rain should really put some color into the river and the flush throught will do it the world of good. But wether i will go before our holls i dont know as i am quite tyed up with other things. WE have been also asked by the local farmers to clear a few of the rabbits that abound the land arround here there are litterly hundreds i dont think i have seen as many since the early fiftys. well thats it for now more to follow
Its certainly not nice weather we went fishing to another water today it absolutely rained heavy on getting to the lake it was green all over the old algae bloom has appeared once again. i got talking to some other anglers fishing the water who had been on a 48 hour session and had blanked they were putting it down to the algae bloom. it seems no one has been catching for at least a week by the time we went most others had packed and gone home. we both persevered but it was hopeless The farmer had but barley straw in the lake in the early spring but it has not done much good up to now. so it was another blank. i am going away for a short holiday next week so i really do hope things improve by the time i get back. our syndicate water has also not been producing like it should. i really did think it would with the cooler weather. i am going on a badger watch over the weekend i have been asked to take a party of youngsters out i just hope they keep quite as it will be a waste, of time we usually take a few peanuts and scatter them around broc really loves them. if thing go right they may even see some cubs as the sow may bring them down the bank finding the peanuts we scatter at the side of the wood where we have our hide. the cubs will be quite big now. they may even see a fox or two so i have told them to bring thier cameras. we shall continue our barbel fishing the fresh rain should really put some color into the river and the flush throught will do it the world of good. But wether i will go before our holls i dont know as i am quite tyed up with other things. WE have been also asked by the local farmers to clear a few of the rabbits that abound the land arround here there are litterly hundreds i dont think i have seen as many since the early fiftys. well thats it for now more to follow
In reply to Post #646
Life's really strange is it not when i was young and i poached the land around here and other parts of Shropshire the land was strictly private if you got caught you certainly would be in court. we past a number of fields full of potatoes when we were out the other day i said to graham a few years ago i would be over the hedge and would have a bag full mostly well before the farmer was out of his bed. But thing have changed for the best no need to do that any more well i cant run now to old for all that.. but the same farmers sons who chased me all those years ago now let me go on their land i could be out all the while catching the rabbits fishing and generally clearing the vermin they ask me and have real trust in myself and graham. But my health really does play a part. when i was young i knew the animals that were in the country side i learned from an early age. i feel very sad when some of the younger generation have never seen a badger or a fox that's why i some times take a party out for the evening but that's life they spend more time on their computers. when i was young all we had was fishing or playing in the country side you could go birds nesting build a camp cook yourself an egg or bake potatoes on the fire you would live and breath the country side catch the rabbits find the ducks nest nothing would be wasted all would be eaten. i would collect the moorhens eggs and we would eat those as well but today it has all changed well a bit more latter
Life's really strange is it not when i was young and i poached the land around here and other parts of Shropshire the land was strictly private if you got caught you certainly would be in court. we past a number of fields full of potatoes when we were out the other day i said to graham a few years ago i would be over the hedge and would have a bag full mostly well before the farmer was out of his bed. But thing have changed for the best no need to do that any more well i cant run now to old for all that.. but the same farmers sons who chased me all those years ago now let me go on their land i could be out all the while catching the rabbits fishing and generally clearing the vermin they ask me and have real trust in myself and graham. But my health really does play a part. when i was young i knew the animals that were in the country side i learned from an early age. i feel very sad when some of the younger generation have never seen a badger or a fox that's why i some times take a party out for the evening but that's life they spend more time on their computers. when i was young all we had was fishing or playing in the country side you could go birds nesting build a camp cook yourself an egg or bake potatoes on the fire you would live and breath the country side catch the rabbits find the ducks nest nothing would be wasted all would be eaten. i would collect the moorhens eggs and we would eat those as well but today it has all changed well a bit more latter
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In reply to Post #647
Been doing a bit of sea fishing this week its was a great change lots of mackerel and a few sea bream caught. sadly i did not take my boat with me as i may have had a few skate and doggies maybe next time. now i am back we have a busy time in front of us what with fishing i have to run our shoot with the help of a friend who i could not do without we have barley to put out for the ducks and more bins to fill with corn for our pheasants but most of the syndicate help with the lifting and my job is really just helping and organizing to make sure it runs smoothly. my mate tony and graham are tirlesss workers and are a great help when running the shoot i have had the shoot for at least thirty five years and has been a big part of my life . What with the fishing i wander some times how i find the time to do it all. come october ill have the boat out and will start my piking graham and myself really like to get out and have caught some resonable fish from the boat i have had a lot of succees using jelly lures. and a few good ones using float fished dead baits. i also like to ledger dead baits in the river and i have acounted for some big fish over the years. But for now we will be back trying to catch the carp . and also doing a bit of barbel fishing. I will have to get another freind rodger to help clear some of the rabbits probably do a bit of ferreting but we will leave that till september we must keep the farmers happy as i have gained lots of fishing in the past by helping the farmers out. well a bit more latter on
Been doing a bit of sea fishing this week its was a great change lots of mackerel and a few sea bream caught. sadly i did not take my boat with me as i may have had a few skate and doggies maybe next time. now i am back we have a busy time in front of us what with fishing i have to run our shoot with the help of a friend who i could not do without we have barley to put out for the ducks and more bins to fill with corn for our pheasants but most of the syndicate help with the lifting and my job is really just helping and organizing to make sure it runs smoothly. my mate tony and graham are tirlesss workers and are a great help when running the shoot i have had the shoot for at least thirty five years and has been a big part of my life . What with the fishing i wander some times how i find the time to do it all. come october ill have the boat out and will start my piking graham and myself really like to get out and have caught some resonable fish from the boat i have had a lot of succees using jelly lures. and a few good ones using float fished dead baits. i also like to ledger dead baits in the river and i have acounted for some big fish over the years. But for now we will be back trying to catch the carp . and also doing a bit of barbel fishing. I will have to get another freind rodger to help clear some of the rabbits probably do a bit of ferreting but we will leave that till september we must keep the farmers happy as i have gained lots of fishing in the past by helping the farmers out. well a bit more latter on
In reply to Post #649
What a night we have just had first night back off holiday. got up for a pee in the the toilet and the landing was full of wasps it sounded like the attic was full of the little critters what a noise they were making.. i have managed to kill those on the landing. but will have to get the pest control in tomorrow had a quick look in the attic but cant see where the nest is a few years ago, i would have been up there and would use symag on them and collected the grubs a little latter great bait for chub fishing and i have had some good days using them. But with my health arthritis i think i will leave well alone as i cant move that quick. Even when i was young it was always a dangerous job and i have had to run on more than one occasion and have been stung a few times when digging the nest out but wasp grubs trotted down the river with a big old Avon float has caught myself and Friends a good many quality chub and a scattering of good roach also. Its really has frightened the wife so i must get them killed tomorrow it really was a bit off putting in the middle of the night when you were half a sleep. i may still collect the grubs when the wasps are dead ill see what the pest control says tomorrow. Well we are going after the carp again on tuesday get those baits back on the plato and keep our fingers crossed for some action i just hope with the rain and wind they have had here while i was away it has improved the fishing . We will also be carrying on with our barbel fishing and i know we will catch a few specimens over the coming weeks and into the winter which in my opinoin the best time for the bigger fish we will have to wait and see more to come latter
What a night we have just had first night back off holiday. got up for a pee in the the toilet and the landing was full of wasps it sounded like the attic was full of the little critters what a noise they were making.. i have managed to kill those on the landing. but will have to get the pest control in tomorrow had a quick look in the attic but cant see where the nest is a few years ago, i would have been up there and would use symag on them and collected the grubs a little latter great bait for chub fishing and i have had some good days using them. But with my health arthritis i think i will leave well alone as i cant move that quick. Even when i was young it was always a dangerous job and i have had to run on more than one occasion and have been stung a few times when digging the nest out but wasp grubs trotted down the river with a big old Avon float has caught myself and Friends a good many quality chub and a scattering of good roach also. Its really has frightened the wife so i must get them killed tomorrow it really was a bit off putting in the middle of the night when you were half a sleep. i may still collect the grubs when the wasps are dead ill see what the pest control says tomorrow. Well we are going after the carp again on tuesday get those baits back on the plato and keep our fingers crossed for some action i just hope with the rain and wind they have had here while i was away it has improved the fishing . We will also be carrying on with our barbel fishing and i know we will catch a few specimens over the coming weeks and into the winter which in my opinoin the best time for the bigger fish we will have to wait and see more to come latter