In reply to Post #759
I think it was 1970 when graham and myself first took the lease out for berrington pool it was known locally as heart break pool a very hard place to fish and very deep it was shaped like a basin but it certainly held some good fish roach to over two pounds big perch and some huge bream. when we took on the lease the bank side vegetation was very much over grown not many had fished the place only a few of the owners friends i had known him for some years and his father. On the pool was a boat house with a punt and in the early years graham or i would row the owners wife and children around the lake . When the bream were showing on the top we would take the punt out and just sit there you could almost touch there backs .
They were busy days we now had the lease at bomere and berrington plus we were fishing the meres at ellesmere colemere white mere practically all the meres the bream record was broken at white mere but not claimed it was caught by a friend, who was very keen to keep it quite and it was broken again at col mere, by our group and owing to the fish dying the record was claimed at a weight of 11lb -12oz a good fish in those days as a lot of anglers did not believe they existed to that size we certainly proved them wrong and had some fantastic captures. And i was lucky enough to catch some of the bigger fish myself some falling just under the British record by ounces i was certainly on a high and graham and myself were getting well known for our angling exploits within our county and beyond we appeared in the press many times but i did wander if it was a good thing because we would be followed every where we fished, and some times had an audience watching us, there was a lot of jealousy in those far off days and we even had our swims soaped with carbolic luckily a friend saw it happen and we were informed, the gentleman that did it was quite well known in the bream circle and his name was nearly ruined silly man .
We were also fishing mar-bury mere in Cheshire for its big bream and other lakes within our county so you can see we were quite busy i was really never at home if we were fishing the meres i would bait up three times a week that took quite a bit of our time as we did that in the evenings that was a round trip of about thirty six miles so by the time we got home from work had tea then bait up the evening would be gone and i arrived back at home it would be dark good job i had a understanding wife, graham and i were obsessed with fishing and truly had bream fever every minute of our spare time revolved around catching bream they were crazy days we did not have much money but we managed and got by i designed some better indicators and bobbins to make it easier to fish in the dark i have already mentioned them in an earlier thread. ill tell you more latter
I think it was 1970 when graham and myself first took the lease out for berrington pool it was known locally as heart break pool a very hard place to fish and very deep it was shaped like a basin but it certainly held some good fish roach to over two pounds big perch and some huge bream. when we took on the lease the bank side vegetation was very much over grown not many had fished the place only a few of the owners friends i had known him for some years and his father. On the pool was a boat house with a punt and in the early years graham or i would row the owners wife and children around the lake . When the bream were showing on the top we would take the punt out and just sit there you could almost touch there backs .
They were busy days we now had the lease at bomere and berrington plus we were fishing the meres at ellesmere colemere white mere practically all the meres the bream record was broken at white mere but not claimed it was caught by a friend, who was very keen to keep it quite and it was broken again at col mere, by our group and owing to the fish dying the record was claimed at a weight of 11lb -12oz a good fish in those days as a lot of anglers did not believe they existed to that size we certainly proved them wrong and had some fantastic captures. And i was lucky enough to catch some of the bigger fish myself some falling just under the British record by ounces i was certainly on a high and graham and myself were getting well known for our angling exploits within our county and beyond we appeared in the press many times but i did wander if it was a good thing because we would be followed every where we fished, and some times had an audience watching us, there was a lot of jealousy in those far off days and we even had our swims soaped with carbolic luckily a friend saw it happen and we were informed, the gentleman that did it was quite well known in the bream circle and his name was nearly ruined silly man .
We were also fishing mar-bury mere in Cheshire for its big bream and other lakes within our county so you can see we were quite busy i was really never at home if we were fishing the meres i would bait up three times a week that took quite a bit of our time as we did that in the evenings that was a round trip of about thirty six miles so by the time we got home from work had tea then bait up the evening would be gone and i arrived back at home it would be dark good job i had a understanding wife, graham and i were obsessed with fishing and truly had bream fever every minute of our spare time revolved around catching bream they were crazy days we did not have much money but we managed and got by i designed some better indicators and bobbins to make it easier to fish in the dark i have already mentioned them in an earlier thread. ill tell you more latter
In reply to Post #760
i have a bit of time on my hands so ill carry on, as well as fishing bomere and berrington i was fishing birch grove long before Tim paisley had it, i got permission i cant remember how much i paid for the privilege they were idyllic days and i would spend hours spotting the fish on this water i think it was late sixties when i started fishing the place i would use luncheon meat straight on the hook no hair rig then i would use a size four hook push it through the meat then with a bit of bank side reed stem put it under the bend of the hook to keep the meat in place it was quite successful but we did have a problem especially at night eels i would get a dozen or so a night mostly around the two pounds mark but i did catch them to four pounds plus quite a nice fish.
but i was there to try and catch the carp i saw very few other anglers fishing the place i know a couple of friends one who is now in my syndicate fished it quite a lot, funny really graham never fished with me on the birch if i remember right he had work commitments one bait i did well with was maggot and caught fish to fourteen pounds i never really have any huge fish from the place i think if i remember right the biggest was 19 pounds i was told after it was a big fish for the birch in those days, but i really loved the old place and i spent some happy hours there. not far from the birch was another lake i used to poach, but i never felt easy fishing it i was always on edge although i did catch some nice carp and bream not really big but worth the effort i packed up going there. i wrote about the place on a thread some time ago about two friends who fished there one night. They had a most dreadful experience on the water and have not fished it since. i was fishing birch grove that particular night and they arrived to tell me what had happened to them i offered to go back with them but they would not return till morning to collect there tackle they were absolutely petrified, i cant say i have ever seen a ghost but they certainly had seen something that really frightened them and i can vouch for there honesty but its not the first time funny things have happened on this lake i have heard stories from other anglers plus the farmer so i keep an open mind on the subject well a bit more latter
i have a bit of time on my hands so ill carry on, as well as fishing bomere and berrington i was fishing birch grove long before Tim paisley had it, i got permission i cant remember how much i paid for the privilege they were idyllic days and i would spend hours spotting the fish on this water i think it was late sixties when i started fishing the place i would use luncheon meat straight on the hook no hair rig then i would use a size four hook push it through the meat then with a bit of bank side reed stem put it under the bend of the hook to keep the meat in place it was quite successful but we did have a problem especially at night eels i would get a dozen or so a night mostly around the two pounds mark but i did catch them to four pounds plus quite a nice fish.
but i was there to try and catch the carp i saw very few other anglers fishing the place i know a couple of friends one who is now in my syndicate fished it quite a lot, funny really graham never fished with me on the birch if i remember right he had work commitments one bait i did well with was maggot and caught fish to fourteen pounds i never really have any huge fish from the place i think if i remember right the biggest was 19 pounds i was told after it was a big fish for the birch in those days, but i really loved the old place and i spent some happy hours there. not far from the birch was another lake i used to poach, but i never felt easy fishing it i was always on edge although i did catch some nice carp and bream not really big but worth the effort i packed up going there. i wrote about the place on a thread some time ago about two friends who fished there one night. They had a most dreadful experience on the water and have not fished it since. i was fishing birch grove that particular night and they arrived to tell me what had happened to them i offered to go back with them but they would not return till morning to collect there tackle they were absolutely petrified, i cant say i have ever seen a ghost but they certainly had seen something that really frightened them and i can vouch for there honesty but its not the first time funny things have happened on this lake i have heard stories from other anglers plus the farmer so i keep an open mind on the subject well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #761
well its nearly winter again to wander the hedge rows and woods thick with snow is like walking in a winter wonder land every thing suspended in time and icicles form on every dripping tree while above the grey skies threaten more snow and the icy north wind blows through every tree and bush chilling you to the bone the beech tree stands tall ,on the still air the few bright leaves left on the tree are shown up by the frozen land scape intensifing every colour and shade of the few left on the tree not a green leaf to be seen only the ivy bush with its green sheen
you may see the prints of a fox deep in the woods as he crosses the path the snow speckled red or pink from his recent kill maybe a rabbit or the farmers chicken but he is now well gone and now lies deep below ground in the old earth he is content and has a full belly and knows he is safe no hunt today for the weather keeps them at bay so he sleeps his time away, you may hear the rapping of the woodpecker as it Carry's on the still air from deep within the wood or the call sounding like mocking laughter of the jay with his shrill raucous call the bird is a wary creature and is reluctant to show himself but you may catch a glimpse as he flips through the trees with his striking plumage he inhabits the dense woodland and lives deep within the woods he is a bit of a character and becomes a thief in in spring and summer and is disliked by many for stealing from other bird nests.
The blustery snow showers cover the ground with an icy sheet the hedge rows looks if they are covered in cotton wool with the snow piled on top and over hanging the sides the poor old rabbits can find no food, for the ground is frozen and the grass lies deep below the frozen snow so it off to the woods they must go to still there hunger they nipple the bark of any young trees and in some forests can cause extensive damage in these conditions they feed any time of day and in the half light of the evening you catch the sight of the barn owl as he glides like a ghost across the white of the field looking for his evening meal what a wondrous sight to see.
The crows glide like shadows in the half light going to the wood s to roost for the night followed by rooks with there noisy cries the cruel winter night is setting in with a forecast of more snow and frost to come so i pull my coat around me and head for home and the warmth of the fire to keep me warm more to come latter
well its nearly winter again to wander the hedge rows and woods thick with snow is like walking in a winter wonder land every thing suspended in time and icicles form on every dripping tree while above the grey skies threaten more snow and the icy north wind blows through every tree and bush chilling you to the bone the beech tree stands tall ,on the still air the few bright leaves left on the tree are shown up by the frozen land scape intensifing every colour and shade of the few left on the tree not a green leaf to be seen only the ivy bush with its green sheen
you may see the prints of a fox deep in the woods as he crosses the path the snow speckled red or pink from his recent kill maybe a rabbit or the farmers chicken but he is now well gone and now lies deep below ground in the old earth he is content and has a full belly and knows he is safe no hunt today for the weather keeps them at bay so he sleeps his time away, you may hear the rapping of the woodpecker as it Carry's on the still air from deep within the wood or the call sounding like mocking laughter of the jay with his shrill raucous call the bird is a wary creature and is reluctant to show himself but you may catch a glimpse as he flips through the trees with his striking plumage he inhabits the dense woodland and lives deep within the woods he is a bit of a character and becomes a thief in in spring and summer and is disliked by many for stealing from other bird nests.
The blustery snow showers cover the ground with an icy sheet the hedge rows looks if they are covered in cotton wool with the snow piled on top and over hanging the sides the poor old rabbits can find no food, for the ground is frozen and the grass lies deep below the frozen snow so it off to the woods they must go to still there hunger they nipple the bark of any young trees and in some forests can cause extensive damage in these conditions they feed any time of day and in the half light of the evening you catch the sight of the barn owl as he glides like a ghost across the white of the field looking for his evening meal what a wondrous sight to see.
The crows glide like shadows in the half light going to the wood s to roost for the night followed by rooks with there noisy cries the cruel winter night is setting in with a forecast of more snow and frost to come so i pull my coat around me and head for home and the warmth of the fire to keep me warm more to come latter
In reply to Post #762
I was on the lake for a twenty four hour session and decided to fish the last peg on the field side this old lake was remnants of the ice age and as i said once before had a very low stock but there was some real old warriors swimming in its depth. i wanted to fish along side of the lilies but it was impossible to cast and reach that far as it was around two hundred yards. so it was out in the boat with a bucket of pellets my one rod was baited with a pineapple pop up the others baited with fish meal bottom baits . after dropping the pop up at the edge of the lilies i put a fair helping of pellets on top, the next rod was a bit nearer dropping it in the snags and followed the same procedure giving it a fair helping of the same, i dropped the next about twenty yards in front of my bi vie in about twenty ft of water.
after getting every thing sorted i felt quite tired in those days i smoked a pipe and i lay down on the bed chair and enjoyed a good smoke with a nice hot cuppa my mate had the swim just below me so if i had any problems all i needed was to shout as it was not unknown for me to fall down owing to my condition which was arthritis looking across the lake i saw movement the far side and getting out the binoculars i realized it was in fact a dog otter it was the first time i had spotted one on this old lake and i was a bit worried, but as i watched he was away up the field and vanished through the hedge. It was September and there was a slight chill in the air i was soon in the bag and fast on it i was awoken in the early hour as the far rod with the pop up screamed off i was on the rod instantly he was well and truly hooked there were two trees in front of my movie and i could only play the fish between them it was quite difficult. It had to happen i tripped on the tree roots and down i went flat on my face i still had hold of my rod and giving a shout to my mate i managed to get up but every thing was slack ,Ive lost him mate bloody hell i was hurting. I started to wind then everything went solid he was still on and had snagged me in the lilies i was a bit afraid to take the boat out in the dark but it was the only thing i could do on getting to the lilies and putting a bit of pressure on out he came and with a bit of help from my mates son managed to land this old warrior a very nice mirror we got back to the bank and on weighting him he was twenty six pounds and as black as coal we noticed he had what appeared to be a big abscess on his shoulder but he was returned no worse for ware i had only got back in the bag when the snag rod was away and i duly landed a common of twenty three pounds it was turning into a real good session we had six carp between us by morning i was really knackered the fall really had knocked me around i slept most of the day but decided that evening it was time to head home as i had bruised my self quite badly, and was having a bit of difficulty breathing what i did not know at the time i had cracked my rib so my fishing came to an end for that year. well ill tell you more latter
I was on the lake for a twenty four hour session and decided to fish the last peg on the field side this old lake was remnants of the ice age and as i said once before had a very low stock but there was some real old warriors swimming in its depth. i wanted to fish along side of the lilies but it was impossible to cast and reach that far as it was around two hundred yards. so it was out in the boat with a bucket of pellets my one rod was baited with a pineapple pop up the others baited with fish meal bottom baits . after dropping the pop up at the edge of the lilies i put a fair helping of pellets on top, the next rod was a bit nearer dropping it in the snags and followed the same procedure giving it a fair helping of the same, i dropped the next about twenty yards in front of my bi vie in about twenty ft of water.
after getting every thing sorted i felt quite tired in those days i smoked a pipe and i lay down on the bed chair and enjoyed a good smoke with a nice hot cuppa my mate had the swim just below me so if i had any problems all i needed was to shout as it was not unknown for me to fall down owing to my condition which was arthritis looking across the lake i saw movement the far side and getting out the binoculars i realized it was in fact a dog otter it was the first time i had spotted one on this old lake and i was a bit worried, but as i watched he was away up the field and vanished through the hedge. It was September and there was a slight chill in the air i was soon in the bag and fast on it i was awoken in the early hour as the far rod with the pop up screamed off i was on the rod instantly he was well and truly hooked there were two trees in front of my movie and i could only play the fish between them it was quite difficult. It had to happen i tripped on the tree roots and down i went flat on my face i still had hold of my rod and giving a shout to my mate i managed to get up but every thing was slack ,Ive lost him mate bloody hell i was hurting. I started to wind then everything went solid he was still on and had snagged me in the lilies i was a bit afraid to take the boat out in the dark but it was the only thing i could do on getting to the lilies and putting a bit of pressure on out he came and with a bit of help from my mates son managed to land this old warrior a very nice mirror we got back to the bank and on weighting him he was twenty six pounds and as black as coal we noticed he had what appeared to be a big abscess on his shoulder but he was returned no worse for ware i had only got back in the bag when the snag rod was away and i duly landed a common of twenty three pounds it was turning into a real good session we had six carp between us by morning i was really knackered the fall really had knocked me around i slept most of the day but decided that evening it was time to head home as i had bruised my self quite badly, and was having a bit of difficulty breathing what i did not know at the time i had cracked my rib so my fishing came to an end for that year. well ill tell you more latter
In reply to Post #763
What a wonderful day i had yesterday i was with my small syndicate. i was standing by the little pool in the woods and reminiscing of times gone by when looking in front a fox appeared out the long grass and scrub he was trotting towards me like he had not a care in the world how crafty they are he came to a halt and sniffed the air and vanished that quickly i could scarcely believe my eyes he must of dropped down and crawled on his belly until he could find a spot to get away, the beaters came through the cover with dogs but he had gone but i did not mind as we will see him another day.
I did not see a fish show on the pool the lilies plants are now dying back and it really looked bleak they have removed the trees from around this old pool it has been there for generations and is one of many in the area that has been left by the ice age but i love the old place and have spent some happy times poaching the pheasants and fishing that pool in my youth, it holds some nice fish crucian carp big Rudd and carp and enormous eels the mozzies have been a big problem but now the trees have gone and the bank side vegetation perhaps it will be a lot better.
i well remember the ladies and gents standing around this old pool in the woods i suppose the year would be around 1959 the gents all dressed in there plus fours and tweed jackets the lady's in there tweed skirts and boots it was the duck shoot and this old pool produced hundreds, the keepers fed it daily with barley they also fed with big helpings of rotten potatoes the ducks absolutely loved them. the guns were not allowed near the pool as it was very boggy and i suppose dangerous but it never stopped me fishing . they stood well back on the ride the keepers had cleared, i would lie down in the undergrowth and watch the proceedings the whistle would sound and the beaters moved in and the ducks took flight it was an amazing sight duck after duck plummeted to the earth shot by the waiting guns some used two guns and the wives would load for there husbands they were all toffs the better off i wont bore you to much but i had a few of those ducks before the dogs even got near and i would be away up the field behind where i lay and would hide them in the tall hedge row ready to pick up latter.
But that has now gone i can only live with my memories of times long ago and days spent by that old pool in the woods i will never see the likes again the keepers have now gone no more barking from the dogs which lived in the house deep in the woods, some of the rides are still there a bit over grown but the days of of the big shoots will never return or my youth spent fishing that old pool in the woods. although the cottage still stands its been made into flats with all the mod cons i wander what old gerry would say if he saw the place now i dont know its changed so much but i still love that old pool, and the memories i have of long ago . more latter
What a wonderful day i had yesterday i was with my small syndicate. i was standing by the little pool in the woods and reminiscing of times gone by when looking in front a fox appeared out the long grass and scrub he was trotting towards me like he had not a care in the world how crafty they are he came to a halt and sniffed the air and vanished that quickly i could scarcely believe my eyes he must of dropped down and crawled on his belly until he could find a spot to get away, the beaters came through the cover with dogs but he had gone but i did not mind as we will see him another day.
I did not see a fish show on the pool the lilies plants are now dying back and it really looked bleak they have removed the trees from around this old pool it has been there for generations and is one of many in the area that has been left by the ice age but i love the old place and have spent some happy times poaching the pheasants and fishing that pool in my youth, it holds some nice fish crucian carp big Rudd and carp and enormous eels the mozzies have been a big problem but now the trees have gone and the bank side vegetation perhaps it will be a lot better.
i well remember the ladies and gents standing around this old pool in the woods i suppose the year would be around 1959 the gents all dressed in there plus fours and tweed jackets the lady's in there tweed skirts and boots it was the duck shoot and this old pool produced hundreds, the keepers fed it daily with barley they also fed with big helpings of rotten potatoes the ducks absolutely loved them. the guns were not allowed near the pool as it was very boggy and i suppose dangerous but it never stopped me fishing . they stood well back on the ride the keepers had cleared, i would lie down in the undergrowth and watch the proceedings the whistle would sound and the beaters moved in and the ducks took flight it was an amazing sight duck after duck plummeted to the earth shot by the waiting guns some used two guns and the wives would load for there husbands they were all toffs the better off i wont bore you to much but i had a few of those ducks before the dogs even got near and i would be away up the field behind where i lay and would hide them in the tall hedge row ready to pick up latter.
But that has now gone i can only live with my memories of times long ago and days spent by that old pool in the woods i will never see the likes again the keepers have now gone no more barking from the dogs which lived in the house deep in the woods, some of the rides are still there a bit over grown but the days of of the big shoots will never return or my youth spent fishing that old pool in the woods. although the cottage still stands its been made into flats with all the mod cons i wander what old gerry would say if he saw the place now i dont know its changed so much but i still love that old pool, and the memories i have of long ago . more latter
In reply to Post #764
The phone went and on answering mr pemberton yes i said i was wandering if you could meet me at dorrington tomorrow evening i am a doctor and run a little trout fishing syndicate up in the hills so it was arranged to meet on the Tuesday night. we met in the local pub at Dorrington he was a funny little chap but he explained that he was having problems with poachers and wandered if there was anything that could possibly be done to stop it going on so i arranged to meet the gentleman on the Saturday morning i new roughly where it was, it certainly was a bit out of the way way up in the hill country to get to the pools you had to drive down this muddy lane.
we eventually arrived at our destination and what a sight met my eyes three lakes all in a row with water falls cascading down from each one and then running into another it was one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen or been, it lay in an steep wooded valley with firs and mixed wood land and at the top end a spring fed stream ran into the pools, it was absolutely wonderful the banks were covered in wilds flowers and i thought if there is a heaven this must be it the nearest residence which was a farm was about one mile away on meeting the doctor he told us he stocked it with brownies and rainbow but there had been evidence that poachers had been operating and stealing his fish he had found broken line and and you could see where they had made a path through the woodland can i carry my gun off course you can don't shoot any one will you i had a chuckle to myself as if i would but you can shoot the ducks in season if you both wish graham gave me a smile and have a go at the trout but please don't take to many i assure him i would not, a few years ago maybe, i asked him who had told him about myself and graham all he said you were recommended by a friend.
where do we go from here it was a very out of the way place but i was determined to help the doc out to the best of our ability. So i made some trip wires which we strung across the path to a home, made banger which was made out of a long tube that you could put a cartridge in, i used to fill the cartridge full of rice, the trip wire would go to a cotter pin and through a drilled hole in the tube which held the bolt in position as soon as some one walked into the wire it would release the bolt and it would activate the cartridge i usually put a piece of tin sheet under the tube which was strapped to a tree, what a noise it made you could here the bang and the pellets hitting the tin, it was enough to scare most people to death. So on the saturday night saw myself and graham hiding in the fir wood above the pools it was a bit after midnight there was an almighty bang followed by lots of shouting as the poachers struggled to get away and over the hedge and into the field, in there hurry they had dropped one rod and reel but at least it worked not long after we saw a car emerge from a lane further up the road, funny we never had any more trouble for many months ill tell you more about that latter.
The phone went and on answering mr pemberton yes i said i was wandering if you could meet me at dorrington tomorrow evening i am a doctor and run a little trout fishing syndicate up in the hills so it was arranged to meet on the Tuesday night. we met in the local pub at Dorrington he was a funny little chap but he explained that he was having problems with poachers and wandered if there was anything that could possibly be done to stop it going on so i arranged to meet the gentleman on the Saturday morning i new roughly where it was, it certainly was a bit out of the way way up in the hill country to get to the pools you had to drive down this muddy lane.
we eventually arrived at our destination and what a sight met my eyes three lakes all in a row with water falls cascading down from each one and then running into another it was one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen or been, it lay in an steep wooded valley with firs and mixed wood land and at the top end a spring fed stream ran into the pools, it was absolutely wonderful the banks were covered in wilds flowers and i thought if there is a heaven this must be it the nearest residence which was a farm was about one mile away on meeting the doctor he told us he stocked it with brownies and rainbow but there had been evidence that poachers had been operating and stealing his fish he had found broken line and and you could see where they had made a path through the woodland can i carry my gun off course you can don't shoot any one will you i had a chuckle to myself as if i would but you can shoot the ducks in season if you both wish graham gave me a smile and have a go at the trout but please don't take to many i assure him i would not, a few years ago maybe, i asked him who had told him about myself and graham all he said you were recommended by a friend.
where do we go from here it was a very out of the way place but i was determined to help the doc out to the best of our ability. So i made some trip wires which we strung across the path to a home, made banger which was made out of a long tube that you could put a cartridge in, i used to fill the cartridge full of rice, the trip wire would go to a cotter pin and through a drilled hole in the tube which held the bolt in position as soon as some one walked into the wire it would release the bolt and it would activate the cartridge i usually put a piece of tin sheet under the tube which was strapped to a tree, what a noise it made you could here the bang and the pellets hitting the tin, it was enough to scare most people to death. So on the saturday night saw myself and graham hiding in the fir wood above the pools it was a bit after midnight there was an almighty bang followed by lots of shouting as the poachers struggled to get away and over the hedge and into the field, in there hurry they had dropped one rod and reel but at least it worked not long after we saw a car emerge from a lane further up the road, funny we never had any more trouble for many months ill tell you more about that latter.
In reply to Post #765
the wife and i went for a trip in the car the other day and we visited her old home up in the south Shropshire hills its a most beautiful place. when i lived up there i would walk those hills gun in hand hoping to shoot the odd grouse it was on the stiperstones a well known place in Shropshire, i loved the place and would walk for miles with a bloke called Doug whitall we loved to be out on the wet and windy moor, known as the bog it was a very wild place and in those days we would shoot the rabbits they were all black well most of them he had a little terrier and she would charge through those gorse bushes sending rabbits scuttling all ways we had some great days and by the end of the day we would be quite tired but we had the rabbits to carry home no transport in those days those rabbits that were not eaten Doug would sell at the market which made us a few bob to buy cartridges
There was some big shoots around in those days and there was always the odd pheasant, we did shoot one or two i must admit but it was out of need, and not for the money, we also shot hairs there was lots around when i was young i would take them home and the mother in law would cook them some times you had jugged hair but i was not that keen as i always thought the meat tasted quite strong. we did eat lots of pigeons and the ministry of agriculture would give you cartridge to shoot the birds as they were quite a pest, i loved pigeon pie it was lovely and really could not get enough of it, but it was very rich and i don't think today it would do your cholesterol much good but in those days you would eat most things.
I remember one Xmas the father in law had been given this Turkey. When i came home from work on Xmas eve he said can you kill it, where is it in the coal shed. what i said in there yes he said, all i had was one of the those old fashioned torches you know the ones they used on bikes, what he didn't tell me , it was bloody nasty a huge bird forty odd pounds, and he was having none of it, he took at me and scratched and pecked my legs all over, i fell over in the coal and i shouted for help the brother in law opened the door took one look and shut it again bloody hell i did manage to get hold of his neck but there was no way i could hold on to him never mind kill him. My father in law let me out i was black all over from the coal and blood running down my arms and legs from where he had scratched me i looked, and felt like a scare crow , i was bruised all over and it was like i had just completed ten rounds in a boxing ring, it put ,me off turkeys for life and to top it all the bird was still alive, not for long get that gun i said you open the door and shine the torch and ill shoot the bloody thing and that's what happened by the time i had plucked him it was really getting late. Then we found he was to big for the oven so we had to cut him up into smaller pieces, but he was very tasty on Xmas day, we lived on his meat for days after. and what was left was made into broth and a stew, when we were in the pub latter i said no wander you were given him this is all true and although i kept Turkeys latter on in life with two friends i have never come across one like that since, but it did put me off turkey for life a bit more latter
the wife and i went for a trip in the car the other day and we visited her old home up in the south Shropshire hills its a most beautiful place. when i lived up there i would walk those hills gun in hand hoping to shoot the odd grouse it was on the stiperstones a well known place in Shropshire, i loved the place and would walk for miles with a bloke called Doug whitall we loved to be out on the wet and windy moor, known as the bog it was a very wild place and in those days we would shoot the rabbits they were all black well most of them he had a little terrier and she would charge through those gorse bushes sending rabbits scuttling all ways we had some great days and by the end of the day we would be quite tired but we had the rabbits to carry home no transport in those days those rabbits that were not eaten Doug would sell at the market which made us a few bob to buy cartridges
There was some big shoots around in those days and there was always the odd pheasant, we did shoot one or two i must admit but it was out of need, and not for the money, we also shot hairs there was lots around when i was young i would take them home and the mother in law would cook them some times you had jugged hair but i was not that keen as i always thought the meat tasted quite strong. we did eat lots of pigeons and the ministry of agriculture would give you cartridge to shoot the birds as they were quite a pest, i loved pigeon pie it was lovely and really could not get enough of it, but it was very rich and i don't think today it would do your cholesterol much good but in those days you would eat most things.
I remember one Xmas the father in law had been given this Turkey. When i came home from work on Xmas eve he said can you kill it, where is it in the coal shed. what i said in there yes he said, all i had was one of the those old fashioned torches you know the ones they used on bikes, what he didn't tell me , it was bloody nasty a huge bird forty odd pounds, and he was having none of it, he took at me and scratched and pecked my legs all over, i fell over in the coal and i shouted for help the brother in law opened the door took one look and shut it again bloody hell i did manage to get hold of his neck but there was no way i could hold on to him never mind kill him. My father in law let me out i was black all over from the coal and blood running down my arms and legs from where he had scratched me i looked, and felt like a scare crow , i was bruised all over and it was like i had just completed ten rounds in a boxing ring, it put ,me off turkeys for life and to top it all the bird was still alive, not for long get that gun i said you open the door and shine the torch and ill shoot the bloody thing and that's what happened by the time i had plucked him it was really getting late. Then we found he was to big for the oven so we had to cut him up into smaller pieces, but he was very tasty on Xmas day, we lived on his meat for days after. and what was left was made into broth and a stew, when we were in the pub latter i said no wander you were given him this is all true and although i kept Turkeys latter on in life with two friends i have never come across one like that since, but it did put me off turkey for life a bit more latter
In reply to Post #766
The gales are terrible here in Shropshire the river is running bank high and the anglers that brave the weather are catching some good barbel, a friend rang me yesterday he had caught eleven with fish going to nine pounds plus you fish tight to the bank and use four oz feeders to hold bottom and most seem to be coming to the ellipse pellet its a pity my self and graham have not been able to go this week having to many commitments hospital and doc appointments so we have had to give it a miss but with a bit of luck we shall be out next week.
I love the big winds and have caught some good fish when out in them i have also shot in some very bad conditions one such shoot was i think in the eights i was in a syndicate just above much wenlock at a place called long-vile and it really frightened me to death i was standing in this strip of wood waiting for the beaters to come through the wood, the wind was so bad you had difficulty standing up and when walking it would blow you a long, really we should not have been out in such conditions the trees started to topple over and boughs started to crack off, i said to Rodger who was shooting with with me that day sod this lets try and get back to the car what a game we had what we did not know at the time the shoot had been abandoned and most had already gone home without telling the standing guns. so doging the trees that had fallen down we eventually got back to our car but it was not over we tried our normal route home and the road was blocked by a big old oak i said to Rodger no chance of getting home this way so on turning round we decided to try and get to church stretton i think it was the most frightening drive i have ever had we had to stop several times to remove branches from the road and on top of this there was the flooding a trip that should really of took half an hour took us nearly three hours by the time we got home i was totally exhausted i really did not think that we would get home that day, never again will i venture out in conditions like that.
But i have been up in the hill country shooting the ducks in September and faced similar weather with torrential rain and no where to seek shelter only the hedge for cover but i enjoyed every minute of it i could not feel my hands but we still managed to shoot a few ducks. i have fished bomere and seen bivies ripped to pieces and rods blown from there rests into the water, wind can and is very dangerous and at my age i now think twice before i venture out i now prefer the creature comforts of a warm house its just forcast more gales for tonight reaching between sixty and eighty miles an hour i hope they have got it wrong we will see. well a bit more latter
The gales are terrible here in Shropshire the river is running bank high and the anglers that brave the weather are catching some good barbel, a friend rang me yesterday he had caught eleven with fish going to nine pounds plus you fish tight to the bank and use four oz feeders to hold bottom and most seem to be coming to the ellipse pellet its a pity my self and graham have not been able to go this week having to many commitments hospital and doc appointments so we have had to give it a miss but with a bit of luck we shall be out next week.
I love the big winds and have caught some good fish when out in them i have also shot in some very bad conditions one such shoot was i think in the eights i was in a syndicate just above much wenlock at a place called long-vile and it really frightened me to death i was standing in this strip of wood waiting for the beaters to come through the wood, the wind was so bad you had difficulty standing up and when walking it would blow you a long, really we should not have been out in such conditions the trees started to topple over and boughs started to crack off, i said to Rodger who was shooting with with me that day sod this lets try and get back to the car what a game we had what we did not know at the time the shoot had been abandoned and most had already gone home without telling the standing guns. so doging the trees that had fallen down we eventually got back to our car but it was not over we tried our normal route home and the road was blocked by a big old oak i said to Rodger no chance of getting home this way so on turning round we decided to try and get to church stretton i think it was the most frightening drive i have ever had we had to stop several times to remove branches from the road and on top of this there was the flooding a trip that should really of took half an hour took us nearly three hours by the time we got home i was totally exhausted i really did not think that we would get home that day, never again will i venture out in conditions like that.
But i have been up in the hill country shooting the ducks in September and faced similar weather with torrential rain and no where to seek shelter only the hedge for cover but i enjoyed every minute of it i could not feel my hands but we still managed to shoot a few ducks. i have fished bomere and seen bivies ripped to pieces and rods blown from there rests into the water, wind can and is very dangerous and at my age i now think twice before i venture out i now prefer the creature comforts of a warm house its just forcast more gales for tonight reaching between sixty and eighty miles an hour i hope they have got it wrong we will see. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #767
The hills of Shropshire have really featured in my life i have spent some very happy time walking them with my gun , the hill farmers were not blessed with having much money, the only money they made was from the sheep some had to take another job to help ther income and also run the farm it was a hard way of life and they would be up on those hills in all weathers. lambing was a busy time of the year for all the hill farmers and one thing they did not want was to have there lambs being taken by foxes. Some conservationists may say foxes do not take lambs but they certainly do i have watched a newly born lamb being stalked by two foxes one would harris the mother and the other one would take the young lamb. So every year there would be a fox shoot this would involve hundreds of acres you could be standing for a couple of hours waiting for the beaters to appear on the horizon, pushing any foxes towards the waiting guns you may have as many as fifty standing guns spread out over a large area and then you may not even get a shot as the guns were so far a part. And some foxes did manage to get away between the line. But they usually shot up to around ten or so on a good day to the farmers delight some times we would go back to the farm where all the farmers put on a good spread with a few pints of beer or cider to wash it down they were grand days but like every thing else those days are disappearing the old ways are no longer practiced it still goes on in places but they now use dogs rather than beaters but even that is a dying a death to many do gooders who do not understand our way of life are now trying to stop it.
WE also had the big hair drives where hundreds were shot in one day they were a necessity to some of the big estates who relied on the income they made from shooting the animal, most were sold at the local markets. also rabbit shoots i did not much like going as it could be quite dangerous as some guns would really get to exited and would take shots that were a potentially dangerous, i have seen some near misses in my life time and seen some guns thrown off the shoot because of there dangerous manner . But i always went when asked as you could get some good fishing for helping the estates out. it was a very close knit community and if you did get thrown off you would never get an invite again word soon traveled. well more a bit latter
The hills of Shropshire have really featured in my life i have spent some very happy time walking them with my gun , the hill farmers were not blessed with having much money, the only money they made was from the sheep some had to take another job to help ther income and also run the farm it was a hard way of life and they would be up on those hills in all weathers. lambing was a busy time of the year for all the hill farmers and one thing they did not want was to have there lambs being taken by foxes. Some conservationists may say foxes do not take lambs but they certainly do i have watched a newly born lamb being stalked by two foxes one would harris the mother and the other one would take the young lamb. So every year there would be a fox shoot this would involve hundreds of acres you could be standing for a couple of hours waiting for the beaters to appear on the horizon, pushing any foxes towards the waiting guns you may have as many as fifty standing guns spread out over a large area and then you may not even get a shot as the guns were so far a part. And some foxes did manage to get away between the line. But they usually shot up to around ten or so on a good day to the farmers delight some times we would go back to the farm where all the farmers put on a good spread with a few pints of beer or cider to wash it down they were grand days but like every thing else those days are disappearing the old ways are no longer practiced it still goes on in places but they now use dogs rather than beaters but even that is a dying a death to many do gooders who do not understand our way of life are now trying to stop it.
WE also had the big hair drives where hundreds were shot in one day they were a necessity to some of the big estates who relied on the income they made from shooting the animal, most were sold at the local markets. also rabbit shoots i did not much like going as it could be quite dangerous as some guns would really get to exited and would take shots that were a potentially dangerous, i have seen some near misses in my life time and seen some guns thrown off the shoot because of there dangerous manner . But i always went when asked as you could get some good fishing for helping the estates out. it was a very close knit community and if you did get thrown off you would never get an invite again word soon traveled. well more a bit latter
In reply to Post #768
As i lay on my bed chair a warm breeze blew across the lake , i watched as the clouds danced across the sky throwing shadows on the water like ghosts from long ago the weather was warm as i listened i heard vixen calling her cubs up in the woods that surrounded this old lake, that was man made long ago. i was awoken from my slumber by the sound of the moorhen what a noise she made perhaps some predator was after her young . once again i was on Acton but it was years ago. i watched as the moon reflected on the surface of this magical lake not a movement did my indicators make but it was pleasure to even be there.
I shook with excitement as i lay there graham was only two swims away. We had been fishing with our friend Bern for the last forty eight hours fishing on a lovely old lake that had been recommended to us up in wales and we had had caught some stunning fish none were huge but thier looks compensated for the lack of weight we absolutely slaughtered the place and between the three of us caught 60 odd fish the biggest was only 15 pounds but we really enjoyed fishing there. Even before arriving at acton we were feeling very tired. i was soon asleep and was awoken to the sound of Bern calling saying he was into a good fish he duly landed a lovely mirror of thirty three pounds photos done it was back to the sack i had only just got into the bag when my left hand rod was away the indicator hitting the rod with a clang and staying there i picked up the rod no need to strike as the fish tore off down the centre of the lake towards the dam wall hearing the noise graham was by my side , it felt a very good fish and i soon had it under control and it soon slipped over the rim of my net we carried the fish up the bank so we could get a better look , what we saw was a beautiful common and on weighing it it turned out to be a fraction over twenty pounds i was well pleased and soon had the bait into position again i really did not have time to get in the bag and the same rod was away again this time a lovely mirror with big scales weighing in at twenty two pound i was over the moon . As yet graham had not caught. the next fish fell to bern rod a big mirror of twenty seven pound. i lost the next to a hook pull the air was blue as it looked a very big fish indeed. i need not of worried about graham as he was catching some really good tench with fish up to seven pounds plus he ended the night with twelve ,we called time next morning as we were all very tired i dont think i could have coped with another night and was glad to get home and was soon slumbering in a warm bed and dreaming about things to come . well more a bit latter
As i lay on my bed chair a warm breeze blew across the lake , i watched as the clouds danced across the sky throwing shadows on the water like ghosts from long ago the weather was warm as i listened i heard vixen calling her cubs up in the woods that surrounded this old lake, that was man made long ago. i was awoken from my slumber by the sound of the moorhen what a noise she made perhaps some predator was after her young . once again i was on Acton but it was years ago. i watched as the moon reflected on the surface of this magical lake not a movement did my indicators make but it was pleasure to even be there.
I shook with excitement as i lay there graham was only two swims away. We had been fishing with our friend Bern for the last forty eight hours fishing on a lovely old lake that had been recommended to us up in wales and we had had caught some stunning fish none were huge but thier looks compensated for the lack of weight we absolutely slaughtered the place and between the three of us caught 60 odd fish the biggest was only 15 pounds but we really enjoyed fishing there. Even before arriving at acton we were feeling very tired. i was soon asleep and was awoken to the sound of Bern calling saying he was into a good fish he duly landed a lovely mirror of thirty three pounds photos done it was back to the sack i had only just got into the bag when my left hand rod was away the indicator hitting the rod with a clang and staying there i picked up the rod no need to strike as the fish tore off down the centre of the lake towards the dam wall hearing the noise graham was by my side , it felt a very good fish and i soon had it under control and it soon slipped over the rim of my net we carried the fish up the bank so we could get a better look , what we saw was a beautiful common and on weighing it it turned out to be a fraction over twenty pounds i was well pleased and soon had the bait into position again i really did not have time to get in the bag and the same rod was away again this time a lovely mirror with big scales weighing in at twenty two pound i was over the moon . As yet graham had not caught. the next fish fell to bern rod a big mirror of twenty seven pound. i lost the next to a hook pull the air was blue as it looked a very big fish indeed. i need not of worried about graham as he was catching some really good tench with fish up to seven pounds plus he ended the night with twelve ,we called time next morning as we were all very tired i dont think i could have coped with another night and was glad to get home and was soon slumbering in a warm bed and dreaming about things to come . well more a bit latter
In reply to Post #769
AS i watched the damsel flies on the lake which had brought me so much pleasure through out my young life, i thought about all the things that had happened to me and how many friends i had made through this great old hobby of ours. it has not just been the fishing and shooting . but about meeting with like minded people who enjoy the same things. Some i have remained friends with to this very day.
some have passed on the likes of Dick walker Dennis Kelly bill Quinlan and many more but one thing we all had in common was the love of fishing and the nature that surrounds it. i could talk to dick about all aspects of fishing he was a true all rounder he did not just fish for carp. i suppose myself and graham are the same we are both all rounders sea fishing included, we have both fished for mackerel up to catching the bigger species like the shark and have had some fantastic off shore fishing i have also caught Tope to forty five pounds with shark to one hundred and fifty pounds but its been all part of my life.
To me size really does not matter i am just as happy catching small dace trotting a stick float down some fast water using Castor or maggot as bait, or ledger for the chub with pellet or cheese paste or sit on some old estate lake and float fish for the tench or Rudd it all give me pleasure its being out with friends and being one with nature. listening to the bird song or the call of the fox or hear the mew of the buzzard far above or to watch the badger worming on a warm night what more could one ask for none. as its part of nature and most is free.
never a dull moment have i had i got as much pleasure walking the woods and the fields to watch the rabbit rush from the hedge only to be shot by the man with the gun or watch the flocks of peewits on a winters night going to roost or watch the sun go down glowing red showing up the frost that glistens on the hedge and to hear the call all of the vixen in the wood calling her mate what more could i ask its has been all part of my life. To stand and shoot the duck on a winters night or even watch the skeins of geese as they pass height over head going maybe to roost on some far off lake the Canada's the grey-lags with the odd little snow goose What a noise they make as they pass over head.. well a bit more latter
AS i watched the damsel flies on the lake which had brought me so much pleasure through out my young life, i thought about all the things that had happened to me and how many friends i had made through this great old hobby of ours. it has not just been the fishing and shooting . but about meeting with like minded people who enjoy the same things. Some i have remained friends with to this very day.
some have passed on the likes of Dick walker Dennis Kelly bill Quinlan and many more but one thing we all had in common was the love of fishing and the nature that surrounds it. i could talk to dick about all aspects of fishing he was a true all rounder he did not just fish for carp. i suppose myself and graham are the same we are both all rounders sea fishing included, we have both fished for mackerel up to catching the bigger species like the shark and have had some fantastic off shore fishing i have also caught Tope to forty five pounds with shark to one hundred and fifty pounds but its been all part of my life.
To me size really does not matter i am just as happy catching small dace trotting a stick float down some fast water using Castor or maggot as bait, or ledger for the chub with pellet or cheese paste or sit on some old estate lake and float fish for the tench or Rudd it all give me pleasure its being out with friends and being one with nature. listening to the bird song or the call of the fox or hear the mew of the buzzard far above or to watch the badger worming on a warm night what more could one ask for none. as its part of nature and most is free.
never a dull moment have i had i got as much pleasure walking the woods and the fields to watch the rabbit rush from the hedge only to be shot by the man with the gun or watch the flocks of peewits on a winters night going to roost or watch the sun go down glowing red showing up the frost that glistens on the hedge and to hear the call all of the vixen in the wood calling her mate what more could i ask its has been all part of my life. To stand and shoot the duck on a winters night or even watch the skeins of geese as they pass height over head going maybe to roost on some far off lake the Canada's the grey-lags with the odd little snow goose What a noise they make as they pass over head.. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #770
i loved to walk the streams that adorn the Shropshire land scape to see the babbling waters that runs through the meadows the alders line the bank casting deep shadows on the clear waters of early summer you may see the blue flash of the dragonfly as he chases some insect he is such a formidable hunter as darts and weaves here and there
forget me nots seek the shade of the streams shore and display there blue flowers you may hear the plop of the water vole he is a shy creature sadly they are not here in numbers today they ,have been decimated by the.mink let, out by do gooders who do not under stand the country way of life.
you will see the mallard with her brood as she tries to hide her chicks amongst the yellow flag that blooms by the waters edge you may also see the weasel as he hunts for his prey on the banks of this old stream a vole or a rabbit to satisfy his hunger. The splash of the pike awakens you from your dream as he chases the minnows across the shallows. further down you see the heron standing to attention not a movement does he make, waiting for some unsuspecting fish to swim by with a quick stab with his powerful beak he has caught his meal for the day, another trout has gone his way. You hear the splash of the trout , you stand in the water as it babbles away and cast a line and watch in wonder as it menders under the over hanging bank you see the splash and the golden flash of the old trout as he takes your fly his only a pound as i hold in my hand and admire the spots that run down both sides how can i kill such a creature , so i return him to his home maybe to catch another day.
The thrush with his beautiful song also his mate breaking a snail by using using a stone like an anvil to get at the succulent flesh for its chicks she has her nest high up in the brambles that adorn the banks of the old stream . the Tawney owl drifts by like a silent ship lost at sea , looking for a young rabbit or mouse to take to the hole in the tree for its youngsters, its that time of the year new life is everywhere what a wonderful place to be. you watch in silence as the bumble bees go to the hole in the bank where they have there nest , and the sand martins dart here and there to catch the insects to feed there young and return to there nests where they have holes in the river bank just as there ancestors have done for generations. what a wondrous place we live i watch in awe at these marvelous things and it gives me great pleasure its all part of fishing and it should be treasured and kept for those that come after we have gone.. more a little latter
i loved to walk the streams that adorn the Shropshire land scape to see the babbling waters that runs through the meadows the alders line the bank casting deep shadows on the clear waters of early summer you may see the blue flash of the dragonfly as he chases some insect he is such a formidable hunter as darts and weaves here and there
forget me nots seek the shade of the streams shore and display there blue flowers you may hear the plop of the water vole he is a shy creature sadly they are not here in numbers today they ,have been decimated by the.mink let, out by do gooders who do not under stand the country way of life.
you will see the mallard with her brood as she tries to hide her chicks amongst the yellow flag that blooms by the waters edge you may also see the weasel as he hunts for his prey on the banks of this old stream a vole or a rabbit to satisfy his hunger. The splash of the pike awakens you from your dream as he chases the minnows across the shallows. further down you see the heron standing to attention not a movement does he make, waiting for some unsuspecting fish to swim by with a quick stab with his powerful beak he has caught his meal for the day, another trout has gone his way. You hear the splash of the trout , you stand in the water as it babbles away and cast a line and watch in wonder as it menders under the over hanging bank you see the splash and the golden flash of the old trout as he takes your fly his only a pound as i hold in my hand and admire the spots that run down both sides how can i kill such a creature , so i return him to his home maybe to catch another day.
The thrush with his beautiful song also his mate breaking a snail by using using a stone like an anvil to get at the succulent flesh for its chicks she has her nest high up in the brambles that adorn the banks of the old stream . the Tawney owl drifts by like a silent ship lost at sea , looking for a young rabbit or mouse to take to the hole in the tree for its youngsters, its that time of the year new life is everywhere what a wonderful place to be. you watch in silence as the bumble bees go to the hole in the bank where they have there nest , and the sand martins dart here and there to catch the insects to feed there young and return to there nests where they have holes in the river bank just as there ancestors have done for generations. what a wondrous place we live i watch in awe at these marvelous things and it gives me great pleasure its all part of fishing and it should be treasured and kept for those that come after we have gone.. more a little latter
In reply to Post #771
What an age i have lived in and a few more on here as well we have seen so much, when i look back and how we managed in the late forties and fifty it really is mind blowing we had nothing compared with what is around today we saw the introduction of the bite alarms the hair rig modern rods bolies i could go on and on but we caught fish our methods then were a bit crude, i have thought about trying out those methods today to see if they still work but i am getting a bit to old to sit behind rods looking at doe bobbins i don't think my eyes would stand it, the hooks were not the best or the line, you put your fish on the grass while taking the hook out so fish care has come on in leaps and bounds over the years. In the war years some fish caught were killed pike and perch where taken home to eat because of the food shortages you literally would eat anything to keep you going.
it made me think a bit when i wished mick or ruddles as he is known on the forum a happy birthday 77 years old and still fishing what a grand old age a bit like my mate graham 74 years old and they keep going they have seen it all mick is nine years older than me and graham 6years older. so they experienced what it was truly like in the early stages of the war and how people struggled to survive i only came along in 1942 but i know all about being hard up the money was not there if you read this mick i would be honored for you to add a piece to my stories explaining what it was like in those far off days. another thing worth mentioning national service was compulsory in those days i just missed it by a month but i still believe it was a good thing you soon learned black from white and it soon straitened up the youth of yester years. i am convinced it would do no harm today and would stop a lot of the problems we have with some of the youths of today and before i get it in the neck i don't mean all youths there are some great lads out there, but it also taught you to repect others.
christmas will soon be with us in our young days we did not get much we did hang our stocking up and usually if lucky have an orange and apple a candy mouse tin whistle but that was about it but one thing we did have was respect for our elders but in return we got love from within the family they were hard times i learned so much in my early years, i learned right from wrong i had a few beltings at school but that was a learning process if you played truant like i did you took your medicine two on each hand some times in front of all the school it carried a warning to all pupils not to mess about or they would get the same but they were good days how things have changed more money today no need to poach like i did so we could get by i think every one is better off today i dont think i would like to go back to those far off days or would i ? a bit more latter
What an age i have lived in and a few more on here as well we have seen so much, when i look back and how we managed in the late forties and fifty it really is mind blowing we had nothing compared with what is around today we saw the introduction of the bite alarms the hair rig modern rods bolies i could go on and on but we caught fish our methods then were a bit crude, i have thought about trying out those methods today to see if they still work but i am getting a bit to old to sit behind rods looking at doe bobbins i don't think my eyes would stand it, the hooks were not the best or the line, you put your fish on the grass while taking the hook out so fish care has come on in leaps and bounds over the years. In the war years some fish caught were killed pike and perch where taken home to eat because of the food shortages you literally would eat anything to keep you going.
it made me think a bit when i wished mick or ruddles as he is known on the forum a happy birthday 77 years old and still fishing what a grand old age a bit like my mate graham 74 years old and they keep going they have seen it all mick is nine years older than me and graham 6years older. so they experienced what it was truly like in the early stages of the war and how people struggled to survive i only came along in 1942 but i know all about being hard up the money was not there if you read this mick i would be honored for you to add a piece to my stories explaining what it was like in those far off days. another thing worth mentioning national service was compulsory in those days i just missed it by a month but i still believe it was a good thing you soon learned black from white and it soon straitened up the youth of yester years. i am convinced it would do no harm today and would stop a lot of the problems we have with some of the youths of today and before i get it in the neck i don't mean all youths there are some great lads out there, but it also taught you to repect others.
christmas will soon be with us in our young days we did not get much we did hang our stocking up and usually if lucky have an orange and apple a candy mouse tin whistle but that was about it but one thing we did have was respect for our elders but in return we got love from within the family they were hard times i learned so much in my early years, i learned right from wrong i had a few beltings at school but that was a learning process if you played truant like i did you took your medicine two on each hand some times in front of all the school it carried a warning to all pupils not to mess about or they would get the same but they were good days how things have changed more money today no need to poach like i did so we could get by i think every one is better off today i dont think i would like to go back to those far off days or would i ? a bit more latter
In reply to Post #772
It was in the late sixties early seventies when i first visited cumbermere in Cheshire big old estate lake, we were there to net the water for stoke angling club it was a very big water and it contained big roach some huge bream i always remember that first netting we caught so many roach in the net that we bailed them out in buckets and put in the large tanks to take to Stanley pool stoke most were around the pound mark but good fish. we also caught three bream over the British record the biggest going to 16 pounds plus this was a very big fish for those years. the fish were all weighed then put in the big tanks they also went to Stanley at that time the lake was stuffed with record bream but whether they all survived i dont know i would think some lost weight but the pool was well maintained and looked after at the time my friend dennis kelly was chairman of the club.
over the years i got to know a few of the syndicate that shot on the estate, the head of the syndicate approached me and and friend with a view to clearing the foxes there was a big population on the estate and because they did there own gamekeeping, and most worked some being farmers, they had not really got the time to clear the place of vermin ie foxes so after we looked around the estate, i decided we would do it the following Saturday there was a big heronry on the estate and i did not want to disturb these majestic birds to much with the sound of shooting.
on the morning of the shoot about twenty guns turned up experienced shooters that could be relied on, and as many again to beat the woods to cut a long story short we shot ten foxes that morning and i was introduced to the owner of the estate who wanted us to come back on a yearly basis to help keep the foxes down to an acceptable level i must admit there was far to many there i put this down to cover they were the only woods for miles well decent woods and they seemed to all congregate on this estate, it was a beautiful place and i asked the owner if there was any chance i could fish it i am afraid not we don't let any one fish it owing to the wild life and such and i don't like people wandering around the estate i was a bit took back as we had just cleared the place of foxes for him and the shoot, a few years before i would of poached the place but it was to far to travel from shrews bury. i had many happy years on that estate netting the lake and culling the foxes and i got to know the owner quite well but not once did he relent and let us fish but that was years ago i know its syndicate now and i truly wander if they catch those big bream as they must still be in there. but i now live with my memories ot that lake long ago more latter
It was in the late sixties early seventies when i first visited cumbermere in Cheshire big old estate lake, we were there to net the water for stoke angling club it was a very big water and it contained big roach some huge bream i always remember that first netting we caught so many roach in the net that we bailed them out in buckets and put in the large tanks to take to Stanley pool stoke most were around the pound mark but good fish. we also caught three bream over the British record the biggest going to 16 pounds plus this was a very big fish for those years. the fish were all weighed then put in the big tanks they also went to Stanley at that time the lake was stuffed with record bream but whether they all survived i dont know i would think some lost weight but the pool was well maintained and looked after at the time my friend dennis kelly was chairman of the club.
over the years i got to know a few of the syndicate that shot on the estate, the head of the syndicate approached me and and friend with a view to clearing the foxes there was a big population on the estate and because they did there own gamekeeping, and most worked some being farmers, they had not really got the time to clear the place of vermin ie foxes so after we looked around the estate, i decided we would do it the following Saturday there was a big heronry on the estate and i did not want to disturb these majestic birds to much with the sound of shooting.
on the morning of the shoot about twenty guns turned up experienced shooters that could be relied on, and as many again to beat the woods to cut a long story short we shot ten foxes that morning and i was introduced to the owner of the estate who wanted us to come back on a yearly basis to help keep the foxes down to an acceptable level i must admit there was far to many there i put this down to cover they were the only woods for miles well decent woods and they seemed to all congregate on this estate, it was a beautiful place and i asked the owner if there was any chance i could fish it i am afraid not we don't let any one fish it owing to the wild life and such and i don't like people wandering around the estate i was a bit took back as we had just cleared the place of foxes for him and the shoot, a few years before i would of poached the place but it was to far to travel from shrews bury. i had many happy years on that estate netting the lake and culling the foxes and i got to know the owner quite well but not once did he relent and let us fish but that was years ago i know its syndicate now and i truly wander if they catch those big bream as they must still be in there. but i now live with my memories ot that lake long ago more latter
In reply to Post #773
I was out with my syndicate today not a very good day as it was rather damp and foggy but it surprised me i was standing on the one ride and i counted five wrens and two robins i really feel for these little birds as they try and find enough food to keep them going through the winter. i also counted six wood cock get up out of thick cover on the one stand , the wood cock have now started to show in good numbers we have not shot for a couple of weeks so i was very pleased to see them, years ago the shooting syndicate shot vast numbers of wood cock but this was when it was keeper by the likes of Gerry and old bell. the birds arrive from russia Latvia and Finland and usually arrive in october and November over 800,000 arrive in our woods and remain until mid April they eat mostly spiders worms beetles larvae and small snails they probe the moist soil and feel for there prey with there long tapered bill. the gentry loved this bird to eat and it was served up for dinner for the big parties that were held at the hall, where there host lived usually the local squire, But its not for me i am not to keen not a lot of meat on the bird but i have a friend that really loves a couple to take home for eating they are a real sporting bird and when in flight can be very hard to shoot as it zig zags in flight.
i stood beside the pool deep in the wood and not a movement did i see. No fish showing like in summer it all looked so bleak not a noise did i hear only the sound of the beaters far away in the dank woods the leaves of the trees lie every where the oak the beach, look like giants with out stretched branches looking like huge arms trying to entwine you as you pass them by. They are now shutting down for winter but it wont be long before the buds appear once again the ferns and bracken have turned a golden brown, and the few deer we had have moved to pastures new i did look for there slots in the muddy earth but i found none but they will be back as the seasons move on . no sign of foxy did i see no buzzard soaring on high what a funny day it had been as i stood watching the biggest lake the memories came flooding back of times long ago when only graham and i fished this old lake out in the punt we would go and fish the places never seen. we fished for the roach and the big pike, that it held. Those days will never return the punt has long gone, from this wonderful lake. when i was young lilies covered the surface of this old place now they have gone how things have changed from long ago for the better i am not sure. As fog drifted up the lake l turned for home another day gone. more latter
I was out with my syndicate today not a very good day as it was rather damp and foggy but it surprised me i was standing on the one ride and i counted five wrens and two robins i really feel for these little birds as they try and find enough food to keep them going through the winter. i also counted six wood cock get up out of thick cover on the one stand , the wood cock have now started to show in good numbers we have not shot for a couple of weeks so i was very pleased to see them, years ago the shooting syndicate shot vast numbers of wood cock but this was when it was keeper by the likes of Gerry and old bell. the birds arrive from russia Latvia and Finland and usually arrive in october and November over 800,000 arrive in our woods and remain until mid April they eat mostly spiders worms beetles larvae and small snails they probe the moist soil and feel for there prey with there long tapered bill. the gentry loved this bird to eat and it was served up for dinner for the big parties that were held at the hall, where there host lived usually the local squire, But its not for me i am not to keen not a lot of meat on the bird but i have a friend that really loves a couple to take home for eating they are a real sporting bird and when in flight can be very hard to shoot as it zig zags in flight.
i stood beside the pool deep in the wood and not a movement did i see. No fish showing like in summer it all looked so bleak not a noise did i hear only the sound of the beaters far away in the dank woods the leaves of the trees lie every where the oak the beach, look like giants with out stretched branches looking like huge arms trying to entwine you as you pass them by. They are now shutting down for winter but it wont be long before the buds appear once again the ferns and bracken have turned a golden brown, and the few deer we had have moved to pastures new i did look for there slots in the muddy earth but i found none but they will be back as the seasons move on . no sign of foxy did i see no buzzard soaring on high what a funny day it had been as i stood watching the biggest lake the memories came flooding back of times long ago when only graham and i fished this old lake out in the punt we would go and fish the places never seen. we fished for the roach and the big pike, that it held. Those days will never return the punt has long gone, from this wonderful lake. when i was young lilies covered the surface of this old place now they have gone how things have changed from long ago for the better i am not sure. As fog drifted up the lake l turned for home another day gone. more latter