In reply to Post #849
I have been out in all weathers and climbed the rugged terrain of the mountains that bordered wales i have watched the brown hair scamper across this rugged country side i have stood on the black mountains above clun and felt very much alone as you waited maybe hours for the sound of the beaters as they drove the foxes towards the waiting guns but i always had plenty to see while i waited the buzzard would mew above as he glided on the thermal the old hair would pass you by as he made his get away the odd rabbit would scuttle away to his hole hidden in the fern and bracon we were not there to shoot the rabbits but the foxes for the hill farmers so there lambs and sheep would be safe ,it was there livelihood.
Some of these foxes were huge they lived on the best , we shot one that weighted 28 pounds now that is big he was like a lion not all are like that but a few are a lot bigger than the old country fox that prowls the low lands, in a day i have seen up to 15 foxes killed it was doing a good job for the local farmers but it always caused me a bit of sadness as they are such a beautiful animal but alas these things must be done its part of being in the country side but it was not all about killing foxes if the farmers thought you were doing a good job and they could trust you and believe me you had,to earn there trust you may come up trumps by being offered a bit of fishing on his private lake or permission to fish the brook or river that ran through his land.
The amount of fishing we have acquired through helping the farmers was quite substantial i have fished the clun brook many times spinning its depths for the old brown trout i have also wormed the pools coming home with half a dozen spotted trout a lovely way to spend the day, we have also fished the old estate lake hidden in some forgotten wood we would not have known it was there if it had not been for the fox drives we have caught the tench the carp as well not huge by today's standard but using light float tackle great fishing the carp only about five pounds but did they go. I wander who stocked these lakes that are hidden from the human eye was it the monks from long ago or was it the land owner maybe for food who knows . A bit more latter
I have been out in all weathers and climbed the rugged terrain of the mountains that bordered wales i have watched the brown hair scamper across this rugged country side i have stood on the black mountains above clun and felt very much alone as you waited maybe hours for the sound of the beaters as they drove the foxes towards the waiting guns but i always had plenty to see while i waited the buzzard would mew above as he glided on the thermal the old hair would pass you by as he made his get away the odd rabbit would scuttle away to his hole hidden in the fern and bracon we were not there to shoot the rabbits but the foxes for the hill farmers so there lambs and sheep would be safe ,it was there livelihood.
Some of these foxes were huge they lived on the best , we shot one that weighted 28 pounds now that is big he was like a lion not all are like that but a few are a lot bigger than the old country fox that prowls the low lands, in a day i have seen up to 15 foxes killed it was doing a good job for the local farmers but it always caused me a bit of sadness as they are such a beautiful animal but alas these things must be done its part of being in the country side but it was not all about killing foxes if the farmers thought you were doing a good job and they could trust you and believe me you had,to earn there trust you may come up trumps by being offered a bit of fishing on his private lake or permission to fish the brook or river that ran through his land.
The amount of fishing we have acquired through helping the farmers was quite substantial i have fished the clun brook many times spinning its depths for the old brown trout i have also wormed the pools coming home with half a dozen spotted trout a lovely way to spend the day, we have also fished the old estate lake hidden in some forgotten wood we would not have known it was there if it had not been for the fox drives we have caught the tench the carp as well not huge by today's standard but using light float tackle great fishing the carp only about five pounds but did they go. I wander who stocked these lakes that are hidden from the human eye was it the monks from long ago or was it the land owner maybe for food who knows . A bit more latter
In reply to Post #850
One estate in Shropshire not far from shrewsbury was so private that if you were caught you were instantly in court there was so many keepers the estate stretched for miles just behind the big house or hall ran the river severn i managed to get a ticket to fish for the salmon it was a most beautiful stretch i would walk with my old spinning rod and fish the many pools i had some fantastic fish from that water pike to 21 pounds and salmon to 23 pounds in those days you could sell them to the local hotels which would make you a bit of money but those days have long gone the big runs of salmon don't materialize any more a sad really to many boats netting them before they reach our shores.
I was determined to poach that estate i am not going to mention names as it is still very private it also had a beautiful lake i expect some will know where i am talking about, friends would say don't go anywhere near the place as you will be caught well i nearly did this one night i got chased a fair way before losing the keepers by wading across the severn and lying down in the under growth on the far side i could hear them talking and stayed in that position for at least two hours i had been shooting a few pheasants with my rifle and lamp when i heard a shout saying stand where you are i said bugger off you, and made a run for it i hid my birds in a sack in some old rhododendron bushes i know there was at least three chasing me and i really thought i would be caught but i made it across the severn i waited a fair time before going back to collected the birds and my gun it put the fear of god into me and i was not that keen on going back, but i did on lots of occasions, I fished that old lake and would hide within the reeds beds making enough space to cast my rod and play the fish it was full of Tench all around four to five pounds i never weighted any i caught just put them in the keep-net, at times i would jump and hold my breath as i heard a noise behind me some where in the woods, you would hear Tawney owl and the screech of the barn owl that was bad enought but i was used to those noises what i did not like was the crack of a twig as if some one was walking about.
I caught some big eels from this lake i would leave a night line or two down and hide them in the mud between the reeds pegging them down before i left i would usually used big bunches of lob worms i would go back a couple of days latter usually about midnight and pull the lines in i have caught eels to 4pound plus from that lake using night lines, but i prefered the eels around two to three pounds to take home to eat i would have no trouble getting rid of them even the lanlord of the pub would buy them from me, i loved my way of live althought it did concern my parents but i would tell them not to worry as i could out run most keepers i was young and fit and had no fear. well a bit more latter
One estate in Shropshire not far from shrewsbury was so private that if you were caught you were instantly in court there was so many keepers the estate stretched for miles just behind the big house or hall ran the river severn i managed to get a ticket to fish for the salmon it was a most beautiful stretch i would walk with my old spinning rod and fish the many pools i had some fantastic fish from that water pike to 21 pounds and salmon to 23 pounds in those days you could sell them to the local hotels which would make you a bit of money but those days have long gone the big runs of salmon don't materialize any more a sad really to many boats netting them before they reach our shores.
I was determined to poach that estate i am not going to mention names as it is still very private it also had a beautiful lake i expect some will know where i am talking about, friends would say don't go anywhere near the place as you will be caught well i nearly did this one night i got chased a fair way before losing the keepers by wading across the severn and lying down in the under growth on the far side i could hear them talking and stayed in that position for at least two hours i had been shooting a few pheasants with my rifle and lamp when i heard a shout saying stand where you are i said bugger off you, and made a run for it i hid my birds in a sack in some old rhododendron bushes i know there was at least three chasing me and i really thought i would be caught but i made it across the severn i waited a fair time before going back to collected the birds and my gun it put the fear of god into me and i was not that keen on going back, but i did on lots of occasions, I fished that old lake and would hide within the reeds beds making enough space to cast my rod and play the fish it was full of Tench all around four to five pounds i never weighted any i caught just put them in the keep-net, at times i would jump and hold my breath as i heard a noise behind me some where in the woods, you would hear Tawney owl and the screech of the barn owl that was bad enought but i was used to those noises what i did not like was the crack of a twig as if some one was walking about.
I caught some big eels from this lake i would leave a night line or two down and hide them in the mud between the reeds pegging them down before i left i would usually used big bunches of lob worms i would go back a couple of days latter usually about midnight and pull the lines in i have caught eels to 4pound plus from that lake using night lines, but i prefered the eels around two to three pounds to take home to eat i would have no trouble getting rid of them even the lanlord of the pub would buy them from me, i loved my way of live althought it did concern my parents but i would tell them not to worry as i could out run most keepers i was young and fit and had no fear. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #851
My old springer SAM came every where with me in Shropshire, to most he was a star he was brought up fishing and would come on most sessions with me and he could catch fish he would spend hours standing in water nearly up to his neck with his paw stretched out in front as if he was ready to spring or jump on his prey, and he would his head would disappear under water next minute he would have a fish in his mouth he did this many times he was a better poacher than i. I have seen him catch trout over four pounds he would come trotting back as proud as punch with a big old trout in his mouth he would never bite them and you could always return them back to the water unharmed much to Sam's disgust.
i have stood with old SAM at my side in all weathers waiting for the geese or duck to appear on an evening flight and he would tell me the geese were on the way long before i had seen them it was his actions He would look up and get very exited he had some sort of sixth sense i think most dogs have this and in some cases can warn there owners of impending danger, he excelled as a shooting dog and at times i have had serious offers to buy him but i always refused not only was he a dog but a friend i have been on some big shoots with very posh guns lords and ladies and SAM never once let me down he found pheasants that other dogs could not, he had a very good nose and could find most wounded game, i have got sam's ashes still at home i just could not bury them he died from weil's disease from drinking infected water he had been injected but it made no difference the vets tried to save him but after six months treatment it was to much he collapsed and they operated on his liver but it was to late he died i have had many dogs but never one like my old SAM i have never had another since his death and i don't think i ever will so rest in piece my old friend maybe one day we will meet again.
its snowing here once again not nice weather i hope it soon goes the lakes are still frozen i have been approached by the bailiff well he is a friend to help remove the dead carp from one lake not far from my home, not a nice job as we ,have fished and caught some of these giants over the years and to see them like this will bring a tear to the eye but when that will happen i don't know as the lakes around here are still solid with ice and with more snow falling it could be some time before the weather allows us to remove the fish. i really do not understand why these fish have died when i was young the lakes would be frozen for weeks and we did not have any casualties could the farmers be spraying to much nitrate and getting into the water course and setting up a poison or is it as ken townly mentioned to me caused by a mixtiure of the salt and chemicals they put on the roads i really do wander or is it just to cold for the carp, to survive in these conditions it has also been killing barbel as well and when when chatting to dez taylor he said that barbel are not a cold water fish they come from warmer climes and i suppose he is right we have had mild weather for many winters and the fish were used to this, but the last three have been very cold and have killed fish in great numbers maybe there just not used to these tempretures. well a little more latter
My old springer SAM came every where with me in Shropshire, to most he was a star he was brought up fishing and would come on most sessions with me and he could catch fish he would spend hours standing in water nearly up to his neck with his paw stretched out in front as if he was ready to spring or jump on his prey, and he would his head would disappear under water next minute he would have a fish in his mouth he did this many times he was a better poacher than i. I have seen him catch trout over four pounds he would come trotting back as proud as punch with a big old trout in his mouth he would never bite them and you could always return them back to the water unharmed much to Sam's disgust.
i have stood with old SAM at my side in all weathers waiting for the geese or duck to appear on an evening flight and he would tell me the geese were on the way long before i had seen them it was his actions He would look up and get very exited he had some sort of sixth sense i think most dogs have this and in some cases can warn there owners of impending danger, he excelled as a shooting dog and at times i have had serious offers to buy him but i always refused not only was he a dog but a friend i have been on some big shoots with very posh guns lords and ladies and SAM never once let me down he found pheasants that other dogs could not, he had a very good nose and could find most wounded game, i have got sam's ashes still at home i just could not bury them he died from weil's disease from drinking infected water he had been injected but it made no difference the vets tried to save him but after six months treatment it was to much he collapsed and they operated on his liver but it was to late he died i have had many dogs but never one like my old SAM i have never had another since his death and i don't think i ever will so rest in piece my old friend maybe one day we will meet again.
its snowing here once again not nice weather i hope it soon goes the lakes are still frozen i have been approached by the bailiff well he is a friend to help remove the dead carp from one lake not far from my home, not a nice job as we ,have fished and caught some of these giants over the years and to see them like this will bring a tear to the eye but when that will happen i don't know as the lakes around here are still solid with ice and with more snow falling it could be some time before the weather allows us to remove the fish. i really do not understand why these fish have died when i was young the lakes would be frozen for weeks and we did not have any casualties could the farmers be spraying to much nitrate and getting into the water course and setting up a poison or is it as ken townly mentioned to me caused by a mixtiure of the salt and chemicals they put on the roads i really do wander or is it just to cold for the carp, to survive in these conditions it has also been killing barbel as well and when when chatting to dez taylor he said that barbel are not a cold water fish they come from warmer climes and i suppose he is right we have had mild weather for many winters and the fish were used to this, but the last three have been very cold and have killed fish in great numbers maybe there just not used to these tempretures. well a little more latter
In reply to Post #852
My god i fell down today put my foot in a rabbit hole while walking and fell backwards did it hurt then realized none of my syndicate were anywhere near so out came the radio and shouted for help. I could not get up due to my arthritis but no one heard my shout for assistance and i lay there staring up at the sky after a time i did manage to get up with some difficulty i made my way to the car and just sat there and waited until my syndicate returned from the woods, it was the last drive of the day, so i am home now a little bruised and aching all over what a liability i am lucky i had put my gun away, years ago if i had fell i would be up instantly who wants old age?
The old trout lake is still frozen over it was stocked with carp many years ago and on having a look you could see the carp dead below the ice it really is very sad that is four lakes that i know of years of work and dedication all gone in a couple of weeks it does make me very angry, but that's nature it will take years to get these lakes back to what they were while standing today i heard the geese calling in the distance and when they appeared i can quite honestly say i have never seen so many there was skein after skein and most passed over me literally hundreds to far up to shoot, they all landed on the old quarry pools mostly grey lag but a few canada's as well it was a great sight and i watched in awe as they circled around before they went to roost on the old pools for the night. A few years ago i would have been huddled under the far hedge row with my spaniel SAM trembling with anticipation hoping to get a shot or two.
Shooting and fishing have been like a bug to me although fishing has been my main love, but they both have one thing in common the country side and nature . i am no longer bothered about killing things and i am quite content to sit and watch others shoot or just watch the wild life i really have no need of a pheasant today, gone are the days of poaching to make a bob or two or a bird to feed the family but i will take the opportunity to shoot if a bird is presented over me, all the game we shoot is eaten by my members or friends of the syndicate and nothing is waisted while standing today i watched a big flock of long tailed tits flitting from tree to tree lovely little birds it makes you wander how such a small bird survives the cold weather we have just experienced i also saw two or three wrens and of course old cock robin none seemed worse for ware, old foxy was sighted once again theres always so much to see. well a bit more latter
My god i fell down today put my foot in a rabbit hole while walking and fell backwards did it hurt then realized none of my syndicate were anywhere near so out came the radio and shouted for help. I could not get up due to my arthritis but no one heard my shout for assistance and i lay there staring up at the sky after a time i did manage to get up with some difficulty i made my way to the car and just sat there and waited until my syndicate returned from the woods, it was the last drive of the day, so i am home now a little bruised and aching all over what a liability i am lucky i had put my gun away, years ago if i had fell i would be up instantly who wants old age?
The old trout lake is still frozen over it was stocked with carp many years ago and on having a look you could see the carp dead below the ice it really is very sad that is four lakes that i know of years of work and dedication all gone in a couple of weeks it does make me very angry, but that's nature it will take years to get these lakes back to what they were while standing today i heard the geese calling in the distance and when they appeared i can quite honestly say i have never seen so many there was skein after skein and most passed over me literally hundreds to far up to shoot, they all landed on the old quarry pools mostly grey lag but a few canada's as well it was a great sight and i watched in awe as they circled around before they went to roost on the old pools for the night. A few years ago i would have been huddled under the far hedge row with my spaniel SAM trembling with anticipation hoping to get a shot or two.
Shooting and fishing have been like a bug to me although fishing has been my main love, but they both have one thing in common the country side and nature . i am no longer bothered about killing things and i am quite content to sit and watch others shoot or just watch the wild life i really have no need of a pheasant today, gone are the days of poaching to make a bob or two or a bird to feed the family but i will take the opportunity to shoot if a bird is presented over me, all the game we shoot is eaten by my members or friends of the syndicate and nothing is waisted while standing today i watched a big flock of long tailed tits flitting from tree to tree lovely little birds it makes you wander how such a small bird survives the cold weather we have just experienced i also saw two or three wrens and of course old cock robin none seemed worse for ware, old foxy was sighted once again theres always so much to see. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #853
I am feeling a bit under the weather since falling yesterday but you must keep smiling and try and get on with life at least the snow has gone for now but reading the long range forecast it is to return with a vengeance, i really hope not as it has a big effect on our wild life but when i was younger it never really bothered me i would be away up the fields gun under my arm or rods in my hand, i was always out and about i would love to walk the hedge rows graham one side myself the other grahams terrier would work the hedge we would shoot the bolting rabbit or work the gorse and ferns that adorned the ruff ground up in hill country some times we could shoot dozens they were all welcome we would gut and clean them before reaching home and sell them to neighbours and friends we never had any trouble selling them the problem was not getting enough to fulfill our orders, they were great days we would sit and eat our sandwiches and drink our tea or coffee high up in those hills and never see a soul at times it was so quite you could hear a pin drop we could get lost in this magical land scape, you could watch the buzzard high above hunting for his meal maybe some unsuspecting rabbit. We were out one day and had shot this rabbit when there was a flash of feather nearly hitting me it was a peregrine and he was on the rabbit before i could get near enough to pick it up, what a wonderful sight and away he went rabbit and all, and perched in a nearby bush to eat his prey but we did not mind this is what made our day, it was about being out with nature not just the shooting that was a means to an end but a wonderful way to spend the day we did this many times and i never tired of the wonderful scenery and the wild life we saw.
It was the same with my fishing of course you wanted to catch but with me it was more than just fishing it was watching all that went on around you i even got pleasure watching the frogs in the old lake or the water vole going to his nest which was in a the hole under the bank. The lovely coloured dragon fly with there bulbous eyes the sand martins hunting the insects above the pool there was always so much to see, . you would find the robins nest tucked under the far, bank with its eggs the crows nest up in the old oak by the lake side i would clime and look into the nest and see and hold the eggs it all gave me pleasure. To watch the tench sending the bubbles up as it hunted the bottom of the old lake in search of food see the perch chasing its prey it was a great way to spend the day and i never tired of all these wondrous things. more latter
I am feeling a bit under the weather since falling yesterday but you must keep smiling and try and get on with life at least the snow has gone for now but reading the long range forecast it is to return with a vengeance, i really hope not as it has a big effect on our wild life but when i was younger it never really bothered me i would be away up the fields gun under my arm or rods in my hand, i was always out and about i would love to walk the hedge rows graham one side myself the other grahams terrier would work the hedge we would shoot the bolting rabbit or work the gorse and ferns that adorned the ruff ground up in hill country some times we could shoot dozens they were all welcome we would gut and clean them before reaching home and sell them to neighbours and friends we never had any trouble selling them the problem was not getting enough to fulfill our orders, they were great days we would sit and eat our sandwiches and drink our tea or coffee high up in those hills and never see a soul at times it was so quite you could hear a pin drop we could get lost in this magical land scape, you could watch the buzzard high above hunting for his meal maybe some unsuspecting rabbit. We were out one day and had shot this rabbit when there was a flash of feather nearly hitting me it was a peregrine and he was on the rabbit before i could get near enough to pick it up, what a wonderful sight and away he went rabbit and all, and perched in a nearby bush to eat his prey but we did not mind this is what made our day, it was about being out with nature not just the shooting that was a means to an end but a wonderful way to spend the day we did this many times and i never tired of the wonderful scenery and the wild life we saw.
It was the same with my fishing of course you wanted to catch but with me it was more than just fishing it was watching all that went on around you i even got pleasure watching the frogs in the old lake or the water vole going to his nest which was in a the hole under the bank. The lovely coloured dragon fly with there bulbous eyes the sand martins hunting the insects above the pool there was always so much to see, . you would find the robins nest tucked under the far, bank with its eggs the crows nest up in the old oak by the lake side i would clime and look into the nest and see and hold the eggs it all gave me pleasure. To watch the tench sending the bubbles up as it hunted the bottom of the old lake in search of food see the perch chasing its prey it was a great way to spend the day and i never tired of all these wondrous things. more latter
In reply to Post #854
It wont be long before spring is upon us a beautiful time of year i loved the woodlands the lakes and streams at this time of year so much to see. The birds have paired and some have youngsters the blackbird thrush and many more the fox cubs have been born and some have been weened off there mothers milk. and are now eating meat anything the vixen brings will be devoured i have watched the cubs playing with a dead hedge hog the vixen had brought them and they had a grand old time to slinging it around just like a ball before ripping it apart to eat i had a couple of friends that had foxes for pets they had reared them from babies and had been found wandering in the fields probably the mother had been shot and killed Doug would bring the one to the pub he was very well behaved and would lie down under the seat but he did like a drop of ale and the landlord would pour him a pint into a big old china bowl and he would lap it up in seconds doug had that fox for many years but it always had that wildness in him it was inbreed he would stalk old Dougs chickens and on occasions would if left kill one the other friends fox had the run off the house and if he went rabbiting with nets and ferrets the fox always went along he was very tame and would not stray to far from old bill he had him until he died funny he would sleep with the dogs and i have seen him curled up next to the cat on more then one occasion.
There was lots to see, the first of the young rabbits would be seen running about and feeding on the new grass shoots, on the lakes when trout fishing i have seen the grass snake swimming across the lake i would catch her in my landing net and pick her up and admire this lovely creature she would spit a bit and they will bite but i have never had it happen to me, i would also catch the slow worm sadly not many seen today they are still about but not in the numbers they were when i was young i would worm the brook for the browns and if lucky would bring some home for tea, it was a wonderful life, and us young lads had the run of the country side we would be all off birds nesting or out with the catapult most carried one in those days and we did shot a few rabbits over the years, we would catch them lying down in the grass or nettles and shoot them with big lead slugs we had made from the seals of the pigeon baskets that held the pigeons they were let out in the thousands every Saturday they would come by train from all over the British isles to take part in the pigeon races the sky would be black until they found the right direction to take them home i would go up to the railway sidings and help with the pigeons release, then pick the lead seals up to take home not only did they make the ammo for the catapult but also ledgers for fishing what you could not buy you made. well a bit more latter
It wont be long before spring is upon us a beautiful time of year i loved the woodlands the lakes and streams at this time of year so much to see. The birds have paired and some have youngsters the blackbird thrush and many more the fox cubs have been born and some have been weened off there mothers milk. and are now eating meat anything the vixen brings will be devoured i have watched the cubs playing with a dead hedge hog the vixen had brought them and they had a grand old time to slinging it around just like a ball before ripping it apart to eat i had a couple of friends that had foxes for pets they had reared them from babies and had been found wandering in the fields probably the mother had been shot and killed Doug would bring the one to the pub he was very well behaved and would lie down under the seat but he did like a drop of ale and the landlord would pour him a pint into a big old china bowl and he would lap it up in seconds doug had that fox for many years but it always had that wildness in him it was inbreed he would stalk old Dougs chickens and on occasions would if left kill one the other friends fox had the run off the house and if he went rabbiting with nets and ferrets the fox always went along he was very tame and would not stray to far from old bill he had him until he died funny he would sleep with the dogs and i have seen him curled up next to the cat on more then one occasion.
There was lots to see, the first of the young rabbits would be seen running about and feeding on the new grass shoots, on the lakes when trout fishing i have seen the grass snake swimming across the lake i would catch her in my landing net and pick her up and admire this lovely creature she would spit a bit and they will bite but i have never had it happen to me, i would also catch the slow worm sadly not many seen today they are still about but not in the numbers they were when i was young i would worm the brook for the browns and if lucky would bring some home for tea, it was a wonderful life, and us young lads had the run of the country side we would be all off birds nesting or out with the catapult most carried one in those days and we did shot a few rabbits over the years, we would catch them lying down in the grass or nettles and shoot them with big lead slugs we had made from the seals of the pigeon baskets that held the pigeons they were let out in the thousands every Saturday they would come by train from all over the British isles to take part in the pigeon races the sky would be black until they found the right direction to take them home i would go up to the railway sidings and help with the pigeons release, then pick the lead seals up to take home not only did they make the ammo for the catapult but also ledgers for fishing what you could not buy you made. well a bit more latter
In reply to Post #776
Good read. m8 ill let you know when i need the boat m8 . Are you coming down to help
Are you still up for the bailff job 
Good read. m8 ill let you know when i need the boat m8 . Are you coming down to help
Are you still up for the bailff job
In reply to Post #776
In reply to Post #856
yes m8 no probs you will have to come up and help get the boat out with graham not had it running for at least two years your a mec but should have no probs ill let you know more latter give us a ring friday evening im in the orthapedic in the morning ill know whats going to happen in the next few months but always willing to help you know that and i think you will need a bit of help my m8 god bless pete
yes m8 no probs you will have to come up and help get the boat out with graham not had it running for at least two years your a mec but should have no probs ill let you know more latter give us a ring friday evening im in the orthapedic in the morning ill know whats going to happen in the next few months but always willing to help you know that and i think you will need a bit of help my m8 god bless pete
In reply to Post #858
hi Pete.
I see something I never seen before today at this time of year. 3 baby Moorhens. pretty sure they was Moorhens, they dived under water when i got close. like little Quails they was..
I've never seen nothing like it considering the weather we had.
The seagulls were still standing on ice on the lake beside where I see them.
I'm Really confused, does it happen?
Sorry to read of your fall. Bolt holes covered in leaves.
hope your out an about soon Pete.
Peter
hi Pete.
I see something I never seen before today at this time of year. 3 baby Moorhens. pretty sure they was Moorhens, they dived under water when i got close. like little Quails they was..
I've never seen nothing like it considering the weather we had.
The seagulls were still standing on ice on the lake beside where I see them.
I'm Really confused, does it happen?
Sorry to read of your fall. Bolt holes covered in leaves.
hope your out an about soon Pete.
Peter
In reply to Post #859
hi Pete.
I see something I never seen before today at this time of year. 3 baby Moorhens. pretty sure they was Moorhens, they dived under water when i got close. like little Quails they was..
I've never seen nothing like it considering the weather we had.
The seagulls were still standing on ice on the lake beside where I see them.
I'm Really confused, does it happen?
Sorry to read of your fall. Bolt holes covered in leaves
hi pete i wander whats going on been watching the sparrows carrying grass also i told you about the magpie i have seen we had had a dove sitting on eggs last year in feb but got blown down in gales mind you i have seen doves and pigeon breed all year if the weather is ok. but not in the conditions we have just experienced the lakes are still frozen here and i see talk about the severe weather returning but its the first time i have heard about young moorhens this time of year how on earth did they survive in that cold, yes bolt hole covered in leaves still hurting but a bit better thanks pete
hi Pete.
I see something I never seen before today at this time of year. 3 baby Moorhens. pretty sure they was Moorhens, they dived under water when i got close. like little Quails they was..
I've never seen nothing like it considering the weather we had.
The seagulls were still standing on ice on the lake beside where I see them.
I'm Really confused, does it happen?
Sorry to read of your fall. Bolt holes covered in leaves
hi pete i wander whats going on been watching the sparrows carrying grass also i told you about the magpie i have seen we had had a dove sitting on eggs last year in feb but got blown down in gales mind you i have seen doves and pigeon breed all year if the weather is ok. but not in the conditions we have just experienced the lakes are still frozen here and i see talk about the severe weather returning but its the first time i have heard about young moorhens this time of year how on earth did they survive in that cold, yes bolt hole covered in leaves still hurting but a bit better thanks pete
In reply to Post #855
I watched a house sparrow carrying straw for its nest the other dayi think they have got there body clock wrong. i was lying in bed the other night and although i live on quite a big village i could distinctly heard a couple of foxes calling to one another the one was a dog but the other certainly was a vixen you can tell by the different, type of bark i would of thought they had mated as i have seen cubs as early as the end of february but i must admit that is exceptional it is usually march to April but i have watched young cubs playing out around the second week in April but with the weather we have experienced they maybe late mating this year.
I have known a few keepers in my life time some good some bad some loved nature but others went out of there way to destroy anything that got in the way of there work one thing i did not like and would not condone was the use of poisoned eggs i have found them on my travels left on some old path through the woods for some animal to come along and eat , usually it was injected with strychnine what a horrible death that poor animal suffered i have also seen them rolled into badger sets and they have exterminated the whole set that was the way of life for many keepers years ago thank god it does not happen like that today, i have seen all sort hanging on the keepers gibbet from badgers foxes squirrels poll cats you name it i have seen it even domestic dogs and cats in those days you dare not complain as you could end up in court for letting your dog stray so most said nothing.
my friend old SAM i never once saw him use poison he was a gentle man that really cared about nature yes he would kill the occasional fox that was causing a problem and he did snare a rabbit or two but never once did i see him use strychnine maybe he did but i never saw it while i was there and i never saw any tins with the name on the label but there was lots of different poisons used, one that caused hypothermia the keeper would inject a dead rabbit and leave it in the field or woods the crows would feed on the carcase and would die of cold but it killed a lot more than crows , Tawney owl barn owl little owl buzzard over the years things have improved but funny you saw more wild life in those days so they could not have killed all. well a bit more latter about the passed
I watched a house sparrow carrying straw for its nest the other dayi think they have got there body clock wrong. i was lying in bed the other night and although i live on quite a big village i could distinctly heard a couple of foxes calling to one another the one was a dog but the other certainly was a vixen you can tell by the different, type of bark i would of thought they had mated as i have seen cubs as early as the end of february but i must admit that is exceptional it is usually march to April but i have watched young cubs playing out around the second week in April but with the weather we have experienced they maybe late mating this year.
I have known a few keepers in my life time some good some bad some loved nature but others went out of there way to destroy anything that got in the way of there work one thing i did not like and would not condone was the use of poisoned eggs i have found them on my travels left on some old path through the woods for some animal to come along and eat , usually it was injected with strychnine what a horrible death that poor animal suffered i have also seen them rolled into badger sets and they have exterminated the whole set that was the way of life for many keepers years ago thank god it does not happen like that today, i have seen all sort hanging on the keepers gibbet from badgers foxes squirrels poll cats you name it i have seen it even domestic dogs and cats in those days you dare not complain as you could end up in court for letting your dog stray so most said nothing.
my friend old SAM i never once saw him use poison he was a gentle man that really cared about nature yes he would kill the occasional fox that was causing a problem and he did snare a rabbit or two but never once did i see him use strychnine maybe he did but i never saw it while i was there and i never saw any tins with the name on the label but there was lots of different poisons used, one that caused hypothermia the keeper would inject a dead rabbit and leave it in the field or woods the crows would feed on the carcase and would die of cold but it killed a lot more than crows , Tawney owl barn owl little owl buzzard over the years things have improved but funny you saw more wild life in those days so they could not have killed all. well a bit more latter about the passed
In reply to Post #861
I loved to walk over the longmynd the stiperstones as well it was wonderful country i also loved the clee hills abdon Burke the highest point in Shropshire real wild country and so full of wild life i remember nearly getting caught up abdon burke one christmas i was cutting a Xmas tree or two i was working up there at the time and thought i would bring a few back in the big van i was driving for family and friends, i was up this tree and i saw four or five forestry workers coming my way we were into that van and away down that hill my mate suffered with asthma and it brought on a turn what a game i had, i dumped the trees over the hedge then had to attend to him he eventually came around and started breathing better with a few squirts of the inhaler it really frightened me i thought i had lost him a couple of years latter he died from a similar turn very sad i will always remember Alex he was a great work mate and friend to continue the story i went back after dark and picked the trees up in a friends pick up they were still where i had left them.
I can say it now its long ago we had a few pheasants from that estate they would roam every where i would lie in the undergrowth and shoot them with my rifle it was a big shooting estate and the owners were relations to the queen they lived in the hall way below you could see it from above, on the top of the hill i found the remains of two Lancaster bombers the wheels showed above the boggy terrain asking around they were all killed but that was many years before. there was another estate that had a big lake in front of the hall it was strictly private i would go on the big hair and fox drives the keeper told me it had some good carp in i asked permission but was refused it belonged to lord forester i was determined to have a go but it was so heavly keepered i was a bit scared about getting caught the lake was a bit open but i did manage one night on the said lake the only thing i caught was a tench which was around four pounds i never ever went again as it was to close to the hall but i did see a few decent carp showing as far as i know they are still in the water but i wont be trying again i am a bit to old . bit more latter
I loved to walk over the longmynd the stiperstones as well it was wonderful country i also loved the clee hills abdon Burke the highest point in Shropshire real wild country and so full of wild life i remember nearly getting caught up abdon burke one christmas i was cutting a Xmas tree or two i was working up there at the time and thought i would bring a few back in the big van i was driving for family and friends, i was up this tree and i saw four or five forestry workers coming my way we were into that van and away down that hill my mate suffered with asthma and it brought on a turn what a game i had, i dumped the trees over the hedge then had to attend to him he eventually came around and started breathing better with a few squirts of the inhaler it really frightened me i thought i had lost him a couple of years latter he died from a similar turn very sad i will always remember Alex he was a great work mate and friend to continue the story i went back after dark and picked the trees up in a friends pick up they were still where i had left them.
I can say it now its long ago we had a few pheasants from that estate they would roam every where i would lie in the undergrowth and shoot them with my rifle it was a big shooting estate and the owners were relations to the queen they lived in the hall way below you could see it from above, on the top of the hill i found the remains of two Lancaster bombers the wheels showed above the boggy terrain asking around they were all killed but that was many years before. there was another estate that had a big lake in front of the hall it was strictly private i would go on the big hair and fox drives the keeper told me it had some good carp in i asked permission but was refused it belonged to lord forester i was determined to have a go but it was so heavly keepered i was a bit scared about getting caught the lake was a bit open but i did manage one night on the said lake the only thing i caught was a tench which was around four pounds i never ever went again as it was to close to the hall but i did see a few decent carp showing as far as i know they are still in the water but i wont be trying again i am a bit to old . bit more latter
In reply to Post #862
This is the time to fish the rivers when i was a youngster i would be down the Rea brook or the severn roach fishing i loved to fish down at the grey friars bridge shrews bury the locals have fed the ducks and swans there for decades and those roach knew what a piece of bread or a bit of crust was, there were a couple of really old gentleman that always fished together and always fished for the roach at grey friars in those days the river was full of roach and they would ledger proping there rods against the old iron railings by the bridge, i learned so much talking to these oldies and watching them there tackle was not that good the rods were green heart they did have fixed spool reels but not Mitchell's but could they catch roach, after roach, they would sit on there little stools and watch that rod top for movement it had only got to flicker and they would sweep the rod back towards there shoulder some times they connected at times they did not they used bread paste what was mixed in i do not know no arsley bombs for ledgers just the old ball ledger or at times the coffin ledger but they certainly knew how to catch the roach i suppose they were both in there eighties and had fished the severn all there lives at times the pike would strike and break there line they would play hell they were there for the roach and nothing else i suppose this would be in the late fifties.
The rivers were full of fish in those days no dredging no cutting the bank-side vegetation you could trot for the dace and catch huge bags roach by the bucket full and of course chub pike and perch no barbel then, it was a paradise in its own rights i would ledger on a Sunday morning in the winter by the old shrews bury boat house the church bells would ring out behind me it was a fantastic time pure heaven i was only about 16 years old and would bike down the severn with my rod tied to the cross bar and my old wicker basket on my back i would catch anything up to twenty roach in a morning lucky if you catch one now, i always fished with a like minded youngster called Robert willox and we fished most of the town water we had great catches and if we got bothered with pike out would come the old pike rod or should i say built cane sea rod but it did the job we would use a big old cork float and live bait a roach through the swim it was not long before the float vanished under the water and we were in we caught pike mostly around ten pounds but huge to us younguns i would arrive home in the afternoon exhausted and tell my parents about our adventure and the fish we had caught i had no camera in those days but my step father did an old brownie box camera he went on in life to be a profesional photographer i still have some of his old cameras nickons and such and would not part with them they are not worth that much but they are to me well theres a bit more . ill carry on latter
This is the time to fish the rivers when i was a youngster i would be down the Rea brook or the severn roach fishing i loved to fish down at the grey friars bridge shrews bury the locals have fed the ducks and swans there for decades and those roach knew what a piece of bread or a bit of crust was, there were a couple of really old gentleman that always fished together and always fished for the roach at grey friars in those days the river was full of roach and they would ledger proping there rods against the old iron railings by the bridge, i learned so much talking to these oldies and watching them there tackle was not that good the rods were green heart they did have fixed spool reels but not Mitchell's but could they catch roach, after roach, they would sit on there little stools and watch that rod top for movement it had only got to flicker and they would sweep the rod back towards there shoulder some times they connected at times they did not they used bread paste what was mixed in i do not know no arsley bombs for ledgers just the old ball ledger or at times the coffin ledger but they certainly knew how to catch the roach i suppose they were both in there eighties and had fished the severn all there lives at times the pike would strike and break there line they would play hell they were there for the roach and nothing else i suppose this would be in the late fifties.
The rivers were full of fish in those days no dredging no cutting the bank-side vegetation you could trot for the dace and catch huge bags roach by the bucket full and of course chub pike and perch no barbel then, it was a paradise in its own rights i would ledger on a Sunday morning in the winter by the old shrews bury boat house the church bells would ring out behind me it was a fantastic time pure heaven i was only about 16 years old and would bike down the severn with my rod tied to the cross bar and my old wicker basket on my back i would catch anything up to twenty roach in a morning lucky if you catch one now, i always fished with a like minded youngster called Robert willox and we fished most of the town water we had great catches and if we got bothered with pike out would come the old pike rod or should i say built cane sea rod but it did the job we would use a big old cork float and live bait a roach through the swim it was not long before the float vanished under the water and we were in we caught pike mostly around ten pounds but huge to us younguns i would arrive home in the afternoon exhausted and tell my parents about our adventure and the fish we had caught i had no camera in those days but my step father did an old brownie box camera he went on in life to be a profesional photographer i still have some of his old cameras nickons and such and would not part with them they are not worth that much but they are to me well theres a bit more . ill carry on latter
In reply to Post #863
When i was a small boy you saw little traffic on the road we did have the buses some of the farmers still used horses to plough you could walk miles without seeing a car there were a few lorries but most things went by british rail i was a completely different way of life, if you wanted to go fishing it was on your bike peddle power and that is how a lot got around. i suppose it was only the better off that could afford a car. our family managed to get a motor bike and side car i was about twelve years old then it took us every where to the sea in north wales all over but you could get rather wet and cold on some journeys even thought you were wrapped up warm .
my father would take me to where i wanted to go fishing leave me there and pick me up latter it was better than going on your push bike i would put my tackle in the side car and i would ride pillion passenger they were great days i would lie on the bank with the sun shinning over head and watch my float between the weed beds what a better way to spend your time the float would rise up and lie flat and slowly get pulled beneath the surface strike and you were in you would play the fish to the side we had no landing nets so into the water you would go and scoop the fish up with your hands they were not big by today's standard but to a young lad my age they were massive, i really did not know at first what fish they were until , some chap called peter finch told me they were carp, i got on well with peter and went with him on numerous occasions he was a mysterious chap and would stalk around the lake throwing pieces of crust into the holes between the weed beds you would see the carp sucking the bread in what a noise they made slurp, slurp, i can remember it well they would break that bread up until there was none left, but no one ever fished for them in the weeds, well another friend called chris dodd and myself did we decided to give it a go our line was quite heavy and we would coil it up on the ground behind us put a big piece of crust on the hook and give it the big heave ho we would watch that bread for hours the carp would break it up then the piece with your hook in would suddenly disappear up would come your rod and strike sometimes you would connect other times you would not, the ones you hooked you pulled through the weed, it was to thick to play the fish and they would arrive beside the bank covered in a big ball off the stuff, but you had caught looking back the biggest i had from there was ten pounds every one wanted to have a look at my prize i suppose it was big in those days, but mostly they were from three pounds to around five but we were on a learning curve the more we caught the easier it became it was a lovely way to fish in those far off hazy lazy days of summer. a bit more latter
When i was a small boy you saw little traffic on the road we did have the buses some of the farmers still used horses to plough you could walk miles without seeing a car there were a few lorries but most things went by british rail i was a completely different way of life, if you wanted to go fishing it was on your bike peddle power and that is how a lot got around. i suppose it was only the better off that could afford a car. our family managed to get a motor bike and side car i was about twelve years old then it took us every where to the sea in north wales all over but you could get rather wet and cold on some journeys even thought you were wrapped up warm .
my father would take me to where i wanted to go fishing leave me there and pick me up latter it was better than going on your push bike i would put my tackle in the side car and i would ride pillion passenger they were great days i would lie on the bank with the sun shinning over head and watch my float between the weed beds what a better way to spend your time the float would rise up and lie flat and slowly get pulled beneath the surface strike and you were in you would play the fish to the side we had no landing nets so into the water you would go and scoop the fish up with your hands they were not big by today's standard but to a young lad my age they were massive, i really did not know at first what fish they were until , some chap called peter finch told me they were carp, i got on well with peter and went with him on numerous occasions he was a mysterious chap and would stalk around the lake throwing pieces of crust into the holes between the weed beds you would see the carp sucking the bread in what a noise they made slurp, slurp, i can remember it well they would break that bread up until there was none left, but no one ever fished for them in the weeds, well another friend called chris dodd and myself did we decided to give it a go our line was quite heavy and we would coil it up on the ground behind us put a big piece of crust on the hook and give it the big heave ho we would watch that bread for hours the carp would break it up then the piece with your hook in would suddenly disappear up would come your rod and strike sometimes you would connect other times you would not, the ones you hooked you pulled through the weed, it was to thick to play the fish and they would arrive beside the bank covered in a big ball off the stuff, but you had caught looking back the biggest i had from there was ten pounds every one wanted to have a look at my prize i suppose it was big in those days, but mostly they were from three pounds to around five but we were on a learning curve the more we caught the easier it became it was a lovely way to fish in those far off hazy lazy days of summer. a bit more latter