In reply to Post #694
Very sad, Peter was a good friend to me in times of trouble and in all times, always kept in touch despite me being here and him in the UK. Am really gutted to lose such a friend. A sad loss to the angling world and his family. A fantastic chap who always had time for others to listen and to exchange experiences. So glad he shared his stories and history of ordinary people's lives with us on here and more. Sadly the world of angling has lost another great fisherman. RIP Pete, hope you are dangling a line up there somewhere

In reply to Post #240
Its likely more anglers do catch it, than are ever diagnosed, thats why carrying the card is so important, especially in the UK with so many rats at so many venues. For sure a lot of cases which are presented are diagnosed as different things , the key here is to learn.

Don't leave food uncovered, don't drink lake water, use antiseptic hand gel and don't stick your fingers in your gob.

Make sure all cuts and injuries are covered and antiseptic is used as well, remember this just minimalizes the changes , the disease can still enter the body via the mouth, eyes or nose !!

In reply to Post #446
This thread is essential reading for all youngsters, not only is it a history of Angling but also a glimpse via Pete's personal recollections of working class history of our country but it shows how hard life was for people in the 40's 50;s and even 60's , worse for the poor living in the cities as they had no rabbits or other food sources to fall back on. No tv no playstation no internet and no getting everything you want off your parents - they had no money no access to proper credit (the tally man was the only source) the only way out of poverty was education and hard work , education manners and culture were things which were respected then, keeping your job (if you had one) no matter what was also of the utmost importance. the most amazing thing was despite being skint and living in not too nice houses/flats on meagre budgets, hiding from the tally man and milkman and managing somehow to get by people were courteous and cheerful . Even those who sought solace in the bottle were funny and kept their manners .

There was a community then, people helped each other and looked out for each other too, I guess a lot of you youngsters think the old gits are whittering on about the old days again , well I am only 48 and have lived outside the UK for 15 years I can remember the late 60's and 70's 3 day week no electricity no school (fishing 4 days a week ) but the way the uk changed in 15 years so qualitatively makes it almost a country I don't recognise, values and identity we lost through our own neglect in teaching our own history to our kids, the history of real people not politicians or the rich I mean, think it would do a lot of good for todays youngsters to see what Gran and Grandad had to live through and experience and how they managed so please read the thread ask Pete questions and keep it bumped near the top

In reply to Post #433
Hi Pete was reading today in the paper about rationing and that it only really affected those without money and no black market access, reading your stories reminds me how hard up all working people were in the 40 50 and even 60's. Still no obese kids or people then though keep writing pete really enjoy these little bites of your past . no playstations phones sms or chat ,entertain yourself and we did too, whether playing footy on hackney marshes or fishing in the lea till it got dark

In reply to Post #35
Engin take photos of all your gear in your house so it can be seen its your place with copy of newspaper showing date that should do it even lay the hooklink spools out so you can see them

In reply to Post #364
this is the best thread i have ever read on this or any other forum, displays a real passion for angling.

Really great kept me spellbound for over an hour, thanks Pete filled my head full of images of the places you fished with your mates. Reminded me of my early days in the 70's too with our home made solutions bivvy covers (tea strainers as they let water in)

This is the history of our sport, how our tackle and baits rigs were developed and written by someone who took part, designed thought and mixed with his fellow anglers to do so.

the comradeship amongst Pete and his mates is also heartwarming, and the enthusiasm they showed.

how anyone can find it boring or thinks it shouldn't be shared or confined to a book escapes me .

But then given the lack of interest in reading, education and history etc in the UK today perhaps it shouldn't.

All i can say is if it wasn't for people like Pete and his mates, the likes of Cliff Fox , Nash etc ie todays tackle manufacturers and designers would never have learned enough to make the money they have providing todays young generation of carpers with all their high end tech gear and home comforts .

it may take time to read but do so its worth every syllable , we used our brains to work out solutions and made them at home , there wasn't a ready made solution available on line .

Pete please keep writing your memories mate , they are wonderful from a historical point of view , great entertainment and a tribute to your mates who have past.

those moaning about waters being mentioned ffs do you seriously think those thinking of guesting don't know where they are anyway ? Pete's writing should tell you that if he found em all that time ago without a mobile, gps etc I am sure todays guesters can

fantastic effort as well cheers

In reply to Post #104
cheers Ken now i just have to find out what weils disease is in Polish !! Yes they dont use latin names here, makes the doctors a nightmare.

we dont have rat problems on lakes as they have a lot of predators but i am not taking any chances

In reply to Post #1
Jeepers creepers- let that all be a lesson to you, cant understand why we dont have this rat problem out here at all. must be litter and too much food for them