Pewsey Pipe Dream

No match today, so I decided to go and practice on the Pewsey Lake.  I have been forming some ideas in my head to try and see if I could I target some of the bigger fish in the lake. Pleasant morning was being slightly ruined by my continuing gut problems.  A trip to the hospital last Thursday has given no further clues as to whats wrong - just another try these tablets now!

I should perhaps have stayed home, but life is too short to pass up a chance to go Fishing.  As I pulled up, there was only one van parked. So I hoped the angler had not taken my first choice peg number 14. Yet to fish 1,2,3,7,11,12, 14 and 15.  Sure enough local Carper Pete Fitter was already installed in 14 - bugger.

So I plumped for my second choice Peg 12 "the Pipe Swim"; where the water outfalls from the lake.

   I have always fancied having a go at 12.  The Lake doesn't have many features so the pipe is as good as it gets, for fish holding.  Splashing to my right on 14 sees Pete landing a Carp.

Having been reading my brothers blog http://grfishingmemories.blogspot.co.uk/ this past week I thought I would do a slight ho-marge' to him and fish the waggler instead of pole.  I had several ideas on different baits, so I quickly set up.

Did a normal Pinkie and ground bait and choppy line as a back up; with a separate line with a new different bait.  Leaving well alone to rest I cast a small feeder to the far bank.  Twenty minutes passed with just small tugs on the tip.  Hit the last tug to be rewarded in with a small cray.  Crushed the Red Signal crustacean and dispatched it.

Back over the choppy and the float wouldn't settle, Perch after Perch after perch, all in all 10 at 6 ounces one around 8, two a pound plus and one a good 1.5 lb.  A match winning weight of Perch alone.  This going like a dream.  

  Time to try my new bait.

So it was with some trepidation I tried the new bait.  Fully expecting the experiment to fail I dropped the bait in.  It was silly really expecting it to carry on as it had been, but the float never moved.

Pointless going back to pinkie and worm, I know that works.  I need other options in matches.  So I decided to stick with it; and fed a little more. Dip, dip, dip and then sail away.  A Roach around 8 oz, it works by god it works! Back in and another around 6 oz.  Up shot of the experimental bait was 10 roach none bigger than 8 oz, and the smallest being 4 oz.  In short a good change bait for slightly bigger fish in a match.  Of course its not match conditions, the lake is empty but for Pete and me.

The fish are colder today as is the water.  For interest I took the temp 8 degrees, down 5 degrees on two weeks ago!  Swapping to an up in the water rig brings more small fish.  Whilst it was fun and I would have been glad of such regular bites in a match.  I was wasting time.

The one thing that wins matches here is a bonus fish normally a big Chubb or Carp.  Pete has just had another Carp against the Bulrushes, so I ping another experimental bait over on the waggler to the far bank.  A few loose offerings and wallop the waggler dives, line is paying off before I can grab the rod. Tightening down the line whines in the wind.  Loosening the clutch slightly as the Carp comes to the net, was a good move as it makes a bee line to the underwater pipe.

Seconds later a lovely 5 lb fish graces the landing net.  Glad I have brought a bigger landing net pan today.

  The new bait seems to be a hit, as two more Carp of similar size follow quickly followed by a smaller Common, (3.5 lb) all of the fish are beautifully coloured and in tip top fighting shape.  The colour, is a wonderful mahogany patina of well polished furniture.

Another five pounder puts a pleasing arc in the waggler rod.  Fish like this are little too much for a match waggler.  So I get out a proper commercial "puddle chucker" waggler and beef up the line a little. I am so glad I have my camera, who would believe the Lake so fickle during matches could produce like this.

Pete comes along to see what I am catching on and how.  I turn around to chat when the rod is nearly pulled out of my hand and another Carp rips up the lake leaping clear of the water.  Keeping the rod low, I start the task of bringing the fish to bear, its clearly better.  I gain a few yards before a dogged clutch straining line stripping run takes it back.  Come to daddy I whisper and slowly but surely it does.

Even in close it stays deep hugging the bottom and pulling toward the pipe.  I ram the tip of the rod into the water and pull slightly tightening the slipping clutch.  If I tighten anymore its going to break, so it little back winding is required to give the fish hope.  It works, the fish swims out toward open water.

The puddle chucker is bent right over and the line chimes taught in the breeze. Pete sees the fish first and says , " that's bigger, that's a good fish".  Whilst I was thinking it Pete said it, "could be a record".  Squeaky bum time.  At last the fish tired and a slowly very very carefully brought the fish to the net.  Seeing my ugly mug, or Pete on the horizon behind me, spooked the fish and it ripped away again.  

Back winding but keeping the pressure on, I slowly started to gain the edge and pull it back. As the fish slid over the net the hook sprang free and in a panic I quickly lifted.  The water erupted as the fish exploded at being caught -  Yes I had it.

What a beautiful fish, stunning golden orange, and really proud looking beast.  "That's a good fish, I'll get my scales"  says Pete, the lake record for a Mirror is 15 lb 6 oz.  I personally didn't think it was that big, but it was a lump. The scales went around to 13 lb 4 oz.  Netted the fish then weighed the net - 1 lb 2 oz, deducted and left with a smashing 12 lb 2 oz - what a lovely moment. Shame to reduce it to a weight in pounds and ounces.  Short of the record, but I was pleased Pete witnessed the catch.

Whether it was the tenseness of the fight, I am not sure, but my gut was really giving me grief.  I decided to take a little walk calm down and have a pee.  That was a mistake I felt like I was peeing red hot lava, and the pinkish tinge wasn't good either.  Still enough of that, back to the fishing.  

Celebratory crunchie and cup of tea, and fired the waggler out again.  Nothing doing though, the wind was getting up and despite sinking my line, unless I had a quick bite I was dragged out of position.  Midday arrived and the log cast wasn't working.  So as the stomach got worse I decided to end this dream session and head for home before anything embarrassing happened. 

What a day, nearly six pound of Perch, 5 pound of Roach of a good size plus 20 or so snotties.  Then to top it all 6 Carp for around 33 lb.  Never in my pipe dreams did I thing I could get 45 lb from Pewsey Lake.  It just goes to show the Pewsey ticket is well worth it.  Good people, and good fishing.

Put the fish into one net for a quick photo. 

Pete came along to say well done and offered to take a quick piccy for me to top the day.

Winter League next week.  Then its back to the Lake.  Hope I draw peg 12 my Pipe Dream.

The Rise and Fall and Rise again? of Witherington Farm

Witherington Farm call it what you like it is a place that has seen both success and controversy.  It polarizes opinions of Anglers that frequent it; and to me I call it an Enigma,Paradox, conundrum, mystery or riddle.

 It is something that is not easily explained or understood.  There was a time in its early days when, it was at the forefront of the modern angling scene.  Riding on the crest of a wave in this new world of commercial venues.  A day ticket water, something new, no need to find out where you could get exchange tickets, not syndicated, open to all.

As it grew and more lakes were added the local and angling press began to take an interest.  Novel approaches like hot food being delivered by a guy in a little electric golf cart type vehicle added to the growing reputation of both good carp and good match weights increased its popularity.

It seemed to have everything going for it.  One of the best tackle shops in the south west (Reids) on site, a cafe, toilets and a mile of parking virtually on the bank.  You could only see it getting better and stronger except it didn't hence the paradox..............why?

Some may disagree, but in my view the place stagnated. Other venues took the winning formula and copied or improved and raced forward leaving "good ol Withy" to fall into the shadows looking tired.  Now I am no fishery expert, but I know what I like and once you have seen and tasted better you start to expect more.

 I noted today on my weekly pilgrimage to Reids how many people were there, and it gladdened my heart.  This was tempered slightly to know that it was because Mayo had arranged a knock up, and the new forest juniors were being coached on Barnmoor.

It made me think, why, if not for Reids, Mayo and co the place would be nearly barren. When other commercial venues with less attributes are bursting at the seams.

I have hope though.  Recent times have seen green shoots of recovery.  Colin and Lin Selwoods partnership with Reids saw an improvement with the Cafe and I was gutted to see it not last.  I miss Lins home made cakes.

Other green shoots have been enabled by Eastliegh Angling club and a five year re stocking plan.  Added to this some work has been done on repairing platforms and trimming the vegetation around pegs etc.  Maybe just maybe, Witherington Farm is on the rise again.

Lets look at what it has going for it, and what anglers want today.

1. Parking. When an Angler gets to the venue he wants good parking and plenty of it near the peg.  There is after all so much gear to get to your peg.  Tick in the box Withys got it.

2. Lakes. Plenty of variety in lakes for all. Another tick in the box Specimen lake Barnmoor, Pleasure / knock up Match lakes Selwood and Cottage.  One of the biggest match Lakes (commonly known as the Snake) with up to 90 pegs on it!!!  Big enough for even major competitions like Fishomania.

3. Tackle. Anglers need bait and if they are a tackle tart like me, new gear.  Still the best tackle shop in the west - Reids - wealth of knowledge on all aspects of angling and competitive prices.  Quality bait etc etc nuff said.

4. Grub.  Whilst we all used to draw on the bank and do the results under a tree  or brolly.  Today the Angler wants a breakfast and somewhere warm after the day or match to have brew and tell tales of the one that got away, or collect trophies and winnings.  Withy has this a big area for the draw prizes and a cafe. The Cafe is an odd one, it has been very good and very bad.  To be honest I have seen worse and I have seen a lot better.

Rachel and Glen on the right track welcome you to Withy Farm

What I will say is the latest incarnation is a step in the right direction. Rachel and Glen, what a breath of fresh air.  They have cleaned the place up, its light and airey, new table-clothes net curtains.  Red hot freshly cooked food from an immaculately hygienically clean kitchen. They have listened to what the anglers want, slimmed down the menu, bought a cappuccino latte machine.  I had breaky there this morning and I don't think it could be bettered by any fishery or eatery in Salisbury.

5.Club House. Another tick in the box.  Plenty of room for that paperwork and Trophy awards.



6.  Are there any fish?  Probably the most important.  Anglers wont come if the float don't dip.  Eastleigh are in the early stages but they are getting a grip, good on em.  Reids cost cutter matches, Mark Blakes Festival and Mayos regular knock ups are bring people back.  Big weights are coming back.

 


7. Toilet facilities.  Basic and functional is the best you can say.  I have seen a lot better lately at different venues.  Look at the Carp Society at Lechlade, and Johns at Dandys Ford.  Clean sweet smelling bright and hygienic.  Compare - Withys Ladies have been decorated (according to wife, but could be better)  the Gents -  frankly needs major work.  Give anglers better and they will look after it honest.

8. Cost of Ticket.  In these tight for money times, value pegging or day ticket cost.

Summary................

Definite green shoots.  Withy is on the rise again in my opinion.  Most of the people involved in the fishery are pulling together; after all they are symbiotically connected.

They all want it back as the fishery that's first choice (not an afterthought) when organising fishery events.  Fishing in general has faced bad times recently; yet this fishery keeps going - just.

All the ingredients are there lets hope the owners don't sit on their past success and move with the times and keep improving.  

North Wessex Winter League - Pewsey play a blinder

Pewsey Teams 1 and 2 descended on the Bristol Avon at Sutton Benger today to kick of the North Wessex Winter League.  Meeting at the Rising Sun pub for the draw and a breaky roll (Egg, sausage and bacon).  Tea and roll downed I was informed my peg was D6.

D Section was below the weir.  Which was good oxygenated water with flow.  Bad thing was D1 was in the weir, and D6 was 150 yards down stream, just where it shallows up and comes to a standstill with no flow!

Never mind not expected to beat D1,2, and 3 so fish hard for good team points was the only option.  Just enjoy.

Drop down 5 or six feet to my swim.  The swim was limited, the tree top left was upstream so out of my peg.  Tree top right (three trunks) was in my swim and marked the end of my swim to my right, as all the rushes pushed  3 quarters of the way across the river stopping any hope of a trot.  Initially I felt hard done by.  I was severely restricted although there was 30 yards to the next peg, I couldn't reach 25 yards of them.

It was soon clear that even if I could have got to those yards with literally no flow I wouldn't have been able to trot anyhow.

With the reeds pushing so far into the river, the silt had piled up meaning my swim was 7 feet deep on the left 5 feet in front of me and 3 feet to the right.  I did have a small 4 foot hole under the far right hand tree.

The 11.00hrs whistle signaled the all in and I baited up in front of me with hemp and bread crumb, delivered by bait dropper.  Bleak pipped on the surface.  So I used a 0.6 foot rig , with a number 12 some 3 inches from the hook a number 10 a furhter 4 inches above that and a number 8, 4 inches above that which stopped the Olivetti.  Needed the Olivetti, to get the bait through the bleak and onto the bottom.

Hook was a size 20 with 3 mill bread punch for bait.  Fish first chuck a gudgeon , then three more.Then a roach.  It was steady a fish about every five minutes, for two hours.  The it dried up.  I tried for the bleak with squatt and pinkie, but only three fish in 30 minutes.  I decided to have a pee so I flicked the tip under the tree opposite with a small ground bait feeder and a worm.  While I dangled my, well you know without me saying.

Just sat down and the tip belted around.  Perch about six ounces. Flicked it out a gain and a roach grabbed it, got the roach mid river when a pike grabbed it and turned down stream.  I couldn't see where it went past the rushes, but it wasn't long before the sharp teeth severed the line.  As there were fish by the tree I decided to run a rig through.  It was about 12 meters not far; but the problem was the dense willow and bamboo , reeds etc behind me.  This meant I would have to stand and feed the pole over the top or break down every section - that's a pain.

After losing three fish whilst I was breaking down, I decided to stand the rest of the match and feed the pole above my head.  It was knackering but at least I stayed in contact with the fish.  The pike remained a pain in the ass all day, but I kept going.

There was splashing below me in the next section and from the peg above me from the Radcot angler.  I was just thinking how I would explain my low weight to the guys and preparing the sob stories when the whistle went for the all out.  The last match at Benger a month ago I had 1 lb 6oz.  I new with 63 fish I had beaten that but would it be enough.  The main thing was to beat the Swindon Isis angler on his own water.  It hurt to lose the summer League to them.

Back to the car park and the news was good both Pewsey teams had fared well.  Paul Giddings a Pewsey member who fishes for Swindon Isis had taken a pound bet with Martin Arris; and I was delighted to see Martin had took his money well done - made my day taking money of Isis - Sweet.

You just know the lads were going to give PG some serious grief.

Now for the scores on the doors. Sorry seemed to miss out section B sheet. Needless to say Spanners won his section for team 1.

Pewsey 1 is First with Kev Chubb, with Will Tapper second for Pewsey 2.

Mike Marsden 3rd for team 1, and Martin 5th for team 2

Dave Johnson (flyer peg 1 in the Weir) 1st for Team 2, and Yours truly 3rd foe team 1. As expected DI and D2 below the Weir, but I beat both the Isis lads - Yes!

 Alan Brown 3rd for Team 2, and Chris Rushton 4th for Team 1

 Leo first for Team 1 and Steve Dean 5th for team 2.

Overall results.  4 Pick ups for Pewsey teams 1. Mine by default.

Team result.  Pewsey 1 first with 28 points.
                    Clanfield / Lechlade 2nd with 24 points
                    Swindon Isis A (Home Venue) 3rd with 23 points.

Individuals 1st E Burn - Radcot 11 lb 8 oz also picks up £200.00 for Golden Peg
                 2nd D Johnson Pewsey 2  - 10 lb 5 oz
                Tied third Leo Pocock Pewsey and Wayne Starton Lechlade both with 8 lb 7 oz.

Leo picks up third, well done mate.

Below is the the 12 Pewsey anglers from Teams 1 and 2.  The interloper on the left a little aggrieved that Pewsey came Pewsey Fished and Pewsey conquered.

Well done lads.

Ireland in the 70's

Fancy a trip back in time to the 1970's - Fishing in Ireland.

Try my brothers blog  http://grfishingmemories.blogspot.co.uk/

Todber and a New disease identified

Thought I would pop in to Porton Chemical Research Center on the way home tonight from Todber Manor.

  I thought it was essential I was checked out, clearly I am suffering from a brand new / virus / infection, disease.  Sure enough the men in the white coats led me down a long corridor, fluorescent lights above cracked and fizzled, dimmed and sparked. I was put in an isolation chamber, where I was left alone.

Eventually after bouncing around the padded walls of the isolation chamber, two more men came in and strapped me on a gurney. Many cables were attached and 'x' rays taken, along with blood, urine and stool samples. (That bit was easy they got all three from my Boxers!).  Eventually I was taken back outside and sat by a small lake.

Where upon the water in front of me boiled with feeding fish , F1s, Mirror, common, grass, leather and Crucian Carp all surfaced in a long line in front of me to smile and frolic.  Pass me my rod I implored the man in the white coat.

All the best fishing gear in the world was laid before me , the latest poles, floats hooks and formula baits.  All presented by Ivan Marks, Will Raison, Kevin Ashurst, my brother Gordon, Dave Moody, Mark Blake, John Dewberry and James Carty as they all stood by and offered tips and advice.

But all this was to no avail.  They all shed a tear as the head of the Porton Down Establishment, gave me the news.  I was infected by a brand new disease.

"Carpus non Bitus"

Apparently its terminal, and the only cure is to sell all your gear and take up Golf.  Whilst the idea has merits I think I will pass.  Joking aside I did nearly kick all my gear in the lake today and walk away from Angling for good.  I know people have bad luck, but I am suffering big style at the moment.

I was invited today by Mr Moody to join him at a tackle trade match at Todber Manor.  Brilliant I thought.  Chance to have an end of summer bash and bag on the Carp before the cold and struggles of the Winter League.  Todber Manor owes me one too.  This year I have fished 3 times ( have in the past years done well on this venue) at Todber Manor.  This year, has been dire.  I cannot buy a bag of Carp from the venue.  Silvers yes Carp no.

The day started badly as a drove toward Salisbury through floods and surface water.  The previous night, had been horrendous stormy rain.  The day had dawned and still was miserable.  Picked up DM and drove on through the drizzle and gloomy conditions to Todber.  We had a A5 piece of paper with rough match details on.  Dolphin Pub in a suburb of Gillingham; and a phone number.  DM assumed I knew where we were going and vice a versa, so it was with frustration we asked several locals for directions.

Having driven around aimlessly to the amusement of the locals , who thought it would be great fun to keep sending us in the wrong direction, we decided to ring the contact number of the match organizer.
He in turn thought it would be a good idea to turn his phone off, and was on voicemail!!

We eventually found the pub, to be told help yourself to breakfast.  Great nothing left.  The landlady informed , said she would supply more but had already used her entire stock of beans.  Tea was in the pot, please help yourself to toast.  Well the Tea was empty, the Coffee was the same and the toaster well my armpit is hotter and could probably toast the bread quicker.  Eventually the new food arrived.  At the same time as the draw was about to begin.

  DM and I rammed the volcanically hot grub down and slurped our Tea.  The Toaster popped, to the delight of all, it had broken the pub record and toasted in 13 minutes flat.  The Landlord celebrated with a dance.

The draw began with DM in the loo, couldn't here what was being said, but have an idea of the rules. So hand went in the bucket and I drew Park Lake 15.  See picture above.  DM inevitably drew White Posts lake and peg 11.  Bugger sharing a vehicle and fishing miles apart is not fun.  Got DM and whizzed of to Park Lake. Car park was full and all the fishery nets were gone bar two, which were older than me and that's saying some thing.

Chris Perry (Colmic), popped along from peg 7 to shoot the breeze and borrow a plummet, I wished him well and the match started.  Straight across and fishing 6 mill hard pellet over micro.  5 Roach.  Kept feeding the short 2 plus 2 line with 8 mill Meat. Tried that line 5 roach.

You can see the pattern forming cant you.

That's the way the day went back and forth silver after silver, not one bloody Carp.  Still I didn't know I was suffering from Carpus non Bitus.

Fed the edge both sides all day  - pellet one side meat the other.  The guy on my left peg 13 (the Willow tree was bagging big style).  A leg stretch and walk in his direction to see what he was doing.  Weirdly he didn't suffer from the new disease, and he could freely fish the exact same methods as I was doing without fear of catching silvers.  In fact the Carp were practically crawling up his pole.

We both came in to the edge for the last hour and a half.  The Carp queued at his peg, and the silvers queued at mine.  Should I weigh in???  Well I did.  20 lb Silvers bloke to the left 80 lb Carp.  Two guys to my right had also struggled, although they had carp they had less weight than me, and did not weigh.  The guy on the end was thought to have around 100 lb + but I was already on my way to White posts to pick up Dave.

He was ready to go having struggled to nearly last on his lake with 40 lb, including breaking his number 7 section on his brand new pole.  So we headed home and didn't bother applauding the winners.

I have fallen out with Ivan Marks, he doesn't answer my prayers.  So I need a couple of days to sulk, and then with renewed vigor I will attack the Bristol Avon this Sunday.  Bring on the Roach!

Pewsey Boats - Legends of the Fall

Pewsey Boats today and the canal Championship.  Funny time of year, very cold autumnal night preceded the day; and the morning brought wind falling leaves and acorns the size of conkers, twigs and other detritus.

The Yanks call this time of year the fall, for the above reason; and although I didn't have Brad pit from the film of the same name; I did have two local Legends either side of me James Carty and Simon Burden.

James Carty (Devizes Match Group)  Local Legend

We all gathered around Leos van for the draw, only 12 today, but what a 12.  Will have my work cut out to stay with these seriously good Canal Anglers.  Some of them have been fishing it so long it seems the were born on it, or at least conceived on the bank side.

Once again I drew mid section (Peg 7) midsection blues again me thinks.  When will I draw an end peg. 

There were in effect 3 end pegs today as overhead cables separated peg 13 and 12.  So end pegs went to Paul Giddings 13, Kevin Chubb 12 and good ol Ian Spanswick peg 2.  Peg 1 left out.  Boy those boys can draw!!!!!  It would be hard work against these guys if they were on tough pegs - but when they are drawing like this it really is tough.

The boats stretch is not the deepest (4 feet), but it does have the permanently moored boats which are a good feature. Peg 7 - see below looked ok but not great.  Dropped down five feet onto the clay ledge below,to put the platform in.  

We are pegged "cosily" today and James and Simon are only one boat either side of me.  Not complaining as a "pegger" myself, I know how difficult it is to please all.  I decide on three swims.  Bread punch on the nearside to the right, choppy swim down the track to the left.  And squatt and pinkie between the boats (20 inches deep)  in front of me.

The match starts slowly, no bites at all on the bread and nothing on the worm.  45 Minutes in, no bites, and James is catching long against the boats, so I ping some squatt and go across to try and emulate him. Bingo the float is away and its a gudgeon, then another and another.  The gudgeon seem chunky and long but feel very light in weight.  I catch several fish and have been going fish for fish with both Simon and James for around 45 minutes.

With around 1 lb in the net, and getting into a rhythm of feeding bit of hemp, and 6 squatt every five minutes, I am enjoying this holding my own with the superstars.

Then disaster........ The owners of the boat in front of me (red and black bottom) turn up.  Annoyingly they start filling up with diesel, crashing around on the deck and I realise with crushing disappointment they are going to move!

 By all accounts from the conversation in front of me, the boat is silted in.  So with great gusto the owner revs like mad and fills my entire swim with clay and silt.  Cheers pal, why don't you come over here and kick me in the nuts for good measure. 

He then delighted in telling me he would be back in an hour, just needs to go and empty his loo.  By the state of my swim I am wondering if he hasn't already done that as my swim was un-fishable.

It was an hour and a half before the silt settled and I got my next bite.  Another gudgeon around 2 oz; this was followed by a 1 oz roach and 1 oz perch. 

God hates me True to his word the boat then came back to moor in front of me.  Completely destroying my swim again and for the rest of the match.  Game Over.

For good measure before switching off he gave the engine a full throttle rev for a couple of minutes. See below.

Leo shouted the all out, and to be honest it came as a relief.  I did try all sorts but my swim was destroyed.  The Weigh in begins, and Paul Giddings, pleasure fishing by himself the other side of the overhead cables - near the turning bay has 5 lb 13 oz.  Back this side of the cables and its Kev Chubb on the other end peg see below 4 lb 4.5 oz.

Coming down the Canal the weights get smaller, and pound side bets are settled.  James to my left has 3lb+ and so does Simon to my right 3 lb +.  I am gutted I am sure I could have got close to them if not for my misfortune.  But as it is I have 1 lb 5 and half ounces and almost - not quite - last in the match.  5 Points only as I slip back in the Championship.  Spanners on the other end peg is second with 4 lb 13 oz.

Paul (1st) 173 fish to the left and Ian (2nd). Kevin (above) third, 83 fish. 

Todber Manor on Wednesday, and then the Winter League (Sun)  Bristol Avon at Sutton Benger.

Ivan Marks, if you are up there looking down, send a bit of luck mate!

Thanks for the Memories.

Thanks for supporting, to those the 20+ readers who have already read my brothers Fishing Memory blog only one day old.

You can find at  grfishingmemories.blogspot.co.uk

Looking through the photo Albums for piccies for his blog I found a few of my own.  Enjoy below.

A 14 ounce Dace

 The 1980's Big Hair and big Eels

25 Stone Fat ARSE, one end and a Chubb the other.

Trotting the Avon both Salisbury and second photo down the Warwickshire Avon Evesham (using my first 6 mtr fibreglass pole)

3 Dace one after another 1 lb, 15 oz and 14.5 oz, the British record at the time 1 lb 2 oz

Two Pound Crucian

Personal Best Barbel 9 lb 14 oz

 Dog Perch trotted worm.

On the fly at Manningford Farm

Finally I'll have adouble Chin with that Trout!!!