The Veterans assembled on the Wednesday night at our digs and as ever there was a few Whiskies to try…..and yes it got messy!
The blog has been a little thin these last few months, but the truth is I have just not been able to get out fishing. Even when I have the river has been in a bit of a state.
I’m fortunate to have a job that takes me around the world, and I always pack a rod and reel on the off chance I get a free day or two.
This is an annual event that I very much look forward to, the river at Broadlands is an absolute peach of a place.
I don’t think anyone will argue that we have had some fairly heavy rain the last few weeks and this amongst other things has kept me from getting out to fish.
Frantisek Hanak needs no introduction many of you will have no doubt used at one time or another a 'Hanak' product. Arguably the Czech fishing team are one of, if not the best fishing team in the world.
The river angler however is faced with a whole different set of problems not the least of which is the strength of flow and the proximity to the fish.
Back at the car we discussed our options it was a little early for lunch so we opted to walk downstream a bit to some pocket water.
With the River Masters competition cancelled and The Veterans accommodation booked and paid for it would have been a real shame to let it go to waste. Graham Lumsdon and Del Spry my team mates for this event were more than happy to .........
I am as guilty as the next man! Yes guilty, I turn up at the same river walk to the same runs and catch the same fish. The same goes for many of us who are short on time and keen to get that fishing fix!
For reasons I won’t go into here I have found myself in Leeds for the week. I am busy but a small window on the Sunday presented itself and with lots of options in the area it was a tough choice on where to go.
Where to start? Scott Nellins put a huge amount of effort into organising a pegged river competition on the River Tees. Many have shouted about it and a lot of three-man teams verbally committed to fish the match.
The fishery was once a roaring success but had been a little neglected over the previous few years. David though knew the potential of the fishery and has worked incredibly hard to bring it up to what it is today.
I did wonder if I would get to Greenland after months of prior preparation, to seek out Arctic Sea Run Char where I had heard they fought like dogs.
Its incredibly difficult to write a fishing blog when you don’t catch any fish and I should know it’s becoming a regular occurrence! Having blanked on my last outing to Farmoor golf is becoming a real interesting option.
am on a tight turnaround for this blog entry as I will be up to Grafham tomorrow for the AMFC. I did not want to rush this entry though as it is arguably one of the best sessions I have ever had on a river!
I met Chris through both our youngest daughter being best friends as well as a mutual appreciation of single malt whisky. So, when he asked if I would take his dad Tom on the river for the day I was more than happy to oblige.
I first met Terry Bromwell a few years back while controlling for him at the Hanak Grayling Festival on the Welsh Dee. We got on really well sharing our love of the world’s greatest fly-fishing guide Hank Patterson!
I had been told that the fish at Farmoor were outstanding and not to fish less than 10lb tippet. I had also been informed that it was fishing really well, that was hogwash the fishing was as tough as a witch’s tit!
Ian was keen to show me the fishing that he had access to, so our first port of call was going to be Brick Farm Lakes. Before that though we had to nip out and pick up the lunch for the day, what better way to go to Tesco’s than in a Porche!
I was kindly invited to travel down to Brighton for a couple of days fishing by Ian Pinder. I am going to split the trip over two blog entries as the fishing was varied over the two days.
I never have enough time for fishing, who does…..lol. Still I count myself lucky that often my work takes me very near to some of the best chalk stream fishing in the country.
Those that follow this blog will know all about the Kit Kat Cup, if this is your first visit I will give you a very quick history. Jock Kettles and I have fished for this almost every year for well over two decades.
I was like a kid at Christmas! First day of the season, the weather looked like it was going to be well behaved. We had not had any rain to speak of for weeks the river would be in perfect condition for a dry fly bonanza!
I enjoy taking pictures as much as fishing, Nah that’s a lie but I really do enjoy recording my days on still and running water with photographs and drivel for the blog.