Wonderful autumnal day on a great lake.

Out for some R and R today at my clubs lakes, and what a fantastic autumnal day, not a cloud in the sky and some great fishing. The fish below is a Common Carp some call the Common Golden Carp which are actually not that common. The landing net ls a an 18" to give you an idea of the size of the fish. This was the first fish of the day, the last fish I caught was the second largest carp I have ever caught, defiantly double figures, but a minnow compared to what the carp experts catch. I need to get out more especially on days like today.

Giant river perch fishing with Graeme Pullen

I discovered Graeme and his son Mike a few months ago, what a breath of fresh air and what fun these guys are to watch. Graeme loves to clown around and is very self effacing, but make no mistake he is an expert fisherman. Check after all the years he has been fishing, yet still has total enthusiasm and wonder. The two perch he catches are life time best for many, and many never come close to catching a perch of this size, I doubt I ever will, enjoy. 

Matt Hayes and Mick Brown one of the best partnerships in fishing film making.

Ever wonder why people fall in love with fishing? This short video clearly demonstrates why. Out in the great outdoors far away from the madding crowd, mobile phones and noise. Matt and Mick have made many great fishing films, this a short extract from a new series in the pipeline. Spring is upon us and time to check the gear out methinks. 


Fisherman's Country from Matt Hayes on Vimeo.

A short video of Orchard Lakes in Hampshire

This is the lake complex I started fishing seriously and have enjoyed many wonderful times. Great fishing, very friendly and knowledgeable staff and every thing you could possible need. A small but well stocked tackle shop and the cafe serves excellent food including very tasty cheeseburgers. This place is an oasis of calm and tranquillity, in a world where the older I get, the less I understand.

The Chris Yates book 'How to fish' is on the way.

I'm getting excited, my beloved Wife has bought me a little present. A used hard back copy of the book 'How to fish' by Chris Yates, is on the way to me. I have read this book many times, courtesy of the local Library, but soon I will own this little masterpiece. Many will know Chris is a highly accomplished fisherman, but as a writer, on all things fishing, he has no peers.

Chris can write about a days fishing, where he catches no fish, but can make the read more exciting, than catching a record breaking leviathan. Chris captures the true essence of the sport, the thrill is in the hunt, with the added bonus of a fish sliding over the landing net. The great joy and mystery of fishing, has little to do with catching fish. No-one understands this better than Chris in my opinion.

A Passion For Angling

Here we go again, it seems I have been granted another Spring. As said before, I am a fair weather fisherman. Not for me ice forming on the carbon fibre rod and four layers of clothing. Give me the warm sun on my face, and the fragrance of spring wild flowers, ducklings following mum, across a flat calm lake or slowly meandering river. Angling is magic, and you can see the magic, or you can feel the magic, or it will never make sense. It makes sense to me. This to me is magic.

The Lake District my favourite place on earth.

Every year, it seems like forever, I travel up to the Lake District with my wife. We absolutely adore the place, come rain or shine, it's paradise on earth to us. As stated before on this blog, I am a fair weather fisherman. That being said, we usually visit the lakes during the summer. I don't know why, but I have never taken any fishing tackle in the past, this summer I intend to rectify that situation.

I am told there is lots of free fishing in the area, and good fishing to be had on some lakes for a very modest fee. Roll on the warm weather. Over the last year or so, my wife has become a dab hand on the landing net, and helps carry my gear, now that is what I call loyalty. What more could a man want, the Lakes, some good fishing and great company. Just add some great grub and some cool beer, I can live with that.