After the craziest period of snow for a decade here in the South West, spring feels especially welcome this year. 2018 has certainly been eventful so far, for mixed reasons. I managed to write off my car in the snow, which wasn’t great news. Then again, I will shortly be beginning a new part time… Read more
Fly Fishing at Farmoor Reservoirs
Farmoor Reservoirs represent a welcome conundrum to anyone who enjoys a bit of variety in their fishing. How do you choose between fantastic, grown-on trout (including some huge browns) and some cracking pike on the fly? I still hadn’t completely made my mind up when I arrived on a chilly morning in late February, waiting… Read more
Pike Fishing at Blenheim Palace
Any angler who sees a fair bit of the country inevitably ends up with a head full of unfulfilled plans. Every time we travel and see a pretty river or lake, we think “I’ll fish there one day”. Too often we don’t. Which is why I was delighted to be invited for a day ticket… Read more
Winter Fly & Coarse Fishing
Fishing always brings out the optimist in me. Odd, because by nature I tend to be a glass half empty sort of person. I don’t buy lottery tickets; I anticipate weather forecasts to be wrong; when my team go one-nil up, I fully expect an equaliser to arrive with every opposition attack. For some reason… Read more
Reflections on 2017 & hopes for the new year.
A very Happy New Year to everyone. Although these changeover times pass without a blink for many, I secretly like the start of another year and the chance to turn over a new page. These new endings and beginnings provide a convenient cut off point to reflect on what’s gone by, to leave old ruts… Read more
Irish Fly Fair 2017 & Pike Fishing on Lough Derg
This month I finally made it to one of those fishing events I’ve known about for years but never quite got round to visiting. The Irish Fly Fair in Galway proved to be a friendly, fun event to put it mildly. A gathering not only of traditional game fishing converts, but also those getting into… Read more