Red Letter Day for Pensioner on the Kennet

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail from Ron Jackson a 71 year old pensioner seeking my help in his quest to catch a barbel, Ron a Cockney was born in Hackney London, during the war he was evacuated to Norfolk where he had his first and only experience of fishing, catching a perch, though one day he did see hundreds of elvers (young eels that have been born in the Sargasso Sea) in a small stream.

After the war it was back to London playing football, cricket, he also boxed for his school and Eton Manor BC. Many of his football matches were played on the famous Hackney Marshes. In 1960 he moved to the new town of Stevenage where he joined the Woodsman Angling Club, which was affiliated to the London Angling Association (L.A.A.), where he learnt how to fish. Eventually taking on the secretary's job enjoying several years as a pleasure fisherman, enjoying the peace, solitude and wild life. In 1974 he started playing flat green bowls, which took over his life.

In 2005 he moved to Bramley village Hampshire where he thought about starting to fish again, so he purchased some second hand and new fishing gear but quickly realized how much the sport of angling had changed. He needed help which he sought help via Google finding my website; in his letter to me he stated angling had changed so much I need your help and advice. I replied very quickly, then I phoned him to offer a days fishing, free of charge. A date was arranged for 11th February 2008 on Berkshires River Kennet on the Wasing Estate water.

Cold Frost Weather with Plunging Water Temperatures

With a water temperature of 41 degrees F bright sunny weather with an easterly wind, conditions couldn’t have been worse, but I had to try and make this pensioners dream come true. Ron was desperate for a barbel. Meeting up in the Wasing car park I put the kettle on then discussed plans for the day. We wouldn’t be sitting in one spot but roving the river bank trying all the likely looking spots. I chose a two piece rod with a flexible top joint matching the rod with a fixed spool reel and 10lb Gamma line to which I tied a size 4 hook.

Baits were bread, sausage and cheese paste, if these didn’t work I had a few lobworms, despite the horrid conditions I felt Ron might catch a chub, if not a barbel. As Ron is a bit unsteady on his legs, I picked up his gear, my bag of tricks landing net and rod rest. Moving off down the frozen bank of the River Kennet I pointed out several areas worth fishing under better conditions. Our first try was the well known ‘Ivy Tree Swim’, with no bites after twenty minutes we moved on.

Reaching ‘The Willows’ I told Ron we were going to fish this well know chub holding area for half an hour, where I reckoned he stood a good chance of a hook up. Having made sure he was safely seated, I showed him how to bait with bread crust and where I wanted it to be dropped. Within twenty minutes the rod tip pulled round an inch, ten seconds later it pulled round in a determined fashion. Ron’s answering strike connected with a good fish. Within seconds Will Carter a local angler picked up the landing net while I helped Ron to his feet and issued instruction on playing the first fish of the session.

A few minutes later Will had a big chub, a very big chub in the landing net, I fetched my scales and weigh bag, after zeroing the scales the fish was placed in the weigh bag and hooked on the scales. The needle went around to the 6lb mark then stopped. Taking Ron's hand I said “Well done that’s big fish” the smile on Ron's face said it all. Time for a fresh brew.

A surprise Barbel

Having left the ‘The Willows’ we moved further downstream to “The Beeches’ Once again bread crust was the bait, within ten minutes Ron was hooked up to another fish, I immediately realised that he was into that dream barbel. After a five minute struggle, I netted Ron’s first barbel. A fish weighing between 4 and 5 lbs. After a quick picture we watched it swim off strongly. Right Ron lets get another bit of bread crust out into that fast swirling water and see if you can get another barbel. I suppose twenty minutes went by before the rod top whacked round in a most savage fashion. Ron was hooked up to a big powerful fish. For several minutes it was give and take. I suppose ten minutes had gone before I was able to net a barbel which I though might weigh ten pound plus. On the scales it weighed 9-6-0. Though not a double it was a great fish. Ron flopped down in his chair completely shattered with a big grin and two sparkling eyes. After some pictures we watched the fish swim off. Ron said "I am shattered my arms ache and I am ready for home". We called it a day. On my return home in Lancashire I got a lovely letter from Ron which reads

Dear Martin I am over the moon with meeting you and all the advice you imparted to me. The result of the days fishing was beyond my wildest dreams and has only just begun to sink in. I will never forget you and the days fishing as long as I live. Thank you once again Martin. All the best Ron. Reward enough for me, Ron also sent a cheque for £50-00 to Crossroad Carers one of the charities I support. See pictures