17/04/2026 - Two different perch fishing sessioons
Two Different Perch Fishing Sessions.
I left home around 1700hrs for the long drive to Woolhampton in Berkshire, some two hundred miles, arriving just after 2200 hrs, as I pulled into the car park,
I noticed the full moon, also the frost on the ground, I’d come for two days fishing on the river Kennet, usually I get a B&B, but it wasn’t available at short notice. My first job was a fresh brew, how I enjoy my Jetboiler, however strong the wind blows it
gets the water boiling in no time. As I sat in the car feeling the warmth of the heater, enjoying my mug of tea with a corn beef sandwich. I wandered what the next day would bring. Soon I was tucked up inside my Special forces sleeping bag, it was around 0630
hrs when got out of my sleeping bag. After a brew, I headed off into Newbury where I could use the facilities of a Supermarket, then to a café at Woolhampton on the A4 for breakfast, followed by a visit to Kevin's tackle shop for lobworms, also a catch up
on what had been caught. Despite the icy cold night, the day was bright sunshine, with an easterly wind, there was a covering of frost on the rushes, trees and bushes, even the puddles were frozen solid, checking the water temperature I got a reading of 36
degrees F, certainly not the best conditions. The easterly wind made me shiver, I needed to get my big coat on, also my mittens. My two nights sleeping in the car wouldn’t be the best idea, but I had no choice. I often ask myself “Is it worth it”? I reckoned
so, I have always thought "If I don't put in the effort, I can't expect results" I have always put a lot of thought, work and effort into my fishing. Sometimes I get lucky and catch a good fish, if you don’t want to put in the effort, don't complain about
those who do so and catch good fish.
On this particular trip conditions were not good, it was a one of those days when nothing moved, even the birds were absent on this trip, I didn't even see the friendly robin. By lunchtime several anglers had packed in, usually with the words as they passed
me was "It’s a waste of time today Martin" Though after several hours fishing, perhaps that's what I should have done. Yes, conditions were grim, but if you have a bait in the water, you have a chance. After covering some two miles of the River Kennet, trying
probably fifteen twenty likely spots, I arrived at a swim where a popular tree had crashed in the river the previous winter. Behind the tree was a dinner table size area of virtual still water creating a nice crease either side of this slack. I turned to
Brian saying "Hold on a minute I'm going to chuck some lobs in that slack, it might be good for a perch". I was using a soft Avon action rod, centre pin reel, 6lb Gamma line, with a size 4 barbless hook. Weight was an LG shot lightly pinched on the line 15
inches from the hook. I baited with three lobworms, to keep them from wriggling off the hook I use a small square of rubber band or a plastic imitation gentle.
At Last A Good Bite
Within three minutes or so of the bait entering the water, then slowly moving down the swim, I felt a light pluck, then a more distinct pull, "That's not a crayfish" I thought. Striking I felt the typical
head shaking of a perch. I called out "I'm in, bring the net"? down in the clear water I could see a good perch, its fin erect, diving and twisting as it sought the sanctuary of various snags, including some overhanging tree branches trailing deep in the
water. Cramping on more pressure, I slowly pulled the fish towards my bank, then a minute or two later I lifted the fish towards he surface. In seconds a big perch with dorsal fin erect head shaking was close to the surface,. Applying side strain I pulled
the fish towards the net, where it was quickly netted. I punched the air with relief. On the scales it weighed 3-4-0 after a couple of pictures we watched it swim off in that swaggering attitude so reminiscent of big perch.
I decided I would fish another bunch of worms through the swim, from some sixty plus years of experience, I have found perch are not normally be on their own, I reckon there could be another fish in the
area. I cast the baited hook close to some branches dangling in the water, as I lifted the bait, I felt a slight pluck, I immediately dropped the rod tip, the bait went to the bottom, in the hope the fish would follow bait down, within seconds the line started
moving upstream, lowering the rod tip, at the same time taking in the slack, I set the hook into another good fish which was quickly netted. It weighed 3lb 2 ounces. Two big perch in a matter of minutes, it doesn’t get better. It was a pity I didn't retain
the first fish in the landing net, then I didn't expect another fish so quickly. Also I don't like to keep perch in a net as they are very fragile fish.
After a break for a fresh brew, , with a cheese and pickle sandwich. Break over I roamed up and down the river with nothing to show for me effort, after hiding my gear in some rushes, I went off to Woolhampton
a café on the A4 for a hot meal, Before getting my head down in the car park.
After driving many miles, roughing it in the car at night, living whole meal sandwiches and tea, with ther occasional visit to the café it had been worthwhile and rewarding.
Perch Are Great Fun with a Fly Rod
For probably fifty odd years I’ve targeted coarse fish with dry flies, streamers and nymphs, there isn't a fish I know of you can't catch on an imitation fly. Roach, perch, chub, rudd, tench, dace carp, pike
even barbel.
As I proved on the River Teme, when fishing with Tony Farquharson, ending up with seven fish all taken on Walker mayfly nymph fished upstream, during a big mayfly hatch. These are my usual target fish, two species that will avidly take a surface
or sub surface fly patterns are pike and perch, certainly my favourite fish. In this feature I am writing about perch, they can be caught from a variety of waters, Spate Rivers, chalk streams or lowland slow flowing clay based waters and still waters.
Dry flies, nymphs and streamers have accounted for lots of good perch (fish of 2lb plus) over many years from various rivers Wharfe, the Great Ouse. Rivers Wye, Kennet, Teme, Enborne Hampshire Avon and Beault
It was on this latter river I caught my first fly caught perch in the 1950’s sadly the river doesn’t seem to have the head of perch, it did in those days. Cholmondeley-Pennell mentions fly fishing for perch, in the book Fishing Badminton Library 1893. While
John Bickerdyke writing in Fur and Feather series Pike and Perch writes on page 256 Now and again perch will take imitation of natural flies, but can hardly be classed among fly taking fish. How wrong he was.
Looking back over the years I have had many happy days with a fly rod, but none can beat the day on the Kennet when I had a series of very good perch, using nymphs and streamers by sight fishing.
I started the day by putting together two outfits, a nine foot five weight rod, floating line, twelve foot leader with a 3lb tippet, this outfit was for upstream nymphing. For fishing streamers I chose a nine foot 6 weight rod with a floating line with a mini sink tip
of just seven feet to which I attached a six foot leader with a 6lb tippet. I chose to use a stronger tippet in case a jack pike should hit the streamer.
I suppose it was around 10 o’clock when Solicitor Stephen Collins and myself split up to fish our beat, I walked to the bottom to fish my way upstream, while Stephen walked half way up the beat before commencing
to fish his way to the top, hopefully arriving in time for a late lunch. Tying on a weighted dragon fly nymph, I crept low and quiet towards the water’s edge, I peered intently into the gin clear water, it’s in cases like this you need quality polarised
glasses.
Mine are made by Optilabs; which also have my prescription lenses fitted. Slowly I made my way upstream after about fifty yards I spotted a good brown trout tight against some swaying water crowfoot with its lovely daisy like flower. After watching
the fish for five minutes I aerolised enough line to drop the fly ten feet upstream of the trout. It landed with a tiny plop, descended in the stream down to the trout, in a split second the fish moved forward then engulfed the nymph. A few minutes later having
been unhooked in the water the fish returned to its old hunting spot. It was as easy as that.
I suppose it was midday I had cast the nymph upstream to a trout, which ignored my offering, as I worked the fly back downstream, I spotted a good perch moving from under the water crowfoot, by its action
I could see it intended to hit my fly, I gave two quick six inch pulls which increased the speed of retrieve. The fish shot forward engulfing the fly. After a spirited fight I netted a cracking perch, scale and fin perfect. It just fitted in the landing net.
After a couple of quick pictures I watched the fish swim strongly off back to the cover of the swaying weed.
I then I spotted the first of several perch, In the next half an hour I had five more fish. All on the Dragon fly nymph. It was time for lunch. Back
at the small cabin overlooking the river Stephen and me enjoyed our lunch, as we discussed the morning’s events while watching the river flowing left to right. It was great to be alive in the warm sunshine.
Lunch over we fished our way downstream catching some nice trout, Arriving at a right hand bend the water flowed fast along the sedge lined opposite bank over hung by willows and alders, I decided to make
a long cast upstream dropping a streamer close to the far bank, hopefully a big trout would fancy this big mouthful, on my second cast as I worked the streamer downstream, I had a hit, this isn’t a trout I thought. Suddenly the water boiled a good perch fin
erect swirled on the surface. Then dived towards the sedges and swaying weed, I cramped on the pressure. This powerful outfit should control anything I might hook on this beat.
Minutes later a good fish was in the net. I quickly shot a couple of pictures then slipped out the barbless fly, then sliding the perch back in the water. I would love to know its weight. When trout fishing I don’t take any weighing scales, as I return all my fish. During this afternoon session I caught more perch than trout, finally I
caught my last fish as Stephen appeared in view so I got a trophy shot. Why not go fly fishing for perch. It’s an ideal way to fish some of the canals. One such water is the Kennet and Avon which hold some stonking perch of 4lbs plus.
09/03/2026 - The start of a new trout fishing season
The Start of a new trout fishing season
Walking through the riverside copse, the Ramson with its white flowers will soon be in flower in the mild weather we are having. Often confused as wild garlic, scattered around among the trees were clumps of Primrose's along the hedgerow were several bluebells, in two or three weeks' time, there will be a haze of blue. The trees were getting their cloaks of green, coming out of the wood into Johnson’s meadow into the bright sunshine, I stopped to put on my Polaroid glasses, then slowly walked upstream for about six hundred yards to reach Swallow Pool which is over hung by a large oak tree, the river flowed crystal clear over small stones with an occasional rock; with some water-crowfoot, what a beautiful sight a river is when the River water-crowfoot in in bloom with its daisy white flowers.
Sitting on the bank I soaked up the warm sunshine taking in the riverside beauty, a few feet downstream a beautiful clump of marsh marigolds looked resplendent as they glistened in the bright sunshine. In the North of England, the trout season starts on March 15th as the coarse fishing season on rivers, closes on the 14th of March. Many waters for trout fishing on streams and river in other areas of the country the season starts April 1st, though on some waters, its May1st. .Towards the far bank at the bottom of the pool, a good fish swirled on the surface. It was time to make a cast.
Moving downstream so I was below the rising fish I sat down close to the water’s edge then pulled off enough line to cover the fish, with two false casts the line flew silently over the water unfurling as it did so, the imitation olive landed like thistledown, making a small upstream mend I retrieved line as the olive drifted very lifelike downstream, within a few feet the fly disappear as a dimple appeared on the surface. Lifting the rod smoothly I set the hook then felt the surge as a fish fought for its freedom, the pressure of balanced tackle soon took its toll as I pulled the fish close to hand. Bending down I eased the fly from the scissors of a nicely marked brown trout, in seconds it was streaking off to the deeper water. Just a few moments of fly fishing from my diary.
I must say from the start fly fishing is about timing, it’s not a muscle game, which is where many men make their mistake, during the years I had my fly fishing school in the UAE I had many lady pupils, who outcast the men on many occasions, ladies will listen, take notice practice and don’t know it all after a day. I well remember a couple from Qatar, I was teaching the class how to use the Tie-Fast tool, for joining different thickness of line in this case 20lb to 50lb is also used for joining backing or leaders to the fly line, after fifteen minutes, I tested the knots all were perfect except the knot tied by the male pupil from Qatar which busted under light pressure. I asked why he hadn’t used the Tie Fast Tool? being told “I don’t need to tie knots” using a tool, after tying several knots which all busted, he eventually used the tool, his knots were perfect. Many of the ladies who I teach to cast a fly, do so either to join their husband at the waterside, or because the partner plays golf, which they consider boring.
What Does It Cost?
The answer is as little or as much as you want to spend within reason, you can get a decent rod, reel and line for around a £150-00, cheaper if you can find a decent second hand outfit, though you will need to have someone with the knowledge of fly fishing. I suggest you choose a 9 foot rod rated for a 6 weight line, its most important that you match the line weight as described written on the butt joint just above the cork handle, you will see AFTM 9ft # 6 line, so make sure you have a # 6 rated line for the rod, you need to aerialize 30 feet of line extended from the rod tip to load the rod. A company that does very good rods, reels and fly lines ideal for the newcomer or improver that will suit most anglers wallets are Shakespeare, my advice is visit a local shop where an assistant goes fly fishing, also ask to try two or three rods to see what model suits you best. I usually teach my pupils with a progressive action rod; don’t go for a stiff action rod they are for the experienced fly fisher often for use in windy conditions on the flats when hunting bonefish where you need to tight casting loops. A progressive or soft action rod will help your casting, should you make a mistake that slower action rod will often help you get away with it.
As a member of Thomas & Thomas pro-staff I have been using fibre glass rods from the company, they have the action of cane, the weight of carbon, making them perfect for dry fly fishing, also giving me lots of pleasure. Most casting instructors will have a variety of models for you to try, the average cost for a lesson is around £30-00 an hour, certainly worth the investment, for an hour's instruction from a competent casting instructor. Whatever you do don’t ask your best friend to teach you, unless he has a good knowledge of teaching the art of fly fishing, otherwise when you go for a lesson the teacher will spend time correcting the mistakes, I’m quite happy to teach .readers living in the North of England, all I ask for is a cheque made out to one of my charities.
A fly fishing reel for brown and rainbow trout fishing is just a reservoir for holding fly line and backing, you should get a reel for around £40-00, the most important part of the outfit is the line, probably the most used line profile is a weight forward, often described WF followed by the line weight. Also pay as much as you can afford, but don’t skimp on the price of the fly line it really is the most important part of your kit. You will then need a few knotless tapered leaders around 9 feet in length with a tippet of 3lbs for stream fishing probably 6lb for reservoirs, the tippet is the fine end of the tapered leader. I often use a leader of 15 feet in low gin clear water. . attaching leader direct to fly line. Some fly fishers use straight nylon, please don’t go down that rout, tapered leaders give you a better presentation, also allow the leader to roll out giving a better presentation of the fly on the water ensuring good fly presentation.
Some Flies
We all have far too many flies, I have literally thousands collected over a lifetime of fishing many not suitable for fishing, not many anglers can go in a fly-fishing shop without buying another couple of flies. I reckon a selection of 10 barbless patterns in a couple of sizes for each pattern would be suitable for the newcomer. A book I can recommend is Matching the Hatch, Peter Lapsley & Cyril Bennet. My selection would be the following which are all imitative patterns, my first choice would be Chironomids, known as midge Pupa or buzzers a nonbiting midge, it’s a very popular pattern on still waters. Though it isn’t used enough by anglers fishing rivers and streams, I have caught lots of brown trout fishing this pattern often down to size 22. In the United States, they will use this pattern on a size 28 hook, no chance for me, I have a job at times tying on a size 22. I suggest size14's and16's in two colours, black and red patterns, in April I would want some Grannom, a Caddis fly in sizes 12’s and 14’s Greenwell’s Glory, Gold-Ribbed Hare’s-Ear, Pheasant tail nymph, Large dark olive, Klinkhammer Iron blue dun and Blue-winged Olive all in sizes 12-14’s. I always advise my pupils to ask in the local fly shop on pattern selection and size as it can vary from river to river and time of the season. Two flies I would always want in my fly box are Richard Walkers Mayfly nymph, also the beaded pattern.
Odds and Ends
You will need some fly line cleaner, I use ArmorAll available from Halfords or similar shops, a large bottle will cost around £5-50, a small bottle of fly line cleaner between £8-£10. You will need some floatant to keep your dry flies floating, I use both Gerks Gink and Dry shake. For degreasing the end of the leader so it cuts through the surface film I make up a mixture of fuller’s earth and washing up liquid into a paste keeping it in a small plastic shot box, a small pair of forceps are useful for the odd fish hooked well inside the mouth, if its deeply hooked I cut the line as close to the hook as possible, on no account squeeze the fish around the stomach, trout are very fragile creatures. Hopefully this short article has wetted your appetite to try fly fishing, remember it’s no more difficult that other forms of angling it’s just different. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might have martin@flyfishing.plus.com
07/05/2014 - It Will Soon be That Magic Day Again
A summer chub
01/05/2014 - Shakespeare and Co
Chef Joseph Gomes with James assistant supervisor
08/03/2014 - 2lb 8 ounce Roach from the Avon at Britford
Charlie with 2lb 8 ounce Avon roach
28/02/2014 - Roach catch from Avon at Britford
5 X 2lb plus roach
12/02/2014 - Nine Chub and a Lost Salmon
My best chub of the session
21/12/2013 - Chub Love Lone Angler Sausage Sizzle
5-10-0 chub
15/12/2013 - 8 year old Gwinn Steen's queenfish
queenfish
13/12/2013 - 6Lb 7ounce River Ribble Chub on Lone angler sausage sizzle flavoured crust
My 22nd chub over 6lbs in past five years from various rivers
24/05/2013 - June 16th That Magic Day
Pic 2 I chose the middle spomb
02/03/2013 - A Brace of Five Pounders and a Barbel for my pupil
Kevin with his first barbel at 9lbs 4 ounces
25/02/2013 - 500 mile round trip for 1 chub but still worth the effort
1 bite for 1 chub of 5lb 8 ounces
15/02/2013 - Go One Step Further and Increase Your Results
Top angling writer Tony Miles on the Wasing fishery of the River Kennet for the launch of Lone Angler
15/02/2013 - Go One Step Further and Increase Your Results
Interviewing Simon Pomeroy of Pallatrax
10/02/2013 - A Hard Weeks Angling
My only fish of the week
10/02/2013 - A Hard Weeks Angling
The locking clip on the Lone Angler landing net handle
27/01/2013 - The Lone Angler
What a delightful logo for Lone Angler
27/01/2013 - 500 mile round trip for Chub and Perch
My best chub 5-8-0
27/01/2013 - 500 mile round trip for Chub and Perch
A brace of 3lb perch
19/12/2012 - A Very Special Day
With my award
01/12/2012 - A Red Letter Session with Barbel
Chris Green with his 12-2-0 barbel
01/12/2012 - A Red Letter Session with Barbel
My best fish at 11-4-0
01/12/2012 - A Red Letter Session with Barbel
The footpath along the river Kennet was like a fast flowing stream
11/10/2012 - I Made the Mistake of Not Trying Hard Enough
The cane and pin gang
11/10/2012 - I Made the Mistake of Not Trying Hard Enough
Jay Preece enjoying his 40th birthday present on the River Kennet
01/10/2012 - Ribble Chub On The Feed
My best chub caught on crust wrapped in cheese paste
25/09/2012 - Fisherman's Emporium
Proprietor John Farey reading a famous 'BB' book Confessions of a carp Fisher
25/09/2012 - Fisherman's Emporium
President of the Lure Anglers Club Chris Leibbrandt admires one of several pike on display
25/09/2012 - Fisherman's Emporium
Some of the many float collections on display
25/09/2012 - Fisherman's Emporium
Another fine display
18/01/2012 - Chub Went on a Feeding Spree
Dave Foster with PB chub 5lb 4 ounces
15/01/2012 - Chub Went on a Feeding Spree
6lb 1ounce chub on crust
23/09/2011 - Redmire its still a Paradise
Natures Choice Resturant
21/09/2011 - Skipton Tackle and Gun Shop
Martin James cutting the ribbon then declaring the premises open.
22/08/2011 - Redmire its still a Paradise
Dave Whyte on the Dam at Redmire Pool
22/08/2011 - Redmire its still a Paradise
Martin on the dam rail at Redmire Pool
03/07/2011 - Kid's Go Fishing With The Army
Josh Taylor with his best tench at 3-8-0 Incidentally the best ever fish caught since the scheme started
18/05/2011 - Redmire
From the the dam
18/05/2011 - Redmire
A view from the western bank
14/04/2011 - Chub and more chub
Author with 5-10-0 Kennet chub
14/04/2011 - Chub and more chub
Stuart Harris with his PB chub of 5-10-0
14/04/2011 - Kennet and Loddon
A nice barbel from Woolhampton beat on the Wasing water of the Kennet
14/04/2011 - Kennet and Loddon
Another illegale Immigrant
14/04/2011 - Trials and Tribulation of Buying a Second-hand Car
Matthew Burns senior mechanic at Perrys of Clitheroe
14/04/2011 - Trials and Tribulation of Buying a Second-hand Car
Salesman Jon Spence at Perrys of Clitheroe
14/04/2011 - Trials and Tribulation of Buying a Second-hand Car
Jake Chadwick business manager at Perrys of Clitheroe
14/04/2011 - Trials and Tribulation of Buying a Second-hand Car
Perrys of Clitheroe
14/04/2011 - Fishing in the United Arab Emirates
The Le Meridien Al Aqua hotel in Fujairah
14/04/2011 - Fishing in the United Arab Emirates
I can never catch too many of these great fish, Dorado are the perfect fish for the salwater fly angler
14/04/2011 - Report calls for national campaign to protect recreational fishing
A group of anglers who are trying to protect their fishing
01/01/2011 - Chub and Barbel from the Kennet
5-8-0 chub caught on cheese paste
14/12/2010 - It's Been a Tough Couple of Weeks
A Brace of Kennet Chub
17/09/2010 - Mr Nice Guy Captures a Big Mirror
Lyndon Barrett pictured with his big carp of 55lb 8 ozs from Wasing Cranwells Lake
19/06/2010 - A Brace of 5lb Chub to Start the Season
Author with chub of 5-2-0 5-14-0
29/12/2009 - Despite The Cold - I Caught Some Christmas Chub
5-3-0 Christmas Chub
27/11/2009 - A Young Boys First Fish- Tony Bedford
Young James with his first fish
31/10/2009 - The Malteser Method Proves a Winner
The author with a 6-7-0 chub
21/10/2009 - It’s been a Good Week on the Rivers
Will Carter with a 12-8-0 Kennet barbel
21/10/2009 - It’s been a Good Week on the Rivers
Mark Cannon with an Avon chub
21/10/2009 - It's been a Good Week on the Rivers
Martin with a 10-13-0 River Loddon Barbel
29/06/2009 - Big Brace of Summer Chub and a Huge Barbel for Comedian
Phil Cool with his barbel 14-15-0
29/06/2009 - Big Brace of Summer Chub and a Huge Barbel for Comedian
Phil Cool with a 6-7-0 chub
29/06/2009 - Big Brace of Summer Chub and a Huge Barbel for Comedian
Phil playing his guitar
20/03/2009 - Weed Rakes
Weed Rakes
26/02/2009 - Its Now Time To Get Out On The Rivers
Danny Collins 13-8-0 barbel
26/02/2009 - Its Now Time To Get Out On The Rivers
Martin's Kennet barbel at 11-14-0
26/02/2009 - Its Now Time To Get Out On The Rivers
Lyndon Barrett's Stunning Redmire Carp
15/02/2009 - Prospects Great For The Week Commencing Sunday 15th February
Brendan Ince chub of 6-2-0
15/02/2009 - Prospects Great For The Week Commencing Sunday 15th February
Mick Holgate chub 5-6-0
15/02/2009 - Prospects Great For The Week Commencing Sunday 15th February
Martin James 8-10-0 barbel
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
Interviewing Mark Lloyd left of the picture at the launch of the Angling Trust
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
Matthew Fisher of Grauvell UK being interviewed for At The Waters Edge programme on BBC Radio Lancashire at the Tackle and Guns show
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
Hugh Miles who filmed Catching the Impossible being interviewed by Martin James
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
Colin Colley with a 12-13-0 barbel caught from the Wasing Syndicate water on the River Kennet Bait was sausage meat
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
Chris Bates from Essex paid £350-00 to the ACA auction for a day with me on the River Kennet his best chub weighed 5-14-0
04/11/2008 - An Interesting Week with Chub and Barbel
This 11lb barbel caught on sausage meat would not have been caught if I hadn't been holding the rod, the bite was no more than a slight twitch as given by a crayfish.
04/11/2008 - Roach and Perch Fishing the River Wye
Brendan Ince with a good River Wye roach weighing 1-6-0 caught on legered crust
15/08/2008 - I Don’t Always Use Bread
These work for tench
31/07/2008 - A Brace of Good Fish
2lb 2 ounce rudd
22/06/2008 - Wasn't It Good - A New Season
Sam Probart with Common Carp
10/05/2008 - Trout Fishing in Ross-shire
Roger Dowsett with a nicely marked brown trout
10/05/2008 - Trout Fishing in Ross-shire
Martin James with a vividly marked brown trout from Loch Eye
10/05/2008 - Trout Fishing in Ross-shire
Guide Roger Dowsett
18/03/2008 - The End of My 65th Season
Will Carter with 6-10-0 Kennet chub
18/03/2008 - The End of My 65th Season
Dave Millers perch
18/03/2008 - The End of My 65th Season
Jon King with PB barbel 11-4-0
18/03/2008 - The End of My 65th Season
Martin James with his 20th 3lb perch of the season
13/02/2008 - Red Letter Day for Pensioner on the Kennet
Ron Jackson with 6lb chub
13/02/2008 - Red Letter Day for Pensioner on the Kennet
Ron Jackson with his 9-6-0 barbel
18/01/2008 - Some Great Days on the Wasing Syndicate Water
Despite the rain and flood water fish can be caught
10/01/2008 - A Great Chub from the River Hull
Paul Towers Chub
06/01/2008 - Double Figure Barbel from River Colne
Dave Ouseley 11-2-0 barbel
24/12/2007 - Back in the United Arab Emirates for my Fly Fishing Academy
Chris with Tuna
24/12/2007 - ***
A sight like this gets you excited
24/12/2007 - ***
Eton with a queen fish
12/12/2007 - Is This A New River Record Perch?
Richard with his super perch of 3-10-0
12/12/2007 - River Aire Bream
Richard with a 5-8-0 bream
10/12/2007 - Mutton Snappers are Tough Fighters
Hooked up to a snapper
10/12/2007 - ***
Top guide Mark Hyde
10/12/2007 - ***
Dave Jones with a good bonefish
24/11/2007 - A Brace of 3lb Perch
This perch was caught on 3 lobworms
14/10/2007 - Chub and Barbel on the River Wye
Martin Salisbury with a chub of 5-10-0
14/10/2007 - ***
Not the biggest barbel l have caught, but the best looking fish
13/10/2007 - Meeting with a Giant of Carp Fishing
Eddie Price at Redmire
26/08/2007 - Another Good Weeks Angling
Will Carter with 5-15-0 tench
26/08/2007 - Another Good Weeks Angling
Another 3lb plus perch
29/07/2007 - Its Been A Busy Week Though I Did Catch A Brace of 3lb Plus Perch
3-6-0 Perch on float fished lobworm
16/07/2007 - Well Done Brendan Ince of Blackburn
9-15-0 Ribble barbel
12/07/2007 - Double Figure Barbel from River Kennet
10-4-0 Barbel
07/07/2007 - Pallington Lakes
15-8-0 common carp on 4lb line float fishing using corn as bait
30/06/2007 - River Kennet barbel catch
Will Carter with his 9-9-0 fish
30/06/2007 - Perch catch from gravel pit
3-13-0 perch on float fished lobworm
30/06/2007 - Tench fishing in Berkshire
6-4-0 tench best of the week
26/04/2007 - World Class Saltwater Spin and Fly Fishing
Tarpon on the fly
26/04/2007 - *
A Giant Permit
26/04/2007 - ***
Cassi Johnson's permit
26/04/2007 - ***
Some of the staff L-R Claudia, Anna, Bernadett, Betty, Rose and Martha
26/04/2007 - ***
Poling the flats On the pole Mark Hyde who is guiding David Jones
22/03/2007 - ***
A good permit from Turneffe
16/03/2007 - It’s the end of a great season
The flooded river Kennet
16/03/2007 - ***
John Bodsworth with a Kennet barbel of 11-4-0
22/02/2007 - Big Chub for Lincolnshire Angler
Barry Coombs with his 5-8-0 chub
21/02/2007 - A Great Few Days on the Kennet Feb 07
My 53rd double
19/01/2007 - Another Great Barbel Fishing Session on the Kennet Jan 07
Howard Mortimer with a personal best chub of 5-12-0
19/01/2007 - ***
This fish equal's my personal best barbel at 12-7-0
12/01/2007 - Make the Most of our Bank High Rivers
Martin Salisbury with his 8-12-0 barbel
31/12/2006 - Christmas Week in the Countryside
My best chub at 5-3-0
31/12/2006 - ***
My best perch at 2-6-0
31/12/2006 - ***
Manor of Cadland Shooting Party
20/12/2006 - Despite Drop in Temperatures - Chub and Barbel Were Feeding
My 40th Double figure barbel
20/12/2006 - ***
Will Carter with his 8-8-0 barbel
12/12/2006 - Floods and Storm Force Winds get the Barbel Feeding
Another nice double
25/10/2006 - A Perch Fishing Session
A 3-7-0 Kennet Perch
25/10/2006 - ***
Ewan Turner with his 2lb perch from the river Kennet
28/09/2006 - The delightful river Frome
I can often tempt a brown trout from this small bay
26/09/2006 - Grayling from the river Frome
A 2-8-0 grayling
26/09/2006 - Another Frome grayling
What a delightful fish is the grayling
26/09/2006 - A nice from grayling
Martin Salisbury with his personal best grayling at 2lbs
12/09/2006 - Britain's Biggest Common Carp
Tony Ashworth with his big carp
20/08/2006 - River Frome Grayling
One of the many grayling I caught from the Frome
20/08/2006 - River Frome Grayling Fishing
The tackle I used to make my best catch of grayling
20/08/2006 - River Kennet
L - R Paul Smythe and Anthony Morris with his 7-8-0 barbel
20/08/2006 - Pallington Lakes Dorset
Kate and her big Eel
20/08/2006 - River Frome at Pallington
This area on the river Frome is the home of a big grayling
16/03/2006 - Kennet Barbel
John King with his end of season barbel
06/03/2006 - 20lb Plus Carp From Half Frozen Lake
Nina's Big Carp
15/01/2006 - Kennet Chub
6-8-0 chub caught on crust
06/01/2006 - Ribble Barbel
Dave Pickering with his 11-4-0 barbel
04/01/2006 - Chub
Chef's best chub
26/12/2005 - Personal Best Bream
Martin with his 5-4-0 bream
22/12/2005 - Winter Caught Bream and Carp
Kevin with his 14-6-0 winter caught bream
15/11/2005 - Fun in the sun in Fujairah
One of my many bonito
15/11/2005 - ***
Wayne on the right with AJ and one of AJ's dorado
15/11/2005 - Fun in the sun in Fujairah
A great sports fish on a fly rod
15/11/2005 - ***
A party of flyfishers return to the marina
14/11/2005 - ***
Sailfish on traffic roundabout in the UAE
14/11/2005 - ***
A young camel spotted alongside the road
14/11/2005 - ***
A heron hunts for breakfast
14/11/2005 - ***
My 2 guides Wayne and Roger
14/11/2005 - ***
Water taxi's The Abra's on Dubai Creek.
20/10/2005 - Meatball Wizard
Jan with his 3-2-0 chub
16/10/2005 - First double Zander from River Severn
Phil with his best Zander
07/10/2005 - An introduction to Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort
A stunning view
07/10/2005 - Double figure Barbel from Bristol Avon
Phil Chun with his 12-4-0 barbel
06/10/2005 - Huge Bream From Wasings Shalford Lake
Phil Chun with a bream of 15-6-0
01/10/2005 - Saltwater Fishing the New England States
Martin with a 22lb bass
01/10/2005 - ***
A good Albie
01/10/2005 - ***
Thomas and Thomas sponsored Captain Jim White The best guide you will find on Rhode Island
01/10/2005 - ***
Gene Matteson playing a striper
01/10/2005 - ***
One of the many bluefish caught on a fly
01/10/2005 - ***
David Jones with a lure caught bluefish
01/10/2005 - ***
Captain Dixon Merkt lands another striper
01/10/2005 - Catch of Crucians for Pallatrax Man
Paul and his 3lb 6 ounce Crucian carp
28/09/2005 - Army Carp Fishing Championships
The Winning team Phil Chun and partner Gary Pearson
15/09/2005 - Boys First Carp
Jan with his carp
15/09/2005 - Tench fishing
A good tench
15/09/2005 - ***
Spodding gear
04/09/2005 - Not a pretty sight.
This could kill all our fish
30/08/2005 - Once again the EA didn't do anything to help keep these fry safe.
Some of the dead fry
24/08/2005 - Effluent
Effluent on the river Aire near Skipton picture taken 24th August 2005
24/08/2005 - ***
Effluent on the river Aire near Skipton picture taken 23rd August 2005
21/08/2005 - Big Perch
Norman Unwin with a 3-12-0 Kennet & Avon canal perch. Norman can often be seen in Crownmead Angling Centre Thatcham Berks
07/08/2005 - 155lb Catfish
Martin Salisbury with his 155lb catfish. Martin is the one wearing the shirt.
07/08/2005 - 5lb Eel from Pallington Lakes Dorset
Simon Tarrant a Community Nursing Team Leader for Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust pictured with a 5lb eeel
05/08/2005 - Another Big Fish for Bait Maker
Phil Chun with his 29lb 2ounce carp
23/07/2005 - Mullet caught on bread
My personal best mullet of 6lbs
11/07/2005 - Big Bream From Wasing Shalford Fishery
Phil Chun of Cotswold Baits Creations with his 14-8-0 bream
25/06/2005 - Carp on a fly rod
Stephen Collins and his fly caught carp
24/06/2005 - The tench is a fish of summer dawns
I caught many tench like this one from Rainbow Lake
24/06/2005 - Common carp
Float fished sweet corn tempted this fish
24/06/2005 - A corner of Rainbow Lake
A top swim for tench
24/06/2005 - One of six double figure bream
My personal best bream of 11-14-0
08/06/2005 - Another good fish on a Tock Special from Cotswold Bait creations
Phil Chum with his 10lb 2ounce tench
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
Casting the fly
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
The fly floats downstream to the feeding trout
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
Its a perfect drift as the fish takes the fly
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
"Hooked"
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
The rod takes the strain
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
Its in the net
03/06/2005 - On the Enborne
My reward just before its release
02/06/2005 - Pictures from from the Deerfield
Trevor Bross changing flies
02/06/2005 - Fly fishing is fun
Trevor nets a good trout
02/06/2005 - I fished a dry fly
Martin nets a good brown trout
02/06/2005 - Its a tailwater river
The Deerfield River at Hopperfield
02/06/2005 - The river bank was all shades of green
The bottom of Maple Pool
02/06/2005 - Lots of wildlife on the river
The Beavers do a lot of damage, sadly they cannot be culled, so they are now out of control.
02/05/2005 - Big Carp From Cotswolds
Phil Chum of Cotswold Bait Creations with his 37-2-0 carp
16/04/2005 - Not A Trout But I Wasn't Going To Complain
A lovely looking Kennet perch
16/04/2005 - Looking for Trout
Stephen Collins of Hungerford
15/03/2005 - 3lb Perch
A 3lb perch caught on a Black Magic fly which can be seen hanging from the mouth
15/03/2005 - Perch
A Brace of Three Pounders
15/03/2005 - A Personal Best Perch
My 3lb 11 ounce perch
04/03/2005 - Another good Chub
My second 6lb plus chub in two weeks from the Wasing Fishery on the river Kennet
18/02/2005 - 6lb 2ounce Chub
My 6lb 2ounce chub caught on bread flake from the Wasing Fishery on the River Kennet
13/02/2005 - Fly Fishing For Pike
A good pike on the fly
06/02/2005 - Thomas and Thomas booth
Top rod designer Tom Dorsey and sales rep Don Brown
06/02/2005 - Do you want the chance of catching huge Redfish? This is your man
Gregg Arnold A great saltwater fly fishing guide
06/02/2005 - The Royal Wulff booth
Doug Cummins in discussion with two lady fly fishers on the benefits of using Wulff fly lines
06/02/2005 - Gamma Technologies
Ron Carr and his hard working team
05/02/2005 - Barbel from River Ribble
10lb 10ounce barbel caught on legered breadflake
05/02/2005 - Big Chub
Chub caught on breadflake from the River Ribble weighing in at 7lb 10ounces See story
07/01/2005 - 6lb 3 ounce River Ribble Chub
My first 6lb plus chub of 2005
02/12/2004 - My Personal Best Barbel
A Personal Best Barbel Of 12-7-0 from the River Kennet using sausage meat paste bait, when conditions look bad. see story A Brace of Double Figure Barbel
02/11/2004 - False Albacore
Trevor Bross of Thomas & Thomas with a fly caught false Albacor caught off Cape Cod Massachusetts
02/11/2004 - Two Bite Less Days - Then A Good Session
My 10 lb 6 oz barbel See article Two Bite Less Days - Then A Good Session
