1987 was something of a mixed a year. There was plenty of tragedy in the form of the Hungerford massacre, sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise, the Remembrance Day Bombing and the fire at Kings Cross. Margaret Thatcher remained Prime Minister and Rick Astley was storming through the Pop charts. Amid it all, however, […]
Herring fishing was once a big industry throughout northern Europe and North America. As vast shoals of fish were located and plundered before being readied for shipment across both continents, entire communities were founded upon this single process. As Donald S Murray explains in Herring Tales, though the fishing itself was undertaken almost exclusively by
There has been a distinct Cornish edge to this week’s Bits and Pieces, and while considering the county, it is impossible not to give time to one of the greatest inventions the world has ever known… A true Cornish Pasty must be made with a minimum 12.5% beef content and 25% vegetable, which, in turn
Another winter of fluctuating river levels and major flooding has left plenty of homes and businesses in tatters and great chunks of the natural world decimated. When the water levels have eased, a walk along a riverbank can give a startling illustration of just how fierce the currents were. Aside from the mud and remoulding,
Post flood Harvesting Read More »
With more than a quarter of a million miles of road in the UK it is of little surprise that so many of us live a hectic, fast-paced life. But tucked away and all but forgotten in the quieter corners are the remnants of the 19th Century’s transport system. Our canal network is overlooked by
It is almost impossible to resist the power of advertising. Even those if us sensible (and disciplined enough) to avoid the trappings of television and other media still face a barrage when we step out of the house. Billboards, sign-written vehicles, shop fronts and branded clothing – advertising is everywhere. Even the back of petrol
The Power of Advertising Read More »
Having read of the president of the International Game Fish Association proclaiming Zyg Gregorek as ‘The Greatest Angler in the World’, it got Fishpool thinking… Though Zyg has made no such claims himself (to Fishpool’s knowledge), it is an interesting statement. In terms of Game fish caught, Zyg is without equal, and his achievements warrant
What is great angling? Read More »
Fishpool read an interesting article recently in the 1963 Anglers Annual that rounded up the results of the 1962 Tournament Casting Competitions. Though such events remain to this day, it would appear that public interest is not what it was in the early 60’s. Certainly a modern day generic fishing publication is unlikely to devote five
Casting Competitions Read More »
As Fishpool was nosing through the 1963 edition of the Anglers’ Annual, a familiar name caught his or her eye in the Coarse Fishing Catch Review section. Captor of one of the biggest pike of the year (a fish of 32lb from Hickling Broad) was Dennis Pye. A further glance below at the rudd report
Fishpool is more fortunate than most, not least because he or she didn’t have to face the rigours and strains of growing up in the City. A rural upbringing makes life far easier for a young rod-wielder. Aside from the increased tolerance of such an activity, there are far more opportunities to cast in the
Fishpool recently wrote of the impact that the storms of this winter have had on our river systems, but often forgotten at such times are our seas. Gale force winds whip up the waves which crash into the shore, and when combined with high tides the effects can be devastating. With so much extra water
A recent thread on The Path by The Water forum reminded Fishpool of the greatest moment in the life and career of Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas Goes Fishing is the second story in the fourth book of Rev W Awdry’s Railway Series, entitled Tank Engine Thomas Again. Thomas’ branch line crosses the local river,
Thomas Goes Fishing Read More »
The devastating floods of this and recent winters have caused havoc not just for people, but also for wildlife. So rapidly have the waters risen that huge numbers of invertebrates and small mammals have simply been washed away. The fish have struggled too, with river species becoming stranded in fields and ditches, and their stillwater
Back in the late 1970’s a small group of anglers, sharing a fondness for carp fishing and split cane rods, founded The Golden Scale Club, an organisation which excels at disorganisation. For more than thirty-five years, The GSC have drifted very lazily around the eddy at the back of the weirpool, meeting, in some number
The Golden Scale Club Read More »
The late 1970’s – in Britain Punk still ruled, though the Ska sounds of bands such as The Piranhas were becoming increasingly influential. Meanwhile, in the US and Canada, Heavy Metal was giving way to Rock. Bands like Survivor, Rainbow, and Chicago were adding harmonies and soaring guitar solos to hard-edged bass riffs, and among
Fishpool trod the banks of a lowland river recently, hoping to catch a nice chub. Sadly, not a bite was had, and this was due in part to one of the biggest tangles in the history of angling. Of course, it wasn’t Fishpool who got in a fix, but his or her angling companion for
Back when Fishpool was a mere sprat, and the world was my oyster – I rather fancied myself as a computer programmer. Computers were taking the world by storm and my folks managed to pick up an almost new BBC Model B – with a whopping 32K memory. Fishpool thought how fabulous it would be
Looking for Bytes? Read More »
As the weather finally threatens to turn chilly and remind us that we are, after all, in the middle of Winter, Fishpool recalls visiting a local pond as a child, fishing rod in hand and with thick ice bank to bank. My normal practice was to find a spot close in to the bank with
The New Year inevitably brings with it a tinge of regret when those extra pounds (or kilos) around the belly first show themselves on the scales. But gluttony is thankfully a mainstay of our festive season, and resolutions are quickly made (and broken). It is popularly believed that it was Henry VIII’s fondness for turkey on Christmas Day
1656 was a bleak year in the history of the bleak. For it was then, in Paris, that Francois Jaquin successfully extracted crystalline guanine from the fish’s scales. Known to many in the cosmetics industry as ‘pearl essence’, this substance was wisely used in the manufacture of imitation pearls, and suddenly, the bleak, who up
We in Britain are often quick to guffaw at the apparent silliness of our American cousins across the pond. Oh how we laughed when we heard that more than a quarter of Americans surveyed believe that the Sun orbits the Earth, or that the same amount are unaware that the United States has declared independence
One of the curious aspects of a fish is its ability to grow in relation to subtle changes in its environment. Put a thousand young rudd into a tiny pond and they will remain stunted, but put the same amount in a 10 acre lake and they will grow much larger – provided there is
Bob the Giant Goldfish Read More »
A story in the national press recently caught Fishpool’s eye – it related to a goldfish called Bob and was mentioned just a few lines ago. One question that Bob’s owner, Anne from Scarborough, asked was how long her giant goldfish might live for. It’s an interesting point. Most goldfish will live for less than
The oldest of fish Read More »
In the summer of 2014, broadcaster Claire Balding was recording part of her Ramblings series for Radio 4 when she was stopped, rather abruptly, in her tracks. ‘Gosh,’ she was heard to say, ‘We’ve walked out on to the road and turned left, and sitting in the middle of the road ahead of us was
The Beast of the Doward Read More »
In a country so closely associated with modern technology, it may be a surprise to some that one of the most popular fishing methods in Japan, is also one of the most straightforward. Meaning ‘from heaven’ or ‘from the skies’, Tenkara is a method of fly fishing in which the angler forgoes a reel to
Ever wondered why the Severn is so called? Or why there are so many rivers called Avon and Stour? The Etymology of our rivers has confused and intrigued for centuries. Some names are self-explanatory. The ‘Blackwater’, which is a name shared by at least a dozen water courses in the British Isles, relates to the
The Atlantic cod is a fish renowned for keeping a somewhat catholic diet. Being a huge mouthed predator, they tend to chomp first and digest later, and will pick up almost anything they come across if it vaguely resembles food. The natural diet of a cod will feature smaller fish, crabs, lobsters, starfish, prawns and
Among the almost endless benefits of angling, is the access we are given into the natural world. We get blasé about kingfishers and herons, and will regularly spy swimming grass snakes in the summer months. Water voles will gnaw the stems beneath our feet and otters seem to be popping up wherever we cast. As
Autumn is a prime time for fishing. As the water temperatures begin to drop, many fish feed hard in order to pack on weight for the winter ahead. Weed dies back and river flows increase, while around the coasts now is the best time to find a big bass or two. Regardless of the season,
The otter (Lutra lutra) has seen a dramatic shift of fortune in Britain over the past few decades. Previously persecuted, their range was limited, and away from the coasts and more remote river habitats, the mammals were largely absent. In 1927, Henry Williamson published his novel Tarka the Otter: His Joyful Water-Life and Death in
It is a rare book indeed that can relate the subject of angling to non-anglers, but Blood knots, by Luke Jennings, succeeds as well as any. The memoir is a deep, often harrowing, insight into Jennings’ life as an angler, and has richly deserved the plaudits it has gained, though few non-anglers will see the
Back near the beginning of all things, soon after the esteemed editor of Fallon’s angler, Garrett himself, realised the folly of tackling Bits and Pieces by himself, his saviour, Fishpool, highlighted the life of ‘BB’ – one of our most loved and lyrical angling writers. Of course, ‘BB’ was but a pen name for Denys
It would be wrong for an Issue of Bits and Pieces to have featured The Pathetic Sharks without finding room for Viz magazine’s greatest ever fish. The tale of Billy Thompson is quite extraordinary. Born half man half fish, his life was without purpose until he was talent spotted while playing football in the local
Despite having absolutely no statistical evidence to prove it, Fishpool is willing to bet a pint of maggots on the fact that more facial hair is sported by male anglers than men of any other sporting or leisure activity. Consider the beards that have graced the pages of Bits and Pieces – Yates, Wilson, Botham,
An anglers greatest asset is luck. We can learn the subtleties of the water beside which we sit. We can teach ourselves the patterns of the current, the vagaries of fish and the impact of weather and light levels. We can put ourselves into the perfect position to catch but still we must rely up
Every summer, with Parliament out and news stories slow, someone will spot a shark off The Needles or the Cornish Coast and the papers will explode with tales of Jaws prowling around our beaches. Invariably, the sighting proves to be a basking shark, an enormous, but utterly harmless plankton eater. Just occasionally though, these stories
British great whites? Read More »
One of the greatest moments of an angler’s day is, having been caught by a sudden storm, to happen upon a little hut beside the river. It will be unlocked and built for no other reason than to shelter anglers such as he or she who has just stumbled damp through the door. Largely built
Said Piscator to Viator (in The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton) – look you here, Sir, do you see? (but you must stand very close) there lye upon the top of the water twenty Chubs: I’ll catch only one, and that shall be the biggest of them all: and that I will do so, I’ll
Dapping with grasshoppers Read More »
There are few techniques as exciting as sight fishing. Whether you are dapping grasshoppers, casting a dry fly, or fishing slow-sinking breadflake for mullet, the anticipation sends a tingle up your nose. Chub can often be targeted with such methods, but their natural wariness can make it tricky to detect bites. They will often pick up
Fish and Chips. Yes please – lots of salt and vinegar, perhaps a pea fritter on the side and even though it is a dinner guaranteed to deliver Fishpool a major dose of indigestion, he or she simply cannot resist. Aside from the tradition within the meal itself, there is also a lovely, and very
Gulls really do get a bad rap – especially in our towns and cities. Every summer we go slightly hysterical as they swoop down to steal ice-creams from toddlers and chips from defenceless OAP’s. ‘Cull them!’ we cry, ‘Something must be done!’ Well, surprise surprise, there is something we can all do. Stop feeding them.
The mornings are slow at this time of year. The sun still has some warmth, but burning off the morning haze takes effort and the dew is keeping the grass damp until lunchtime. It is now that fishing begins to get serious. The sea is at its warmest, and the bigger bass and pollock are
Aaahh – 1988….The first Red Nose Day, GCSE’s replacing O-Levels, Kylie wished she was so lucky, and Cliff crooned about Mistletoe and Wine. And of course, The Waterboys brought us Fisherman’s Blues. Recorded in Dublin this was the album that broke from the band’s previous rock and roll sound, instead incorporating a Celtic Folk edge.
As it entered its final day, the 2012 Bailiwick Bass Club Open competition looked to have been won with a cracking fish of 10lb 3oz. But then, from nowhere, Guernsey angler Matt Clark arrived at the weigh-in with a whopper. A 13lb 13oz bass – a monster of a fish that won Clark a rather
It’s all about that Bass Read More »
Back in July, Neil Bridges was fishing for barbel on the River Severn at Ripple. It was dark when he hooked into something rather larger than he was expecting. For 75 minutes he battled a fish that turned out to be far too big for his landing net, and ultimately he had to drag it
The very best fishing stories are those with an element of truth to them, and what makes a good story great, is when there is sufficient evidence to keep people talking about it forever. In 1934, beside the mouth of the River Endrick on the shores of Loch Lomond (see Places we Like) the body
The recent Blue Moon (which fell on the final day of July) found Fishpool pondering the long argued topic of moon cycles and the effect that they have on fish and fishing. There can be no doubt that the Moon affects our sea fish – after all they live in an environment that is dictated
Following some heavy bias towards the fairer sex in recent Issues, it is time to balance up the equation. Fishpool was recently alerted (by Mark Walsingham (see Bits and Pieces Issue 10)) to the capture of another monster salmon—this time by a man.. In 1912 while fishing the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Tern,
Thomas Allen’s ‘Record’ Salmon Read More »
Back in Issue 11 of Bits and Pieces, Fishpool made mention of Elderflower Champagne—a cheap and easy-to-make glass of slightly alcoholic fizz. Having quaffed several gallons since, the end of the elderflower season is no bad thing—work needs to be done and too many weeks have passed in an elder haze. Fishpool, though, has still
Some years ago, Fishpool found himself in Roosky, on the banks of the River Shannon. A kindly local angler pointed him in the direction of a bream hotspot. I couldn’t fail, he assured me—which, after a few days’ largely fruitless fishing, was just what I wanted to hear. We would only be there for a
On the 25th April 1935, Australian fishermen Albert and Charles Hobson caught rather more than they had bargained for. A 14 foot long tiger shark (see Fish we Like) was tangled in their line and having dragged it to shore they decided to take it to a local aquarium. There it became a popular exhibit
The Shark Arm Case Read More »
It has long been suspected (largely, one suspects, by jealous men) that female anglers have more than just skill and fortune on their side. It is reasoned, that fish such as the Atlantic salmon (see Fish we Like) that are driven into freshwater by an irresistible urge to procreate, find the pheromones of a lady
The Scent of a Woman Read More »
Somewhere, on a river or lake near you, casts an angler quite unlike any other. No man fishes with such efficiency or accuracy. No man is more driven or less distracted. This sport of ours isn’t about misty dawns or lazy, hazy afternoons. In the words of the General himself – fishing is not meant
Fishing with the General Read More »
Perhaps it is because we spend too much time staring at rod-tips or motionless floats, but whatever the reason, anglers do seem particularly prone to seeing ghostly apparitions. Almost everyone has a creepy tale to tell, so what is it that makes people of sound mind go all aquiver – particularly at night? Many pools
For centuries, sailors and fishermen in the Belgian port of Antwerp would amuse themselves by playing around with the dead bodies of rays and skate (see Fish we Like). Though this might conjure up seedy and unwanted images, be assured that Fishpool would never stoop to discuss the popular tales of lonely fishermen ‘engaging’ with
This talk of smelly rays and skates (see Back of the Shed) leads us neatly, if a little discriminatory, to the cuisine of Korea. Unlike most animals, all species of skate (see Fish we Like) do not urinate, but instead excrete uric acid through the skin. This acid, upon fermentation, turns into ammonia which then
Not many flies have a story quite like the dogsbody… Legend has it that a fishing farmer local to Usk in Monmouthshire, was sent a new pattern that he couldn’t replicate. He took it into the local barber, Harry Powell, who was also a fly-tier, rod-builder and founder of Sweets Fishing Tackle (see Places we
One, oft quoted statistic, tells us that we are more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than a shark. This is of little consolation to a Galeophobic however, and frankly, most of us would rather take our chances lying in the shade of a coconut tree than go paddling with a great white.
Swimming with Sharks Read More »
If you happen to find yourself in the southern United States beside a river that is heaving with 40lb flathead catfish, only to find, rather like finding yourself naked in a dream, that you have left all your fishing gear at home – fear not. It’s time to noodle.. Catfish noodling is a method of
Hallelujah! – Its raining fish! …and so on – it sounds crazy, yet this is a very real phenomenon. In 2004, villagers in Knighton, Shropshire, were pelted with minnows during a particularly heavy downpour, while in 2000 Great Yarmouth was peppered with sprats. It may not be an everyday occurrence, but there are similar examples
Dawn on the Opening Day (see Things we Like) of the season. You’ve put up a rod, thrown in a handful of enticement, and the light is creeping. As you ponder a dozen or so metaphors and a liberal sprinkle of hyperbole, you notice bubbles kissing the surface beside the lilies (see Things we Like).
Regular readers of Bits and Pieces will be familiar with this, occasional series. Back in mid March Fishpool attempted with absolute minimal effort, to clean his tackle bag out after another grime laden season. His attempts failed. So here we are now, on the cusp of a new season, and the issue has yet to
Novel Ways of Cleaning out your tackle bag #3 Read More »
As the new fishing season approaches, so our woods and hedgerows are becoming flecked with fragrant, creamy crowns. June is the month for elderflower, and though some use it to flavour wine or cordial, an angler need know only one recipe to ensure the perfect accompaniment for an early season foray. To a gallon of
Elderflower Champagne Read More »
In this modern age, technology is playing an ever increasing role in our angling. Bait boats are regularly used by carpers looking to feed a tight bed of bait at range, while drones are even rumoured to be appearing over lakes as anglers rush to get an edge. Is it any wonder then that a
Self Striking rod rests Read More »
Every year, in the Gulf of California, hundreds of rays congregate to take parting in a spot of jumping. The fish, some measuring more than ten feet across, will leap clear of the water before belly-slapping back into the sea – and no-one really knows why. It is a behaviour trait shared by all members
Every spring sea anglers begin to gather around our coast in anticipation of the summer migration. Mackerel, garfish (see Fish we Like), mullet, sea bream and bass all move inshore as the weather warms to either breed or feed. Then, just as the fishing looks set to be spectacular, the May water comes and spoils
The poor old mole is a much maligned mammal. He spends almost all of his life underground, where specially developed blood cells allows him to survive very low oxygen levels. Their underground tunnels act like traps and any worm that happens to drop in is swiftly sniffed out and given a paralytic nip. The saliva
There are many ways to charm a worm. The recent International Festival of Wormcharming in Blackawton, South Devon, saw the three person teams using any method they wished – providing there was no digging or forking. Though the result of this year’s contest are still under collation (in other words, FishPool can’t find them) it
The sun is high, the sky clear and every chub in the river is skulking under that far bank raft – thirty yards away. If you had brought a fixed spool reel then you’d have a five pounder on the bank within minutes, but you’re using a centrepin and you’ve yet to dance with the
Research on Winterwatch earlier this year, revealed an alarming presence in otter spraints. 40% of the poo dissected was found to contain little plastic beads. These beads are found in cosmetics – particularly facial scrubs – and find their way through our sewage systems and into our rivers. Here they are swallowed by fish and
Little plastic balls Read More »
Anyone who read Issue One of Fallon’s angler will have been inspired/bemused/terrified of Dom Garnett’s after dark exploits in Torquay. To recap, Dom penned a rather brilliant piece about squid fishing, and one of the most fascinating aspects was the type of lures he used. Though the body resembled that of a standard lure (imitating
A study published in Theoretical Ecology earlier this Spring suggests that invasive species find a foothold in new ecosystems by hanging out at familiar landmarks. Species such as the Asian carp, when finding themselves in a new environment, will seek out spots that look different, in the hope that a potential mate will have the
Having filled your Kelly Kettle (see Things we Like) with water, the next step is ignition. Newspapers ain’t what they used to be. Even the broadsheets seem to just blacken and smoulder like a pile of wet leaves. Fire lighters might be an option, but are morally unacceptable and they stink. Kerosene tainted cheese paste
Regular readers of Bits ‘n Pieces will have had their taste buds tickled in recent weeks with talk of Cormorant soup and Heron pudding. Such delicacies require something decent to wash them down with, and having resisted the temptation to pull a Kingfisher beer, Fishpool has been sampling something rather more pleasant. Butts brewery are based
Those folk at Google recently took to a boat in order to photograph the surface of Loch Ness. While this gives people from around the world an opportunity to search for floating logs and mysterious shadows, it also gives anglers a nudge toward a handy tool. There is no suggestion that we all go Nessie
Google Street View Read More »
The perfect starter for the Heron Pudding mentioned in last week’s Bits and Pieces is surely to be found in Vicoria R Rumble’s Soup Through the Ages. In the nineteenth century, Cormorant Soup regularly featured in the diets of those living in the Western Isles of Scotland. The thought of it is, frankly, repulsive but
Waiter, there’s a cormorant in my soup! Read More »
A rather curious looking pot of relish recently bobbed into the Fishpool – a recognition of an anniversary of age. The advice on the label of The Angler’s Finest Relish is to ‘use very sparingly’. A dab of a finger shows why. The taste is intense – it is saltier than salt itself. Marmite on
Not sure to do with that heron in your swim? Perhaps May Byron’s 100 year old recipe for Heron Pudding could be the answer. The bird should be picked and flayed before slices of meat are taken, placed into a crust (such as one would use for steak and kidney), and then boiled for ‘many’
As Election fever grips the nation, the residents of Grimsby were treated this week to the sight of reality star ‘Joey Essex’ and wannabe MP ‘Nigel Farage’ boarding a fishing boat in order to ‘discuss’ EU fishing policy. This is a serious issue, as Grimbsy folk know only too well, so what was the main
Hide it in the laundry basket and hope the washing fairies work their magic. Cleanliness rating – 0/5 Definitely not recommended – the doghouse is a lonely shack.
Novel ways of cleaning out your tackle bag #2 Read More »
In the first of a new, occasional series, we examine novel ways of cleaning out your tackle bag after a hard season. #1 – Leaving it open in a chicken coop. A disappointing effort from the chooks who seemed utterly disinterested in pecking all the grotty grittiness from the inside of the bag. Cleanliness rating
This chap was literally found in the back of the Editors tackle shed. Despite widespread Daily Mail inspired panic, they’re a non-aggressive arachnid. Four species of Steatoda (False Widow) are native to Britain, and even the slightly poisonous nobilis strain (which this one appears to be) have been here for at least 150 years…
False Widow Spider Read More »
The Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is one of the more peculiar looking fish in our seas, but their love of the sun was until recently unexplained. Research detailed in the Journal of Animal Ecology has found that sunfish are actually deep-diving feeders and their large body shape is less susceptible to the colder temperatures they
Remember the Fish-Slapping Dance in Monty Python? Of course you do. But such wonderful buffoonery might not be out of place were you to happen upon a Korean wedding. Sort of. In some areas it is customary for the grooms to have their feet beaten with dead fish in order to prove their strength before
‘Back of the shed’ is the place where random angling detritus gets deposited. It can be anything at all, but mostly it’s slightly obscure, off the beaten-track, difficult to categorise, like a caelocanth. Well, ok, that’s not the best example. It’s a place for anything that isn’t one of the other five categories in ‘BITS’N’PIECES’. There, much
What is ‘back of the shed’? Read More »
The submission date for the Caption Competition has been extended to January 31st 2015, to overlap with the publication of Issue 2 of Fallon’s Angler. To enter the competition, you must first have purchased a copy of Fallon’s Angler Issue 1. When you purchase a copy, you get a unique order number. Please submit this
Caption competition Read More »
