Back in the beginning (of Fallon’s Angler) there came an apology to Izaak Walton. In the chaos of production the first issue went to press with a spelling mistake. I’m sure he won’t mind. To many he is the forefather of angling – and to some he altogether transcends this great passion of ours. With …
Regarded by his peers as one of the finest wildlife filmmakers ever, Hugh Miles has had an extraordinary career that has taken him from filming condors in the Andes to polar bears in the arctic and snow leopards in the Himalayas. He has come within inches of tigers and jaguars in the search for the …
It is slightly tragic that the ‘common’ skate (Dipturus batis or Raja batis) was, in 2006, listed as a critically endangered species. Once widespread across the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, over fishing has decimated the population. They are long lived – a female only reaches sexual maturity at eleven years, and is subsequently fertile …
In the unofficial hierarchy of rock-pooling, having ticked off shore crab, shrimp and then the butterfish (see Bits and Pieces Issue 6) the next target in the list is the shanny. Also known as the common blenny or seafrog, the shanny (Lipophrys pholis) is a fearsome looking fish with more than a passing resemblance to …
First produced in the 1930’s, the Wallis Wizard, or simply the Wizard, is one of the most successful fishing rods ever made. Built by Allcocks, the Wizard comprises of three sections – the butt being whole cane and the other two sections split cane. The ‘Wallis’ tag, which is not included on all models, came …
Yes, this might seem an odd choice for Things we Like, and something that Fishpool would never eat at home, but on the riverbank, around dinnertime, there is little better than a hot meal – even if it is slightly synthetic. The best varieties are the spicy ones. Though perhaps, rather like the misconceptions surrounding …
On the coast of Scotland, to the north west of Oban, between the mainland and the Isle of Mull, lies the Sound of Mull. This is a narrow, deep stretch of water, with strong tides and a wealth of marine life, making it popular with divers, naturalists and anglers. The fishermen mainly come here for …
Hampshire is renowned throughout the world for its chalkstreams. Fly anglers travel miles and pay extraordinary amounts of money to cast for the trout and salmon of the Test and Itchen, but to some, the real treasure flows a few miles further east. The River Meon is a little over twenty miles long and meanders …
Another fine offering, these are becoming what Fridays are all about… So what if he’s been featured before and is a contributor to FA3 – such a considered response to last week’s Bits and Pieces cannot be overlooked.
“I have just received your magazines. I am so impressed with their beauty, simplicity and quality. They have such a tactile feel, a good move not making them glossy. They are sure to become a much loved favourite. I cannot wait for my husband to see them as fishing for him is as much about …
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 …
