Toodle
Didn't get out again in June due to some unforeseen demands at work and by the time those were out the way it had got too hot and oppressive to think about staying outdoors for too long. Did have a pleasant long weekend in the Netherlands visiting the wife's cousin in The Hague, although again a...
Toodle
The closed season passed very quickly this year with nothing really blog-worthy to mention. Plans to fish the local canal and a club stillwater for zander and eels respectively never came too fruition, mainly due to apathy on my part. Had a couple of early bass sessions down in Pembrokeshire in...
Toodle
Seems to be the case that we are getting increasingly wet winters but this has to one of the worst so far. Every time I look at the weather forecast there is a line of rain icons stretching into the distance. Coupled with days where it has barely got light and with temperatures in single figures...
Toodle
It was apparently the most depressing day of the year yesterday, although mention "Blue Monday" to me and it immediately conjours up memories of 1983 - under-age drinking in dingy nightclubs in Birmingham, sticky dancefloors and girls with big hair. Saw New Order for the first time at the Tower...
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Apart from the fact that the reservoirs are still filling up, the drought over the summer now seems a distant memory. Autumn came to a rather abrupt and dramatic end as well, more so in some parts of the country than others. Last week the in-laws down in south-west Wales were subjected to the...
Toodle
Been looking for an opportunity to get out all week on the little brook and having already been thwarted twice and with Storm Claudia on its way it was now or never. Luckily it promised to be a nice day with no rain and the strong southerly wind that we'd been experiencing all week dropping off to...
Toodle
Just had a fantastic ten days in rural France. Autumn is definitely my favourite time over there - warm, clear days spent walking and foraging for chestnuts, walnuts and fungi. Wildlife was also amazing this time. We saw deer every day, as well as coypu and red squirrels. Also saw kestrels,...
Toodle
After not much deliberation I decided to have one more go after the big perch I'd spotted on the River Soar a few sessions ago, although by now I was beginning to wonder if I had actually been imagining things! Finished up at work and made it to Kegworth for half past three and then slogged it...
Toodle
A sunny, warm, dry spring has contributed to this year being a "mast year", where trees and shrubs produce and abundance of fruit, seeds and nuts. Happening roughly every five years this strategy is known as "predator satiation" as there is far too much food for birds and mammals to consume, so...
Toodle
Had another few days over in Lithuania last week to see the lad and his girlfriend. For a change we rented an apartment on the Coronian Spit, which if legends are to be believed, was created by the giantess Neringa to protect the Lithuanian coast from storms sent by the evil dragon, Naglis. A...
Toodle
Had a window of opportunity open up for me and with local the rivers having benefitted from a splash of rain I decided to head down to the River Soar again. Popped into Stapleford Angling for a pint of maggots and a quick chat before heading down the short distance down the motorway to...
Toodle
Whilst still windy, conditions had improved enough to encourage me to head out again with the float rod. Had seen off a pint of maggots in my previous session, so popped in to see Scott at Soar tackle just before he shut for the day only to be told that there was a national bait shortage -...
Toodle
Have never really been in a hurry to get down the rivers bang on June 16th, preferring to let the rush die down first. This season, when I haven't been up to my ears with work, it's either been too bleedin' hot or too windy for my liking. However, with the wife away for a few days I didn't really...