The build up started in earnest around mid November when I started noticing that my fishing time was getting less and less. So I counter-attacked and resolved to spend at least one day each week out on the bank. My good pal Pete Henton of the Bivvy Hospital arranged our first trip for weeks, “We’re…

The pike trip was on a Tuesday. I had planned this day out with Ian Wakeford a month or so previous and originally it was deigned to be a fly-fishing trip. Then we heard that the water was opening for pike fishing, so the trout interest waned somewhat. I drove up a deserted motorway to…

We should be grateful. The maritime weather of this Sceptred Isle allows the damp and warm Gulf Stream to render winters bearable in our northern islands. Without the Gulf Stream balm, we would return to the joys of a Siberian climate – frying eggs on the pavement in summer, and brass monkeys in the winter,…

It is also a most frustrating month, as I can never make up my mind what to go for! The rivers are fishing well, pike fishing is starting, carp are on the move and the shooting season is getting under way. I could do with having the whole month off work and making it twice…

Last Summer, as part of its fund raising activities, the school organised a fish-in to support a children’s home in Central Transylvania, Romania. The pupils of the school appear to have identified with and adopted this orphanage. It is very much a case of children helping children.We are very fortunate that our Deputy Head, Tim…

I won the individual title back in 1988 and since then have managed top spot in the Sunday team event and two firsts in the bank holiday Monday Wychavon event. In addition I’ve managed to get many more high placings over the past few seasons – so you can see how much I look forward…

Well, I guess a lot of us have had that complaint levelled at us and in my case it was with good reason. I was out of shape, no question about it. Hardly surprising really as my only exercise these days comes from tapping a keyboard or walking to the swim from the car.Okay. I…

In the last month I have been out several times with varying degrees of success. My short tench trips are not turning out too well. Three trips so far have produced a big fat zero, despite being in the right swim with the right bait etc. I know this because other guys are fishing the…

Fortunately the fishing has not and since I last put finger to keyboard for Carp Corner I have taken quite a few decent fish. Lac de Madine has been my centre of attention really with the forthcoming World Carp Classic at the front of everyone’s minds. I went out there with the Hutchy Dream Team…

A few weeks ago it was difficult to get a bite at the place. Five pounds was top weight from the Yacht lake on one match which seems hard to believe when you consider that just two weeks later virtually everyone recorded double figures of mainly bream. A week after this there were double figure…