Florence's First Christmas

Seasons Greetings

Seasons Greetings to all my blog readers.

2010 has been a tough year but the prospects for 2011 look much better.

Myself and Tjitske are looking forward to a great future together and we would like to wish all our friends a fantastic christmas and a happy and prosperous 2011.

Voor al onze  nederlandse vrienden een gezellige feestdagen en een gelukkig en gezond 2011

It's Not Going To Be Easy

Up until now I have managed a barbel every month of the season but looking at the current weather and the forecast December is going to be very cold.

It's down to minus 15 here in places so the barbel are not going to Feed for a while thats for sure.

With a house move coming up in the near future and then several months of hard work to get the house how we want it, all but the odd fishing trip will be out of the question.

Tjitske is back to Holland tomorrow for a few days and back with me in England next week.

She hasn't left yet but I miss her already

Florence loves Oma Tjitske

I Miss and Love You Very Much

Missing Someone

Had a good evening yesterday, did a slide show presentation for the West Norfolk Disabled Angling Club at Kings Lynn, just like the old days with Tom and Ginger helping out. I reckon it was one of the best talks I have ever done it went well and after all the heartache of the last few weeks I felt a bit of the old Ade was back.

Spare a thought for Lady T I know she is struggling a bit at the minute with things over in Holland, it really is time that someone grew up and faced reality and realised the truth.

Found this picture in the archives a much younger me with a nice bag of Wensum Roach

Many Thanks

A sincere word of thanks to all of you who have contacted me in the last few weeks to offer their support and help when I most needed it, it has been the toughest time of my life.

I can say without the love and support of one particular person I wouldn't be here now.

I know in the end it will all work out for the best, but when you are at the bottom of a deep hole and can see no way out its tough, very very tough.

Thanks to those that care, too many to mention, but especially to Lady T.

Well Done Woody

Not to be out done Woody came good with this 8lb plus barbel in superb condition

Oat cakes and Barbel

Good mates Ade Garside and Woody have made the trip over to the Severn after paying their way in oatcakes I decided to let them in on a few secrets and here is Ade with the proof it works

Middle Severn Double

Much colder today and rain the air but the barbel don't seem to mind.

T has managed a couple so far, both fitting fit autumn barbel, just like this cracking double I have just returned.

A Barbel for Lady T

Lady T has just put back her third barbel of the day

That's Novembers Barbel Sorted

On the Severn for a few days well needed R & R,, it's a lovely day weather wise.

The barbel are also out to play with 5 already,, all on the pellet and monkey..

Well Done Lee Kerry

Well done to old mate and future world champion Lee Kerry for his two recent wins on the big match scene.

Firstly the whiteacres festival then the big money Parkdean masters,, that's a cracking double mate well done.

Maybe now you have all that money in your pocket you can pay back that tenner I lent you!!!

Well done mate you deserve it

Back to work

Had a good 4 days off but it's back to work tonight

Walked in The Malverns on Sunday which was something I have never done before but will definitely be doing again, great walking with breathtaking scenery.

Caught a few barbel from the Severn only fished for about 6 hours in total but managed 5 average size but none the less cracking fish.

Had a great meeting yesterday with the team at Preston innovations and looked at some new tackle ideas and products, a special thanks to Ian Day at Sonubaits for not only giving me a chance in the first place but being a great mate and very supportive ever since, cheers Ian I appreciate it

The next few weeks are looking tough to say the least but I know the support from my family, my friends and one special person will get me through it.

Remember one and all

The Truth Never lies

That's Better

Not been out on the bank for a couple of weeks now but have managed a couple of hours this afternoon. Just had a lovely autumn barbel on the maggot

This one is especially for Lady T

Whatever Happens

Whatever life throws at me in the future and even in the worst days of the last few weeks I still have Florence to make me smile

Licence

Hey Nanny you got a licence to drive a pram like this

Barbel On

The boys from the Nederland's have had a good time here's Rik with his first of the day with the rest of the gang,,, over 30 barbel between them in the last 3 day.

Fantastic weather for October 20c and not a drop of rain.

Dutch On Tour

The Dutch barbel hunters tour continues, plenty of barbel today but we have taken a time out for a bit of site seeing

The First of Many I Hope

Frans, Marcel, Rik and Nico are with me on the Severn for a few days and Frans has just had the first of the trip

Cheesy Garlic

Back home and on the Severn with about 3 foot of extra water and plenty of colour in the river Garlic is the key to a few fish

Had 6 so far best over 6pm all on the cheesy garlic and monkey

Barbel 3000 and Counting

Whilst in Germany last week i was lucky enough to land and record my 3000th barbel, caught from the mighty Rhine and just short of 10lb, but none the less rewarding and very special as good mate Tom Sayer was there to witness and photograph the fish.

Also a big thanks to Cees because without his help fishing would have been a lot less productive

Germany Again

I along with Tom sayer have just returned form a short trip to Germany fishing in the Wesel area, our hosts for the trip were local expert Cees Van Dongen and his good lady Heike. I would like to thank them both for their hospitality and allowing us the pleasure of stating with them.

Before our arrival Cees had worked hard and made sure we had plenty of places to fish with a good chance of catching a barbel or 2, when Tom hooked the first barbel of the trip not many minutes after starting we never looked back.

Getting a fishing licence in Germany is not easy and over an hour spent in a council office proved that but with Cees help we finally got there but it wasn't easy by any means

During the trip Tom managed 17 barbel and I had 15 very rewarding results and mostly down to the hard work of our local expert, so well done Cees

Ouch That Hurts

A few weeks ago whilst I was in Germany I met up with Hendrik And Bianca a couple of Dutch barbel enthusiasts. They learnt a lot on the German trip and decided to put some of their new found skills to use and fish the Waal today.

First cast Bianca hooked and landed a good fish pictured above and not long after that fish was returned the baitrunner screamed again and this time it was Hendriks turn..

Unfortunately while trying to net the fish Bianca fell and broke her wrist, not good especially as the fish were feeding!!!!!

Hope it's not too painful Bianca and you 2 are back out fishing again soon.

Well Done Doug

Last week I spent a day on the Severn with the team from Korum and Total coarse fishing magazine. A good day was had by all including Doug Povey who caught one of the best barbel of the day.

Dave's first barbel

On the severn today with Darran and Dave Roper from Swansea

Darren had the first barbel about an hour ago and Dave followed it up with his first ever barbel, let's hope there are a few more to follow

On the Severn

On the Severn for a few days this week

Today it's with Steve Martin from Total Coarse Fishing, he's just had his first Severn barbel and at just short of nine pound he'd well happy

Tomorrow it's a Korum challenge winners day, again on the Severn with 20 or so invited guests all hoping to catch a barbel or two

Thursday I have a guiding day,, so let's hope the fish keep feeding, had 2 so far in the first 3 casts

Come On You Yellows

Watched the yellows beat Barnsley today top 6 after 5 games

Come on You Yellows

New Pictures and Video

Go to My Gallery to see some new pictures and video I have uploaded from my recent adventures.

Well Done Lee

Back from the Trent yesterday evening finished with 6 barbel and plenty of bream, river was low and clear but ended up well up with no colour and full of rubbish which didn't help the fishing. No excuses still had a good trip, Tuesday evening had a nice social with Dave and Alex Sneesby and Mr FFF Fisky. good job they brought plenty of milk water and tea bags or I would have ran out. Cheers also to Paul Garner as always great photos from a great bloke.

Just had a text from old mate Lee Hayes who is on the middle Severn this week and has smashed his P.B. and recorded his first double with a fish of 11.09.....Well done Lee

Back in Holland

Had to think for a minute if I was back in Holland when this barge passed through but unlike Holland this ones only a few hundred tons and most likely the only one I will see today.

Back to reality on The Trent just had my first fish a small dace hoping for a barbel or 2 once the tide starts to run.

Grandad I missed you

Little Florence came round yesterday and from those big eyes and heart melting smile I think she missed me

Back Home

Back home late yesterday evening after another great trip with the rivers running high and the weather wet wild and windy at times it was never going to be easy did manage 19 barbel that brings the season count to well over 100 from 7 different rivers target being 10 different rivers for the season.

Fished the Waal the last day for a few hours and managed 5 barbel all on pellet and monkey tactics.

Many thanks to Tjitske, Frans and Linda for looking after us so well as always we had a great time yet again.

Back to work tonight but with plenty of memories, video and images I have lots to do over the next few days to catch up.

If you are new to my blog or a regular reader please feel free to leave comments 

Um Pa Shake Hands

Just back in Holland after a 3 day trip to Germany acting as a guide for a group of Dutch barbel anglers on an organised trip to fish the Rhine in the small town of Kamp-Bornhofen in the Mosel region of Germany. The Rhine here flows between hills scattered with vinyards and its very wide flows hard with 180-240 gram leads and feeders needed to hold bottom.

Arriving on Friday after a four hour coach journey from Holland everyone was keen to fish and a few barbel were caught friday afternoon before we packed in for the evening at about 19.00. After a quick shower and brush up it was into the restaurant for our evening meal and a few beers, now please picture this a German Elvis look a like singing Um Pa songs and every now and then bursting into a chorus in english asking us all to shake hands very bizzare to say the least. the food wasn't too bad the beer was better the entertainment was crap but the locals were loving in!!!!.

Next morning for those that didn't over do the beer the night before it was an early breakfast and out on the bank before 8 and those that made the effort were rewarded with plenty of barbel all small fish up to around 4lb but good sport, the only bait that was working was maggot, the dutch love using cheese but that wasn't working and sweetcorn also wasn't producing. Keeping Gallons of maggots cool isn't easy but our coach driver Pete had no problem with us using the coach fridges to keep the bait cold and it worked very well.

The Dutch are very friendly people and I met some great people on the trip and from the kind comments that I got during our stay I am sure they were grateful of my help, what they lack in tackle and knowhow they make up for in effort. It would be hard to single anyone out but I would like to thank them all for a great weekend and hope our paths cross in the future.

The fishing got better as the weekend went on, the combination of the anglers getting better and plenty of bait going in saw plenty of barbel caught later on Saturday and during Sunday morning, the biggest going around 6lb.

I Only managed a few hours fishing myself but did manage 4 barbel in that time and was well pleased to add another river to my growing list and also to catch a barbel in such stunning surroundings.

Rain Spaceships and Big Barbel

All week the forecast has been for heavy rain and strong winds for today and they were correct for a change its hissed down most of the day with strong winds not ideal fishing weather.

We did manage to get a few hours in this morning between the showers and I must admit I had to take a second look when an approaching ship looked more like a space ship than a boat.

Frans managed a small barbel early on and I was close to admitting defeat when the Baitrunner on the Korum reel sang my kinda song and a strike of Zorro met with the firm resistance of a big barbel after a couple of hairy moments with the rocks Frans slid the net under a big fish.

The scales didn't quite do the double but at 9.09 I was more than happy, bad news is in our hurry to pack in I left an unhooking mat and landing net on the krib, good luck to whoever picks it up.

For the last four hours it hasnt stopped raining and I would imagine the local roads are well flooded the campsite roads are under water and several awnings on site have collapsed under the strain of the heavy rain.

Bikes and Windmills

In Holland the land of Bikes, Windmills and Cheese as they say if you cant beat them join them, so I Did, after last weeks adventures horse riding this week its bike riding, but with no hills and roads designed with cycles in mind, its good fun and good exercise and also our trip along the banks of the Waal was a great way to see the river.

Next it was off to the river Ijssel to catch a few barbel nothing big but a nice net of silver fish on the maggot and a switch to the monkey had 3 nice barbel grace the net, the river was very high and at one point the krib I was fishing from was completly swamped as a heavily laden passing barge caused a large swell which nearly washed me out. We have had some very strong winds which have made fishing difficult at times, the old fashioned dutch cloggers windmill has been replaced by many of the new fashion wind turbines like here on the Ijssel, which were working overtime due to the strong winds.

Now you are going to ask where the cheese came in, well thats simple a nice mature cheese sandwich and a cold beer.

Thunder Storms and Sunsets

In the land of cheese and clogs for a few days with Frans, Tjitske, Linda and My good lady Sonia.

Fished the Waal yesterday afternoon which at present is around 3 metres higher than its normal summer level, the barbel have been hard to come by in Holland for the last few weeks, the river has been high and cold and many of the Kribs are under water limiting the number of places to fish.

Both myself and Frans had a couple of barbel each nothing huge but still great sport hooked at distance in heavy flow.

The weather was interesting to say the least, behind us and a few miles East was a thunder storm with plenty of flashes and bangs but in front of us we were treated to an amazing sunset which lasted for ages as it picked up the edges of the storm clouds. 

Grand national next

Back home after a great holiday with the Vogels

Had my first ever go at horse riding last week and it was a great experience

Will blog a full holiday report tomorrow

But to wet your whistle between myself and Frans we netted over 100 barbel in the last few days with Frans bagging over 50 of those including not one but 2 middle Severn doubles

Watch this space

Hole in one

Florence on the green

Double Dutchy

Frans has caught his first English double a great fish at 10.04 (77cm) from the middle Severn

On the monkey

Now Where is My Pot of Gold

Nice weather for the ducks

Not saying it rained hard last night but even the ducks got under the umbrella

The fresh water done the world of good to the river and got the barbel feeding,, Frans had a good short evening session managing 12 barbel with the best going over 8 lb