European Adventure Deel Drie

We had some great fun with our hosts and searched out other parts of the river, we found some deeper slower areas of the Vienne that looked good for some big barbel and carp, plenty of French carp anglers seemed to visit these areas, and tales of "Grande Barbeau" had me thinking we had the right areas.

Martin was the first to hook a decent fish and it took several minutes to land a wild river carp that had taken his bait before roaring off about 100 metres downstream and tangling with other lines on its way, but to Martins credit he managed to land it.

As well as a holiday we were also happy to help our hosts with work around their home, so most morning after breakfast we were out and about and working hard, the fantastic weather made it all that more enjoyable.

(PLEASE NOTE THIS IMAGE IS NOT AN ADVERT FOR GAY LOVE ON PINK MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Sadly our trip was all to quickly over and we had to make the journey back through France and home to No20, its great to be away but as we all know its good to get home.

We stopped for the night on the way home at the small seaside town of Le Treport, we had a great evening on the bikes taking in some great views

We were also proud to visit the War cemetery at Etaple and pay our regards to the Fallen.

They shall grow not old,

As we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,

And in the morning

We will remember them.

A Big Big thanks to Bianca, Hendrik-Jan and Martin for such a Great time, we will be back!

Don't forget you are welcome in England anytime 

Great Read

Just got my copy of the new Korum magazine "Fishing made easy"

What a great publication you can see why Korum is the best brand by miles when it comes to quality specialist fishing tackle.

Pick up your free copy from any good tackle shop

European Adventure Part Deux

After our epic journey from Holland to France it was good to arrive and meet old friends Hendrik-Jan Bianca and Martin, after a nice meal and a beer it was time for bed and dream of some relaxed fishing over the next few days.

Our hosts had done all the hard work and licences and permits to fish were ready and waiting, bait was also sorted so it really was easy for us just off to the Vienne to catch some fish.

First cast and first fish and a new species for me in the shape of a Sneep (Nase)

Not long after our host Hendrik-Jan showed us how it should be done and produced the first barbel of the trip

Over the next few day we fished different areas of the river but not before Martin had been out early and collected the bread from the local bakers and Tjitske also cooked our hosts a full english breakfast.

My whole life has evolved around road transport and driving different vehicles from tracked vehicles to buses and motor bikes to tractors but our hosts set me a new challenge in the form of the French luxury car the Citroen Ami 8, this super high -tec vehicle tested my driving skills to the limit, and was also cracking fun to drive.

The big worry was that the french had put the steering wheel on the wrong side and also the French drive on the wrong side of the road, I always thought they were funny people now I know for sure.

As we explored more parts of the river we found some better quality fish and Bianca also managed a nice catfish, something I was hoping to catch during the trip.

To Be Continued

Here's to the next time

Tim and Nico have returned to Holland after a great few days with us in England, all too quickly the short trip was over but not before we managed to catch plenty of barbel from both the Severn and the Trent.

As a humble angler who just enjoys his fishing and good friends I can say I feel privileged to have met and enjoyed the company of some great friends over the last few weeks, I am not going to name any of you incase I forget anyone but you all know who you are, but rest assured my life is richer from the fact I feel I can call each and everyone of you a true friend.

Thanks from us to all of you

There is one exception and that is to Tjitske who really is my best friend and without her love and support my life would not be what it is today.

Tim & Nico on Tour

Tim and Nico are over in England for a few days and catching well on the Severn.

European Adventure Part 1

We have just returned from our first european adventure of the year and what a good one it was.

Our first stop was to see the old dog Frank and the birthday girl Riny, given the choice myself and Frank would have been off fishing straight away, but we had arranged earlier to visit the Overloon war museum, so early the next day we paid a visit to this incredible and very interesting collection, well worth the visit and somewhere I will definitely visit again in the future.

After visiting family and friends the next day I finally got a chance to fish and The Waal near to Gendt was my chosen destination and a barbel first cast was my just reward, no a biggie but none the less satisfying as it was my first European fish of the year

When we are in Holland its always great to meet up with the guys and gals out there whom we are proud to call our friends, during the weekend we met up with Cees, Tim, Rinko, Frank, Mike and many more, too many to mention, the venue was the Ijssel and the fishing was good and the company and friendships even better

After visiting more family, the next day it was time to make an early start and take the Barbel Bus into new territory with the plan being to travel from Eindhoven to Limoges, France in one day. The journey took around 14 hours with plenty of stops for refreshments and fuel but we finally made it to our hosts house just after 9pm.

To be continued 

ARE YOU AN XPERT

What a day up at 0345 on the road at 0430 just got back at 2000, but it was worth it to attend a product review and development meeting with the team at Korum.

I feel both honoured and privileged to be involved with such a great team and simply the best tackle company there is.

Today we have looked at products old and new and with some of the biggest names in specialist angling around the table you can be sure some exciting new products are in the pipeline.

The Most important and detailed discussions of the day centred around the new XPERT range that will encompasses a whole collection of top quality tackle aimed at the specialist angler. For now the majority of whats planned will have to remain secret but rest assured as the range develops you will be some of the first to know.

However heres a sneak preview of some rods from the new range trust me when I say these will be some of the best rods you have ever seen, the quality of the blank and finish is of the highest standard only normally seen on hand built custom rods.

For more news keep checking www.korum.co.uk

Me Jealous? You Bet!

Our great friend and Dutch barbel nut Tim Janssen has been out catching again, luckily in Holland they don't have to put up with any antiquated close season rules, so I am very jealous that Tim and our other friends in Holland and Germany can get out and catch a barbel or 2 just when the want.

Tim like me is a big fan of Sonubaits products, for 2 reasons, 1: they are the best quality baits on the market and 2: they catch lots of fish.

Tim was using the new spicy sausage pellets and hook-baits, in testing these products produced some amazing results so I have no problems in recommending them to anyone.

The proof we say in England is in the pudding, well in this case the pudding is torpedo shaped and fights like crazy, well done Tim, I can't wait till its my turn to catch a few of those Dutch Barbel.