Poor Old Pike?

It's the time of year when tackle companies start to think towards the colder months and start to pitch predator products to us.


I received a visit today by a rep from an incredibly reputable company, a company that I have a lot of respect for.


Whilst pitching a new predator product I became aware that, to me, there MAY be an issue of fish safety and voiced my concerns. To be fair, the fellow, far from going defensive, appreciated the feedback, stating that my point was valid .
It seems to me that this most beautiful and delicate of course fish gets a bit of a rough trot.
In Carp and Barbel angling, fish safety has become paramount, and rightly so. I don't go overboard about it and there are no hard and fast rules, we all draw our own lines. I do believe though, that other species do not seem to be held in as high esteem by many anglers.
I have already voiced concerns aboout feeder rigs in this article. I still also get shown Pike rigs that will tether a fish should the main line snap, resulting in a miserable death for the poor creature. I still get asked for those archaic Pike gags which seem an ideal tool for smashing teeth(I don't sell them) and I also have some reservations on the use of treble hooks.
I would be interested to hear your views, I know that many of you fish for Pike...am I right? Is the much maligned and misunderstood Esox a victim of a different way of thinking, or do they deserve the same respect that Carp receive.

A Birthday Treat

It was my birthday this week...I got to thinking how difficult it must be to buy a present for an ardent,intrepid piscator who runs a tackle shop. Once again though, the good Lady Sarah came up trumps...

Kevin Nash, A Couple Of Days With A Legend.Part Two

After what can only be described as a good nights sleep, I peered across the lake, looking for a sign, a clue. There had been a few boils in the near margins and I decided that I would explore this area and present my baits there from here-on.



The Sun shone through but it was blowing a bit to say the least. It was about 10am when a figure strolled around the lake...
Our host, enigmatic, Zen like and likeable....Kevin Nash.
Shakey put the kettle on, Mr. Nash pulled up a bucket and we chatted...it became immediately apparent that here was a man of knowledge, we listened when he spoke, the thing he lacked was ego. I suggested that he must be incredibly proud of his lakes,the fruits of his toil,his reply "Not really, I am proud of my Sons".
We listened attentively as he recalled stories of his adventures on Snake Pit, Warmwell and Chantecoq, classic stuff, but far from lording it, he was down to earth, one of the lads. He stopped, mid conversation as a bird called out, pointing an ear in it's direction,"I haven't heard that one before"he exclaimed before continuing.
We discussed the fishing situation, no fish so far.He looked at us,"they'll be on the natural,did you bring maggots?"..We had, it was good enough for me to bring in both rods and rig them up with Mag-aligner rigs utilising a Nash Mutant Imitation Maggot and place them on the margin spots.
About two hours later we were enjoying a tea and a chat with Nash director Alan Blair when my left rod was away. I struck, felt two thuds, then everything went solid. Shakey and I took to the boat, the sensible thing to do and something we had decided upon the night before should a fish dive into the weed.
The wind was now bordering on gale force and poor old Shakey was rowing like crazy just to keep us above the fish, Alan looked on, I wasn't even sure if the fish was still attached.
However, after ten minutes having tried many angles on the fish and with Shakey doing me proud, the weed gave way and the fish plumed up towards us followed by a whoop of delight from Alan, it was beautiful and big, but it wasn't beaten and chugged off around the lake with us in tow. There were a couple of times in the next ten minutes when I screamed for Shakey to place the net under it in that over eager, semi-desperation to secure the prize. He stayed calm, bided his time.After another surging run away from the boat and more catch-up we finally had her in the net, a true team effort.
On the bank at last, I looked upon this immaculate beast,in total respect, I could've easily released her without weight and pictures such was my trepidation at holding her aloft,I was such a quivering wreck, but with the help of all the lads the deeds were done before returning her back to the depths, safe and sound.
Kevin came around and congratulated me on the capture "Now how did I know you'd have that on maggots",he said with a knowing smile.
The man drinks tea for England and He, Shakey and I chatted into the evening, we even got to hear the full classic tale of the time he fished for five days with a body in his swim!!
Although we fished another night in which the adrenaline stopped me from sleeping, we had no more action.
The whole experience at "Nash resorts-Essex" as he calls it, with tongue firmly in cheek, is something I will never forget and I am left to thank Kevin for the opportunity to catch one of his majestic Carp and Matt and Alan for their assistance.
The Nash website can be found here.

Kevin Nash: A Couple Of Days With A Legend..Part One

With only a couple of small Chub to show for my river fishing so far a couple of days respite was in order. An invite then, from a certain Mr. Nash to come and fish his lake, well we didn't need twice asking.
Deep in the vales of darkest Essex is a magic kingdom, a home, a business empire, but best of all..a watery world of wonder which has the potential to make the dreams of any Carp angler, including the owner, come true.
Myself and 'Shakey Lee' were greeted at the unassuming entry gates which held no clue to the delights hidden behind. The tackle was loaded onto a quad trailer and taken on it's way along the grassy path to Church Lake.

On the advice of Matt, one of the Nash team we set up in two neighbouring swims, looking out between the lakes two islands.
Surrounded by native trees and plants, rushes and reedmace, Church Lake is around 5 acres in size, with dense weedbeds and a few clear areas. Not only is it home to a family of Geese, two Swans, Dabchicks, Coots and Moorhens but also around fifty of the most beautiful Carp you are ever likely to see, most are over 30lb and some are over 50lb..A testament to the hard work of the man over many years, a true labour of love.
Of course, within an hour of arrival, the curse of Izaac struck again and the heavens opened, a short, sharp, shower.
Choosing to fish just two rods each we leaded around for clear areas,clipped up and looked at each other with a knowing smile, we recalled fishing together around 15 years ago, a couple of 'erberts, dreaming of fishing such a lake.
Well there we were then, fishing for fifties, totally surreal, a world away from the pressures of work.....we made that 'Claret o'clock'. With baited rigs deployed,boilies fished snowman style on one and a Tiger Nut on the other. We chilled watching the moody evening skies in anticipation of the alluring sound of a bite alarm.

"To Be In England, In Summertime"