Where Have You Been All My Life ?

Just been sorting my kit for Redmire. It's the first time I've used my Berkley Line Stripper. Three Daiwa Tournament spools stripped in under five minutes. My daughter would say, "OMG!".
I'm not one to plug a product just for the sake of it so believe me when I say that this really is a fantastic little gizmo and well worth the money.

Charlie Says......

Sixty Years Ago - The Day Angling Changed.

Allcocks - The Handy Outfit

A trip to London this week enabled a little diversion to Spitalfields Market and the Andrews Of Arcadia stall therein.
Plenty of reels and floats on display, but I parted with my hard-earned for an Allcocks Handy Outfit Tin which will become home to my float rubbers.
 I love the fact that it still bares the stain of a cigarette placed upon it by a previous owner in anticipation of the next bite.

The Mk IV Arrives

The black tube arrived, I didn't pause, one end was opened and I could see the B.James & Son logo upon an original good conditioned bag.
 I gently slid it out and proceeded to untie the black wraps.
 The first section was removed....Red button intact, cork good, transfer complete, whipping and rings in good condition.
 The top section slid out, complete and vibrant.
I had to put it together, then apart, the ferrules popped nicely.
My angling life is complete, ol' Gurn's got a goodun, and it was a bargain.

It looks to be in original, unrestored condition. A rod builder friend reckons it's the straightest Mk IV he's ever seen.

All I have to do now is resist the urge to use it before I visit it's spiritual home, Redmire Pool, in a couple of weeks.

The B. James & Son Richard Walker MK IV...Succumbing To The Inevitable..

I've fished for carp for nearly thirty years now. During that time I've used a lot of different rods but have generally stuck to the English made rods. I currently have Centurys for distance work and Harrisons for small water fishing. I like to look down at that little Union Flag, it pleases me.
 You will see from recent posts that I have become more and more en-tranced  by the beauty and just plain old fun of angling with cane rods of late. A rod has followed me in my carp fshing for as long as I remember, a legendary rod. It has cropped up in conversation, I've read of it's popularity and it's origins. A few times I have seen one and marvelled at it's beauty with deep yearning. That rod is the B.James and Son 'Richard Walker' MK IV.
 It seems strange, that as someone who loves carp fishing history, the waters, the names; that I've never fished with one.
 I did own two thirds of one once, a car-boot find, unusually short in the butt section. I bought it for £20, sold it for considerably more and kept the original bag in the knowledge that I would one day own the real deal.
 Well, as I type I am awaiting the inevitable. A MK IV will arrive at 'Gurney Towers' today. It's a gamble, unseen, ebay purchase, vague photos. Everything I have read about the right way to purchase a rod of cane has been ignored on a hunch. It's high risk and not recommended.
 The photos were sketchy, to say the least, so I asked the vendor some relevant questions. Is it the correct length ? Are all tranfers intact ? Are the rings sound? Does the ferrule have any 'knock'?
 The replies seemed favourable, I entered an offer. .After a counter offer that found some middle ground, I commited to buy.
 For the first time in my life, I have bought a fishing rod with someone elses name on it. I've overlooked the Daiwa 'DF', ESP Terry Hearn and never did quite understand the Dean Macey range! I do have an original John Wilson avon quiver, but, I didn't buy it.
 I guess there's no better angler to start with than Richard Walker, I do, of course, have much respect for the man.

 I wait then, will it be a dog or a bargain? Time will tell....


Find out what Gurn bought....HERE.

Aah, The Work Party

As darkness draws in. One man rows a boat, whilst everyone else chats about what they might do.

A Special Fish

I haven't fished for a while. I've enjoyed spending a bit of free time with my family.
 Today was different though. It was my day off and when I awoke from slumber, one thought dominated. I just knew that a special fish needed to be my quarry today. I knew where it lived, I just had to have a try.
 The weather was grim, great rolling clouds of dark grey, rain, thunder forecast, I waited. Occupying myself with the tackle set up near the doorway, I gazed at the blurred view at the trickling window. Waiting for a break, just enough to walk to where I needed to be. I waited until late afternoon.
 Setting off over the river footbridge and through the sodden water meadow, I was soon on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, it's a journey I take most days on my way to work. As I navigated safe passage across the cattle grid it occurred to me that I couldn't remember the last time I angled 'the cut'.
 Walking past floating homes and holiday boats full of strange dialects and anglers with tales of woe, I trudged towards a quieter stretch.
 On arrival I was pleased that only one other angler was near, a father with a couple of kids. They hadn't caught much...I set up anyway.

Having attached a 'Canal Grey' and size 22 hook I carefully plumbed the swim, set the float at the required depth, attached a couple of pinkies and cast out...I received a bite immediately.
 As the clouds rolled by a small hybrid came to hand, next cast another and so on for around seven casts. The father fishing further along gave me that look.
 I was joined by a rather friendly Moorhen, which took a liking to my bait and stayed to watch me catch some rather nice perch.

You can see that by this time the other angler had hastily departed lest he be shown up in front of his kids by the man with the wooden rod.
 Bites came fast and furious as I drew in a shoal of bream and even the sun poked it's head from behind the clouds.

A narrow boat chugged by, I left the float in as I was only fishing close and had a bite just as it came by, resulting in a quality perch.
 A short while later the water started to move, I guessed the narrowboat had reached the lock. I was glad of the old Speedia, it allowed me to trot the canal....this is when it happened.
 The float shot under and I struck to solid resistance and a spirited battle. Without much delay though, the fish was beaten. Here he is then, a most special capture..........

......my first gudgeon of the season. I love them so much.

 With mission accomplished and joy in my heart, I immediately packed up and headed off home.

Look, It's Me.

A long time ago I used to get quite excited if my ugly mug appeared in one of the weekly/monthly magazines. It was a conversation piece and gave a bit of bragging rights in them days. I had it in my head that it brought a little kudos.
 Nowadays, I blog, but on the whole I try to shy away from the 'look at me' side of things.
Imagine my dismay then, when the nice chappie from the commercial department of Angling Times suggested that the lads at the shop should have a diary section in our ads.
 Here's my effort then, in this weeks mag. Hastily thrown together over lunch.
'Look at me' haha !!

Simon's 'Cat.....fish'

I've been away for a while, nowhere exotic, just out and about. I took in some culture, Damien Hirst at the Tate. I went back to my punk rock roots watching punk bands at the 100 Club, I even had a jump around!! Went to watch some Olympics. Spent some quality time with my daughter.
 No time for angling and internetting, just recharging the batteries.
 I see the vote ended in favour of the inclusion of weights in my little ol' blog....just. I will go with the majority though.

 Today then, I receive a text from my old mate Simon Tofield. He's known for being the creator of the character 'Simon's Cat' an internet sensation, and featuring in the Daily Mirror newspaper, not to mention many books and currently being courted by the mighty Disney corporation.
 Here's a fellow who despite not being an angler himself, loves the stories related to the pastime. The fact that he is following in the footsteps of Bernard Venables at the Daily Mirror is not lost on him. He has a slight obsession with the Wels Catfish, Silurus Glanis and I am currently organising a 'Cat Hunt' for us.
 Anyway here's a few pics he sent me, I love em.............

...especially this one, he has me to a tee...or is that tea?