tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post4116851367142414295..comments2024-03-25T14:11:43.432+00:00Comments on Of Esox & observations : Carp puddle musingDylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-12967684242585186362014-09-12T22:58:55.135+01:002014-09-12T22:58:55.135+01:00Gavin,
Ritchie Francis was a fine angler and woul...Gavin, <br />Ritchie Francis was a fine angler and would have held the UK Tench record if he were not so honest!<br />I wasn't there when those photos were taken - I joined the syndicate a couple of weeks later. Lester Strudwick became a great friend and mentor during my formative years - he was resposible for my travelling to Scotland as well as the carp fishing at Stanborough. Great times - happy memories.<br />I am. indeed, very priviledged to have enjoyed such an education.<br />All the very best - DylDylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-26424241167373376302014-09-12T22:02:34.692+01:002014-09-12T22:02:34.692+01:00As I get older I find the list of stuff to reminis...As I get older I find the list of stuff to reminisce about and lament the passing of just gets longer and longer, and this post brought it home a bit. In the early/mid 70s I was a member of an LAA-affiliated club, and was one of the noisy, snotty juniors on the fortnightly club coach that sallied forth to the Thames, Ouse, Hants Avon (occasionally) and a myriad other LAA venues. Mostly the waters were too big and tricky for me, but I learned stacks and caught a few fish. And I loved it. Now, that whole scene is gone the way of the Dodo.<br />Like you I feel very privileged to have served 'apprenticeships' in my hobbies, and also have a lot of treasured memories.<br />Keep up the good work!<br />Gav<br /><br />PS. My very first Pike was from Tring. Marsworth, about 1972...on maggot! It was pretty small :o)<br /><br />PPS. Somewhere I have some B&W photos I took when visiting a mate fishing Wilstone (in '81 I think); they include a series of Tony Chester playing a tench, and Lester Strudwick landing it. I'll have to dig them out and see if you feature!Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-271284008898253392014-09-12T07:11:21.687+01:002014-09-12T07:11:21.687+01:00Seth;
There are many parallels between the hobbies...Seth;<br />There are many parallels between the hobbies of carp angling and twitching (they are the extreme manifestations of involvement in their particular fields). Obviously not all birders go twitching, or nothing would get found. Similarly, not all anglers see carp as the only species worthy of capture, but the industry has "snow-balled" the demand and, having fanned the flames - now caters for an ever expanding demand. <br />Where it all goes tits up is when guys who have purchased their experience from a tackle shop and proceeded to catch a few fish from a small commercial venue - start to spout on about how great they are! The angling version of your twitching "noisy, clueless, honey-potting, tweet-following bunch of imbeciles" couldn't have put it better myself.<br />Our problem lies with our age - we are from an era when field skills were still an asset; where a period of apprenticeship was required, and tolerated, as we cut our teeth and expanded our knowledge base. There were many characters to whom we could turn when we sought assistance - oh for a return to those times? It won't and can't happen. Instant success - instant info; carp anglers who have caught a 40 but dismiss 10lbs tench as nuisance fish, twitchers with 400+ but have never seen/found a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.<br /><br />We can lament the passing of time or, as in my case, rejoice in the fact that I was lucky enough to have undergone such a learning experience and feel sadness for those who are now unable to travel that same path - I was very lucky to have the dual interests of angling and birding; so mine was a very enjoyable journey indeed!<br /><br />Always good to hear from you - take it easy and enjoy the autumn - DylDylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-30503034312295135882014-09-11T19:53:48.359+01:002014-09-11T19:53:48.359+01:00Turned out very readable and enjoyable! I think I&...Turned out very readable and enjoyable! I think I'm (barely...) old enough to look back at my early birding days with a sense of real nostalgia - I had bins and a notebook, tight jeans and dodgy hair, plus a terrific nose for finding good stuff. I travelled light, I was quiet and I knew how to find birds in a landscape. <br /><br />Nowadays bloody rabble piss me off. Scopacs, massive lenses, huge scopes, pagers, mobiles, apps, sound recording devices, GPS, the £300 pair of trousers and don't even think about how much the coat costs! Noisy, clueless, honey-potting, tweet-following bunch of imbeciles. And SO BLOODY NOISY and unaware of safe viewing distances! Brand names and gimmicks on legs, that's what I call them. Not a clue of how to read the landscape - following the satnav is more relevant. Grrrrr!<br /><br />Obviously there are a lot of very talented birders out there today making massive discoveries. But there are a load more who are just kit-on-legs. It all seems so lacking in romance and characters now. Maybe I'm just growing cynical or missing my youth, who knows? <br /><br />I like your blog though mate, and I'm not even an angler. Although I did catch an eel (by hand) two days ago and have seen my first Graylings, Salmon and Bullheads plus had a Ruffe headbut my wellie in the last fortnight. All your fault, Dyl - with your fish talk 'n stuff! :) Gibsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14699055561230102061noreply@blogger.com