Open Season?

At the end of the 19th Century a close season was introduced for coarse angling. With the majority of fish being caught and killed, it was determined that fishing be outlawed through the spring when the fish were most likely to spawn. The close season has always been contentious within angling circles as many believeContinue reading “Open Season?”

Final Day Fun!

There was a low turnout for the annual Golden Scale Club Final Day Fish-in this year – mainly because no-one knew about it. Of course, with the lack of competition, the fish fed well – and although the final day is principally an opportunity to empty the dregs from bait-tins and compare cakes, catches areContinue reading “Final Day Fun!”

That tricky second album…?

For some artists, the second album is the difficult one. The first was picked from years of back catalog thick with the pain of fret-blooded fingers and penciled scribbles. People like it, love it even. The record company want you to tour it to death but that deal you signed means that there’s no timeContinue reading “That tricky second album…?”

Year’s End

Well, at least it’s nearly year’s end and perhaps more symbolically, we have passed the Solstice and the days are beginning to ever so slightly stretch. The winter has been slow to arrive but those sheltered spots have  remained frosty throughout these last few days and elsewhere in the country snow is laying. Spring seemsContinue reading “Year’s End”

The Idle Angler nominated in National Angling Awards

Rather splendidly, The Idle Angler has been nominated as Book of the Year in the Angling Times National Angling Awards 2014. The results will be revealed in the Christmas edition of Angling Times due out on 16th December and votes can be cast by following this link…. http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/News–Catches/Misc/Angling-Times-National-Angling-Awards-2014—cast-your-vote-now/  

Article from the archive: Conversation with Chris Yates for The Idler Magazine, Summer 2002.

I have been the Angling Correspondent to The Idler magazine for ten years or so and though the current format of the magazine doesn’t much call for my input, Tom Hodgkinson won’t be able to keep it fish free forever….. I have been having a bit of a sort out and wanted to share myContinue reading “Article from the archive: Conversation with Chris Yates for The Idler Magazine, Summer 2002.”

Countryfile Magazine article: In defence of Angling

Anglers are misunderstood creatures. Rather than curmudgeonly misfits, we are proud custodians of our waterways, says Kevin Parr As in every walk of life, there are a handful of anglers who give the pastime a bad name. But for every litterer or poacher there are dozens of like minded souls who regard the  environment inContinue reading “Countryfile Magazine article: In defence of Angling”