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Love a day on the bank. Always have and will do until i meet my maker. Was having a trip down memory lane earlier and remembering the anticipation we felt as kids and well into adulthood of the start of the coarse fishing season after what seemed an eternity when the season ended on March 15th. Rod and landing net handle tied onto the bicycle crossbar, wicker basket with tackle, bait (usually maggots) and a few sandwiches over the shoulder, landing and keepnet on each side of the handlebars, off we'd go, sometimes several miles to some stretch of the river waveney or a murky pond. Remembered the day when six of us didn't have a bite all night only for my float to bob about at first light and a very angry newt was swung in, nothing else caught at all. Another memorable first night of the season was sitting on the park bank at Diss Mere, tilly lamps glowing in the dark, my daft mate thought it would be a laugh to et fire to his trainers with parrafin, only problem, he was still wearing them. Mad dash into the water and luckily only singed trouser legs. Caught very little that night too. A couple of crucians or a few roach were considered a right result back then. How things have changed over the years. Only rivers are subject to the close season, lakes and canals are open to legally fish 365 days of the year, commercial style fisheries have sprung up the length and breadth of the country, many stocked with vast numbers of "mud pigs" (carp, a mythical beast when i was a youngster) where not a great deal of water craft is needed to catch all day all for the price of a packet of Bensons. Most swims you can park behind, for those you can't, a vast array of the latest gear can be transported on specially designed trolleys (i got one last year, idle git) to your peg of choice and the array of baits and flavourings is mind boggling. It will only be a matter of time before the closed season is abolished on rivers. Will be a bit of a shame that the anglers of the future won't have the glorious 16th to look forward to. Time, methinks, to put on an episode or two of Mortimer and Whitehouse, fishing like it used to be, grab a beer and reminisce a little more. Tight lines.
[Post edited 16 Jun 2022 19:50]
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
9
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 19:53 - Jun 16 with 874 views
Remember saving my pocket money for a tilly lamp and then cursing at the fragility of the paper-like “bulb”. Was great when it actually worked and spent many a night chasing the tide at the Strand along the banks of the River Orwell. Great times. Simpler times.
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 19:53 - Jun 16 by Illinoisblue
Remember saving my pocket money for a tilly lamp and then cursing at the fragility of the paper-like “bulb”. Was great when it actually worked and spent many a night chasing the tide at the Strand along the banks of the River Orwell. Great times. Simpler times.
Most definately simpler times. Good mates having a laugh is probably what i miss nowadays. Just me and the hound somewhere peaceful though is not so bad.
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 19:58 - Jun 16 with 854 views
I used to go sea fishing down at Felixstowe during the autumn and winter months. Great fun. I’m too old to freeze on a beach now.
You weren’t one of the lucky ones to catch that huge Catfish in Diss Mere before it was removed? Nice memories, and also enjoy Bob and Paul on their amusing adventures.
1
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:03 - Jun 16 with 841 views
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 19:58 - Jun 16 by Chondzoresk
I used to go sea fishing down at Felixstowe during the autumn and winter months. Great fun. I’m too old to freeze on a beach now.
You weren’t one of the lucky ones to catch that huge Catfish in Diss Mere before it was removed? Nice memories, and also enjoy Bob and Paul on their amusing adventures.
Not me, haven't fished the Mere for the best part of 30 years. There were rumours of a cattie in there for a long time though before it got caught. Bob Nudd MBE fishes a few of the matches on there.
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:04 - Jun 16 with 839 views
I love a bit of river fishing and Sudbury has some beautiful fishing areas...or did have. Most of the river hasnt been dredged for years now( was done regularly years ago) so can't be fished due to the weed.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:06 - Jun 16 with 837 views
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:04 - Jun 16 by gtsb1966
I love a bit of river fishing and Sudbury has some beautiful fishing areas...or did have. Most of the river hasnt been dredged for years now( was done regularly years ago) so can't be fished due to the weed.
Walked the bank down there a few years back. Looked quite inviting by the weir just a short walk from the Mill Hotel.
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:13 - Jun 16 with 818 views
I've not fished for years but I've caught nice fish in my time, 4lb 8 oz Perch from Holbrook ( 1967 ) Pike to 23lb 12oz a 2lb Rudd from Hickling and lots of big catches of Bream in Ireland those were the days.
Post of the year and a walk down memory lane. The commercialisation of it killed it for me and I haven’t been for years (not helped by moving to Wales where the coarse fishing is a bit meh unless you’re prepared to travel. We were spoilt in the Ipswich area when I was growing up. So many places I could reach on my bike, rods strapped to the top of the frame and my Shakespeare seat box flung over my shoulder. I used to go to Barham Pits like that from IP4. Or piling on the Number 5 bus from the top of Foxhall Road and going down to the river at the cut by Westend Road up to Riverside Road. All developed now with a new housing estate. Sproughton was my first fishing trip (used to be a good tench spot under the bridge).
My first carp came from Holbrook Millponds before it was sold and they stopped anglers. Lovely spot that was. I spent hours and hours at Anderson lakes tench fishing. Used to be some cracking fishing on the float there with fish of 6-7 lbs, which back then was pretty big. Cracking bream fishing on Alton Water. The farm carp pits out at Trimley. I used to get into another carp pit somewhere that was workers only, through a friends dad. I can’t remember what that was called, but it was stuffed with fish. You’d easily pick up 20 or more carp to 18 lbs in a session.
TWTD. The close season definitely added to the excitement, for sure.
I used to enjoy fishing prior to my vegan days so now it’s a no go and I have no issue with losing it when it feels the right thing to do.
But I could sit on a riverbank hours as a young teen, get nothing and still wanna stay. My teachers said I was impatient and easily distracted. It turned out they just bored me.
I did get to go with my grandad again in adulthood after a good 10 year hiatus which was nice, he died maybe 2 years later.
These days I get stoked for my garden to grow and I get my tranquil there.
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:17 - Jun 16 by Swansea_Blue
Post of the year and a walk down memory lane. The commercialisation of it killed it for me and I haven’t been for years (not helped by moving to Wales where the coarse fishing is a bit meh unless you’re prepared to travel. We were spoilt in the Ipswich area when I was growing up. So many places I could reach on my bike, rods strapped to the top of the frame and my Shakespeare seat box flung over my shoulder. I used to go to Barham Pits like that from IP4. Or piling on the Number 5 bus from the top of Foxhall Road and going down to the river at the cut by Westend Road up to Riverside Road. All developed now with a new housing estate. Sproughton was my first fishing trip (used to be a good tench spot under the bridge).
My first carp came from Holbrook Millponds before it was sold and they stopped anglers. Lovely spot that was. I spent hours and hours at Anderson lakes tench fishing. Used to be some cracking fishing on the float there with fish of 6-7 lbs, which back then was pretty big. Cracking bream fishing on Alton Water. The farm carp pits out at Trimley. I used to get into another carp pit somewhere that was workers only, through a friends dad. I can’t remember what that was called, but it was stuffed with fish. You’d easily pick up 20 or more carp to 18 lbs in a session.
TWTD. The close season definitely added to the excitement, for sure.
I'm getting on for 62. In 55 years casting a line, my biggest tench is a fraction under 5lb. A 6 or 7 pounder would be a mighty beast to behold. Respect. Found a couple of nicely kept lakes recently near to Eye after moving here last year, not particularly commercial and not heavily stocked so lovely simple waggler fishing in peaceful surroundings. Had the lake to myself a few weeks back. Roach, bream, tench and a soltary carp for a tenner and a tin of sweetcorn. Bliss.
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
1
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:31 - Jun 16 with 776 views
When I was an apprentice a few of us used to go night fishing after work on a Friday. Wortwell lakes, carp fishing. I really enjoyed it, caught my first carp there (only 6 lbs) but we used to bring beer and cook egg and bacon in the morning. Fantastic memories.
My favourite ever Christmas present was one of the Mr Crabtree fishing books. God I loved that book and was really cheesed off when my mum threw it out years later. Wish I still had it, I read it over and over.
2
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:32 - Jun 16 with 780 views
Used to with the old man years ago and initially was catching a few Roach and Perch. Then it got serious and I got invited onto the pike fishing nights in the summers (all cambridge area). When he passed on four years ago we cleared out a load of old stuff for mum and came across all the old fishing gear he’d kept, which brought back some memories. Simple days.
2
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:32 - Jun 16 with 774 views
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:17 - Jun 16 by Swansea_Blue
Post of the year and a walk down memory lane. The commercialisation of it killed it for me and I haven’t been for years (not helped by moving to Wales where the coarse fishing is a bit meh unless you’re prepared to travel. We were spoilt in the Ipswich area when I was growing up. So many places I could reach on my bike, rods strapped to the top of the frame and my Shakespeare seat box flung over my shoulder. I used to go to Barham Pits like that from IP4. Or piling on the Number 5 bus from the top of Foxhall Road and going down to the river at the cut by Westend Road up to Riverside Road. All developed now with a new housing estate. Sproughton was my first fishing trip (used to be a good tench spot under the bridge).
My first carp came from Holbrook Millponds before it was sold and they stopped anglers. Lovely spot that was. I spent hours and hours at Anderson lakes tench fishing. Used to be some cracking fishing on the float there with fish of 6-7 lbs, which back then was pretty big. Cracking bream fishing on Alton Water. The farm carp pits out at Trimley. I used to get into another carp pit somewhere that was workers only, through a friends dad. I can’t remember what that was called, but it was stuffed with fish. You’d easily pick up 20 or more carp to 18 lbs in a session.
TWTD. The close season definitely added to the excitement, for sure.
I can remember the Carp in Holbrook were like football's no length I never caught any just Pike Perch Tench and Rudd, I also fished a big lake not far away my uncle was a friend of the owner and got us permission to fish it and put a small boat on it although we also fished from a platform that was in mid water near the road end, lots of skimmers and good Pike fishing.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:39 - Jun 16 with 755 views
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:30 - Jun 16 by StochesStotasBlewe
I'm getting on for 62. In 55 years casting a line, my biggest tench is a fraction under 5lb. A 6 or 7 pounder would be a mighty beast to behold. Respect. Found a couple of nicely kept lakes recently near to Eye after moving here last year, not particularly commercial and not heavily stocked so lovely simple waggler fishing in peaceful surroundings. Had the lake to myself a few weeks back. Roach, bream, tench and a soltary carp for a tenner and a tin of sweetcorn. Bliss.
Anderson was cracking for tench at the time. I’ve done nothing similar anywhere else!
Yeah, it’s that solitude I used to love. I wish I could remember the name of the private lake I used to fish for the carp. It was the only place at the time where you could expect to catch them (the carpers used to camp out on Barham pits, but I think they were chasing only a few fish). It had one end full of dead trees in the water that was perfect for stalking with floating bread or dog biscuits. Might have been linked to Ransoms, but I can’t really remember. I’d often have the whole place to myself. As you say, when it’s like that and there’s a few fish biting it’s pure bliss.
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:03 - Jun 16 by StochesStotasBlewe
Not me, haven't fished the Mere for the best part of 30 years. There were rumours of a cattie in there for a long time though before it got caught. Bob Nudd MBE fishes a few of the matches on there.
Blimey, is Bob Nudd still going? He looked old to me in 1984!
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:13 - Jun 16 by Westover
I've not fished for years but I've caught nice fish in my time, 4lb 8 oz Perch from Holbrook ( 1967 ) Pike to 23lb 12oz a 2lb Rudd from Hickling and lots of big catches of Bream in Ireland those were the days.
I didn’t realise the perch ran that big in Holbrook; that’s some fish. When I started in the 80s the big perch were just starting to die off from that disease the decimated perch through the uk. Judging from the front of fishing magazines in the newsagents, they seem to have recovered now - there’s some huge ones popping up regularly.
I loved Holbrook though, small enough for a learner to not feel overwhelmed. A pretty place too with all the lilies. Very muddy though if I remember rightly, especially the left side as you looked at it from the road.
There’s enough reminiscing here to tempt me to go and polish my rod! I’ve still got all my stuff from 30-40 years ago in the garage (if it hasn’t been destroyed by mice).
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:32 - Jun 16 by Westover
I can remember the Carp in Holbrook were like football's no length I never caught any just Pike Perch Tench and Rudd, I also fished a big lake not far away my uncle was a friend of the owner and got us permission to fish it and put a small boat on it although we also fished from a platform that was in mid water near the road end, lots of skimmers and good Pike fishing.
I had one of them out of Holbrook, about 10 lbs on bread crust. I can remember it like yesterday. Right hand side of the main pond, 3/4 of the way down by the overhanging willows. But I can’t remember what I was supposed to from my last meeting today though lol.
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:09 - Jun 16 by StochesStotasBlewe
Walked the bank down there a few years back. Looked quite inviting by the weir just a short walk from the Mill Hotel.
The water around the Mill has virtually stopped flowing and is about 6 inches deep now. The spot you mentioned is known as the floodgates and is one of the very few places that can still be fished.
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 21:22 - Jun 16 with 691 views
Lovely post, thank you. The Glorious 16th for a few years was marked by a few of the boys filling whichever car worked and heading into Norfolk from our Lincs homes for a few days fishing and camping. Never did we cast a line before midnight but we were often a little worse for wear by then. I remember rigging very carefully up one evening at Hilgay near Downham only to put that special first cast into a tree in the darkness. Open another can and wait for dawn! Magical, simple times.
It's 106 miles to Portman Road, we've got a full tank of gas, half a round of Port Salut, it's dark... and we're wearing blue tinted sunglasses.
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 20:53 - Jun 16 by Swansea_Blue
I had one of them out of Holbrook, about 10 lbs on bread crust. I can remember it like yesterday. Right hand side of the main pond, 3/4 of the way down by the overhanging willows. But I can’t remember what I was supposed to from my last meeting today though lol.
I can remember watching the Carp on the other bank under the trees in very shallow water, a big perch had been caught a few weeks before I caught mine I used 4lb line single book and a very small Rudd live bait I guess that's not allowed these days?, In those days there was a shop close to the very sharp bend, those were the days.I
I also fished through the night at Shangri la caravan park St Osyth for Carp is that still there?
[Post edited 16 Jun 2022 21:38]
0
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 21:37 - Jun 16 with 666 views
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 21:22 - Jun 16 by Plums
Lovely post, thank you. The Glorious 16th for a few years was marked by a few of the boys filling whichever car worked and heading into Norfolk from our Lincs homes for a few days fishing and camping. Never did we cast a line before midnight but we were often a little worse for wear by then. I remember rigging very carefully up one evening at Hilgay near Downham only to put that special first cast into a tree in the darkness. Open another can and wait for dawn! Magical, simple times.
Last two summers have been camping and fishing on a site at Denver with the son. Nice lakes with a good head of quality roach. Used to have our annual school fishing trip to Hilgay at the relief channel in the 70's. Eels mainly caught on thoe trips.
We have no village green, or a shop.
It's very, very quiet.
I can walk to the pub.
1
June 16th, Angling Past and Present. on 21:40 - Jun 16 with 657 views
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