I would like to offer my thanks to Steve for allowing me, and the other members of AnglersNet that attended, the privilege of visiting and fishing Wingham. What a wonderful place!

The fishing conditions were not the best, but no-one could help that. The water temperature throughout the weekend was in the mid 70's, and that did not encourage the fish to feed. They rolled a bit and jumped a bit, and one huge fish came right out of the water and landed with a splash like a pig falling in. The pike were taking worms, and boilies, and even chasing after corn.

Small perch were in abundance, some taking flies, well done Adam. Others chasing a wonderful combination of lob and banana skin! But not taking.

I left home on Thursday lunchtime, and arrived home on Tuesday lunchtime, and covered something like 1400 miles in the process.

I blanked.

But despite that I would go again tomorrow. The whole place is a fantastic nature reserve. The number of bird species I saw I haven't yet sat down and added up, but there were in excess of 30. I saw more water voles than I have seen in one location for years. More hares than I could believe.

I believe that Steve is well on the way to producing record sized fish of several species by following a very carefully thought out management regime. But more than that I believe he is developing a very beautiful corner of England, were man and nature are proving that it is possible to exist in harmony.

I look forward to seeing even more of you there next year. And hopefully one of you may even travel further than me. How about it Newt?

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Nick - just checked with the wife and as of now we will start making plans for a UK visit next year with Wingham on the agenda to match with the AN open days that Steve provides. Good fishing would be great but the beauty of the area and the chance to meet many of the familiar names from this forum means that fish would simply be a bonus.

Thanks to Alan for the original suggestion that we visit you folks and Holland is also on the agenda but not sure just now if at the beginning or end of the trip.

[ 18. June 2004, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: Newt ]

Makes a nice desktop background

(email if you want a full resolution copy)

TL - leon

[ 18. June 2004, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: Leon Roskilly ]