STEVE POPE

Love the post mate! My computer is so blinkin' slow up here in the Welsh hills! Taking your daughter to Brownies, you've just brought all the memories back having three daughters who all loved it, still have all their uniforms neatly packed away somewhere.

Hi Elton, I 'll be really interested in your view on this topic, I'm certain Mark will be as well, there is no doubt opinion is divided. I've written a number of articles for the magazine now and I'm sure that it will be successful and evolve. Having seen and read the first issue I think the mix and writing styles are excellent and different enough to appeal to a new as well as an existing audience. We can discuss the obvious issues till the cows come home and as I said opinions will be divided, but I do smile at some of the humbug, I use that word instead of hypocrisy! You mention the car shows, it was no different at the Angling Shows! All the best. Steve

Thanks Alan, I totally agree with you with regards to a writer's personality coming through, I truly believe the Blog culture which is really an extension of this type of thing has gone a long way to making that happen. If you are writing almost daily it is nigh on impossible for the real you not to come through. Mark has given me plenty of free rein which is brilliant because the only constraints from my point of view are in my head! Like many anglers who have been around for a while I'm lucky to have many friends, some well known and eithers not. I'll be making sure readers meet these guys as well. I am sponsored, but as I said before I have high regard for anyone who takes the time to read what I write and it would be stupid of me to take that support for granted by overdoing the placement thing. Atb, Steve PS. I think this is the first time since Anglersnet started that I've put together three posts! Let me just say that Elton has done a fantastic job to steer his site through the heavy seas of forum land these past ten or so years, big respect from me.

Sincere thanks to Elton, AtS and Anderoo for the kind words, very much appreciated. Practically finished my second feature, just need to get out shortly and catch a few barbel to finish it off. Mark has already covered some concerns and I would just add that whatever I write for Fish N Tips I would happily put on my website or in the Barbel Fisher magazine. This is serious barbel stuff, written with a smile on my face , and for an audience that I treat with the utmost respect. I'm really excited about all of this and I know Mark is as pleased as could be, we both hold positions in major fishing organisations and there is no way we would put that at risk. So have an open mind and keep an eye out for that first issue! All the very best, Steve

Hi Elton and All, Only just seen this, been busy writing my piece for the second issue! Let me just say that my monthly feature will not be "Dumbed Down" in any way, my love is barbel fishing and I'll be covering as many aspects of that as I possibly can involving the many friends I have in the barbel world, so as Mark has said the fishing content is going to be very good indeed. I write regularly on my own website and I know from the comments I receive that the Blog style of writing is very popular, marry that to a little humour and we may all be surprised at how popular this format could be. I'm a married man with three professional daughters so I can say from the outset that I am definitely in touch with the modern woman! One of them is a London lawyer so I have to be on my best behaviour as she is watching me like a hawk. I actually showed my better half the press pack and she made the comment, " Carry On Fishing." One of my personal aims is to reach a wider and dare I say younger audience, the Crabtree generation is getting on now and the Internet generation is moving in. There is always a fine line and I am confident the people behind this new initiative are well aware of that, have to say it will be quite novel opening the pages and seeing a photo of my mate Fred Crouch opposite the modern day version of the Anglers Mailmaid! Keep cool. All the best, Steve

Hi Elton, Very well done mate, ten years, hard to believe! Those early days really were someting, and I have great affection for the way you all took my late friend Gordon Scott to your hearts. I still sit on that bench that was purchased from the generosity of your members. If any of the guys would like to meet up on the Teme again I'm sure we could work something out. Be proud Elton, you've rode all the storms and I'm sure you'll still be around in another ten years time. All the very best, Steve.

Hi David, I live about fifteen minutes from that Welshpool stretch and have been fishing it after the elusive barbel. They are there but take some finding. The whole length of the Severn from Welshpool to Newtown fascinates me and is very lightly fished. Stick with it, you may be pleasantly surprised with what can turn up! All the best.

Hi Elton, Still banging the drum, would be great if you could get yourself along to the show, you would be made very welcome. I'm in Oz at the moment, been here for nearly three months, back in the UK next week. Fantastic country and I'll be back again next year but home is home and that's dear old Blighty! Have managed to escape from Essex though, now living up on the Shropshire border, a beautiful place to be. Pleased to see your site is doing so well, I don't get so involved on forums as much as I used to but I occasionally check out the archives to recall how it used to be. Really hope all the barbel fans who post here give some thought to coming to the show, you won't be disappointed. All the best, Steve.

Hi Everyone, Hope to see some Anglersnet posters and members who have an interest in barbel fishing at the show. Perhaps Elton can get along this time?! I remember a few years ago when the BS and a number of AN posters met up and a good time was had by all, would be especially nice to meet up with some of those again. Best wishes to everyone and look forward to seeing some of you there. Steve.

Tickets are selling very well and there's not long to go now. Would be nice to see some of the original AN posters come along as well as anyone who is intereted in barbel, its a great day out, not to be missed! All the best, Steve Pope.

The Handling Code produced by the Barbel Society is now in an easy to download document on our website barbelsociety.co.uk. Please feel free to download and distribute as you see fit. It is our intention to make sure every club that controls a stretch of river where barbel are caught will receive a copy and hopefully will incorporate our recommendations into their club rules. Things don’t change overnight but on many well known barbel venues the controlling clubs are aware of conservation issues, our hope is that every club adopts the same awareness to protect the fish, the fishery and the angler.

Tomorrow sees the unveiling of the commemorative plaque commissioned by the Barbel Society in honour of its late President, Peter Stone. It is sited in his hometown, on the bridge across his beloved Thames. Much hard work has gone into this project and credit must go to Fred Crouch who has undertaken the lions share. We are extremely proud that this has come to fruition and that there will be a permanent memorial to a very special man. Steve Pope, Barbel Society Chairman.

Common sense prevails. Let's hope this subject can be put to rest so that minds can be focused on more pressing issues.

I took a call last night from my good friend Barry Norris who informed me that his best pal, Robbie has passed away suddenly at the age of forty six. Robbie was known to many who read and post here as "Spiderfan". It really brings it home to you when you receive this type of news and reinforces my own belief that you really must live your life and not just go through the motions. Sincere condolences to Robbies family and friends.

Compliments of the season to all who post here and best wishes for the new year. A special greeting for Elton, perhaps we can get that days fishing in next year! All the best.