Sharkbyte

Hope that I find you well, Elton. Still regularly in touch with Wurzel and spoke to Steve C the other week after a pretty long time. Maybe meet-up sometime. Seems that even us young b’stards aren’t getting any younger!

Remember like yesterday crafting responses to him over the ethics of livebaiting. He hated livebaiting, but used fish meal pellets by the tonne - I adore livebaiting. No malice, just proper robust debate. A different time when old boys with polar opposite views were later offered a place ahead in the Wingham BBQ queue.

Sad to hear on another page that Den Darkin has died. Popped back to read a few old tales about a big character, but can’t find a mention.

I’m extremely sorry to hear of your loss, Anderoo. Likewise, Rusty. I actually came back to the forum to hear some tales about another member sadly departed, but am very surprised to see no mention. Surely, I must have missed it somewhere..? It’s particularly sad to hear of news about people you ‘sort of know very well’ going through all sorts because unsocial media has seemingly stolen the show. What a terrible state of affairs the Internet has become. Very fond memories of the days when people actually met in person, and even went into battle via the keyboard!

Hope the repairs go smoothly, Steve. We pity the roofers when they break open that wasps nest by the BBQ!!!

Had my first eel trip of the year on Saturday. They're still not extincted. Five between approx 2.5 and 3.5lb plus lots of dropped runs.

The summer eel fishing has been going well, but as with all the other species, the law of diminishing returns soon stifles 'progress'. It seems like yesterday when a 4lb+ fish was a right result. They are definitely still the most ridiculously common endangered species on Earth. Haha

Hi Barry It sure is, pal. Hope you are keeping well and still 'decimating' the Channel! ;-)

I've fished alongside otters during the winter months for years. Apart from the occasional disturbance - most of the time they swim straight past - I'm yet to notice any decline in sport/drop-off in catches of specimen sized fish. The brutal truth is that I have far more in common with the creatures than 99% of anglers in Essex. For one thing, we are all but the only ones out fishing the rivers at night, whatever the weather, for miles around. Things may be different on managed still waters where fish are more akin to pets/livestock than traditional angling quarry, but I'm more than happy to share my favoured surroundings with kindred spirits.

Hi Dave That would be Russell's 'Waterlog' collection, I believe. Hopefully we'll get a place at the fish-in, in which case we'll definitely be seeing you soon.

There must be something in the air with Anglers Netters of old seemingly appearing out of the woodwork. 5 years since I last posted... and I somehow remembered my password at 2nd attempt! Hope I find you all well and look forward to contributing once again.

Glad to see you are getting amongst them, Anderoo. Cracking fish that 6-14! Mine don't seem to be where I left them earlier in the year. lol

A very pleasing start to what's shaping up to be a very odd season. There's virtually no weed where it'd usually be thick with cabbages, blanket weed and lilies. It's way beyond late now, and I'm starting to think that the extremely hard winter has actually killed off some of the root systems - not that I'm complaining. I went again last night and lost another very decent fish early on through a hook pull!!! Strangely, at least one other fish turned up within minutes giving me plenty of 'liners'. Alas, I never did get another bite because upon checking the bait and recasting, the riverbank I was stood on snapped and punted me straight into the river! Completely submerged, phone drowned, wildfowl screaming with laughter, swim ruined and a hell of a job getting out. Thank God it was the warmest night of the year, and not one of the -8's of a few months back!. I will be back! An iffy self-take of the opening night 6-4.

Had my first take of the season no more than 30 seconds after midnight (baited last week). It was a big fish, most probably a carp, but the hook pulled soon afterwards. Had a few liners to keep me interested, and finally nailed a 6lb 4oz chub at just after 4am. Great to be back on the river.

Out of interest, what's the 'average' catch for a member fishing a weekend outside of a fish-in?