gozzer

You lot are weird, I can't hear a thing...thankfully? John.

Hi Martin, thanks for the info', I'll try and have a reccy to have a look at the place. I took my grandson for his first outing last Saturday, to the Aire and Calder canal at Stourton, it's on the Leeds book and I'm a member so no problem, and it's only 15 mins away with plenty of flat bank space. I just took a couple of whips, some spare hooks floats, nets, umbrella, and plenty to eat and drink. I thought that a couple of hours might be about the limit of his attention, but I was being a bit optimistic. I'm glad I just set up one whip, and as I set it up, I put a few maggots, and a small ball of groundbait in. We settled down, but the whip was a little heavy for him so I had to help support it. With in a minute we had a perch of about 5oz, then a couple of roach, then he asked if we could have a 'little break and something to eat'. When we started again, a few more roach followed, until the heavens opened, and we had to stop while I put the umbrella up. Another few roach and perch, then another 'pit stop' for food. Then after about 50 mins he said he wanted to go back to our house and play with his garage. We made a deal that when we'd caught 12 fish, so I could take a picture for his Mum, Dad and Grandma we'd go, that took about another 10 minutes. So for less that I hours actual fishing, we'd ended up with a catch of 14, (my miscount) roach and perch, and a small bream. The pictures were taken, and we were back home about 2 1/2 hours after setting off. I struggle to put pics up on here or I would. The fish were still feeding well as we left, and it was a bit of a bind leaving, but he said he'd enjoyed it, apart from the roach being a bit 'too slimy'. He didn't mind handling the perch, and couldn't wait to tell everyone that a roach had pooed on Grandads hand when I was unhooking it! I enjoyed taking him, but then I enjoy all the things we do together, but I feel he wasn't quite ready yet. I will keep asking, no pressure, and let him decide when, or if he wants to go again. John.

Hi everyone, I trust you're all keeping well. Not been on for a while, after my disappointment at myself for losing it, I decided to have a rest and maybe start anew. Not done a lot of fishing so far this year, joined a new club, and I've mainly been just fishing for whatever came along, but had some decent bags of roach along the way. I hoped to have taken my 5 year old grandson, for his first fishing outing, but this bloody virus and the weather, have put paid to that. This is the last week before he goes back to school, and he lives in a 'lock down' area, so no chance. My wife is still on furlough and has me working like a horse in the garden, and house, doing all those jobs I never got time to finish, and starting new ones that never seem to finish. We've both managed to stay clear of the virus so far, (touch wood), despite the best efforts of some dickheads to spread it around. I'll probably be back on a bit more often now, so take care all John.

Not been on for a while, and just decided to log on and see what was happening, great timing. Good to see you are still getting out and about on the bank Dave, albeit a bit slower, and with a few more restrictions. As long as you are still enjoying it, that's the important thing. You're getting more fishing done than me, I've lost my 'mojo' a bit recently, only been a half dozen times this year, still looking for that elusive 2lb roach, but a couple around 1lb mark have been the best I've managed. Take care and all the best to both you and Norma John.

I can remember going to see Dr Hook in the 70s. It was the most painful prostate exam I've ever had! John.

There were quite a few AN members who had little regard for the Angling Trust, Phone. Nick, (Worms) was one of them. He, like many of us, had difficulty getting any answers to questions we put to them when they first started. Some were barred from the forum that the ATr had set up, most of us had emails ignored. He hasn't been on here since sept 2017, and the last time I had any contact with him, he said he had an actual meeting with someone from the ATr. I never heard the outcome of the meeting, or heard from him again. On the topic of the Angling Trust, I've been following several threads on another angling forum, they have been pretty entertaining. Some members had concerns about the letter the ATr send to the government about restarting angling after the lock down. The abuse they received reminded me of those days when Barry, Worms, Sharkbyte, and the rest, dared to question ATr policies back in those early days. John.

In hindsight everything can be scrutinised, analysed, and criticised. What might have seemed like insignificant statements, and suggestions that were ignored at the time, can become terrible mistakes in the light of newer developments. The number of early forecasts, and predictions that were later proven to be untrue, or mistaken, are conveniently forgotten, especially by those who are happy to play the blame game. They seem to get some kind of 'kick' out of playing this game, but very rarely have they offered a viable alternative, prior to the event. We've had to listen to too much confirmation bias, now we're getting it's close relative 'hindsight bias'. John

When fishing in a swim like you describe Ken, I would use a straight float such as a quill, or balsa, with long float rubbers that go past the ends of the float. This allows the float to pass through weed without catching on it. If possible I would fish over depth, and have a few shot positioned to keep the first few feet of line hard on the bottom, to reduce the chance of line bites, and help show a positive indication of a real bite. I've fished in streamer weed like this, fishing well over depth, with an over shotted float held back hard against the current, and shot holding the bait on the bottom. It's like an amalgamation of stret pegging, laying on, and legering, the float just indicates a bite quicker, and with less resistance than using a quivertip. John

I have been reluctant to recognise the ATr as anything but an advisory organisation ever since they formed. I know that 'Fish Legal', (I hate that name, it sounds like one of the 'have you had an accident' type of law firms), have done a decent job of helping out in cases of pollution etc, but I much preferred the old ACA, despite the alleged mis handling. I did consider carrying my long standing subscription to the ACA over to Fish Legal, but at the time, you had to subscribe to the ATr, in order to do so. I see the ATr as a self elected body, with a self devised remit. During it's early days, it was very reluctant to answer any questions regarding it's policies, or aims, other than the ones they wanted to discuss. I had several emails ignored at the time, I assume because they felt that any answers they could give wouldn't enhance the image they were trying to promote. I know I wasn't the only one who had the same treatment. I don't know the current official membership, but unless they have had a massive surge in numbers, then I would guess it's well short of 10% of individual angler numbers, back then it was below 1%. I wonder how many individual member there would be, if membership wasn't a requirement of entry into many big matches. It probably explains why so many of those who see it as a governing body, are in the match fraternity. It angers me that many are seeing the ATr as being mainly responsible for angling being allowed this week. I know they sent a letter pleading our case, but to now try and claim full credit for something the government were going to allow anyway, seems to me to be presumptive, and self promoting, at the very least. John.

I'm with Keith and Ian, on this. Apart from the fact that I would be reluctant to buy anything described as a 'Bobber', (sorry phone), I don't think they are practical, versatile enough, and in the case of those in Martins link, much too expensive. I have plenty of floats that would do a much better job, and I could interchange them to suit, when needed. John.

I've just been looking in on another angling site, and there was a discussion about what anglers were allowed to do now we can actually go fishing. What struck me was the number of times the 'rules' of the Angling Trust were mentioned. How long have the Angling Trust been the angling rule makers? Was there a vote taken amongst the members, (the few that exist), that made it the governing/ruling body, as opposed to the representative/advisory body? I have always seen the EA as the ones who set the rules, backed up by the local by laws, and those who run the fisheries. Am I the only one who still feels this way? I'm beginning to see what Barry was on about with his campaigning against the ATr. John.

That's my interpretation of it too Ken, but there should be more info when it's discussed in Parliament tomorrow. As Keith says, it's all dependent on which fisheries will be open. I haven't joined a club yet, been waiting to hear what might happen. If/when I do, I will still struggle to find a water that will meet social distancing requirements, so I might hang on until the 16th and have a better chance of finding somewhere. John

That's good to hear Martin. I was beginning to wonder if they had stopped doing it. The longest I had to wait before recieving the monies was about 2 months. John

If you're anything like me Ian, once you hear something like that you can't unhear it. It's the same with the car, if I hear a slightly different sound, it seems to get louder until I find what it is. Others in the car think I'm imagining it. If you've been hearing it for that length of time, and had some of those barbel on it, I wouldn't worry too much about it, even if it is blood annoying. John

If anyone deciding on anglings return after lock down was watching ITV4 earlier this morning, then we've no chance of getting back bankside any time soon. The whole morning was taken up with Korda 'fishing' programmes 'starring' Dean Macey and his mate Ali. Social distancing while hugging, kissing, wrestling, back slapping, rugby tackling, while screaming and whooping on the top of their voices, are hardly conducive to social distancing. It hardly supports the stereotypical view of the solitary angler, sitting on the bank, absorbing the peace and tranquillity of nature. I watched one about catfish from the Amazon, which was passable, but they then went to the Anglers World 'fishery' in Devon. It endorsed my less than complementary view of these places, and I had to turn off after struggling to watch about ten minutes of it. John.

Doesn't the Government scheme pay out your redundancy money, and money in loo of notice Martin? I've been made redundant 7 times in my life, 4 of them where companies went bust, and each time we were pay out by the scheme. John

It nearly 2 years since he logged onto AN phone, June 2018. John

Come off it chesters, if 99% of the population died off, who would you natter to on here? Unless you had a very busy time back in the day, and were very prolific in sowing your seeds back then. John

That's not a duck. 'Realtree' have branched out (see what I did there?), that's one of their latest 'Realduck' camo suits. The guy is just baiting up a swim prior to fishing. They are developing 'Realcow' and 'Realhorse' suits, for those who like to fish in pairs. As well as 'Realsheep' for those silly flockers, who just like to follow the latest trend. John.

I wouldn't count your poulets if I were you John. I don't think we are anywhere near that yet, another 2 or 3 weeks maybe. I'm thinking that June 16th would be a good date, that would give a greater choice of where to fish, and thus less chance of crowding. Having said that, I keep seeing reports of anglers going out, and even some commercial waters still open, and having matches. If these reports are true, then these actions could jeopardise, the chances of an early return to angling. It's ok for some to say that they know, and have access, to waters where they can fish in isolation, but it just takes a couple to see them, and tell their mates, and the place ain't so isolated. Then there's the, 'if they can do it, then I'm going to do it' brigade, and we all know that there are plenty of those among anglers, as well as in the general public. John

Surely you must have eaten some birthday cake Chesters, and some must have had lit candles on? I think that's what phone was on about. John.

We don't leave the house without hand sanitiser chesters, my missus is almost obsessive about it. Half way round the shop, before and after check out, even more so if using the self service check out, when I take it out of the trolley, and again after putting it away at home. Anti bacterial wipes for trollies if the staff don't do it, and even a good wipe round in the car if we use it, (still got over 3/4 of a tank left after filling up over 6 weeks ago). Shopping is strange now, if you've not been for a while. The advantage of having transport, is that when we need a bigger shop, I drive first to Morrisons to see if there is a big queue, if there is, it's a short run to either Asda or Tesco, and finally our guaranteed quiet shop, a small M&S, a bit pricey and smaller selection, but never crowded, and the staff are always wiping the equipment down. We've been lucky the last couple of times in finding Morrisons devoid of queues and pretty quiet, we've got to know when the quiet times are. I also go to a local petrol station shop for fresh milk, bread, my wifes Saturday morning paper, and the lotto if I feel like doing it. Apart from that, we rarely venture out of the garden. We live in a semi urban area, that over the last ten years or so, as seen a massive increase in buildings, both residential, and industrial. I'm not too keen on taking a walk through a mile or so of housing or industrial estates, before reaching a decent area of open country that isn't private land. I see that the interview with Baroness Altmann that I mentioned earlier has got the attention of the powers that be, in regard to using criteria other than just age, when suggesting permissible movement during an easing of lockdown. A good thing too! John.

Has anyone actually read the proposals put to the Government by the Angling Trust? I've found some of them a bit strange. For example, I never realised that the use of keepnets contributed to the spread of Covi19! The proposals seem well meaning, but a bit over stated to me. While I'm looking forward to being able to go again, there are much bigger things to occupy both the minds of Government and public. https://joinanglingtrust.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-We-Fish-Again-Report-14.pdf I also feel the use of angling 'celebrities' is more of an advert for the Angling Trust, than having anything to do with the actual proposals, or the lock down in general. I've always been a bit wary of anything to do with the Angling Trust. I believed from it's conception, it would gradually go from being promoted as 'anglings representative body', to 'anglings governing body', an acknowledgement I see getting repeated more and more often. John.

Thanks Ant, that's part of the problem, we can't even put a comforting arm around her at the moment. I know that the tests aren't 100% chesters, I think the official figures are about 75/80% for a negative result, I've not heard any stats for positive results though. She had been working long hours, as well as being on cover in case of emergencies, so because they don't get paid overtime, they have to take time off in loo of wages. She had the test, on Wednesday, and because there was a lull in scheduled treatments, she was told to take the time off then. She was off Thurs, Friday, and the weekend, so the chances of her picking it up between the test and the result was much less than normal, that's why I went over to her house on Sunday. I know it's no guarantee, but it's all about the risk assessment of any situation. Just like always really. While we were talking, the subject of the NHS naturally came up. She said that they had been busier than usual, because many operations had been postponed, and they were treating cancer patients to slow down the spread, until it was safe to start operating again. She also said that CV19 had been picked up on xrays of the lungs taken, prior to treatment, by the diagnostic radiographers. I only thought in terms of testing to check for the virus, so it was a bit of a surprise to hear of it. When they are treating patients, they get allotted a time for the duration of each session. If they had to wear full PPE, then the time that they took to put it on, and change it, as it's been suggested by some, would eat into that time, and would result in 2 or 3 patients less being treated each day. So all this crying out for more PPE, is irrelevant, unless the type, and degree of protection it provides, is matched to the actual procedure the wearer is involved in. We also had a laugh about the Doctors in Germany, who had posted naked pictures of themselves, calendar girl style, in protest at the shortage of PPE in their country. I could have sworn that it only happened in the UK. John.

Hello everyone, I hope everyone is keeping well, and not climbing too far up the walls. It's been a mixed week or so in gozzerland, and the actions of some people leave me scratching my head in bewilderment. First, my daughter who as some will know works as a radiotherapist at the oncology dept of one of the main hospitals in Leeds. She rang me the other day saying that she had painted some designs on her wooden garden furniture, and asking if she should varnish it, what varnish did I recommend, and (of course) did I have any she could have? When I'd sorted that out, she told me that when she was in the garden painting, she could hear a party going on in the garden two doors down. Like most people, especially those in the NHS, she was getting angry with the whole thing. Her neighbour on the other side, is a carer and he came out heard what was happening, and went back inside in disgust. My daughter carried on painting trying to keep a low profile behind the fence. Eventually, the inevitable happened, and one of the crowd spotted her, and tried to start a conversation, asking what she was doing, and saying why didn't she come and join them. She politely refused, and not wanting a scene carried on with her painting. The guy continued to shout over to her, and said that they were planning another get together the following weekend, and she should come and join them. Still not wanting to make a scene, she said that she would probably be working that weekend. He then asked what she did for a living. She'd had enough by then, and firmly, but politely told him that she worked in the NHS, and sees daily the effect that ignoring social distancing has on many people. The guy then said to his mates, 'she works for the NHS', and they started to applaud, and cheer, shouting how much they appreciate the work done by the NHS staff! She was speechless, and packed up her stuff and went back indoors. The crass stupidity of some people is almost unbelievable. I was listening to the news the other day, and there was a discussion about restrictions during an easing of the lockdown. It was suggested by some, that those over 70, should be still confined to lock down because they were most vulnerable to CV19. I then heard an interview with Baroness Altmann, and IMO, she made more sense than most with her answers. She said that it would be wrong just to use an age as a decider as to who should do what. A fit 70year old plus person, would have a better chance than an obese 45 year old, and a persons health, and fitness counted more than just a specific age. She also went on to say that if they were using the published statistics to decide who was most vulnerable, then imagine the outcry if it was suggested that over weight, non white males, should be the ones that were confined to their houses. She had much more to say on the subject, and I found myself nodding in agreement to most of it. My daughter got tested, last week and got an email yesterday saying that the results were negative. She has been forced to take 'loo days', so hadn't been in work, and I used this small window of opportunity to get some of my tools from her shed, and do a couple of small jobs in her garden, with minimal risk. She was the happiest I'd seen her for some time, and it was good to spend some time with her, without having to raise my voice so she could hear me. Then, this afternoon I got a phone call from her, she was obviously upset, and told me that a very good friend from her Roller Derby days, had died, aged 34. Apparently he'd been involved in an accident while out walking the dog. The whole team from back then had recently been planning a meet up when all this crap was over. Life can be real shite at times. Stay safe all John.