MY OLD NEMESIS STEVE PUTS PEN TO PAPER AT LONG LAST
I might learn from his new book how he beat me so often!
AT LAST my old pal and long-time match fishing adversary Steve Gardener is bringing out a book (see pages 8 and 9).
In my opinion Steve is the best match angler of his generation, and we have fought some battle royals on the bank.
I think we have drawn next to each other 11 times – amazing really – and honours are about even. I don’t recall being beaten very often on the tidal Thames on the next peg, but Steve was one of those who did it, while I recall returning the compliment on Steve’s home river, the Mole.
I did have a far better peg though – or so Steve said.
Perhaps my best memory of Steve was many years ago when making a video. I was ‘technical director’ and although Steve had caught quite a few chub, he hadn’t managed a ‘proper’ one on the day so we recruited some assistance.
A decent fish was captured, allowed a good spell of recovery in the net, then rowed to the opposite bank. I told Steve it was a good fish, around 4lb.
“It’s not that big,” he said: “Three-and-a-half maybe.”
Steve duly cast his feeder across, the chub was hooked on and Steve played it to the net. “Now that’s a good four-pounder!” he enthused.