TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND...
Celebration of the life of our greatest-angler and Go Fishing TV star
BEING able to get back on the banks is a real blessing. And while not being able to stay out at night might well be a bind, I’ve found that daytime is usually much better in the winter anyway. It’s also quite invigorating getting up, heading out for a session, then getting back home with a few bites under your belt .... followed by an evening in front of the fire and the telly, happy in the knowledge that it’s been a productive day.
Being forced to stay local has made all of us investigate venues we may not usually look at, and there are some real gems around. Those places that you know exist but don’t visit, as you’re only passing them on the way to the syndicate or a better-known water. There’s nothing like having a bite from a new water to put a smile on your face, that’s for sure.
Angling is so important at the moment and I’m not afraid to say that while I coped pretty well with the last lockdowns, I’m finding this time around it’s a lot harder to stay motivated and positive. I’m generally always bouncing and wanting to do something, but this is dragging on now and starting to grind.
Getting out for short sessions, or even just a couple of hours, has been a real tonic to lift the spirits. It’s definitely my saviour. I find preparing as much as I can in advance is definitely the key to making life easy. A rucky with strippeddown kit, a small holdall and a day chair is all that’s needed. In the holdall I keep a golf brolly (black or green, not red and white, please!) so if it does happen to rain, I’m covered.
On my short sessions, staying active has been the way to get bites. Re-casting regularly, chucking small mesh bags and bright pop-ups or wafters around, and almost forcing the fish to pick a bait up. Good bait prep is vital too, because I want something highly attractive.
In winter I’ve found that the Monster Tigernut takes some beating. Pop a bag of 4mm Monster Tigernut pellets into a bucket and add a bag of matching Stick Mix. Pour a load of Monster
Tigernut Liquid Booster on top, give it a shake-up to coat the bait, and leave it to soak. After a few hours give it another shake-up and eventually the liquid will soak in, making the pellets slightly soft.
It’s now perfect, and you’ll have enough there for a number of sessions. Tie up some small mesh bags and fish a bright pop-up over the top.
Session fishing is lovely, but at the moment we can’t do it. So, days only it is, but with the right attitude, prep and activity, it can still be very rewarding.
ANGLING Times is celebrating the life of our greatest-ever angler with a special, limited edition John Wilson tribute book.
Created with the blessing of John’s family, the 132-page book is packed with classic stories from Wilson’s lifetime in fishing, plus on-the-bank features, tips, his favourite venues, and insightful interviews.
In his own words he explains how he started in the sport and recounts stories behind his Go Fishing years and his move to Thailand.
It also features some of his most popular magazine articles, amazing catches, and behind-the-scenes stories from his incredible career both in front of and behind the lens.
A special section called Wilson & Me gives readers an insight into fishing trips he shared with famous anglers worldwide, including a full re-run of the Wilson V Dick Clegg series of matches and his US carp trip with Chris Tarrant. Wilson’s relative, Angling Times columnist Martin Bowler, also recalls several trips with John and how the pair inspired each other.
Angling Times Editor-in-Chief, Steve Fitzpatrick, has helped put the new book together. He says: “This is a true celebration of the life of John who many people, myself included, believe to be our greatest-ever angler. He inspired me to pick up a rod, and this book goes a small way to thank him for all those incredible journeys he set us on and the memories we created along the way.”
Proceeds from the book will help to create a memorial to John on the banks of his favourite River Wensum.