Des Taylor’s
Diary of a Countryman, plus your weekly crossword and TV guide
THIS time of year is so busy. I have a number of shows and events to attend, where I get to meet so many anglers, including lots of readers of this column – I hope!
Unfortunately, fishing has been very slow, but that’s fine because I always say it’s the bad times that make the good times good.
Even on a slow week you learn and see things that you wouldn’t see sat in the house watching TV.
Here’s how it went…
WEDNESDAY
Got everything ready for the Rowley DAS Roadshow on Friday, March 16. It’s going to brilliant, with something for everyone. Top match angler Nick Speed will be followed by Terry Theobald, one of the best specimen angling speakers in the country.
Included in the £8.50 ticket is a goodie bag from Angling Times which includes a bag of Nash boilies and a Nash carp book, plus a buffet – so you could say you’re paying nowt to see the show!
I am Master of Ceremonies for these two stars and no doubt I’ll be throwing in the odd one-liner and tip myself. Hopefully I’ll see you there!
Tickets are available from the Rowley DAS website or on the door at The Royal British Legion Club, Windsor Road, Oldbury, West Mids. Doors open at 7pm.
In the afternoon I went chub fishing on the Severn for four hours but although the river looked good, I blanked. I missed a half chance, which I think I should have left longer before I struck.
THURSDAY
Discovered that the waters I was supposed to fish in Holland next week for perch were frozen solid, thanks to The Beast from the East, so the trip was cancelled. The good news is that it’s been rearranged for the end of the month, when the perch will be even bigger!
This trip will give me my best chance ever of a 5lb perch, and yes, I know some anglers will say it doesn’t count unless it’s from the UK. I don’t agree – a perch is a perch, no matter where it’s from.
I’m also hoping for some of those big asp I had last time in Holland. The take from one of these predatory relatives of the ide is like a bag of cement being dropped on the line. It would be great if we could stock Rutland and Grafham with these fish – I’m sure lure anglers would love them.
SATURDAY
Up to the Northern Angling Show in Manchester when I gave a talk promoting the river Severn.
I had a lovely day, made very special by a good number of anglers, young and old, thanking me for inspiring them in their fishing. Believe me, that’s as good as it gets for a professional angler like myself.
The icing on the cake came when 15-year-old Josh Butlin and his dad came up to me and told me they
had seen a talk of mine at Newark last year before putting my tips into practice with 12lb-plus barbel for the young man. We had our photograph taken together and to be honest I don’t know who was happier, me or the young lad! I felt good on the 100-mile drive home that evening.
MONDAY
The Arctic blast hit hard! The water temperature was down to 4.5º C on today’s trip to the Severn
after chub. Ray Cutler and I didn’t hold out much hope, in fact the highlight of the day was seeing a dozen or so redwings hopping in front of us on the way back to the car just on dark. They must have pushed south and west to try and get away from the bad weather.
Not even the crayfish in this area were plucking at the bait. By the time we got to the car I was in pain with cold hands, and even more so as the heater pushed blood through my fingers.
We stopped on the way home for a quick pint and through the pub window of we could see snow falling outside. I tell you what, though – it was still good to be out, enjoying winter in the countryside.
TUESDAY
I fancied a few hours this afternoon drop shotting for perch but my mate told me my chosen venue was frozen and unfishable.
That was a shame, but good news came in the form of a Fenton and District Angling Society ticket that gives me access to some lovely grayling fishing on the little River Churnet.
I plan to take a run up there to suss it out and maybe cast a float in there before the end of the season. I love new venues and the challenges of those first few trips. That’s why I’m an all-rounder – I quickly get bored with fishing the same spot and catching the same species each week.
Later on I popped down the local tackle shop in Kidderminster.
I love spending time in a oldfashioned tackle shop, it takes me back to my childhood when I started this journey.
In those days it was all about half-a-pint of maggots and some quill floats. Little did I know how far this journey would take me and the varied experiences it would provide.