Happy New Year, piscators, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and you've recovered from any over indulgences. I had a quiet, cosy Christmas and spent some time planning my fishing for 2026, which I'll write about over the coming months. I treated myself to something nostalgic and retro for Christmas, an Action Man! I had several as a youngster, along with lots of accessories, all of which were sold at a local Jumble Sale when I got "too old". After buying

I thought I'd end this year's blogging with a good news story. The world definitely needs more good news stories. Anyway, a few months ago, I listed this 6'5 "split cane rod online, and it was sold after a few messages back and forth about the type of rod it could be. After dispatching the rod, I didn't expect to hear any more. Then, out of the blue, I got a message along with the image below of the rod after being restored. Bought as part of a job lot, I didn't intend to k

November 2023 was the last time I went to the National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair, and it was good to be back. I didn't really have any tackle in mind, so after the customary first look round, I carried out a more detailed look and bought a few books. I have been thinking about replacing my Mitchell 410, and I spotted a few nice-looking 410s and ended up buying one. After a cuppa I went for another look with money still burning a hole in my pocket! I spotted some plastic box

On a mild Saturday early in the month, I decided to fish at Findern on the canal as I hadn't been there for a while. With my A Carter split cane rod and Hardy Altex reel, I made my way along the towpath and found a nice spot and threw in some maggots before tackling up. After fishing for a while and moving my float around, I still hadn't had a bite, even though I'd seen fish topping. A couple out dog walking stopped and asked about the types of fish in the canal, if I had to

Well, I didn't get a chance to wet a line until late September, and it's starting to feel autumnal, which is my favourite time of year to go fishing. Here I’m back on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Willington, float fishing with an old wooden reel. I don’t know anything about this reel, but I thought I’d give it a try.

I managed a few days away again, camping this month. Back to Blackbrook Lodge campsite. The weather was good, as was the fishing. I took...