Sea of plenty…

Tags

Bream, Cyprus, Fishing, Paphos, Sea, Snapper

Young Tales has just had the time of his life swimming in warm seas and being able to be within arms length of a multitude of fish, no rod needed but a snorkel and mask a necessity.

Having returned to a rather cold and wet UK only a couple of days ago it is good to reflect on our week away in Cyprus. Not only did we have the opportunity to sample the freshest seafood on a plate but also to swim with bream, wrasse and snapper in less than 6ft depth of water on the northern shores of this Island, where crystal clear water was the norm for this time of year.

A morning was spent on the boat owned by Elias a local Paphos fisherman who took us into deep water where we caught fish on nearly every cast. Most fish caught were sea perch but the odd rainbow wrasse, bream and snapper fell for the thin slithers of squid offered on small hooks. Unlike our own shores where fish seem scarce this year, the sea around Cyprus seemed to hold a plentiful supply of fish for the intrepid angler.

A far flung cast…

The Tales household has packed its bags and gone fishing to a far land where the sun rises in the East, olives and lemons grow under the heat of the sun and handkerchiefs flutter in the breeze beneath the bows of a tree.

Our fishing forays to date this summer have not seen the line tighten as in years past, the mackerel are few and far between, the gilt head bream have danced away and the bass are still in deep water. With overcast skies and a predicted drop in temperature we have decided to head to warmer climes if nothing more than to recharge the batteries and watch a float bob on glistening waters.

The next month will be busy preparing vintage tackle and home wares for sale as it’s time to have a clear out so I hope you will drop by to see what’s on offer before we head to Chiswick Town Hall Auction and the Redditch Vintage Tackle Fair for the autumn.

As the evenings get shorter and the dew settles in the hollows it will be time to cast a long line for trout amongst the falling leaves on the indigo and ochre coloured waters, a reflection of the fabulous backdrop of trees as we near the close of the season at Robins Wood. For sure this season has passed all too quickly, have we been more discerning about our fishing, I’m not entirely sure, however we have fished better, travelled further, fishing small streams which have challenged us. We’ve not caught as much – it’s not just about catching fish, it’s the experiences, acquaintances, trial and error that makes it more enjoyable, we’ve learned a lot and met some great people along the way. We’ve changed some of our tackle, acquired smaller and lighter rods and reels, opting for some timeless classics by Abu, Farlow and Hardy and for young Tales.

So summer is not quite over, maybe a far flung cast is what it takes…

Been buying again…

Tags

Car Boot, Collecting, Fiberlite, Hardy, Salmon Reel, Uniqua, Vintage Tackle

Oh dear, I have to admit when I see a bargain I go for it, not just once but several times in a day. Fishing is a decease, It’s not the fishing, it the collecting of reels, rods and the accompanying paraphernalia.

I recently purchased some Hardy rods for young Tales, then I purchased some reels to match the rods, now I need to buy some lines ….where will it end …. a reel case or two to match.

I guess I do need some therapy, if having the bug to go fishing wasn’t enough the desire to collect more tackle is as great.

In case you were wondering the recent finds were a Hardy 8’6″ #6 Fiberlite, a Hardy 9′ #9 Fiberlite sea trout rod, a Farlows Ambassador 9/10 Salmon Reel and a more contemporary Hardy Uniqua 9/10 light salmon reel, oh yes and a 150th Anniversary Farlows reel case to put the reel in…will it stop, no!

Cruising the Thames

Tags

Ensign, Flags, Fund, Lost, River Thames, The Cruising Assiciation

Having only just stepped off the train from Barnes Bridge Station and crossed the road to walk along the tow path home momentarily glancing down the river to see that the tide was heading out. Close by the concrete wall I noticed the distictive colours of a water sodden Ensign still attached to the mahogany pole that it once flew from and with all ropes attached. I swiftly made my way down to the foreshore to find a fine hand stitched Ensign bearing a red disc symbol with a white anchor, this I knew as The Cruising Association flag.

The flag was covered in silt and other unsavoury sedimant but I knew would clean up well making a welcome addition to the increasing collection of washed up parts of boats that fill my garden shed, sooner or later I will end up with a complete boat as I have oars, rudders, row locks, seats and now a fine flag and flag pole.