Before I start let me just say this blog may differ a little from my regular blog, more of a travelogue perhaps, but things will probably be back to normal next time. I made my first trip to the Derbyshire Derwent in two years and it was easy to recall why I like this river so much. Small enough t...

I’ll be brief. You’ve had four blogs already this month. Five’s just showing off! Back in my Trent match days August was frequently a dour month with very little getting caught unless you were a wasp grub man. The grubbers bagged up whatever the weather or river conditions were. C...

Not so much a blog this time as practically an entire magazine’s worth of ramblings. This is the longest blog I’ve ever written but you’ve got to admit, says he smugly, it’s a bloody good read - and it’s free! If anything’s out of date already I do apologise but ...

Early April Blog The carp lake is ringed with bivvies in the better weather but there’s usually a bit of space at this time of year, especially during the week, so I asked if I might have a dabble for roach. Like most carp waters, there are plenty of other fish that no-one fishes for and I k...

Well, the news is that this winter has been the coldest for 31 years - even longer if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. It has been a bit grim, hasn’t it? I’m writing this on the morning of Tuesday 2nd March. According to the Met Office spring starts officially on 1st March and r...

Happy New Year Everyone! Belated New Year greetings to everyone who enjoys this blog, and I even include Whiskerton, who finished the old year with another threat to sue me. Mike, talk’s cheap. Put up, or shut up. Otherwise go away and play on the dark side! I came back from London on the tra...

Hey ho, but if you’re a barbel fanatic and no-one sends you a fishing calender then feel free to print off this one:   2010 Calendar Each page is in a seperate PDF file so you can adjust the size to suit. For best results just click through the link above each page or from the summary at th...

I’ve been back to the Trent but like everyone around me I blanked. Maybe if I stuck it out into the dark hours things would change but right now I really don’t fancy that. Perhaps the mood will grab me later but for the time being I rather like to be home in time for my evening meal. Pe...

Carbology Explained - by Lee Swords. Part 1… (of several…) Carbelling: The fusing of barbel fishing and carp fishing Carbology: The science of catching barbel using techniques evolved from those used in the carp fishing fraternity. Carbologist: One who involves themselves in the science ...

I haven’t fished a match, as such, for more than a decade but a competition that did grab my attention was the UK Angling Masters Championships. What an event this was and how sad that it didn’t become a permanent fixture in the angling calendar.     The invitees included the winner of each o...