For me there are three especially magical moments in fishing; one is when a salmon takes, the second when a brown trout rises to a dry fly and the third when your float lifts when fishing for tench. (The fourth is trotting for roach).
I have just returned from one such moment when spending a couple of days tench fishing on an estate lake in Sussex with fishing pals Keith Elliott and Mark Edwards. Traditional stuff with a 13ft float rod a centrepin reel and fishing the lift method. The lake in question adheres to the Close Season so it brought back memories of the glorious 16th. It’s not quite the same now with 12 months fishing on most lakes.
Our TT Classic + 13ft float rod is ideal for tench and I also used the 11ft Avon when fishing under trees. A dozen or so tench came to my net and I drove home better for the experience. (until I had a double blow out from hitting an enormous pothole).
Apologies for another plug for our rods but they really have taken over where the Hardy Marksman left off. You will have seen them on the Gone Fishing programmes and now they are featured in the new Angling Trust video with John Bailey you can view here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShVHwT2zzOY
John is using a 1lb test curve Avon rod to land large barbel and chub. Described by John as “The Avons are exquisite. I love the 1lb test curve just the most sporting barbel rod ever.” Whilst only 1lb test curve as against typical barbel rods of 1.75lb and more they have exceptional power right through to the butt.
The Peter Wheat Collection will shortly be going to Weston where it will be on display for several weeks before going on sale. See below for a taster of some of Peter’s artwork and fish collection.
The small fish are resin models by David Carl Forbes and there are drawings/scratchboards by Bernard Venables and ‘BB’ Denys Watkins-Pitchford (Called BB because of the size shot he used when wildfowling). The pike is by an unknown carver but appeals to me.
The PW collection is an evolving and fascinating insight to one man’s absolute passion for fishing.
