Issue No.VIII August 16th 2022
Notes from the Bothy
It’s been a hot and dry old season to date, there has been scant rainfall since it’s beginning and the rivers in some parts have been diminished in depth and flow – with some considerably so. The rivers I fish here in Norfolk have and rather strangely been good despite it. However with the inherent and searingly hot temperatures in mid July thro’ to August angling was most definitely an idea and one that would be realised only in the fullness of time. One of the joys of angling for me at any rate is how simple a task it is to place fishing as a physical act in the natural order of things.
Conversely when out and about in the countryside the anglers spirit is about me always and the scribbling of watery mental notes is a constant theme, even when the split cane remains hanging on its hook at the cottage. I walk many paths in the year and beside rivers in particular, with their proximity to meadows, fields and woods the sights and sounds to be found are always engaging and enlightening, and never do I feel pressured to have a cast.
Angling and writing about it in the most part really has not turned the page dated 3rd of July, whereas thoughts and observations from my walks have been noted providing a constant new page turner. The thing for me however is that whatever inspires me to write it flows from the same source, whether angling or ambling or when the two come together and close the circle harmoniously the experiences and processes are inseparable.
I believe I speak for all the Raconteurs when I say ‘angling is so much more than fishing’ and we should always consider the bigger picture and how that picture informs us and our attitudes in relation to this our most wonderful of pastimes – Angling
Pallenpool, North Norfolk – August 2022
Martin James MBE, provides an article for a mid term read between our editions
‘A few hundred yards further downstream we passed under the railway bridge into the sound. On my port side is a large salt marsh where I could see several groups of ducks, also a couple of egrets, Suddenly an osprey dived, it didn’t miss its target as it lifted off the water with a fish of about 2lbs’ – continue reading
The Piscatorial Raconteurs & Friends – ‘being the quiet observations of Gentlemen Anglers‘
Within these pages you will find peace and warm reflection in what we believe is a quiet backwater. Here one can while away time sitting comfortably in a familiar armchair accompanied by a favoured tipple’… continue reading
The Piscatorial Raconteurs handmade wares page has had a redesign. Now you may view with a code, description & price for each item.
A thought for the day
A close and connected observation of nature reveals something more like a Celtic knot: a form without end or beginning. Not a system, but a synthesis.
Conor Detwiler – Undividing
The Ways of Water
The Wye & Lugg pass through some of Britains most scenic landscapes. Here is a selection of photographs – continue viewing
This issues contemplations
The Raconteurs August Miscellany – Pallenpool, Carl Hier & Martin James MBE. Guest Contributions from Kevin Dyer, Neophyte & Rafe Gabriel – Plus this issues Raconteurs articles from Martin James MBE, R.B.Traditional, Pallenpool, Jeremy Croxall, Paul Adams, Tengisgol, Darjeeling & OMR
An August Miscellany
Martin James MBE, takes us on a trip down memory lane – ‘Back in the 1950’s many of my summer and autumn weekends, along with school holidays, were spent camping on the banks of the river Beult at Hunton. My friends and I made many friends with the locals, both young and old.’ continue reading
Carl Hier’s A pilgrimage – ‘And so it was, fifty years after the subject of the devotion had first been discovered, I began my ‘pilgrimage’, back to The Secret Pond. Still living in the town where I grew up brings a number of benefits. Most notably, a good knowledge of some of the local hills, woods, paths and tracks.’ continue reading
Pallenpool – Steven Woolley’s Walker carp net ‘Once inside and beyond the particularly unassuming shop front one is immediately overwhelmed by cane, it’s everywhere and in various forms and states – vintage, in process, newly built and awaiting collection. I eventually found him hidden behind a stacked countertop studiously working away.’ continue reading
This issues features & articles
August’s Guest – Kevin Dyer, Neophyte & Rafe Gabriel
Kevin Dyer – Remembers Fred Crouch ‘At that time I had never caught a barbel so you can imagine the excitement and expectation I felt when Fred put me in a likely looking spot. After I had tackled up he came over and in order to show me the exact spot he made the cast for me!’ continue reading
Neophyte – Restores a Taperflash for his chum Martin James MBE ‘Martin had seen the rod at a sale and not bought it because it had been inscribed with the previous owner’s name so my friend bought it and had done nothing with it’ continue reading
Rafe Gabriel – Revisits the Hampshire Avon ‘Later that day, I found myself again retracing steps from the end of last season, revisiting one of the mill streams on the Avon, a venue I have not seen since March continue reading
Issue No. VIII – The Piscatorial Raconteurs articles.
Sneezewort, Darjeeling, R.B.Traditional, Pallenpool, Paul Adams, Tengisgol, Jeremy Croxall, OMR, Martin James MBE & Carl Hier.
R.B.Traditional – Searching For Weald Gold ‘I sit for a while on the northerly bank and just breathe, taking in the sights, listening to mellowed bleats from the flock of sheep who are sheltering close by and watch, watch for signs. It takes a little time for my eyes to adjust in the dappled light but sure enough I spot a couple of basking wildies close to the fallen tree. continue reading
Pallenpool – Tales From The Pool – The Most Splendid Of English Mornings Awakes ‘The path here ends rather abruptly at a hedgerow of hawthorns whose armour is softened with wild plums, crabapple and the ever greening ivy together they almost conceal the greying timbers of a barely holding gate – its still serviceable but if chanced upon a stranger would never think so‘ continue reading
Jeremy Croxall – An encounter with royalty ‘It is my Birthday today and my eldest son Jack is by my side. Jack will fish downstream of me just beyond the willows invisible to me but within hailing distance. Jason, my youngest son will join us soon, this will be a good day.’ continue reading
Old Man River – Traditional sea angling – ‘All else amounted to a few pennies. Soon a trip was planned, we turned up on the alloted day and I presented ‘Archie’ to the other anglers and David the skipper, this time there was no derision, no wry smiles, but a lot of interest.’ continue reading
Martin James MBE – Back at the waterside – ‘I think it was either Dick Walker or Fred J Taylor who mentioned the merits of cabbages, it’s an area where roach, perch and bream can often be caught, but also dace if it’s a bit streamy, there is no doubt about it, the fish do find sunken lily leaves attractive, more so come September October and onwards.’ continue reading
Darjeeling – Untangling the fankle ‘In my experience, there are fankle days. It’s nothing to do with the weather or other atmospherics, nothing to do with the terrain/the rod/the line/your hangover – ok maybe that last one could be a factor. It any rate has everything to do with you.’ continue reading
Sneezewort & The simple art of fishing ‘The other, a delightful extract from Richard Walkers 1959 book ‘Walkers Pitch’ I browsed on the river bank while ‘Fishing but not Fishing’ during the recent searing heatwave.In that passage Walker describes fishing with the minimalist of tackle, freelining wherever possible at closer quarters in small streams to present the most natural looking bait and set the trap. continue reading
Tengisgol – Made to be used ’Finally, in June, I got over myself. The Raconteurs were to be on the mill pool, the weather was fabulous, and there were roach, dace and chub tumbling about in the fast water, just waiting for me and my reel. I loaded the line, paired it to the Quinquaginta, and set off for the river where I fastened an appropriate elder pith float.. continue reading
Paul Adams & ‘Eels, tench & an ale or two’ – ‘Sadly, this year it was found necessary to explicitly ban the use of any artificial light, thereby outlawing the practice of assembling rods in the illumination of a car headlight at 3 AM. After several days of competition, tensions are high, friendships are strained. Missing is the banter and bon ami of a muddy day on the Medway or a frozen day at this same venue chasing winter pike.’ continue reading
Martin James MBE – Has a last grand slam – ‘A few hundred yards further downstream we passed under the railway bridge into the sound. On my port side is a large salt marsh where I could see several groups of ducks, also a couple of egrets, Suddenly an osprey dived, it didn’t miss its target as it lifted off the water with a fish of about 2lbs’ – continue reading
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