It gets dark early....

This has to be the fastest year ever!

The trout season is now over, I had it in the back of my mind to trot for Grayling this afternoon, but again the Frome is up and like coffee!

A week or so ago John G and I went along to the Wiltshire Fisheries AGM, by kind invitation of Adrian Simmonds the keeper at Wilton, great lectures on the genetics of Brown Trout, a fantastic curry (slightly better than the DFC electro curry, but only by a tiny tiny bit..).
Followed by a spot of frantic Grayling fishing on Adrian's well managed fishery.....

Lots on a dry(ish) fly...

Kev and I nipped out late yesterday for a spot of Pigeon shooting, we missed every one that we shot at, but after a short secret mission on the way to our shooting I ended up with a new pair of wellies and a Phesant that someone else ran over...

Maybe one day, game could feel in danger, but it could be a while.....

I spent a while, after spending most of the day collecting and splitting logs for the wood burner, just browsing through a few pictures from earlier this year, and one or two made me chuckle....

Libs caught a bigger one than me...

John, Big Trout and tiny streams....


I caught more and ate more than my Dad...


Are there any Sharks near Portland?


Final question, will a 14 wt be enough to cast this popper....


I have just noticed the weather forecast for tomorrow, take care.....

Bass Trip

I have just come off the phone, after lots of fishing chat, with a nice guy by the name of Andy King.

He is looking for four people to join his gang for a days fishing out on Paul Whittalls boat Offshore Rebel out of Weymouth, on Sunday the 2nd of November,

please give him a ring if you fancy it. 01305 261841

A beautiful weekend

Almost up together on our work load, time to have a full family weekend.

Saturday the girls and I cycled from Abbotsbury to West Bexington to get a feel for the early autumns Cod fishing along the world famous Chesil bank, lots and lots of anglers!!!

A few Cod are being caught, some early Whiting and still a few Black Bream.

Here are a few pictures from this sunny warm weekend.....

Libs trying for a Bass just before dark.

Lib's phoning "mum" complaining about just catching Dogfish and Pout!

It turns out that Paul from the tackle shop caught three Cod to over SIX pounds not far from where we were fishing, respect!

Sunny again today, lets try again....

Blue Sky at last....

A waiting game!

Just as the tide started to flood we had to go home....

Fresh Bream for supper, very tasty, an early night as we start a new restoration contract on the Frome early tomorrow......

Ferry Bridge

After a frantic week, a huge thanks to Terry, Tim, Rob, Elliot, Tony, Dad and Mum (the riverworks team) for all your help!
We were blessed with some fine weather for an evenings fishing, the fishing was not important, being there was!
Great company, and a great location......
Here is a few pictures to round off a hectic week, please come and see us at the Dorset County Show next weekend.....

Three generations of fisherfolk and friends.

Rob sorting his lures...

Dad and Libs talk tactics, John G gets on with it....

Can someone send me a picture of a fish to post?

August bank holiday

Another month nearly over, its still damp and slightly cooler than one hoped for this summer!
I have to say on a positive note that this years UK climate has been very kind to us outdoor workers.
we spent a little of the weekend getting ready for the show, meetings with sign makers etc, a spot of gentle mowing on the river after working long hours all week, and a nights fishing with the girls.

Libs caught more than I did......

It did rain during the night, but thanks to Graham and Carol for the willow china, Libs was able to drink her morning tea in style....

Fab weekend

Its late, we have had a fab weekend here is a couple of pictures to be going on with, I will do a massive update in the next day or two to cover all our exploits!

It was a special birthday for Andreas Father so we treated her parents to Sunday lunch at Summer Lodge in Evershot, electric fishing on the River Exe, and a fantastic trip out with Ivan on Top Cat.....

A fish rescue with Kingcombe Aquacare on Saturday.

Skipper Ivan, Top Cat, Top Bloke.......

More to come, 5.00am start tomorrow......

Scary stuff

What a strange week, we have been pretty busy as usual, (thanks guys for all your hard work), stocking, mowing, guiding etc.

In fact we have had a little bit of kind weather to be thank full for, long may it last!

I was forced to wear a silly hat for guiding, thanks Rob...

I had been feeling a little out of sorts for a while but everything was fine, we all do it, "tomorrow will be a better day", an early night and the symptoms will go away, until Wednesday afternoon, not good, better drive myself to A and E on the way home only to be admitted instantly having gone into some sort of Anaphylactic shock.

Very scary to say the least, I had to stay in for about 48 hours, A massive thank you to all at Dorchester County Hospital, for looking after me!

I have been instructed to rest for a day or two, so I can catch up with my blog, paper work and plan work or may be think about a fishing trip for this coming winter....

Next months Boat Fishing monthly has an article written by Jim O Donnell, fishing out in Florida with the company we fish with, Fish the Dream catching some fairly impressive Goliath Grouper, here is a couple of pictures of some of the Grouper that we caught on the last trip including a fish of EIGHTY pounds that I had on a 10wt fly rod....

Scott, could not go wrong, fish after fish after fish......

The reel bent out of shape, but the rod just would not break...

We lost count of the fish we caught on light spinning gear!

Due to forced rest I missed out on a night trip to Redcliff beach, I know the guys had a good night but did they barbecue fish they caught or fish they took to cook?

A few days rest, the onset of some good summer weather, and look out fish.......

River Fish....

Great just what the old blog needs, a breath of fresh air from a new angle, or do I mean new angler, well here it is, as we are all aware most of the stillwater coarse fisheries are a little slow at the moment due to this unfortunate heat wave and drought, I think not......

A couple of river fanatics have been doing fairly well on the slightly larger rivers in Hampshire, can't say any more than that.

Say cheese.... or was it paste?

Chubbier than your average Chub....

Well done keep up the good work, I remember catching a Barbel, and a Chub, a long time ago, may be this winter.

British weather

I feel the need to thank someone for this great British summer.

Thank you for the gale force winds that make it possible to cast a popper over a hundred yards, thanks also for the heavy rain that gets you wet on its way back up as well as on its way down, oh and a huge thank you to all the makers of breathable coats, fleeces, and the fine heating systems in Japanese pick ups.....

Exactly the same weather this time last year....

Friday evening the tide was absolutly cracking, but the weather conditions made it a little difficult even to cast a popper, let alone a fly, I managed to stick at it for a couple of hours, and when I was completly soaked, made my way home.

Saturday I managed a couple of hours out in the torrential rain, and with no coat , to bag this one on a 3wt fly rod.....

Ben dropped a couple of Lobsters in for lunch, cheers.....

The BBC weather for our area for the coming week is unsettled, what a lovely way to describe the summer, at least there is no chance of freezing drizzle at this time of the year!

Fishing again

We did manage a serious amount of over time mowing and strimming on Tuesday, and some how managed to find ourselves (family) at the oil tanks for an hours spinning at dusk, Andrea caught a Mackerel........

The sea was calm with only a slight swell, on return home, checked out Top Cats website, oh no a space for the morning!

Sunshine and blue sky on our return to port.

Some had Cod for tea.

We had a great day as always, choppy, rain, and tricky fishing, the skillfull few managed a Cod or two. Thanks to skipper Ivan for catching me a few Mackerel to take home for my tea....

We ended up with mackerel fish cakes!

Not by chance

Apparently one of the easier places to catch Mullet, but Mike and I worked our fishing skills to the core today, for a fish a piece,(mike also lost a couple and landed a good Chub) a great day!!!

Nice to fish with such light gear!

Its been a while....(if we hooked half the fish that followed!!!!)

A great place to fish, and plenty going on, day tickets avaliable in Christchurch tackle shops.

Fabulous Dorset

Can you believe six whole months of 2008 has now passed!

Time to get our little fishing heads on and get out, rather than just thinking about it.....

Saturday I was lucky enough to spend the day on the Frome with friends, we managed a few missed fish and one on a GRHE nymph and home in time for tea.

Oh what fine fishing!

Just being there, its good for the soul....

Sunday morning the girls and I shot down to Chesil Cove, a spot of fishing and a picnic with friends, we caught nowt! lots of warm sunshine, I tied up a few Mullet rigs for tomorrow......

Nipped home for a cup of coffee, dropped the girls off, they shot up to the allotment to harvest some potatoes and loads of salad, and you guessed it I met up with Ben A to try for a Bass, we saw plenty, nearly caught one, but ended up with enough Mackerel for the smoker, all caught on Tobys in a seriously rough sea!

180 thousand people at Glastonbury this weekend! great, nobody on the fleet, result......

Earlier in the day Eliot drove past and shouted what are you doing, I replied loudly I don't Know but its great......!!!!!


Scott and Alex look on my website to see what were having for dinner, smoked Mackerel again folks....

Early start tomorrow, a day off, were going Mullet fishing in Christchurch Harbour cannot wait!!!!

Trust me an opportunity missed has gone forever! do it, your a long time Not Fishing........

Frome Test and Mackerel

Some say that a few pictures tell the best tales, its late we have been busy, so I will give it a go....

Keepering the River Frome, Fantastic.....

A number of very important meetings regarding a number of large habitat improvement projects on the River Frome, watch this space...

Begining to update our website with a case studies page, this might take a while but we will fill it with details of lots of exciting projects that we have undertaken over the last few years...

Last night as a family we went to the famous "Chesil Beach" caught loads of Mackerel and our daughter Libs caught her first Mackerel on a spinner, casting, all by her self (proud Dad).
Andrea caught a Red Gurnard and a Spider Crab and the most Mackerel, to round off a fab evening we all had home smoked Mackerel for a late supper!

Libs caught supper!

Great with a little Horseradish!

Early today I set off for a days guiding on the Test, with my good friend Tony King, a great day was had by all, and on some of the beats "Halford" fished a few years ago!

What a venue, what history.....

There is always the one that got away....

A spot of weed cutting to round the week off, with the remote chance of a Bass tomorrow night.....

Plan B.....

Saturday was a little gloomy, grey with drizzle, I spent most of the day working.

I was going a little stir crazy by about 4pm, by chance Rob A rang and persuaded me to go and fish the river with him for a couple of hours, in a short space of time, we managed a couple of nice fish and all of a sudden it felt a better day.....

I just about sneeked past this young family...

Nipped to Dorchester carnival, for an hour in the pouring rain with my family, rang Ivan (Top Cat) to find our boat trip cancelled due to extreme wind!!!!!!

Some of the gang came for supper and after a drop of grape juice we came up with plan B......

To explore the Mangroves of Portland Harbour, I missed one, Kev nearly missed one as did Dom, Emma hooked 3 Bass and landed one.....

We decided on the inshore option....

A spot of wreck fishing!

What a view.....

The new Storm hair grip...

Rivers and things

Guiding in the Test valley today, work on the Frome tomorrow....

Test valley

Frome adventures.....

If you dream about the fishing holiday of a lifetime......
Fish the dream in the Florida Keys have a fantastic offer, check it out NOW, I might even come with you.....Also check out Henry Gilbeys Blog....

Its Tarpon time don't miss out....

Gone fishing

In between work I have managed to make time for a couple of hours fishing, for Brown Trout, Elliot rang last night and reported lots and lots of Mullet where he was fishing, (still waiting for an update) and Ive just finished chatting with Ben who reported a cracking evenings fishing up at Flowers Farm.

One from a large Hampshire chalk stream.

And one from a tiny Dorset chalk stream....

Wild fishing....My mate John in search of a wild Trout. (and the stream)

Sunny weekend

We have at last caught up with all our river beats, a huge thank you to Elliot, Tim and Rob for all your hard work during a very wet week!

I, at last managed to find time for a spot of fishing with family and friends, here is a few pictures from the weekend.....

Possibly the most beautiful place in the world!

Real Mayflys like the Orvis Trident TLS....

We all went to the beach in search of Mackerel, and caught one between ten of us! We had a fab day, and made plans to one day get two between us.

Libs (7) teaches Alex (Scotts wife) how to fish for Garfish....

Tuna T shirts avaliable at all Bass Pro shops!

Bank Holiday RAIN

I should have gone fishing Friday evening, the Mayfly were pouring off where we were working, but I had some paper work to finish.

Snoozing after supper, a knock at the door and there's Ashley on his "fishing bike" and with him tales of a fantastic evening rise, one or two released fish, and the hard truth, that it is cheaper to cycle to the river than to take the school run 4 wheel drive!

Ashleys new "fishing bike"

Saturday was great, we managed a few miles mowing, but due to overnight rain running into Sunday we cancelled all further mowing! Then by after lunch it turned out nice, typical!

We had well over an inch or rain last night, and in torrential rain at 7.00am I set off for the River Nadder in Wiltshire to guide for "Fishing Breaks" only to arrive at a quickly rising River, good old UK weather, said my hello's and goodbuy's then headed south to find the Frome also colouring up, this could scupper our electro fishing plans for the morning.....

In between everything, I tried to resolve an on going duck weed problem!

I might struggle to sleep tonight....

19.49 update, Frome looks slightly coloured, good Mayfly hatch, lots of rising fish, could be OK tomorrow as long as the nights forcasted rain misses the Frome catchment....

Lovely...

Gentle day mowing

Great, sunshine, the Riverworks team out stocking various beats of the upper Frome with fine fish from Hooke Springs Trout farm, lots of mowing on some of the best fishing the River Frome has to offer, lots of anglers out making the most of the first Mayfly, I feel that next week we could be well and truly be into duffers fortnight!

We advise and assist with all stocking...

I even managed an hours fishing on the fabulous River Frome with my friend, tree surgeon Ashlea Cannon, who only started fly fishing eight weeks ago, he is doing really well, casting like a pro!
And he has a little fishing on the Frome that's new to me...

I love Dorset...

We need more time, it goes to fast, enjoy.....

Busy May....

What a frantic May, lots of river work, getting all our beats up together prior to Mayfly, then off to the Florida Keys for what turned into the fishing holiday of a life time!

Scott Rice from Kingcombe Aquacare, myself and Henry Gilbey (check out his fab diary), flew out to Miami, collected our rather fine hire car and sped off down to Marathon Key to meet up with Rodney Goodship who runs the ultimate sport fishing company "Fish the Dream" within hours of arriving we found ourselves at the famous "Seven Mile Bridge" and shortly found myself connected to a 150lb TARPON a dream come true.

Tarpon taming tackle...

Better pop this one back....

Scott and Henry Permit spotting

Scott and Rodney with Scotts 100lb Tarpon, then back for breakfast....

We had five days fishing with Henry, what a blast we had, fish of a life time, times many!

This guys photography is second to none, as is his company.....

The rest of our stay was nothing short of excellent, we eventually got on top of the fish, including an 80lb Grouper on a fly rod, fantastic fishing, weather and company a massive thanks to all involved!!!!!! till next time.........

A little light shopping before we left for the UK!

Back the UK a quick check of my beloved river Frome then off to the River Test for two days guiding for the superb company "Fishing Breaks".

The River Test....

None stop, dinner for 10 Saturday night and out fishing on Top Cat on Sunday.

And relax.....

Please just give me a mower and a gentle day by the River.......