Summerhayes – Open – 3rd May 2026
Longs at Summerhayes was the destination for day two (of four) and I was hoping for a nice silvers peg but my drawing arm needs some new batteries as it landed me on number 9 (I’m blaming Dan T who …
Dillington Pond/Ilminster Canal – Xmas Fayre – 3rd December 2017
The Xmas Fayre is always well attended with several anglers fishing who only ever fish one or two matches a year. The twenty anglers would be split over the two venues, Dillington Pond and Ilminster Canal and I really fancied having a crack at the latter as I love the canal and haven’t fished it for ages. I got to the Bowling Club …
The Archives – Part 6 – The Wilderness Years (1986-88)
Firstly, I have to say a massive thanks for all the great feedback and comments I’ve received regarding this series looking back at the years before the blog existed, it seems people are enjoying my little trips down memory lane!I’ve called this instalment ‘The Wilderness Years’ for a variety of reasons, the main one being that, although I still loved my fishing, …
River Isle – IBC Winter League 4 – 26th November 2017
Before I get on to this weeks blog I would like to pay my respects to Bob Hammond who passed away recently, he fished with both Ilminster and Chard clubs and his very dry sense of humour will be missed by many, rest in peace mate. Bob with a nice bream caught at Dillington Me and Steve P with Bob back in …
The Archives – Part 5 – Exciting times (1985)
The start of the 1985 season saw a sixteen year old me fish my first match as a ‘senior’ (although I use the term very loosely!). These were exciting times, two of my angling mentors, Adrian Green and Barney Crockett had opened a fishing shop in Ilminster called A and R Tackle and I helped out at weekends which meant when my name appeared …
River Isle – V.E.S. Precision League 4 – 19th November 2017
With a couple of frosts during the week, winter continues it’s inevitable march towards us although on waking this morning it was actually pretty mild. On a personal level, my back has been playing me up again and to top things off, I’ve got a stinking cold, which is nice! Hurf was back to take over the reigns and decided to put …
The Archives – Part 4 – More pastures new and growing up (1984)
My last trip down memory lane documented me winning a couple more matches and I started visiting some new venues and catching some nice fish, the start of the 1984 season saw me still as keen as ever and down the canal the night before ‘The Glorious 16th’ with base camp established ready for my first ever night fishing session. 1984 My diary …
River Isle – IBC Winter League 3 – 12th November 2017
With more rain and the temperature definitely dropping a few notches during the week, winter is certainly on its way. With Rob still away and Hurf unable to fish, it was down to me and Steve P to organise this one and I have to say a big thanks to Frank and Jake who went down and checked out Hambridge yesterday (still too …
The Archives – Part 3 – New venues and a big goldfish! (1983)
So at the end of Part 2, I’d won my first match and thanks to mum and dad at Xmas I was the proud owner of my first carbon fibre rod. I was still super keen and getting on the bank as often as possible, if I wasn’t fishing myself, I was watching other anglers and asking questions. I was also buying all the …
River Isle – V.E.S. Precision League 3 – 5th November 2017
With Rob and Hurf both away, it was down to me and Steve P to arrange this weeks match and I was hoping to get us all down the lower end after last week when everybody at Coxes struggled. Also we had the first few frosts in the week and the river desperately needed some rain. I woke up nice and early and it …
Billy Makin Interview
Hi Billy, thank you so much for agreeing to do an interview, after reading your book earlier in the year (read the review here – Fishing and Testicles) and enjoying it very much, I wanted to find out a little more about what makes you tick! Firstly, how did you get into fishing and what was your first fish? Dad was a …