The Chairman's Address....

It's that time of year again. A few weeks until the solstice, the Christmas consumerist madness in full flow and time to reflect and plan.

This is what I blogged this time last year...

It's very rare for things to go according to plan but incredibly all of those dreams came to fruition. 

A brace of five pound Suffolk Stour chub, with the biggest an ounce under 6lb, some lovely tenching in Norfolk, stunning asp fishing on three Dutch rivers and the icing on the cake, lots of two pound plus roach from the mighty Waal. So many that I didn't take photos of them all, mad fishing.

When you've been fishing for fifty years you can't realistically expect to beat more than one or two PBs a year, but this year I managed seven. Yes, I'm Bertie Big Bollocks.

Two new species too, grass carp and bluenose.  Well chuffed with them, especially as the grassie went 23lb 14oz and was caught on perch gear.

Those most enjoyable fishing was without doubt surface fishing for asp. When they hit the lure under the rod tip I was reduced to shaking like a shitting dog with excitement. It didn't half make you jump.

The biggest fish weighted two ounces under 10lb, came in the half light of dawn and hit the lure with such ferocity that both sets of trebles were mangled.

I managed over sixty nights away fishing in the camper, a couple of foreign trips and lots of short close to home jaunts.

A fantastic dace trip in late winter with The Chubmeister General, trotting on a small stream in perfect conditions and almost a bite a chuck.

Chuck in some nice river perch, some lovely crucian fishing in spring and Fenland rudd and its been a good year.

That said, since September I've caught nothing of note, but you can't win 'em all.

What of 2025 ?

Well, I've booked a ferry to Northern Spain in March/April, five weeks of fishing and hopefully some warm weather.

Hoping for black bass, various species of barbel ( and one on the dry fly ) and maybe zander and pike, but who knows, we'll see.

I'm heading for the big rivers and barrages of Extremadura and then Andalusia. Maybe.

I've fished in Spain but not those regions so I'll learn as I go along.

In the summer we might go back to Sweden/Norway if I can face the drive. Alternatively we might try France or even be tempted back to Holland and Belguim.

I'd like a double figure dace before the season is out, a six pound Stour chub and some big perch. Please. 

Don't really care as long as I can get out fishing. Lots.

Lots of "I did this" and "I did that", but the trips were made more special fishing with the likes of Bully Boy, Bazza, Waaak, Dicky Boy, Cooky, The Chubmeister General, Pike Man and S.

I salute you all, Brothers of the Angle.