Practice Makes Purrfect
Angler's Mail|November 26, 2019
The natural history photographer has filmed all 53 UK freshwater fish species, and this week recounts the time when he went in search of catfish.
Jack Perks
Practice Makes Purrfect

CATFISH. At first glance these slimy critters look like giant tadpoles, almost like one of those drawings with outlandish features that are created by caricaturists in Skegness. Their eyes are tiny, being almost useless, and their dorsal fin is just a joke. The barbels are when things get a bit more serious, as they have a set of six of them, the two longest on the upper jaw. They have huge mouths, to help them gulp down unsuspecting prey, and I know one place that has lots of them, the aptly named Anglers Paradise, in Halwill, Devon.

I’ve been going to Anglers Paradise on and off for the past 12 years. With over 30 lakes, 20 species and beautiful Devonshire countryside, it really is a fantastic place to fish. I booked to go in June, a time when I thought it would be warm and the cats would be feeding, though the weather had other ideas. It was the wettest June on record, with over two months of rain failing in a couple of days. Still, the cloudy, damp weather wasn’t a bad thing for finding the catfish, as they tend to tuck themselves away when it’s bright and sunny.

I met the owner, Zyg Greogrek, in his bar, though it looks more like a museum, as everywhere you look there’s a swordfish poking out or an angling painting; it’s a real spectacle. Zyg has catfish in many of his lakes, some reaching over 100 lb, but he suggested the best chance of getting one out was by fishing one of the Eldorado day ticket waters. I don’t do a great deal of targeting big fish, so I enlisted the help of Dominic Garnett, who brought most of the kit and bait.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 26, 2019 من Angler's Mail.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 26, 2019 من Angler's Mail.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من ANGLER'S MAIL مشاهدة الكل
Angler's Mail

Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub

It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Venues on the menu
Angler's Mail

Venues on the menu

Dave regularly switches between different types of venue, as he is convinced that it helps him become a better and far more versatile angler. Here is his guide on what to expect and how to tackle them.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 14, 2020
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Angler's Mail

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

In our new mini series, the physiotherapist will put you in the right frame of mind to help you achieve your angling dreams.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Search for a super stripy

They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Pole position carping

The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020
My best catch!
Angler's Mail

My best catch!

This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Huge zed after run of disasters
Angler's Mail

Huge zed after run of disasters

19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities

time-read
2 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Christmas stocking
Angler's Mail

Christmas stocking

The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Alien aquatic plants
Angler's Mail

Alien aquatic plants

In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

A guide's guide to guides

Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020