PEOPLE travel miles to catch all kinds of species. The huge Spanish catfish in the River Ebro attract lots of anglers, and carp anglers are borderline obsessives, chasing fish with names and mortgages across the globe. I’m no different, as I travelled 100 miles to the Kennet and Avon Canal, in Wiltshire, in search of a species no bigger then my index finger, a ruffe.
Ruffe are a member of the perch family, and are often overlooked by anglers. They have beautiful markings, with speckles of browns and blacks along their entire body, and large purple eyes.
I hadn’t seen one since I was 16, when I caught a couple by accident, so I enlisted the help of a group of fishermen to help me track down one of these little fish. There’s one name that stands out in the little fish world, probably because he’s the only name in it. I’m talking about Mark Everard, the author of The Little Book of Little Fishes. He’s an all-round angler and a fisheries scientist with a penchant for little fish. Mark’s prominent feature is his hair, which makes him look like a mad scientist, a cross between Back to the Future’s Doc Brown and actor Brian Blessed. Mark’s neighbour, Sid, would also be joining us, as were my friends Vince and Ollie, and an angler by the name of Jeremy Wade.
When Mark first said that he’d invited Jeremy, of River Monsters fame, I thought it was a joke, but lo and behold he turned up for the session, in mid-July, to catch a tiny brown fish.
Denne historien er fra November 05, 2019-utgaven av Angler's Mail.
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Denne historien er fra November 05, 2019-utgaven av Angler's Mail.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
My best catch!
This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.
Huge zed after run of disasters
19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities
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.
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.
A guide's guide to guides
Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.
