Recent content by Gavin Hoe-Richardson

I bought a job lot of Owner hooks in various sizes and patterns a decade or so ago, thousands of them! Pretty sure they'll see me through. No barbless ones though so on barbless only waters it's another nod to Bank Tackle.

One of my local rivers is designated an SSSI, my understanding is that Natural England are the main opposition party to stocking.

Just looked it up, we're just in front of it at the Excelsior, I'm hoping that with a decent sized balcony I'll be able to hit the sea with a 2oz lead!

Making a long awaited return to Malta, has anyone got personal recommendations for a charter boat for the bigger species? I'm happy to find my own way for shore fishing. Staying in Valletta. Thanks in advance.

Aldwark is one of my favourite October venues, not as prolific as other parts of the Ouse system but the barbel tend to be bigger. Leeds DASA control the angling on the Aldwark side, no day tickets and the club book expires 31/12. On the plus side you can fish until 2300hrs that side. Opposite...

Much of my barbel fishing is now done roving style with either a float rod or rolling meat, I can cover a lot of water that way. So it's rod, landing net, small rucksack with roll-up unhooking mat attached and good quality waterproofs and sustenance within. Fishing waistcoat with lots of pockets...

Just a word of caution as I know people who have been caught out - for a non car-derived van the speed limit on dual carriageway A-roads is 60 not 70 when in national speed limit areas and 50 on single-lane A-roads! I used to travel the A1/A1(M) a heck of a lot and trying to remember whether I...

I started out with a 2011 VW Caddy Maxi, unfortunately it was the wrong 1.6 engine variant which had a habit of getting through expensive fuel injectors. It was however the perfect vehicle for my river angling other than the engine issues. It's a bit of a gamble when buying used on how well it's...

Pickering and Malton at the foot of the NYM. Take the steam train Pickering to Whitby, a few picturesque stations en route which you can use hop-on, hop-off style. Goathland is a particular favourite of ours and there's an easy walking route to Grosmont via Mallyan Spout which we do regularly...

Early hours after midnight, no traffic noise, no people, no farm machinery, just nature at its best. Owls, deer, nightjars, nightingales, screeching vixens and the nearby splashing of fish to bring some encouragement that a bite is imminent. Come daylight the wildlife has retreated back into...

2023 prices £4 from the tackle shop on Kirkgate or £5 on the bank from the bailiff. Day ticket stretch is below the road bridge and the former 'free' stretch behind what was the Britannia pub is part of the day ticket section. Above the road bridge to the weir is full members only.

Al doesn't do a lot of purely catting now as the bird-spotting tours have become very popular. You need to book early as he doesn't do many weeks. I've got five days late March next year.

I had five days on the lower Ebro around Amposta last week, catfishing was the main priority but lots of bird-spotting opportunities too. Angling wise it was my best trip thus far with 20 cats landed, four over 100lb with the best going 147lb. Conditions were favourable with a bit of extra water...

Hi Michael, as others have said the Derwent is designated an SSSI, from memory it's to 5m back from the river which isn't really relevant this winter. As well as incurring the wrath of the landowner and controlling club you'll also find yourself in hot water with Natural England who take a very...

Lovely rods, I've got two as barbel rods and two with fewer eyes for big pit tench rods. Bags of power.