The Week Ahead...

This entry was posted on 2nd June, 2014

The Prospects…

The last few weeks have been very much a mixed bag weather wise, as we’ve seen different extremes. We’ve enjoyed some proper summer days where the sun has been shining and the temperatures have been high and we’ve experienced other days where it’s been cooler with heavy rain, with even some flash flooding in places!



Just last week, we were subjected to torrential downpours, which saw the AD staff car park flooded, as the drains struggled to cope with the volume of water, which fell in such a short space of time. Fast forward three days and it was all change, as bright sunshine and temperatures in the twenties graced the region.

This week looks like being a carbon copy of last, as the early part of the week doesn’t look great, with overcast conditions and heavy rain, certainly for Tuesday/Wednesday, before things improve and brighten up as we head towards the weekend.



What could these conditions mean for the fishing?

According to our friendly fishing app, this week doesn’t look the greatest, as the fishing efficiency rating barely rises above 50%, with only a very ‘average’ peak of 60% on Thursday and Friday. However this isn’t gospel, and it just so happens that the best days (according to the app) will coincide with better weather, so prospects could be better than expected after all.



If you are planning a trip this week and have spring species on the brain, then good luck and of course don’t forget to let us know how you get on! Send any pictures and reports to: [email protected]

 

My Fishing…

Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get out last week, I had planned for a trip on Thursday, but things conspired against me and I gave it a miss. The weather really put me off; the torrential rain meant getting to my favoured spot would be near of impossible, and the forecast Easterly wind and big tides meant that my ‘back-up spot’ would also be pretty much unfishable.

Even though I didn’t get out I still managed to enjoy some kind of fishing fix, as I finished editing and uploading the latest episode for my YouTube channel. I mentioned a few weeks back that me and Steve had been out for a spot of Perch fishing and I’m pleased to say that the video is now online, you can check it out below…



I’m not sure what this week has in store, I’m tempted by a trip on Thursday evening as the conditions look good for Smoothound or two, but we shall see, I need to source some Peeler first! If not Thursday, I’m sure me and Steve will head out somewhere over the weekend for a bit of fishing and filming, there’s so much we want to do and film, it’s just having the time! Whatever happens I’ll report back next week.

 

Pictures Of The Week…

May’s picture of the month competition is now over and what a competition it was, we had some absolutely fantastic entries and lots of great interaction, however there can only be one winner and that was young Jensen Hamlyn, who ran out a emphatic winner, with his picture of a cracking little Common receiving a whopping and record breaking 992 likes!

A massive well done to Jensen, who’s picture can be seen below.

June’s picture of the month competition is now open and in full swing and already we’ve seen some real crackers, as soon as I get five minutes I’ll get the album created and everyone can start voting! In the mean time, if you want to get in on the action and stand a chance of winning a £50 voucher then get sending your pictures in!

Also it’s worth remembering it’s a picture of the month competition and not a just a fish of the month, so it’s not all about the biggest Carp!

If you want to enter our Junes competition and appear on our blog and social sites then feel free to email your pictures and reports to…[email protected] you can also share them with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

In The Press

Royal Mail launches new set of stamps for World Environment Day

Organised by the United Nations, 5th June is World Environment Day encouraging global awareness and action for the environment.

To coincide with the most important day in the calendar for doing something positive for the environment, the postofficeshop is focusing on the plight of a number of fishing species under threat which are commonly found in UK waters. These sustainable and endangered species are illustrated with the issue of a presentation pack set to be released on 5th June. You can find out more details by clicking the link below...

Sustainable Fish Presentation Packs



Kids Find Shark In Village Stream

Experts left baffled by grim discovery of a Porbeagle shark in shallow brook! Horrified schoolchildren found a severed shark’s head in a village stream - 90 miles from the nearest coast. The youngsters were playing in the shallow water when they made the grim discovery in land-locked Leicestershire.

Kyle West, 11, brother Liam, eight, and two female friends screamed as they found the shark bobbing about in the small brook. Their dad Marc West, 32, said: “I heard the kids scream out ‘shark!’ I just laughed, but then I saw the terror on one of the little girls’ faces. “I went over and saw it, and prodded it with a big branch. When it rolled over, it’s jaw dropped open and I could see its teeth.

“That’s when I knew it really was a shark. They look like proper shark teeth. I just couldn’t believe it when we saw it - I’m still in disbelief.

Marc fished out the head with a net and took it home to Broughton Astley, Leics, before contacting Environment Agency officials.

A spokesman said: “Broughton Astley is about 90 miles from the nearest coast, so we’re fairly confident someone has dumped it there. “But ‘who’, is another question. We’ve never come across anything like this before. It’s baffling.”

Experts at the Sea Life London Aquarium think the fish is a porbeagle shark, which is found in UK coastal waters and grows up to 8ft in length. Marc’s partner, Jane Allen, 32, said the head is now in their back garden - smelling like “Skeggy beach”.



 

In Store & Online

The last couple of weeks have once again been extra busy, with the better weather, spring bank holiday and the fact we are nearing the start of the river season all being contributing factors.

These points have not only seen our customers out on the banks, but also our AD anglers and staff, as last week I was inundated with a whole host of cracking catch reports and pictures.

Kicking the week off was a great report from our very own Ade Kiddell who’s been enjoying some superb Tench and Bream fishing from his local syndicate water. This was followed up by Sittingbournes Tony Price who reported about his session at Wintons Fishery in West Sussex, where he enjoyed a record haul, topped by an amazing 95lb Cat. Thirdly came Norwich’s Mark Riley, who enjoyed a rather memorable session at his local syndicate water, even though he was primarily targeting Catfish, a single Carp Rod paid dividends as he landed a string of Scaley specimens to over 30lb. Next it was the turn of AD Norwich angler Darryn Stolworthy, as he reported back from his latest Tench fishing session, where he enjoyed possibly one of the best specimen Tench captures of all time, landing two fish over 11lb, plus numerous other doubles. Finally, last but not least, our very own Tommy ‘Penners’ Penfold made the most of some time off and targeted a few fish from local water, landing his very first 20lber from the surface. You can see more details on these catch reports and stories by clicking the links below…

Time For Tench Ade Kiddell 95lb Catfish Tops Amazing Haul For Tony Price Single Rod Pays Dividends… Mark Riley One Of The Best Specimen Tench Catches Ever?



Last week we also started a brand new blog feature, provided by our good friends at Carpology Magazine, the Tackle Comparison test series is going to run at regular intervals and we’ll be focusing on a variety of different tackle groups. The first focused on the range of Overnight Brollies and Shelters as 10 different makes and models faced off against each other. To see what came out on top and how they compared you can click the link below…

What’s The Best Short Session Shelter?



For anyone who hasn’t seen or heard, we have two new stores opening in the next few weeks, with one in Colchester and one in Birmingham, in the Halesowen area. These are both now coming along nicely and it won’t be long before they are ready and that we can announce the grand opening weekend.



Whilst on the subjects of special weekends we have the Angling Technics guys in our Norwich store this Saturday, where they’ll be talking and demonstrating all things baitboats. Also we’ve just heard that the Mainline baits team will be in our Chelmsford store on June the 14th, where there’ll be holding a bait rolling demo. Further details about both events will be live this week on the Angling Direct Facebook page, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Angling Direct Facebook

Finally last, but certainly not least, and before I sign off for another week, I’d just like to give a special mention to Angling Direct staff member and good friend Jim Alden, who retired last Friday. Jim has been with the company nearly 10 years and has been a regular face in the shop and warehouse, he’s truly been an outstanding work colleague and good friend. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I’d like to wish him all the very best for the future.



 

Product of the week…

Sonubaits Code Red

Having seen the need for a highly nutritious shelf-life bait that involved no need for a freezer, the Code Red offers the fresh, high-quality ingredients of a freezer bait, mixed with the instant attraction and hassle-free use of a shelf life.

As soon as the baits hit the water they pump out attraction. Whether it be from the high-quality, pre-digested Fishmeal in the base mix, or the liquid Liver that provides instant attraction and flavour, Code Red works on many levels. Unlike traditional shelf-life’s, which can be rock hard, these are easily breakable by hand, with particular attention being paid to preventing breakage when baiting up with a throwing stick…

To read the full review, click the link below…

Sonubaits Code Red Review