My Fishing

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I’ve been fascinated by water since I nearly drowned in Butlins swimming pool as child. Later on that turned into an obsession with what goes on under the water, fish and fishing that has often overtaken my obsession with music. I care a lot about the fish and I put them back as well as I can. That’s my way, like it or lump it!

I became interested in coarse fishing through visits to my Auntie Peggy’s in Oulton Broad and it was Match Fishing I became most involved with. Soon after I started fishing matches I was lucky enough to represent Scotland, eventually on well over 100 occasions including 21 World Championships (my best placing was 5th in 1993). I was also proud to be Scotland team Captain and Manager for 8 years and chairman of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling. I’ve largely retired from competitions for the last few years but still love fishing now and again.

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I’ve never done much sea fishing apart from occasionally on holiday … but I have just got into it and it’s an enjoyable change from match fishing. I really don’t have much idea what I’m doing, but inspired by some great websites especially Shogsky & Hutch (cheers Jake) I’ve really got into Light Rock Fishing or LRF. Great fun, very effective, and an ideal method for a coarse angler who likes to get lots of bites and fish, however small. A great thing is that sea fishing throws up lots of different and unusual species, so species hunting is just as interesting as trying to catch big fish!

Just keeping my list of UK species here lest I forget – Ballan Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, Cod, Pollock, Coalfish, Whiting, Flounder, Plaice, Dab, Turbot, Mackerel, Ling, Common Blenny, Long Spined Sea Scorpion, Scad, Short Spined Sea Scorpion, Grey Gurnard