I was born in Sheffield closer to the end of the Second World War than we now are to the end of the first Iraq one, which is a scary thought. Twenty years ago I moved to North Lincolnshire for work intending to stay only a couple of years, it didn’t quiet work out that way. I live with the lovely Faye in the very nice village of Burton upon Stather in a house built into a hill side; I look out over the Trent from my living room window.

I have one fine son from a previous life and marriage, the wreckage of which litters a small corner of my mind.

No one in my family fished but from an early age I was fascinated by all things living, it started with the catching of taddies in a net and just went on from there, I have never lost my love of the natural world and have a degree in Environmental Studies.

I caught my first barbel in the late 70’s from the river Dove on trotted worm, it weighed about 12oz and I was poaching at the time. I caught my second from the Swale at Topcliffe soon after, when I wasn’t poaching, it weighed 4lb…… I can’t remember my third or the detail of most others since.

I fished like a lunatic for barbel up and down the country for a lot of years, I don’t think I was ever obsessed but I came pretty close on occasion, often putting more important things second.

These days I fish much less, I used to go because I thought I had to when conditions were good, now I go just because I want to.

I started going to Spain barbel fishing a few years ago and that is my great love at the moment, no doubt I will write about it on here.

I wont be writing much about fishing sessions or the detail of what I have caught, who wants to know anyway?, it will be more random than that and it may contain a rant or two. If you don’t agree with my viewpoint or opinion then that’s fine, let me know if you like,……. wont change anything anyway and remember its only the internet and fishing, its not real life and I’m only writing it for something to do.

Tony.

PS,….. I’m a rubbish speller, sorry.

This fish is still the Wharfe record, though it is a tad bigger than when I held it.