Hey up,six years ago I was told I had a heart condition,at the time I was a gundog trainer and game keeper,so from walking about ten miles a day it all stopped!!,now I'm not to mobile and very very rarely go fishing,watching your videos and watching how much u love the sport really comes across,thanks for making me feel a lot happier,thanks mate....
Hello there Will, it is good to hear from you and at the same time can I say that I am very sorry to hear of your health problems, for anyone whom was an outdoors type of person to lose that freedom is nothing short of being a very cruel blow and if my videos can give back some enjoyment to anyone then I know that I have perhaps done something worthwhile at the very least. Talking health issues and heart related, I have been having many skipped heart beats, palpitations and chest pain on and off, recently had 24 hour ecgs done and have been placed on blood pressure medication as well as a dieting regime that I am sticking to, I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (borderline) and an under active thyroid, life can be a real bitch at times to put it mildly, but I will say once again that it is very heartening to hear from you, stay strong as possible my thoughts are with you.
@@francolinobasco thanks that's very very kind of u,I also was told that I had dieabeties type two but I tell u what,I have completely reversed it in a year,so now I have not got it,also I have lost four and a half stone in two years,so it can be done,I'm sorry to hear your problems as well,they found out my heart problem I'd had it since birth,I feel I must say this,ur a top bloke and bring many people lots of joy,,thanks so much for taking time to get back to me,I've always been told manners cost nothing and u shore have a lot,thanks again,take care....
Well that does give me some hope then with the diabetes Will, I have lost nearly two stone so far but got a way to go yet. I was brought up by my parents to respect others and also that manners cost nothing, later on my father taught me to not suffer fools gladly too. I think all three things have been good life lessons, being polite and caring for another human being and how they are feeling is seen less and less in our current modern society and it is something that really hurts me to see. Thank you for your kind words my friend and I only hope I can do them justice with regularity.
Well you've done it once again, nice vibe to this one, fighting battles and rewarded with some stonkers. Best and only fishing channel worth watching Mark, I truly despair at the state of the angling world full of lies and egos, you are the shining light in murky waters.
TraceurFlyingPhoenix any videos wig terry Hearn in, Carl and Alex videos are awesome, Martin bowler the list goes on, to say this is the only channel worth watching is biased lol
@@jlk7107 Hahahaha well that was a year ago, funny really you should pick this comment out of all the comments in all of the videos but hey ho. I mean I wouldn't really recommend these videos anymore with it being equivalent of watching a troll fish with its victims hoping they don't notice the knife in their back. But hey Terry Hearn videos are great....
Thanks Mark excellent video it takes me back to the 70s went I fish a lot. but can not go because off my Health .But Love wot you are doing keep it going.George in Stoke.👍🎣😂
Hello there George, it is nice to hear from you and I am very sorry to hear that you can't get to the riverbank due to health issues, I am glad that these videos are enjoyable as I like making them and sharing them via youtube.
Hey there Ben, cheers mate, you know me well, I always enjoy being on the bank, the day that feeling leaves me is the day that I'll throw a noose around my neck and kick the stool legs out of the way.
Skills mark.... your passion your talent, shows through the videos buddy, that’s why I love watching them, don’t ever stop doing something you love and we love you doing, take care matey
Thanks so much Phil, I respect that you took the time to write the comment and so much advice on my trotting video regarding anxiety and the things you've face, it means a lot. Also well done on your chub.
THE MEISTER is back!!!!!! Always a pleasure to watch your vids Mark, most satisfying. Wish I had a smallish river like the Blackwater close by, would certainly be having a fair few sessions for those Chub. Excellent. Regards IAN
Why thank you, every squirrel finds the odd nut and on this trip this erm chubby squirrel was very well rewarded. Joking aside it was nice to catch a few fish and be able to share it with you via youtube.
Thanks Barry, the simplest rigs are indeed, I always say to people who ask about rigs that they are better off spending more time locating fish first and foremost and then keep it simple.
Heya Mick, hope the Severn is treating you kindly mate, the barbel was absolutely picture perfect and talk about a set of paddles on it, had me worried when she broke the water and dived back down.
Jealous! Lovely looking stream, fast takes and great fish.....PERFECT!Another great vid Mark. I have steam coming out my ears loosing BB shot, never mind SSGs. But for chub like that and the surrounds I think I could live with it.Nice one M8
Hey Steve! Thanks so much, it really was a superb trip, I could not have asked for more. Ah so you're another angler that hates losing split shot? Cripes I detest losing ssg shot, feels like I am being robbed blind buying it for how little you get per tub lol.
Mark Erdwin nice! I keep meaning to get down the Loddon-it's only up the road, but I may have to look up the black water now too! Keep up the good work 👍🏼
Hi Mark thank you for asking it’s so slow to heal I’m up and walking with crutches and even back at work. But I can’t walk the bank with crutches can I lol. Guess this seasons gone as far as fishing goes for me. Another thing I’m back working but I don’t want to be there when I am that’s what happens when you’re off for 11 months lol. That looks a lovely soft rod there 👍
Sorry to hear that, although good to hear you are up and about albeit on crutches, hopefully by next season you will be back on the bank worrying a few fish. Yes the Drennan ultralight mini feeder rod is a lovely soft, cushioning rod.
Boys only gone and done it again !!! Yet another fantastic video and what a great session, thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed it Mark keep them coming and don't let your hair get so long between them lol 👍👍👍
Hey Mick I have my moments mate! Seriously it is just nice to know all of you enjoy the videos so much, it warms my heart. Don't worry I won't let my hair grow back, but will probably be cutting it again during winter though, maybe I will let the beard grow, who knows lol.
Hi Mark bought myself the Drennan rod your using in this video,was so impressed with it in the video, had to get one for my upper Lea Roach and Chub fishing.
Thats good to hear Terry, it is utterly superb and light, with my smallest size reel (500 size) the total weight of rod and reel and link ledger combined is a mere 10 ounces! You will love using it on the Lea I promise you.
done well there mark, had a little go for barbel last week and i had spent 3 hours in a swim i knew had barbel in which resulted in no bites, when i went to look into the swim you could see my cube of meat about two feet away from a ball of six barbel all dormant sat on the bottom.
Hey Tony, yes I'd say more otter than Pike, sadly I am seeing more and more of it on my rivers. Also thank you for subscribing, it is much appreciated.
Another great video and a terrific session - the kind where you buy a lottery ticket on your way home. I'm in Somerset now but I wish I could have taken the Blackwater with me, can't tell you how much I miss it. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Hey there Pip, cheers mate, basically it was one of those trips 6 numbers and the bonus ball, I did not realise that you were an ex Blackwater angler, I can understand you missing this river. Thanks for the festive greetings and the same back to yourself and family too.
@@francolinobasco Mark, I used to fish Camberley to Yorktown area and at Shepherd's Meadow. Had some cracking chub from both stretches too. If you could cast your mind back a few years to the days of Drennan's mini stick floats - they were perfect for the Blackwater and I used to absolutely love trotting them. Some great memories! Thanks for the great videos and likewise, seasonal best to you and your family. Phil.
What a wonderful peg and session uv had a proper mix bag,top angling and always enjoy your fishing videos it's just like we are joining you on the bank whilst you fish top angling dude..👍👍🎣😉
Cheers Phil it was good to get amongst a few fish and as you say it was a pleasing variety of fish. It is really nice to know that the video was well received by you too, I simply love making the vlogs when possible.
Hey there Tinker, glad you enjoyed it. Yes much easier during spring as when winter comes you either find them ravenous or when you need them damn hard to come by.
Always worth waiting for chap.what a cracking session that was & a bonus barbus to boot! ( try saying that without yer false teeth in) was thinking while looking at that lovely water way..isnt it about time you got the ' speedia' out & done a bit of trotting again? It looks perfect for it. Keep up the good work my freind.cheers🖒
Cheers Dave, it was one very enjoyable trip, glad you enjoyed it. Funny that you mention the pin, as I was out on the pin (not speedia as needs repair) a couple of weeks ago when we had a hard frost and it is the next video that is due for me to upload, great minds think alike :D.
Thanks Terry, you will not regret it, lovely little magic wand and cheers for your support of the channel, I will keep the videos coming when possible.
What a great session mark, that one swim was crowded 🤣 I’m sure that poor chub had had an otter trying to make Sunday lunch out of it. Lovely looking river to
Haha Steve, yes it was a busy little swim, although I caught in every swim I fished, to the point I did not film some of the chub as was running out of memory card space! It is a brilliant little waterway, one of the souths little gems in my opinion, just a pity about the damage to that chub.
Another beauty Mark, I never tire of watching your channel - simple and to the point and always reflecting your love of the sport. Have a great Christmas, the forecast for South Australia is mid-thirties on the day and getting hotter, so somehow I doubt we will see any snow!
Hey there Frank, that is my motto, keep it simple and spend more time on location. Thanks for the festive greetings, the same to yourself and family, much like yourself we won't be seeing snow in Southern england, however 30c it isnt, 12c currently lol.
All good in the sfp camp . We are out tomorrow and are looking to peace a vid together would love it if you could give it a spin and drop us a comment if you have time 👍🏻 Love your work great angler 👍🏻
New to your show Mark .. very enjoyable, thanks so much , amazes me the size of fish swimming in tiny little streams and Brooks that you visit .. looking forward to your next video .. oh and Happy Christmas to you and yours 🌲
Hello there Michael, it is nice to make your youtube acquaintance and also good to have you now following and watching the videos/vlogs, I am rather fortunate with the fish that I find on these less beaten paths. Happy Christmas to yourself too and I hope you have a peaceful festive period with friends and family.
Looks to clean for Otter damage. I don't think its Pike either, no tell tell teeth marks. My guess is either an attack from a Cormorant or Heron or its been foul hooked, which in turn the wound has ulcerated, then you caught her, the dead flesh from the wound has come away leaving a gaping hole. The dear little Chubber has to cope with intake of water to the body cavity which will most likely cause organ failure liver possibly. I would love to see her survive the winter. So Mark, here is a challenge for you see if you can catch her again in the next couple of months see if she has improved its unlikely though. Great video as always Mark. Keep up the good work. (A fisherman for 49 years)
Personally the damage i see from cormorant is generally stab/penetration wounding, this looks more to me like otter related, side of flank grab, ambush style attack. But who knows? The scallop style marks to the injury would suggest it is not pike related. We will have to see if I ever catch it again, I do hope it survives but only time will tell my friend, either way it was a pity to see. I am glad you enjoyed the video, it is nice to see someone whom is obviously passionate and experienced with their fishing watching them and taking time to comment.
@@francolinobasco You are more than welcome Mark it takes no time to make a constructive comment. Back to our dear friend the Chub. Having kept and treated Japanese koi, in my experience ulcers seem to always looked scalloped once cleaned but, in no way does that make me right in what i say It could have really been any of the above or none of them to be honest. Which ever way we try fathom the reasons for our curious minds the poor Chub has a serious wound which it may succumb to or may not. Be nice to think she survived though. All the best to you Mark.
What a days fishing Mark and that swim was so productive on the link leger. I've played about a lot this season with this method and it really is killer for presentation and getting into the nooks and crannies the chub just love. Barbel on a ultralight as well talk about squeaky bum time mate!! Well played as always, love the videos. Have a good Xmas if we don't see you before.
Cheers Gavin, it was a very nice trip and one that will live for a while in my memory banks as such, glad that you enjoyed the video too. Link leger is very hard to beat and allows access to the most tightest, float unfriendly of swims in my opinion, mind you I am probably very bias haha. Seriously though it is a superb tactic and armoury for anglers to use. The barbus on the ultralight was edgy but it is an amazingly forgiving little wand, a really wonderful rod. Thank you for the early Christmas greetings and the same to yourself and family.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it, it was one of those trips where everything was happy to oblige and you grab such moments with both hands. Haha thanks regarding the hair, it took its time but is at an acceptible length.
Hey Morten, it is interesting because I see a lot of cormorant wounds and heron wounds on my rivers and lakes but they normally look like a knife wound or stabbing mate. Cheers I am glad you enjoyed the video, when you are over here we will go chasing shadows :)
Well done Mark,good to see you back among the fish. I am no expert on damage to fish but I would guess that Chub bite was from an Otter or, as some one has mentioned, a Mink. Bad decision to re introduce Otters into our waterways, especially if you haven't got a plan B & so many fisheries are being ruined !!!!!
Hey there Barry, hope you are keeping well and thank you for watching the video, it is always a pleasure sharing them with you like minded chaps. It was a very bad decision to reintroduce otters with no sensible fish surveys made, they have devastated many waterways and lakes, sadly the powers that be don't seem to know how to approach the topic for fear of alienation from Joe public, so us anglers get sold down the river.
nice fishing there eh mark what wonderful colours on them perch eh mate.as regards to that terrible wound on the chub ive had no experiance with otters but it dosent look like a pike wound to me mate.cheers
well mark red letter day or what,,... lost in nature caching some amazing fish all special the river monster barbel...,what a great fish and worthy of a day,s fishing alone,,,,,then the chub big solid beast ,,,,,and one of our most beautiful fish the the honest perch ;;and as you say we can get lost in pastime not changed for hundreds of years the tackle has changed but not the moment the anticipation ,the being there ,,that,s the magic and it never leaves you ,,you may have spells ware you have not fished but its there in your soul and will come back and get you ,even years latter ,,its the far off suppressed call of the wild ,,mr crabtree,,,country ,so go literally with the flow,......,were so lucky to have this escape ,,,,,i would guess the damage on the chub was an otter ,,keep on with the videos mark,and,tight lines,,,
Cheers Stephen, perch take some beating, bold,full of character and life,bristling with attitude. you're right the tackle may change but the core of angling never will mate, it is as old as the hunters instinct within us human beings.
Yep I agree with you Bradley, if you look at the type of chunk it is almost like something has taken an ice cream scoop and carved out a chunk, I will say otter every day of the week.
Another cracking video Mark with some lovely chub and a super barbel. The damage to chub No 3, that could well have been an otter. I have often noticed that you cast in left handed but mostly play the fish right handed! What bait did you have on for the barbel take? I tried the black Snail boilies on my last barbel outing to the Warks Avon but everyone split in two when attempting to pull them off the baiting needle onto the hair. They are part of the small pack of fresh frozen ones that have been in and out of the freezer a couple of times. My last three barbel trips have been blanks apart from a few smallish chub, this despite water temp being about 11c. River level is still very low however. Great video Mark, keep them coming, they are always enjoyable and great to see a very accomplished angler obviously enjoying catching all species of fish.
Hey there Harry, I had been asking Nic about you recently and he said you had been struggling on the Avon, sorry to hear that. Regarding me being ambidextrous sadly not the case, I am actually a goofy instead, in that I cast one way and play fish another with the reel handle the other side, I have been like that since day one and cannot bring myself to change now, incidentally I have a friend and rather impressive fly angler whom fishes the exact same style, I guess at the end of the day it works and is something us goofs are use to. Regarding the black snail boilies crumbling, this is something I have never had a single issue with, however remember I roll my own mix so I cannot say the same for yourself, I take mine in and out of the freezer regular though and dont have this issue, what I would recommend if you don't already have one is to use a fine baiting needle, I use a Guru ultra fine baiting needle for all but the most rock hard boilies, I never have any splitting issues. If you are finding them to be splitting too much why not phone Essential Baits and chat with them, Mike and his work associates are very good people and would probably help you out, maybe replace the items for you, they are very good like that in my experiences.
Hi Mark. Thanks for your reply. Yes I have been struggling on the Warks Avon with my last three all day trips resulting in blanks apart from a couple of chub each time. Mind you I always tend to struggle for barbel each December and January. I was using a fine baiting needle for the black snail boilies, next time I'll cut them in half and superglue them to the hair. I'll ring Essential Baits as well thanks. Best wishes.
I generally as a rule try to keep to 6lb on smaller snaggy rivers when link ledgering Mark, generally shimano technium invistec although also like using sylcast.
Hi Mark. Great little video buddy! I can't find decent sliding running rings like your ones anywhere matey? I know other brands do similar, but like the bore to be larger like your ones... Whereabouts are your ones obtained from please mate? 👍
Heya Alfie how you doing? Glad that you enjoy them. To be fair I use a multitude of camera equpiment for videos, for short session roving I like to use a weather proof small camera like a DJI osmo action, but for more cinematic footage or more in-depth edits then it is a Panasonic GH5.
Hi , just joined Reading and District Angling . Have a lot of Barbel experience , mostly on the Hampshire Avon and Stour . Can you let me know swhich are there best Reading stretches for barbel ? thanks and really enjoying the vids!
James you can either follow me on instagram and message me then i will private message you, or facebook but i use facebook a little less than instagram.
Great vid Mark and super mixed species session. Can i ask a couple of tips plz - First tip sought: I notice you don't tighten up after casting, is this because it tightens naturally as it trundles, or because you leave a little slack for the fish not to feel resistance to soon, or some other reason? Second tip sought: when to strike? - (I notice the strike at 6:39 was following a motionless spell soon after a couple of previous knocks ?) Thanks Mark, I always learn _such_ a lot from watching your videos.
When i was growing up along time ago the older adult Anglers used to tell us kids to hit it on the 3rd knock of the rod top when ledgering. It worked back then. What they were really teaching us was patience. Hope this helps.
Hey there Tim and thank you it was a special trip and nice to find the fish willing. In answer to your questions, I will try to be as concise as I can. I don't always tighten as I like to allow some slack for the link ledger to bounce and roll a little, I will generally tighten a bit more if casting upstream depending ont he flow so I can see the tip bounce backwards if bait is picked up, also as you mention allowing some slack is good for bite encouragement. Regarding the strike during the motionless spell after previous knocks that is a gut instinct feeling combined with watching the line tension,now I don't know if it shows in the video but after those taps the line tension and direction change very slghtly and on that I decide to strike, knowing that there is a possibility of a fish sitting still mouthing the bait without knocking the tip again. Also as "light yerpipe" has said, never strike straight away on the first few knocks unless they are confident rod pull rounds, because in my experience sometimes there is nothing chub love more than nipping at the bottom of baits during those first few moments. When I am watching the bites I am watching line tension/direction as well as the typical taps, doing so can pick you up bonus fish that might have not been hooked, or got away with a free snack, it also helps stop you from deep hooking fish.
I use a Miltec rucksack mainly Ashley . www.amazon.co.uk/Mil-Tec-Backpack-Assault-Laser-Green/dp/B00VS11BRG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=miltec%2Brucksack&qid=1564338570&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRVDJNNkRaTTJBSFomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5NDEzMzExSzdaMzRJN1I5MUREJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NDM5MDIyN1I1R0NRUEtQU0w3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1&psc=1
Hey there Terry, yes that is the exact rod, it is a wonderful bit of kit, my go to rod for tight swims when chub fishing or perch, but capable of taming some rogue fish too.
Hey Mark! Have you been out much since the season opened? Looking forward to some new videos! do you mix your groundbait quite wet to get it to the bottom? How much krill powder and how much do you feed? Thank you!!
Hey Elias I am fishing but taking my time in this heat! I mix my ground bait stiff and wet but not sloppy if i want it to get down to the bottom fast and not break down too fast, but generally mix it to the recipe i prefer based on flow and how i would like it to break down, as for krill powder i use one to two level table spoons.
Hello there Aan and thank you. In regards to my father, if the truth be told and you had asked me the other night he was making horse sounds and laughing hysterically not able to put words in order or remember what he was trying to say, he had kindly made me three cups of tea (at the same time) it was at that point I knew something was not right and that he had not kept an eye on his blood sugar, he was at a reading of 2.0 and forgotten to take the right amount of insulin, thankfully he recovered after some food, but it is very worrying when you are trying to help look after someone whom has lewy body dementia and they are also trying to still be as independant as possible, because at the saime time they want to keep their dignity.
Mark I've been reading through the comments and i noticed a lot of questions being asked. Its seems to me that these fisherman want the easy way to catch fish instead of learning the art of River craft, which is as you know takes years to come close to mastering. When i was growing up the Anglers didn't tell us lads much at all, just little snippets of information which led us down the right path. Now, i would encourage you to do the same. Nothing comes easy, if they really want to learn they have to go out sit on the bank and think. Look at the river and learn to read it, make mental notes about the colour and pace of the water when the fish are feeding well, what you catch, what you caught it on, what was weather like, Etc etc. So to make it interesting for these future Anglers encourage the use of River craft. If these future fisherman are true Anglers they will want to learn no, need to learn. So my advise to all the young and new fisherman/Anglers take a note pad and pencil and write down what you see if you can't memorise everything, also what you did you catch the fish on, what technique did you use. It maybe useful, come to that just go to the River where you want fish for a couple hours sit and study the surroundings you're in. Look at the water, look at the features, look how the river flows, you may even spot fish you wouldn't ordinarily see. River Craft is essential for prolonged success and happy angling days don't be a chuck it and chance it kind of Angler. Good luck to all for the future. (A fisherman for 49 years)
A fair comment and one that brought a smile to my face, as when I was young it was much the same for myself, albeit I was lucky that I had my fathers angling hand to guide me, outside of that it was much the same and I have never been one to ask locations or for directions to swims and where to fish, it has never been in my nature as I feel we rob ourselves of the whole journey by taking short cuts. Yes I have an enquiring mind and do my own groundwork and that is where your next comment brought a big smile to my face, watching the water and learning without taking a rod with you, this is something every budding river angler should do, watch and learn, read the currents in each swim, look and absorb every bit of information whilst on the bank. It is during those moments you learn the most and in investing that time it adds to your knowledge base and angling fortitude. I have kept a diary (online and off)for many years, listing weather conditions such as barometric pressure wind directions and types of swims fished, what was caught and any other little thing that might serve as a pointer to what created a fruitful trip, this can be even down to whether I see certain animals, for example hearing owls calling out that night or not (might sound a bit eccentric) but I do believe certain animals hunting at certain times whilst we fish are indicative of how our fishing trips might pan out, as they themselves are partly governed by atmospheric conditions. Thank you for taking the time to post such a comment, I tip my hat to you.
@@francolinobasco Thank you Mark for replying, I totally agree with you, with everything you said. But, one thing you didn't mention was water temperature. Nothing to worry about as i seem to be the only person who has ever done this when talking to Angling friends. During the 80's i fished for nothing but Barbel and on the hottest day in July 1988 i had an astonishing catch, i think if i recall correctly the temperture was well over 90. I didn't really expect to catch much but, i had the shock of my life that day 16 Barbel for 112lb. The moral of this is, it doesn't need to be overcast or a certain pressure like most people think. I tried this on several occasions with great results every time so, my little tip for summer Barbel is go out on those really hot days you might be surprised. The hottest evening's during summer are great for good doubles. Good Angling Mark may you have lucky days.
here you go Bradley, they are superb rig stops, the same seller sells the run rings that I use. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6mm-clear-float-stops-x20/183375181897?hash=item2ab2033849:g:3vcAAOSwCGVX5Wgg:rk:4:pf:0
