The weekend was spent on the Korum stand at the Tackle and Guns show at Stoneleigh Conference Centre. The main attraction seem to be the launch of ‘Avid’ and l have to say that l was well impressed with the gear on show. It was also a great couple of days to get to know the Preston sales team and do some networking with clients attending.

Knowing that the Thames has been fishing its nuts of lately l just had to get up for my first session. A few hours were allocated on Tuesday and when the line tighten on casting a small livebait out straight away l knew l was in the right area. The action was so frantic that l decided to use just one rod, as trying to use two as well as catch lives proved slightly hectic. I managed to catch around a dozen good perch to 2lb 2oz plus a couple of pike around the 9lb mark, however if l could have caught more lives then l would have caught more predators as they were easier to catch! The pike moved in at the end and l was constantly bitten off as l wasn’t expecting so many pike and had only come with fluorocarbon hooklinks, so next time l will be armed with something slightly more abrasion resistant. Unfortunately though it doesn’t look like l will be able to return for a week at least.

Wednesday was spent producing the pictures for a Thames Carp article destined for Blinker, a German magazine as well as starting the text.

Thursday l travelled down to The Friendly Fisherman at Tunbridge Wells to produce a feature for Anglers Mail on Lure fishing products, the early Friday morning l set off to Hereford to help out good friend and fellow Korum Consultant Chris ‘The Pons’ Ponsford with four clients on the River Wye. Thursday had seen a serious frost and the high pressure continued into Friday which contributed to the lack of barbel action, however all the anglers caught chub, with Sonubaits 8mm Pellet O’S and Hemp and Hali crush combination doing the most damage. It was a great introduction to the start of my angling guiding career, however travelling over four-hundred miles, then helping the guys out for the best part of ten hours probably will prove to be the hardest, yet most rewarding days fishing l might ever experience. As always ‘The Pons’ seemed well relaxed, as cheerful and chatty as ever which just goes to make the day that more enjoyable.

Regarding the guiding it seems word is getting out, as my phone seems to be constantly ringing. Most anglers are interested in Barbel, a few in Zander and one local angler wanting to brave the elements in February-March at Frensham for its monster rudd, brave man, however l know l can deliver the goods here. I have also made a good with the owner of the Timsbury Estate who has some fantastic chalk stream fishing for grayling, dace and some very big roach on the river Test which should prove popular so l will be spending a day on the beat to get to know it very soon. Im also going to try and locate some barbel on the river Thames which will give me an alternative to the Loddon, as well as indulging in its perch, the chub on the Kennet at Burghfield also have to be an option, so although it’s a busy time its also exciting times for me.

I’m hoping to launch my website by the end of the month so keep checking my weekly blog for more details.