The Baitdropper

Found amongst a collection of fishing tackle that I bought from a gentleman on Wednesday last, a large Thamesley Baitdropper, designed to deliver an eighth of a pint to the bed of the Thames in a heavy flow.

Spitalfields

A quiet but convivial day at a cold and empty Spitalfields as the market opened for the beginning of a New Year and many an angler's resolution was made.  Brightened up by the purchase from another stallholder of a small tin.

A.W. Gamage - The Sports House of the World

Once upon a time in Arcadia and most notably on a Thursday, ladies and gentlemen suffering from cabin fever and post Christmas restlessness would find themselves walking along Holborn in the district of E.C.1 to the department store known to the world as 'Gamages'.  There, in the fishing tackle department they would be able to make their first cast of the year in the rod demonstration area and begin to plan the months ahead in earnest.

Today, if you walk down Holborn, and not just on a Thursday, you will be disappointed for Gamages was knocked down in the decade known as the 1970's and you will struggle to find a department store with a rod demonstration area in any district let alone E.C.1.  However, on Thursdays, including today, you may visit me at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market, just down the road in E1, where there is plenty of room to demonstrate rods and other items of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.  The months ahead may also be planned over a cup of famed market tea.

Antidote Alive! at The Stag

For all those of you who read the Caught by the River Fanzine 'An Antidote to Indifference' notice is given that on the evening of Tuesday 24th January The Caught by the River Social Club presents 'Antidote Alive!', a night of words, song and occasional drinking in The Stag Public House on Fleet Road in Hampstead.

Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou are headlining playing old favourites from their first 2 LP's as well as new songs.  In support of them will be Robin Turner reading from his acclaimed book 'Looking for the Moon Under Water (The Search for the Perfect Pub)', Charles Rangeley-Wilson reading from his forthcoming book 'Silt Road', the poet Will Burns and myself.  Antidote 2 will be celebrated and especially W.G. Sebald, Edward Thomas, George Orwell and in particular the Public House.  The evening is sponsored by Sambrooks Brewery so in addition to the well stocked cellar at The Stag you may expect a barrel of something good for your soul to be sitting on the bar upstairs.  Tickets are only £5 if you buy them in advance by going to this link at Caught by the River and following the instructions.  We all look forward to your good company.

Liver Fed Maggots

For all those of you who are feeling liverish after a few too many Light Ales over the Christmas and New Year Period, donations are currently being accepted on confidential terms at certain addresses in Arcadia.

With Rod & Line In and Around Gloucestershire

Off in the van with Rod and Line to find a butcher's shop selling good black pudding for sandwiches and  perhaps afterwards some fishing in and around the county known as Gloucestershire.

New Year's Day on the Thames

In Arcadia as in some other districts it is now the year 2012.  Today, as in other years, such as the one known as 1956, it is customary to go fishing.