Post War British Fishing Reels for the Soul

Should you find yourself at a loose end this morning you may wish to visit the Andrews of Arcadia 'Festival of Cardboard' which continues as part of an exhibition of Post War British Fishing Reels for the Soul at http://www.andrewsofarcadia.com/home.php?id=4

Kempton

A question I am frequently asked is 'Where is Arcadia?'  Apart from being at Spitalfields between the hours of a half past seven and three o'clock on a Thursday I often tell people that to find it you have to go to the very edge of the map and look over the edge.  This is too much for some but it does depend very much on the map itself.  I found two maps at Kempton this morning ideal for the purpose.  Reynolds's New Coloured Chart of the Thames Estuary extending to the Harwich and Ramsgate (backed in linen) and a later edition of Stanford's Map of the River Thames from Richmond to Lechlade.

Lost Sea Trout

Found by a gentleman called Mr. Frank a migratory sea trout of some 10lbs or more, coming home to spawn.  Stranded in a flood ditch known as Salter's Lode in the region of Arcadia known as Zanderland it was returned to the main river by Mr. Frank http://caughtbytheriver.net/2011/04/richardson-in-zanderland-5/

Lost Day Ticket for 10th April 1935

Once upon a time in Arcadia a Mr. Haggie telephoned John Grant, - Merchant - on Methlick 5 and reserved a Day Ticket at a cost of 3/- to fish on 'Lord Aberdeen's Portion' for 10th April 1935.  When he arrived at Grant's Mr. Haggie was pleased to discover half a dozen flies that were recommended for the beat attached to the ticket.

Huntsmoor Weir on the River Colne

All overnight roads in Arcadia led to Wimbledon Car Boot Sale where the cleared contents of a residence known as Huntsmoor Weir, situated on the River Colne in the county of Middlesex were being sold in the morning sun.  Three generations of paperwork and effects including a bill from Thames Conservancy for the 'Installation of a sluice' on the Weir itself on January 24th 1953 at a cost of £22.

Spitalfields

A glorious day at Spitalfields yesterday spent amongst the company of friends, eating chips, drinking tea and getting lost whilst reading 'Fishing' The Magazine for the Modern Angler from the year 1967, part of a collection of sixties and seventies angling magazines that I found first thing.

Proudlove's

Once upon a time in Arcadia, the discerning angler was able to shop for High Class Fishing Tackle for All Kinds of Angling less than 'Half a minute from Liverpool St. Station' at the establishment known to everyone as Proudlove's.  For all those who wish to shop for High Class Fishing Tackle for All Kinds of Angling today you may still do so and almost 'Half a minute from Liverpool St. Station' at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market which is open from 07.30hrs this morning until the strict hour of 15.00 as it is every Thursday.