Now I hear you say “ok great…so what”

Well we are all registered disabled, we have various disabilities. Jim suffers from Chemical poisoning, Dave suffers from cluster headaches and I have to use a wheelchair but I can do very short distances on crutches still but not for much longer by the way things are going.

Jim and I were the anglers and Dave was the runner. His job was to keep us fed and watered and to assist with the boat only, he was not allowed to touch any tackle at any time.

We were the first disabled team to take part in the WCC in its 12yr history so that was the first achievement.

Our second achievement was that we completed the whole match of 5 nights and 6 days despite Jim feeling bad on day 4.

Our trip started on the 1^st September when we all met up at our bait sponsors unit in Medway. Chris and Dean from Mrbaits Boilies had prepared about 60 kilos of boilies for us to use plus we had another 80 kilos of mixed food for baiting up.

We were joined later that day by Wayne from Medway Metals who had bought us the much needed boat and engine and a few other bits that helped make it possible for us to take part in this massive event.  Richard and Denise from the Kent disabled anglers came to wish us luck and Andy who took some of the photos for us.

Dave, Chris, Dean, Jim and myself

This day was also very important to me as I was to meet my daughter who I hadn’t seen for 24yrs. When she arrived it was very emotional but we both managed to keep it together although I did have a lump in my throat. Jodie stayed with us all day until it was time for us to set off down toDover where we were spending the night before sailing to Calais on the Friday morning.

Jodie and me

Paige who is Dean’s daughter looked after us while with our sponsors by keeping us in teas and coffees. Dave gave Chris Dean and Wayne a cake that his wife had made for them as a way of saying thank you. Julie makes the best cakes ever and had also sent along several bags full of cakes to last us out inFrance.

We spent the night in a B&B in Doverso we could have a good breakfast and be refreshed before setting off for the drive from Calais to Lac de Madine. We had been told it would take between 4 and 5 hours. It turned out to be 5 but more about that later.

We were ready to go before our due sailing time but because we had been sponsored by P&O we had free travel so we got ourselves on an earlier ferry. The crossing was very smooth and we were well looked after by the P&O crew. 

The day was hot and it was nice to be in the sunshine and in short sleeves. We set off and used the fastest route we could to get to the lake. We had to stop a couple of times for fuel and drinks and once when I had the onset of cramp so we needed to take a short break.

The journey took just on 5 hours and we arrived at the meeting place on Lac de Madine at about 5.30pm after getting lost on the very last part as we were not sure which area the bivvy city was being set up.

Part 2 will be about setting up camp and who we met and all about registration and the peg draw.

Friday saw a hot sunny day and I guess 80% of the anglers turning up, to set up ready for the weekend. Bivvy city was soon in place and by late afternoon the buddy bus had arrived and was parked in the middle and would become the hub of the festival.

Once all the bivvys were up and the bus in place people started gathering for an evening of catch-up and meeting new supporters who had joined us for the first time from the Kent and Southeast DAA. I think it’s fair to say that the star of the evening was Chris from Mrbaits boilies and Dean his boilie chef and sidekick. They were both on form and kept us all amused with their banter.

For somebody who said he didn’t drink I think Chris (holding the bottle) and Dean behind, did very well.

Saturday morning saw the arrival of Trevor from Snowlands fishery down in Par, Cornwall and he set up a small stand with caps, badges and details on a holiday caravan at his fishery. Also all anglers were instructed on the lake rules and then Ben Hervey-Murray (Patron) did a question and answer session which was fun. Then the draw took place for the Saturday Match which is for the Wandering Angler Trophy.

During the Saturday match, Dave Gawthorn (Patron) arrived, which was unexpected as he had only got back from Germany early hours of Saturday morning. Dave walked round the lake a couple of times speaking to people which was well-received, so a massive thanks to Dave for being there.

Once the match was over and the fish had been weighed, the task was then to get the BBQ underway, several people helped out on this and I think everybody had enough food to get them through the night.

Sunday morning saw myself and Kevin up early and we had both packed our bivvys and stuff before anybody else appeared…a lesson we learnt from previous years was to do this so that once the event was over we had very little to do before setting off home.

The weather was overcast and looked like rain but everybody was in high spirits. Alas, one or two were feeling poorly due to their disabilities and decided that they should set off home; this seemed to start a chain reaction and sadly saw all the guys from Kent head home.

The draw took place and as we started the match it began to rain, but we sat it out and by just after mid-day, the weather brightened up and by the end of the match saw most of our stuff dry again.

Once all fish had been weighed the results were worked out and it was time to start the prize giving. The first award given out was to be the Memorial Shield we had done for Steve “Bluey” Robinson. Steve was the 3rd member to join Reels on Wheels when I first started it and stuck with us showing his support in many different ways and we thought it fitting that we as an organisation remembered him. I had spoken to his family about the shield and they had driven down to present the shield themselves which meant a great deal to me and to Reels on Wheels. The shield will be fished for at a special event, but for this first time we thought it fitting that it go to somebody who had contibuted something special in helping Reels on Wheels. Now many people do stuff and are always there when we need help, but we decided to give to somebody who had not been a supporter but had stepped up without asking any questions when he was asked for help. Jim Williams and I are fishing the Midland Carp Masters and needed a bait sponsor, we are also fishing the massive World Carp Classic in France and needed bait for that….when Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies heard he stepped up without even asking how much bait we need so the Shield was presented to them.

Shield presented by Steve “Bluey” Robinsons daughter

So the results from the saturday match which was the Wandering Angler are as follows

In first place was Merv with 34lb 14oz, second was Steve (Hipflask) with 28lb 2oz and in third place was Kevin with 25lb 14oz

Sundays match saw the same 3 anglers in the top 3 places but in a different order. Kevin in first place with 30lb of fish followed by Merv in second with 12lb 8oz with Hipflask in third with 11lb 13oz.

Hipflask won the biggest fish with a carp of 10lb 12oz and Kevin won the biggest combined weight of the weekend with 55lb 14oz

The pairs match, which is a match within the 2 matches, was won by Kevin and Claire, and for Claire this was the first time she had won a prize for angling, so well done to you Claire, and of course, Kevin.

The booby prize, despite its name, isn’t awarded to the worst performer of the weekend, but to someone who has made a special contribution to the weekend in some way or another. Claire presented this to Dave Pooley who always helps others before himself.

The Festival was the best yet and I have a list of people to thank, which I will do in a couple of minutes….from the raffle, small auction and donations on the day we raised £645, and as soon as Claire lets me have the total from entry etc I will update this and put the grand total on the ROW forum and on facebook.

So now for the thanks…

Steve “Bluey” Robinson’s family for coming down and presenting his Memorial Shiled to the first winner.

Phil Scrivens – the owner of the lakes and farm park

Martin Cronin – Patron, fishery manager and great friend

Matt – who looked after us all and kept the teas and breakfasts going for us in the Lodge

Ben Hervey-Murray – Patron, who spent the weekend with us and presented the prizes.

Dave Gawthorn – Patron, who despite being very tired, turned up to chat to people.

Trevor from Snowlands Fishery

Don Robins from Drake Automotive Services Ltd who donated £100

All those who donated items for the auction whom I will list in a separate post, as there are a few of them.

Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies who are now also patrons to Reels on Wheels.

All those who turned up and took part.

A special thanks must go to Rosie my wife, who supports me in everything I do and who helped form ROW with me and puts up with me going away.

Last, but not least, Claire, who once again did a fantastic job of putting the whole festival together. So thank you to you all for helping make Reels on Wheels what it is today and let’s continue to make it grow.

Thank you all!

Below is a copy of what was written, for which I thank Andy so very much and wish you well with your new website.

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If I had the power within me to make “something happen”, it would have to be to create a sea angling version of Reels On Wheels.  So many of us take for granted, the ability to either walk, ride or just in the car and go to our favourite marks, fishing.  Yet there are so many people who are missing out on this most exciting and yet relaxing and stress relieving of sports because they have a disability.  In my honest opinion, no one angler has done more to try and rectify this situation more than Nick Rowe!  His constant “fight” to get more disabled people either fishing for the first time, or once again back out there and enjoying the sport is truly inspiring.  He is no rich man and yet he not only goes fishing, helps countless other to go fishing, but also competes both nationally and internationally at it too!   Sadly, there is no magic carpet ride for him to jump on and get to the events, pay for the fishing gear or even the baits.  As such, I would ask that anyone with any spare tackle or bait they no longer use to contact Nick and see if he can put it to use, rather than have it sit in the fishing tackle cupboard, just gathering dust.  Or if you are involved in local fishing competitions, how about hosting one (or “nagging” those in power within the club) to raise funds for the Reels On Wheels Charitable Organisation?  It is not only sending money back into the sport but to an area of it that needs that assistance so strongly.

Pay Andy a visit HERE

This morning I received and e-mail from a guy who said he was going to write a book and give the profits to the DAA!!!

WoW, is this a hoax?, is it a mistake? or could it be genuine?…Well after a long phone conversation with the guy in question, it turns out that it is genuine so below I have copied what I had in my inbox this morning.

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I am a guy from the north east who is fairly new to coarse angling, I’ve wrote a number of books over the last few years, none of which are on the subject of angling, but I now have plans to write a book during 2012 which will follow a year in the life of a fairly average angler, and my fishing partner; my brother Tom, trying to achieve all 16 of the Mission Challenges that feature in Improve Your Coarse Fishing magazine:
Barbel – 4lb+
Barbel specimen – 8lb+
Chub – 3lb+
Chub specimen – 5lb+
Perch – 1lb+
Perch specimen – 2lb+
Roach – 6lb+ bag
Roach specimen – 1lb 8oz+
Tench – 4lb+
Tench specimen – 6lb+
Bream – 4lb+
Bream specimen – 7lb+
Pike – 10lb+
Pike specimen – 15lb+
Carp – 5lb+
Carp specimen – 15lb+

It should be interesting considering that I’ve never actually caught a carp, pike, bream, chub, or barbel, let alone a specimen size fish. Also I will only fish waters in my native north east, an area of the country which generally, with the exception of the Angel of the North Lake Complex, are not generally featured in the angling press.

I haven’t settled on a book title yet, but I’m considering “******************”. (I hid this for now)

The reason I am writing is that I would like to donate all of the money I make from the book to your organisation. I love fishing, and I really enjoy writing as a pastime, so I am not doing this for the money, and I’m sure you guys can do so much more with the money that I ever could.

Rob Kirkup

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Well Rob I cant thank you enough on behalf of the DAA, and if there is anything we can do to help you in any way please just give us a call….

I first approached Wendy Perry who I first saw on a Fishing show on TV…I asked her to join us and write a little bit about herself and below is a bit about Wendy

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We went to Anglers Paradise, which is only about 20-25 minutes away from home. The lake we had chosen was Easy Access, our intended lake was Kracking Karp but because of all the rain we have had it would be about knee deep in mud.

Easy Access holds a nice head of Carp and some feisty Catfish. It is not a runs water and can be hard fishing, but then that’s why we chose it – we wanted to practice and see if we could bring the fish on and of course we wanted to try out some new bait.

I have been fishing for over 50 years now and remember trying boilies when they first arrived on the market. Loved them but then so many started to appear and everybody was telling you that this one or that one was the best. My idea as to what is best is based on its overall performance. I want a bait that works in all waters, all conditions and of course works at any time of the year. That’s a tall order, but I’m sure somebody would find a bait for all seasons.

The bait we were trying has been tested by many people with great results, and because the supplier is our sponsor for the MCM and the WCC we obviously wanted to try it out. Well, if ever there was a bait that deserves high praise then this is it. We fished for Carp off the pagoda end for those who know AP and within 5 minutes I had my first carp on the bank. As the day went on it was obvious that the lake was being difficult because Jim was struggling to get bites as was Rosie, but for some reason I had the fish where I wanted them and worked hard to try and keep them in front of me.

Rosie managed 2 Carp and a beautiful Golden Tench all on these boilies we were trying out. Her best carp weighed in at  9lb and the Golden Tench was about 2lb. Jim managed 3 carp.

I managed 14 Carp for a total weight of just over 120lb, the best going in at 10lb-6oz, and this had to be the best day’s carping I have had on this lake for quantity.

Sunday saw Jim and I heading out on our own for a session. Again we chose Easy Access but wanted to fish the opposite end where we knew the cats hang out.

Wow, what a difference from the previous day: We had to work at it to even get a bite. It was very slow to begin with and the water was quiet, hardly any fish showing but we kept at it and then we started to be rewarded. Jim ended up with 3 carp, (the best at 9lb), and I ended up with 7 Carp (the best going in at 10lb. 8oz).

Now let’s talk about the bait we used:

We were using boilies called Red Oyster made by Mrbaitsboilies and they can be found at www.mrbaitsboilies.co.uk  Chris, the boss, is our sponsor as I said earlier and this was the first time we had actually tried out the bait. Knowing the lake we fished as I do, I would say we hammered it using these boilies and I will not be without them now. To me it was like finding the “Holy Grail”.

As for the glug, it was out of this world – I can’t describe it except to say it was the best I had ever used. I can’t say enough about this bait and both Jim and I are proud to be sponsored by Chris and this fantastic bait.

Well that’s about it for now so Tight Lines to you all!

Last year I was unable to take part in the World Carp Classic due to my Doctor not allowing me to go, but this year I have her blessing providing I follow some simple rules. Everything is arranged and we have a place in probably the largest Carp competition in the world. 26 countries are taking part at the massive Lac de Madine in France this year.

There has never been a team of less able/disabled anglers take part in its 11-year history, until now that is. Our team consists of 2 anglers and our runner and all 3 of us are registered as disabled. Ok so why do I need to let off steam?

We are looking for sponsorship for this event which lasts 6 days and 5 nights non-stop. There are many things we need and of course sponsorship is the answer. We have been promised some bait from Chris at Mr Baits Boilies and he has already sent samples for us to try out and practice with.

Now we have had 5 people offer to sponsor us in various ways ranging from money, a different type of bait, up to a boat we need costing just under £700. What I don’t understand is why they promise to help and then ignore us completely? Either you want to sponsor us or you don’t. The boat, for example, will be used to teach less able / disabled kids about water safety so after the competition, it will not go to waste. This is a massive let down and it’s causing frustration due to us crossing things off our list as done, and then having to put them back on the list.

We will be making history by fishing this event and showing skeptics that it is possible and of course we want to motivate other less able/disabled anglers into thinking, like us, that anything is possible. All too often we hear the words “I can’t do that because…”, well take it from me, and if you want to do something, find a way of doing it. You will feel good about yourself when you achieve it and then your life will change for the better- mine has!

Rant over…