CREEL

• #8 JEAN WILLIAMS - Sweets tackle Shop, Usk.

  Jean Williams shares her lifelong connection to Usk, having been born and raised in the town. She worked at Sweets Fishing Shop for 60 years, starting in the early 1960s, and became an integral part of the local fishing community. The shop, originally owned by Harry Powell and later run by Lionel and Molly Sweet, was an important hub for game fishing enthusiasts. In this episode Jean talks to Joff and recalls working closely with Lionel Sweet, who was not just a shop owner but also an accomplished fly-tier and casting instructor. The shop developed several notable fly patterns, including the Scrub and Amber Nymph. They served many famous customers, including celebrities like Jeremy Paxman and Vanessa Redgrave, who appreciated the shop's discretion and tranquil atmosphere. A significant part of Jean's life was her involvement with the Brownies, where she was known as 'Brown Owl' for over 55 years. She loved watching generations of children grow up and become interested in fishing and outdoor activities. The shop specialised in game fishing equipment, offering expert advice and local river information. When Jean finally closed the shop in 2022, it marked the end of a significant era in Usk's fishing history. She continues to sell fishing tickets and maintain connections with the local fishing community. We mention that the shop is for sale. I believe it is now sold.

  --------  

  43:22
• #7 JOF HICKS - Scillonian Lobster Fisherman by sail and oar.

  In this episode Joff Elphick is up at 2:30 in the morning to travel the 250 miles through Somerset, and Devon before and passing through Cornwall to its southern tip and Penzance. From here a 28 mile journey by  ferry, plane, or helicopter gets me to the Isles of Scilly an archipelago of over 200 islands lying 28 miles off Cornwall's coast. The Islands have been part of the Duchy of Cornwall since the 14th century with the Duchy owning most of the land and approximately one-third of residential buildings across the islands, of which only five are inhabited: St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, St Agnes, and Bryher. Joff is here to meet Jof Hicks a Designer/maker from St Agnes who fishes commercially for lobsters  without the help of internal combustion engines, rowing or when possible using wind power to get his zero plastic lobster pots and gear to the most productive locations around the Island. Any angler who enjoys using traditional tackle such as cane rods or centrepin reels should enjoy the ingenuity Jof employs with his methods and materials to get his hand-crafted pots amongst the rocks and reefs that surround these beautiful islands.  We discuss Pilot Gigs. Inkwell Lobster pots and their construction. Manilla rope and cork buoys. And Bait. You can hear the storm raging outside Jof’s workshop. Tourism dominates the local economy, accounting for 85 percent of economic activity and employing 70 percent of the population. Flower farming, particularly the cultivation of scented narcissi, has been significant since the 1860s. At its peak in the early 1900s, over 40 tonnes of flowers were shipped weekly to London markets. The islands' mild climate, characterized by rare frost and snow, creates ideal growing conditions in the sheltered, small square fields. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1975, the islands feature pristine beaches, granite headlands, white sandy coves, and rugged moorland. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust manages 60 percent of the area, including uninhabited islands, paying a symbolic annual rent to the Duchy of one daffodil. And yes. That's two Jof/Joffs!        

  --------  

  41:42
• #6 THE TENCHFISHERS with Phil Jackson

  In this episode of CREEL podcast from EFGEECO.COM Joff talks to Phil Jackson from The Tenchfishers.  We get visits from Hugh Tempest Sheringham. Mr Crabtree and Peter, Izaak Walton and The Rev William Houghton. Phil tells us where the fishing bug started for him. How he thought he may have been 'a bit of an annoying little prat' in Ted Oliver's shop Olivers of Knebworth. He was at school with Dick Walker's sons and to this day regrets failing to take up the offer of a visit to Dick's house to get some cutting edge carp fishing advice.  He discusses the start of The Tenchfishers, it's demise, and its resurrection in the late sixties. Phil remembers well his first visit to The Tenchfishers AGM where he got to waggle a rod with Len Head. Other names from the world of tench fishing get a mention too. Pete Jackson. Barrie Rickards, John Ellis, Harry Green, Les Millington, Tony Marris, Dai Gribble, Jack Walpole, Kenny Parsons, and Pete Davis. The Tenchfishers book TINCA TINCA gets discussed as does Tenchfishers TV which along with the website is a shop front for the group. We discuss the bulletin, The national Tench Heritage Alliance, and Sywell Resevoir. Many thanks to Phil for taking time out to discuss his fishing life and the group. To find out more go to www.tenchfishers.com      

  --------  

  47:13
• #5 FENNEL HUDSON and The Wild Carp Trust

  In this episode of Creel Podcast from EFGEECO.COM Joff Elphick talks to Fennel Hudson of The Wild Carp Trust. At a young age Fennel was invited to join the prestigeous group of anglers The Golden Scale Club and soon found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of Bernard Venables, Richard Walker, Maurice Ingham, Peter Stone, Mike Winters, and Peter Wheat. The discussion covers a range of subjects including 'on being a traditional angler' - The inception of The Wild Carp Trust - Breeding wild carp - What are wild carp? - Creating a wild carp 'ark' - The surprising challenges of collecting fry - The perils of a hot summer -  Everything you need to know about the trust. Other anglers get a mention too - Rafe Gabriel of Piscators Journal. Steven Murgatroyd former guest on this podcast. John Bailey President of the trust, and Chris Yates who first invited Fennel into the Golden Scale Club. Izaak Walton is persuaded to pop in to the studio and gives his recipe for producing your own boilies (you'll need some flesh of a cat or a rabbit) and offers instructions on making what must have been the worlds first shelf-life boilie.  Rev. William Houghton offers his thoughts on the history of carp in the UK. Fennel is put on the spot and gives his ideal rod and reel if only restricted to one of each. If your float has wavered or you interest been piqued go to www.wildcarptrust.org  Fennel can be found at Fennels Priory here. Did you know we have a Facebook page here. We're on instagram too. Simply search  for Efgeeco.

  --------  

  1:14:13
• #4 Steven Murgatroyd talks about his book THE LAST CHANCE FISHING CLUB

  My guest in this episode is Steven Murgatroyd. We connected on a zoom call to discuss his book THE LAST CHANCE FISHING CLUB profits of which he is donating to The Wild Carp Trust. Stephen has been a fanatical fisherman for over fifty years and these days he fishes almost exclusively with the fly rod; eagerly pursuing game, coarse and saltwater species. He also enjoys listening to music and documenting his various piscine escapades, resulting in his first book. His writing has been featured in a variety of well-known fishing-related print and digital publications, having won various awards including first prize in the Balvenie ‘Story to Tell’ competition, the Grayling Society Righyni Roose Award for excellence in the written word, and first place in the Fish and Fly writing competition. He is a trustee of The Wild Carp Trust and a life member of The Wild Trout Trust. He lives on the Welsh borders with his family and at the bottom of the garden, youve guessed there's a trout stream!!  Go to Efgeeco.com to read articles about or related to traditional angling and to listen to more episodes of this podcast. Joff      

  --------  

  1:01:30

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About CREEL