Zyg Gregorek continues his globetrotting adventures achieving yet another milestone as he describes below!
Well done Zyg looking forward to meeting up at the lure fishing weekend at the end of February.
Hi All
Having recently returned from North Carolina, on my latest quest to catch a Roundscale / Hatchet Spearfish. This was my fifth attempt in the last four years.
I decided to try North Carolina, after contacting several skippers, I picked Dan Rooks on Tuna Duck. Dan has fished the area for nearly 20 years and was very knowledgeable on the necessary identification patterns. He was very willing and wanted to help our expedition. Despite adverse weather conditions surrounding Hurricane Ermine, of the many Marlin caught during the four days only two of the fish were positively identified by Dan as Roundscale Spearfish. Thank God. Mission accomplished.
All fish were photographed and released.
Following the skippers report to the IGFA and photographic evidence. I can now confirm and am very proud to say I finally caught the Roundscale Spearfish and have now caught all the known Spearfish species, Long Billed, Short Billed, Mediterranean the elusive Roundscale. I believe I am the only person to have achieved this feat.
In addition following the capture of the Roundscale Spearfish I have achieved the coveted IGFA Royal Billfish Slam with 12 different species.
A very proud Zenia at Anglers Paradise sent me this report on the early angling success for her two young son’s.
This is a very special latest catches as it is about my 2 son’s Zaine and Zeejay who both love fishing and our youngest who is 3 went for his first time with Joe at the weekend and is now hooked, please find enclosed the pictures and write up.
We have been waiting until our youngest Son Zeejay who has just turned 3, showed the signs that he was ‘ready’ to start his fishing journey, and now came the time that we felt he was ready for his first fishing trip! Joe aka Daddy decided to take Zeejay Lure Fishing at Valhalla in search of some Perch to wet his appetite and hopefully catch his 1st ever Perch on a Lure. The weather was cold, but Zeejay just loved being with his Daddy and Fishing for the first time so he didn’t care, he just wanted to catch a ‘Phish’!
They couldn’t believe their luck when they landed Zeejay’s 1st ever Pike!! Zeejay’s face was a picture, and he was speechless (which is VERY Rare) when they got it into the net!
It was then our eldest son’s turn, Zaine who is 5, and he managed to land himself this lovely little Perch on a Lure, so we had 2 very happy brothers with their catches! It’s so great to share our love of the sport with our sons and we hope that others will do the same with theirs and get out there!
Nathan Butterfiled, from Newark took a break from his Manager’s Role at Cromwell Lakes to fish the Main Carp Lake and landed a 17lb Common and 21lb 1oz Mirror.
Nathan caught both fish on a size 8 withy pool rig baited with a cc Moores Ns1 yellow hook bait with over 30 freebies.
(Above) 17lb 1oz common
Anglers Paradise
NEVER GIVE UP!
Is the Moral of the story!
Michael Pearson from Mansfield took some ‘time out’ of the Netting Madness last week to do some fishing on the Main Lake, the fish were playing very hard to get but that didn’t stop him!
He booked an extra Night’s Stay and his persistence paid off as he landed this beauty of a 18lb 8oz Mirror right at the last minute!
Michael used a withy pool rig size 6 razor point hook to soft braided hook link with a 10mm northern special pop up.
Anglers Paradise are very pleased and proud to announce that this year they have raised a Total of £9000 in Fundraising throughout the year!!
Zenia reports below:-
We fund raise All Year Round with Weekly Raffles, Labels, Auctions and other Events and the Netting Week alone raised an amazing £2000 in just one week!! This total was raised with special events like – Bingo Night, Race Night, Zombie Party Night, Darts, Pool Competitions, Henna Tatoo’s, Nail Painting, Guess the weight competitions (of people!!), Treasure Hunt, BBQ (With Thanks to Warren’s Butchers of Launceston for Kindly Donating The Meat), Bonfire and Fireworks Night and more.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU TO ALL that have contributed as without you – we couldn’t have done it!!
The Money was donated to the following Charities –
Devon Air Ambulance – £2000
Halwill Primary School – £2000
Halwill Church Tower (the 3000 year Tower is disintegrating and need restoring) – £2000
Repairs to Plymouth Cathedral – £2000
Holsworthy Food Bank – £500
Appledore Life Boats – £500
TOTAL = £9000!!
So a Round of Applause to us ALL!
Here is to 2017 and To Raising LOTS MORE For Great Causes!
Big Shout Out and Well Done to Kevin Hosie who caught his 1st EVER 40!! Kevin caught a New Personal Best 45lb 8oz Mirror from the Kracking Carp Lake using Artificial Sweetcorn, his face says it all!!
(Above) Adrian Walker
5C’s Member Adrian Walker from Liskeard had a great session on the Main Carp Lake catching a 26lb and 22lb Mirror within just Minutes apart! Adrian landed the 26lb Mirror and as soon as he finished taking pictures and safely releasing the Mirror, his other Rod Screamed off for him to land a 22lb Mirror!
Adrian used a D Rig with a Snowman Manilla Boilie Presentation to tempt the Stunners.
(Above) Julian Chidgey
Julian Chidgey took some time out to fish for himself on the Specimen Carp Lake and landed this Stunning Scale Perfect 22lb 9oz Linear caught off the top on Dog Biscuits.
(Above) Graham Tasker
A KRACKING BIRTHDAY TREAT! Graham Tasker from West Yorkshire was whisked away by his partner to Anglers Paradise as a Birthday Surprise. Graham decided to give the Kracking Carp Lake a go in the hope of beating his current Personal Best of 24lb 7oz. On his 1st day, he not only beat his PB but he smashed it with a 38lb Mirror!! Graham caught the Whopper from Peg 2, towards the Lillies on a Cog System with Salty Squid Mainline Boilies with just 1 on a Stringer.
The latest report from Zenia at Anglers Paradise once again reflects the fun and family atmosphere that prevails.
Reilly Mulrooney, Age 3 caught his 1st EVER Fish with us, a Goldfish from the Float Lake on Sweetcorn, and as you can see he was a very happy boy with his Catch! We love seeing pictures like this, the younger generation are the future of this sport and it’s great to see them enjoy it so much!
Mark Richards, 50 from Bristol was a VERY Happy Chappy when he landed this Personal Best 6lb 12oz Stunning Koi from the Float Lake.
Mark caught the Orange and Black Koi using Soft Hook Pellets, his wife Tania was very envious of his catch!!
We recently welcomed back to Anglers Paradise regular visitors Steve and Sally Kemp from Norwich, Norfolk who, whilst here decided to renew their Wedding Vows in true Fisherman style. Exchanging the normal wedding vows for the following:-
Dearly beloved we are gathered here together in the sight of God, nature and fish to renew our eternal vows and proclaim our everlasting love.
Do you Sally promise to take Steve for good days and bad days, big fish and small fish, blank days and loads of fish.
Do you Steve promise to take Sally for good days and bad days, big fish and small fish, blank days and loads of fish.
After each enjoyable session, will you make sure that you
thoroughly clean each other’s tackle, wash it, dry it and make sure it is in pristine condition for the next session
And do you promise to honour and obey and go fishing every day
I now pronounce you fisherman and fisherwoman, husband and wife and with this net I now re-join you for ever and a day.
The ceremony was concluded with a covering of the net together with a celebratory glass of wine.
Zenia at Anglers Paradise sent this excellent account of her recent success at Angler Paradise with a little help from top angling guide Julian Chidgey.
I’m still shaking as I write this, as I still can’t believe that after so many years and having 2 Sons, meant I had to take a step back from my favourite Sport Fishing, but knew when they grew a little older, that I would get my turn again!
I am now 32 Years of age, a full time Mum and Run Anglers Paradise with My Mum and Dad (Rose and Zyg Gregorek) and Husband Joe Drury, so time never allowed me to fish like I used to before becoming a Mum, hence the 6 year wait! After so many years not fishing, but looking and writing about other angler’s catches, it kept me going and just felt happy to see others do so well and also sharing the passion I know and love for the sport, but it was finally time that I got out there too, I mentally couldn’t wait any longer!
It had been a long time, so my memory of knots and techniques needed remembering, so that’s why I asked my good Friend Julian Chidgey from Inspired Angling Services to take me Fishing and ‘Re-train’ me!
We first set up on the Main Carp Lake and walked around the Lake to find the Fish, it was a hot sunny day and the Fish were showing on the surface, so we took a rod, some dog biscuits and away we went on my long awaited adventure. We found a good spot, but the fish were crafty and we had to work for it, finally my first Fish was on! It was a good fight and took me straight into the Lily Pads, Julian knew how much this meant to me, and before I knew it, he was in the water and like the Fishing Indiana Jones, he waded through as I fought the fish and untangled it free to my Net! I jumped for joy as I saw it was my First Ever Grass Carp at 11lbs 7oz, my smile says it all, absolutely over the moon!!
After a quick Lunch Break to re-fuel, we decided to keep on with the same tactic to search for bigger Fish off the top, that’s when we went to the Specimen Carp Lake, there was plenty of Stunning and Big Carp basking in the Sun, so we wasted no time, we crept around the lake and threw some dog biscuits in to get them feeding and confidence up, every time I saw these Big Beautiful Mirrors and Commons swim past my heart was pounding, Julian said to me when we were walking to the Lake, you’re going to catch a 30, and I told him to be quiet as that would never happen and I didn’t even want to risk jinxing it, there’s no way I could do that on my first session!!
Then, the Big one came towards us, almost teasing us and turning away right at the last minute each time, but after a few turns, she finally took the biscuit and she was on!! I knew it was a big fish as soon as I felt the strength of her fight, in true Carp Style, she did everything she could to take me into the Lily Pads, and that she did, Indiana Julian wasted no time and again he waded in, I kept the rod high and line tight with all my strength, whilst Julian cleared the Lilies, I’ve never fought so hard to catch a fish, but there was no way we were letting this possible PB go! She came free and I continued to play her, I couldn’t believe she was still on, and by me and Julian working together like a team, after another 10minutes fight she was in the net!! I couldn’t believe it when I saw her, it felt like a dream. We got her on the scales, the suspense was killing me, 10 years ago I caught my PB Mirror of 27lb 8oz, never would I think I could beat that on my first session back, I couldn’t look, Julian’s face said it all, he asked me to look, and told me that was no longer my PB…I had to look to believe him, there it was 31lbs 4oz on the Scales – OH MY GOD!!! I couldn’t believe it, and I was shaking with adrenaline and excitement all in one, I tried not to scream too loud but this was a very special moment to me and I am so grateful to Julian in helping me gain the confidence to do what I live for, without his help and tuition, this day would not have happened.
The afternoon was spent Rig Tying and Knot tying, as I wanted to be confident in going fishing again on my own, and would need to do these without Julian next time.
That night, on the D Rigs I had tied, I baited them both with a Paradise Baits Original Raspberry Pop Up, and hoped that my luck would continue. At 3am, I reeled in and netted a 19lb 11oz Mirror followed straight away by a stunning little Fully Scaled 10lb Mirror.
I can honestly say that the 6 year wait was DEFINITELY worth it, and I am the happiest girl in Devon right now!! Thank you to my Friend Julian for his guidance and tuition as he has given me the confidence and knowledge that I needed and I can’t wait for more angling adventures, because now this Mummy is ready to fish again. Fishing is a Sport all about Sportsmanship and helping others achieve their goals as well as our own, Julian did that for me, and I am so grateful to him helping me achieve a Fishing Dream made to reality!
The Morale of the Story is Ladies; never stop believing in yourself, if I can do it, then you all can too!
Latest news from Zenia at Anglers Paradise. Good to see so many posts with Ladies, Families and Juniors.
IF CARLSBERG MADE FISH…
They’d Look Like This!!
Stunning Catch by Eloise Wyatt, from Somerset who caught this Beauty of a Koi at 6lbs 10oz from the Koi Lake using her favourite Tactic of fishing off the top using Dog Biscuits to tempt Fish Like This One!
GREAT PICTURE, GREAT LADY ANGLER AND GREAT FISH! WELL DONE ELOISE!
Sam Lunt, 24 from Manchester caught a Rare Black Eyed 21lb 10oz Common from the Specimen Carp Lake which is the biggest fish to date that Sam has caught from Anglers Paradise. Sam’s Story – “Last day of the week and still not caught anything over 20lbs, although the Specimen Carp Lake has been fishing hard, I fancied this was the best chance of getting one. I was down early in the morning but nothing for the 1st couple of hours, until a Pastie decided to take my Bait! I cast back out onto the spot and it wasn’t out much longer than 5 minutes before it ripped off, I knew when I hooked into it that it was no pastie this time!! After a hard battle crossing my other line it went into the net 21.10 Common……Happy Days. This was my biggest Common from Anglers Paradise, it was an unusual fish as it had a black eye and I have never caught a fish with one before which made it special!” Sam caught the Common on a KD Rig with a Mainline Cell Boilie. It may be a Common but it’s certainly not a Common Fish we see everyday!! WELL DONE SAM!
John Salt, 36, from Rugby, had a session to remember on the Main Carp Lake and the fact he had all his Family there made it even more Special! John caught a PB 67lb 8oz Cat, a 22lb 8oz Common, 21lb 4oz Mirror and a 24lb 8oz Mirror, this is also the first Fishing Photo he has ever had with all his Family in it, which is just perfect that they were there to share the moment with Daddy! John caught the Fish on All End Tackle PB Products using Hall’umbaits P1 Boilies. (Below)
22lb 8oz common carp and all the family (Above )
5C’s Member Chris Flook landed his UK Personal Best Mirror of 32lb 2oz from the Specimen Carp Lake. Chris caught the Stunner on double 16mm Sticky Baits Manilla Pellet boillies, with a Size 6 barbless hook, using a blow back rig with line aligner, cast out near the reeds. (Below)
Scott Brown, caught a scale perfect 19lb 3oz Mirror from the Main Carp Lake, it may not be a 20 or 30, but when they look like this, it really is irrelevant! Scott caught the stunner using Finnforce Banoffee Pop Ups on a Stiff Hinged Rig. (Below)
Dean Sinclair, 30 from Watford caught the Famous Tadpole at 29lbs 7oz from the Specimen Carp Lake using Mainline Cell to attract the Beauty making it a New PB for him too! (Below)
29lb 7oz Tadpole ( Above)
Scott Vern, 29 from Okehampton caught his 1ST EVER UK 30 from the Kracking Carp Lake. Scott caught a 24lb 2oz Common and was happy with that as it was, but then he goes and lands himself a New UK PB in the shape of this 35lb 12oz Mirror!! Both Fish were caught on a Mainline high impact boilie tipped with a white pop up, fished on a fluorocarbon d rig and baited with approximately 50 cell boilies. (Below)
Zenia at Anglers Paradise sent me this story and picture of a first fish. Great to see the futures anglers getting started.
Just been sent this adorable picture of the beautiful Chloe Wyatt that just caught her 1st Ever Fish, she overcame her fear of Maggots, chose her own hook and reeled in this lovely Mirror from the Pixie Lake, she will be 3 at the end of this Month! She is on holiday with her Mummy, Daddy and Grandma.
Zenia Gregorek “Love it! So great to see the younger generation enjoying the sport we all know and love”
Hi All
