NEC 3rd March 2006
As I opened the bedroom curtains at 7am - I was greeted by a frozen
garden pond and a winter wonderland - what an amazingly hard frost
we'd just had. The outdoor thermometer gave a reading of minus 6 -
which is pretty cold - it's a good job I wasn't going fishing!
The Journey
I love trains, so I opted to let the 'train take the strain'. Sitting
in a nice warm carriage, I gazed through the windows as we sped to
the NEC, the countryside was frozen solid, every pond and lake had
become a skating rink - the poor sheep in the fields looked really
cold and pitiful.
Of course I had caught the wrong train and had to change at New Street
to get to the NEC, one day I will manage a direct journey!
The
NEC, Birmingham
I thought Friday would be the best day, not many crowds - so plenty
of time to chat to everyone. Wrong again - it was the busiest Friday
I've ever attended, everyone must have had the same thought. Doesn't
anybody work on Fridays?
The Plan
I'm getting used to this event, so my first sortie would be a quick
dash around all the stands, checking who I would chat to, what I wanted
to try out and where the refreshments were served.
So after a quick walk around, noting all the attractions I was back
at the main entrance watching the crowds streaming through the turnstiles,
when staff writer Dave Williams wandered in - amazing bit of luck!
A quick phone call to Andrew Kennedy and we all met up in the centre
of the show for a cup of coffee and a good chinwag.
To be honest, I didn't really need any new kit, these shows tend to
be more of a social event for me, so it was great to meet up with
fellow anglers whose angling passion matches mine - and to catch up
on all the gossip!
Moving
around the show, I met up with Neil Sellars from National Fishing
Week, Neil told me he was very pleased with last years events and
added that he wanted even more people to try their hand at fishing
this year, so if anybody out there can help, don't hesitate to contact
him on the National Go Fishing Week website : www.nationalfishingweek.co.uk
On the Shimano stand I bumped into Jan Porter, Carp Crew presenter
- a very down-to-earth ex-Notts angler, I only managed a quick chat
as people were queuing up to talk to him - he's a very popular guy!
As usual all the angling personalities were out in force - Bob Nudd,
John Wilson, Frank Warwick, Matt Hayes - the list goes on and on.
Everyone was very friendly and had time for a chat or to pose for
photographs, what a very professional bunch of anglers they are!
Demonstrations
and Talks
With demonstrations throughout the day, you really have to organise
yourself a timetable to fit everything in - so consequently I missed
most of them. I did catch (no pun intended) the fly casting demos
- now these guys are really good and it's well worth spending a few
minutes picking up tips and techniques. The fly tyers were trying
to do their best while I dazzled them with the flash from my camera
- they are a patience lot!
There was even a huge indoor tank filled with coarse fish where Bob
Nudd gave pole fishing demonstrations - how good is that?
Tackle
To be honest - if it involved fishing, it was there, whichever branch
of our sport you are interested in, it was covered by sea, game or
coarse fishing experts. There seemed to be more retailers this year
and everyone was very helpful and answered all the questions fielded
by the knowledgeable crowds. Everyone seemed happy with the event
- the bar certainly did a good trade!
I bought...
I know I said I didn't need any kit, but I just had to buy a few more
pole floats, I just had to. Do you think it's an illness - constantly
needing to buy floats? A few Stonz pebbles, a few hooks, some more
line, well you have to - don't you!
I was given a copy of the North West Angler - a cracking monthly publication
just released. Watch out for it - it will go far.
Overall - a first-class day out - well organised as per usual, lots
to see and do and well worth a visit.
See you there next year!
Good fishing to you all.
Kevin Miles
Editor