John Bailey – The Kingfisher Diaries
December 30th 2009
Dr. Roach
We've also had Dr. Mark Everard down this week, staying in one of the apartments. Some of you will have read his books, especially his masterpiece on roach. You'll have come across him certainly in the weekly papers. Mark is one of this rare creatures - a water scientist of immense, international repute and yet an angler who really, truly knows his trade.
I've fished with Mark on several occasions - nearly always for roach - and I'm constantly blown away by just how talented he really is, whether he's fishing the feeder, the lead or using a float.
His bread / feeder techniques aren't unique to Mark but he's got a seamless and successful way of fishing them. I love the way he can build up a swim, even when the water's clear and cold and it's so easy to put fish off the feed.
The man can even Wallis cast, damn him! With an Avon float carrying three or four SSGs, he can cast off the drum almost as far as I can with a fixed spool reel! He uses an old Speedia and watching him makes him realise why angling is a sport and not a hobby!
We are really grateful to Mark that he was also down here to help us with the future of our fisheries, both the lakes and our stretch of river. Whilst our waters are good, that doesn't mean to say they can't be made better and his reports make fascinating reading. Fisher management isn't all about pumping in new fish. It's the habitat that's the key. Get the waters right and the fish stocks will surely follow.