Old Father Thames

The River Thames is on my door step, a magnificent river that I have match fished from the bank many times but never launched a kayak onto. Myself, Keith Ward and Jim Marsh had been discussing a trip on it for nearly two years but we just never got around to it.

However all that changed a few days ago. I have done a couple of radio interviews on the UK’s only dedicated fishing radio show, Fishermans Blues hosted by Nigel Boherway to promote kayak fishing and he seemed so interested that I pinged him an e mail asking if he wanted a taster day. The response was immediate, and after a quick chat with The White Water Canoe Centre at Shepperton, a demo Cuda 12 was made available and plans were made. Nigel had spent the previous week in Nova Scotia catching 500lb Tuna but listening to his show at the weekend it was obvious he was as excited at the prospect of kayak fishing his local river as he had been at catching these monsters.

Keith and Jim were keen to join us as was another friend Eddie Edwards who has been following my kayaking adventures for years and jumped at the chance of a trip on his local water.

On Tuesday Morning I had advised the novices to travel light, just bringing the basics for a day’s pike and perch fishing and was glad to see they had listened only bringing what tackle they could carry in their pockets. Myself and Nigel launched from the Canoe Centres demo lake whilst the others launched directly into the River from Keith’s Canoe Club. Despite some apprehension both Nigel and Eddie took to it instantly and were soon paddling off exploring all of the areas they would never have seen from the bank.