Robson Green Extreme fishing

[wizzo]

That's usefull information 'Sometimes'. I still wonder why the advert on TV doesn't show this practice if it's not cruel. Anyway, I still think it's explotation of an animal that has no choice. That for me, makes it wrong anyway. I don't think it looks nice. Someone hooking the bird from the water with a crook. Still, maybe the birds love it - who knows? Regards Wizzo

[Harry Eales]

Sadly Robson Green typifies everything that most people think of, as a foul mouthed Geordie and one of the most unsporting anglers I have ever seen, and I'm a Geordie myself. He's only in it for the money.

I'm also a countryman, I fish and shoot, but I shoot and catch nothing that I cannot eat within a day or so of taking it. I am not a 'sporting fisherman' who catches by any means something I cannot, or don't want to eat.

I enjoy eating wild food, just like my ancestors did thousands of years ago. I collect wild berries (I got two gallons of wild Bilberries yesterday, albeit hard work). These I make into pies or preserves or even wine for use in winter. I collect Cockles, Mussels, Winkles and Razor Shells, but no more than I can consume within a day or so.

Fresh wild food has to be tasted to understand how good it is. I'll collect Hazel nuts in a few weeks time and also Sweet Chestnuts. These can be stored until needed.

There's so much available in the way of free food in the countryside, that you can halve your food bill if your prepared to put a little work into finding your own supplies. What's more it's fun.

From springtime to late autumn there is always something available free of charge in the countryside. You may have to pay for fishing licences and fishing permits, but if you catch something, it always tastes better than some fish bought over the counter in a supermarket.

Harry