I still have some health issues but am trying to forget about them and continue helping others.

So please bookmark the blog and keep an eye on whats happening with Reels on Wheels.

So without further ado, here’s our top 5…

Osprey Cottage, Meilgle, near Dundee, Scotland

Sleeps 4

Set on a 2000-acre estate and within easy reach of the CairngormsNational Park, this property is great for an ‘away-from-it-all’ escape. In terms of angling opportunities, there’s free salmon fishing on the nearby River Isla, albeit by prior arrangement with the owner. There’s also some great wildlife spotting from the property including red squirrels, nesting ospreys and deer. The property boasts wheelchair access and also allows pets.

Lamorna, Tresooth Holiday Barns, near Falmouth, Cornwall

Sleeps 6

With an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, games room and sauna, this cottage will keep everyone in the group occupied, keen anglers or not!  Fishing opportunities are focused on the nearby Argyle reservoir, whilst the property itself is all on the ground floor with 2 double rooms (one en-suite) and 1 twin room. The cottage is set just 3 miles from the port of Falmouth with its beautiful harbours, restaurants, cafes and shops.

River View Villa, Liskeard, Cornwall

Sleeps 6

Set just 11 miles from the sandy beaches of the SouthCornwallCoast, this detached wheelchair-accessible villa is set by a lake stocked with carp, roach and bream. However, it’s worth noting that you will need to bring your own fishing license, barbless hooks and landing nets. In the evening there is a licensed bar and restaurant just outside the property’s grounds.

Yenworthy Barn, near Lynmouth, Devon

Sleeps 8 – 10

This converted barn is set in a great position on the northern slopes of picturesque Exmoor, only a few hundred metres from the sea (although if it’s sunbathing you’re after, the nearest sandy beach is a 5 mile drive away). Private river fishing is available by arrangement, and during the summer there is a barbeque available for alfresco dining. Best of all, if you don’t feel like cooking then there are three gastro-pubs within 3 miles of the property! Pets are also welcome.

Caddleton Farmhouse, Ardmaddy Castle, near Oban, Scotland

Sleeps 10 – 12

This one is great for large groups, but it’s quite a drive if you’re coming from outside of Scotland. The cottage itself is 4 star accredited, and is set on its own bay with some great views over to Seil Sound. The fishing is free and is centered around Ardmaddy’s stocked hill loch. Wheelchair access is on the ground floor and for the disabled category 1.

And that’s our top 5! Hopefully our list will have given you some inspiration for your next fishing holiday in the UK. Alternatively, if none of these cottages have taken your fancy then be sure to check out our full listings of self catering cottages for anglers.

Ben Johnson for Historic UK

When we arrived at the Peterstone fishery, everyone jumped into action, Michael and Dave emptying the ‘Buddy Bus’ and Kev organising the construction of the marquee, within minutes the bus was empty and the marquee was up so the next job was a cuppa.

Friday night was spent catching up with some of the regulars and meeting some of the new faces taking part in this years event.

Saturday morning saw the draw take place and I had to apologise to everyone over the lack of trophies but everyone was very good about it, after all this was the first major mistake that had been made in five years of festivals. As a change in the norm we had agreed that everyone was able to defend their titles from the previous year so Kev and I were paired up again, Nick took advantage of his position of founder and partnered up with Jamie and as co-founder Rosie chose to partner Dave, everyone else went into the draw and the team to fear was made up of Steve Emms (Hipflask) and Maver Merv, both of whom have fierce reputations as top anglers. It was a bit of a chilly morning so all methods were used to prevent heat loss.

So the draw done everyone got to their swims some of us with loads of help from other anglers but we all got their in the end, the all in shouted we all started fishing. I had drawn a nice peg with a couple of feature to cast to, the far bank and some reeds, and I was into fish very quickly, using a pellet method feeder I was into carp of 3-4lb  on a regular basis with the odd bigger fish going up to about 8lb in fact I was into so many fish that I had to call for a keep-net weigh in about two hours before the end of the match, I had over estimated and only had about 34lb but even whilst I was weighing in the net I was playing another fish!! I had never had a session like it. The only problem I had was I was going through hook links and elasticated feeders for fun. At the final weigh in I had 61lb 4oz followed by Kev with 27lb 1oz and for the first time ever we had a joint third place with Steve Emms and Andrew equal on 17lb 13oz.

Saturday evening saw the usual banter laughing and tom foolery we have come to expect, and we even managed to get a visit from Captain Pugwash

Later in the evening we could have done with his boat as the heavens opened it ended up with Michael trying to save the awning on the ‘Buddy Bus’ as it was collapsing under the weight of the rain.

Sunday morning was a bit brighter, but the forecast was for heavier rain most of the day. The draw for the day was done and we all trailed off to our pegs. Although some of us were more relaxed about it than others.

Again I thought I’d keep it simple with a method feeder. Just like yesterday I was into the fish straight away, they seemed to be of a bigger stamp than the fish from yesterday, I was still losing hook links and breaking feeders for fun, I ended up breaking eight elasticated feeders and who knows how many hook links over the two days but I was down to my last size 16 after starting on 12s and 14s. The day ended up with me having another net full of 53lb 2oz yet again Kev came second with 31lb 11oz and for only the second time ever we had a joint third place with Merv and Jon catching 17lb 9oz of fish each

Once everyone had packed up, Nick and I retired to the ‘Buddy Bus’ to work out all the final results for the pairs, biggest fish, junior champion, and who would win the notorious ‘Booby Prize’ Then it was out to the marquee to do the presentation, some of the pictures are above but there was still the pairs, etc

Above the pairs winners Kev and I and below keeping it in his family the junior champ was Jamie Kevs’ son

Just a couple of trophies to declare the winners of now and the first of those is rather special the Steve ‘Bluey’ Robinson memorial trophy, given each year to someone who has contributed something special to Reels On Wheels either during the previous year or generally over a period of years, it was decided that this year it should be presented to Martin Cronin

Now it was time for Nick to exercise his vocal chords by running the auction, this year there were quite a few special pieces, a couple of ‘Fish of the week’ shirts from the Anglers Mail several books and bits of tackle and last but not least a very special cake cooked by Dave Pooleys wife Julie

I opened the bidding at £10 and was lucky enough to win it too, I think we will still be eating it in a month it was huge (and yummy)

During the raffle most of us were on tenterhooks waiting for our numbers to come up but some were more relaxed about it than others.

With nearly everything over and done with there was just one more trophy to give out, the ‘booby’ prize, this can be given for being a complete idiot over the weekend or in this years case it was awarded to someone who no matter what you asked him to do he did it without complaining and was always offering help to everyone, this year the booby prize went to my son Michael

All that was left was to say a great big thank you to everyone who attended and made it another great weekend then take down the marquee and pack the bus ready for the journey home. Yet again it was a great journey home and we were home by 9.30.

I would personally like to say a huge thank you to my co driver Dave not only for driving but for loading and unloading the bus with Michael, also to everyone who helped putting up the marquee and taking it down again and to my pairs partner Kev.

Thanks to faces new and old the festival was a great success and we raised over £720 thank you all and I hope we will see everyone at next years event. There has to be one last huge thank you to Martin Cronin for allowing us to use the lake yet again free of charge.

The draw takes place at 8am and the match starts at 9am and finishes 24 hours later. Fiona has done a great job setting this all up and pulling the whole thing together and thanks must also go to all the anglers who wanted a place in the match. Every place up for grabs had gone within 20 minutes of the announcement.

I am taking part and looking forward to meeting all these fantastic people and personally thanking them for their support to our organisation.

On another note  the World Carp Classic is getting closer and Reels on Wheels would love to be sponsored by a local business. I know the amount we need sounds high but the rewards are great. Lots of publicity and of course media coverage in the UK, France and of course Italy where the event takes place. You can read more about that in my WCC Blog HERE.

Once the WCC  is over I intend to look for a lake in Devon that is either not in use or is hardly ever used in the hope of getting it for a peppercorn rent and turning it into a 100% wheelchair accessible venue, so if anybody has any ideas about that please let me know.

Tight Lines

I am referring to Team Reels on Wheels and their enormously inspiring undertaking to fish the 2012 World Carp Classic at Lake Bolsena, Italy. It’s a globally recognised competition with fantastic promotional and marketing opportunities for all those involved and these 4 disabled anglers will be representing England and the disabled community in a gruelling 6 days, 5 nights non-stop fishing marathon.

Nick Rowe (founder of the not-for-profit organisation Reels on Wheels) and Jim Williams, best friend and staunch supporter of the above, will be fishing the competition. Nick (61 this year!), is a wheelchair user, suffering with osteo-arthritis throughout his joints, and a crumbling spine who doesn’t recognise the word “can’t”. Jim (who will be 51 soon), suffers from acute organo-phosphate poisoning, which exhausts him and necessitates him taking oxygen with him on long trips.

They are allowed a runner (or assistant) each, due to their disabilities, so their back-up Team members are David Pooley, who suffers from cluster headaches (also known as “suicide headaches” as that’s their effect on the psyche), and finally Claire Pearce, (also an angler), who suffers from Fibromyalgia and uses a wheelchair when necessary. The entire team comprises anglers with various disablities, which makes them unique to the competition.

Last year, they fished the WCC in France at Lac de Madine and earned the respect, admiration and friendship of an international audience. This year they were invited back and admit that it will be their last epic trip to fish a competition on this scale – unless of course, they win! As Italy is considerably further from home thanFrance, they need to raise more funds to cover the event. The costs of fuel, etc. have risen and they are looking for financial aid of £3,000.

The breakdown of this amount has been blogged by Nick Rowe himself, explaining where the funds will go and how they will be used. The “Buddy Bus” alone which is highly visible, will act as a mobile First Aid point, in the event that any of the Team are taken ill. It’s also somewhere for Claire and David to rest and/or cook; it will carry medication and supplies for the trip, including Jim’s oxygen cylinder and spares for tackle and wheelchairs! As you can probably appreciate, the planning to enable this trip is more like that of a military operation, but that’s what happens when Team ROW gets the bit between their teeth.

Their aim is simply to inspire and encourage people to follow their hearts and their dreams and not to let disability prevent them from taking part in life. Reels on Wheels was set up in 2007 to help encourage people who’d given up recreational pursuits like angling, through illness, disability or lack of mobility, to get back out again, by connecting them with “buddies” who would be willing to help carry their gear, land their fish, or simply share transport, etc. on a national scale.

It has developed into the most widely respected angling organisation of its kind, helping 100s of anglers and newcomers to enjoy a sport that all of the Team are passionate about. So, if you could help them out by funding this courageous adventure, they will proudly wear your T-shirts, sport your logo on the Buddy Bus, their tackle boxes, their caps and their cars, mention your name whenever they are chatting or being interviewed by TV and other media, and promote yourself or your company whenever an opportunity arises!

If you are unable to offer Team Reels on Wheels your financial support or a donation at this time, but you know someone who may be interested in helping them to achieve their goal, then please would you pass this letter on? Thanks very much for taking the time to read about it and if you’d like to discuss the mission further, please don’t hesitate to call or email us!

Yours truly,

I realise how busy people are so never ask much from a patron. Time is money in any man’s language so we ask very little from them.

I believe that the more patrons Reels on Wheels has the more people will take notice and help us to continue helping others who have a disability.

What do I expect from a patron? Very simple they can do one of several things to help the organisation.

1. They can mention ROW when they are out and about, or mention us in an interview they are doing or even in an article they may be writing. Any form of publicity from a patron helps and makes people take notice.

2. A patron can send us something that we can auction to help raise funds, it could be a signed book, a dvd or just a signed photograph.

3. If we hold an event near to their home town and they have some time to spare then it would be nice to see them at the event, we do understand that people are busy so do not expect this from them.

Just by putting their name and photograph on our website, to what we do helps, so just that on its own is enough.

If you are in the public eye and would like to be a patron and believe in what we do and what we stand for then please contact me and lets have a chat.

Now I hear you say “ok great…so what”

Well we are all registered disabled, we have various disabilities. Jim suffers from Chemical poisoning, Dave suffers from cluster headaches and I have to use a wheelchair but I can do very short distances on crutches still but not for much longer by the way things are going.

Jim and I were the anglers and Dave was the runner. His job was to keep us fed and watered and to assist with the boat only, he was not allowed to touch any tackle at any time.

We were the first disabled team to take part in the WCC in its 12yr history so that was the first achievement.

Our second achievement was that we completed the whole match of 5 nights and 6 days despite Jim feeling bad on day 4.

Our trip started on the 1^st September when we all met up at our bait sponsors unit in Medway. Chris and Dean from Mrbaits Boilies had prepared about 60 kilos of boilies for us to use plus we had another 80 kilos of mixed food for baiting up.

We were joined later that day by Wayne from Medway Metals who had bought us the much needed boat and engine and a few other bits that helped make it possible for us to take part in this massive event.  Richard and Denise from the Kent disabled anglers came to wish us luck and Andy who took some of the photos for us.

Dave, Chris, Dean, Jim and myself

This day was also very important to me as I was to meet my daughter who I hadn’t seen for 24yrs. When she arrived it was very emotional but we both managed to keep it together although I did have a lump in my throat. Jodie stayed with us all day until it was time for us to set off down toDover where we were spending the night before sailing to Calais on the Friday morning.

Jodie and me

Paige who is Dean’s daughter looked after us while with our sponsors by keeping us in teas and coffees. Dave gave Chris Dean and Wayne a cake that his wife had made for them as a way of saying thank you. Julie makes the best cakes ever and had also sent along several bags full of cakes to last us out inFrance.

We spent the night in a B&B in Doverso we could have a good breakfast and be refreshed before setting off for the drive from Calais to Lac de Madine. We had been told it would take between 4 and 5 hours. It turned out to be 5 but more about that later.

We were ready to go before our due sailing time but because we had been sponsored by P&O we had free travel so we got ourselves on an earlier ferry. The crossing was very smooth and we were well looked after by the P&O crew. 

The day was hot and it was nice to be in the sunshine and in short sleeves. We set off and used the fastest route we could to get to the lake. We had to stop a couple of times for fuel and drinks and once when I had the onset of cramp so we needed to take a short break.

The journey took just on 5 hours and we arrived at the meeting place on Lac de Madine at about 5.30pm after getting lost on the very last part as we were not sure which area the bivvy city was being set up.

Part 2 will be about setting up camp and who we met and all about registration and the peg draw.

Friday saw a hot sunny day and I guess 80% of the anglers turning up, to set up ready for the weekend. Bivvy city was soon in place and by late afternoon the buddy bus had arrived and was parked in the middle and would become the hub of the festival.

Once all the bivvys were up and the bus in place people started gathering for an evening of catch-up and meeting new supporters who had joined us for the first time from the Kent and Southeast DAA. I think it’s fair to say that the star of the evening was Chris from Mrbaits boilies and Dean his boilie chef and sidekick. They were both on form and kept us all amused with their banter.

For somebody who said he didn’t drink I think Chris (holding the bottle) and Dean behind, did very well.

Saturday morning saw the arrival of Trevor from Snowlands fishery down in Par, Cornwall and he set up a small stand with caps, badges and details on a holiday caravan at his fishery. Also all anglers were instructed on the lake rules and then Ben Hervey-Murray (Patron) did a question and answer session which was fun. Then the draw took place for the Saturday Match which is for the Wandering Angler Trophy.

During the Saturday match, Dave Gawthorn (Patron) arrived, which was unexpected as he had only got back from Germany early hours of Saturday morning. Dave walked round the lake a couple of times speaking to people which was well-received, so a massive thanks to Dave for being there.

Once the match was over and the fish had been weighed, the task was then to get the BBQ underway, several people helped out on this and I think everybody had enough food to get them through the night.

Sunday morning saw myself and Kevin up early and we had both packed our bivvys and stuff before anybody else appeared…a lesson we learnt from previous years was to do this so that once the event was over we had very little to do before setting off home.

The weather was overcast and looked like rain but everybody was in high spirits. Alas, one or two were feeling poorly due to their disabilities and decided that they should set off home; this seemed to start a chain reaction and sadly saw all the guys from Kent head home.

The draw took place and as we started the match it began to rain, but we sat it out and by just after mid-day, the weather brightened up and by the end of the match saw most of our stuff dry again.

Once all fish had been weighed the results were worked out and it was time to start the prize giving. The first award given out was to be the Memorial Shield we had done for Steve “Bluey” Robinson. Steve was the 3rd member to join Reels on Wheels when I first started it and stuck with us showing his support in many different ways and we thought it fitting that we as an organisation remembered him. I had spoken to his family about the shield and they had driven down to present the shield themselves which meant a great deal to me and to Reels on Wheels. The shield will be fished for at a special event, but for this first time we thought it fitting that it go to somebody who had contibuted something special in helping Reels on Wheels. Now many people do stuff and are always there when we need help, but we decided to give to somebody who had not been a supporter but had stepped up without asking any questions when he was asked for help. Jim Williams and I are fishing the Midland Carp Masters and needed a bait sponsor, we are also fishing the massive World Carp Classic in France and needed bait for that….when Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies heard he stepped up without even asking how much bait we need so the Shield was presented to them.

Shield presented by Steve “Bluey” Robinsons daughter

So the results from the saturday match which was the Wandering Angler are as follows

In first place was Merv with 34lb 14oz, second was Steve (Hipflask) with 28lb 2oz and in third place was Kevin with 25lb 14oz

Sundays match saw the same 3 anglers in the top 3 places but in a different order. Kevin in first place with 30lb of fish followed by Merv in second with 12lb 8oz with Hipflask in third with 11lb 13oz.

Hipflask won the biggest fish with a carp of 10lb 12oz and Kevin won the biggest combined weight of the weekend with 55lb 14oz

The pairs match, which is a match within the 2 matches, was won by Kevin and Claire, and for Claire this was the first time she had won a prize for angling, so well done to you Claire, and of course, Kevin.

The booby prize, despite its name, isn’t awarded to the worst performer of the weekend, but to someone who has made a special contribution to the weekend in some way or another. Claire presented this to Dave Pooley who always helps others before himself.

The Festival was the best yet and I have a list of people to thank, which I will do in a couple of minutes….from the raffle, small auction and donations on the day we raised £645, and as soon as Claire lets me have the total from entry etc I will update this and put the grand total on the ROW forum and on facebook.

So now for the thanks…

Steve “Bluey” Robinson’s family for coming down and presenting his Memorial Shiled to the first winner.

Phil Scrivens – the owner of the lakes and farm park

Martin Cronin – Patron, fishery manager and great friend

Matt – who looked after us all and kept the teas and breakfasts going for us in the Lodge

Ben Hervey-Murray – Patron, who spent the weekend with us and presented the prizes.

Dave Gawthorn – Patron, who despite being very tired, turned up to chat to people.

Trevor from Snowlands Fishery

Don Robins from Drake Automotive Services Ltd who donated £100

All those who donated items for the auction whom I will list in a separate post, as there are a few of them.

Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies who are now also patrons to Reels on Wheels.

All those who turned up and took part.

A special thanks must go to Rosie my wife, who supports me in everything I do and who helped form ROW with me and puts up with me going away.

Last, but not least, Claire, who once again did a fantastic job of putting the whole festival together. So thank you to you all for helping make Reels on Wheels what it is today and let’s continue to make it grow.

Thank you all!

Below is a copy of what was written, for which I thank Andy so very much and wish you well with your new website.

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If I had the power within me to make “something happen”, it would have to be to create a sea angling version of Reels On Wheels.  So many of us take for granted, the ability to either walk, ride or just in the car and go to our favourite marks, fishing.  Yet there are so many people who are missing out on this most exciting and yet relaxing and stress relieving of sports because they have a disability.  In my honest opinion, no one angler has done more to try and rectify this situation more than Nick Rowe!  His constant “fight” to get more disabled people either fishing for the first time, or once again back out there and enjoying the sport is truly inspiring.  He is no rich man and yet he not only goes fishing, helps countless other to go fishing, but also competes both nationally and internationally at it too!   Sadly, there is no magic carpet ride for him to jump on and get to the events, pay for the fishing gear or even the baits.  As such, I would ask that anyone with any spare tackle or bait they no longer use to contact Nick and see if he can put it to use, rather than have it sit in the fishing tackle cupboard, just gathering dust.  Or if you are involved in local fishing competitions, how about hosting one (or “nagging” those in power within the club) to raise funds for the Reels On Wheels Charitable Organisation?  It is not only sending money back into the sport but to an area of it that needs that assistance so strongly.

Pay Andy a visit HERE