Full Circle

Like most I began my fishing adventures at a young age, my elder brother Kenny being six years my senior was my idol and my teacher in all things fishy. I remember he skimped and scraped every penny for months until the day arrived when he got the bus to Leyton High Street and the tackle shop where his dream rod was waiting for him, a 12 foot Hardy Glass match rod. I could see that he was over the moon with his new high tech stick, as he carefully pieced the rod together and caressed each section of the long brown lightweight blank, paying particular attention to the gold Hardy castle emblem emblazoned just above the pristinely clean cork handle. He couldn’t wait to go fishing knowing he would be the envy of all his mates, elevating him to the higher echelons of the Walthamstow piscator’s.

The very next day was Saturday and that meant one thing, fishing day. Once Kenny had finished his paper round it was time to grab his tackle, meet up with mates and cycle down to the river Lea. But it was still Friday night and it was time to make sure rods and reels were ready and most importantly prepare bait and dig a tin of lobworms from our mate Derrick’s dad’s allotment.

I was helping make bread paste when Kenny said “I’ve got something for you, I think now your 10 you can join our fishing club but to do that you will need your own rod and reel” with that he pulled out a rod sock and small army shoulder bag from the broom cupboard “here this is for you, look after it”

I couldn’t believe it; he was giving me his old rod and reel. I laid the rod bag on the kitchen table and carefully withdrew three pieces of a beautiful split cane rod, an Aspindale’s Aero No 890, it’s golden hexagonal bamboo and ruby red whipping, I was overwhelmed, it was stunning, a thing of real beauty and it also meant I had now become one of the boy’s.

Saturday arrived and we were up at first light, Kenny went off to do his paper round while I got everything packed and made us some jam sandwiches, with two large pieces of mums homemade bread pudding we were good to go. 

Kenny arrived back, we grabbed the rods and back packs, strapped the rods on the cross bars of our bikes and headed off to our favourite destination, the river Lea, stopping off at the corner shop to meet the rest of our gang, grab a bottle of Tizer and a couple of wagon wheels before the four mile ride to the river.

We spent the most glorious day catching dace, roach and perch. My first and best fish on that day was a fine one-pound roach; the perfect day of fishing and laughter with my new found companions. 

And so began my rites of passage.

Back then, all those years ago I was just a young boy of 10, now I am the wrong side of 65 and with the passing of my brother a couple of years age, I have once again started fishing with that beautiful bamboo wand, knowing that my hero will always be at my side.

I have truly come full circle.