28th September 2009

Firstly I apologise for the late posting of this weeks rant. I live in rural Ireland and have no broadband. I am told Irelands broadband system is worse than many third world countries and I can believe it. For most of this week I have been unable to recieve e-mails or connect to Google. I spoke to the local telephone engineer who tells me that my phone line is the equivalent of a wet piece of knackered string with at least 8 other subscribers on it. I have reverted to Vodaphone which is also about as much use a s a pork chop in a synagogue. Only last year, just before Ireland became totaly bankrupt Fina Fail the party in power proclaimed that we were the second richest country in Europe. I ask where has the money gone and why do I have to rely on the equivalent of wet string to provide my communication service. The Celtic Tiger officialy is now dead. I don't think it ever existed only in the minds of Irish politicians who have feathered their own nests at the expense of the common working man.
Now to fishy matters.
Even though I write for two other magazines I still buy on a weekly basis the Angling Times. It is a good read and I enjoy the stuff written by my two old mates Keith Arthur and Des Taylor, both writers of at times, controversial stuff. As I got to page 38 in last weeks mag I was faced with the headline 'These People Can Help Save Angling,' written by associate editor, Steve Partner. He was of course referring to the foreign nationals, the majority of, who rape and pillage our rivers and lakes. I read what he had to say and came to the conclusion much of it was tongue in cheek and lets not forget being a tadge controversial does make people sit up and ultimatley helps to sell copy. In the article Steve makes several very debatable statements. He says there are just a minority who don't stick to the rules. Perhaps a visit to the area I cover would help to change his mind. They ALL break the rules, even if it is not adhering to the county code of practice. Where ever they go, set aside the issue of stealing fish, the piles of crap they leave behing beggars belief. It is so easily recognisable as the beer cans, fag packets, food wrappers and sweet cartons are all in a foreign language. There are now several areas over here closed to ALL anglers on that very score. How is that helping our sport, God only knows. I was so inquisitive of what Steve would pen this week I turned to his page first.
Fair play to the guy, he printed in it's entirety a letter from an AT reader which is headed East Europeans Contribute Nothing which also made some very sweeping statements. Most of which I have to say I personally agree with.
Before any of you take out your racialist bible. I have several very good friends who are from the Eastern block. None are anglers and are very nice folk. Members of my family are also married to folk from foreign climbs who are also top order. My grouse is with the hordes who take fish by whatever method seemingly law abiding or otherwise and leave piles of crap behind with total disregard for the property of others.
Oh by the way Steve. This weeks headline, 'Admit it We Don't Love Roach Anymore.' I don't agree with that either. What is should say is, 'We do Love Roach But We Lost the Abilty to Catch Them.' I see it every week mate. Anglers (I use that term very loosely) who have decided to take a break from fishing what I describe as ----- holes in the ground. These puddles as we all know are so overstocked that any numb nut can catch them. When it comes to proper fishing these guys aint got a clue. They would love to catch wild fish but have either forgotten how to do it or have never been taught in the first place.
And another thing Steve. Keep writing your stuff cos like many other people I will carry on reading it.