River Idle Fish-in: John Ledger Memorial

Fred Bonney · Oct 17, 2009

When do we usually fish this, and has anybody given any thought to organising it again?

Sean Meeghan · Oct 17, 2009

Beecy has organised it the past couple of years. haven't seen him around recently - are you lurking Beecy?

If there's no reply I'll organise it.

Fred Bonney · Oct 19, 2009

I think it looks like you & me Sean!

I think last years was early December.

dezza · Oct 19, 2009

I would much rather have a general fish-in instead of a match.

There are some seriously big roach in the Idle at present and it would be nice to see someone catch one. By packing up to weigh-in, cuts us off from the best fishing time.

Remember John was never a particularly keen match angler. He loved more than anything to catch a few quality roach on the float.

Sean Meeghan · Oct 19, 2009

I suppose we could have a roach fish-in (don't tell Spiller!). Biggest roach wins the trophy. Let's wait until Graham gets back and make a decision.

Steve Handley · Oct 19, 2009

I always enjoyed Johns articles in the Angling star and it was his love of floatfishing on some of the rivers and stretches that I also fished, that first introduced me to FishingMagic. I always felt that, here was someone who mirrored the type of fishing that I enjoyed.

I never knew John personally, but he always found time to offer advice on the forums and now I look back I think we may of acknowledged each, other as anglers do, on some my favourite stretches of the Upper Witham, which was one of Johns favourite rivers many years ago.

Big roach on the Idle. I'm sure he would of enjoyed trotting the stickfloat for them, even more so if they had been big chub.

dezza · Oct 19, 2009

Old John Ledger (named ledger because he didn't like ledgering) was a laugh a minute to fish with. His favourite fish were chub followed by roach. He hated barbel, more because of the people who fished for them rather than the fish itself.

We fished together a great deal and I was pleased to say that I kept my end up when I float fished with him.

I have some great memories.

Lord Paul of Sheffield · Oct 19, 2009

John was an acctive poster on here when I 1st joined - never got to meet him sadly but he's views were honest is sometimes not pc - a few more like him would make the world a better place

dezza · Oct 19, 2009

John's remarks on all sorts of subjects, especially politics were certainly not PC. He loathed Tony Blair and all that he stood for, and used a very apt adjective when describing him.

John was a lover of old values and very conservative in his outlook. He thought the world of Sheffield anglers of old such as Tag Barnes and was a staunch supporter of Sheffield United FC. He gave Sheffield Wednesday short shrift.

We had a great deal in common, as like myself, John was a bit of a globe trotter having lived in South Africa and Australia. He was also an engineer who came up via the drawing office and Rotherham College of Arts and Technology like myself.

One of my last recollections of being in his presence was the morning we saw a UFO on the A1, just before crossing the Trent near Newark. It was certainly an unidentified flying object. He refused to talk about it afterwards.

Steve Spiller · Oct 19, 2009

I too remember John with very fond memories, unfortunately I never got to meet him. He said it how it was and didn't beat around the bush. I shared many emails with him, he was a lovely bloke and an excellant angler. He will always have my total respect.

I'd love attend the event again, but it all depends on the dosh, I'll have to see how I'm fixed nearer the time. I think I've got some unfinished business with a rather large steak to take care of too.........

chavender · Oct 20, 2009

i'll be there ,wether its a match or just fishing

captain carrott · Oct 20, 2009

if it's to comemorate john it should be a float only and for either chub or roach. considering what's in the idle then it should be roach an the biggest one wins if there's any competition involved.

Cakey · Oct 20, 2009

why CC he didnt mind me piking when I met him on the Idle

captain carrott · Oct 20, 2009

Cakey said:
why CC he didnt mind me piking when I met him on the Idle

because if it's a memorial for john then using his favourite methods for his favourite species on his favourite river would be a good way of doing it.

but as you point out everyone doing something completely different wouldn't have bothered him, he'd have been happy that you were out fishing and enjoying yourselves

Peter Jacobs · Oct 20, 2009

Steve Spiller said:
I think I've got some unfinished business with a rather large steak to take care of too.........

The left-overs might have gone off a bit by now Steve, reckon you'll have to start again from scratch . . . . . . . .

I'd love to get the chance to fish 'John's River' but I would have to know the date well in advance.

Cakey · Oct 20, 2009

arsenal not playing that day so your ok

Peter Jacobs · Oct 20, 2009

Cakey said:
arsenal not playing that day so your ok

Never a problem Cakey - I got the new Arsenal 'app' on my i-Phone now.

Cakey · Oct 20, 2009

kin good job there would be a chav between us then ha ha ha

Peter Jacobs · Oct 20, 2009

Cakey said:
kin good job there would be a chav between us then ha ha ha

LOL.

I can always keep you updated as the afternoon wears on . . . . .

Cakey · Oct 20, 2009

ok cheers.........................

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