not to forget of course>
NEW ELITE SPECIALIST ANGLING GROUP
For many years the specialist study of the Ruffe and its followers have moved behind closed doors, in what many have considered secret societies. This has mainly been brought about by the very nature of this superb specie and its hidden fighting qualities. I have always been a confirmed Ruffe specialist and have over the last 30 years studied this often-elusive specie, searching out many Ruffe waters, in the guise of a carp angler. While sat behind a battery of carp rods with all the very latest electronic wizardry, I would often have a secret, snide Ruffe rod close to hand.
The Ruffe (or Ruff) is essentially a British specie also known as the Pope (much older name) and more recently, due to its parculiar “habit” of rising to the surface and slapping the upper water levels with its huge dorsal fin, it has also become known as the “Slapper” fish (Acerina Cerua or A. Vuglaris Slappus). Back in the early 1990’s I had the great privilege to be invited into the Ruffe Study Group (RSG), and through my membership of this rather notable specialist organisation, my interest in the specie grew astonishingly, so much so, that after many more years research and much European travel to a variety of Ruffe waters, I decided to get together with a number of experienced Ruffe anglers and form the Ruffe Slappers Study Group Internationale (RSSGI), membership at present is by invitation only although a number of new publications are shortly to appear in the UK aimed specifically on our findings with the specie, the RSSGI’s in house publication “Big Ruffe Slapper” will become available to the general angling public later in the year. Leading features in the current edition include “Ruffe Slappers of Eastern Europe” by Elvis Pete, “A Knight with some Ruffe Slappers” by Gary Leigh, A Layman’s Guide to Ruffe Bivvies”, a special feature by Ron Clay, who for many years has owned a Ruffe Bivvy (and is quite partial to the odd slapper), along with a plethora of other wildly interesting scripts.
“Elvis Pete” who is the undisputed Northwest leading authority on Ruffe Slappers, said at a Ruffe Conference in Oldham recently, “It is indeed good news that Ruffe Slappers are finally gaining the recognition they deserve, I’ve hunted down Ruffe Slappers over most of Europe and in Port Talbot and it gives me a great pride to be elected Honorary President of this new Ruffe International Organisation”, Elvis has probably had more Ruffe Slappers than any man alive. Gary Leigh is another specialist angler noted for his past endevours with Ruffe Slappers, Gary over the years has taken a number of good Ruffe Slappers (where to, no-one knows). Leading scientific angling bod, Phil Hackett (AKA ”Phillip the Antagonist”) is an enthusiastic Ruffe writer, indeed Phil has written a number of Ruffe articles over the years.
For further updates of this new and exciting International Organisation, the RSSGI, please contact The Monk direct at 221b The Darkest Deep Cavern, Oldham Peat Bogs, The Shire. Membership is open to all extremely good and famous anglers who The Monk likes, Some Ruffe Slapper experience is desirable on application and a list of current telephone numbers is also an advantage. The group realise that a number of Ruffe carp anglers have existed for many years south of Watford gap, it is however regrettable that it is unlikely, due to the high standard the new group aims to portray, that any of this lot will obtain membership (ever). Watch this space for further news of Ruffe Slappers, over to you guys.
Tight Slappers The Monk.
