Welcome back to another fishing adventure. My original plan was to spend a few nights up in Suffolk with my oldest friend, Rob, but unfortunately, things didn’t quite line up. Instead, I found myself with four nights on Airfield Lake. The conditions weren’t looking great, with heavy rain forecast — though apparently, we still need it. As far as I know, there’s still a hosepipe ban in place. I’d been up in Rutland last week visiting family, staying in one of the lodges at the Rutland Hotel — absolutely fabulous spot. The water levels there were low, but not quite as bad as I expected. Regardless of the weather, I decided to get set up today. Getting the rods out early gives me an extra chance of nicking a carp or two. Tight lines and be lucky!
I would like to give a brief snap shot of my life and introduce myself;
My name is Richard Handel and was born in 1965 in Suffolk. I have worked as a UK Operation & Intermodule Manager for a shipping company. I live in Hampshire now and am married with 2 young children, both girls so I am a bit outnumbered even the cat is a girl!
I have been fishing since I was about 7 years old. I started on small local rivers in Suffolk, then moved onto gravel pits and then carp fishing. My personal best is a 39.08 mirror, over recent years I have started river fishing again, on the Hampshire Avon, this is a nice break from the carp lakes.
My life has turned a big corner this year, the company I was working for relocated their Operation centre to Estonia. I was offered a job at the head office in London. This would have meant a 5 day commute and working in Stratford. As a family, we did not fancy this, as I would hardly spend any time with the children (and the Mrs). So after 22.5 years, I was given a nice redundancy package and with my wife is working full time. I became the house husband.
This has meant a complete turn around in my fishing, as I can pick and choose when I go. I have found a splendid new syndicate to fish this year, which includes 5 lakes and some 8 miles of river with only 150 members. It's an amazing change to the way I am able to fish.
I am now trying to start my own tackle business and make a bit of a name for myself in the world of fishing, as I have retired from real work.
Richard
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 