Author Archives: richardhandel

Unknown's avatar

About richardhandel

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

Trip No 85 Barbel Fishing (2016)


Out again on the Avon for a few hours today – may be not the right conditions, but I am fishing, which is always a plus. Using two rod’s, as I just can’t help myself.  Both are in the margins, … Continue reading →

Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Avon rods, Bag Fishing, Barbel Fishing, Chub Fishing, Course Fishing, Delkim Buzzers, Diawa, Fishing, Florocarbon Line, Hampshire Avon, richard handel, River Avon, river level, Spotted Fin, The Catalyst, weather, weather reports | Leave a comment

Trip No 84 Barbel Fishing (2016)


I have come out on the river for a good look around today, but can’t help bringing the rod’s.  This is lucky as the weather has turned from sunshine to rain and not the best conditions for fish spotting.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Avon rods, Barbel Fishing, Chub Fishing, Course Fishing, Delkim Buzzers, Diawa, Fishing, Hampshire Avon, photography, richard handel, River Avon, river level, Spotted Fin, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip No 83 Carp Fishing (2016)


I am out for a 24 hr session this Saturday night.  I have all of the top lake to myself and with the strong winds pushing onto the daisy bank, there’s no other place to be. The weather today is … Continue reading →

Posted in Carp fishing | Leave a comment

Trip No 82 Barbel Fishing (2016)


Despite feeling under the weather this week and being at home all day yesterday (and watching way too many episodes of my favourite TV show).  I thought the best medicine for me would be to get out and get some … Continue reading →

Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Avon rods, Chub Fishing, Course Fishing, Diawa, Fishing, john wilson rods, richard handel, River Avon, river level, Spotted Fin, Syndicate Fishing, The Catalyst | Leave a comment

Trip No 81 Barbel Fishing (2016)


After the last trip (where I has spotted some fish and had a few rig disasters) and dispite the weather, I just had to have another go in this swim I have changed tactics and was using a cut down … Continue reading →

Posted in Asso Fishing Line, Avon rods, Barbel Fishing, Chub Fishing, Course Fishing, Diawa, Fishing, Hampshire Avon, richard handel, River Avon, river level, Spotted Fin, Syndicate Fishing, The Catalyst | Leave a comment