White Springs
   Fishery

Tony Wale (70) is originally from Devon and is currently residing in Llandybie where he is heavily involved in various good works within the community and a man that likes to keep himself very busy. He enjoys in the fishing world a personal best of 240lb overall weight and his favourite method of fishing is down the edge. He enjoys fishing whilst using his trusty Garbolino G995 Pole and his powerline line with a B911 Kamason Size 8 Barbless Wide Gape Swept Point hook and likes to spend as much time as he can on the bank.

When I caught up with Tony he was in the middle of a match with the Pirates and although he was busy he still found the time to speak to me about all manner of subjects and I managed to speak to Tony for some time about his current involvements and other bits and bobs. With regards to fishing this is what Tony had to say on Baits whilst having a huge grin on his face a winking at the same time he said........

"My favourite bait to use it sweetcorn. I like tesco's because it is cheap  I don't think that the carp really cares which shop it comes from, they don't know if its from tesco's or its jolly green giant until it is in their mouth and then it is too late, they are hooked, I think it applys to most baits like sweetcorn"

You gotta admit he makes a good point!

Asking him why he started fishing he told me without hesitation that is was due to ill health and he revealed that some time ago he had suffered three brain haemorages and had been told by Doctors that he had to lead a less energetic life in order not to futher damage his health and he had to take things a lot easier than he had for up until then Tony had lead a very energetic and atheletic career which included honary titles such as Captain of the British Orienteering team and he had ran against the top runners from the likes of Wales and Scotland for his home team in the top competitions several times quite sucessfully as well, he had also ran cross country for the 17 years when he was in the army which is no mean feat in its own right  and something that only the top atheletes would be able to do for that length of time, you must admit some great acheivements in his lifetime and something to be proud of.

I asked him since he had started fishing what was he loved about it and he told me....

" Its the old hunting instincts, they never leave you, it's a sport that you will never stop learning and you will never beat it, thats why I love the challenge of it.

Asking about what he loves about White Springs he told me that he...

"....loves the variety of fish at White Springs, the different challenges of the lakes and the fact that you can use your keepnet here when you are pleasure fishing, If you wanted to come here with your wife or friends and have a friendly little competition amongst yourseves fishing you can. Most fisherys will only allow you to use a keepnet in matches, here it is a relaxed atmosphere, they treat you like you are a responsible fisherman and you can fish here without having loads of rules being thrown at you, you are left to your own common sense, without the owner breathing down your neck and just left to enjoy your fishing in peace."

"So what was your most memorable fishing experiance Tony?" I asked.

"Catching my first 20lb'r at Broadwater, Godalming, It was my first 20lb Mirror Carp and I was relieved to get it into the net as I thought I was going to lose it, it fought me hard for about 15 minutes but I got it in the net relatively easy after that and my adrenalin was pumping, I used a rod and waggler at about 13-14 metres and it was some fantastic fishing."

Have you got any advice to any up and coming anglers Tony?

Read as much as you can about fishing, Learn as much as you can and listen to the other fishermen.....Don't believe all they say but keep an open mind, there is masses and masses of information out there and you got be able to sort it out and do things your way, make your mind up on what you are going to do and get out there and do it, that is what will give you the satisfaction in fishing, well it is for me.

Well said Tony and White Springs wishes you all the best fishing in the world.

 Tight Lines mate.