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P a g e | 3 The frustration and puzzles that fishing presented to me in childhood kept me returning the bank to ‘try again’ and I hope that is not lost nowadays. Do most people now reach for their iPhone or laptop before they try to solve problems using their own ingenuity? I have no idea, but I expect so – I guess times move on. Some constants remain however and fortunately the old adage, that ‘there is no substitute for time spent on the bank’, remains as true as ever. The ABF enjoys a range of ages amongst its members, both young and old, and I first became involved when I went to an ABF ‘Meet the Experts’ event in Basingstoke last year. I Maybe it was the shock of meeting Len! Slightly concerned and a bit puzzled, I thought it might went primarily to meet one of the invited be Lyme’s disease, as I had been recently bitten guests, but also to meet and drink with a few fellow anglers. Now thirty-five years old, two by a tick, so I went to the doctor who proceeded to do various tests. As it turns out, he has no books I have owned since childhood include the excellent ‘Carp’ by James A. Gibbinson and the why I fainted either. I blame you Len! Most people reading this magazine will already equally interesting, ‘Catching Big Tench’ by Len be able to put a few fish on the bank, however I Arbery. Upon learning I would be able to meet and chat with Len Arbery at this event, I was hope that there may be a few salient points contained within this edition that may give, genuinely curious to meet the man who had even the more experienced anglers amongst us, inspired me and, unbeknown to him, assisted me as a youngster. a bit of food for thought. I always feel that if I can gain one idea or insight from an article, then The event was very informal which suited me it was worth the time spent reading it. Most of and I would highly recommend that you get along to the next ABF event near you and enjoy us also enjoy a good fishy tale in the close season; it serves to remind us of what we love the evening. All the ABF events are arranged by and that we will soon be back on the riverbank, members, who (free of charge) invest a fair amount of their own time and effort to make writing our own special memories. I hope that you may gain something new from this edition, them possible and I hope that, if nothing else, whether it be the truth about schreckstoff, a you can support their efforts by turning up and enjoying a drink! technique or idea or, maybe, you just enjoy a good story? Len Arbery arrived, as promised, and I chatted I can only hope that it may encourage more of with him for quite a while. He also very kindly signed my book, which is a first edition you to put pen to paper (or more accurately, fingers to keyboard) and contribute something apparently. Unfortunately, I later fainted for no to the next edition. We are all amateurs and apparent reason and spent the rest of the evening feeling very wobbly! Nevertheless, I still volunteers, so please remember that without the contributions sent in by our members, this found the various talks very interesting and magazine would not exist at all. informative and there was a great atmosphere in the pub, as various well-known anglers turned On behalf of everybody involved with the running of ABF, I would like to extend our up with some great stories. I left a little earlier genuine and warmest thanks to all the than I would have as my brief fainting episode had made me feel exceptionally tired. I had contributors to this edition of Riffle. May the biggest of barbel grace your landing nets in the never fainted before and I never have since. coming season. Jonathan Cotty – Editor