“This year I will be more thoughtful of my fellow man, exert more effort in each of my endeavors, professionally as well as personally. Take love wherever I find it, and offer it to everyone who will take it.
In this coming year I will seek knowledge from those wiser than me and try to teach those who wish to learn from me. I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can.” January 1, 1969, Duane Allman
Month: December 2017
River by Joni Mitchell from the album Blue
No words are needed to explain why this beautiful piece of music has been chosen to wish the readers of North & Wild the very best for the festive period, Adam.
Pan Fried Zander and Sautéed Vegetables
Although you rarely see zander in English fishmongers, they are a common sight in fish markets across Europe, along with a whole host of other coarse fish that many British anglers wouldn’t even think were edible.
My mother-in-law is Polish and every year we celebrate Wigilia – the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper – with her. Fish dishes comprise the main component of this meal and recently we trialled this recipe as a possible centre piece dish for the celebrations. It came out really well. The fillets were beautiful and crisp on the outside and the pure, white flakes of the flesh not dissimilar to cod or haddock.
Festive Flies
There are two types of freshwater fly-fisher in the UK: the one that hangs up his or her tackle in the autumn at the end of the traditional game fishing season and the other that ploughs on through the coldest months chasing grayling – the lady of the stream.
It is unlikely that you could read far in any literature on grayling fishing before coming across the name of a fly which is synonymous with this branch of the sport – The Red Tag. Numerous versions of The Red Tag have been resident in my fly box over the years, but only recently did I try using one for the first time.
Natural Beauty by Neil Young from the album Harvest Moon
I’ve probably listened to this album more than any other and I could pick several songs from it that have a deep meaning for me.
In the end, I’ve gone for Natural Beauty, the epic album closer. It is one of those songs that could just go on forever, transcendent and mesmeric.
Pikers’ Supper
This is a little smorgasbord my Dad and I will often knock-up when the tackle has been put back in the garage and we are back in the warm after a cold winter’s day on the bank.
Two Birds with One Stone in Lancashire
Back in July my oldest friend was getting married at Mitton Hall in Lancashire. As I live and work in Moscow, I decided to make a long-weekend of the trip back to the U.K. and, amongst catching up with friends and family, sneak in a day’s fishing.
Welcome to North & Wild
Dear Reader
Welcome to North & Wild, a blog about fishing the beautiful rivers and lakes of the North of England and beyond, the satisfaction of cooking what you have caught, grown or gathered, and the soundtrack that, for me, compliments these simple pursuits and pleasures.
In today’s fast paced world, it’s easy to lose touch with the things that make us who we truly are, the things that exhilarate and excite us, fire our imagination and fuel our dreams … I started writing as a means of ensuring I make time for my passions, I hope this blog inspires you to do the same.
Thanks for reading.
Adam