Consultants

Duncan Charman

Born in Alton, Hampshire 1965, Duncan angling career started when his father took him fishing to a small farm pond called Hartley Mauditt at the tender age of four. This small pond at the time was full of rudd, which kept him busy along with a few big wild carp, sadly now history. These big golden carp stirred his imagination and he can still remember the first one he landed and the fight that scarred him senseless.

His competitive streak took over and throughout his teens he completely destroyed his fellow competitors on this small pond to the extent that numbers dwindled as anglers knew they were fishing for second spot. His secret back then was simply, trout pellet. Whilst other anglers stuck with the faithful maggot Duncan arrived with pellets that had been scolded the night before along with another new purchase, a pole. Although both these methods seem standard today, twenty-five years ago they were just beginning to evolve! He recalls spotting one of the locals creeping on all fours behind him during such a match in the hope of spying on his new wonder bait. Unfortunately for him his pellets were covered with a towel and it was only a few years later when the desire to move onto more challenging matches that he let his secret out.

Joining Oakhanger Angling Club, Duncan soon became match secretary and captained one of their teams to victory in the Central Southern League fished on such places like, Shillinglea, Petworth Park along with his introduction to rivers such as the Wey, Arun and Rother. It was the introduction of the now commonplace carp puddles that Duncan’s enthusiasm for match fishing ended but his competitiveness continued and a turning point, which saw a true all-rounder born.

At the age of 25 Duncan evolved from a match angler to the early stages of specimen hunting and although not interested in national records he enjoyed catching huge bags of tench from Frenshan Great Pond along with emptying most other club waters he visited. The passion for simply going fishing to catch as many fish as possible in a session spanned a decade or so and looking back these were probably the most enjoyable days of his angling career. The move to catching specimen fish of all species was really due to the local lakes becoming so busy and it was whilst enjoying the peaceful seclusion of Thorpe Park in Surrey that a fish came along that was to change his total outlook on angling, a pike of 31lbs 10oz. This fish really fired him up and the adrenalin rush he felt when everything comes together and a fish of a lifetime graces your net has to be experienced to be appreciated. Knowing that feeling has driven him on to take an impressive personal best list which includes – eel 7lbs 1oz 8drams, perch 4lbs 9oz, crucian carp 3lbs 13oz, roach and grayling 3lbs plus two British records in the shape of Silver Bream and Pumpkinseed.

For the past four seasons his attention has turned away from the busy Stillwater’s and onto our unmolested and peaceful rivers. The two most favoured rivers are the Loddon and Thames, both of which have rewarded him with specimen fish for the hours spent in search of the unknown. Two years ago the Loddon threw up a personal best 16lbs 10oz barbel whilst Duncan tried to up his best of just into double figures. Since then he has built up a picture of many a stretch and has the ability to locate and catch numerous doubles during the winter months. The Thames is what really fires me up now and is the location that l would choose if l had just one place to spend the rest of my angling career. It is a beautiful river that has such diverse fishing available for so many species. It’s the carp that are addictive here, as you never know what will turn up next. My best to date is a common of 31lbs 15oz and in terms of numbers seven in a night will be hard to beat especially when you can go for weeks without a run. Location is the key and with my small Bic boat l will be spending loads of time this summer just looking and observing. It is an ambition to be able to angle for carp from this that have never been fished for that excites me, so watch this space for some serious angling pioneering.

You can follow Duncan's fishing adventures in the Korum Blog.

Julian Chidgey

My name is Julian (Jules) Chidgey and I was born in October 1982 in Somerset. I spent much of my childhood and teenage years exploring the angling potential of the drains and rivers that traverse the area, as well as indulging in regular fly and sea fishing sessions. As soon as I could drive I began to venture further afield in the search for bigger fish, with pike in particular capturing my imagination. I made regular trips around the country in search of fish, also venturing as far as Ireland, Scotland and Germany, catching some good fish, learning many new methods and making some amazing friends along the way.

Over the last few years I have diversified my fishing - targeting a wide selection of species - which has really broadened my angling horizons. Today, I’m taking on challenges as diverse as pioneering the big perch potential on tiny commercial fisheries, through to hunting specimen tench and carp on huge windswept lakes and reservoirs. My most recent accomplishments include pike of 32-14, tench 11-07, perch 4-03, carp 45-00, roach 2-15, rudd 2-10 and eel to 5-15.

I don’t have a favourite method, type of water, or species, but thrive on new challenges, and really enjoy trying new approaches and working towards personal targets through the year. My strengths as an angler are enthusiasm, energy and attention to detail; my weakness is a tendency to buy tickets for far too many waters!

I have always enjoyed writing about my fishing, starting with freelance work for Coarse Angling Today and Pike and Predators, before progressing to regular feature work with Improve Your Coarse Fishing, I’m also currently working on a book project, and look forward to getting involved with some new DVD’s over the next year. My aims are to continue to develop exciting new products with the Korum team, and working towards my personal dream of one day winning the coveted Drennan cup.

You can follow Julian's fishing adventures in the Korum Blog.

Chris Ponsford aka The Pons

Chris Ponsford first cast a line over 40 yrs ago, and has built up an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport, such is his enthusiasm for it. Better known latterly as a Barbel expert, due to living in the Barbel rich Midlands, he has caught well over 250 double figure Barbel, to over 15lbs from local waters like the Severn, Warwicks Avon and Teme. Latterly, he has been concentrating on other species, River Carping being a favourite, with fish over 25 lbs from many rivers, as well as targeting huge Chub, Perch, Bream, Roach, Rudd and Zander.

He is the reigning Midland Angler Specimen champ, winning this prestigious twice now, competing in a 24hr species competition at Gt Linford,on both river and lake, and has also competed for many years at top level as a match fisherman, enjoying plenty of success at Team and Individual level, both in the Midlands and the Southwest, as well fishing for a winning BH Trout Fishing team at many venues, and well as being a Tournament Caster, at both Sea and Trout events, casting over 250 yds many years ago.

Sea Fishing off the shore and boat has always been a love, something he still has a go at when time permits, a recent trip to Gambia being an example.

The last few years has seen Chris developing his media skills, writing for many Angling Publications, giving talks and indulging in a passion for photography, which he uses as a freelance Photo /Journalist. His most recent projects include two DVDS, the best known being 'Teme Tigers', 'Carp' and more are being made as this area continues to grow.

He is also a qualified Angling Coach, and River Guide, and is very active with the EA, his employer, in promoting Junior Angling in the Midlands, as well seeing anglers daily as a River Bailiff.

Just as happy fishing a three metre whip for Gudgeon up the local Canal, or chasing some uncaught monster, Chris is a big, larger than life personality. He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to what ever he pursues, and loves his fishing more than ever, as the sport changes and evolves.

Ade Kiddell

My Name is Adrian (Ade) Kiddell and some of my earliest memories as a child are with a fishing rod in hand accompanying my father on one of many trips from our Norwich home to fish one of the Broadland Rivers nearby. Much water has passed under the bridge since those early days, having served my angling apprenticeship on the Norfolk Broads I had become an accomplished angler in my own right. After winning my first match at just 14 and being a member of several local clubs I eventually joined the open match circuit. Whilst enjoying the competition of the match circuit, I had always tried when ever possible to pleasure fish, far from the madding crowd and in the piece and solitude of our beautiful countryside.

The fish that was to change my entire perception of angling and the enjoyment I get from it was the Barbel, from the time I landed my first one over 20 years ago to the present day, I still savour every one I catch. Having caught in excess of 2500 Barbel with a personal best of over 17lb each one holds so much personal satisfaction for me.

I have not fished a match for the over 4 years now preferring to spend my time on the bank both taking in my surroundings and in pursuit of specimen fish. Although I consider Barbel to be my number one species I often fish for specimen Carp, Bream and Pike.

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to travel to various parts of the World in pursuit of specimen fish. In Egypt I managed to land a Nile Perch of over 100lb and also whilst in India I fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition by catching some specimen Mahseer.

I still live in Norfolk, and I work for a large haulage company as a Traffic Planner, there’s nothing better after a few days working in a busy and stressful environment then getting out in the fresh air and catching some fish.

One of my hobbies is digital photography and what better to combine that with my passion for angling and I never go fishing these days without a digital camera. Photographing fish is fine but being able to capture the mood and the moment are also important, what better place to be than a misty Tench lake, fishing as the sun rises and being able to capture that image for all to see.

The most important things for me are to continue to fish as much as possible and to enjoy every minute of it.

Stuart Jupp

I was born in Dorset in 1975 and for as long as I can remember I have had a fascination with fishing. I grew up very close to two outstanding rivers, the Dorset Stour and the Hampshire Avon. Throop fisheries on the Stour was only a 10 minute walk away from my parents so before I had even started fishing a large percentage of my childhood was spent in and around the river, this lead to a natural progression in to angling. Although running water tends to be my first choice I enjoy fishing for all species, the constant challenge of using different methods on different venues helps to push my skills. In the past I have not really been focused on weights or PB’s, the joy of being out in the country side catching fish was enough. Although this hasn’t really changed my angling now needs a focus to move forward and develop so I like to set more defined targets for each season (the main one being to get out on the bank more!).

I have always wanted to write and producing angling articles is something I find very enjoyable, I hope to produce a lot more over the coming year and maybe move in to other forms of media. I also enjoy the pressure of catching for the cameras, I find this really makes me step up my game driving me to continually improve and not become complacent.

As with most people work gets in the way of my fishing, however I hope to use my experience in the design and development of components to work with Korum in developing new and innovative products in the future.

Dai Gribble

My name is Dai Gribble and I live in Stafford. I’ve been fishing for over forty years, having first cast a line on the Great Ouse in Bedford at the age of five. From that first trip I was hooked and after an apprenticeship on local ponds and canals by my late teens I had become interested in catching big fish.

Though I still enjoy fishing local waters I now travel further afield for much of my fishing. Over the course of most seasons I fish for a wide variety of fish on both stillwaters and rivers. I love setting myself a challenge and often find that once that challenge has been met I want to move on to another one. I like a spot of carp fishing but cannot understand how some angler’s only fish for carp – to me they are just another species!

I love targeting a variety of species and in the past couple of seasons have fished for barbel on the Trent and Dove, chub on the Upper Severn, perch on the Ouse, bream and tench from a variety of waters, pike on both lakes and rivers and stillwater rudd and roach. This season I caught my first ever catfish – only 16lb so plenty of scope for a bigger one! Talking of cats – I’ve got two tabbies named Esox and Tinca which gives a good idea of how important fishing is in my life.

I run a syndicate on Cop Mere, which was where in the 1980’s I first caught tench and bream of specimen proportions. Since that period I have aimed to beat at least one personal best weight each season. With personal bests including bream 18-12, tench 11-7, roach 3-1, river pike 28-14 and chub 6-15 it is becomingly increasingly difficult. I am supported in this quest by my wife, Jill, through the promise of a bottle of Champagne for each one!

My ambition is to keep enjoying my fishing. Hopefully this will include a few big fish along the way but also fishing with the many friends I’ve met over the years. A trip with the ‘Madman’, Chris ‘Pons’ Ponsford each year is now essential to remind me it’s not just about catching fish. I am especially looking forward to targeting a new water this spring where there is a huge element of the unknown – there’s nothing better than getting a bite and not knowing what could be on the end!

Being a consultant with Korum has opened new doors and the opportunity to be involved with tackle development. I’m sure my broad experience will help contribute to Korum’s range of products, which is designed by anglers for anglers.