In the middle of last month I had to visit the UK. Whilst sat whiling away the hours on the ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth reading Improve Your Coarse Fishing magazine I came across an advert for a new fishing tackle superstore called The Fishing Republic that had opened on the first of June. Guess what? I was travelling to Doncaster and this store was situated five miles away in Darfield just the other side of the A1. We arrived in Doncaster on Sunday night and Monday morning I ready to explore this new store which sounded like heaven to me. Despite being told several times by the Old Fish Wife that I was like a spoilt child and that we were there for a wedding and not fishing, within an hour I was stood in this holy shrine to fishing. Wow coarse, sea, game, carp………everything under one roof!
After a good look round which took hours, this was a child in a sweet shop scenario as I am sure you anglers will understand. The staff were chatty, very knowledgeable, all fishermen and women and very helpful too. Matt who is in charge of the carp section kitted me up with a whole load of new gear at prices I could not believe. The tackle industry is now so competitive that what was expensive equipment two years ago is affordable by most now. I left a happy man, despite the earache from the passenger seat!
So if you are ever back in Britain and around the area I recommend you call and have a look. There website is www.fishingrepublic.net and they are situated on Snapehill Road, Darfield, Barnsley. South Yorkshire S73 9LT phone 00441226 752300. www.fishingrepublic.net
I am actually driving back in December for lots more tackle for our new Angling Holiday company, the car will surely become known as the Boilie Bus again on the return journey.
Copyright © Gary Smith