I had a rather disturbing phone call from my ex wife yesterday (the phone number is still shown on a lot of the old posters, pictures and other advertising matter). Apparently a rather irate Frenchman was sat waiting for me in France to take him out fishing! It seemed it was all arranged and paid for! He asked for me by name. ‘European Catfish Trips’ hasn’t taken any bookings for over three years now! I have spoken to my partner in the venture, Luke Moffat, and he has confirmed that he hasn’t taken any personal bookings either. The other guides who used to work with us have confirmed the same. We basically ceased all catfish guiding on the Saone due to the deterioration in the fishing caused by the new commercial netting rules. We felt that we could no longer guarantee the service and quality we had supplied in the previous years. Luke now puts all his time into the lake at Brognon whilst I’m now back in this country. The only guiding done is now by me on a personal basis for friends and ex regular customers. None of this is in France any more, the bulk (and that’s only a few trips a year) to Italy, Spain or mainly the US. If anyone thinks they are booking with either of us by name or the company be warned you are not! Anyone who gets approached or has been approached please either email me at- or phone/text me on – 07903563772 We would both like to think that during ‘European Catfish Trips’ long existence both the company, Luke, myself and the other guides achieved a good reputation. We would both like to think that despite upsetting a lot of the angling ‘elite’ by having a different view and seeing no reason to kiss arse with freebies/preferential treatment we still have a good reputation in angling circles. Something like this could destroy that. As such we would both be very grateful for any information regarding this possible scam. |