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Message
from Hugh
& Sue
Miles
15th.
September
2007
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Dear
All,
Do hope
you avoided
the worst
effects
of our wonderful
summer
and kept
your feet
dry. The
lack of
sunshine
certainly
made filming
difficult
but that
is of little
concern
compared
with you
poor folk
who got
flooded
out.
Firstly,
thank you
again for
all your
orders but
above all
for your
many letters
of praise
and encouragement
and even
phone calls
explaining
your enthusiasm
for A
Passion
for Angling
and Caught
in Time.
I always
pass these
letters
on to Bob
and Chris
and I know
they appreciate
them too.
Well
have lots
of copies
available
for Christmas
presents
so if you
have friends
or fishing
pals who
dont
know where
we are,
please pass
on our website
details.
One point
of concern
is the continuing
illegal
copying
of Passion
for sale
on Ebay
etc. This
is against
the law
and is stealing,
so any thieves
out there
making copies
should know
that the
police are
coming after
you. But
I feel sorry
for those
whove
been unfortunate
to buy these
counterfeit
copies because
they will
be of seriously
inferior
quality.
We are the
ONLY suppliers
of these
titles so
dont
encourage
the thieves
by buying
rubbish...
and thank
you to those
customers
who have
kindly informed
us of these
illegal
copies.
As the pictures
alongside
this indicate,
weve
been out
with the
cameras
whenever
the sun
has shone
to continue
filming
our new
series Catching
the Impossible.
This portrait
of angling
has been
three years
in the making,
with the
eight one
hour films
revealing
the underwater
world of
freshwater
as never
before,
along with
catching
some seriously
big fish.
The Spring
sunshine
saw us on
the River
Dee with
Englands
Youth Fly
Fishing
captain
Lisa Isles
and Im
happy to
report that
Lisa recently
returned
from the
World Championships
in America
with a Bronze
medal, the
team having
beaten the
hosts into
fourth place
- so congrats
to you Lisa.
We also
filmed her
fly fishing
at Lechlade
with Des
Taylor,
catching
some beaut.
brownies.
May saw
us in Scotland
on the beautiful
River Spey
with Salmon
and Trout
Association
chairman
James Carr.
The salmon
proved elusive
but we got
lovely film
of ospreys
and red
squirrels
while catching
brownies
among the
dippers
and grey
wagtails.
We caught
some gorgeous
carp with
Frank Warwick
at Linear
Fisheries
near Oxford.
Then Bernard
and John
Wilson had
some fun
trying to
catch carp
using a
fly rod...
quite tricky
when the
weather
is cold
but lots
of laughter
too - yes
that
laugh!
Then weve
just finished
a sequence
of mullet
mayhem
in Christchurch
Harbour,
where the
mullet gave
us a serious
beating...
they sure
can pull!
So were
still on
schedule
to complete
the series
by the winter
of 2008.
Still lots
of editing
to do so
in the meantime,
please go
and catch
a fish for
me and enjoy.
With best
wishes,
Hugh and
Sue.
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Message
from Hugh
& Sue
Miles
22nd February
2007
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Dear
All,
Thanks to
all your
orders,
Sue had
a busy time
before Christmas
trying to
ensure you
all received
your DVD's
for the
festive
season...
we hope
we achieved
that. Inevitably
it seems,
there is
always the
odd one
that goes
missing
when with
the G.P.O.,
or that
have technical
faults,
so if you
are one
of the unfortunate
ones, please
let us know.
But whatever
the cause,
we will
always replace
problematic
DVD's...
and we still
have lots
of DVD's
(and VHS's
if you'd
prefer)
of both
titles.
As the new
pictures
indicate,
we've been
very busy
filming
the new
series 'Catching
the Impossible',
our eight
one hour
programmes
on the underwater
world and
the catching
of some
of Britain's
biggest
fish. Recent
highlights
included
the madness
of floodwater
barbel fishing,
inspiring
underwater
images of
big carp
wintering
under some
trees, big
roach on
the Hampshire
Avon, River
Wye piking,
Young Abe
catching
his first...
and second
pike - a
thirteen
pounder,
film of
a kingfisher
on the rod
and Bernard
Cribbins
catching
a large
pike but
more of
that another
time.
We've also
been out
fishing
with that
famous big
fish duo
and close
friends
Terry Lampard
and Tim
Norman and
you'll notice
on our website
details
of Terry's
book 'First
Cast' and
where you
can purchase
a copy.
I can assure
you that
it is the
best assembly
of stories
about big
fish that
I've ever
had the
joy to share.
I used to
fish with
Terry and
Tim for
the same
giant roach
that lived
on the River
Stour in
the heady
days when
we caught
three pounders
and that
chapter
is as good
as anything
ever written
about fishing.
And it was
wonderful
that last
winter we
filmed Terry
catching
a 3lb 5oz
roach from
the River
Stour, his
first three
pound roach
since 1990
and equal
to his largest
ever, as
mentioned
in his book.
It really
is a great
read.
Editing
of the series
is continuing
day and
night and
the programmes
are looking
promising;
we hope
to have
them finished
by the winter
of 2008.
No time
for me to
go fishing
but I'll
be out roaching
before the
end of the
season.
Hope you're
all enjoying
life too.
With best
wishes,
Hugh and
Sue
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Message
from Hugh
& Sue
Miles
25th
November
2006
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Dear
All,
I
dont
go fishing,
I dont
even like
fishing,
but Im
hooked
So wrote
a viewer
on a postcard
after
the first
showing
of A Passion
for Angling
on BBC2
in 1993.
This series
of six
one hour
films,
a fishing
adventure
around
Britain
that I
produced
with Chris
Yates
and Bob
James
has since
been widely
recognised
as the
best fishing
series
ever made
and we
still
receive
numerous
letters
of enthusiasm
and gratitude.
Many bear
repeating
but here
are just
a few
clips...............and
they arent
made up!
Thank
you for
changing
my sons
life.
Before
seeing
Passion
for Angling
his favourite
hobby
was stealing
expensive
cars!
........now
my wife
understands
why I
have to
go fishing
To
you I
say the
biggest
thank
you of
all for
finding
the time
to film
my dreams
My
wife was
diagnosed
with cancer
and through
our darkest
hours
Passion
for Angling
became
a great
comfort
to us
both,
and still
does
I
am not
a fisherwoman
but I
love watching
A
Passion
for Angling.
It is
my de-stress
material
and being
a mother
of five
children
I need
it!
Even
though
Ive
watched
it so
many times
and know
it off
by heart,
I never
tire of
it
Passion
for Angling
had a
huge impact
upon my
life and
turned
a minor
interest
with fishing
into an
obsession
It
really
is the
best fishing
film/documentary
ever made,
I remember
first
watching
it when
I was
13 on
TV. Im
26 now
and it
still
is
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There
are many
similar
letters
and I
think
youll
agree
that to
receive
messages
like this
is both
moving
and an
honour.
Ive
never
made a
film that
has touched
the audience
so deeply
or for
so long
as A
Passion
for Angling
and thats
despite
a lifetime
making
wildlife
films
around
the world.
Our recent
snow leopard
film received
the honour
of an
EMMY nomination,
which
considering
the number
of TV
films
in America
each year
is pretty
amazing.
I have
won EMMYs
in the
past,
no luck
this time
but awards
are always
a pleasant
surprise.
The Special
Achievement
Award
for Snow
Leopard
from the
Japan
Film Festival
certainly
was and
winning
Best of
Festival
in France
came with
a bonus
- Euros!
which
Ive
already
spent
on our
new series
Catching
the Impossible.
Filming
has been
going
well,
and heres
a few
images
from this
years
adventures.
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Every
waking hour
is spent editing
on the computer
and we plan
to have the
film available
by Winter 2008..
Weve had
so much success
that the series
has grown from
six to eight
one hours, so
weve got
our time cut
out.
We get lots
of enquiries
about Caught
in Time
Part II, but
sadly, completing
that will have
to wait until
this series
with Martin
Bowler and Bernard
Cribbins is
complete.
As Christmas
is coming up
fast, Sue and
I thought wed
assure you that
there are plenty
of DVD copies
available of
both A
Passion for
Angling
and Caught
in Time
and for those
still in the
dark ages, we
also have video/VHS
copies of them
both too. Sue
can let you
have them in
a few days but
as they make
the ideal Christmas
present, please
let us know
in plenty of
time so the
GPO dont
let you down.
Sue and I wish
you all an enjoyable
Christmas and
a happy and
prosperous year.
Its all
rush these days,
so dont
forget to smell
the roses along
the way.....and
go fishing.....its
a wonderful
world out there.
Hugh & Sue
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Message
from Hugh
& Sue
Miles
9th
July 2006
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Dear
All,
We do hope you
are enjoying
your fishing
while we have
been busy on
our new project
'Catching the
Impossible'.
I have managed
a few casts
while filming,
including the
capture of three
true crucians
over 3lbs to
a "PB"
of 3lb 12ozs
from a beautiful
little lake
in the Cranborne
Chase. We filmed
there with Chris
Yates and Martin
Bowler last
week for programme
one, and in
another lovely
lake nearby
with Bernard
Cribbins for
programme six.
The film looks
gorgeous...early
morning mist,
sun kissed lilies
and golden crucians
and tench...in
true 'Passion
for Angling'
style of course.
We still have
lots of copies
of 'A Passion
for Angling'
in both DVD
and VHS, along
with the portrait
of Chris (Yates')
favourite carp
lake called
'Caught in Time'.
so any orders
will be with
you speedily
as Sue turns
them round at
least twice
a week. We hear
of several 'pirate'
versions which
is quite distressing
as we need the
small profit
from each sale
to help fund
this new production.
We are the ONLY
suppliers of
DVD's and VHS's
so don't waste
your money on
inferior quality
copies or on
expensive 'ebay'
purchases.
A lot has happened
since our last
message in November
'05. Chris and
I haven't had
time to do any
more filming
for 'Caught
in Time' Part
II but Chris
has now finished
his new book
'How
to Fish' and
it will be available
in all good
book shops from
the end of September.
Chris has written
an account of
a days fishing
on a river which
becomes a story
of his fishing
philosophy.
Perch and many
other fish swim
through the
pages and it's
a cracking read.
Our Snow Leopard
film went out
on ITV on Jan
2nd and we recieved
dozens of messages
from folk about
how much they'd
enjoyed it,
so thankyou
for those. It
is most gratifying
after more than
four years of
hard labour
in the mountains
to recieve such
encouragement
so we hope you'll
enjoy our new
series 'Catching
the Impossible'
as that will
take four and
a half years
too!
We are nearly
two years into
the project
and during the
last six months
we have filmed
some remarkable
events. As you'll
see from our
previous message
our targets
included a 30lb
pike and a 3lb
river roach...'not
just impossible
but crazy'.
Well, on Nov.
30th we caught
a 32lb 6oz pike
and on Jan.
18th we fished
with Terry Lampard
and he caught
a 3lb 5oz roach
from the River
Stour. On Dec
22nd Pete Reading
caught a near
3lb grayling
and on Jan.
26th Martin
caught a 1lb
2oz Kennet Dace,
followed by
a 2lb 15oz roach
from a lake
near Oxford.
As if that wasn't
enough, Martin
then caught
a 5lb 4oz perch
frm the Great
Ouse - the biggest
ever from a
river according
to the Angling
Times - it's
capture on a
pole sure makes
an impressive
sequence. Then
Des Taylor caught
us a 39lb catfish
and to cap it
all Martin caught
a 44lb 4oz common
carp from a
beautiful lake
in Shropshire
- on a float
- and an Osprey
came and fished
in the background.
So the series
promises to
be memorable.
We have at least
two years work
to go but will
keep you informed
of progress.
Hope you enjoy
the pictures
in the gallery
of some of our
lovely fish.
With best wishes,
Hugh and Sue
P.S.
We have just
received some
great news from
the U.S.A.,
our Searching
for the Snow
Leopard
film has been
nominated for
an EMMY, in
the category
for outstanding
achievement
in science and
documentary...
so fingers crossed!
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Message
from Hugh
& Sue Miles
5th
November
2005
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Dear
All,
As a result of
your enthusiastic
response to A
Passion for Angling
and Caught
in Time
Sue and I thought
you might like
an update on progress
with our various
projects.
Firstly, for those
logging on for
the first time
, we still have
lots of copies
of both DVDs
and VHSs
of both programmes,
so those looking
for Christmas
presents, theres
no problem. Sue
turns round your
orders in just
a few days so
speed of delivery
depends on the
G.P.O. Best if
you allow a week
to ten days.
As a full-time
film-maker, Ive
produced more
than fifty wildlife
films but I still
suffer from follow
that! syndrome,
especially when
a film has been
an award winner.
This was certainly
the case with
A Passion
for Angling.
Its been
so well received
by so many its
been described
as a classic
- whatever that
is?! So for years
Chris Yates and
I hesitated before
making Caught
in Time
Part I. We feared
comparison with
Passion
but neednt
have worried as
all of you seem
to love it. The
film is a story
of Chris
favourite carp
lake (which is
also the location
of his best selling
book Secret
Carp).
Many of you have
asked about Parts
II and III and
though weve
filmed some sequences
for these, Chris
is so busy writing
a new book that
weve had
to put them on
hold.
As some of you
may be aware from
the angling press,
weve embarked
on a series of
six one hour films
with Martin Bowler
and friends called
Catching
the Impossible
- impossible because
of the size of
fish were
trying to catch.
Our targets
would make a specimen
hunters eyes water,
but after our
first years filming,
weve got
several in
the can.
15lb. barbel,
4lb. crucian,
10lb. tench and
a 7lb. chub. Then
theres several
near misses...
2lb. 11oz. rudd,
12lb. 10oz. bream,
36lb. carp and
27lb. 8oz. pike.
Were after
a thirty pound
pike next week,
and a three pound
river roach before
Christmas... not
just impossible
but crazy!
Weve had
generous help
from many landowners
and friends, including
John Wilson, Des
Taylor, Terry
Lampard, Tim Norman,
Bob Church, Chris
Yates, Nigel Williams,
John Everard,
Peter Orchard,
Peter Drennan,
Frank Warwick,
Pete Reading,
Jerry Hammond,
Terry Theobold
and Bernard Cribbins,
who actually gets
to fish this time,
so the whole series
should be entertaining.
But theres
more to a fishing
series than catching
big fish, so the
beauty of the
lakes and rivers
and its
wildlife throughout
the seasons is
a major component,
as it was for
Passion.
In contrast to
Passion,
were striving
to show folk the
natural history
of the under -
water world and
the extraordinary
fish that live
out their unseen
lives all around
us. We are shooting
this in the wild
in the actual
places we are
fishing and so
far the results
are a revelation
- and beautiful
too. So we hope
that like Passion,
this series will
appeal to anglers
and non anglers
alike. Were
hoping it will
also benefit angling
as a whole and
encourage a positive
attitude to the
sport we love.
We have two more
years shooting
and a years editing
so we hope it
might be out on
TV in 2008. Well
keep you up to
date with progress.
In the meantime,
enjoy your fishing
and catch a few
for me.
P.S.
If only to prove
I occasionally
get a cast, heres
yours truly with
a lovely Kennet
roach brace, best
2lb. 5oz. and
a brace of perch,
best 3lb. 1oz...
and Sue and I
with a brace of
Bucks Fiz on her
birthday!
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Bernard
Cribbins.
5lb. Tench, Estate Lake.

Terry
Lampard.
7lb.4oz. Chub, Dorset
Stour.

Terrys
3lb.5oz.
Roach, River Stour

Martin Bowler with
32lb.6oz.
Pike

John
Wilson.
27lb.8oz. Pike, Norfolk
Broads.

Bob
Church with
16lb Pike, Bedfordshire
Lake.

Martin
and Des Taylor with
27lb.
8oz. Catfish

Martin
with
10lb.
Tench

Martin
with
5lb.4oz.
Perch, Great Ouse

Martins
44lb.4oz.
Common Carp

Martin
with
2lb
15oz. Roach

15lb.7oz.
Barbel, Great Ouse.

Peter
Orchard.
24lb.12oz. Common Carp,
Hampshire Avon.

Peter
Reading with
12lb.10oz. Barbel, Hampshire
Avon.
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