The Devil invented Christmas shopping

• This morning I had to head into Plymouth city centre with my wife and two girls to buy some Christmas presents - within five minutes I knew I was in a bit of a temper and I caught myself scowling as well, ostensibly because I had to go into a clothes shop and look like I was really interested in the clothes my wife was trying on. One eye was on the girls to make sure they did not trash the shop, and one eye was on the door for a fast escape once I was done. Patience is not something I am associated with when it comes to going into town, and especially when it is anything to do with clothes !! But we got the job done and I was able to escape back home......

• Shopping online was invented for people like me - no crowds, no cars, no parking, and no clothes shops. OK, so the parcels always seem to be delivered when you are out, but it's better than having to go anywhere near a shop. If only all shops were like a good fishing tackle shop.

• I can't believe how close to Christmas it is though - where on earth has this year been and gone ? Time seems to go so fast. At the beginning of January I will start the new year off by reviewing a load of stuff that I have been using this past year - rods, reels, lures, fishing clothing etc. There is plenty to talk about that I hope might prove useful to some of you.

• Below are another bunch of black and white photos that I have been messing around with - later on this week I will be able to get some recent bass fishing galleries up on here, in full and glorious colour I assure you, but this black and white stuff has really grabbed me at the moment. I am going to keep at it and then try pushing some material out there next year to a few publications that I reckon might be interested to try something a little different.

• Venezuela again - in my mind these shots of the local kids you can see above and below work properly in black and white, indeed I far prefer the look to the original colour ones I shot. In my mind they now work properly.

• Above are some youngsters from Uganda - it breaks my heart to see such levels of poverty, and I always make sure to find a way of asking if they mind me taking their photograph. The great thing about digital photography is that you can usually raise a delightful smile when you show them a photo on the back of the camera.

• This photo above is of Ian Gordon spey casting out in Norway on the river Namsen. The guy can cast big time and I love it in black and white. What you might not be able to see on a small JPEG here are all the water droplets flying up from the line that now really show up well in black and white. The bridge was what initially got me interested in photographing Ian in this position.

• I have found it really interesting that a lot of fly fishing gear shots seem to work well in black and white - even the really modern stuff like the reel you can see above, a Hardy Zane. I love shooting fly fishing gear anyway as the compositions are usually very visible in my mind, but there seems to be a whole different aspect to it here that I am really liking.

Front cover

• I am really pleased to have the front cover of the latest issue of Fieldsports magazine - if you are into fishing, hunting or shooting then you should check this fantastic magazine out. There is a feature in there of mine about the incredible sight fishing we did for Atlantic salmon on the east coast of Canada last autumn, on the Gaspe peninsular. Check out a load of photos from that trip here. Seeing big salmon in crystal clear waters is a memory that I can cherish forever, and if this kind of thing floats your boat, get in touch with Aardvark McLeod about a trip out there - it is very cost effective, world class Atlantic salmon fishing.

• It is always a huge kick to get your photograph on the front cover of a magazine, and I am really pleased with their choice of photo here. Sometimes these kinds of detail-style shots can really work when you can isolate the subject matter against a backdrop that is not too busy. I was shooting with a Canon 1D MKII camera and the awesome 70-200mm f4L IS lens, all protected with a rain cover because it was lamping it down all that particular day. But I don't think the shot would have worked so well if it had not been raining. Pete McLeod caught a couple of nice salmon that day if I remember rightly. As a rule I am not that keen on taking photos in heavy rain, but with a decent cover and good gear it is fine - and Canada is still the only place I have come across where some rain actually made it look incredibly moody and attractive. But then all the parts of Canada I saw were simply incredible anyway, rain or no rain.

• The fly reel in the cover photo is a Hardy Zane, which Pete raved about for the whole trip. It did him proud on some nice fish. The orange chest pack that you can see on the left of the shot is the Fishpond Shooting Star Backpack/Chest Pack.

• And onto rugby - this I believe is a joyous week for England fans. Our best ever skipper is taking over the reigns at Twickenham and I for one am hoping that he kicks serious butt and takes us back to the top of the world where we belong !! Martin Johnson is the biggest hero we have ever had in rugby and surely he can take that "follow me over the top" spirit into his new job. Just that stare alone was enough to have grown men wilt before him. South Africa are keeping the World Cup nice and polished for us until we take it back in 2011, so thanks for doing that guys, most kind. Get your photograph taken with it as soon as you can, because it's coming home.....