IL BISONTE

I HAVE BEEN OBSESSED WITH IL BISONTE LEATHER PRODUCTS SINCE I WAS A STUDENT LIVING IN EUROPE IN THE LATE EIGHTIES. I WOULD OFTEN WALK BY W.A. DI FILIPPO'S SHOP WHEN I WOULD VISIT FLORENCE AS A BROKE STUDENT LONGING FOR A LEATHER SHOULDER BAG OR JOURNAL. I HAVE TO SAY IT STILL HOLDS UP. (THOUGH MY TASTE HAS CHANGE A BIT) IL BISONTE IS A CLASSIC.

 THE MAN HIMSELF 

W.A. DI FILIPPO

 THE TAKE AWAY

 PERFECT FOR SMALL PAPER JOURNALS

SCOTTISH HORN

WHO KNEW THE SCOTS HAD SUCH GOOD HORN CRAFT. THIS IS MY FIRST PROPER SHOE HORN (NOT A PLASTIC ONE TAKEN FROM SOME HOTEL) BOTH OF THESE LOVELY ITEMS WERE FOUND IN A GREAT LITTLE SHOP IN WALES.

 HORN WHISKEY BOWL 

USED AND PASSED AROUND FOR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

BLUE BOYS

I RARELY COME BACK FROM THE UK WITHOUT SOME GREAT VINTAGE OUTERWEAR FIND. THESE TWO ARE BEAUTIES.

50'S DEADSTOCK FRENCH WORKMANS JACKET

NICE PATINA ON 70'S BLUE BEDALE

RIVER NADDER

THE RIVER ABOVE IS A CHALK STREAM IN WILTSHIRE THAT I LOVE TO FISH EVERY TIME I VISIT MY GOOD FRIENDS AT THEIR AMAZING HOME IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE, ROSE COTTAGE. THE NADDER IS SLOW MOVING WITH DEEP POOLS AND LOADS OF VERY CLEVER (AND OFTEN LARGE) TROUT. YOU BOOK A BEAT ( A BEAT IS A SPECIFIC STRETCH OF RIVER THAT IS ALL YOURS TO FISH FOR THE DAY) THE BANKS ARE GROOMED (LESS THE FUCKING NETTLES) AND NORMALLY THE ONLY OTHER MAMMALS YOU COME ACROSS ARE GRAZING SHEEP. THE RULES ARE UPSTREAM DRY FLY PRESENTATION, THOUGH I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO PACK A STREAMER AND CLOBBER A MONSTER THAT I ALWAYS KEEP AND HOT SMOKE AT ROSE COTTAGE OVER FRESH APPLE TRIMMINGS FROM THE GARDEN. THE BIGGEST FISH ON THIS TRIP WAS TAKEN ON TOP WITH A SMALL TAN CADDIS. IT WAS 18 INCHES OF BIG FAT RAINBOW AND WAS DELICIOUS.

CONTACT SIMON AT FISHING BREAKS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD WITH A FLY ROD.

UK VINTAGE MECCA

STOCK VINTAGE AND MELET MERCANTILE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRATIONAL PLACES FOR ME, THAT HAVE THE MOST AMAZING EDIT AND CURATION OF VINTAGE CLOTHING. I NOW ADD LONDON'S THE VINTAGE SHOWROOM TO THE LIST. WHAT AN EPIC COLLECTION OF STUFF.