Wildie: a tale of old England. Catching Wild Carp from the North Kent Marshes

Just 35 miles from central London lie the North Kent Marshes, a network of fleets, the result of land reclamation through the centuries. Among the many reed-fringed twists and turns and a mere stone's throw from the sea lives a healthy population of feral carp, or 'wildies' as anglers affectionately call them. Their origin is a mystery, their lineage unknown. This film is a study of the landscape in which they swim, the people who are drawn to this wide open space, and in particular, Adam, an angler who thrives on seeking out this wild old strain of feral carp.

[@KeefsCattys]

I spent a lot of my childhood walking and watching the wildlife out on these marshes . I'd love to visit once again in my life . I have very fond memories.

[@jamess1729]

The mood the photography - just stunning. More of these please. Beautifully done

[@paulbarnett-zz9fv]

Beautiful film, thank you.

[@FallonsAngler]

Thanks Paul

[@Patr212]

Brilliant filming, wonderful dark colours in your film making. Fishing how it used to be, simpler and more fun...

[@fizzyfozbuzz874]

Woke up this morning seeing the farmer harvesting the sunflower seeds at the back of my inlaws garden. Sitting on the balcony with the Pyrenees in full view, a fresh mug of coffee, a warm crusty croissant smothered with a dollop of honey. This splendid short video made my morning. Passe une bonne journée!

[@mrsjoycehoover]

Beautifully filmed. Captures the desolate beauty of the marshland. Fascinating to learn of the mysterious feral carp.

[@FallonsAngler]

thank you Uncle!

[@carpypete]

Wow! what an amazing little film. I love the solitude of the marshes. Best thing i've seen for ages.

[@FallonsAngler]

Thanks Pete

[@davewilkins9981]

What a great film ! Thanks for this I really enjoyed it .

[@tomcraven6103]

Really captured the essence of the mystery of the Thames marshes. Lovely film.

[@BeFree-BeFrugal]

Lovely film stunning footage 🙋‍♀️

[@oldmanfrancis8528]

I’m lucky enough to have access to fishing on the very marsh on your video, I’m so looking forward to it, that was a great video, I’ve watched it at least 4 times👍

[@Utopian-Fish]

Very nicely done... lovely

[@richardlongmuir8348]

Lovely camera work and such evocative storytelling

[@johncoombs3128]

Lovely piece of film,alway a pleasure to watch a Fallon’s angler off the beaten track.

[@stevesnailfish]

Fantastic photography....

[@theretroangler5494]

True carp fishing, as it should be. Another great video, thanks for sharing.

[@darrenscaysbrook6038]

16:39 of perfection. Thanks.

[@stevewilliams5428]

Excellent... and thank you.

[@stevehodges4092]

A wonderful atmospheric film, really enjoyed it

[@flickingfeathers]

Very nice, wild fish are absolutely where its at.

[@bigcarpcatcher9616]

Absolutely beautiful film and really well captured.

[@martinpiggins5772]

Great production and narration, thanks.

[@stevejeffrey7948]

Thanks.

[@kevinlimcool]

Perfect

[@iveywebb44]

Great film. Can i ask what you shot on for the scenes at the moat? looks like maybe 16mm film?

[@FallonsAngler]

Hi, it was all shot on a Canon C100 Mark II using C Log 3 but colour graded afterwards using DELUTS

[@walterlily8261]

Wow ❤

[@garsimmulholland4984]

We have a lake in Ireland that is stuffed full of carp as no one has fished or stocked it for 100s of years I would presume we have a first stocked food lake. Over the years we’ve discovered bream, Rudd, trout, perch and pike which I presume have been dropped by birds. The old carp are much longer, leaner fish than the stocked ones I see.

[@carlmorrow1]

Nice, very nice indeed.

[@IanDentonDorsetWildlife]

Far from the madding boilie.....

[@portcullis5622]

Where the carp have no names
(as Bono almost sang).

[@kurtt02]

Is there any wildies out in the marshes by allhallows and grain?

[@FallonsAngler]

Hi Kurt, we didn't film or fish over that way but over time I see no reason why they haven't spread into yeti other marshes. As the water warms in spring they should show themselves, good luck.

[@kurtt02]

I didn't actually end up fishing it yet, but living on the hoo Peninsula now, I would love to know how I can fish where you are in this video, as if it's local to me now, why not now than never you know?

[@ljord7493]

how do you get in contact with the land owner my friend?

[@FallonsAngler]

Hi, I was very lucky to get introduced to the landowner through a mutual friend.

[@jorvikangler]

Wildie or feral? I note with some amusement you keep your options open on that one.

[@FallonsAngler]

Certainly feral, 'Wildie' is the term used by anglers. We are pretty sure the true wild strain is not present in the UK, just it's descendants.

[@jorvikangler]

@@FallonsAngler I prefer feral, but understand anglers use of wildie as it sounds much more of a challenge to catch a wild then a feral carp.

[@leeyo5494]

would have been nice to see a wild carp at the end just a 5 pounder or something

[@FallonsAngler]

I Don't think the fish were biting that day, the nature of fishing! Wildie ll has more wild carp in the footage.