It was the first time I’ve had butterflies in my stomach before a fishing trip for years! Yes, I still get excited about my carp fishing trips but this was different – the glorious 16th, the rivers are open, and Fletch was back! 
For my chosen venue I decided on the Dove near Tutbury. My approach was to be very light and mobile as I expected many of the recognised pegs to be taken by the ‘crack of dawn’ die-hards and also after being off the water for 12 years I had some learning to do – best pegs, methods etc. I had also got hold of a new club ticket this season which meant I had miles and miles of river to fish.
I arrived at the river at 5pm to a gorgeous morning but you could see that it was going to be a scorcher. There was already a few cars in the parking area but it wasn’t too bad. Off I trudged complete with bait apron, trotting rod and new centerpin reel loaded with 4lbs mainline and a 2.1 bottom. This may sound quite heavy line but as Graham will tell you, hook a Dove barbel and they can smash you on 8lbs line easily. So 4lbs was a high as I could go and still get a good performance from the pin.
As I walked up the river the news from the other anglers was grim as very few fish had been caught. As I approached a couple of lads I could see that one of them was into a good fish which turned out to be a 7lbs barbel. That would be nice, I thought. The chap told me he was using 10lbs mainline and 8lbs hooklink and the fish still gave him the run-around! I was telling him how I used to catch lots of barbel around the 2-3lbs mark 12 years ago. He replied ‘Those 2lbers are now 6’s,7’s and 8’s!’ 
Anyway, I had a great day trotting with lots of chub to 4lbs-plus, perch to 2lbs, dace, grayling, bream and lots of bloody minnows!! (I’d forgotten about them!) I even had an 8oz chub snatched by a double-figure pike. I battled with it for 10 minutes until he let go of the chub – it frightened the bloody life out of me when it shot out of the reeds under my feet! I didn’t catch any barbel but I wasn’t disappointed as the day was all about being out there and enjoying the float dipping. After carping for the last 12 years you can get very blinkered and lose your way a bit with your 15lbs line and 3lbs test curve rods but yesterday really put my fishing back into perspective.
I also learnt loads – from getting used to fishing with my centerpin to finding loads of great looking pegs for next time. Some of the willow lined swims looked full of good fish. I chatted to lots of other anglers who were more than happy to point me to the right pegs for the barbel. They told me how fish to over 12lbs came out last year and there were lots of 10’s. My target for this year is an 8-pounder, and then we’ll start talking about the biggies!
The only problem with all this is that I now have the ‘river bug’ big time and can’t wait to get back. The only snag there though is that I am away for the next two weeks on a computer course with work and won’t be able to get out for three weeks – typical timing eh?
Never mind, by the time I get back the crowds should have died down a bit and I will be after the ‘whiskers’ in a big way.
I hope your opening day was as good as mine. And with a few barbel in for good measure!
