terry m
Well-known member
I would guess otters are responsible for gorging on the mussels.
How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
- Start date
Alan Whitty
Well-known member
Almost certainly Terry,on the Ouse you used to get certain spots where the otters used to like munching crays,leaving the claws everywhere,along with plenty of spraints,funny,you never saw fish carcasses left there though, they were usually ten yards away from the bank in a field,unless foxes or badgers hauled them there...
Ray Roberts
Well-known member
None of the shells looked very fresh, there may have been otters and they’ve moved on.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Alan Whitty
Well-known member
Quite possibly Ray,or it has found an easier to obtain food source in that territory,also it may well be still marking that spot with spraints...
Mark Wintle
Well-known member
Had a couple of hours on a cold, clear upper Stour yesterday, floatfishing with flake over liquidised bread. The first swim came up trumps with three chub all around 3lbs after a few minutes. That was about it, just one more bite in the next swim down that I lost (also a chub) in the reeds.
I tried four more swims to no avail, and that may or may not be it for the river season depending on weather/conditions over the next week.
Some skylarks singing indicating spring is on its way along with the marsh marigolds in flower though a 30-strong flock of fieldfares/redwings indicating winter has yet to disappear.
I tried four more swims to no avail, and that may or may not be it for the river season depending on weather/conditions over the next week.
Some skylarks singing indicating spring is on its way along with the marsh marigolds in flower though a 30-strong flock of fieldfares/redwings indicating winter has yet to disappear.
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Whilst having a clear-out I came across these I had forgotten about, probably mid 60s. I think someone gave me them, I don't think I ever used them. I imagine they're made from rice paper?
Good idea but a bit impractical with wet hands etc.
Andy
Good idea but a bit impractical with wet hands etc.
Andy
Alan Whitty
Well-known member
Like pva perhaps...
Might I ask all our members to keep the HDYGO thread to only reports of fishing days?
Simon himself asked us not to wander too often, and I mean no criticism of any recent posts, but rather to just honour Simon’s wishes.
Many thanks for your cooperation.
Simon himself asked us not to wander too often, and I mean no criticism of any recent posts, but rather to just honour Simon’s wishes.
Many thanks for your cooperation.
Steve Arnold
Well-known member
Well, it's still a very cold under 7c river, as much as I drown various baits in a multitude of swims the fish are just not feeding!
My last 4 hour session I picked a swim that kept me out of the chill wind. A weak sun took the edge off the cold and today's fishing buddy (Ron,he likes sunshine and warmth, more than fish!) finally stopped talking about rugby and immigrants.
But, although I concentrated for at least a couple of hours, I could not Magic-up a fish to feed!
Then either the barrage or power station must have let out a mega lump of water and I realised it was "game-over"......
The river reminded me of the Pentland Firth on a Spring tide, but here no halibut were going to use the current to their advantage! Any carp or barbel would be tucked under the bank - and certainly not in this swim!
Ron was happy when I suggested we go home for a cuppa!
My last 4 hour session I picked a swim that kept me out of the chill wind. A weak sun took the edge off the cold and today's fishing buddy (Ron,he likes sunshine and warmth, more than fish!) finally stopped talking about rugby and immigrants.
But, although I concentrated for at least a couple of hours, I could not Magic-up a fish to feed!
Then either the barrage or power station must have let out a mega lump of water and I realised it was "game-over"......
The river reminded me of the Pentland Firth on a Spring tide, but here no halibut were going to use the current to their advantage! Any carp or barbel would be tucked under the bank - and certainly not in this swim!
Ron was happy when I suggested we go home for a cuppa!
@Clive
Well-known member
I had planned a roving session on the River Charente, but because of the weather; torential rain and 55kph gusts I planned a semi roving session with a brolly in the car for emergencies. Is that roatic or stoving? Anyway, I lost a couple of hours as one of the tyres I had fitted on Friday seemed to be losing air and by the time I had that sorted, bought some maggots and a quiche and flan for lunch it was after 1pm before I got started. And it had poured down all the way until I turned onto the riverside track and then if stopped as if by magic.
I fished a small tributary of the main river and fished at the side of the car initially while I had my lunch. Then I ventured downstream about half a mile trying several swims using a maggot feeder and alternating maggots, sweetcorn and cheesepaste on the hook. I had a few small roach, but the large chub and similar sized carp that I had spotted refused my offerings. I also missed a few tentative knocks.
Then I walked back to the car, had a coffee and continued upstream fishing a few more swims. It began to rain so I went back to the car and fished next to it again. The tip twitched, then pulled round and I hit something solid. It didn't run or yield. Eventually it did yield and unsurprisingly it was a bream. By 4pm the rain was much worse. I stuck it out for 10 or 15 minutes then sought refuge under the tailgate of the car.
I fished a small tributary of the main river and fished at the side of the car initially while I had my lunch. Then I ventured downstream about half a mile trying several swims using a maggot feeder and alternating maggots, sweetcorn and cheesepaste on the hook. I had a few small roach, but the large chub and similar sized carp that I had spotted refused my offerings. I also missed a few tentative knocks.
Then I walked back to the car, had a coffee and continued upstream fishing a few more swims. It began to rain so I went back to the car and fished next to it again. The tip twitched, then pulled round and I hit something solid. It didn't run or yield. Eventually it did yield and unsurprisingly it was a bream. By 4pm the rain was much worse. I stuck it out for 10 or 15 minutes then sought refuge under the tailgate of the car.
terry m
Well-known member
After being laid low with Covid for a week, and the end to the river season in sight, I crept out for some piking on my favourite Hants Avon.
The first take was a superb female and at 17lb 11oz, a great start. Shortly afterwards the same bait sailed away, but the fish which I guestimated to be about 8lb slipped the hook. An hour later the second rod was almost pulled in by a vicious take, resulting in another great condition female at 14lb 14oz. Within a couple of minutes another take resulted in a Jack of about 6lb, and I was hoping that a truly special day was ahead.
Unfortunately, nothing else happened, despite two moves. Still a great day, that has punctuated what has been the best winter pike season I have ever enjoyed.
And, still a few more opportunities to get back out there!
The first take was a superb female and at 17lb 11oz, a great start. Shortly afterwards the same bait sailed away, but the fish which I guestimated to be about 8lb slipped the hook. An hour later the second rod was almost pulled in by a vicious take, resulting in another great condition female at 14lb 14oz. Within a couple of minutes another take resulted in a Jack of about 6lb, and I was hoping that a truly special day was ahead.
Unfortunately, nothing else happened, despite two moves. Still a great day, that has punctuated what has been the best winter pike season I have ever enjoyed.
And, still a few more opportunities to get back out there!
Due to other priorities, I have hardly wet a line recently so with a couple of hours freed up I was off like a shot. With temperatures still low and cold rain the night before I decided my best chance was at one of those holy grails of winter river angling – a warm water outlet.
Arriving at the swim I was pleased to see it was free with the outlet spewing out warm every 10 mins or so in large boils from a concrete structure on the near bank. The fish had been hammered so I needed to be a little bit different. Most people cast out into the flow of the river but I knew the best bet was to lower a bait straight down as close to the outlet pipes as possible. Creeping up to the waters edge I lowered a lump of bread down, the lead and line actually touching the near bank wall. I kept as much of the rod hidden as possible, just the last few inches poking out over the water. I didn’t have to wait long for a first bite, a rapid snatch, that I missed. The fish were there but clearly on edge. I repeated the procedure several times and finally connected with one of the takes & after a spirited battle slid a lovely little bronze common into the net. I would have been quite happy with that but a few casts later I was into a second fish that did the worst possible thing which was to try and dive back under the near bank literally into the warm water outlet pipes themselves. I was only on 4lb line and it was touch and go as the fish kept trying to bore back under the near bank while I was hanging on for dear life & burying the rod underwater to avoid being cut off on the near bank wall, I was literally playing the fish from under my own feet. For several minutes it was stalemate with the fish refusing to give in and me refusing to give line then it slowly started to come out into the open water. A couple more times it tried to get under the near bank but finally it gave in and I managed to scoop it into the net. Looking down I could see it was an odd’un, a Carp but not the usual sort. While it had the scaling of a common carp there was a lack of Barbules. There has been some talk of Gibel Carp on the site recently and while this appeared to have some Gibel parentage my best guess was another Gibel X Common cross rather than a giant Gibel.
Not that it mattered it was a lovely dark handsome fish that had brightened up a cold grey day.
Arriving at the swim I was pleased to see it was free with the outlet spewing out warm every 10 mins or so in large boils from a concrete structure on the near bank. The fish had been hammered so I needed to be a little bit different. Most people cast out into the flow of the river but I knew the best bet was to lower a bait straight down as close to the outlet pipes as possible. Creeping up to the waters edge I lowered a lump of bread down, the lead and line actually touching the near bank wall. I kept as much of the rod hidden as possible, just the last few inches poking out over the water. I didn’t have to wait long for a first bite, a rapid snatch, that I missed. The fish were there but clearly on edge. I repeated the procedure several times and finally connected with one of the takes & after a spirited battle slid a lovely little bronze common into the net. I would have been quite happy with that but a few casts later I was into a second fish that did the worst possible thing which was to try and dive back under the near bank literally into the warm water outlet pipes themselves. I was only on 4lb line and it was touch and go as the fish kept trying to bore back under the near bank while I was hanging on for dear life & burying the rod underwater to avoid being cut off on the near bank wall, I was literally playing the fish from under my own feet. For several minutes it was stalemate with the fish refusing to give in and me refusing to give line then it slowly started to come out into the open water. A couple more times it tried to get under the near bank but finally it gave in and I managed to scoop it into the net. Looking down I could see it was an odd’un, a Carp but not the usual sort. While it had the scaling of a common carp there was a lack of Barbules. There has been some talk of Gibel Carp on the site recently and while this appeared to have some Gibel parentage my best guess was another Gibel X Common cross rather than a giant Gibel.
Not that it mattered it was a lovely dark handsome fish that had brightened up a cold grey day.
terry m
Well-known member
Another astonishing 3 hour session on the Avon this morning that left me feeling blessed. An hour in and the Mackerel under my dead bait pencil sailed away, 17lb 1oz, amazing condition female. 40 minutes later the float on the same rod started chugging across the river. Result was yet another PB but definitely a recapture about 1/2 a mile away from previously. 29lb 12oz, the picture shows the width across the shoulders well. An hour later and the paternostered smelt was taken very gingerly, leaving me expecting a Jack. But no, it was 13lb 8oz, again in excellent condition. 3 fish for 60lb +, and a new PB. What’s not to like?
I have been reflecting on what has been different this season, resulting in the best winters piking I have ever enjoyed? Simple, far fewer sessions sat behind rods on gravel pits, and many more short sessions staying mobile on the river.
I have been reflecting on what has been different this season, resulting in the best winters piking I have ever enjoyed? Simple, far fewer sessions sat behind rods on gravel pits, and many more short sessions staying mobile on the river.
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That was a great result from a short session Terry.
mikench
Well-known member
Well done Terry and cracking fish.
terry m
Well-known member
Thanks guys. I’m like dog with two dinners.
Alan Whitty
Well-known member
Congratulations Terry,mega session...
John Aston
Well-known member
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A last throw of the dice - caught the river before the snowmelt appeared . I had one bite - unmissable . Unfortunately I struck into thin air, the braid having parted on the strike , with no resistance felt at all. Sharp mussel shell or similar I suspect . It happens. Cussed, listened to three podcasts,fished four more swims, admired kites and buzzard , thought about sticking it out till dusk. As I'm writing this at 5-25 I failed in that too.
Big rain tomorrow , which with snowmelt means the end of my river season . Which ended with the faintest of whimpers. But only a few weeks and it is trout and tench time- what a contrast to my childhood , feeling utterly bereft at waiting the eternity until the glorious 1st June (Yorkshire then inexplicably having an early start )
Big rain tomorrow , which with snowmelt means the end of my river season . Which ended with the faintest of whimpers. But only a few weeks and it is trout and tench time- what a contrast to my childhood , feeling utterly bereft at waiting the eternity until the glorious 1st June (Yorkshire then inexplicably having an early start )
Alan Whitty
Well-known member
Well I hope to get out tomorrow,I was going today but yesterday our autistic son had a seizure,so I was nervous,he's been ok today so I'm considering it,big winds may put me off,so at least you got out Grayson(sorry,I don't know your real monica)...