How did you get on?

[mikench]

It merited a double post Ray.

 

[Ray Roberts]

Cheers Mike, the internet wasn’t good down there and it looked like it hadn’t posted.

 

[wetthrough]

After a few lack lustre sessions of late I was in need of getting a bend in the rod. Chose a club water yesterday that doesn't usually disappoint @mikench knows the one. Arrived around 7am when it was just getting light. Quite chilly first thing but the forecast was good. 19/20 degrees and little wind around 6mph quite manageable on the float. Was planning to video the float going under but to do that I have to set camera up without bait, put bait on and cast to exactly same place - fat chance! Three small balls of GB in. I have doubts about my GB, sometimes think it has fish repellant in it. Not today, the fish were feeding on it if the bubbles coming up were anything to go by. 8am the float goes under and first Mirror of around 3lb puts a healthy bend in the rod. Not the most handsome specimen. Dorsal looks like it had had a close encounter with an outboard motor.

Fishing with the 13' Altima light. The water was very low the 10/6" Toreon is my preferred tool for shallow waters but the water was so low it would have been quite hard to sink the line with the Toreon. Only 18" of water in front of me which resulted in quite a lot of what I suspect was fish cruising into the sunken main line resulting in one foul hooking which resulted in a prolonged battle. No pic, both the fish and I had had enough. It deserved to go straight back in. Carried on catching through the day Carp interspersed with Roach to about 5oz. Sort of lost track of how many and what but a small common around 2lb and I think 5 more Mirrors 18 on the clicker the rest being Roach all going to sweetcorn.

Lost two lumps that slipped the hook and got snapped of by one that tried to get round the end of the spit I was fishing from. I had no choice but to hit and hold. I hit, it didn't hold. Once it gets round the corner you're pretty much screwed, all manner of snags and you can't follow it round, there's a tree in the way even if there's no one else fishing, there wasn't. Had the place to myself all day. Surprising given the forecast. Finished around 3.20pm

 

[terry m]

Spent a few hours sat behind the rods this evening, expectations were low as the going has been tough of late. As I resigned myself to another blank at dusk, the RH rod rattled off and a real tussle resulted in a chunky 26lb 7oz common. If nothing else it restored my faith in my approach. Pix are poor as light had gone.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

This afternoon was a bonus, as it was forecast to chuck it down, which it did at home, but 12 miles away on the Avon it was sunny and warm.

Caught my biggest chub so far - 6lb 2oz, near Bidford, at dusk (hence cr4ppy picture), on one of those 'last casts'. I was convinced it was a barbel or a carp, because after half a minute or so it just went deep and didn't move (I know the swim by now and knew it wasn't snagged)... I didn't know chub did that.

Also got several 1-2lb-ish chub and a couple of perch to about 1lb, and lots of rudd... beautiful little things in the sunlight.

And my new friend the peregrine falcon was circling again. A great end to the week.

 

[mikench]

Cracking fish Kevin

 

[silvers]

Wow … that looks long and lean … plenty of weight to put on over the winter still!
great fish … well done.

I’ve only had them to just over 5 from the Avon, disappointingly that one gave up very easily (an early season fish). when we had the fish kill last year at Barford there were fish over 6 that were killed … that we never saw when (match) fishing it!

 

[Steve Arnold]

When the toddlers were escorted up to the town I was left with freedom until I was back on kitchen duties making paella for our evening meal. With just three hours to spare I was quickly back to the swim that fished well a couple of days ago.

The forecast was for heavy rain but I can shelter under the hatch of the car at this swim, that was handy!

It got wild, wet and windy a couple of times but I sat in the boot of the car in comfort!

I had three bites and three fish drop off. A change to a smaller hook and bait brought the suspected small barbel....

After the first heavy shower eased I went back to an 18mm boilie and size 6 hook. The next cast I tried closer in to the rocks, a few minutes later a good take and the first of four decent barbel betweem 4lbs and over 7 pounds.....

The river came up about 1' and dropped the same during the couple of hours I fished, a good flow which helps turn the barbel to feeding mode.

That's 13 barbel in two short sessions now, hope that is not unlucky!

 

[Butcherboy]

Stayed into dark on my current banker swim. I blanked

 

[S-Kippy]

Me and the BF got our postponed trite trip in yesterday. He took me to a syndicate water that he belongs to….I’ve fished it before but many years ago. It’s a lovely spot in the Chess valley and the clubhouse etc is fantastic. Best of all it’s barely 10 mins drive away.

It’s not an easy water though and can be very swimmy. We worked extraordinarily hard for a fish apiece plus a wee wild brownie for Phil. The sun came out after lunch and it really was a lovely day. It was good to get out even if the fishing was unremarkable.

 

[Butcherboy]

Me and the BF got our postponed trite trip in yesterday. He took me to a syndicate water that he belongs to….I’ve fished it before but many years ago. It’s a lovely spot in the Chess valley and the clubhouse etc is fantastic. Best of all it’s barely 10 mins drive away.

It’s not an easy water though and can be very swimmy. We worked extraordinarily hard for a fish apiece plus a wee wild brownie for Phil. The sun came out after lunch and it really was a lovely day. It was good to get out even if the fishing was unremarkable.

The getting out is the main thing. The benefits from it are superb, made better with a mate

 

[Steve Arnold]

Last day with the grandchildren and the eldest wanted to paddle in the river. Saint Cirq la Popie beach was chosen because we like the view and it is safe.
I was determined to show the children a real fish, so I brought a fishing rod. The only fish the three-year-old had seen were cartoons and the fish from magnetic games.
The children quickly got bored (naturally!) and my wife came to tell me "It's time to go.....you have a bite!".....

So the oldest child got to touch a live fish for the first time. She said "Why is its mouth moving Gramps?"

I hope she remembers that moment, though I doubt it. Perhaps realising that a fish is a living creature will stay in her mind, she has a long way to go and these little experiences mount up.

 

[Skoda]

Met up with my son-in-law a couple of weeks ago for a few days on the R. Trent Near Gunthorpe. We travelled separately and arrived at the digs around 4.00 in the afternoon on a warm day, just in time to get down to the bank for an evening session. He’s a novice coarse angler but handy at sea fishing consequently I’d brought enough tackle for the both of us. I’m fairly new to tackle barrows but I seem to bring far too much stuff whenever I go fishing these days. The trip down to the river was across a corrugated field, with occasional deep ruts, large dollops of horse muck, electric fences and horses; quite a hard push.

The river had been low for a long time, but recent rains had lifted the level by about 20cm and looked in good condition.

The one-kilometre field belonging to the farmer was exclusively for the use of his guests, so we had the place to ourselves. The stretch, however, was pretty straight and featureless. We set up at about five o’clock fishing 1.75tc rods and 10lb line, baited with luncheon meat. We both had frequent knocks and pulls and eventually Simon struck into his first fish, a 11/4 lb eel… nice! We had a few small chub between us with me catching the best, about 3lbs, but no barbel despite fishing into the dark.

Next day we fished in a similar fashion; the river level had dropped a bit. We didn’t have any bites apart from occasional tiny pulls which we put down to small chub. I put my float rod and centre-pin up just after lunch and started trotting just over a rod length out in a surprising depth of seven foot. Fishing double maggot, I had a smashing couple of hours catching beautiful pristine dace, cheerful chublets, plucky perch, gudgeon and a few rather sullen bleak.

I resumed barbel fishing about four o’clock a bit nearer in than before having discovered the deep run on the nearside. I’d had a smoked salmon sandwich for lunch and remembered one of you guys (possibly one of the French ex-Pats) on here had tipped a pellet with a bit of smoked salmon after a barren session and had a bite straight away so I popped a small piece on the hook alongside the luncheon meat. A day’s fishing really tires me out nowadays, and concentration levels can really vary but there was no mistaking a bite from a barbel at about half-four. Simon came over and helped me land a nice fish of 7lb 14oz, my first R Trent barbel. (I’m not sure about the smoked salmon trick, I think it flew off on the cast, but who knows?)

The owner came down just after six o’clock wearing an orange, Hi-Viz jacket and stood slightly upstream about a foot off my rod tip (in the striking zone!) and chatted for ages, through the best period for evening barbel: we didn’t get another bite.

The following day was very similar, a few knocks, a few very small chub. Simon managed to break two of my feeders and lose one in a snag casting two thirds of the way over the river. I float fished for some time in the afternoon; it really is a cracking river for silvers. I imagine, if I’d fished it properly, the bigger fish might have nosed their way in at some point. Son-in law caught a bream…nice!

Andy

 

[Butcherboy]

Met up with my son-in-law a couple of weeks ago for a few days on the R. Trent Near Gunthorpe. We travelled separately and arrived at the digs around 4.00 in the afternoon on a warm day, just in time to get down to the bank for an evening session. He’s a novice coarse angler but handy at sea fishing consequently I’d brought enough tackle for the both of us. I’m fairly new to tackle barrows but I seem to bring far too much stuff whenever I go fishing these days. The trip down to the river was across a corrugated field, with occasional deep ruts, large dollops of horse muck, electric fences and horses; quite a hard push.

The river had been low for a long time, but recent rains had lifted the level by about 20cm and looked in good condition.

The one-kilometre field belonging to the farmer was exclusively for the use of his guests, so we had the place to ourselves. The stretch, however, was pretty straight and featureless. We set up at about five o’clock fishing 1.75tc rods and 10lb line, baited with luncheon meat. We both had frequent knocks and pulls and eventually Simon struck into his first fish, a 11/4 lb eel… nice! We had a few small chub between us with me catching the best, about 3lbs, but no barbel despite fishing into the dark.
View attachment 31678
Next day we fished in a similar fashion; the river level had dropped a bit. We didn’t have any bites apart from occasional tiny pulls which we put down to small chub. I put my float rod and centre-pin up just after lunch and started trotting just over a rod length out in a surprising depth of seven foot. Fishing double maggot, I had a smashing couple of hours catching beautiful pristine dace, cheerful chublets, plucky perch, gudgeon and a few rather sullen bleak.
View attachment 31677View attachment 31679View attachment 31680
I resumed barbel fishing about four o’clock a bit nearer in than before having discovered the deep run on the nearside. I’d had a smoked salmon sandwich for lunch and remembered one of you guys (possibly one of the French ex-Pats) on here had tipped a pellet with a bit of smoked salmon after a barren session and had a bite straight away so I popped a small piece on the hook alongside the luncheon meat. A day’s fishing really tires me out nowadays, and concentration levels can really vary but there was no mistaking a bite from a barbel at about half-four. Simon came over and helped me land a nice fish of 7lb 14oz, my first R Trent barbel. (I’m not sure about the smoked salmon trick, I think it flew off on the cast, but who knows?)
View attachment 31681
The owner came down just after six o’clock wearing an orange, Hi-Viz jacket and stood slightly upstream about a foot off my rod tip (in the striking zone!) and chatted for ages, through the best period for evening barbel: we didn’t get another bite.

The following day was very similar, a few knocks, a few very small chub. Simon managed to break two of my feeders and lose one in a snag casting two thirds of the way over the river. I float fished for some time in the afternoon; it really is a cracking river for silvers. I imagine, if I’d fished it properly, the bigger fish might have nosed their way in at some point. Son-in law caught a bream…nice!

Andy

Where did you stay please? Sounds great

 

[chevin4]

Since the beginning of August I have only managed three trips, as I have been away on holiday for much of September. August for me is my least favourite month for fishing it is often too hot, to late, for tench and to early for river fishing. However, I managed a couple of trips to a rock hard (for big tench) club water I blanked both times but the trip was wasted as I found out a bit about the water it encouraging to learn that in early spring it produced several double figure fish. Just before I went on holiday I managed an afternoon and evening session on another club water which is similar to an estate lake. I caught several tench (no great size) but good fun on light float tackle. I returned to the UK last weekend and ever since we have had like many areas heavy rainfall. I was set to fish the local stream on Thursday. Every thing was packed ready to go but I woke to a severe headache it was hammering with rain at 4am when I was due to leave but decided to go back to bed. My friend braved the elements and by all accounts i didn't miss much. In the week I picked up my membership for a famous River Lea stretch so that will receive some attention this Autumn it will be hard or should I say rock hard but the rewards are there.

 

[Steve Arnold]

Met up with my son-in-law a couple of weeks ago for a few days on the R. Trent Near Gunthorpe. We travelled separately and arrived at the digs around 4.00 in the afternoon on a warm day, just in time to get down to the bank for an evening session. He’s a novice coarse angler but handy at sea fishing consequently I’d brought enough tackle for the both of us. I’m fairly new to tackle barrows but I seem to bring far too much stuff whenever I go fishing these days. The trip down to the river was across a corrugated field, with occasional deep ruts, large dollops of horse muck, electric fences and horses; quite a hard push.

The river had been low for a long time, but recent rains had lifted the level by about 20cm and looked in good condition.

The one-kilometre field belonging to the farmer was exclusively for the use of his guests, so we had the place to ourselves. The stretch, however, was pretty straight and featureless. We set up at about five o’clock fishing 1.75tc rods and 10lb line, baited with luncheon meat. We both had frequent knocks and pulls and eventually Simon struck into his first fish, a 11/4 lb eel… nice! We had a few small chub between us with me catching the best, about 3lbs, but no barbel despite fishing into the dark.
View attachment 31678
Next day we fished in a similar fashion; the river level had dropped a bit. We didn’t have any bites apart from occasional tiny pulls which we put down to small chub. I put my float rod and centre-pin up just after lunch and started trotting just over a rod length out in a surprising depth of seven foot. Fishing double maggot, I had a smashing couple of hours catching beautiful pristine dace, cheerful chublets, plucky perch, gudgeon and a few rather sullen bleak.
View attachment 31677View attachment 31679View attachment 31680
I resumed barbel fishing about four o’clock a bit nearer in than before having discovered the deep run on the nearside. I’d had a smoked salmon sandwich for lunch and remembered one of you guys (possibly one of the French ex-Pats) on here had tipped a pellet with a bit of smoked salmon after a barren session and had a bite straight away so I popped a small piece on the hook alongside the luncheon meat. A day’s fishing really tires me out nowadays, and concentration levels can really vary but there was no mistaking a bite from a barbel at about half-four. Simon came over and helped me land a nice fish of 7lb 14oz, my first R Trent barbel. (I’m not sure about the smoked salmon trick, I think it flew off on the cast, but who knows?)
View attachment 31681
The owner came down just after six o’clock wearing an orange, Hi-Viz jacket and stood slightly upstream about a foot off my rod tip (in the striking zone!) and chatted for ages, through the best period for evening barbel: we didn’t get another bite.

The following day was very similar, a few knocks, a few very small chub. Simon managed to break two of my feeders and lose one in a snag casting two thirds of the way over the river. I float fished for some time in the afternoon; it really is a cracking river for silvers. I imagine, if I’d fished it properly, the bigger fish might have nosed their way in at some point. Son-in law caught a bream…nice!

Andy

Glad the smoked salmon tip (may have!) helped! I have used it quite a few times now and have had several good fish on it.

I have a theory the smoked salmon works best when there may be fish (of any sort) spawning nearby. When that is the case all the other fish nearby are looking for a rich mouthful of something soft and nutritious, a small piece of smoked salmon probably imitates that well.

The days this has happened to me I have many line bites using boilies etc. There were obviously excited fish in the swim, in fact I hooked a couple of barbel in the dorsal and pectoral fins.

The bream in my local river Lot definitely spawn more than once a year and I am pretty sure the barbel to. The barbel usually show up if spawning bream are around, then both the chub and barbel can be totally preoccupied eating spawn. Why would they bother with Spam when they can eat caviar!

 

[mikench]

That looks, to me at least, an unusual hook connection to the swivel or is it an unusual swivel Steve?

 

[Steve Arnold]

That looks, to me at least, an unusual hook connection to the swivel or is it an unusual swivel Steve?

Hi Mike,I have been experimenting with different hooking setups since I first used boilies and hair rigs 7 years ago. I was a late returner to the modern coarse fishing methods after my 40+ year detour with sea fishing, though I did use bridle rigs when fishing big fish baits for sea fish decades ago.

That photo shows what I think is called a "Ronnie rig" for carp fishing. For my uses after barbel and chub it is made on a size 8 Korda Krank hook and a size 11 Ronnie swivel. It's just a suitable piece of tubing that keeps the arrangement together and lined up.

It has worked well for me but not sure if it's a huge improvement on a standard hair rig, barbel do get hooked whatever I use. Perhaps the Ronnie setup has worked better for chub, I caught some good ones last year on this rig.

I think the weight of the swivel does help the hook find that hook-hold in the bottom lip, the hook can easily turn despite tensions on the boilie or trace line. That extra bit of weight makes sure the bait is on the bottom even in a swirly swim, it does not seem to put the fish off at all!

A big plus is the option to change hooks while keeping the hook-length. I use coated braid much of the time, expensive but abrasion resistant. Too expensive to throw away a length every time a hook gets blunt!

I have made a few slight changes to that rig to suit the smaller hooks.

 

[Skoda]

Hi Butch

Where did you stay please? Sounds great

Tried to PM you but didn't work out. Not wishing to give the precise location away on the forum, just search Farm Cottages near Gunthorpe with fishing and you'll find it. Or PM me.

Andy

 

[Butcherboy]

Hi Butch

Where did you stay please? Sounds great

Tried to PM you but didn't work out. Not wishing to give the precise location away on the forum, just search Farm Cottages near Gunthorpe with fishing and you'll find it. Or PM me.

Andy

Hopefully message has been sent, thanks