peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
Well, 2500 replies to the simplest of questions "How did you get on ?" I'd like to sincerely thank all the contributors to this thread.
Keep it up fellas.....
Keep it up fellas.....
How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2009
- Messages
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Yeah, it's pelvic's are missing. I had a good look at it when I got it out and it looked as though it had developed void of them. Hadn't stopped it from growing though, and certainly didn't stop it pulling back !
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Really enjoyable 1st day of 4 on the Severn at Highley (based at The Ship Inn). Started above the Ship's section on Burt's trotting a huge balsa missile (10gm olivette as the main bulk) with meat, corn or casters on the hook.
It took about an hour of steady feeding before the first fish arrived, a decent chub of around 4lbs. Then 4 barbel in quick order, two on meat, two on corn, with the best around 6lbs. That was it as far as barbel were concerned but the chub moved in and I picked up several more including a couple of good 5's.
A light upstream breeze allowed me to fish the float very effectively and I thoroughly enjoyed the session although it's very tiring playing these very fit fish in the pacy flow, patience and constant pressure is the key.
Rounded off the long morning session with a pie and a pint for a late lunch. I'm being joined by a mob of like minded guys tomorrow, should be fun!
It took about an hour of steady feeding before the first fish arrived, a decent chub of around 4lbs. Then 4 barbel in quick order, two on meat, two on corn, with the best around 6lbs. That was it as far as barbel were concerned but the chub moved in and I picked up several more including a couple of good 5's.
A light upstream breeze allowed me to fish the float very effectively and I thoroughly enjoyed the session although it's very tiring playing these very fit fish in the pacy flow, patience and constant pressure is the key.
Rounded off the long morning session with a pie and a pint for a late lunch. I'm being joined by a mob of like minded guys tomorrow, should be fun!
Tee-Cee
Senior Member
" How did you get on " ....... has areal touch of genius about it, IMHO.
Looking back over this Thread and the hundreds of posts from all sorts of anglers I cannot help thinking it's done more for this forum than any other contribution. Apart from the reports of catches from all corners of the country, it has allowed anglers, regardless of ability, to share success and failure without fear and without having to explain method, bait or tactic.
Along side the written word, that for me has allowed us to almost be sitting on the bank with the angler, many posts have included some wonderful photographs of beautiful fish and wildlife which have been a pleasure to behold. I have no doubt in my mind that far from making folk jealous or envious, these images have driven us all on, not only seek bigger and better, but to try new methods, and perhaps to enjoy our days on the bank even when blank follows blank or the cold of winter seeps into our bones......
Many, many posts have those all important and magical ingredients such as humour, of friends fishing together for fun, of mishaps, of wonderful fish laying in the bottom of the net, of watching fish sail away into the depths, all of which allow us a smile, a chuckle a shake of the head in disbelief, but in the end knowing it is all part of our angling life.....
Most important of all ?? The fact that in all of those hundreds of posts barely a cross word has passed between those taking part. Why should it when all we are doing is reporting a catch, you may ask, but just think about how long this Thread has been running, all the different age groups, personalities and varying abilities taking part and then to have it reach 2500 ' replies ' is something very special........
Yes, very simple as Simon has said, but a touch of the genius about it....IMO
Looking back over this Thread and the hundreds of posts from all sorts of anglers I cannot help thinking it's done more for this forum than any other contribution. Apart from the reports of catches from all corners of the country, it has allowed anglers, regardless of ability, to share success and failure without fear and without having to explain method, bait or tactic.
Along side the written word, that for me has allowed us to almost be sitting on the bank with the angler, many posts have included some wonderful photographs of beautiful fish and wildlife which have been a pleasure to behold. I have no doubt in my mind that far from making folk jealous or envious, these images have driven us all on, not only seek bigger and better, but to try new methods, and perhaps to enjoy our days on the bank even when blank follows blank or the cold of winter seeps into our bones......
Many, many posts have those all important and magical ingredients such as humour, of friends fishing together for fun, of mishaps, of wonderful fish laying in the bottom of the net, of watching fish sail away into the depths, all of which allow us a smile, a chuckle a shake of the head in disbelief, but in the end knowing it is all part of our angling life.....
Most important of all ?? The fact that in all of those hundreds of posts barely a cross word has passed between those taking part. Why should it when all we are doing is reporting a catch, you may ask, but just think about how long this Thread has been running, all the different age groups, personalities and varying abilities taking part and then to have it reach 2500 ' replies ' is something very special........
Yes, very simple as Simon has said, but a touch of the genius about it....IMO
no-one in particular
Well-known member
A good to be alive day yesterday, set off for a Rudd or two but a tench would not go amiss.-canal very very colored, could not see the weed and draining away fast- flowing, only 2ft of water, someone panics and opens the lock gates when ever there's a bit of rain these days. Passed a couple of pole anglers on the way with enough gear for plans A to Z and beyond, they said it was abysmal and I only had plan A.
Link leger, cork float fished close in because of the flow and could not see the weed, bits of bread flake and crust fished popped up. 5 fish, roach and Rudd but one nice plump Rudd about 1.5 lb, beautiful fish, made up for the day. Actuality the biggest fish I caught all summer I think, so pleased about that.
Then two Hobbies hunted right in front of me catching Dragon Fly. They probably stopped for a feed before they got on their way to S Africa. I stopped fishing for a half hour just to watch them, a rare treat. Could not get a picture, mobile bloody useless and too quick, no bird fly's like these. Peregrines the lord of - these the Princes of the skies. (just learned Photo Bucket, thanks Binka)
Link leger, cork float fished close in because of the flow and could not see the weed, bits of bread flake and crust fished popped up. 5 fish, roach and Rudd but one nice plump Rudd about 1.5 lb, beautiful fish, made up for the day. Actuality the biggest fish I caught all summer I think, so pleased about that.
Then two Hobbies hunted right in front of me catching Dragon Fly. They probably stopped for a feed before they got on their way to S Africa. I stopped fishing for a half hour just to watch them, a rare treat. Could not get a picture, mobile bloody useless and too quick, no bird fly's like these. Peregrines the lord of - these the Princes of the skies. (just learned Photo Bucket, thanks Binka)
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neil1970
Well-known member
I popped out for a quick one today and managed a nice little hat-trick - 2 jacks, a Chub and a Perch; on jerkbait, swimbait and spinner.
robertroach
Well-known member
MarkG
What a beautiful looking fish, that rudd and to see hobbies close up a real bonus. I'm quite a keen birder but have only seen them at distance, chasing swallaows and martins in the sky.
---------- Post added at 08:54 ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 ----------
should be swallows I think
What a beautiful looking fish, that rudd and to see hobbies close up a real bonus. I'm quite a keen birder but have only seen them at distance, chasing swallaows and martins in the sky.
---------- Post added at 08:54 ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 ----------
should be swallows I think
B
binka
Guest
Back out on the river again today after a quick turnaround from yesterday’s predator session.
Today it was barbel and the enjoyment once again of Crow’s good company and humour after arriving bankside just before dawn and we fished a swim which allowed a good flow of conversation throughout the day with only three or four yards between us but which offered us very different parts of the river to fish.
I opted for what was essentially a freeline rig bar a couple of AAA just to pin down the line nearer the hookbait with a slack line close to some cover, the idea being to try and lay the line along the marginal shelf to avoid spooking the fish in the crystal clear water and a good initial feed went in via a bait dropper.
Second put in and a change from pellet to meat brought about a good wrap over and a fish was on and heading off against the drag towards mid-river but only for everything to fall slack…
The damn hook had pulled!
Meanwhile Crow was off out the trap like a whippet with it’s backside on fire and had banked two nice barbel from his deep open water swim in what seemed like quick succession which left me trailing in his wake with nothing more than the hook pull and another bite which flew off only for the bait to “pop” and again things fell quiet.
In went another load of feed via the baitdropper shortly before I saw it for the very last time courtesy of a snag and I then settled down again, eyes fixed on the tip.
It didn’t seem too long before the tip walloped over again and I remember saying to Crow that it wasn’t a big fish as it was too lively, tearing line off the drag until I turned it and brought the fish in closer where it then fought far more dogged and stubborn.
I can usually bounce double figure barbel on the Avon blank under the rod tip and I then said something along the lines of how I could now relax with the fish under the rod tip before it then pulled my arm right around and started to take line off of a very tight drag and I looked around to see Crow grinning like a Cheshire cat after my “relax” comment.
By this time it was clear it was a good fish and as I slid the net under her I knew she was a double, by the time I had swum her around in the net to Crow before removing the hook she was twelve plus and by the time I lifted the net for the first time to remove the hook before a quick weigh in followed by a picture with a rest in between she was well over twelve…
The Korum digitals had recorded her at 14lbs 14ozs and in the flesh she looked every last gram of it!
By this time it was probably only around 10am but my day was already made, I did take another small fish an hour or two later and Crow did very well by finishing on five nice barbel and a chub… Oh and a bream which means we have to deduct three barbel as a penalty
I did witness a very different feeding plan from Crow during the afternoon, something I hadn’t seen before and which brought about an immediate response and put fish on the bank after a really slow period for both of us, something I will definitely be trying at some point in the future when the need arises.
That’s me done now after a good couple of days, I reckon I will be out Saturday but haven’t a clue as yet where or what for.
Cheers Crow, cracking day again mate… :w
Today it was barbel and the enjoyment once again of Crow’s good company and humour after arriving bankside just before dawn and we fished a swim which allowed a good flow of conversation throughout the day with only three or four yards between us but which offered us very different parts of the river to fish.
I opted for what was essentially a freeline rig bar a couple of AAA just to pin down the line nearer the hookbait with a slack line close to some cover, the idea being to try and lay the line along the marginal shelf to avoid spooking the fish in the crystal clear water and a good initial feed went in via a bait dropper.
Second put in and a change from pellet to meat brought about a good wrap over and a fish was on and heading off against the drag towards mid-river but only for everything to fall slack…
The damn hook had pulled!
Meanwhile Crow was off out the trap like a whippet with it’s backside on fire and had banked two nice barbel from his deep open water swim in what seemed like quick succession which left me trailing in his wake with nothing more than the hook pull and another bite which flew off only for the bait to “pop” and again things fell quiet.
In went another load of feed via the baitdropper shortly before I saw it for the very last time courtesy of a snag and I then settled down again, eyes fixed on the tip.
It didn’t seem too long before the tip walloped over again and I remember saying to Crow that it wasn’t a big fish as it was too lively, tearing line off the drag until I turned it and brought the fish in closer where it then fought far more dogged and stubborn.
I can usually bounce double figure barbel on the Avon blank under the rod tip and I then said something along the lines of how I could now relax with the fish under the rod tip before it then pulled my arm right around and started to take line off of a very tight drag and I looked around to see Crow grinning like a Cheshire cat after my “relax” comment.
By this time it was clear it was a good fish and as I slid the net under her I knew she was a double, by the time I had swum her around in the net to Crow before removing the hook she was twelve plus and by the time I lifted the net for the first time to remove the hook before a quick weigh in followed by a picture with a rest in between she was well over twelve…
The Korum digitals had recorded her at 14lbs 14ozs and in the flesh she looked every last gram of it!
By this time it was probably only around 10am but my day was already made, I did take another small fish an hour or two later and Crow did very well by finishing on five nice barbel and a chub… Oh and a bream which means we have to deduct three barbel as a penalty
I did witness a very different feeding plan from Crow during the afternoon, something I hadn’t seen before and which brought about an immediate response and put fish on the bank after a really slow period for both of us, something I will definitely be trying at some point in the future when the need arises.
That’s me done now after a good couple of days, I reckon I will be out Saturday but haven’t a clue as yet where or what for.
Cheers Crow, cracking day again mate… :w
B
binka
Guest
Steve, sounds like a great session....crackin' barb!
Also sounds like you and crow make a great team
Cheers Ian
Yeah pretty amazing for two people who once couldn't agree on black and white in forum land...
thecrow
Well-known member
Really enjoyed the day today, how come when I said its not that big my fish didn't turn into a 14-14 lump
I think we both learned something new today and if I can do that while catching a few fish in good company that will do for me, these sessions with Steve have relit my fishing passion and although I ache a bit when I get home its worth it.
Thanks for another cracking day Steve.
I think we both learned something new today and if I can do that while catching a few fish in good company that will do for me, these sessions with Steve have relit my fishing passion and although I ache a bit when I get home its worth it.
Thanks for another cracking day Steve.
robtherake
Well-known member
I popped out for a quick one today and managed a nice little hat-trick - 2 jacks, a Chub and a Perch; on jerkbait, swimbait and spinner.
Is it just me, Neil, or are they getting bigger?
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Day two of "The Severn Trip":
Blanked!
Goodnight ?
Blanked!
Goodnight ?
sam vimes
Well-known member
In the spring I went to a little local commercial to target the gudgeon. I caught roach by the hundred, but only one gonk. A few weeks ago I went to target an explosion of small chub on the same water. I caught carp and a shed load of decent roach. Today I went back to target one of the few, but large, perch that have been showing up occasionally. Predictably enough, not a sniff of a perch but I did catch chub, roach, a load of gonks and the odd carp. It got a tad breezy at one point, which prompted a light tip rod out of hibernation. It was good to remind myself just how bad a tip angler I am. Fortunately, the day also served to remind me just how much I enjoy light float fishing, with a proper match rod, even if it isn't on a river.
no-one in particular
Well-known member
It was a stunning looking fish Rober, sometimes one fish makes the day, this is the other picture I took which shows the fin color more.
I have seen Hobbies in this valley before but never so close and hunting, at some points they were 20 yards in front of me. The picture is looking up to the left of me and they were flying along this valley. I took about 10 pictures but missed them every time. The other picture is of one feeding on a Dragonfly, they eat them on the wing; they do hunt swallows and I believe Swifts as well, the only bird that can catch them but, Dragonfly are also on their diet, a nice little snack on the wing for them as in the picture (not mine). they sort of stop/stall in mid air and have a chew. There were a lot of dragonfly's about along this canal valley and I have seen them hunting them here before. They are the most amazing flyers, very long wings out of proportion to their body, very fast and agile. I once watched some crows trying to mob one and it just toyed with them. They seem to fly just for the joy of it.
I have just been invited to Iran for a month, I think a lot of people do not know what we have in this country sometimes. Still, if I go I will dig my Turban out.
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thecrow
Well-known member
Back out on the river again today after a quick turnaround from yesterday’s predator session.
Today it was barbel and the enjoyment once again of Crow’s good company and humour after arriving bankside just before dawn and we fished a swim which allowed a good flow of conversation throughout the day with only three or four yards between us but which offered us very different parts of the river to fish.
I opted for what was essentially a freeline rig bar a couple of AAA just to pin down the line nearer the hookbait with a slack line close to some cover, the idea being to try and lay the line along the marginal shelf to avoid spooking the fish in the crystal clear water and a good initial feed went in via a bait dropper.
Second put in and a change from pellet to meat brought about a good wrap over and a fish was on and heading off against the drag towards mid-river but only for everything to fall slack…
The damn hook had pulled!
Meanwhile Crow was off out the trap like a whippet with it’s backside on fire and had banked two nice barbel from his deep open water swim in what seemed like quick succession which left me trailing in his wake with nothing more than the hook pull and another bite which flew off only for the bait to “pop” and again things fell quiet.
In went another load of feed via the baitdropper shortly before I saw it for the very last time courtesy of a snag and I then settled down again, eyes fixed on the tip.
It didn’t seem too long before the tip walloped over again and I remember saying to Crow that it wasn’t a big fish as it was too lively, tearing line off the drag until I turned it and brought the fish in closer where it then fought far more dogged and stubborn.
I can usually bounce double figure barbel on the Avon blank under the rod tip and I then said something along the lines of how I could now relax with the fish under the rod tip before it then pulled my arm right around and started to take line off of a very tight drag and I looked around to see Crow grinning like a Cheshire cat after my “relax” comment.
By this time it was clear it was a good fish and as I slid the net under her I knew she was a double, by the time I had swum her around in the net to Crow before removing the hook she was twelve plus and by the time I lifted the net for the first time to remove the hook before a quick weigh in followed by a picture with a rest in between she was well over twelve…
The Korum digitals had recorded her at 14lbs 14ozs and in the flesh she looked every last gram of it!
By this time it was probably only around 10am but my day was already made, I did take another small fish an hour or two later and Crow did very well by finishing on five nice barbel and a chub… Oh and a bream which means we have to deduct three barbel as a penalty
I did witness a very different feeding plan from Crow during the afternoon, something I hadn’t seen before and which brought about an immediate response and put fish on the bank after a really slow period for both of us, something I will definitely be trying at some point in the future when the need arises.
That’s me done now after a good couple of days, I reckon I will be out Saturday but haven’t a clue as yet where or what for.
Cheers Crow, cracking day again mate… :w
Although the photograph of this fish has been altered I would like to assure all members that the fish was caught from the river Trent and not in Canada.
PS hope that doesn't get me banned
barbelboi
Well-known member
Is it just me, Neil, or are they getting bigger?
They're certainly the right way up these days................
Fishing opportunities limited lately but did have chance a visit to a favoured spot for a couple of hours into dusk. I'd mashed and pounded some stale bread, mixed in a half pint of hemp and fed this for 20 mins before setting up. Beautiful sept sunshine briefly got lost amongst some drizzle but although it made life tricky using the 4m bolo style telescopic I wanted to try out, I found the relaxation I'd hoped for.
First four put ins with a small disc of sliced bread brought me 4 roach of better than average for the stretch. Bites slowed but the size of fish got bigger still. I kept feeding a blob of bread and hemp each cast and hoped again for a real lump. Time for my first 2lber maybe.
With an hour left I connected to the picky twitchy bite and the rod bent over very pleasingly. At just under 3lbs it was a very clean, fin perfect and strong fish that tested my 1.1 lb bayer hooklength in far bank, then near bank, but eventually came to the net. Only downside was it was a chub. Not that I dislike them. Especially bronze flanked healthy critters that really dispute your claim to be master of them.
Back in after 5 mins resting and another chub. Smaller but fit as. Sleek muscular with long pointy pectorals sweeping along it's flank. Hold up, I suddenly realised this was a dace. Not weighed but head and tail hanging over my hand when I held it. Plenty big enough to make me smile. Half a dozen or so chublets on bread. Some small roach after switching to redworm(no Perch!) and an otter spooking as it surfaced below me ended the session.
I know I could have fished better. I knew at the time I needed a heavier float to hold back harder. It was tricky running the alloy stem dome thro the deep scour under my feet and lifting the bait onto the gravelly bar at the end of the run. The water was deep but clear and they only wanted to be in one spot under the cover of a small raft of weed a few metres downstream. I was also trapped in the parrot cage by the tree to my left which overhung making casting a cautious affair. But I came home with all my floats and no tree decorations so at least I did summat right.
I would like to add my own admiration for the simple genius of this thread. Congratulations to the initiator and all those many others that keep it going. It's the best thread as numbers confirm and the site wouldn't have the same appeal if it were not as enduring, and so openly accepting of each and every contribution. The spirit of generosity demonstrated by the sharing of hard won knowledge exemplifies the best of angling and of anglers. No one expects locations and special swims to be marked with a big X on google maps, but there is a lot I have taken from the reports of others that I use on my own waters.
Thanks everyone. I hope to share more soon. The hemp is cooling as I type and my arm is recovering from some steady work with the potato masher. Today might just be the day!
First four put ins with a small disc of sliced bread brought me 4 roach of better than average for the stretch. Bites slowed but the size of fish got bigger still. I kept feeding a blob of bread and hemp each cast and hoped again for a real lump. Time for my first 2lber maybe.
With an hour left I connected to the picky twitchy bite and the rod bent over very pleasingly. At just under 3lbs it was a very clean, fin perfect and strong fish that tested my 1.1 lb bayer hooklength in far bank, then near bank, but eventually came to the net. Only downside was it was a chub. Not that I dislike them. Especially bronze flanked healthy critters that really dispute your claim to be master of them.
Back in after 5 mins resting and another chub. Smaller but fit as. Sleek muscular with long pointy pectorals sweeping along it's flank. Hold up, I suddenly realised this was a dace. Not weighed but head and tail hanging over my hand when I held it. Plenty big enough to make me smile. Half a dozen or so chublets on bread. Some small roach after switching to redworm(no Perch!) and an otter spooking as it surfaced below me ended the session.
I know I could have fished better. I knew at the time I needed a heavier float to hold back harder. It was tricky running the alloy stem dome thro the deep scour under my feet and lifting the bait onto the gravelly bar at the end of the run. The water was deep but clear and they only wanted to be in one spot under the cover of a small raft of weed a few metres downstream. I was also trapped in the parrot cage by the tree to my left which overhung making casting a cautious affair. But I came home with all my floats and no tree decorations so at least I did summat right.
I would like to add my own admiration for the simple genius of this thread. Congratulations to the initiator and all those many others that keep it going. It's the best thread as numbers confirm and the site wouldn't have the same appeal if it were not as enduring, and so openly accepting of each and every contribution. The spirit of generosity demonstrated by the sharing of hard won knowledge exemplifies the best of angling and of anglers. No one expects locations and special swims to be marked with a big X on google maps, but there is a lot I have taken from the reports of others that I use on my own waters.
Thanks everyone. I hope to share more soon. The hemp is cooling as I type and my arm is recovering from some steady work with the potato masher. Today might just be the day!
stu_the_blank
Well-known member
Haven't been able to get out for a few weeks but life's levelling out and tomorrow off for a weeks R&R in central France (and hopefully a few fish), with a couple of good mates. Forecast is good, all packed and rearing to go.
Hopefully no problems at the tunnel! Will let you know how I get on when I get back.
Like to add my pennyworth about this thread, it's friendly, helpful, funny and by far the best thread that's been on since I joined. I think That Mr C used to put a new 'How did you get on' thread on every week but missed one week and we all just carried on! Fabulous.
Stu
Hopefully no problems at the tunnel! Will let you know how I get on when I get back.
Like to add my pennyworth about this thread, it's friendly, helpful, funny and by far the best thread that's been on since I joined. I think That Mr C used to put a new 'How did you get on' thread on every week but missed one week and we all just carried on! Fabulous.
Stu