Fair does, Simon - at least you gave a cogent reason!
I'm just amazed that the 'Tales of a Tiddler-Basher' has lasted so long!
mg:Tight Lines :thumbs:
How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
- Start date
Fair does, Simon - at least you gave a cogent reason!
I'm just amazed that the 'Tales of a Tiddler-Basher' has lasted so long!
mg:Tight Lines :thumbs:
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
Tomorrow I'm going to a local stream which is up and coloured, hopefully I'll catch some lumps for a change....
dorsetandchub
Well-known member
My lower end pb...
Hard to imagine they turn into fifteen pound brutes when they're this cute
Not that difficult. I mean your Ma probably thought you were a cute babby.....
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I always get the impression that you target smaller species Peter? The venues you fish in your matches always appear to be places where small fish prevale.
I had a moment today when I though Wanderer might be right about stashing the gear until Spring!!
I set up for a days silver bashing in ideal calm mild conditions with flat calm water and no tow in front of me.
Just a slight drizzle so no problems. After an hour the conditions changed in the space of 5 minutes to wind and rain of biblical proportions.
I hung on until I thought the NEW brolly would disintegrate like the last one did recently. Its not often I get blown or rained off a venue but this was just too much.
Roll on the better weather. Still its better than being one of the poor so and so's in the flooded parts.
I set up for a days silver bashing in ideal calm mild conditions with flat calm water and no tow in front of me.
Just a slight drizzle so no problems. After an hour the conditions changed in the space of 5 minutes to wind and rain of biblical proportions.
I hung on until I thought the NEW brolly would disintegrate like the last one did recently. Its not often I get blown or rained off a venue but this was just too much.
Roll on the better weather. Still its better than being one of the poor so and so's in the flooded parts.
theartist
Well-known member
Got out a couple of times this week, the first trip of the year was my annual excursion to the Wey at Farnham. The river was well up and pushing through nicely, just how i like it although it meant digging out the heavier floats for the first time this season. Finally the rivers are running down here! Started off with a nice 2lb Trout but that was followed by all dace, some clonkers, some small. No chub at all as they seem to have done a dissappearing act along there according to the locals but was a nice day and wasn't cold at all.
What a contrast today was on the Ivel which was high and coloured from last nights rain, the wind was whipping across with sideways downpours and don't you just love it when the only spot where you can get bites is the most open to the elements. Managed a roach and five chub that weren't big by any means but big enough to put a good bend in the rod in the current. Gave up at 1pm as the weather had gone through me, stopping off to pick up some numpty's litter on the way back to the car with a splitting headache and headed off back to 'blighty' for a cup of something hot.
What a contrast today was on the Ivel which was high and coloured from last nights rain, the wind was whipping across with sideways downpours and don't you just love it when the only spot where you can get bites is the most open to the elements. Managed a roach and five chub that weren't big by any means but big enough to put a good bend in the rod in the current. Gave up at 1pm as the weather had gone through me, stopping off to pick up some numpty's litter on the way back to the car with a splitting headache and headed off back to 'blighty' for a cup of something hot.
Tee-Cee
Senior Member
I was about to write about my tales of woe in the form of todays fishing.................but then I read John Step's post and all I would be doing is repeating word for word, but........
I'm home and dry as is all the gear yet I still cannot come to terms with this mornings weather and the staggering change over the course of an hour or so. Total calm followed by driving rain and winds more like a tornado that bent big trees like nothing I'd seen before. Lasted, at it's peak for 30 mins and then eased off to a standard gale !!
Anyway, before the above I managed a few roach with the best a very nice 1lb 3ozs. which went off like a train to the extent that I thought it a small carp. Fair took me a merry gallop around the swim and at one point I had to ease the finger on the 'pin as the hook length was only 1,5lb bs and this not too good in places. ( Too lazy to change it in the torrential rain - how bad is that...)
I lost another good fish soon after...........
I too was driven from the water before midday with the brollie still in one piece but the extension section badly bent, although the bites had dried up long before this time..
Not at all sorry I went, though..
I'm home and dry as is all the gear yet I still cannot come to terms with this mornings weather and the staggering change over the course of an hour or so. Total calm followed by driving rain and winds more like a tornado that bent big trees like nothing I'd seen before. Lasted, at it's peak for 30 mins and then eased off to a standard gale !!
Anyway, before the above I managed a few roach with the best a very nice 1lb 3ozs. which went off like a train to the extent that I thought it a small carp. Fair took me a merry gallop around the swim and at one point I had to ease the finger on the 'pin as the hook length was only 1,5lb bs and this not too good in places. ( Too lazy to change it in the torrential rain - how bad is that...)
I lost another good fish soon after...........
I too was driven from the water before midday with the brollie still in one piece but the extension section badly bent, although the bites had dried up long before this time..
Not at all sorry I went, though..
robtherake
Well-known member
Wednesday, I drove up to my roach pool, which also contains some decent perch, for a pop at the latter.
Worm scavenging - normally a cinch in this weather - was a sciatic nightmare, so with barely a few dozen lobbies in the tub I packed a bag of prawns as well, together with some Predator Plus liquid and a little dark groundbait. My main attack would have been with maggots as feed, but the two closest shops were sold out.
The walk along a field's edge to the lake was fraught with disaster; the marl-like mud threatening to send me spinning base over apex; thankfully I arrived unscathed.
Still, although the heavens had opened overnight there was only the odd spot of drizzle to cope with. I picked a peg with the wind at my back and eight feet of water close in; water the colour of a builder's brew-up lapping the top of the boards and a veritable torrent pouring through the overflow sluice. The place has been "improved" with the carp angler in mind, and the gravelled, level paths, although easier to traverse, lacked the charm of the woodland walks they've replaced. I thought the margin trees had been trimmed a bit too enthusiastically, mind you; perhaps they'll look better in the spring when it's in leaf, but at this time of year the image is a little stark.
Anyway, I plumbed up and found the ledge, setting up at dead depth and putting out a nugget of chopped worms/prawns/groundbait, leaving it to settle for a bit while I got organised. First cast and the float took a bit too long to settle....too late it dawned on me this might be a bite and the prawn came back shredded. "Never mind, though, it's a good sign," thought I. But you know what thought did, as the saying goes. Three hours later, with dusk coming on fast and a leaden sky threatening to let loose I'd still only had the one bite; ho-hum!
The thought of a walk in the dark through all that mud had me packed in double time and as I scuttled out of the wood a lone sparrowhawk ghosted in, its day's work done. A blank, then, but a very pleasant afternoon, nonetheless, and agreeably warm and dry.
Worm scavenging - normally a cinch in this weather - was a sciatic nightmare, so with barely a few dozen lobbies in the tub I packed a bag of prawns as well, together with some Predator Plus liquid and a little dark groundbait. My main attack would have been with maggots as feed, but the two closest shops were sold out.
The walk along a field's edge to the lake was fraught with disaster; the marl-like mud threatening to send me spinning base over apex; thankfully I arrived unscathed.
Still, although the heavens had opened overnight there was only the odd spot of drizzle to cope with. I picked a peg with the wind at my back and eight feet of water close in; water the colour of a builder's brew-up lapping the top of the boards and a veritable torrent pouring through the overflow sluice. The place has been "improved" with the carp angler in mind, and the gravelled, level paths, although easier to traverse, lacked the charm of the woodland walks they've replaced. I thought the margin trees had been trimmed a bit too enthusiastically, mind you; perhaps they'll look better in the spring when it's in leaf, but at this time of year the image is a little stark.
Anyway, I plumbed up and found the ledge, setting up at dead depth and putting out a nugget of chopped worms/prawns/groundbait, leaving it to settle for a bit while I got organised. First cast and the float took a bit too long to settle....too late it dawned on me this might be a bite and the prawn came back shredded. "Never mind, though, it's a good sign," thought I. But you know what thought did, as the saying goes. Three hours later, with dusk coming on fast and a leaden sky threatening to let loose I'd still only had the one bite; ho-hum!
The thought of a walk in the dark through all that mud had me packed in double time and as I scuttled out of the wood a lone sparrowhawk ghosted in, its day's work done. A blank, then, but a very pleasant afternoon, nonetheless, and agreeably warm and dry.
Two trips to the Royalty this week with a hallowed Avon Barbel as the target. Water was up and pushing through, I went with the bare essentials so I could move about. Needless to say in nearly 20 hours of bank time I had precisely no bites, I tried meat, I tried boilies, I tried boilies wrapped in paste, I tried a gert old halibut pellet, I tried maggots, feeder, straight leger, shortened the hooklegth, lengthened it, swapped hooks, tried all the likely looking swims, slacks, creases and eddies. I was so desperate I even succumbed to giving the old rolling meat a bash something that I am hopelessly sh!te at. Nothing. The Royalty is my bogey venue, I have fished there for the best part of 10 years and not a sniff from a decent Barbel or Chub. The most frustrating venue I fish.
---------- Post added at 06:36 ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 ----------
When I say decent, I mean anything over 6 ounces.
---------- Post added at 06:36 ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 ----------
When I say decent, I mean anything over 6 ounces.
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
Very frustrating swizzle.. Can't say you didn't try...
I met up with Neil 1970 this morning on the bank of a small local stream.
Usually it's very clear with little flow but this week it has couloured up and risen a fair bit.
Downstream ....
10 ft rod and small Chubber float trotted down nicely in 3ft of water. Tried flake to start with then a change to double bronze maggot and fish on.
I fed loose maggots quite heavily then trotted close down the far bank and thump, much better fish on but as I slid the net out it fell offmg:
Meanwhile Neil was fishing downstream so I toddled down to see him, just in time to see him landing a nice bream.
Then it started raining so I packed up...
I met up with Neil 1970 this morning on the bank of a small local stream.
Usually it's very clear with little flow but this week it has couloured up and risen a fair bit.
Downstream ....
10 ft rod and small Chubber float trotted down nicely in 3ft of water. Tried flake to start with then a change to double bronze maggot and fish on.
I fed loose maggots quite heavily then trotted close down the far bank and thump, much better fish on but as I slid the net out it fell off
mg:Meanwhile Neil was fishing downstream so I toddled down to see him, just in time to see him landing a nice bream.
Then it started raining so I packed up...
neil1970
Well-known member
Fun quick one today. Nice to see Simon, and nice to see a couple of fish too!!!
Bream (fought really well!) on breadflake and Chub on garden worms - ace!
Bream (fought really well!) on breadflake and Chub on garden worms - ace!
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Dorset Stour has been well over the banks of late but had dropped a bit and just might be fishable. Hence my short trip yesterday to find waders still required in many places, the river belting through but not too badly coloured.
I eventually found a sort of trottable swim that is usually bare gravel or mud and trotted a huge balsa, using a 10gm olivette as the bulk, straight off the rod tip.
Two good chub both well over 5lbs came to the net and I lost a couple of others. A superb result.
River is now on the rise again
I eventually found a sort of trottable swim that is usually bare gravel or mud and trotted a huge balsa, using a 10gm olivette as the bulk, straight off the rod tip.
Two good chub both well over 5lbs came to the net and I lost a couple of others. A superb result.
River is now on the rise again
Dorset Stour has been well over the banks of late but had dropped a bit and just might be fishable. Hence my short trip yesterday to find waders still required in many places, the river belting through but not too badly coloured.
I eventually found a sort of trottable swim that is usually bare gravel or mud and trotted a huge balsa, using a 10gm olivette as the bulk, straight off the rod tip.
Two good chub both well over 5lbs came to the net and I lost a couple of others. A superb result.
River is now on the rise again
Saw this on the Ringwood Forum Neil. brave of you mate. Great angling.
Neil Maidment
Moderator
I ought to say I know the area extremely well, had an exploratory paddle with two wading sticks and was stood in the river on what is usually gently sloping gravel with a thin layer of mud. That allowed me to trot straight off the rod tip to overhanging trees. The chub were hanging in there where I usually drop my bag, sit down and have a coffee!
And I'm buggered if I'm going to chuck a lead out there and watch a tip!
And I'm buggered if I'm going to chuck a lead out there and watch a tip!
Been out fishing in short bursts. Lacking confidence in weather forecasts of late so planning to head home almost as soon as I arrive. Bored with being wet. Please forgive my moaning, I am well aware that we in east anglia have not been suffering like so many others. The river is a mess at the moment, chocolate and belting thro, and catches are mainly small fish and big rafts of weed. Pinkies caught a few from backwater drain, and repeated the trick at the local park pond this afternoon. I will be keeping a watching eye out for the level to drop and the colour to freshen a little, and like many others on here will be keen to rig up a float smaller than a channel buoy.
flightliner
Well-known member
An xmas layoff with the exception of a short session with the lure a few days ago saw me raring to go this morning.
I had been watching the EARiver levels for three days knowing full well that the slightest return of a rising river could kill off my plan of fishing a massive fish holding slack that only ever shows when the Trent is in flood but its a precarious, edgy thing to hope for, to little and its no good to much and its totally inaccessible .
The only hope to counteract any rise (6" up from last night) is if the tide is a small one and it was only a small 7 metre at Albert dock in Hull but even then it needed to have been ebbing for a couple of hours before my arrival but sadly it was just topping at the wrong time .
No problem if its Barbel with the heavy gear, sit well back, loadsa lead and away you go but it was roach I was after and having had bags to almost thirty pounds in the past I put my hopes on pure good fortune but inwardly I knew that it would be a a thousand to one chance to find things as I wanted.
So it prooved, on turning a bend on the tiny road I could see that my estimations had been spot on, the river was over the low lying field beside the road , one foot less and it would have been sock on for a good bag of redfins--- very frustrating, had it, seen it all before, if the tide was dropping or had dropped I might just have been in with a chance but hey, thats fishing the Tidal Trent the hard way . I've studied it for a lifetime and it can still trip you up no matter how well you think you know it.
Anyway, one last call at a really unusual bit of riverside lower downstream that tho not as productive as my first choice would hopefully save my day but alas it was another no hoper.
I reluctantly turned the car round and headed back to the river idle and that to was in a really bad way, not seen it so bad since the O7 floods, really awful.
So, utterly peed off I headed a few miles away to a club stillwater that is very shallow and right now gin clear where I sat with the quivertip and two maggots on the hook knowing almost full well that it wouldnt move until I packed in at dusk---- so it prooved!.
Last chance next week on falling water. After that it's time for a few more predators.
I had been watching the EARiver levels for three days knowing full well that the slightest return of a rising river could kill off my plan of fishing a massive fish holding slack that only ever shows when the Trent is in flood but its a precarious, edgy thing to hope for, to little and its no good to much and its totally inaccessible .
The only hope to counteract any rise (6" up from last night) is if the tide is a small one and it was only a small 7 metre at Albert dock in Hull but even then it needed to have been ebbing for a couple of hours before my arrival but sadly it was just topping at the wrong time .
No problem if its Barbel with the heavy gear, sit well back, loadsa lead and away you go but it was roach I was after and having had bags to almost thirty pounds in the past I put my hopes on pure good fortune but inwardly I knew that it would be a a thousand to one chance to find things as I wanted.
So it prooved, on turning a bend on the tiny road I could see that my estimations had been spot on, the river was over the low lying field beside the road , one foot less and it would have been sock on for a good bag of redfins--- very frustrating, had it, seen it all before, if the tide was dropping or had dropped I might just have been in with a chance but hey, thats fishing the Tidal Trent the hard way . I've studied it for a lifetime and it can still trip you up no matter how well you think you know it.
Anyway, one last call at a really unusual bit of riverside lower downstream that tho not as productive as my first choice would hopefully save my day but alas it was another no hoper.
I reluctantly turned the car round and headed back to the river idle and that to was in a really bad way, not seen it so bad since the O7 floods, really awful.
So, utterly peed off I headed a few miles away to a club stillwater that is very shallow and right now gin clear where I sat with the quivertip and two maggots on the hook knowing almost full well that it wouldnt move until I packed in at dusk---- so it prooved!.
Last chance next week on falling water. After that it's time for a few more predators.
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flightliner
Well-known member
John, yes, thats the station I check myself for the lower non tidal.Sorry to disappoint Flight but the Trent at Nth Muskham is 2.33 meters and still rising. I doubt it will go down yet awhile
Not a good level at any time but a friend managed two nice barbs a little upstream last wednesday but it started to rise that same night so it kind of ruined it for me down below on the tidal.
love the quirky nature of the lower river tho, kicked of on it when I was a five year old nipper back in the fifties
mg:.Thanks by the way.
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Chefster
Well-known member
Had a nice day at Tunnel Barn Farm yesterday,we deffo picked the best day for it,very crisp,cold morning,but a light breeze and dry (bonus)I went with my fishing partner Bad H,we decided against fishing the Friday Flyer,as we have,nt been for a few weeks,so needed a day to get back up to speed
We opted to fish Jennies pool,had a lovely day,i finished with 24 F1,s and some skimmers,and roach for a level 40-0-0,Whilst Brian finished with 26 F1,s and silvers for 47-0-0,and the bragging rights
I caught most at 13m,just going up slope,with 4mm expanders,and feeding micro,s,and a few at 6m on maggot,towards the aerator,but the maggot never really kicked in,must have been the extreme cold snap.....so were back up to speed,and now ive got a new car,we,ll fish a couple of matches next week..Gazza
We opted to fish Jennies pool,had a lovely day,i finished with 24 F1,s and some skimmers,and roach for a level 40-0-0,Whilst Brian finished with 26 F1,s and silvers for 47-0-0,and the bragging rights
I caught most at 13m,just going up slope,with 4mm expanders,and feeding micro,s,and a few at 6m on maggot,towards the aerator,but the maggot never really kicked in,must have been the extreme cold snap.....so were back up to speed,and now ive got a new car,we,ll fish a couple of matches next week..Gazza