How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
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theartist
Well-known member
It was warm down here today, safe to say the first proper T-shirt day of the year in the sun that is. I had to get out and had a couple of swims in mind on the canal, especially the one where lots of quality roach obliged the other week. Couldn't believe it when both were taken by guys just setting up, at least I had only walked a good mile and a half to get there, never mind.
Tried a new spot, it weren't bad with plenty of roach but nothing bigger than 10-12 oz, a few nice dace too and a good spot to have lunch. These hazy lazy days where it just pays to just soak it in at times, I just saw a brimstone and orange tip butterfly flutter by and took an arty farty shot of my lunch as I sat on a step.
It suddenly went dead so I went to chat to the two guys who had just beaten me to it to find they were both gone, which was a bit weird as I didn't see them on the way home either, so a quick dangle turned into an hour in the roach swim which saw very little and not a roach in sight there this time, just two perch and one solitary chub, smaller than Tuesday but twice as fat as a result it was a similar weight at just over 4lb, a nice fish to finish on
Tried a new spot, it weren't bad with plenty of roach but nothing bigger than 10-12 oz, a few nice dace too and a good spot to have lunch. These hazy lazy days where it just pays to just soak it in at times, I just saw a brimstone and orange tip butterfly flutter by and took an arty farty shot of my lunch as I sat on a step.
It suddenly went dead so I went to chat to the two guys who had just beaten me to it to find they were both gone, which was a bit weird as I didn't see them on the way home either, so a quick dangle turned into an hour in the roach swim which saw very little and not a roach in sight there this time, just two perch and one solitary chub, smaller than Tuesday but twice as fat as a result it was a similar weight at just over 4lb, a nice fish to finish on
Bobnewboy
Well-known member
Heh heh.... I think the air temp was around 11degrees C, but I have no idea how warm the water was. Overall depth of the swim was about 5 feet, so I suppose that the water warmed up fairly quickly through the day. Warmer days are coming, so keep on trying
Cheers, Bob
S-Kippy
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Against my better judgement I got bullied into another go at the Farmoor trite by the Big Feller today. Too bright and too calm I thought....and I wasn't wrong ! It was challenging to say the least.
We moved several times to try to find a few fish within range plus a bit of breeze and to get away from the tom tit floating on the surface. We had fish in front of us whenever we stopped but with no wind to help turn the leader over we just couldnt reach them. The BF kicked things off with a mugfish of a brownie around 4 and a half pound with teeth like a shark. I then had a lovely rainbow that hit my buzzer completely out of the blue.
One each on the next move which was very frustrating as the fish just would not come within range. Up stumps and another move ( onto the other ressie) and despite no sign of any fish we managed to snaffle a couple each in not much over an hour. The BF fluked another mugfish before we gave it best to dodge the worst of the Oxford rush hour.
9 between us with the BF winning this one 5-4. Not a bad return on what proved to be the trite equivalent of one of Simon's GUC matches on the Aylesbury Arm.
We moved several times to try to find a few fish within range plus a bit of breeze and to get away from the tom tit floating on the surface. We had fish in front of us whenever we stopped but with no wind to help turn the leader over we just couldnt reach them. The BF kicked things off with a mugfish of a brownie around 4 and a half pound with teeth like a shark. I then had a lovely rainbow that hit my buzzer completely out of the blue.
One each on the next move which was very frustrating as the fish just would not come within range. Up stumps and another move ( onto the other ressie) and despite no sign of any fish we managed to snaffle a couple each in not much over an hour. The BF fluked another mugfish before we gave it best to dodge the worst of the Oxford rush hour.
9 between us with the BF winning this one 5-4. Not a bad return on what proved to be the trite equivalent of one of Simon's GUC matches on the Aylesbury Arm.
Only roach showed through the winter, but I caught carp, crucians and tench on my last couple of visits to the Old Lake, so with the last day or two a bit warmer, I thought I'd go there. It was so sunny en route, I stopped at a pharmacy and bought sun cream. I needn't have bothered - it didn't last
I set up the pole and fed two swims - hemp and caster in one, micros to fish expander pellet over in the other, and even put up two rigs, a light one and a heavier one for when the hordes of tench and crucians arrived. Nothing like that actually happened though, and for lack of a decent fish, I took a pic of my sandwich (It transpires Rob had been photographing his at more or less the same time! Morphic resonance...or great minds think alike. We've had What Are You Eating Tonight; why not what are you eating on the bank? In this case Brunswick ham with Pie d'Angloys cheese on Warburtons Seeded Batch. (Take that, Mike and your fellow gourmets!)
Getting back to the fishing, it was a complete flop. Nothing but small roach to any bait presented any way. There were a few carpers on the lake. No carp came out (indeed, no other species) but I heard one say "How does a roach get that in its mouth?". At least I had a few bites
I set up the pole and fed two swims - hemp and caster in one, micros to fish expander pellet over in the other, and even put up two rigs, a light one and a heavier one for when the hordes of tench and crucians arrived. Nothing like that actually happened though, and for lack of a decent fish, I took a pic of my sandwich (It transpires Rob had been photographing his at more or less the same time! Morphic resonance...or great minds think alike. We've had What Are You Eating Tonight; why not what are you eating on the bank? In this case Brunswick ham with Pie d'Angloys cheese on Warburtons Seeded Batch. (Take that, Mike and your fellow gourmets!)
Getting back to the fishing, it was a complete flop. Nothing but small roach to any bait presented any way. There were a few carpers on the lake. No carp came out (indeed, no other species) but I heard one say "How does a roach get that in its mouth?". At least I had a few bites
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
17 codgers fished Bourne end GUC last Tuesday, it’s a shortish pound so it was a bit tight but we all got on.
Although it was a bit warmer the water was still clear so the fish were mainly under the boats opposite. I caught plenty of them but all very small. Gudgeon, chublets, perch and roach mainly on maggots.
I ended up with 1:4:0 for joint 5th with 2 others.
As has been the case recently, the winner and runner up both had a bream each.
Today a few of us went to another pound nearer berkhamsted to practice for the upcoming annual “Gobiomania” event in mid May.
As the name suggests it’s a case of who can catch the most gudgeon, and who can catch the biggest one.
This pound is virtually carpeted with them and some clonkers too. My biggest today was 31:8grams!
A new pb.
Although it was a bit warmer the water was still clear so the fish were mainly under the boats opposite. I caught plenty of them but all very small. Gudgeon, chublets, perch and roach mainly on maggots.
I ended up with 1:4:0 for joint 5th with 2 others.
As has been the case recently, the winner and runner up both had a bream each.
Today a few of us went to another pound nearer berkhamsted to practice for the upcoming annual “Gobiomania” event in mid May.
As the name suggests it’s a case of who can catch the most gudgeon, and who can catch the biggest one.
This pound is virtually carpeted with them and some clonkers too. My biggest today was 31:8grams!
A new pb.
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S-Kippy
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And now for something completely different.
North to Farmoor after trite yesterday...today South via the M25 to Bury Hill for a go at the tench and crucian on the pole.
Arrived to find the BF already there and dug in deeper than an Alabama tick on one of the lakes hottest pegs. I couldn't get next door but I got a spot that I've done well from before. More importantly this bank was free of willow fluff and I've had quite enough of floating tom tit recently.
1st hour was all tench....I had 5 good ones including one nearer 6lb than 5 which led me a very merry dance. Then the lake just switched off. It wasnt that hot yet...nor that bright but it can do that there sometimes. The rest of the trip was scratching around for the odd fish. No pattern to it at all....neither of us could work out whether to feed or not feed. I fed and that usually meant a fish then nothing for ages. Phil was getting some lovely roach ( 1lb plus) but only had the odd crucian and tench.
I tried a bit of groundbait which was a schoolboy error as that produced 4 bream in a row....all decent fish at 3-4 lb but you know me and bream. We just do not get on. By the time I'd had enough I'd had 6 decent tench with the best two over 5lb, 7 crucian between 1-8 and 2-2 with the best 4 all an ounce or 2 either side of 2 pound....and I'll take that all day long. Add to that the bream,some roach,perch and a couple of rudd and it wasn't too bad a day. I've had better days there but I've had much worse ones too and there is nothing that gets me going more than a big,butter yellow spring crucian
Preferably the right way up !
Thoroughly enjoyed it even though it took me an hour to get there and over 2 and a half to get home but that's the M25 on a Bank Holiday weekend for you.
All on double red maggot on an 18. I was using those Guru F1 ready tied hooks. Sharp or what ? Dont get one in your shoelace is all I'll say....the little devils only have to brush your finger and thay are in up to the bend. Ye-ouch ! Very impressive though.
North to Farmoor after trite yesterday...today South via the M25 to Bury Hill for a go at the tench and crucian on the pole.
Arrived to find the BF already there and dug in deeper than an Alabama tick on one of the lakes hottest pegs. I couldn't get next door but I got a spot that I've done well from before. More importantly this bank was free of willow fluff and I've had quite enough of floating tom tit recently.
1st hour was all tench....I had 5 good ones including one nearer 6lb than 5 which led me a very merry dance. Then the lake just switched off. It wasnt that hot yet...nor that bright but it can do that there sometimes. The rest of the trip was scratching around for the odd fish. No pattern to it at all....neither of us could work out whether to feed or not feed. I fed and that usually meant a fish then nothing for ages. Phil was getting some lovely roach ( 1lb plus) but only had the odd crucian and tench.
I tried a bit of groundbait which was a schoolboy error as that produced 4 bream in a row....all decent fish at 3-4 lb but you know me and bream. We just do not get on. By the time I'd had enough I'd had 6 decent tench with the best two over 5lb, 7 crucian between 1-8 and 2-2 with the best 4 all an ounce or 2 either side of 2 pound....and I'll take that all day long. Add to that the bream,some roach,perch and a couple of rudd and it wasn't too bad a day. I've had better days there but I've had much worse ones too and there is nothing that gets me going more than a big,butter yellow spring crucian
Preferably the right way up !
Thoroughly enjoyed it even though it took me an hour to get there and over 2 and a half to get home but that's the M25 on a Bank Holiday weekend for you.
All on double red maggot on an 18. I was using those Guru F1 ready tied hooks. Sharp or what ? Dont get one in your shoelace is all I'll say....the little devils only have to brush your finger and thay are in up to the bend. Ye-ouch ! Very impressive though.
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peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
13 of us turned up at Wilstone on the Aylesbury arm for a knock up, unfortunately so did the bank holiday boats. There just wasn’t enough pegs available so we moved down to Dixon’s near Marsworth. Another pretty venue on the arm in open farmland.
The weather was glorious but as usual the fishing was hard. I didn’t get a bite for 3hours before my float eventually dipped, a small perch which I went to put in the net and missed!
Later I had a gudgeon and with minutes to go a lovely rudd.
The air was filled with birdsong, amongst others a warbler was singing in the Hawthorns and a skylark above with it’s enchanting song.
The now familiar conclusion to the match was who caught bream wins. 3 for 10lb:14:0 was best where I was on the upper pound, 2nd and 3rd were also here, whilst below the lock nobody weighed in at all. To cap their misery the towpath flooded mid match....
13 fished.
The weather was glorious but as usual the fishing was hard. I didn’t get a bite for 3hours before my float eventually dipped, a small perch which I went to put in the net and missed!
Later I had a gudgeon and with minutes to go a lovely rudd.
The air was filled with birdsong, amongst others a warbler was singing in the Hawthorns and a skylark above with it’s enchanting song.
The now familiar conclusion to the match was who caught bream wins. 3 for 10lb:14:0 was best where I was on the upper pound, 2nd and 3rd were also here, whilst below the lock nobody weighed in at all. To cap their misery the towpath flooded mid match....
13 fished.
mikench
Well-known member
Agreed simply stunning! Who needs fish ?
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Fun in the sun on a club pool yesterday afternoon using the top 4 or 5 sections of a pole I inherited from my late uncle and just one of his immense collection of floats carefully stored on winders.
Plenty of bites during the first 2 or 3 hours from perfect miniature true crucians and small tench to about 2lbs+. Then they just shut up shop.
I first fished this venue four decades or more ago when the club bought the site including three overgrown derelict ponds. Back then carp were the favoured stocking but in recent years the club has embarked on an ambitious long term project.
All king carp were removed, true crucians and tench stocked in varying amounts over the past couple of years and the site secured with otter proof fencing and other measures. The club also secured a licence to deal with cormorants. All in all a huge amount of work and commitment but it will continue to pay dividends for many years to come.
Plenty of bites during the first 2 or 3 hours from perfect miniature true crucians and small tench to about 2lbs+. Then they just shut up shop.
I first fished this venue four decades or more ago when the club bought the site including three overgrown derelict ponds. Back then carp were the favoured stocking but in recent years the club has embarked on an ambitious long term project.
All king carp were removed, true crucians and tench stocked in varying amounts over the past couple of years and the site secured with otter proof fencing and other measures. The club also secured a licence to deal with cormorants. All in all a huge amount of work and commitment but it will continue to pay dividends for many years to come.
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
Couldn’t sleep this morning so I got up at 5:30. Last time I fished my Saturday venue it was gin clear and I blanked..
Left home at 6:45 and drove down there to check it out first, hallelujah! it was coloured up and flowing gently, looked sock on.
It was quiet and peaceful as I set up 11’ rod and waggler, started with punch down the middle and first chuck a big skimmer. Stayed with punch for an hour or so, plenty of small roach, hybrids and chublets.
I know there are some bigger roach in there so I changed to caster and fed hemp, bites slowed but when I got a bite they were better roach.
By lunchtime a few boats had been through so I shallowed up an inch or two and tripped bottom with caster along the inside shelf a rod length out, this found some even bigger roach and 2 big perch..
After a succession of quality roach the bites died off, couldn’t believe it when I checked the time, it was 4pm...
Packed up and returned a good 15lb of fish so I’m happy now, especially after the abysmal fishing elsewhere recently..
Left home at 6:45 and drove down there to check it out first, hallelujah! it was coloured up and flowing gently, looked sock on.
It was quiet and peaceful as I set up 11’ rod and waggler, started with punch down the middle and first chuck a big skimmer. Stayed with punch for an hour or so, plenty of small roach, hybrids and chublets.
I know there are some bigger roach in there so I changed to caster and fed hemp, bites slowed but when I got a bite they were better roach.
By lunchtime a few boats had been through so I shallowed up an inch or two and tripped bottom with caster along the inside shelf a rod length out, this found some even bigger roach and 2 big perch..
After a succession of quality roach the bites died off, couldn’t believe it when I checked the time, it was 4pm...
Packed up and returned a good 15lb of fish so I’m happy now, especially after the abysmal fishing elsewhere recently..
mikench
Well-known member
Notts Michael.
Well-known member
Neil Maidment....
Sounds like a forward thinking place, and nice to keep your late uncle's tackle connecting with some decent catches
Sounds like a forward thinking place, and nice to keep your late uncle's tackle connecting with some decent catches
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Well I was going to go fishing yesterday,but I've done something to my back,so thought better of lugging my heavy tackle back and forth,so decided to watch my mate fish before he moves away,he flourished but there were carp everywhere,after a while he said for me to have a go,so I set his old John Wilson Avon up with 8lb line and a size 8 hook,I had a stroll and first cast had an 8lb common off the top,well I went on to get 7 carp between 6lbs and double figures,I had nine casts,then sat down and watched Bill catching roach and skimmers,I cast three more times from my seat and hooked two more carp,which I quickly thrust the rod into his hands and told him to get on with it,which along with stuffing jam doughnuts into him(which he loves,lol) made for a lovely day....
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This was to be a four parter with a succession of trips long and short planned over this Easter break.
The first went according to plan with a trip to the estate arriving at 8-30am on Friday, two other anglers present, blue skies and warm sunshine. Fished til 4pm and had the sum total of two roach and two skimmers, very disappointing but just nice to be out in this glorious weather. The day was further improved, I mentioned there were two other anglers present, one being the newest member of this exclusive syndicate, a fellow FM member and friend Ralph! He enjoyed his first day catching roach, Rudd and skimmers on a short pole, hopefully we will both be amongst the crucians and tench very soon, they are much slower waking up this year compared to last year when I had a number of tench in April.
I hadn’t been feeling the full ticket and felt worse on Saturday with a definite case of man flu on the way but a short trip to the sea was irresistible and I’m sure the air would do me some good. Chucked lures of various shapes and colours into a flat and calm Westgate sea but no takes, a couple of anglers had small bass using bait but the sea was showing signs of May bloom which I’ve read puts paid to any chances of success with lures.
Felt awful last night and this morning so further trips to the estate this evening and tomorrow are on hold....unless I make an amazing recovery.
The first went according to plan with a trip to the estate arriving at 8-30am on Friday, two other anglers present, blue skies and warm sunshine. Fished til 4pm and had the sum total of two roach and two skimmers, very disappointing but just nice to be out in this glorious weather. The day was further improved, I mentioned there were two other anglers present, one being the newest member of this exclusive syndicate, a fellow FM member and friend Ralph! He enjoyed his first day catching roach, Rudd and skimmers on a short pole, hopefully we will both be amongst the crucians and tench very soon, they are much slower waking up this year compared to last year when I had a number of tench in April.
I hadn’t been feeling the full ticket and felt worse on Saturday with a definite case of man flu on the way but a short trip to the sea was irresistible and I’m sure the air would do me some good. Chucked lures of various shapes and colours into a flat and calm Westgate sea but no takes, a couple of anglers had small bass using bait but the sea was showing signs of May bloom which I’ve read puts paid to any chances of success with lures.
Felt awful last night and this morning so further trips to the estate this evening and tomorrow are on hold....unless I make an amazing recovery.
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