How did you get on?

[denzinho]

A few hours grabbed on a very low river that's carrying a strange greeinsh tinge of colour.

I started off fishing a deep peg that has changed a fair bit after the recent floods. It looks like there should be fished stacked up in it. Unfortunately, just like the last time I tried it, I couldn't buy a bite.

A move downstream to a favoured peg, which has also changed a fair bit since Christmas, was on the cards. The move didn't pay dividends immediately. I did get a couple of unhittable bites and bumped what was probably a small grayling. After a further biteless hour, I was beginning to think they just weren't at it when a decent bite was met with a fairly solid resistance. It turned out to be a grayling of 1lb 3oz. After that, I continued to get the odd bite and ended up with six more grayling, including another at 1lb 3oz.

Some nasty marks on that lady Sam, what would of caused such marks?. Grayling are beautiful fish and the one pictured isn't as gleeming as most would see. I am not slating the fish or your catch I just genuinely don't know how they could end up with such marks. Enlighten me please mate

 

[sam vimes]

Some nasty marks on that lady Sam, what would of caused such marks?. Grayling are beautiful fish and the one pictured isn't as gleeming as most would see. I am not slating the fish or your catch I just genuinely don't know how they could end up with such marks. Enlighten me please mate

Take your pick from otters, cormorants and goosander. I see quite a few fish that bear the scars of close encounters. Sadly, I occasionally see far, far worse than missing scales and a clipped tail.

 

[itsfishingnotcatching]

As my better half decided to go Granddaughter visiting yesterday, I managed mini session on the Stour yesterday and about five hours on the Severn today. The Stour proved bite-less but it's probably the closest bit of river to home so in the immortal words "I'll be back"

The Severn was beginning to look like a third consecutive blank until a nice Chub took mercy on me and provided me with my first fish in a fortnight, weighed in at 3lb 3oz not big but very welcome.

 

[Pete Shears]

A beautiful morning on the River Wreake near Melton today, 4 chub , all scale perfect & no split fins or cormorant gashes - from 2lb 9oz to 4lb, all on legered crust - might have to go again tomorrow . . . . .

 

[The Runner]

Todays club match on the Slough Arm was called off yesterday as was still frozen and can't use icebreakers opposite the houseboats- shame, as last weeks knock up that I decided against fishing was won with just under 14 lb with good backing weights (and a 1-13 roach )
Some of the lads decided to try the R Frays by Little Britain instead; one of them had two micro roach and the rest blanked.
I blanked a bit closer to home- walked down to the Colne with usual travel light gear, five hours on two big chub swims for one missed bite on the stick, probably a minnow from the state of the maggot .
Adjourned to pub at 2 for the Newcastle game. Another two hours blanking would have been more entertaining...

 

[Tee-Cee]

'More in Hope than Expectation' came into play this weekend, simply because one had to 'hope' the ice was breakable before thinking about any form of 'expectation'....The most important thing was to be out again with rod in hand and casting for nothing in particular, and not to have done so would've been bad for my health !!

I cannot say I enjoy breaking ice, thin or otherwise, upon arrival at a water, as I'm constantly think of the effect it must be having on the fish sitting below, but it does warm you up, and on both mornings I certainly needed warming ! Clearing ice, I feel, has to be done in one fell swoop and thought needs to be given as to how much is done. For example, if one is float fishing, it's pointless to clear just a small hole ( poles accepted) as it's necessary to allow for the 'cast' (hopefully) that flies out ahead of the float, to clear the ice edge in front of you otherwise baited hook end up sitting atop of it. I swished and slopped about for 10 minutes, ending up with a rod and a half of clear water, so 'warm', by end of swishing had me close to sweating !
Fortunately, I was in no hurry to start on tackle assembly as I couldn't see the guides on my Ultralight anyway, so I spent time mixing a very light, cloud ground bait, which, to get spot on, does take time, what with waiting for the mix to soak up the moisture etc. I have to say though, that a very thin line exists between balling consistency and slop.................Grrrrrrr.
As it turned out, Saturday, although colder, was far better than Sunday (the sun came out on the latter) and I managed six roach to around 9ozs, plus two carp of 11/2lbs and a couple of perch. Sunday was the reverse ( in the same swim) when four carp up to 4lbs came over the net (I lost two much bigger) followed by a couple of roach of no size. Bait was the inevitable red maggot/caster combo, although one roach did fancy flake for a change, but despite much effort, this, annoyingly, this was not to be repeated by any bigger brethren.
All in all I was happy with the catch which I achieved on very light tackle, but more so the opportunity to sit by the water in reasonable conditions after the recent cold snap. Nothing, to my mind is more pleasurable than sitting behind an Ultralight, ( complete with obligatory centrepin ) watching a fine red top, home made float ( I stopped myself using the word, 'crimson' ) dithering about before finally sinking from view.

Just something about those tiny rings that appear around the float from time to time.....

This week looks to be settled with loads of high pressure, so I shall be out again from tomorrow ( and the following days 'cos I'm retired ) having replenished bait and finished the laborious task of hook tying......

What it is to be a fisherman.........................................

 

[edsurf]

I had a nice day on Sunday trotting for Chub At Throop, The sun brought out the lads, lots of guys on the bank, Had three chub the biggest was just under four pounds, then a sea trout to finish the day off.
The river was in very good condition and perfect for trotting.

 

[greenie62]

I had a nice day on Sunday trotting for Chub At Throop,....The river was in very good condition and perfect for trotting.

Would have given you a 'Like' Ed, but I'm just too jealous of you fishing Throop!mg:
Tight Lines :thumbs:

 

[tincatim]

With a day off work today and the weather looking better, I set off this morning for the River Don at Kilnhurst. My blender died last night (only used it once!!) so I nipped for some maggots and casters on my way. The river looked in good shape, a little bit up and slightly coloured, but with the sun very low and extremely bright I picked a peg with some shade in it.

All set up and ready to go, I trotted through at full depth feeding little and often. Sure that my float would dip and sail away any minute! It didn't, at all, for three hours! I tried altering the depth, hook bait and shotting but no bites were forthcoming.

My missus saved me from banging my head against a brick wall by ringing to tell me she was locked out. A good excuse for me to pack up, let her in then try somewhere else.

I'm glad I did, as a short 2 hour session on the river Dearne resulted in three nice chub, the biggest weighed in at 3lb 2oz.

The others around 2lb. Not massive fish but very welcome all the same, and I'm relieved to have finally christened my new rod at the third time of asking. Why is it that a river seemingly in such good condition can seem so devoid of fish!

 

[sam vimes]

Strange day on the river. Went further upstream than my usual haunts as I know that the grayling are bigger, but fewer. The downside is that trout are more prevalent and other coarse fish sometimes seem to be totally absent, though they are there, somewhere.

The first peg I tried is usually pretty reliable, I don't usually fish anywhere but pegs I've caught in previously. Unfortunately, today wasn't one of its good days. I tend to find, on this river, that you know inside half an hour whether a spot is going to produce. After more than an hour without a bite, a move was looking likely. When a nasty, gusty wind started to blow down the valley, that was my cue to move on.

Into another spot I know, but never see any evidence of anyone else fishing. It's usually good for a trout or two, even on the worst of days. A couple of run throughs with maggot gave no signs of life. Before trying to loosefeed, on a day I suspected it might be counterproductive, I gave the always carried, rarely used, worms a go. It turned out to be a good choice. Two reasonable trout in consecutive trots followed by a decent grayling at 1lb 4oz.

After that it went quiet for a while until another grayling grabbed the worm. Another good one at 1lb 3oz.

It took another good half hour before a third grayling put in an appearance.

At 1lb 2oz it made for a decent hat-trick of 1lb+ grayling. I often catch a lot more grayling, but three over a pound is a fairly infrequent occurrence. Still needing to find the odd fish over 1lb 12oz before the season ends. Then I'll be really happy with my winter's fishing.

 

[tincatim]

Some nice Grayling there Sam, which river do you fish for them?

 

[sam vimes]

Some nice Grayling there Sam, which river do you fish for them?

Have you not been paying attention at the back?
A good 95% of my river fishing is on the Swale. Invariably on the Richmond & District Angling Society waters.

 

[theartist]

Had another decent drive yesterday this time bombing up the A41 in my 1.0 to the fine county town of Buckingham. Here the upper Ouse is narrow with average depth with the odd fast run. The river on arrival was flowing nicely but could have done with another couple of inches and the colour had a hint of chalky azure/green. It always fascinates me how the hues of different rivers vary and indeed different stretches of the same river too. On inspection of my first handful of maggots entering the water it was clear the any colour in the water was minimal and it could be a hard day.

Whilst I often moan about the sun this time of year making things difficult, this time it was more than welcome even though it was in my face and the top up of vitamin D offset the pounding headache I got, well at least in my mind it did. Lots of others had the same idea with many joggers and dog walkers going by, some stopping for a chat all of whom were very friendly and enjoying the spring feeling the sun gave even if the temperatures didn't match.

As for the fishing well it started slow as expected as the sun seemed to light up the banks so much I think the fish had shades on. I whittled out the odd roach, dace and trout wandering up and down as I had at least a mile of river to myself. In the afternoon I fished a weir and it was one of those cases of feed every cast as per usual and just guess where it's going but the fish were at the bottom of the swim and with the light fading many dace, some rather big again and a few small chub made for a nice end to the day.

 

[neil1970]

Strange one today; I went out for a chub, and came back wondering
if I am a b*stard.

In the last swim, of another uneventful session, a branch came hurtling over my head and landed just upstream of the weir. I looked round to see a smirking youth (14-16) a few feet behind me.

His bright orange, peroxided mother appeared, along with her other dog, and at the same moment their juvenile boxer launched itself at the 'stick' and then proceeded to be washed over the weir into the near bank whitewater.

It looked in a bit of trouble, but safe enough (knowing the topography) in my eyes.

The women then proceeded to scream and shout and then order her boy into the weir, where he was quickly soaked and buffeted about at the near bank; whilst struggling to hand up the dog.
I think she was wanting to keep her jeans clean as she was just weakly reaching down whilst making a godawful noise. She clearly thought a drowning was on the cards.

Now here is the b*stard part - As soon as the dog had gone in, I'd unzipped my jacket and undone my boots. If there was any chance of danger I would have done my utmost and stopped it before it got that far.

But... I knew there is at least 3 feet until the drop off and that the boy and dog were pretty safe, although unconfortable and worried, so just looked on.

A passing jogger pulled the boy and dog out, and gave me an
incredulous look.

Mother traumatised, boy soaked and looking very embarrassed.

I looked at them, and uttered my first words of the whole ordeal :

'That was a bit f*cking stupid wasn't it?'

 

[S-Kippy]

'That was a bit f*cking stupid wasn't it?'

It was indeed a bit f*cking stupid. I wouldn't be beating myself up over anybody daft enough to do that. I wouldn't have gone in after them either.

 

[Tee-Cee]

One would hope both mother and son have learned a valuable lesson....no doubt the episode will serve to amuse others once home and dried off, and little thought will be given to how lucky they were. The boy will probably relate the days events, much embellished, to his mates at school or in the pub...

Yes, you could've gone in and helped them, but then you might easily have slipped, ended up on your back, and in all sorts of trouble. Seen it all before, I'm sorry to say.................

You did the right thing IMHO !


Ooops, I nearly forgot the catch report !

Fished for 5 hours in bleak, intense cold today which had me close to shivering with the gauge at 4 degrees ! The low cloud and mist was very deceiving - almost like it was holding the cold to the ground....Not pleasant at all !
I worked hard for 2 roach and two perch and I was quietly pleased my concentration helped secure the four bites I had.

Yes it was tough, but being made of sterner stuff I shall be out again tomorrow - what a man eh ??


ps I shall be taking two flasks, though !!

 

[tigger]

I Managed several of hours trotting on the river today before the light faded.

 

[tincatim]

Tigger - that first chub's got a right gob full of maggots!! How many did you have on your hook?

 

[Teabreak]

Strange one today; I went out for a chub, and came back wondering
if I am a b*stard.

In the last swim, of another uneventful session, a branch came hurtling over my head and landed just upstream of the weir. I looked round to see a smirking youth (14-16) a few feet behind me.

His bright orange, peroxided mother appeared, along with her other dog, and at the same moment their juvenile boxer launched itself at the 'stick' and then proceeded to be washed over the weir into the near bank whitewater.

It looked in a bit of trouble, but safe enough (knowing the topography) in my eyes.

The women then proceeded to scream and shout and then order her boy into the weir, where he was quickly soaked and buffeted about at the near bank; whilst struggling to hand up the dog.
I think she was wanting to keep her jeans clean as she was just weakly reaching down whilst making a godawful noise. She clearly thought a drowning was on the cards.

Now here is the b*stard part - As soon as the dog had gone in, I'd unzipped my jacket and undone my boots. If there was any chance of danger I would have done my utmost and stopped it before it got that far.

But... I knew there is at least 3 feet until the drop off and that the boy and dog were pretty safe, although unconfortable and worried, so just looked on.

A passing jogger pulled the boy and dog out, and gave me an
incredulous look.

Mother traumatised, boy soaked and looking very embarrassed.

I looked at them, and uttered my first words of the whole ordeal :

'That was a bit f*cking stupid wasn't it?'

I can't believe you didn't get your phone out and film it. Everyone and his dog knows the first law of someone else's misfortune is to record it for everyone else to enjoy.

 

[tigger]

Tigger - that first chub's got a right gob full of maggots!! How many did you have on your hook?

Hello tincatim,