How did you get on?

[no-one in particular]

Contemplated all my options yesterday that have been on my mind, estuary/tidal, Mackeral bass, last place I visited that needs another go but in the end, just wanted a very lazy easy day so went to my lazy easy day spot.
Tried 3 swims on two rivers in the end and caught not one fish. Very odd, not even a roachlet. Didn't spot any fish apart from one or two chublet and no mullet again either, not even in the sea creek waiting to come in which I always see so, have concluded that the EA have really buggered it up this time. I thought some might be in the river with the recent rain that might have prompted the opening of the sluice but no.
Bread and sweetcorn and pellets on a 12 hook with an adapted quill with a big red bit from another float stuck on it for easy sighting, not that it made any difference.
Too many blanks lately, have to change my plans a bit I think.
Still, a nice day's contemplation and enjoying the surroundings. Highlight was a mouse swimming across the river, too big for a vole and too small for a rat, looked like a mouse. Plenty of garden birds about including thrushes, nice to see them and plenty of sea gulls. I have soften a bit towards them after reading one flew off with some blokes chihuahua dog.

 

[wetthrough]

Had a few trips since last post. Nothing too remarkable unless having your landing net ripped by Pike counts. It's getting smarter. The thing was must have been under the peg right from the word go. It's not as if struggling fish had attracted it. I'm beginning to wonder if it recognises the car. Lean day by Dam standards. 20+ all Roach and mostly small.

Next time I stop using the landing net. My netting skills are no match for the toothed missile. Started off reasonably well catching small Roach which got bigger as the morning wore on. Not huge but pristine fish up to about 5/6oz. My usual approach is to start with a couple of small loose balls of GB to let the smell drift around with the surface and undertow (that's the theory anyway) and two or three solid balls for the bottom. It went quiet around 11/11:30 which is normal for the Dam. In my infinite wisdom I decided to throw in a couple more loose balls - mistake. Couldn't get past the tiddlers. I'd set up the 10'6" Toreon for the margin so thought I'd have some fun picking them off the top and ended up with the two best fish of the day, a hybrid and a Roach both around the 6oz+ mark - bit hairy swinging a 6oz fish with the 10'6". Can't remember how many. I think about 35 excluding micro fish of which there were plenty.

Yesterday was going to be the last chance this week before the heavens open and I had a plasterer I'd been waiting weeks for deciding he'd come. He'd finished by 11:30. I'd got all my tackle and bait loaded and ready and opted for an easy day on the nearby commercial. The one where the lovely Karen comes and marks your cards. Nice place, friendly, well established and not too sanitized. I was there by 12, set up the 10'6" Toreon with 4bb Antenna to 3lb fluorocarbon and 16s light hook and catching straight off. A couple of Crucians and a skimmer within minutes on flake. You can't fail to catch on this water with flake, works every time. Tried other baits, corn being the most productive behind flake (not always the case). Loose feeding casters, hemp and maggots. A nice mix of skimmers to 11/2lb, Crucians, to around 8oz+, Rudd to around 5oz and two or three Roach to around 4oz, one Ide around 5oz and three Commons around the 3:4lb mark. I'd have caught more Crucians if my bread hadn't been soggy. I think it had been in the freezer too long and was near dissolving on the hook forcing me to use other baits. As it was they were about 50% of the catch of 41 (how do you catch half a fish!). A fun day and not a drop of rain.

 

[peter crabtree]

Had a couple of hours on the Colne yesterday, which I hoped would have a bit of flow after the rainy Wednesday.

No such luck...

I set up 15’ rod with a 1:5g Bolo float to a 18 b611, spot on for my intended method, hemp and tares. Without feeding any hemp, my first run through in the 5’ deep river produced a sharp dip on the float, fish on, a good roach judging by the spirited fight it put up.
Then as quickly as it hit it was off!
I started trickling in hemp for a while before introducing another tare. I immediately started getting bites but couldn’t hook the blighters, frustration set in. Looking at the tare on the hook I thought maybe there wasn’t enough hook showing, causing me to miss the bites. I sifted through my tares and picked out the smallest ones I could find.
I nicked one on by the smallest bit of skin possible and pushed it gently round to the base of the shank on the hook. Looking at it the big silver hook looked a bit obvious to me but I gave it a go. Bingo! A roach was in the net.
This didn’t eliminate missed bites though, I probably only connected with one in ten bites.
Therefore I didn’t land many fish but the ones I did were quality. I did switch to double maggot a couple of times out of frustration which produced instant bites but these roach were tiny in comparison..

I find I connect with more bites if there’s a decent flow, as the roach have less time to inspect the bait and instinctively grab it, often competing for it too.

 

[rayner]

at Kiveton Waters yesterday, boy was the wind strong yet again. 8mm expander on a ten hook getting most bites from the usual 2lb to 3lb carp. A good number of bites with most bites producing fish, not difficult to miss bites with a ten hook.
The wind prevented me from any sort of accuracy with my catapult but had a decent enough day with a few fish, luckily the wind was a couple of degrees warmer than Monday.

 

[mikench]

Well today was a first for 2019; a blank! I even threatened them with Tigger but they were unconcerned. View attachment 7361

Saw lots of these and it was a lovely day; shame about the fish.

View attachment 7362

A blank doesn't merit this attention but I feel better for it.

 

[103841]

Blanks or not, we’re all in this together.

It’s nice to reverse the compliments for a change, nice photos Mike!

 

[peter crabtree]

Got myself a new 17’ acolyte yesterday so I took it down to Runnymede on the Thames where there’s a good depth.
Got down there 8:30 and started fishing at 9.
12’ deep at my feet and gin clear..

Set up a 5BB stick float with olivette and droppers.
Swinging it out with single red maggot on a 20 red maggot hook. Immediate bite, a small perch.
I admit I took it easy at first with breakages in mind but I’m sure it would have snapped yesterday in the tackle shop. The lad who served me took hold of the tip and I lifted into it, ‘give it some more’ he suggested, so I lifted into it and he pulled it downwards. That put a proper bend in it!

I really liked using it, not heavy and extremely responsive on the strike. I was impressed that even a small dace or bleak put a bend in the tip section. I did hook what I imagine was a big perch, although it fell off after 15 seconds the rod flexed through its middle section cushioning it nicely.
By lunchtime the pleasure boat turned up, it came very close to me in order to turn round and head back to its mooring. No wonder the grass on the peg wasn’t worn down....
It did that every hour but didn’t seem to affect the fish. Dace were the dominant species today, lightning fast bites which were hard to connect with. A few nice roach showed as well but hardly as many as usual here.

Packed up at 3 as it started getting busy with trippers, dogs and kids..
Can’t fault the rod, i can see it getting a lot of use this autumn on the rivers..

 

[Neil Maidment]

An excellent day yesterday fishing with a group of guys, some of a certain vintage, some slightly younger, and included a couple of my local heroes from many decades ago.

"Mick's Annual Birthday Bash" has morphed into a get together to remember and celebrate my late uncle Mick who passed away two years ago.

The venue was Witherington Farm near Downton, Wiltshire which was one of Mick's favourite venues. We managed to get set up and comfortable just before the forecast wind and rain arrived which continued, other than a occasional short break, for the rest of the day. That didn't stop the enthusiasm and banter as the resident carp and bream eventually started to feed.



A short interlude in the rain saw us convene for the obligatory "small" slice of cake and swap memories of Mick and times gone by. We then all carried on getting wet as the carp really got their heads down.



Tony managed to break a pole section and I foul hooked a decent carp in the tail. Both events were highly appropriate to Mick's match fishing career and caused much comment around the lake.

A very enjoyable day in excellent company!

 

[103841]

A fishing version of test match special with an interlude for yummy cake.

 

[john step]

I stepped outside with the intention of silvers on my new accy at my reservoir. HA HA! The wind was too high to make it enjoyable so the carp gear was quickly convened.

Buzzers and heavy bobbins resulted in 5 carp. Nothing huge but they fight like demons in the deep water. A couple of doubles.
Trousers in soak due to slipping in the mud!

AND IT STAYED DRY

View attachment 7368

 

[Cliff Hatton]

Gave my Decathlon 'Tanker' bivvy its third session earlier in the week - what a fantastic bit of gear! I do hope the designers of these miracles are well-paid because their inventions are truly brilliant! I undo the zip on the nylon bag which pretends to be housing a cartwheel, but out springs a jumble of hoops and nylon sheeting to be quickly straightened-out into a tunnel-tent and occupied by two full-size bedchairs and two beefy blokes. There's a centre aisle big enough for a third person (if necessary) but I keep it free for a bedside table and plenty of valuable space. There's a hook for hanging a lamp on, a porch for your muddy boots, ventilation points and a built-in fly-sheet.
Packing it away presents what looks like an impossible task but by having faith in the poles' ability not to snap it's a fairly straightforward procedure...you just push down the circular rings to form a narrow waist then twist it into a figure '8'; lay it flat and DISBELIEVINGLY fold one circle over and onto the other! You can then slide it into the circular carry-bag and sling it in the car.

 

[sam vimes]

After a morning of buggering about doing very little, I had an afternoon of footie watching. At around 1800, I had the inexplicable urge to get out maggot drowning. Couldn't face the gravel pit in such windy conditions. Despite it being well up, I plumped for the river with very low expectations. A slightly less than two hours yielded a couple of obligatory minnows, two very predictable brown trout and three much less likely dace.

 

[stu_the_blank]

Out for the second time in my renaissance. As I said I've not picked anything rock hard for the first few trips.

So, a delightful carp water on my club ticket, which I probably only fish every other year. Pulled into the car park at lunchtime, I had 6 acres to myself.

A leisurely walk to choose a swim, rods out feet up, sun shining. magic.

Not much happened for the first hour, then the sun went in and the carp came out to play.

I ended with 17, lost a few. Nothing big, biggest about 8 lbs or so.

I packed up about 7.

Proper fishing next time.

Stu

 

[john step]

Gave my Decathlon 'Tanker' bivvy its third session earlier in the week - what a fantastic bit of gear! I do hope the designers of these miracles are well-paid because their inventions are truly brilliant! I undo the zip on the nylon bag which pretends to be housing a cartwheel, but out springs a jumble of hoops and nylon sheeting to be quickly straightened-out into a tunnel-tent and occupied by two full-size bedchairs and two beefy blokes. There's a centre aisle big enough for a third person (if necessary) but I keep it free for a bedside table and plenty of valuable space. There's a hook for hanging a lamp on, a porch for your muddy boots, ventilation points and a built-in fly-sheet.
Packing it away presents what looks like an impossible task but by having faith in the poles' ability not to snap it's a fairly straightforward procedure...you just push down the circular rings to form a narrow waist then twist it into a figure '8'; lay it flat and DISBELIEVINGLY fold one circle over and onto the other! You can then slide it into the circular carry-bag and sling it in the car.

I had to read this a couple of times Cliff. How on earth did they manage to pack two beefy blokes and two bedchairs into it and still fold it up?:wh:wh

 

[d.owens]

Took a trip with my little girl to our small pond in the woods, this was to christen the 3m whip she got for her birthday. I was looking forward to an afternoon of tangle-free bliss.
Emily soon caught the first fish of the day, a pristine little roach on double maggot.

View attachment 7369

I had decided to float fish but aim for bigger fish, feeding liquidised bread and crushed hemp groundbait, alternating between bread, corn and lobworm on the hook.
A big chunk of bread flake soon accounted for a nice solid roach in the net.

View attachment 7370

We had a great few hours; roach, mirror and common carp, crucians and a nice tench.
Emily caught her best roach yet, a fitting fish to christen her new whip.

View attachment 7371

My dream of tangle-free fishing with the kids remains just a dream, Emily's end tackle on the little whip had an almost magnetic attraction to a solitary clump of reeds on her right!
Had a great day and some nice fish.

View attachment 7372

View attachment 7373

 

[no-one in particular]

After so many blanks went to a water last fished about 10 years ago that was full of roach and rudd. Couldn't find a spot to fish except a very cramped swim under a tree. First cast a nice plump rudd however, I got fed up being cramped under a tree with a 12ft rod so moved and went exploring.
Came across the main body of water and found a spot off a busy main road, traffic noise, a pub band blaring rock music in the distance, air craft noise!!! and a rail to contend with. Still, when you to need to fish you got to fish and manged 3 fish which took my soft pellets, first wild fish I have caught on these, two roach and a small bream.

(I know the picture is a no no but I was cramped and it took 10 seconds, lovely rudd and I wanted a picture)

Highlight of the day, stopped in a tea house on the way back, tea and cake served on silver platters and 30's radio music played in the background, the people looked like they were stuck in a time warp as well, sat on a wooden veranda sipping my americano doing the crossword looking at wagtails flitting about in the field and a game of village cricket going on in the next field all nicely kitted out in whites. Then I kid you not, stone me dead; two Lancaster Bombers circled and banked right overhead, I had a very serious moment, had I died and woken up in another life!, and then realised there was an air show going on in a town not far away. Lovely sight though, sent a few shivers down my spine.
Watched a nice kestrel hovering while waiting for the train home, becoming a rare sight these days. A very lovely day all round, lifes a breeze.

 

[maggot_dangler]

Got to fish Tern Fisheries again today .

Prawns & pellets 4 nice carp couple of skimmers thats 2 of 4 pools tried hopefully one more on Wednesday .

Very usefull place being so close as well


PG ...

 

[John Keane]

Gave my Decathlon 'Tanker' bivvy its third session earlier in the week - what a fantastic bit of gear! I do hope the designers of these miracles are well-paid because their inventions are truly brilliant! I undo the zip on the nylon bag which pretends to be housing a cartwheel, but out springs a jumble of hoops and nylon sheeting to be quickly straightened-out into a tunnel-tent and occupied by two full-size bedchairs and two beefy blokes. There's a centre aisle big enough for a third person (if necessary) but I keep it free for a bedside table and plenty of valuable space. There's a hook for hanging a lamp on, a porch for your muddy boots, ventilation points and a built-in fly-sheet.
Packing it away presents what looks like an impossible task but by having faith in the poles' ability not to snap it's a fairly straightforward procedure...you just push down the circular rings to form a narrow waist then twist it into a figure '8'; lay it flat and DISBELIEVINGLY fold one circle over and onto the other! You can then slide it into the circular carry-bag and sling it in the car.

Just watched a video about it. Looks amazing to deploy, but I’m sure I’d balls up putting it away!

 

[mikench]

I hate blanks as do we all do so I had to eradicate that feeling of" what a waste of time". Thankfully today was a case of from the ridiculous to the sublime. A different venue and float fishing brought improved results. I had about 20 roach , gudgeon and skimmers on maggot and 12 carp to 10 lb on floating crust and dog biscuit. It was amazing and I nearly lost my rod a few times.

View attachment 7378

This was a typical carp , feisty and difficult to land as they neared lily pads, reeds and flag iris.

View attachment 7379

There was little messing about this time but all were caught at distance( 50 yards or so) with my Titan which isn't perhaps the best tool for this job but nowt happens when I go tooled up. I was able to switch hooklength at will and the rod was and is brilliant. The rain held off and I fantasised about a Chinese.

Spring rolls, egg fried rice and beef Szechuan for you thinking the worst. All in all a great day after the debacle of yesterday.

 

[peter crabtree]

Club fixture today on the River Colne, my local stretch. Drew a peg I’ve not fished for a few years, it used to be a hot chub peg but not today.

On arrival I noticed the branches above the peg, that put paid to using 3 of the long rods I’d packed, ended up using 11’ ultralight, not the most suitable for the job...

As you can see there’s a tree down across it downstream to my left, so just a short trot.
4bb stick float to a 20 red maggot hook. Single maggot to start and it was just like most pegs on the river, perch, dace, chublets and gudgeon for an hour then dead.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a carp stick it’s head out over in the lily pads. No way I was casting into there. Later it popped up again but my side of the pads, then a telltale row of bubbles as it dredged the bottom on its way upstream. I quickly cast above it and let the float come down towards the bubbles.
Float buried! It was on.
I had it on for what seemed like ages when in reality was about 30seconds. I almost had in netting distance, my little rod hooped over as it made a dash for the bank and under the tree root on my left and ping...
The air turned blue, much to the amusement of the people in the pub garden opposite..

Winning weight was 13lb with 10lb second.
My 4:2:0 came nowhere but wasn’t bad compared to others..