theartist
Well-known member
That's some stretch of river you got there Kev, are there smaller year classes coming through too?
How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
- Start date
seth49
Well-known member
Out early again yesterday, but not early enough the two pegs we did well on last week were already taken, so we tried another two pegs which normally aren’t to bad.
To be honest we struggled, I was catching a few bream, and mick had bream plus a couple of carp, the weather conditions were totally different, blue skies and bright sunshine, and it was very warm as well.
Around twelve the carp came up on the surface for a bit of sunshine, so I tried a pellet waggler as surface baits are banned, a white wafter got me a few carp like this, finished with three finally.
No photos today as I left my camera in micks car,plenty of butterflies about today, plus dragonflies, and a pair of kingfishers flew past a couple of times.
To be honest we struggled, I was catching a few bream, and mick had bream plus a couple of carp, the weather conditions were totally different, blue skies and bright sunshine, and it was very warm as well.
Around twelve the carp came up on the surface for a bit of sunshine, so I tried a pellet waggler as surface baits are banned, a white wafter got me a few carp like this, finished with three finally.
No photos today as I left my camera in micks car,plenty of butterflies about today, plus dragonflies, and a pair of kingfishers flew past a couple of times.
wetthrough
Well-known member
Fished the Bridgewater yesterday arriving just as daylight broke. Fishing opposite a wooded area meant I'd be in the shade for at least some of the day. Some overhanging bushes to left and right on the opposite bank and a slight bay looking like a good spot. There are some branches overhanging the bay but only about 1.5M in from the bank and 6:7M up. Shouldn't be a problem... Plumbed up, 41" on the far shelf and 78" at the bottom of the near drop off. Couple of golf balls of GB in both swims and set up the 13' Vertex. First thing out was a scale the size of my thumb nail which put paid to any chance I might have had of meeting its owner. Couple of smallish Roach to start with followed by some really nice 8oz plus specimens. This was one of the last though not the biggest, all on sweetcorn.
Ten really nice fish by around 11:30 and it just dried up. Whether that was due to the sun or boat traffic I don't know. Having no locks it's a very popular cruising canal and there were lots of boats. Note to self not to fish it during the summer holidays. Interesting how they differ. Some will cut the engines and cruise past, probably anglers. Some will make a token gesture and slow the engines down only to power up as the stern gets level with you. Do they think they're like planes with the propeller at the front? Others don't give a flying fig. 4 mile an hour limit, you must be kidding. I'd have to run to keep up with some of them.
Switched to the far shelf which I'd been loose feeding. Catching regularly but mostly small with just the odd one here and there 4oz+. Mostly to caster. That overhanging branch turned out to be more of a problem than I thought. Lost a float which I might have got back if I hadn't been rushing. There's a boat coming and I'm trying to pull out of the tree wondering how long you get for decapitating a bargee. Switched to side casting which is not something I get much practice at, I just got snagged in different places. Accuracy improved after loosing the float and putting a 4bb on, the lost one was 3bb. 5 hooks, a float, swivel attachment and float stops. I've never lost so much tackle in one session.
22 Roach not counting a dozen or so micro fish and one small Perch around 3oz+.
Some youngsters started fishing about 50yds further up, mid teens I'd guess. I was packing up at 4 so asked them if they wanted any left over bait. Maggots, you'd have thought I was giving them the crown jewels they were that grateful. Nice lads and a good days fishing.
Ten really nice fish by around 11:30 and it just dried up. Whether that was due to the sun or boat traffic I don't know. Having no locks it's a very popular cruising canal and there were lots of boats. Note to self not to fish it during the summer holidays. Interesting how they differ. Some will cut the engines and cruise past, probably anglers. Some will make a token gesture and slow the engines down only to power up as the stern gets level with you. Do they think they're like planes with the propeller at the front? Others don't give a flying fig. 4 mile an hour limit, you must be kidding. I'd have to run to keep up with some of them.
Switched to the far shelf which I'd been loose feeding. Catching regularly but mostly small with just the odd one here and there 4oz+. Mostly to caster. That overhanging branch turned out to be more of a problem than I thought. Lost a float which I might have got back if I hadn't been rushing. There's a boat coming and I'm trying to pull out of the tree wondering how long you get for decapitating a bargee. Switched to side casting which is not something I get much practice at, I just got snagged in different places. Accuracy improved after loosing the float and putting a 4bb on, the lost one was 3bb. 5 hooks, a float, swivel attachment and float stops. I've never lost so much tackle in one session.
22 Roach not counting a dozen or so micro fish and one small Perch around 3oz+.
Some youngsters started fishing about 50yds further up, mid teens I'd guess. I was packing up at 4 so asked them if they wanted any left over bait. Maggots, you'd have thought I was giving them the crown jewels they were that grateful. Nice lads and a good days fishing.
S-Kippy
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I think I've just about had enough crucian fishing for this year but I was at a complete loss as to where else to go today. Didn't fancy carp, the big tench water is a no no while the bloody water ski boat is out 12 hours a day and I havent got me barbel head on yet.
So...one last go at the crucian ( he says) in the absence of any better idea.
The forecast was a bit dodgy so I left much later than I usually do reasoning that the worst of the early wet would be over by the time I got there. In fact it didn't rain at all on the way down and there were only a few spots as I trudged round to my chosen spot. The fish were a bit iffy today...whether thats because of the silly temps recently or the BH weekend I dont know but they were much cuter than usual.
Started with a tench around 2lb ( so they are still in there) and then the crucian showed up but I had to keep swapping hookbaits to get any decent interest. The rubber corn worked initially but then faded and I ended up on double 4mm soft hooker though I did have a couple of fish on a tiny cube of rubber meat.
2 official food tasters around the pound mark, a couple at 1-8 and the rest all an ounce or 2 either side of 2lb with the best 3 at 2-3,2-5 and 2-6. All very handsome fish too as I hope you'll agree.
Bit of a surprise when I netted one to discover it was sharing the net with half a pint of whitebait. How that happened I really dont know....must have scooped them up as I landed the fish I guess.
So...one last go at the crucian ( he says) in the absence of any better idea.
The forecast was a bit dodgy so I left much later than I usually do reasoning that the worst of the early wet would be over by the time I got there. In fact it didn't rain at all on the way down and there were only a few spots as I trudged round to my chosen spot. The fish were a bit iffy today...whether thats because of the silly temps recently or the BH weekend I dont know but they were much cuter than usual.
Started with a tench around 2lb ( so they are still in there) and then the crucian showed up but I had to keep swapping hookbaits to get any decent interest. The rubber corn worked initially but then faded and I ended up on double 4mm soft hooker though I did have a couple of fish on a tiny cube of rubber meat.
2 official food tasters around the pound mark, a couple at 1-8 and the rest all an ounce or 2 either side of 2lb with the best 3 at 2-3,2-5 and 2-6. All very handsome fish too as I hope you'll agree.
Bit of a surprise when I netted one to discover it was sharing the net with half a pint of whitebait. How that happened I really dont know....must have scooped them up as I landed the fish I guess.
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Went today and christened the new rod,landing net and handle,fished down the edge on the deep lake,had upwards of 40 roach between 8ozs and a pound,a bream between 6-7lbs and an unruly mirror 13lb 2ozs,I even had a wren who liked the Darent Valley rod,landed six inches up from the handle...whilst I was holding it,lol.
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mikench
Well-known member
Alan I don’t know whether to nominate you for a world record or commiserate for a large snotty.
I assume it was a bream and not a bleak
Good rod though.
I assume it was a bream and not a bleak
Good rod though.
theartist
Well-known member
Took dad out yesterday and was happy to potter around on club pond with it still a bit sticky but not as bad as previous days. I was less happy to find the shop en route had run out of maggots as dad always uses them on the pond.
I didn't fancy a longer drive to another shop so convinced dad to try bread as it always takes this pond apart, he was reluctant as he could never get it to stay on the hook, but I was determined to help and had visions of us sitting together catching fish after fish. It's got to the stage where I thread his rod rings to save him twenty minutes so putting on a pole float and tying a hook was not an issue as I set him completely up and baited the swim, carp were already showing and it would be simple, or so I thought.
Thing was no matter how many times I showed him he either couldn't get the bread to stay on the hook and this resulted in a half hearted strike which wasn't going to hit anything, or it was moulded on like rock, he's always been a bit heavy handed but bread is a lot more fiddly than putting a maggot on a hook for him. Yet he can hair rig a pellet for barbel fine. The carp and roach in the swim made for an awkward series of missed strikes as I left him whilst I set up.
To be fair to dad he gave it a good go even after I found a quarter of a pint of maggots from last time in my bag, he used in them in the next swim after lunch probably grateful he could do him own thing, funny how you can have little confidence in a new bait or method if you're not used to it. Maybe it's an old dog new tricks thing or I'm a lousy teacher, perhaps a bit of both.
He ended up with a few roach and perch and a bream which he was happy with. I had loads of carp on bread but to be fair after the initial couple of mug fish it took a while before it was one a cast, perhaps this would have been the time to fish it with dad. Mind you he managed to lock the gates to the fishery forgetting he was on the wrong side of them when leaving, looks like I'll be doing that too from now on, love that dude
I didn't fancy a longer drive to another shop so convinced dad to try bread as it always takes this pond apart, he was reluctant as he could never get it to stay on the hook, but I was determined to help and had visions of us sitting together catching fish after fish. It's got to the stage where I thread his rod rings to save him twenty minutes so putting on a pole float and tying a hook was not an issue as I set him completely up and baited the swim, carp were already showing and it would be simple, or so I thought.
Thing was no matter how many times I showed him he either couldn't get the bread to stay on the hook and this resulted in a half hearted strike which wasn't going to hit anything, or it was moulded on like rock, he's always been a bit heavy handed but bread is a lot more fiddly than putting a maggot on a hook for him. Yet he can hair rig a pellet for barbel fine. The carp and roach in the swim made for an awkward series of missed strikes as I left him whilst I set up.
To be fair to dad he gave it a good go even after I found a quarter of a pint of maggots from last time in my bag, he used in them in the next swim after lunch probably grateful he could do him own thing, funny how you can have little confidence in a new bait or method if you're not used to it. Maybe it's an old dog new tricks thing or I'm a lousy teacher, perhaps a bit of both.
He ended up with a few roach and perch and a bream which he was happy with. I had loads of carp on bread but to be fair after the initial couple of mug fish it took a while before it was one a cast, perhaps this would have been the time to fish it with dad. Mind you he managed to lock the gates to the fishery forgetting he was on the wrong side of them when leaving, looks like I'll be doing that too from now on, love that dude
I've had my eldest daughter and my Son-in Law Chris down from the Midlands for a few days. It is customary for Chris and I to fish at least once when they visit, so we decided to go on Tuesday, allowing the Ladies to go a their regular shopping trip. If shopping was an olympic event my eldest daughter would win gold, silver and bronze all on her own. Chris told me he'd never fished the Method Feeder and wanted to give it a try, so I drove him to a local commercial that is stuffed with carp between 2lb & 8 lb. We arrived at eight o'clock and settled for this two pegs:
[url=https://postimg.cc/K1WFm3fR]
image hosting website[/URL]
Chris fished the right hand one and I the left. It is about a thirty yard chuck to island in six foot of water, so nice and comfortable for an Old Man. I mixed a raft of groundbait up and took Chris some along with, feeders, swivels, pellets and hook lengths with lasso hair rigs and a customizes 10mm knitting needle I use to open up the lasso loop when putting a new 8mm pellet on. I made sure he knew what to do, then got myself sorted. Second chuck got me this:
[url=https://postimg.cc/Y4m702D8]
[/URL]
and from then on it was a succession of these:
[url=https://postimg.cc/f33zdfyc]
[/URL]
[url=https://postimg.cc/YGKHWcJ7]
[/URL]
After the minimum of tuition, Chris got the hang of it and was soon catching similarly. Half way through the session it Persistently rained, which pleased Chris no end, as the previous day he'd bought a new umbrella and was itching to put it up. The fact he was wearing just shorts and a Tee shirt and got soaking wet in the process didn't seem to bother him. Come one thirty and I'd enough so sat and watch Chris for half an hour then while two o'clock, we knocked it on the head. Chris had done 35 carp and was over the Moon, I had 78 and was completely b*ll*cked. We took a steady drive back, which included a detour of the back lanes of Dorset, due to an overturned Hay Wagon on the main drag. Tuesday evening saw us having a nice meal down at the local pub. On wednesday, after eating all my snap and drinking most of my ale, Ann and Chris left along with another wedge of my fishing gear (as always). Great to see them both, I am looking forward to their next visit. Pete.
[url=https://postimg.cc/K1WFm3fR]
image hosting website[/URL]Chris fished the right hand one and I the left. It is about a thirty yard chuck to island in six foot of water, so nice and comfortable for an Old Man. I mixed a raft of groundbait up and took Chris some along with, feeders, swivels, pellets and hook lengths with lasso hair rigs and a customizes 10mm knitting needle I use to open up the lasso loop when putting a new 8mm pellet on. I made sure he knew what to do, then got myself sorted. Second chuck got me this:
[url=https://postimg.cc/Y4m702D8]
[/URL]and from then on it was a succession of these:
[url=https://postimg.cc/f33zdfyc]
[/URL][url=https://postimg.cc/YGKHWcJ7]
[/URL]After the minimum of tuition, Chris got the hang of it and was soon catching similarly. Half way through the session it Persistently rained, which pleased Chris no end, as the previous day he'd bought a new umbrella and was itching to put it up. The fact he was wearing just shorts and a Tee shirt and got soaking wet in the process didn't seem to bother him. Come one thirty and I'd enough so sat and watch Chris for half an hour then while two o'clock, we knocked it on the head. Chris had done 35 carp and was over the Moon, I had 78 and was completely b*ll*cked. We took a steady drive back, which included a detour of the back lanes of Dorset, due to an overturned Hay Wagon on the main drag. Tuesday evening saw us having a nice meal down at the local pub. On wednesday, after eating all my snap and drinking most of my ale, Ann and Chris left along with another wedge of my fishing gear (as always). Great to see them both, I am looking forward to their next visit. Pete.
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Thought it was a good time to get in some casting practice, I haven’t been for at least 24 hours. Maybe a change of scenery would help, so a trip to Hythe with France in my sights seemed a good idea. Lovely day for it, blue skies and a bit of swell.
Two hours spent and I reckon I have got my action near perfect.
Plenty of anglers dotted along the coastline also perfecting their casting action, one even accidentally caught a mackerel.
Two hours spent and I reckon I have got my action near perfect.
Plenty of anglers dotted along the coastline also perfecting their casting action, one even accidentally caught a mackerel.
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mikench
Well-known member
I managed to get out again and being boring I returned to the same venue. I like fishing bread crust on the surface and am aware this method will soon die a death as the autumn arrives and temperatures fall.
View attachment 7442
No pics of fish as there was a good selection of roach, Rudd, bream, carp ( common, mirror and crucian) and gudgeon . I caught 40 in total and at least 10 fish on floated crust. This included a couple of barmy bream which thought they were flying fish. I had a few carp on the drop with both crust and pellet which is very satisfying. An enjoyable day which is the object of the excercise and tomorrow promises a day with Gordon ( Wetthrough) on another venue with a different method.
View attachment 7442
No pics of fish as there was a good selection of roach, Rudd, bream, carp ( common, mirror and crucian) and gudgeon . I caught 40 in total and at least 10 fish on floated crust. This included a couple of barmy bream which thought they were flying fish. I had a few carp on the drop with both crust and pellet which is very satisfying. An enjoyable day which is the object of the excercise and tomorrow promises a day with Gordon ( Wetthrough) on another venue with a different method.
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
I recently heard the bream were showing again on Marsworth reservoir, one of the Tring reservoirs. Up until a couple of years ago this was alive with 5lb+ slabs and you needed 100lb+ to win a match. Those days are gone but there have been a few caught recently. With that in mind I have booked in to what will probably be the last ever open match on there at the end of September.
So today I gave it a try.
The first thing that I noticed was the big clumps of weed floating around, it was never like this before?
Secondly how clear the water was, even with a strong westerly wind blowing.
I set up on what used to be a good peg when the wind is blowing in.
Feeder rod with cage feeder to an 18. Spent the first half hour feeding a spot around 40yds out,
Groundbait and casters on the clip.
Baited the hook with worm and maggot and sat and waited. 10,11,12o’clock and not a twitch?
Sent another 10 feederfuls of gb and dead maggots out and tried double maggot. Surely a perch or something would have a go, but no.
Out of boredom I set up a 4m whip and tried single maggot just beyond the floating weed in front of me. Had 2 good perch and 3 rudd but it was hardly one a chuck as it used to be. Where were the good roach which were unavoidable on maggots at this time of year?
I’ll probably give it another try before the end of September then decide on my tactics. If it’s that hard on the day and everyone struggles I may well go all out for Rudd and perch which should give me something to weigh in?
So today I gave it a try.
The first thing that I noticed was the big clumps of weed floating around, it was never like this before?
Secondly how clear the water was, even with a strong westerly wind blowing.
I set up on what used to be a good peg when the wind is blowing in.
Feeder rod with cage feeder to an 18. Spent the first half hour feeding a spot around 40yds out,
Groundbait and casters on the clip.
Baited the hook with worm and maggot and sat and waited. 10,11,12o’clock and not a twitch?
Sent another 10 feederfuls of gb and dead maggots out and tried double maggot. Surely a perch or something would have a go, but no.
Out of boredom I set up a 4m whip and tried single maggot just beyond the floating weed in front of me. Had 2 good perch and 3 rudd but it was hardly one a chuck as it used to be. Where were the good roach which were unavoidable on maggots at this time of year?
I’ll probably give it another try before the end of September then decide on my tactics. If it’s that hard on the day and everyone struggles I may well go all out for Rudd and perch which should give me something to weigh in?
Amazing Simon,around five years ago I took my youngest to Marsworh ressie to try and get him into fishing and whilst casting the feeder out for him he went on to wind in around 15 bream,before getting knackered(he was about eleven),I went on to get the total up to 32,I returned three weeks later and fished a hundred yards along from where we were and caught 30 bream before running out of dead maggot,the reservoir has had a good head of bream for as long as I can remember. I take it matches are stopping because of the fishing going off?
seth49
Well-known member
Red sky in the morning yesterday, didn’t rain though, did feel a lot colder this morning, water is still warm, my deeper showed a surface temperature of 68 degrees, when I tried it, haven’t used it for a while, so thought I’d try it yesterday.
It also showed a lot of fish in midwater, out where the depth dropped off to six foot deep, it is handy for showing depths, drop offs etc, and makes it easier when plumbing up, always shows more fish in summer though ?.
Had this young heron near me for a while, he wasn’t catching much either.
Was quiet yesterday, just a couple of carp, and a few skimmers, I was using my greys prodigy barbel rod with the tip carrier in as a ledger rod, I was pleased with the way it handled the carp, it’s the one and a half pound test curve version, I don’t fish rivers for barbel anymore, so it’s good to use it again, I have two of these, will be getting more use out of these in future.
mikench
Well-known member
Had a very enjoyable days fishing with Gordon( wetthrough) at a club water.
View attachment 7452
It resembles a horseshoe in shape or two kidney shaped pools connected by a wide channel. I had a mirror on the first cast on my feeder but thereafter it was slow and I managed five carp to five pound and a tiny roach. Gordon fared better with some lovely small mirror plus mums and dads. He however had a secret bait born out of desperation . He moulded Kellogg's finest like a paste around the hook and caught a few carp. I keep these in my bag but the fish are not having them.
View attachment 7454
View attachment 7453
Gordon was on the float as usual and by the time I left the sun was out and it was pleasantly warm. Thanks for your company Gordon and shame about the fish but one can't have everything.
View attachment 7452
It resembles a horseshoe in shape or two kidney shaped pools connected by a wide channel. I had a mirror on the first cast on my feeder but thereafter it was slow and I managed five carp to five pound and a tiny roach. Gordon fared better with some lovely small mirror plus mums and dads. He however had a secret bait born out of desperation . He moulded Kellogg's finest like a paste around the hook and caught a few carp. I keep these in my bag but the fish are not having them.
View attachment 7454
View attachment 7453
Gordon was on the float as usual and by the time I left the sun was out and it was pleasantly warm. Thanks for your company Gordon and shame about the fish but one can't have everything.
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wetthrough
Well-known member
Great day thanks Mike. Enjoyed it as usual. 'One' had three more on after you'd gone plus some mini Mirrors and a few Roach but only managed to land one of the Carp, a 7lb Common with attitude. I need stronger tackle!
Young lad behind and to our left had his rod dragged in!
Young lad behind and to our left had his rod dragged in!
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mikench
Well-known member
Oh dear. That could have been me! We can discuss Tackle when next we meet.
We can discuss Tackle when next we meet.
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
After catching a few rudd yesterday I got the taste for them, I know my local town pit has been throwing up a few so I went down this morning..
Set up on the windward side, which I began to regret after the wind got up, it was flipping cold!
Wagg and double magg set up I balled in 4 big balls of gb about 4 rod lengths out. The water has at last coloured up after being gin clear all year. The speedboat wasn’t out today either which was nice (skippy).
It wasn’t long before my float dipped and a pristine rudd was landed. Over the next few hours I caught plenty more. Last year these were small fish but they are now around the 6-7oz jobs and fight like demons, great fun on light gear.
Set up on the windward side, which I began to regret after the wind got up, it was flipping cold!
Wagg and double magg set up I balled in 4 big balls of gb about 4 rod lengths out. The water has at last coloured up after being gin clear all year. The speedboat wasn’t out today either which was nice (skippy).
It wasn’t long before my float dipped and a pristine rudd was landed. Over the next few hours I caught plenty more. Last year these were small fish but they are now around the 6-7oz jobs and fight like demons, great fun on light gear.
mikench
Well-known member
I do like Rudd. I have yet to catch a large one over 8 oz or so but live in hope.