How did you get on?

[wetthrough]

Back on the Dam again yesterday. Arrived somewhat late, around 7:15am after a bit of a restless night. 7'10" and no tow to speak of. 13' and 2.75g Antenna to 16s light hook and set the 10'6" - 3bb - 18s up for the margin. I had intended to use the bait dropper but took the wrong rodmg: Some loose GB in and a couple of balls for the bottom, light wind coming from my left, SW. Picking up some nice Roach albeit fairly small but only one or two micro Roach. Average through the day probably 4oz with maybe half a dozen 6oz+ more often than not on the drop but fairly deep. Every now and then it would go quiet, I'd switch to the margin and pick a few up mostly on caster in the margin, corn at 12M. Using the margin rod to fish up in the water at around 9/10M wasn't productive which it sometimes is. Maybe the drop in temperature made them go deeper although the water has cleared up quite a lot. No obvious Pike presence, maybe they've gone deeper as well. Although something did go for my catch while fishing the margin but I'm not sure what it was. It broke the surface and my first thought was small Carp?? I didn't see much of it though but it wasn't a Pike. Switching from margin to 12M kept me catching until it went quiet around 12 when I struck into something a bit more solid. Is it a log, someones old sweater, maybe a carrier bag. No, it's a Bream. I've had lethargic Bream before but nothing like this one. Maybe it was sleep swimming:



~4lb5oz

The tow started getting going around 2pm, flowing right to left and the catches all but stopped. Whether that's down to them moving away from the tow or not liking a moving bait I don't know but it was too late in the day to start changing rigs. Never quite worked out what starts and stops the tow except there usually isn't any first thing. Around 3:15 it just stopped as if someone had flicked a switch although that was coincident with the wind dropping and I started catching again. 49 altogether. Not a bad day at all

 

[108831]

Wind hitting banks,or steep drop off cause tow,a slight change in wind strength of direction can cause an enormous change in the tow and the direction it goes,as for the fish,they normally feed best in a tow,so,sad to say it's us presenting the tackle poorly,I've caught dragging big shot three feet overdepth at times,having two inches of float out,biggish waters tend to tow hard,especially if they taper,or the wind runs into bays....

 

[neil1970]

Last week I was on holiday in sunny Broadstairs.
Unfortunately I left all my bass lures at home by mistake, so spent a couple of hours in Ramsgate harbour with the LRF gear.

There used to be some big mullet in that harbour, it was quite renowned for them but I have not been there for years-did you see any Neil?

No Mullet spotted Mark.

 

[103841]

Last week I was on holiday in sunny Broadstairs.
Unfortunately I left all my bass lures at home by mistake, so spent a couple of hours in Ramsgate harbour with the LRF gear.

There used to be some big mullet in that harbour, it was quite renowned for them but I have not been there for years-did you see any Neil?

Ive wandered around the harbour a few times this Summer and haven’t spotted one.

 

[theartist]

I was feeling a bit down during the week so headed of on a spur of the moment trip to the Severn, to run a float through, clear the head sort of thing. Well the former worked but not sure about the latter as someone had released a couple thousand ducks into the river. I kid you not the noise was deafening, a quackophony so to speak, they just didn't shut up and I really felt for those in the holiday chalets around that area. Fortunately they didn't affect the fishing.

The river looked perfect aside from a moving bank of Mallards on the far side, I waded out and run a stick through in a swim three feet deep, just perfect!. However it took a little while trotting pellet before I got my first bite, I did think it was a bit slow so was happy with a chub just short of a pound. I wasn't so happy when it was smashed by an ambitious jack pike, no doubt the reason for the lack of action. In the fast clear water I could see the poor chub just looking at me in the jaws of the pike which just held station upstream probably thinking it had bitten off more than it could chew, we were both at an inpasse for what seemed an age so I decided to wait for it to release the fish and in the meantime I just snapped away with my camera one handed. Just as I started it powered off as if camera shy, I managed to get a shot of that moment



After a while it let go and this was the last shot before I scooped a surprisingly intact chub out with my hand, If I had known the pike was still lurking underneath(you can just make out the head in this photo) perhaps I would have gone for the net mg:



Funny thing was that was the last I saw of the pike and I spent the rest of the day in the same swim which is also unusual for me, the fishing was brilliant with a really good mix of fish, 23 Chub, 2 Barbel and many Roach most of which were all around a pound give or take a few ounces. They were all pristine, absolute stunners



I don't use a keepnet but I must have had around 50lb of fish easy, and at every roach which jagged and spun in the fast water I was just waiting for that pike to reappear, thankfully it didn't but I did hear duck sounds in my sleep that night.

 

[103841]

Last week I was on holiday in sunny Broadstairs.
Unfortunately I left all my bass lures at home by mistake, so spent a couple of hours in Ramsgate harbour with the LRF gear.
I wasn't expecting much but managed a few tiny rock gobies and a couple of micro bass.

And as of now there’s no more fishing within the harbour.....legitimately anyway.

 

[mikench]

Best looking roach I’ve ever seen Mick;I’m envious.

 

[108831]

And as of now there’s no more fishing within the harbour.....legitimately anyway.

I would have clicked likes,but I don't like the part where fishing was banned in the harbour...

 

[Keith M]

Oops! posted in error. Sorry

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Well, despite the very windy conditions I has a first class day today.
I am sworn to secrecy as to the location but can say it was on the upper Test,
on a fishery that is rather expensive although I was invited as a guest. My dear
old friend who I treated to a day on my beats on the Itchen last year was
returning the favour, and I am indebted to him.



Ariving mid-morning for a cup of coffee in the hut we had all 4 beats at our
disposal so splitting up we wandered off separately.


There are over 2½ miles of both banks to explore, so far too much (for me) or
just the one day, and I had set up both 3# and 4# rods, one with dry fly and the
other for nymphing.


There being not much of a hatch, and a lot of wind, I switched over to the nymph

and after an hour had a lovely brownie of just over 2 pounds. We had agreed to
meet up for lunch and drove off to the hostelry for a very nice meal and a long
ovedue chin wag about old times an old friends.


Back on the river, and even windier, I re-rigged my 4# rod for nymphing on the
slightly wider beats downstream and soon had another 2 lovely conditioned brown
trout.

Now, I actually don't like eating trout believe it or not, unless it is smoked,

so I kept the larger one for having it smoked and the other two will go to my
next door neighbours who always profit from my trips . . . .

The river here, and the surroundings, are absolutely pristine with well

maintained, some might say manicured, banks but the peace and quiet are truly
magnificent.


Had there been a rise then the day would have been absolutely perfect, but even
without it was still a great day, and those moments spent with a coffee just
relaxing in the huts by the river were priceless.



Making my way back to the meeting point there was this one fish rising, time
after time, taking what looked like tiny black flies.


Switching over to what seemed like a reasonable imitation I cast after that wily
old fish time after time while he still rose across the river, but to absolutely
no avail, until finally, almost mockingly, he disappeared from my view.


There is obviously many a good reason why some of those larger brownies live to

a decent age, but being daft is not one of them . . . . and on my drive home I
pondered that it is just as well that we don't catch everything that is in front
of us, because we need that reason to return time after time, and, invitiation
forthcoming, I sincerely hope to fish that lovely stretch again.

If I am indeed invited beck next year then it will definitely be worth the air

fare from France, such was the day, the fishing, the food and the good company.

 

[john step]

Had a trip with my modified Daiwa match rod with the last 6 inches missing and now with a top ring on it. As per the broken rod tip thread.

Works a treat. I had 6 carp to low doubles on a very old float. The carp in the following pic was about 7lb for a size reference regarding the float. They are loaded with a brass rod insert.

I cannot recall when I bought them. It may be 30- 40 years ago. They are absolute brutes and were designed for long range carp fishing at Layer Pits in Essex. They still work as I was fishing at great distance with breadflake.

I have had chub on them from the far side of the Trent on flake.

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[rayner]

Blowing hard at times, I still had to get my tackle after making my mind up earlier.
It was expected so not too much of a disappointment even though the fishing was tripe. I did catch a few fish a little bigger than I have throughout the summer. That was due to me changing ponds to one which holds bigger fish that I choose to avoid in calmer conditions.
the highlight of the day was me being caught by an eight pound carp, I've had the odd fish that could be called blatantly lucky but this fish actually caught me.
As the story goes, I was packing my gear away rinsing tubs, putting bits back in my drawers. My rod was on the rest waiting for my wife to pack it way, with the bomb tightened up to the tip with the bomb just touching the surface of the water. I was interrupted by a chap I'd spoken to a few times. We'd been chatting for a time when a fish was trying to nick my rod. Thieving scumbag.
I netted the fish which was hooked just outside the mouth in the top lip, obviously foul hooked it' self. I suppose the fish had come to investigate my bomb on the surface and fouled my hook. Crazy fish, I struggled to catch all day the a fish caught me, ridiculous.

 

[jpwebster]

Headed out to the river with a friend that wants to get into fishing, he just wanted to catch a few roach/perch to try out his new rod and familiarise himself with casting. Spent first 3 hours of the day on a middle stretch of the river, no colour in the water and we couldn't get any maggots, last half pint being sold 10 minutes before we arrived!
I knew it was going to be difficult to get anything, wind was up and showers were intermittently interrupting our fun.
When the current turned I decided we should head for a lower stretch that should be nicely coloured and aim for a barbel. This was my plan all along, if there's one thing that will get you excited about fishing and wanting more, it's catching your first Barbel.

Filled the swim in with a pint each of pellets and hemp, I've never had more than one Barbel out of this particular swim but it produces more consistently than others available.
After putting the rods out I told my friend to expect a bite around 40-60minutes after initial baiting. 45 mins in and the rod hooped over. The look on his face as he held onto the rod was priceless, I coached him through it as this type of fishing is totally knew to him and he did great, not panicking at all. After a good 5 minute scrap the fish did it's free willy impression as I tried to net it, 2nd time lucky and it's in the net, a beautiful 7lb 3oz Barbel. Fantastic result! I don't think my friend was prepared for just how fun it can be

I got just as much enjoyment from this as I would catching one myself, which surprised me as I'm a right moody beggur if I lose a fish or blank consecutively! Love it when a plan comes together, my friend is already asking when we're going again

 

[Jelster]

Ventured to Whitepost Lakes today, part of the Todber Manor complex. Our club now has access to these two waters and this was my first visit.

Decided to hit the 2nd lake as I wandered around last week and liked the look of it; both lakes are well stocked with carp up to low doubles.

When I got there I could see a couple of guys in the end swim I fancied.... So had a quick look around and dropped in about about 3 swims down from them. There were carp on the surface, so I set up my trusty old Shakey Tetra with a top eyed waggler straight through to a size 10 about 1.2 metres from the float. Threw in a few small bits of bread as I was setting up and they'd all gone by the time I was ready. A couple more pieces in and I cast out, minutes later a take which I missed.

Next cast bang, and I'm in. Not a huge fish, but it was not happy that's for sure. Couple of minutes and he's in the net. I was worried when I saw the state of of its mouth, but all the other fish seemed OK.



Had 2 more off the top before the wind became too much of a problem.

I've been fancying trying Chorizo as a bait so set up a feeder rig and it seemed to work well.



Had 11 in total, one of which was a big old lump, must of gone into double figures.

Now, I wouldn't want to come here every day, but I will be returning as it was a lot of fun, they put up a great fight, and on my Tetra with an old Abu reel, it was a lot of fun.

 

[mikench]

Today was a trip to a new club venue with Tigger. He had been once before and liked it. We arranged to meet up there at lunchtime. Unfortunately Ian had a touch of car trouble. It's stop start technology stopped but didn't start. He managed to get home and I set up as I was there. Fortunately the issue has resolved itself.

The 2 pools are about 40 miles away for me but well worth the trip.

View attachment 7492

The rain held off and I caught 2 of these but with an hour in between. This was the larger of the 2 at around 3.5lb

View attachment 7493

I had a carp rod out for a monster which didn't materialise , in fact I didn't have a nibble on prawn, bread, pellet, meat and corn. I had a feeder rod out which caught the tench on meat.

I switched to a float rod and put the carp rod into permanent retirement. I had about 8 small perch and roach before packing up. I had a brilliant phone signal all day which is unusual on a remote fishing venue and then I noticed the reason why.

View attachment 7494

Hardly surprising! Never mind Ian there will always be another day.

Why are pics disorientated? I'll try again.

View attachment 7495

 

[Jelster]

That pool would be fun to come down but a ****** to get back up in a boat

 

[mikench]

Great 4g signal though!

 

[sam vimes]

I've been threatening to get out on at least two days this week, but not made it. One day I just couldn't face the wind. Yesterday, I even set off to go but only got as far as a good wander around the syndicate lake. Today I finally cracked it.

The wind was still horrible, gusty and downstream. There was a dab too much water for my liking too. I went with a 17' rod to give me better control of the float and the ability to fish that bit further out.

Ended up with 18 dace, 2 chublets, 2 grayling and the usual plethora of minnows. The only fish worth mentioning was one of the grayling being 1lb 10oz. The biggest grayling I can recall catching in the main river for quite some time.

 

[108831]

Another two day gap and a disastrous difference,decided to fish the same peg as Tuesday but with groundbait,corn and a pint of micros as feed,just to see if the bream preferred it,well no bubbling,no bites,not a sausage,a nice,it cool day out,seeing buzzards,kingfishers,muncjacs. When packing up I saw a carp tethered the island in front of me and to my left,so spent quite a while on the mobile explaining to the chairman of the club where it was...

 

[no-one in particular]

I found a day ticket on a river in the spring, a rare thing and I went there yesterday to try it out with some bread and sweet corn. I had made up a dead weight with some cork and split shot so it just sunk slowly. I read about this in Captain Parker’s roach fishing acca 1960 something although mine was a bit cruder than his. I wasn’t happy with it because I could not tell what was going on without a float on the line. I did get two positive takes but did not hook anything. Maybe I should have stuck with it as I went back to the float proper and only had one positive bite after that, a good fish on but lost it; maybe a good roach.
Nice place, a pub and a café there, well I say café, a cheese sandwich with a few seeds and a lettuce added and they charge Ritz prices, same as a slice of cake which you would need to max your credit cards out to sample. However, very nice day and pleasant open countryside and I might go back soon but I am changing my style of fishing from now on, taking hemp and large lumps of luncheon meat on some heavier gear, might be some big roach, tench and carp in there, fed up of messing about with bread and sweet corn on light gear, quill floats etc, blanking all the time, might as well blank going for the biguns but bet I get plagued by eels.

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