How did you get on?

[neil1970]

Nice afternoon at the weir.
Great weather, and good company; Simon and another mate came down and we had a laugh. Two tiny Barbel as well.

 

[nicepix]

Had a short hour and a half session this morning on my local river using my new setup (Korum Snapper 5-15g rod and Fox Ultron 1500 reel) was very pleased with the setup especially as I was using my own hand tied Jigheads, 7 Perch in total fell to my lure nothing huge but on a light setup felt bigger. A productive session and more importantly great fun!

I've been meaning to give that sort of thing a go for ages. I've got loads of home tied clousers and such like. Even pike flies. Well done

---------- Post added at 21:28 ---------- Previous post was at 21:20 ----------

I'd expected my mole patrol today to end around 2 to 3pm so I packed a bit of fishing tackle to while away the afternoon. I knew that I'd a chance of fishing the River Vienne or an 18 hectare lake I would pass on the way home. Unlike you lot I've been doing some river fishing and last week's surprise tench got my tinca buds going, so I took a 12' float rod, Match Aerial centrepin and float tackle. Wrong choice! I stopped off at the river to let the dog have a walk and it looked perfect.

Still, I had the whole lake to myself. It has a shallow neck and and deeper, wider dam end and so naturally I went to the shallow part and started looking around. When you only have a short session, like three hours as in this case, finding the fish at the start is more important than a good baiting program in my opinion. Trouble is, I couldn't locate any. No bubbles, rolling or splashes other than fry and kingfishers.

Ended the day with four poisson chats, a small nuisance species that have to be killed and not returned. Never saw a tench or carp all session

 

[S-Kippy]

Another day on the trite at Farmoor for me. I was Billy Nomates today as the Big Fella had promised to take a work mate to Bury Hill. TBH I was sorely tempted by a session on the pole after the crucians but when Farmoor is on you have to make the most of it.

Once again the weather fairy did for me. It was supposed to be cloudy all day but instead I got roasted and with it being so bright the trite were deeper. Last week it was the top dropper doing the business....today it was the buzzer on the point. The fishing was good though not easy...I had 15 fish and,again,for some reason a good few didn't stick...reckon I lost at least another 7/8 fish but I can't complain,especially as I was on a free ticket which Will gave me at last year's CLA Game Fair.

Best about 5lb and once again I got done by an absolute porpoise which took 50 yds of backing off the reel and did me round a buoy. I think it might have been one of Farmoor's legendary big browns. Whatever it was it was a bloody lump !

Really good day apart from the bloody beetles. Last week we were pestered by tiny spiders,this week I doubt there was any less than 50 barstid rape beetles crawling on me at any one time. Up me hooter,in me lughole,inside me glasses,down me neck and in me pants. Bloody things...there must be billions of the damn things up there. Buqqer off and pollinate something will you !

 

[lambert1]

Blanked, unless you count a Crayfish After a hot sunny day it got really windy shortly after I arrived after work and I struggled to get any interest. Probably got it wrong tactically as well. Thought I had lost my unhooking mat, but mercifully found it on the way back. After such a long wait it was something of an anti-climax, but I am already planning my next trip! The water is lower than last year and already very weedy, but it is a challenge

 

[wes79]

Set myself a challenge last season........ to catch a Barbel from out of the River Mersey

Another box ticked!

 

[peter crabtree]

Wes... Brilliant!

 

[hammer_jamie]

Forgive me fellow fishermen I never thought I would catch a fish this size on my local stretch of river so I never bothered with a matt... Oh how wrong I was.

Was out for about 2 hours I started one end and worked my way down until I ended up under a bridge. 2nd cast under the bridge and I was into a fish but silly me forgot to strike and it got away. 10 mins later BAM I was into one again and managed to land it. I felt bad as never had a unhooking matt but I can assure you all I looked after him well and he swam off happily.

What an amazing feeling to land my first fish since being back, And my first ever pike.

If anyone would like a guess at the weight that would be appreciated.

.... I have now bought a matt

 

[greenie62]

Forgive me fellow fishermen I never thought I would catch a fish this size on my local stretch of river so I never bothered with a matt... Oh how wrong I was.....

Well done to have landed it Jamie!

It's always the way - just when you least expect it - .....!

In future - if you are caught out without an unhooking mat handy, leave the fish in the net, avoid placing it on an unyielding or abrasive surface, balancing the frame of the net on e.g. your knees or a bankstick - suspending/supporting the weight of the fish - still gives you a hand free for taking a pic before helping you return the fish to the water.
The frame and pan of the net also helps 'scale' the piccy to give viewers an idea of the size of fish!

Tight Lines :thumbs:

 

[theartist]

Forgive me fellow fishermen I never thought I would catch a fish this size on my local stretch of river so I never bothered with a matt... Oh how wrong I was.

Was out for about 2 hours I started one end and worked my way down until I ended up under a bridge. 2nd cast under the bridge and I was into a fish but silly me forgot to strike and it got away. 10 mins later BAM I was into one again and managed to land it. I felt bad as never had a unhooking matt but I can assure you all I looked after him well and he swam off happily.

What an amazing feeling to land my first fish since being back, And my first ever pike.

If anyone would like a guess at the weight that would be appreciated.

.... I have now bought a matt

Hard to guage the weight Jamie as there's nothing it compare it to in the photo, glad you got a matt mate but if you ever find yourself without one try and find a bit of long soft grass to use

Or what Greenie just said lol

 

[hammer_jamie]

Thank you Greenie & Artist for the tips & advice.

I would of placed the fish on grass but there was none around I've taken the photo standing in singing nettles!!!

Anyway really happy, This fish has made my day! And I won't be without a Matt in future that's for sure. ( first time I was happy to tag along to the shops with the misses lol )

 

[binka]

I was up and out the house by 3.30 this morning, quite a muggy start around these parts with humidity building throughout the day and it’s very close now.

Despite that I thankfully managed to stay dry this time (!) and even managed a few fish, nothing big with the best going seven pounds or so and all caught by underarming a 1/2 oz bomb into the main flow and letting it settle back under near bank overhanging trees a few yards downriver with a bit of hemp going in over the top by hand…



I lost a zoo creature which shot straight out into the main flow and did a 12lb hooklink going UPRIVER when the drag couldn't keep up and presumably a big river carp, I've been thinking of having a session on these ever since I spotted a small group just downriver from where I fished today and I've heard of numerous twenties and a "firty" plus coming out but it will have to be on some seriously strong gear if I do.

Really chomping at the bit now for a stick session and with another week off next week I think I’ll be satisfying that particular urge, hopefully then the barbel will be firing on all cylinders again.

Thirsty work is this… :guinness:

Ps... A cheeky little unintended glimpse of the forceps there but no complaining as they ain't been seen for some time

 

[neil1970]

I fished the Thames for the first time, from the privileged position of a friend's parents back garden in Bray.

I had two rods out, one with maggot feeder, the other groundbait feeder and pellet. Also did alot of lure fishing.

Didn't catch anything until I borrowed my mate's float setup (he was catching loads of dace and a couple of nice roach) I saved the blank with 2 or 3 dace.

Brilliant day with picnic lunch, pizza for tea and nice boat and canoe trips for the kids, who also enjoyed a bit of fishing

 

[Tee-Cee]

Quality will always out, so I'm not surprised ' one ' has friends in Bray.....In fact I would've been disappointed had you suggested somewhere less salubrious !

I can see it now ; A fine lunch followed by afternoon tea on the ' lawn ' with a bit of fishing thrown in.....all very nice.. I suggest you get yourself back to the local river as soon as possible, before you start getting used to it !!


ps Always nice to take a few dace, though.. ( Notice I've used ' take ' rather than ' catch ' as this sounds so very coarse.............................)



Have a nice day !!

 

[hammer_jamie]

Could only dream of having a river at the end of the garden! Must be amazing

 

[tigger]

Could only dream of having a river at the end of the garden! Must be amazing

Until it floods mg:
I like going to the river but i'd never buy a property close by to one, every time it rained for a prolonged period i'd be up and down checking the height of the water....nightmare !

 

[greenie62]

Until it floods mg:
I like going to the river but i'd never buy a property close by to one, every time it rained for a prolonged period i'd be up and down checking the height of the water....nightmare !

Checking the height of the water? - Rubbish Tigger - you'd be checking tickets in case any anglers had strayed onto your water! mg:

 

[lambert1]

I agree with Tigger and my envy is tempered by the thought of what would happen if it flooded. My brother has a river running through his garden (which at this time of the year is little more than a babbling brook, but in the wintermg: I think he has had two insurance claims to date

 

[stu_the_blank]

Brilliant day with picnic lunch, pizza for tea and nice boat and canoe trips for the kids, who also enjoyed a bit of fishing

Messing about on the River!

Bliss, enjoy!

Stu

 

[hammer_jamie]

Until it floods mg:

True you have a point lol

 

[john step]

One I had recently at 1lb 12ozs. Getting near the magic two