How did you get on?
- Thread starter peter crabtree
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mikench
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Was that in France Philip?
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Spent the afternoon on the disused canal. Would have preferred the big stuff in the woodland pond, but when I looked the syndicate had organised a match ("Carp Wars") on Sunday, so I thought they'd have seen some bait yesterday. At least that wind had eased and the air was mild.
Set up the usual two rigs, shallow for small fish on maggot, bottom for carp, bream etc on corn or caster. I hadn't been on my box for two minutes when this dude took up residence on my cupping kit
The small fish business proved a bit trickier than last time. Last time they sat 15" or so under the surface, and bites were easy to hit. Today they boiled on the surface for feed, and it proved harder to hook them. The best answer seemed to be to set the rig 18" deep and either hold a tight line when you flicked it out , or simply wait a second and strike. Lots dropped off, obviously not well hooked, and I trashed two rigs with fish coming off when lifted out. I couldn't put them right on the bank - I made the floats with very thin wire stems, and I couldn't even see a hole in the tiny bits of silicone rubber, much less thread line through. I'll need a magnifier to make them up again
The "big fish" (sic) rig was working better, and dropping it in 6 times at intervals of 20 mins or so got 4 of these pretty little mirrors
and one decent size bream
Back on the small fish, I caught a battered old chub that looked like he'd been in there a good few years
The ide were still boiling over the loose feed, but I was getting hungry and called it a day at 5pm
Set up the usual two rigs, shallow for small fish on maggot, bottom for carp, bream etc on corn or caster. I hadn't been on my box for two minutes when this dude took up residence on my cupping kit
The small fish business proved a bit trickier than last time. Last time they sat 15" or so under the surface, and bites were easy to hit. Today they boiled on the surface for feed, and it proved harder to hook them. The best answer seemed to be to set the rig 18" deep and either hold a tight line when you flicked it out , or simply wait a second and strike. Lots dropped off, obviously not well hooked, and I trashed two rigs with fish coming off when lifted out. I couldn't put them right on the bank - I made the floats with very thin wire stems, and I couldn't even see a hole in the tiny bits of silicone rubber, much less thread line through. I'll need a magnifier to make them up again
The "big fish" (sic) rig was working better, and dropping it in 6 times at intervals of 20 mins or so got 4 of these pretty little mirrors
and one decent size bream
Back on the small fish, I caught a battered old chub that looked like he'd been in there a good few years
The ide were still boiling over the loose feed, but I was getting hungry and called it a day at 5pm
Roger Johnson 2
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Sorry to join the conversation a bit late! A sleeve of heat shrink tubing over the “legs” of the hair grips might make them a bit more line friendly and more grippy, not tried it, just a thought from having used hair grip bobbins in the past, in fact so far past I had …..hair! ( and probably a Kevin Keegan perm too!!)
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mikench
Well-known member
I bet you were a catch then Roger as were we all. 
flightliner
Well-known member
A walk on sunday to a large windswept lake had me making plans for a return trip with my tackle yesterday.
Up at daft o—clock to see my lawn covered in light frost as dawn broke didnt bode well for the coming day.
I was fishing a little before 8am after a long walk with my gear, the facing wind bore testament to the earier frost and I sorely regretted not having an extra warm layer of clothing but it was just about bearable.
Long range GB feeders with short hooklengths were the order of the day packed with chopped worm and dead maggots with a similar offering on the size 12 hook.
I figured the colder night would hamper any bites as my target Species of Tench would be slow to respond and it was 11am when my first bite occurred.
They really are a pleasure to see the first of the year. And the near 4lb one in my net was no exception.
Another followed an hour later, perhaps a little larger and one that I was convinced was a decant Bream giving no sign of it being green or red eyed, just holding bottom with an occasional bump.
Perhaps the strangest Tench I've ever had fightwise.
The cold by then was decidedly nithering and I was huddling deep into my hoody and old fishing jacket for warmth and decided I would be away for 3pm to negotiate some of the roadworks back near home.
Meantime other than a woman throwing sticks in tha water for her dog right beside me and wrecking both my lines by jumping about in front of me it was pretty quite grrrr
!
I did have two line bites later but didnt strike deciding to leave the rod alone and half an hour later started to put some kit away when off roared the same rod that gave me the best Tench of the day, not weighed but a male of maybe just a little short of 5 lbs but if not I wasnt going to complain.
The long walk back to the car, the cold, both had me shattered by the time I got home so I was in bed asleep until 7—15pm then back at 11pm to sleep right thro the night, a rarity these days but it wont stop me going again.
Loved every minute, 'cept the cold!
Up at daft o—clock to see my lawn covered in light frost as dawn broke didnt bode well for the coming day.
I was fishing a little before 8am after a long walk with my gear, the facing wind bore testament to the earier frost and I sorely regretted not having an extra warm layer of clothing but it was just about bearable.
Long range GB feeders with short hooklengths were the order of the day packed with chopped worm and dead maggots with a similar offering on the size 12 hook.
I figured the colder night would hamper any bites as my target Species of Tench would be slow to respond and it was 11am when my first bite occurred.
They really are a pleasure to see the first of the year. And the near 4lb one in my net was no exception.
Another followed an hour later, perhaps a little larger and one that I was convinced was a decant Bream giving no sign of it being green or red eyed, just holding bottom with an occasional bump.
Perhaps the strangest Tench I've ever had fightwise.
The cold by then was decidedly nithering and I was huddling deep into my hoody and old fishing jacket for warmth and decided I would be away for 3pm to negotiate some of the roadworks back near home.
Meantime other than a woman throwing sticks in tha water for her dog right beside me and wrecking both my lines by jumping about in front of me it was pretty quite grrrr
! I did have two line bites later but didnt strike deciding to leave the rod alone and half an hour later started to put some kit away when off roared the same rod that gave me the best Tench of the day, not weighed but a male of maybe just a little short of 5 lbs but if not I wasnt going to complain.
The long walk back to the car, the cold, both had me shattered by the time I got home so I was in bed asleep until 7—15pm then back at 11pm to sleep right thro the night, a rarity these days but it wont stop me going again.
Loved every minute, 'cept the cold!
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mikench
Well-known member
Stunning tench Mick ; well done.
flightliner
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Thanks Mike, much appreciated.
S-Kippy
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Farmoor for me and the BF today after a trite or two.
Bright sun with a stiff ( and cold) north easterly wind greeted us. We started by driving right round the ressie fish spotting but saw not a single fish move which was a little concerning. Anyway....off we tramped trying to get the chilly breeze behind us which we did,finding a textbook bit of ripple which we just had to fish. I had a good solid take ( and fish) first chuck and we both thought we were in for a good day. An hour and a half later neither of us had had another pull.Time to move.
So,on the ranger's advice, we barrelled off to a corner we rarely fish but usually has a few anglers fishing it. The ripple was still good and before very long the BF had his first fish...a nice brown. The fishing was never easy but over the next couple of hours we managed a few more. I ended up with 5 fish landed and two lost. The BF had 4 and missed a few takes. It was a decent enough return on a difficult day when the chilly wind had stopped the buzzers hatching. Given the bright sun,cold wind and low overnight temps I'd have been delighted with 4/5 fish when we arrived and I really should have had 6 or 7.
Anyway....its an area we'll certainly bear in mind for the future when the wind is in the right quarter.
Bright sun with a stiff ( and cold) north easterly wind greeted us. We started by driving right round the ressie fish spotting but saw not a single fish move which was a little concerning. Anyway....off we tramped trying to get the chilly breeze behind us which we did,finding a textbook bit of ripple which we just had to fish. I had a good solid take ( and fish) first chuck and we both thought we were in for a good day. An hour and a half later neither of us had had another pull.Time to move.
So,on the ranger's advice, we barrelled off to a corner we rarely fish but usually has a few anglers fishing it. The ripple was still good and before very long the BF had his first fish...a nice brown. The fishing was never easy but over the next couple of hours we managed a few more. I ended up with 5 fish landed and two lost. The BF had 4 and missed a few takes. It was a decent enough return on a difficult day when the chilly wind had stopped the buzzers hatching. Given the bright sun,cold wind and low overnight temps I'd have been delighted with 4/5 fish when we arrived and I really should have had 6 or 7.
Anyway....its an area we'll certainly bear in mind for the future when the wind is in the right quarter.
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I had hundreds of bites yesterday, so I was happy enough to fish for just a couple today. You can't see how many cars are in the car park til you're right on it. It's a great feeling when it's empty at lunch time and the lake's all yours to decide where to fish. I started off in open water with the sun shining
But the sun went in, the wind got up and no sign of a bite on either the float-fished meat or the chod rig pop-up. I had to go back to the car for more clothes and a re-think.
I ditched the carp rig and walked round to a swim with all kinds of fishy features and fed a few handfuls of hemp, pellets and shredded meat, packed away one rod, ate a sandwich and then crept back into the fresh swim
There was a moorhen fussing around collecting material for her nest - in the pic she's marking the spot where my float was - and there was one little chick, presumably from an earlier/other brood, looking like a little black ping pong ball under the bushes. I've found the big fish come in close here, but you have to be on it or they'll be in the snags in a flash. I got 6 bites. 2 yielded fresh air. 1, a big scale. The first I connected with was this chunky ide
The second one was a different matter, and the barbel that (eventually) came to the net was fit and fat
I went for a walk around the lake for 10 minutes to let things settle down, and the float went straight away
And that was it, but I was happy enough. In my last 6 outings, I've had 3 blanks and 3 decent days, so at least things are evening up..
But the sun went in, the wind got up and no sign of a bite on either the float-fished meat or the chod rig pop-up. I had to go back to the car for more clothes and a re-think.
I ditched the carp rig and walked round to a swim with all kinds of fishy features and fed a few handfuls of hemp, pellets and shredded meat, packed away one rod, ate a sandwich and then crept back into the fresh swim
There was a moorhen fussing around collecting material for her nest - in the pic she's marking the spot where my float was - and there was one little chick, presumably from an earlier/other brood, looking like a little black ping pong ball under the bushes. I've found the big fish come in close here, but you have to be on it or they'll be in the snags in a flash. I got 6 bites. 2 yielded fresh air. 1, a big scale. The first I connected with was this chunky ide
The second one was a different matter, and the barbel that (eventually) came to the net was fit and fat
I went for a walk around the lake for 10 minutes to let things settle down, and the float went straight away
And that was it, but I was happy enough. In my last 6 outings, I've had 3 blanks and 3 decent days, so at least things are evening up..
seth49
Well-known member
Back on usual fishery today, arrived at 7am and I was the first one there, it had forecast a north east wind and cold as well, in fact it was a very light wind and hot sunshine from around 9 am.
Picked a sheltered corner swim which I like, usual sleeper rod in the margin which did nothing all day, and plumbed two swims one out for tench etc, and one in the left margin for the carp later.
Fed the the tench swim with usual chopped worm and ground bait, and 2mm pellets in the margin, fished out for the tench after a brew, to let the swim settle, but all I caught was skimmers plus a couple of roach and three small perch, no tench at all today, with very few being caught by the other anglers.
I saw a few tail patterns later plus the reeds were moving as a few carp arrived on the pellets, nothing on mussel so put a couple of worms on, hooked at the head end and then slapped on the water to stun them and stop them masking the hook point or coming of the barbless hook.
Hooked a nice carp after a while which fought really hard, got it out after a scrap, it weighed 14lb 8oz a mirror, had another a common of 6lb 4oz which also fought well, no more bites after so packed up around five, to come home.
Did see a couple of terns this morning, but no swallows yet.
Picked a sheltered corner swim which I like, usual sleeper rod in the margin which did nothing all day, and plumbed two swims one out for tench etc, and one in the left margin for the carp later.
Fed the the tench swim with usual chopped worm and ground bait, and 2mm pellets in the margin, fished out for the tench after a brew, to let the swim settle, but all I caught was skimmers plus a couple of roach and three small perch, no tench at all today, with very few being caught by the other anglers.
I saw a few tail patterns later plus the reeds were moving as a few carp arrived on the pellets, nothing on mussel so put a couple of worms on, hooked at the head end and then slapped on the water to stun them and stop them masking the hook point or coming of the barbless hook.
Hooked a nice carp after a while which fought really hard, got it out after a scrap, it weighed 14lb 8oz a mirror, had another a common of 6lb 4oz which also fought well, no more bites after so packed up around five, to come home.
Did see a couple of terns this morning, but no swallows yet.
Back to my new Gravel pit venue for a short Tench session. Negotiating the brambles and trees to get to the swim left me scratched to bits but as I was setting up a fish rolled in the swim, you don’t see a lot here so I was trembling in anticipation as something had found the bait.
Arms & legs a mass of these after each trip ..
As with the last trip I continued with flat running leads on long paternoster links with light bobins on a long drop & within 15mins of casting out one of the rods was away and a nice Tench came to the net. Result ! I would have gone home happy with that but there was more to come. I was getting liners so there were clearly other fish about & I was fretting about whether to bring one of the rods closer in but decided against it so as not to disturb anything already in the area. It proved a good decison as perhaps an hour later a rod was away on an absolute screamer, clearly no Tench. The fish tore off down the left hand margin & there was nothing I could do but stretch the rod out as far as I could to try and keep the line away from the near bank trees and hang on. I was using a 1.25tc Avon rod, 6lb line & a size 8 hook so I was going to have to be careful. On and on the fish went and I started to worry about being spooled. I clamped down and the rod bent to its maximum with heavy thumps down the blank but the rod plus the stretch in the line took its toll and gradually the fish started to turn and the slow pump back towards me began. It was still dangerously close to my near bank with a lot of line out so I didn’t try and pull too hard hoping the fish would make its own way out towards open water in front. Thankfully it did but then I noticed a new problem. The lead was stuck with weed some 20meters back up the mainline. with the fish -clearly a good one- wallowing up on the surface. Gradually it started to come in closer and with a steeper angle of line I gave the line a little shake and the lead thankfully pinged free and slid back down the line. The long first run had tired the fish out & I managed to squeeze it into the Korum pan net with a bit of a jiggling.
40lber & a real corker ..worth the cuts..
Looking down I could see it was a very good common. I don’t weigh Carp too often nowadays but I decided to give it a go. I only had Tench scales with me so secured the fish and hot footed it back to the car to get a bigger set of scales..cue more scrathes and goring by brambles. Suitably attired with the larger scales I hoisted her up and it settled at a little over 40lb & a real corker to boot, a dark handsome gravel pit fish as the photo shows. Given this was only my third session on the lake for a sum total of about 6 hours fishing I was well made up with the result.
Open to all but not many fish it ..
Its worth mentioning that the venue while in France is not a small over stocked day ticket venue crammed with large fish, it’s a large public gravel pit open to anyone. I know the experienced anglers on the site will understand why I mention this and understand the difference.
The only slight blot on the trip was that I did finally see another angler on the lake, a lady flinging a lure about near the car Park… but I can live with that
Arms & legs a mass of these after each trip ..
As with the last trip I continued with flat running leads on long paternoster links with light bobins on a long drop & within 15mins of casting out one of the rods was away and a nice Tench came to the net. Result ! I would have gone home happy with that but there was more to come. I was getting liners so there were clearly other fish about & I was fretting about whether to bring one of the rods closer in but decided against it so as not to disturb anything already in the area. It proved a good decison as perhaps an hour later a rod was away on an absolute screamer, clearly no Tench. The fish tore off down the left hand margin & there was nothing I could do but stretch the rod out as far as I could to try and keep the line away from the near bank trees and hang on. I was using a 1.25tc Avon rod, 6lb line & a size 8 hook so I was going to have to be careful. On and on the fish went and I started to worry about being spooled. I clamped down and the rod bent to its maximum with heavy thumps down the blank but the rod plus the stretch in the line took its toll and gradually the fish started to turn and the slow pump back towards me began. It was still dangerously close to my near bank with a lot of line out so I didn’t try and pull too hard hoping the fish would make its own way out towards open water in front. Thankfully it did but then I noticed a new problem. The lead was stuck with weed some 20meters back up the mainline. with the fish -clearly a good one- wallowing up on the surface. Gradually it started to come in closer and with a steeper angle of line I gave the line a little shake and the lead thankfully pinged free and slid back down the line. The long first run had tired the fish out & I managed to squeeze it into the Korum pan net with a bit of a jiggling.
40lber & a real corker ..worth the cuts..
Looking down I could see it was a very good common. I don’t weigh Carp too often nowadays but I decided to give it a go. I only had Tench scales with me so secured the fish and hot footed it back to the car to get a bigger set of scales..cue more scrathes and goring by brambles. Suitably attired with the larger scales I hoisted her up and it settled at a little over 40lb & a real corker to boot, a dark handsome gravel pit fish as the photo shows. Given this was only my third session on the lake for a sum total of about 6 hours fishing I was well made up with the result.
Open to all but not many fish it ..
Its worth mentioning that the venue while in France is not a small over stocked day ticket venue crammed with large fish, it’s a large public gravel pit open to anyone. I know the experienced anglers on the site will understand why I mention this and understand the difference.
The only slight blot on the trip was that I did finally see another angler on the lake, a lady flinging a lure about near the car Park… but I can live with that
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Roger Johnson 2
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First evening out fluff chucking for a couple of weeks with previous plans thwarted by family and friends coming to stay and insisting on taking us out to dinner, and we had a “bit”
of rain last weekend.Anyway an evening on the euronymph (would that be bead flicking rather than fluff chucking?) saw seven small trout come to hand. Jolly good fun but the river is still very cold around the nadgers!
This was the view from my part of the “up to the nadgers” river
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of rain last weekend.Anyway an evening on the euronymph (would that be bead flicking rather than fluff chucking?) saw seven small trout come to hand. Jolly good fun but the river is still very cold around the nadgers!
This was the view from my part of the “up to the nadgers” river
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mikench
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Well done ! Cracking fish.
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Roger Johnson 2
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Well done Philip, that was a heck of a result. Did you dare to mention to your lady angler the carnassier season doesn’t start until Saturday?
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Well done Philip that is one handsome carp.
I didnt Roger ...but as she was using a 6 foot telescopic boat rod and was doing that sort of -let go of the rod with one hand- casting style, I suspect she was probably not too aware of subtleties such as close seasons
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Ray Roberts
Well-known member
Make sure your tetanus jabs are up to date Philip.
Cracking fish, I think that they are always extra special if you don’t follow the circus and find them yourself.
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Cracking fish, I think that they are always extra special if you don’t follow the circus and find them yourself.
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barbelboi
Well-known member
Nice fish Phillip................