Pilgrim’s Progress

He is also a very keen angler, having come back to the sport in 1995 following a break of several years. In this regular column he will tell us about his progress as an angler – his thoughts about the sport, what he learns, the fishing trips he makes, the anguish, the humour, in fact everything he experiences as his angling career develops.

Pilgrim’s Progress – read it everyThursday!

Out On The Towpath

Great minds think alike, so they say. Well, imagine my pleasantsurprise to read Graham Marsden’s excellent article in this month’sCoarse Fisherman magazine. For those who don’t know, it’s aboutfishing urban canals, which coincidentally is the subject of thisweek’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

I plan my fishing campaigns very carefully, and as the riverseason came to an end I was intending to fish the Staffs / WorcsCanal as my main target, followed by the occasional excursion acrossto the Grand Union Canal. However, due to the closure of rural canalsto angling I was forced to do a major re-think.

Living as I do in Sedgley (that’s how I picked up the nickname’Sedge’, by the way), which is perched on the edge of the WestMidlands’ conurbation, I live close to a whole system of canals thathave remained open, due to their urban location. So, over the lastmonth I’ve been taking a look at the local canal system, or ‘the cut’as it is known by locals.

There are actually 130 miles of canal system in Birmingham and theBlack Country. For those who have heard the term ‘Black Country’, butnot sure what it refers to, it is basically the West Midlandsconurbation minus Birmingham. That leaves the Boroughs of Dudley,Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, although the actual historicboundary of the Black Country itself is fiercely debated amongstlocal people. Anyway, less of the history lesson, and back on tofishing…..or at least back to my pre-amble about canals.

The first local canal was started in 1769 by the famous engineer,James Brindley. Running from Wednesbury to Birmingham, this was to bethe first of a network that runs like veins through the conurbation.In fact, linked to canals such as the Staffs / Worcs and Grand Union,the canal system became an artery that connected the major industrialareas of England.

The closest ‘Cut’ to where I live is the Birmingham Main LineCanal, linking the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton. So, it hasbeen there that I’ve paid a few visits recently. The big twoadvantages about the canal are a) it’s local, only 1.6 miles fromhome and b) it’s free. The cleaning up of the West Midlands’ canalsystem has been a relatively recent event. Coinciding with a downturnin the numbers of people fishing, and a drop off in club members, ithas meant that whole waterways are available to fish for the just thecost of an EA rod licence.

Being an unknown entity I decided to fish with maggot just to getan idea of what is in the waterway, before deciding to targetsomething specific. This was the first time in twelve months I’veactually fished with maggots. Having fished with size 4’s and 6’sover the last year, it certainly seemed strange dealing with minute18’s hooks.

The Birmingham Main Line Canal, is certainly full of small fish,and in the few visits I’ve made so far, I’ve kept my eyes open forsigns of something decent. With the uncertainty surrounding the footand mouth situation, I’m not even sure if I’ll be spending that muchtime on the Birmingham Main Line Canal over the next few months. Itisn’t really my first choice of water, but with the severerestrictions imposed by the foot and mouth situation, as the sayinggoes – beggars can’t be choosers. Once one of my target watersbecomes available, I’ll switch to that.

However, I would encourage anyone that lives close to an urbancanal to consider pioneering the water for specimen fish. You willprobably be pleasantly surprised. This time last year I targeted theStaffs/Worcs Canal. Whilst not urban in the area I fished, itcertainly is not what you would call a ‘big fish water’. However, Idid manage a number of carp, the best to just over 10lb. I also had alarge number of bream around the 3lb mark. Good fish, taking intoaccount the water. (In fact, I want to deal with the subject of whatconstitutes a specimen fish in a future Pilgrim’s Progress).

Carp fishing the local canal is certainly one area of pioneeringthat can certainly throw up a surprise or two. In fact, when I wascatching carp from the Staffs/Worcs this time last year, there wereone or two people that I got talking to in local tackle shops thatdidn’t believe me…Even the recent trips to the Birmingham Main LineCanal I’ve made I’ve had some sarcastic comments made to me bypassers by who have been surprised to see someone fishing ‘the cut’with something other than a pole. After the initial ‘maggot only’sessions, to determine what was in the water, I switched to heavierspecimen gear. ‘Didn’t know there were sharks in here mate’, are thetype of comments that one gets. But don’t let that put you off.

I haven’t got anything to report on the carp front yet from myrecent canal visits. But, as I’ve been fishing, particularly on thewarmer evenings, as the sun sets and the towpath gets quiet, therehave been signs of some decent fish topping. As the weather picks up,and because I live locally, I intend to do a number of short sessionsinto darkness. Depending on the availability of other waters, ofcourse. Mind, having said that, I could be very surprised by thelocal canal over the next few weeks and may even decide to stay on itby choice. Who knows? If I’m sounding indecisive, it’s because Iam.

Another fish that I’ve done well with on canals is the perch. Andagain, as I’ve fished the local canal recently, I’ve seen signs ofdecent perch attacking shoals of small roach. The perch is abeautiful fish and I can certainly understand how anglers choose tospecialise and pursue such a magnificent fish.

In fact, in the article in Coarse Fisherman, Graham mentions theregular two-pounders and occasional 3’s that are being caught in hislocal urban canal, the Trent and Mersey.

So, if you’re struggling for a venue at the moment, don’t despair.Particularly if you live in an urban environment, why not check outyour local canal. You may be in for a pleasant surprise.

But just a word of warning when fishing urban canals. Try and parkyour car in a safe, well lit area near houses if possible. I’ve foundsome really good access points, but they are not ideal. Because it’san industrial area that I’ve been in, come 5.00pm, the area gets veryquiet. It’s better to have a 10 minute walk back to your car than aone minute walk back to no car. The urban canal towpath can also be aplace where ‘undesirables’ gather. If possible, fish with a friend. Amobile phone is also essential, in case of problems. I don’t want tosound too negative, but it’s better safe than sorry.

This coming Saturday (April 21st) is my birthday, which I sharewith HM The Queen. Not the year, just the day, that is. What betterway to celebrate your 39th than out fishing. Yes, that’s where I’llbe. Talking about celebrations, next Thursday’s Pilgrim’s Progress istitled ‘The Essential Ingredients For A GoodNight Out’. But before you reach for the gold medallion,chest wig and white suit, the article is about a night out at thewater’s edge rather than a night out on the town – more a case ofgoing chubbing than clubbing. See you next Thursday.