How did you get on?

[Ray Roberts]

Today I finally managed to get out on the bank for the first time since June or July last year and it was also the first time fishing since my wife passed away. As I mentioned elsewhere here, I was intending to go fishing on Monday, but the torrential rain and high winds put me off!

I called into the local tackle shop to buy some worms and casters, only to find it closed and I therefore called into the tackle shop in Droitwich. While I was in Droitwich I called in at Waitrose and bought some lunch because I make my own bread nowadays and I was running low! On the way from the car park to the store entrance, a woman flinched when she saw me in camo gear!! I tried to smile nicely, but I reckon she thought I was a mercenary or something! Conversely the checkout lady gave me a lovely smile and probably thought that I was in the armed forces!

Anyway, at Top Barn Fishery, I quickly set up a carp rod with a pop-up boilie and despite changing various set-ups and boilies, I didn’t get a take all day.

Meanwhile, the waggler rod was getting roach, rudd and perch every other cast. The fish were small though and there were none above three ounces. A more determined bite sent the float plummeting and I struck into a fish that stayed low in the water throughout the fight. I eventually netted a lovely tench. Not the best day’s fishing ever, but it was a significant day for me!

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Did you check your flies in Waitrose Steve?
While women often make passes at men who wear glasses. But you can make them flinch if you show them an inch, lol.

Glad you managed to get out and enjoy yourself Steve.

 

[riverman]

went to newhay lakes nr selby yesterday (coarse lake).1st visit and ended up with 15 roach and 2 tench.set 2 rods up waggler and leger and fished mussels prawns and luncheon meat,one of the regulars put me onto some pegs which he's fished many times and next visit i'll try one of them.a very nice lake and will be back for sure when the weather is better as it was blustery winds and showers,

 

[Steve Arnold]

Back to the same swim on the river Lot as a few days ago.

This time very little flow and after just 10 minutes fishing a decent bream.....

Bright day but a cold breeze, there had been a slight frost in the morning. I think I will keep this swim for the winter when the river has more flow, the barbel have probably moved closer to the weir now. The river was very clear and the chub were biting rather shyly, picking at the bait for minutes before committing. It took the addition of a little smoked salmon to the boilie to get the fish to hang themselves.

After finding out how well this tactic works smoked salmon may be a regular addition. I pick up a packet of smoked salmon off-cuts for about 4 euros, that will last several sessions, not at all expensive!

 

[Alan Whitty]

Been today on the club lake, two cold nights made it difficult, but not too bad, I had 3 crucians smallest 1lb 3ozs, biggest 2lbs 2ozs, 3 tench from 1lb 8ozish to 3lbs 8ozs, a bream over 2lb 8ozs, several roach between 4-8ozs, 5 skimmers and a solitary greedy gudgeon which took an 8mm pellet of meat...by the cringe that wind was cold...

 

[tommos16]

Evening all. Been a long time since ive posted - hope all are well. Had a good one today, worthy of a post at least. I've been steadily beating virtually all my PB fish though have long since realised size isn't everything, or anything at all.

This fish, for instance, isn't my biggest Tench. But it's certainly my best! Caught alongside 20 or so other Tench and Bream to 7lb 7oz (easily 50 odd Bream caught). All caught on the lift float via my Drennan Super Tench Float rod. Classic rod, classic angling

 

[Steve Arnold]

This afternoon I headed upriver, the hunt was for a barbel as I had failed on my last session. The day was sunny but a cold North wind had me choosing a sheltered area as my favourite barbel part of the Lot is too exposed to the cold wind. I was thinking of my comfort rather than the barbels!

But it proved a good choice and I caught four barbel, two of them over 6 pounds.

This was a deep swim and I had many line bites, were they spawning? The last photo may have a clue!

 

[@Clive]

Nice work Steve.

Don't know if the Lot barbel are spawning, but both carp and barbel are in northern Spain. I was watching them yesterday.