How did you get on?

[flightliner]

A friend asked me if I fancied a day on a lake near his home village yesterday, "any good" I asked. "Carp tench and just about everything " he replied. So yesterday morning I was sat some little distance away from my friend , a two rod setup with simple ground bat feeders filled with red crumb stuffed with casters and two artificials on a fourteen hook.
Five minutes after the off and I get a solid take resulting in a lovely 6-12 tench.
Only one I had but an early autumn cracker!

 

[thecrow]

Wasn't sure whether to fish today not knowing what the weather would hold as the forecast storm never arrived around this bit, anyway it looked ok at 7-30 so after my one cup of coffee that I have each day I was out of the door and heading for a small day ticket water.

Unsurprisingly when I arrived I found I was the only angler there so I drove round to have the wind over my shoulder none of that" fish into the wind" for me any more comfort comes first.

Set up with the shaky mach 3 coupled with my new pin freebies were mixed pellet and corn with the odd bit of chopped mussel, mussel was the hook bait.

There are lots of double figure carp in this water unfortunately there are also hoards of small roach which attack anything remotely edible and because of this that the float is never still and its a case of waiting for a proper bite that usually means waiting for the line to tighten to the rod.

The wind kept the rain off until around 13-00 hrs but when it came it really meant it so a quick pack up was called for, finished with 3 fish biggest around 11/12lbs pulled out of 3 more which is unusual on there, I was using Drennan super specialist 10s for the first time in a while as the tackle shop didn't have my usual in stock (wasn't there a thread about them)

An enjoyable day apart from one thing the new pin everything about it is better than the classic the bearings are very smooth (possibly to free running) and the engineering is better, I don't know if its because I am used to the classic I have been using but it just didn't feel right, the ratchet button is a tad awkward whereas the classic is right by my finger as I hold the rod, anyway its being sold so if anyone wants a Madfish Wild River centrepin used once at a very good price let me know and we can sort something out, if not it will be on the bay in a couple of days.

 

[103841]

Another short excursion for a bit of Canterbury chubbing this morning. With a spot of rain and a cool wind, conditions weren't to my liking but with the fish not showing themselves so readily as before, plenty of roving between swims kept me nice and warm

I'm now starting to suss out little pockets, holes and holding areas and sure enough within seconds of the first cast I had a feisty chub trying to free himself in the streamer weed. I've starting using a heavier line at 6lb for this very reason, with 3lb of fish and a couple of lb of weed it's quite a strain. Such was the commotion I moved on straight away with high hopes of a bumper short session, but it wasn't to be. With a lot of debris coming downstream it was difficult to present a bait and in the end decided to head up to the weir to see if that would be any better. Maybe the reason for so much debris floating downstream was the fact two of the sluice gates had been opened.

I had a few worms and did a bit of makeshift drop shotting which paid off with a couple of chub within minutes of each other.

Had to call it a day at that point and walked back to the car in glorious sunshine and a weakening wind feeling a bit miffed, oh well there's always tomorrow.

 

[mikench]

I was like a a kid at Christmas - addiction analogies felt inappropriate ! First proper fishing for a month and whilst the weather was iffy( dull, windy and looking like rain ) I was determined to go. Set up in my favourite spot on a favoured venue and with the wind at my back fishing a pellet feeder with corn on the hook. Nothing for an hour so switched to pellet and had a few bream( what else) . Then tried a boilie on a light bomb and bingo 2 common around 10 to 11 lb! when that went quiet and amidst torrential rain showers I had another 10 bream ( to 5lb) on a method feeder with 8mm halibut pellet.

I remembered what to do and the bream were happy to have me back so all was well. Another day beckons tomorrow on a different venue so more anon. One day 29c the next barely 12 but lovely

 

[peter crabtree]

Decided to have a change from canal bit bashing today so I popped down the town to my club stretch of the river Colne. With a match this Sunday coming I walked past the obvious flyer pegs and picked a fairly nondescript looking gap in the bushes which I may or may not draw on the day?

I left the maggots and worms at home, taking just a selection of pellets and some PVA mesh on a tube. First chuck in was around 11:30am this morning and it was 3:30pm, whilst distracted by a weasel in the ivy to my right, I noticed my tip was pulled round and jabbing...

I lifted into it anticipating a large bream but whatever it was had already left the building...mg: ( Credit to Steve for that analogy)

About an hour later I was wishing I'd bought a float rod and some maggots, I was bored stiff staring at a motionless tip. Running low on PVA mesh I carefully tied some more bags, ensuring I used the bare minimum of mesh. I managed 2 and was fumbling to tie a knot in the final remnants of mesh when I noticed my tip was bouncing around once more, yet again I was too late and uttered some Anglo Saxon obscenities to myself. I pictured the scenario, me at home later writing this report and awarding myself a "Bad angling award".:doh::doh::doh:

By 6pm I was in 2 minds whether to k'off home or stay till dusk when my tip wrapped round again, this time I was actually alert and holding the rod.
No need to strike, this fish was hooked and it was definitely not a bream...
It charged for the far bank snags but I was able to gain some line before it made up its mind to swing into the nearside bank to my left. After a heart stopping tussle it finally surfaced within netting range and the big white lips were evident.

It was a beautiful fish to behold and tipped the scales at 5lb:6...

Happy days....

 

[Hugh Bailey]

Smashing fish!

 

[mikench]

Lovely chubbly!

 

[greenie62]

.... I pictured the scenario, me at home later writing this report and awarding myself a "Bad angling award".....

Oh - how apposite that would have been!
- but saved by a lovely "chublet" !
Nice one, Simon:thumbs:

 

[seth49]

Finally got out again yesterday,was busy on Tuesday,and weather was bad last week, the carp above is my fiftieth of this year, so l'm pleased with that, it was a nice day, warm and sunny when we arrived at twelve thirty, had a look round and spoke to two chaps who had been there since six o clock, they had only caught a few skimmers, said it was quiet.

They said they were going in an hour, so we decided to fish nr them till they went, as the swims they were in, are usually good for margin carp in the evening, as they were going mick got a run, and landed a carp as they were going, they weren't pleased at tha.

Well mick had a good day landing four carp and losing one, using our little Chinese bait boat to put his bait under a tree by the island, I meanwhile had one that came of as I picked the rod up, and landed the one above, weighing eleven pounds six ounces, lovely chestnut coloured mirror, bit of old mouth damage, but a nice carp which fought very well, all the fish are in good condition and are fighting very well, fished till seven thirty when the sun set, back on Tuesday I've already put my name on the peg mick was on, see if it's as good for me, nice to be out again, enjoyed it.?

 

[greenie62]

.....back on Tuesday I've already put my name on the peg mick was on, see if it's as good for me,.....

Good Luck with that Seth!
Last time I tried doing that on a local fishery - arrived for the next session to find the peg ankle deep in goose poop! Bl**dy Canadians!

How my mate managed to get them to dump on my dreams I don't know - but I'll get my own back one day!

 

[mikench]

Well part 2 of my fishing catch up led me to a familiar venue( a17 acre shallow mere) and it all looked very promising. The drizzle cleared up, the wind abated and I was able to pick a good peg with loads of space. I set up a carp rod and buzzer, fired out some boilies with my new Drennen boile pult and cast out about 60 yards. I then set up the Darent Valley rod with a method feeder and pellet. I chose this because I could switch to a float if I got bored.

After half an hour the buzzer started to chirrup, the tip swung around and in the 5 seconds it took me to decide which rod to attend to first the tip stopped and so did the buzzer. I hoped for a couple of drop back bites but no there was nothing there on either rod! That was it the closest I came to catching and my session ended with a blank! I switched to the float but even that failed. There were several other anglers who had a similar lack of success but that was scant consolation.

I did draw some consolation though from the lovely weather and fantastic cloud formations which scudded across the lake all afternoon. The carp rod which I already had(bought when I was delusional and believed I needed a rod per species ) but had consigned to use as a bait dropper rod, cast really well but without a lump on the end the jury is out!

The boilie pult will give me muscles like Popeyes's if I can master it and keep my knuckles unbroken. Where the gulls came from I do not know but they caught the odd boilie in mid air; entertaining at least amid the lack of fish!

There is always Sunday!

 

[nottskev]

On the Derwent well above Derby today for a couple of hours after lunch. I only joined the club lately, and I've little idea what lives where. It's a beautiful stretch, tree-lined and pristine, but when every swim looks great – but won't be – where do you start? I just decided to pick a swim and see what happens. This is not the Trent, with it's riverside roads and parking at your peg, so I had to leave anything that wouldn't pack into a canal stool and a net bag at home.

The banks are steep, but the club have made safe access a priority, and if you do have an attack of vertigo and slide down the bank, you'll end up on the two-step platform that caters for varying levels.

The river had a bit of extra water, and I chose this peg because it had brisk flow down both sides but a steady strip down the middle where I was hoping to find chub. I only brought one rod, an ebay Shimano Technium specialist I was using for the first time.

To start off, I fished a bomb with punched meat or home-made soft halibut pellets – ground pellets in gelatine, punched like meat. After a few bites and a quiet spell, I put a little cage feeder on , feeding hemp, 3mm pellets and little bits of meat.

The fish weren't exactly throwing themselves at the bait, and I'm not sure I made the most of the swim. But perched on the platform, looking down this beautiful river, I was quite content, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about it. I'm assured it fishes better in the winter than the summer, and good catches of chub and grayling are made

Today's modest return was two of these

And 6 of these

The "new" rod was exactly what I hoped it would be, and my mate, also new to it, 3 pegs away caught 18 grayling on the stick. I'm pleased to have a new place to visit.

 

[tigger]

I only brought one rod, an ebay Shimano Technium specialist I was using for the first time.

Is that the specialist quiver Kev?

I have one myself and they are corkin feeder rods.

They did a technium specialist rod also which had a solid top of about 1.6lb test and a quiver section also.
They also did an identical selection of rods in the antares rods which where a bit more costly. I'm sure the only difference in the two ranges was the colour and slightly different guides!

 

[nottskev]

It has an Avon top, and a quiver top with 4 tips. It has quite a soft through action, and although I've only used it once, I really like it - I like rods that bend! Not sure about the other model you mentioned. I also have a Technium Diaflash 11'6" light feeder - the blank has a cross-weave like Diaflash rods - and that is a favourite too.

 

[tigger]

It has an Avon top, and a quiver top with 4 tips. It has quite a soft through action, and although I've only used it once, I really like it - I like rods that bend! Not sure about the other model you mentioned. I also have a Technium Diaflash 11'6" light feeder - the blank has a cross-weave like Diaflash rods - and that is a favourite too.

Ok, that's the specialist then, I was told it has about a 1.6 test with the solid top.

One here...

shimano technium specialist rod | eBay


This is the specialist quiver.....

Shimano Technium Specialist Quiver Fishing Rod w/ 5 Original Tips, Bag & Case | eBay

Similar to the specialist but no solid top.

 

[iain t]

Due to a cold, this week and not enough energy to stalk the river banks i broke two of my river seasons rules. Rule 1, I only went out once. Rule 2, I hit one of my clubs Stillwater. I only fish Stillwater in the closed session or to test a new gimmick out.
This water is called Stemps, nr Fontwell race course. Now my club like to stick more traditional ways of coarse angling in natural surroundings. They don't stock 40 or 50lb Carp, preferring the fish to grow naturally. I think the biggest Carp in this pond is around 15lb but they give you a good run for the money.
Anyway, i digress. I choose a peg that was surrounded by trees, making a canopy over me. Didn't even have to put my brolly up when it started to rain. Now, most of you know i use my Avon rods for everything so this time was no different. Out came the 1.25TC with a screw in quiver tip. Drennan method feeders were the weapons of the day. A 6mm pellet strapped to a size 16 hook.
After watching the fish for about an hour to see their habits. With the feeder loaded with a sweet fish meal and 2mm pellet mix, i cast in. Bang within 2 minutes i had one. Now i don't bully fish in preferring to wear them out a bit before landing them. This one had my rod bending everywhere. Darting here and there like a mad blue bottle. Eventually landed the scallywag a full scaled Mirror weighing 10.7lb. Not a mark on her. Saying that i have never caught a fish with any defect or lip damage from our waters. The next one was a beautiful Ghost, this one didn't ever put up a fight. Landed 6.4lb. In 5 hours i landed anything from a 2.3lb Bream up to the 10.7lb Carp. In all the count was 10 fish landed and safely returned.
Hopefully, this bloody cold is gone next week so i can resume my normal daily sessions on the river banks again.

 

[stu_the_blank]

Got out for an afternoon/evening this week, first time out for quite some time.

Fished with a good mate of mine and put the world to rights, and caught plenty of modest fish. Good fun.

I don’t know why, but at the moment I struggle to get motivated to get the rods out. I enjoy the company when I get there but of most of my serious fishing over the decades has been on my own and I can’t be bothered. At the moment, the buzz just isn’t there.

Am off to the Wye for a few days in October, so maybe the chance of a Barbel or two will get the juices running again!

Stu

 

[thecrow]

Fished with a good mate of mine and put the world to rights, and caught plenty of modest fish. Good fun

The perfect day

 

[103841]

My third trip in the last five days down to the river today, no time restraints so a longer leisurely session was the order of the day.

I find it hard to understand that the river is still crystal clear even with a reasonable amount of rain over the past few weeks. With the sun shining down I was treated to quite a display looking through my Polaroids and counted just about all the species that reside in this part of the river, chub, roach, dace, minnow, perch, eel and plenty of pike, some very big (take note Ralph).

Since starting to fish the river just over a year ago I have heard numerous tales of carp caught back in the day when the river was of a much healthier level and still can occasionally be spotted. I was beginning to think these creatures were mythical having never seen one but just like buses I was treated to the sight of not one but three today all in the same swim, a Koi about 6lb, a mirror of similar size and a much bigger common, easily a double, needless to say I spent the next hour or two attempting to catch one but they showed zero interest in any bait I put in front of them and that was to be the pattern of the day, not a single bite...el blanco, such a contrast to a few days earlier.

Wasn't dispondant as I might usually be after blanking must have been the vision of those carp still in my head and already thinking of the next visit.

I read last week that the Rod licence sales are down by 20% this year, it does amaze me that this free stretch of river is so ignored by anglers, maybe I should be happy to have it to myself more often than not but it did come as a pleasant surprise to see an angler mid river trotting downstream catching a few roach on the stick.

 

[mikench]

Never mind John a blank makes us stronger and reminds us that , as one member on here says in his moniker, its fishing not catching!!

What price can you put on the anticipation!:wh