Wednesday 14 December 2011

Personal Best River Roach!

An accidental meeting with a mate of mine, 'Welsh' Simon, in a Morrison's check out queue led to the capture of a personal best Roach from the Avon. He has recently converted to the dark side (match fishing) and he told me about a swim on the lower Avon that he has been nailing some big Roach from. Match fishermen are not as secretive as specimen anglers so had no problem giving me the exact swim, bait etc. I owe him a beer or several.
I stopped off at the garage and bought a fresh loaf of sliced white Warburton's (other makes are available) and wandered down to the peg in question. My confidence was at a low following a recent poor run of fishing results plus I have not fished with bread for many years but that was about to change.
I mashed some bread, threw three golf ball sized lumps into the middle and then fished open feeder, simple running rig to a size 8 paste hook with bread flake for bait. To say I was shocked to get a bite first cast is an understatement. I played it very carefully and after a good fight landed a Roach.
I knew before netting it that it was a pb but exactly what would it weigh?
Am I happy with that!
I didn't think they grew anywhere near that size in the Avon but apparently there are quite a few in the right stretches.
I fished on and had a few bites but did not connect to any more fish. Needless to say but I will be back for more.

10 comments:

  1. Blood hell Joe you could be responsible for a LARGE EXPLOSION in a certain area of Coventry when Jeff see's this . His little ticker won't take 2 2lb roach in one week .

    A fine fish from our fine river mate . Maybe this is the winter when the Warwickshire Avon throws up a few surprises.

    Fantastic mate .

    Tight lines

    Barry Peck

    See you in January for a beer and a toast to Roach!!!

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  2. Oh, my, gawd, this is the dogs nads! I always thought the Avon was capable of it and now it's becoming a proper big roach river - two twos from different places in the space of a month has to be the best news I have ever heard. Sod the Bristol one, forget the Hampshire one, bring on the Wark's Avon!

    Well done Joe, brilliant work. Great fish and beautiful too. Looks young, could go on and on and on.

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  3. Congratulations Joe, awesome result!

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  4. Well done Joe,that's an impeccable Redfin congratulations.

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  5. Well happy for you Joe,
    Thats a real beauty,
    ,,,Paddy,,,

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  6. Well fished Joe, the holy grail first cast eh!

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  7. That is a beauty. Well done Joe

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  8. Thanks guys, Still buzzing, Cannot wait to go again!!

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  9. Cor! Lovely mate thats the one we all dream off, very well done

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