tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45968379673495018592024-03-13T15:32:53.594+00:00 Joe Chatterton's Angling DiaryJoe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-84774133939944657922019-09-19T13:38:00.001+01:002019-09-19T13:38:43.888+01:00Summer Catch Up, a Lying Camera and a Sharky Finale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From now on my blog is going to be a catch-up series of posts and will be roughly season by season. I simply do not have the time to run a business, bring up three children and fish anything more than two-three hour sessions which on their own do not make up a blog post. So here is my summer catch-up: </div>
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Having spent the close season catching Carp off the surface I had one last try. It wasn't easy on a chilly evening to find the fish but late on I located a few and persuaded one to nail my mixer hook bait offering. A spirited fight followed but I emerged victorious and landed the 14lb common above. </div>
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The majority of the summer has been spent by the river, short evening sessions as and when. The Barbel fishing has been quite difficult but the Chub have usually obliged when the Barbel haven't played ball.<br />
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The Barbel I have landed have been good specimen and mostly caught when the river has had some colour in it. The old adage the camera never lies does not apply to fishing. I have attached the weights to the photos of the three fish below and you will just have to take my word on it. Trust me I am a fisherman and an estate agent!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8lb 12oz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PX1byCbzwA/XXe_Em-Q2ZI/AAAAAAAAIuU/Wkc7CMMyA0IQNVjyVwgUOit8XPfoV0c0wCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_2f32.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10lb 8oz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11lb 6oz</td></tr>
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As I said photos can be deceptive. I never discredit any fishes weight online as some internet trolls do in rages of jealously, it is impossible to tell the weight of a fish from the photo.<br />
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The 11lb-er came on a session with Andy on the Avon.<br />
Some of my favourite photo captures are of the battles we anglers enjoy with one such picture of a hooked mullet being published on the cover of a magazine. So when Andy shouted that he had hooked a good fish, I grabbed the camera to snap the fight in the glorious sunshine.<br />
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And the happy victor. Pictures do paint a thousand words.</div>
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The end of the summer was as always our annual Shark trip to Plymouth.<br />
An absolute highlight every year in our calendar and Nathan and I landed five sharks in total, all blue to a biggest of 95lb. Friday the 13th wasn't unlucky for us!!<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-57518673515135428632019-05-12T07:40:00.002+01:002019-05-12T07:40:39.495+01:00A Stunner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The moor hens chicks have hatched, the margins are full of tadpoles, spring is now well-progressed.<br />
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I seem to have caught the Carp fishing bug but not the three rods, spodding, bite alarm type of bug. As far as I'm concerned if I can't stalk them off the surface I am not interested. For that I need non-commercial peaceful venues preferably with quite a low stock and the Carp need to be stunning too.<br />
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Like last week I managed just the one fish and also like last week it was a 'twenty', this time 23lb 2oz.</div>
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And I think you will agree it is a stunner. Getting addictive this Carp fishing lark!</div>
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-63161219882412919232019-05-04T12:54:00.000+01:002019-05-12T07:40:39.517+01:00Close Season-so far....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not been out as much as I would like as is always the case but managed to sneak in a few short sessions.<br />
While the weather was cold I had a couple of attempts at the Perch. Firstly at Willow Farm where I managed two smaller specimens the best going 1lb 8oz.<br />
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Then the next session Max joined me. The Perch did not play ball but we did manage one Carp which was fun on light tackle.<br />
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I then moved venues to try a lovely farm pond in glorious sunshine. First up was this lovely Eel that was thankfully hooked in the lip.<br />
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That was soon followed up by this 2lb 9oz beauty of a Perch. It was still early in the session so I felt confident more would fall to my prawn hook baits but sadly the action tailed off as quick as it had started.<br />
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Again a session with the boy followed and he took several Roach and baby Perch on maggot.<br />
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My rod remained untouched and we made an early retreat.<br />
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Yesterday I managed to sneak in a couple of hours before the school run. Not having much time I grabbed some dog biscuits and one rod, more in hope than expectation as I didn't fancy my chances. It wasn't sunny and not that warm but you never know I thought.</div>
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Initially it took me ages to find the fish, I don't think I even cast out for the first 45 minutes! Eventually I managed to get a few interested but they weren't exactly feeding with gusto.</div>
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Then just as the rain started I got a big surprise, the floater disappeared and I ended up attached to a powerful Carp. To be honest I gave it a lot of welly. By now it was absolutely pissing down, I was not prepared clothes-wise and this lake is weedy so I didn't want a drenching with only a lost in the weed fish to show for it. Eventually after a fantastic struggle I squeezed the fish into my not big enough landing net.</div>
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I love the colour of these fish, dark backed, long and lean, solid muscly beauties. A battered old warrior that went 21lb 9oz on the scales. Result.</div>
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I had no time left to fish on as I needed to detour home to change. I couldn't pick the kids up looking like a drowned rat and stinking of fish-what would the scrummy mummies think!!??!<br />
<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-24450749959683848752019-01-27T11:37:00.001+00:002019-01-27T11:37:25.341+00:00Taff Grayling and Trout<br />
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I'm not sure the advertising gurus at Starbucks had thought this one through!? It did amuse us though when we called in for a coffee on our way to South Wales. Grayling being the target on the river Taff.</div>
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Although I had never fished the Taff before it felt very familiar. A Deja Vu moment as it reminded me so much of my childhood river, the river Ure in North Yorkshire. Short riffles followed by deep runs, home to Chub, Trout, Barbel, Dace and Grayling. I felt at home.<br />
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Being close to the sea the Taff seems to be under constant attack from Cormorants, several of the fish showing signs of narrow escapes and we spotted loads of these vermin birds as we trudged up and down the river searching for fish.<br />
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Trotting maggots is the only way to fish for me in this sort of river and this was the downfall of several Grayling. All a good stamp of fish, the lack of small ones probably a sign of the excessive predation.<br />
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As is often the case the occasional Trout is bound to come along, they can be a nuisance but I don't mind a long drawn out battle with a biggie. The one below gave me such a run around, leaping like a salmon on several occasions and nearly stripping all my line off the reel on one run. Careful cajoling helped the 2lb hooklink stay intact and the best fish of the day was beaten, 3lb 15oz, to cap an enjoyable day.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-14429117239358896372019-01-17T18:50:00.000+00:002019-01-17T18:55:35.037+00:00Mojo Returning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Blue skies and beautiful sunshine but blimey was it cold!<br />
I seem to be getting my fishing mojo back with a second session in under a week, the first a disappointing blank but undeterred I grabbed what was left of my cheese paste and headed back to the river.<br />
The sudden overnight drop in temperature made me feel that Chub were probably the only viable target.<br />
An hour fishing and the cold was beginning to get through my thermals, just the one Chub to show for my efforts and not a biggie.<br />
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I needed to move to warm up the bones and hopefully find a bit more action.<br />
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Found the perfect spot. First cast fish on and that one was followed by several others at regular intervals.<br />
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I managed a respectable bag of Chub all falling for the paste before I ran out of bait, coffee and the will to brave the elements any longer.<br />
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We made our way back along the beautiful river to the comfort of the car. A thoroughly enjoyable peaceful little session.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-57013811817707704822018-12-31T17:28:00.003+00:002019-01-17T18:53:14.508+00:00A Tough 'Test' of Tackle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have definitely lost my fishing mojo this year having only been out on a handful of sessions but, Martin and Andy persuaded me that the annual end of year trip to the wonderful chalk streams of Hampshire was an absolute must. I'm glad they succeeded.</div>
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This year we changed venue but we were still on the famous river Test, the Godfather of all the chalk streams. Much lower downstream than last year so as well as the Grayling and Trout there was the chance of some good coarse fish. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I plonked myself into the first likely looking swim, dispatched a few handfuls of mashed bread and when the float dipped on the second trot through I struck in almost misbelief. I expected bottom as I was still working out the various depths but the rod bucked and a powerful fish in the strong flow gave me quite a scrap. As it is a new venue I had no idea what I was attached to but when it made several bids for the nearside snags the culprit could only be a Chub.</span></div>
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What a start to the day, 5lb 1oz of chunky Chub, I collared Martin in the next peg for photo duties.<br />
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The big man was soon back in my swim with a large Brownie worthy of a mugshot, out of season so it went back unweighed.<br />
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What followed was a fabulous day's sport with four more Chub all over four pounds...</div>
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A surprising amount of river Bream the biggest of which I weighed at 4lb 4oz...</div>
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The unavoidable Trout, all Brownies and a pb which I shouldn't have weighed but it was over four pounds</div>
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A couple of deer grazed nonchalantly over the far side...</div>
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when the float dipped and I struck into something completely different from anything previously hooked during the day.</div>
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My first thoughts were Salmon but it stayed low so I changed my mind to Barbel....</div>
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Martin went click-happy with the camera taking plenty of shots of the fight...</div>
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and finally after more than twenty minutes I slipped the net under a stunning Carp. Not what I suspected in this fast flowing river, they really are everywhere!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smile hides the relief</td></tr>
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Not the biggest Carp I have ever caught but a stunner in all her winter glory and she 'test'ed all my skills on three pound line, a trotting rod and fast water. </div>
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One of New Years resolution is definitely more Angling like this!!</div>
<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-73532914209593238192018-12-31T16:17:00.000+00:002019-01-17T18:52:35.701+00:00Catch-up Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just the one session in November. Again Max was with me so we feeder-fished maggots to make sure there was enough action to keep him interested.</div>
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The first swim was dead so we moved to the ever productive weir pool. Max was happy with a succession of Chub, Roach and Perch.<br />
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The smile says it all!<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-78058355958991845472018-12-31T16:08:00.000+00:002019-01-17T18:52:35.707+00:00Catch-up Summer and Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>Summer 2018</u></div>
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A couple of sessions over the ridiculously busy summer with Max in tow. A short evening session blanking on the river and an enjoyable afternoon session targeting silver fish initially...</div>
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and then we changed pools to chase the Carp in the glorious afternoon sunshine. </div>
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Dog biscuits floating across the surface is my favourite way of catching Carp and is fast becoming Max's favourite too, so much so I recently bought him a 9' stalking rod at the local auction which will also be good for much of his other fishing.</div>
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<u>Autumn 2018</u></div>
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A rare afternoon off the week before the Parish Games saw me heading off to the Avon for a practice session. A couple of pints of maggots were dispatched into a watery grave and I helped myself to a quality bag of Perch and roach. A pleasant pleasure session getting my eye back in ready for the match.</div>
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The annual Parish games, the only match I ever fish. Previous visitors to the blog will recall how frustrating this has become to our team of three, three second places and a creditable fourth in the last four years has given us a feeling that we might never get our hands on what is a spectacular trophy.<br />
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Not the most salubrious of pegs but for once I had been put in a decent place for fish. A decent net of Chublets. Perch and Roach, most caught in the first couple of hours and I knew I would frame in my section.<br />
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A section win for me and the same for Don plus a creditable fourth place for Ady in a barren stretch meant that finally we had our hands on the trophy that has eluded us for so long.<br />
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Cue the Celebrations!!</div>
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-69609749505377967142018-12-30T20:53:00.001+00:002018-12-30T20:53:24.058+00:00River Test- Last Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can't remember what happened but the weather looked nice!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghllsznRkaY/XCkv2_wRCFI/AAAAAAAAIgc/vma6TL9ae2IizHxkh21p4KrLThQ1XOI0gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/%2525Hnoq5mnQwuPrn3v%252B27ubA_thumb_145e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghllsznRkaY/XCkv2_wRCFI/AAAAAAAAIgc/vma6TL9ae2IizHxkh21p4KrLThQ1XOI0gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/%2525Hnoq5mnQwuPrn3v%252B27ubA_thumb_145e.jpg" width="640" /></a>Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-15387993751624697202017-12-31T10:15:00.002+00:002017-12-31T10:16:45.884+00:00Elusive Grayling 'Test' Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was time for our annual pilgrimage to the famous river Test so we battled our way through the Cotswold snow and ice down country to beautiful Hampshire. The sun had just risen as we arrived and the beautiful wisps of mist were swirling above the river as we chose swims. Martin headed straight for a well-known deep hole that he hoped harboured Pike. Andy passed by him to a rumoured big Roach swim and having bid them 'tight lines' I ambled upstream to a lovely fast glide between fallen trees. I travelled light as mobility is important when trying to find Grayling.<br />
The freezing overnight temperatures meant sport was sporadic but eventually the float sank and the centre pin sang to the tune of a stunning hard fighting Brown Trout. Several more out of season Salmonids followed and although they weren't the target species they were good fun on light tackle.<br />
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Several swims were tackled but sadly the Grayling remained elusive, plenty of Trout were up for a maggot or two mind.<br />
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Martin fared slightly better on the Grayling front. Using corn he landed three of the target species but was still plagued by the inevitable Trout or two. A couple of times he got exited by movement in his Pike float but sadly they were Trout too!<br />
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We will no doubt return next year but hopefully next time the lady of the stream will be more obliging.<br />
Happy New Year to one and all.Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-75779871174972658932017-12-08T15:17:00.002+00:002017-12-08T15:18:19.694+00:00Robins Love Cheese Paste<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it wouldn't be Christmas without a Robin pictured on a rod, scrounging maggots or in this case a lump of cheese paste. It kept us merrily entertained during a slow period. </div>
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Max and I were back down by the Warwickshire Avon, the lad legering the aforementioned paste and I trying to lure a toothy creature on a Roach dead bait. </div>
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A resounding three-nil victory for Max with a two pounder (above) and two three's (below) both weighing exactly the same 3lb 2oz.<br />
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A new pb as most fish are when you are just beginning your angling journey. I did manage to hook one small Jack but it spat the hook before we had chance to land it.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-6212888992199320462017-11-06T11:13:00.000+00:002017-11-06T11:13:48.340+00:00Happy Sunshine Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By the time we got to the river it was already late morning, the sun was shining and felt lovely and warm on our backs. I had intended to would wander upstream towards the weir but Max liked the look of the car park swims so we dropped into the first one and it proved a good decision. </div>
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Within minutes the quiver tip rattled and he landed a small Dace. Only the one rod out so I kept myself amused with the camera while the lad fished.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow fisherman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'It was this big'</td></tr>
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The boy likes to talk and talk, mostly about fish and whilst I prefer a bit of peace and quiet I am not about to curb his enthusiasm.<br />
It didn't take long before another fish found the red maggots to its liking and with some skill Max landed a new pb Chub weighing 2lb 9oz. He played it beautifully avoiding the nearside vegetation. With the hook removed I showed the boy the contents of the fish's mouth, he was amazed that the greedy blighter had literally hundreds of maggots down its throat.<br />
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A decent Chub that was followed very next cast with a cracking Perch. He has now started to realise that some fish cannot be bullied and need a bit more gentle persuasion- a valuable lesson.<br />
I was nearly as excited netting these fish as Max was catching them and the winter sunshine really shows them off.<br />
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Not a lot more action followed and we soon left just after lunch, a satisfied gillie/photographer and a content angler.</div>
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-37338329287177767682017-10-27T14:41:00.000+01:002017-10-27T14:43:39.192+01:00Chubby Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With half-term still upon us my little fishing buddy is still accompanying me bank side. This time his order was a Chub, having lost a decent one on the previous trip so armed with a bucket of bronze maggots we headed downstream. </div>
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Again we were feeder fishing but I didn't bank on the volume of tiddlers that reside in this swim. I have fished the swim before but generally with much bigger baits that avoid unwanted tiddler attention and wean out the better fish. Didn't have a clue how many fish actually reside here.<br />
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Gudgeon were the main culprits for all manner of twitches, rattles and shakes of the tip and we landed several beauties, another species ticked off Max's quickly expanding list.<br />
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Upon retrieval of one of the smaller specimens the rod was nearly wrenched from Max's arms as a Pike snatched it. Unfortunately, despite conciderable careful cajoling the Pike bit through the hooklength before we could land it.<br />
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Eventually we landed the target fish, a decent Chub of about two pounds.....<br />
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.....resulting in a smiley smug little angler!!</div>
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<a href="https://maxsfishingdiary.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Max's account click here</a><br />
<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-73061944323932749672017-10-23T23:16:00.001+01:002017-10-23T23:18:40.498+01:00More Max Fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My blog is in danger of being completely taken over by a small boy whose passion for angling is showing no signs of waning. He has however started his <a href="https://maxsfishingdiary.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">own blog</a> now, check it out.<br />
Thursdays (cut short by the weather) afternoon session again at Willow Farm was highlighted by Max's first Carp. A pretty apple slice scaled Mirror that led him a merry dance. Max float fished maggots while I plonked a prawn down by the lilies to give us a back-up option. The Carp picked up the prawn and made the boys day.<br />
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His next session was scheduled for Saturday but we gave storm Brian a wide berth and postponed until Sunday morning. The wind was still blowing a hooley so we kept the rod tip as low as possible while feeder fishing maggots. The swim took some getting going but after an hour or so the fish started to oblige.<br />
Ever since our first session Max has had a weird obsession about catching an Eel. I have told him that the time of year meant that it was unlikely and that the numbers of Eels are not what they used to be, trying to soften the blow of disappointment. Well I shouldn't have wasted my breath. We had already landed a quality netful of Perch, Roach, Dace, Chublets and the biggest Bleak I have ever seen, when the rod bent over and stayed bent over. Max laid into the unseen adversary, I thought he was attached to a decent Chub so imagine our surprise when an Eel appeared at the net. Excited high fives followed. It was not going in the keepnet so we weighed and photographed it and put it straight back.<br />
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Max insisted he was going to hold it for the trophy shot, he obviously had no idea what is involved in holding an Eel. His expressions speak a thousand words.<br />
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Eventually he got it under control.<br />
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And it took him about half an hour to get the slime off his hands.<br />
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Posing with the biggest Perch of the day was much easier!<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-31296141041383405472017-10-17T08:42:00.001+01:002017-10-23T23:19:14.020+01:00Max Bagging Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Max has got the bug bad. All he has spoken this week is going fishing, different species, places to go. He has always had a passion for animals but that has now transpired to all things fish as well.<br />
This week I planned an action packed morning to add further fuel to the fire in his belly and to give him more experience of casting, playing and also unhooking some fish for himself. As sad as it is a commercial would be the best place but not somewhere catching pasties and mud pigs. A silver pool like the one at Willow Farm was ideal, plenty of bites and a lovely variety of silver fish.<br />
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First cast a decent Roach and he insisted the camera came out to record the historic moment. Several more followed along with some decent sized Silver Bream and a few dainty Perch.<br />
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When he started to get the hang of things it gave me an opportunity to get the camera out and take some action shots.<br />
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A quick learner it was a joy to hear his squeals of delight when he got a fish on.</div>
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Biggest fish of the day was this 2lb 2oz Common Bream.<br />
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Pleased as punch with a quality netful of Silvers. Back on the river next time....Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-88054344189927653972017-10-12T21:37:00.003+01:002017-10-23T23:19:25.321+01:00Solitary Barbel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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We were only chatting in the pub the night before about how we are catching Barbel but not in any numbers. One, two in a session at best. Now the fish are obviously there, they tend to live in shoals but the low clear conditions and a struggling fish is possibly spooking the rest of the shoal. Well it's a theory.</div>
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I started the session trotting meat, changed to rolling meat but without success. It was hard going so for a break I poured a coffee and changed to a straight lead, pellet and pva bag. A comfort break called and as soon as I turned towards a nearby bush the rod hooped over and it was fish on. I was on the rod in a flash worried that the fish would find sanctuary in what is a quite snaggy swim. Luckily my reactions were quick enough and after a spirited battle I slid the net under a chunky six pounder. </div>
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The hook was quickly removed from the bottom lip and I also removed another hook from its chin, it looked to have been there for quite some time, a sore reminder of its last battle but no harm done.</div>
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That was the end of the action despite my best considerable efforts. Next up a weekend session with Max to teach him the finer arts of float fishing in stillwaters, He has the bug bad, won't stop talking about it!Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-6645053410515761402017-10-07T22:08:00.000+01:002017-10-23T23:17:35.928+01:00Childhood Enthusiasm Rekindled <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Picnic by the river, Max enjoying his ham sandwiches on his first ever Pike fishing trip.<br />
It was hard work, several swims in different stretches, Max's patience started to wain, it is not easy to keep a seven year olds boredom at bay when the fish won't play ball. We tried slow stretches, under willows, dying reed beds, deep holes and shallow glides., every spot that looked likely. Moving swims renewed the lads enthusiasm each time but without results. Eventually we ended up on the edge of a weir pool.<br />
The dead baits remained untouched still so a change of tactic to sink and draw and on the second cast we finally got a take. It was not a monster (thankfully) as the adrenaline got Max in a bit of a panic but with a little coaching he did enough to get the fish to the net. A perfect predator in miniature was bravely held up for the camera and my relief was immense. He was so buzzing with excitement he asked to phone his mum straight away, he couldn't wait to tell her he had caught his first Pike. I had forgotten what that sort of excitement was like but it came flooding back, I'm still buzzing on his infectious enthusiasm. He had the camera out the bag before I even got into the house and the printed photo is pride of place by his bed-until the next time. I gave him a book and now he wants to catch a Catfish- or an Eel-or a Barbel or a...<br />
Wouldn't we all love to be at that discovery age again?!<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-85018902562703025612017-10-05T19:31:00.002+01:002017-10-05T19:31:28.365+01:00Dull Session<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A sneaky few hours on the Avon. Not a lot to report. No Barbel on the pellet rod but managed to avoid a blank with the smallest Pike I have ever caught and one a bit bigger at 6lb 2oz both taken on Roach deadbaits. River still low and clear. As I said, not a lot to report!<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-8609982669754563752017-09-27T14:16:00.002+01:002017-09-27T14:17:13.561+01:00Fighting Fit FattyLanded at the river late but with the determination that I would give Andy's Torrix another test with a hard fighting Barbel. The warm weather is still holding and although recent rain has increased the depth of the Avon by a good few inches no colour has been added to the water. With confidence high I cast the pellet/pva combination into a known Barbel holding spot and waited for the inevitable bite. Maybe it took longer than I expected but when the bite came I wasn't quite ready, daydreaming or thinking of work maybe. I lifted into the fish, struggled to gain control and just when I thought I was winning it became snagged up in an area that is usually clear. Steady pulling wouldn't shift it, different angles proved fruitless and releasing the pressure in the hope the fish would swim out did nothing either. By now it was obvious the unseen adversary was long gone and I pulled for a break. Bugger!!<br />
The disturbance seemed to have put the rest of the fish down but in an unusual show of determination (for me!) I sat it out well into dark. Normally the draw of the 'local' would have me long gone by the time another chance came along but I was adamant I was not going home a blanker.<br />
Finally the rod hooped round and this time there was no way the fish was reaching the snag, it tried its damnedest mind. I had forgotten the thrill of playing fish in the dark, feeling the way without really knowing where the fish is and then the flash of colour in the head torch as the battle is almost won. In the end I did win, not a long fish but it was as fat as butter and fighting fit. Weighed it in at 7lb 11oz, took a quick photo and then had the thrill to watch it again in the head light as it slowly sank down the depths back to its watery home.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-22072734570114821862017-09-25T20:51:00.003+01:002017-09-25T20:52:21.054+01:00An Indian Summer Evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I arrived at the river late afternoon it could have been the middle of July not early Autumn. Blazing sunshine from bright blue skies, temperatures in the high teens, the swifts flitting across the surface taking in as much of the abundant fly life as possible.<br />
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Coots and Moorhens busying themselves above the (despite resent downpours) crystal clear water and weed growth still in abundance. I was in no rush to cast as I planned to be there until nightfall which is now at a much more convenient time for a family man. I lightly baited a swim before Tazzy and I wandered the bank to check if anyone else was wetting a line. Just the one chap way downstream and the conditions meant he was having a blanking time.<br />
When we did finally start fishing I chose a deep hole feeling it might give me the best chance of a few fish. The targets were Barbel on one rod and Roach on the other, rumours abound of a recent two pounder taken from the stretch and I know they can be had from this area so there might be some merit in it. It is several years since I last had one of that size and I have a yearning to try and repeat the feat to prove it was no fluke.<br />
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It took a while but eventually the first bite of the session materialised. A decent scrap on light gear had me wondering as to the identity of the unseen adversary especially when it buried itself in a ball of Canadian pondweed that was between my swim and the main flow. I probably should have removed the obstacle prior to fishing but it did not matter as I managed to bundle the whole lot into the net including the still unseen fish. I unwrapped my prize and should have guessed really, a sneaky Chub of about three pounds.<br />
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Once the sun had dropped below the horizon the action hotted up ever so slightly as more Chub took a liking to my pellet offerings.<br />
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All very similar in size but a lot easier to land with the weed removal completed.<br />
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Finally on my last cast (as I could not see to rebait and had forgotten my head torch) one of my targets came to the net, not as big as I had hoped but a respectable 14oz specimen. I am sure the catch rate will increase as soon as we get some more typical Autumnal weather.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-79755111675329323362017-09-18T15:33:00.000+01:002017-09-18T15:44:47.287+01:00Parish Games Bridesmaids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We didn't get the best of draws, the river was low and clear, conditions too bright-all excuses that were discussed over a pint post match. I can honestly say we did however make the most of our opportunities. The annual Parish games fishing match, the once a year where I dip my toe in the strange world of match fishing.<br />
The fishing was tough, in fact it was worse than tough. Dry nets numbered well into double figures so the fact that every one of our team of three caught something meant we were in with a chance at the end.<br />
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I contributed a meagre 7.5oz made up of three Perch, some blade Roach and a solitary chublet, all caught reasonably early on. As I say tough going but I still enjoyed it! This bag of monsters gave me fourth in my section. Ady also finished fourth in his section and Don caught a credible 2lb 5oz to give him second in his section and third in the match overall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017</td></tr>
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As a team we finished second overall for the third time in four years-consistent!! Next year is going to be our year........<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014</td></tr>
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Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-36566413535179745712017-09-07T12:42:00.001+01:002017-09-07T12:43:01.313+01:00An Avon Evening<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4lb 9oz</td></tr>
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Not quite sure why I look so miserable having just caught a cracking summer Chub weighing over four and a half pounds. This was the third fish of a highly enjoyable evening spent by the Avon. Not a long fish but it had a good girth, probably been feeding on all the pellets I had baited up with.<br />
Martin was already ensconced himself in the fast water below the weir when I arrived so I plonked myself in the next peg, a slow moving area that I thought might throw up a few surprises. My two pronged attack consisted of pellet on the right and half a Roach on the left in the hope that a few predators attracted by the abundant fry life would take advantage of an easy meal. Two small Pike fell for the approach in the early evening but as the light faded the pellet rod started to come to life.<br />
We decided to give it ten more minutes and truly at last knockings the pellet rod hooped round as a decent Barbel tried to make its escape. In the darkness it felt like a good fish. I had no idea exactly where it was in the river so stopping it snagging me up was almost impossible. It managed the inevitable but thankfully the weed was sparse and I managed to cajole it back into open water.<br />
Finally I was able to slip it over the net with Martins help. In the gloom I thought it was a double but the scales revealed it fell a bit short of the mark. Anyway it capped off an enjoyable couple of hours by our special local river.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9lb</td></tr>
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-33018639314461265862017-09-03T22:15:00.000+01:002017-09-03T22:15:39.118+01:00The Annual Shark Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sun rose as we trundled down the M5 on our way for our annual Shark trip off the Plymouth coast. Two aborted trips last year both lost to the weather has us keener than ever and there was no fear of mother nature stopping us getting out this year.<br />
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As always we were aboard Sea Angler II with Malcolm Jones, one of the most experienced and trusted skippers in the area. This year he had a first mate on board too although Robbie did seem to be more there for company rather than work but he did mash up the rubby-dubby as we steamed out to our drift. The (not so sweet) smelling mixture of Mackerel, bran and oil used to attract the toothy critters to our mackerel flapper hook-baits.</div>
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The sharks have been about in numbers this year and within minutes Nath was into the first shark of the day. Year on year shark numbers seem to be on the increase and the variety also seems to be getting more varied, Porbeagles are getting more regular and Threshers have been spotted. In future years it may be possible for us to even target Tuna and other Pelagic species.</div>
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What followed was a procession of Sharks at regular intervals weighing up to about forty pounds.<br />
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Just after lunch a fish took the bait on the drop and as line screamed from the reel I realised that I was attached to a much more substantial fish. An arm aching battle ensued, several times the shark was brought alongside the boat, Malcolm grabbed the leader but each time the shark wrestled away and I was forced to haul her back to the surface.</div>
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Eventually she was dragged onto the side of the boat, holding her down the trace was unclipped and the hook removed.<br />
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Three of us lifted her into the boat. She measured 66 inches to the fork of the tail and had a 33 inch girth which equated to 90lbs in weight. The girth squared multiplied by the length divided by 800 equals the weight in pounds. As accurate as it gets on a boat!<br />
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A quick couple of photos with my new pb and she was returned to her watery home, hopefully the only thing that was hurt was her ego.<br />
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We still had time for a few more fish including one which I battled on a spinning rod and fixed spool reel which was a lot of fun before we steamed back to port. Sixteen sharks landed between us made for a fab days fishing and all that was left was a night out around the nightspots of Plymouth. <br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-29100070607678063792017-08-17T14:45:00.003+01:002017-09-03T12:10:07.971+01:00Mullett Blank and Barbel Rod Testing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A trip to Swansea ended in a blank, one hooked fish, one lost to a hook pull. Still the night out was fun and Andy did catch so it wasn't a complete waste of time. Saw a few fish but they were quite spooky in the brilliant sunshine.<br />
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An evening session on the Avon was more productive. I am in the market for some new Barbel rods so Andy has lent me his Harrison Torrix 1.75 test curve to try out. Wasn't sure about the look of it, quite a light but thick blank but looks can be deceptive. It casts beautifully and when I hooked a hard fighting Barbel close to snags it took on it's full curve and I must say I was impressed with the power and feel.<br />
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Despite only having one eye the 7lb 9oz fish gave the rod a proper workout and I felt I had much more control than with my current set up. The rod is still in the truck so I think I will give it a couple more sessions before taking the plunge. Need to be sure as they aren't the cheapest on the market.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596837967349501859.post-12190926910204944422017-08-09T15:23:00.001+01:002017-08-09T15:23:35.608+01:00While the Kids are AwayManaged a couple of evenings out while the kids are on holiday:<br />
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<u>Friday Night</u><br />
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Grabbed a load of maggots and headed down to the Avon. The Perch were hungry and landed one after another all about 2-4oz plus a few small small Roach and Dace. Nothing special but then I didn't set my stall out for anything bigger.<br />
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<u>Tuesday Night</u><br />
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Last night was back on the Barbel with a single rod fishing pellets and pva bags plus a second 'sleeper' rod baited with small Roach for any predators that happened to be passing by. The action was very slow until the light faded and the sleeper rod was first to go. A small Pike that tail walked a bit before it snagged me up in some of the masses of weed that is prolific this year and then escaped.<br />
As I turned round to rebait the Barbel rod bent double and I enjoyed a fabulous scrap with a fit seven(ish) pounder.<br />
One more classic Barbel bite which failed to connect and then the swim went dead again. A very short little feeding spell but at least I avoided the blank.<br />
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<br />Joe Chattertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00543822195713862313noreply@blogger.com0