Small Perch and small Perch

Since my last post I have only managed a couple of short sessions due to one thing or another. I fished Willow Farm(above) chasing the reputed big Perch that reside there but I only managed a few smaller ones. I did see the biggest dragon fly I have seen, it was more like a small bird than an insect.

And I also went out chasing monster Trout at Lechlade fishery but again all I managed to catch was small Perch, a shoal of which went mental for a 'Barbie' pink lure.

My Perch mojo has deserted me again!

Still on my Perch

I couldn't resist another crack at my 'latest' favourite fish the Perch. Again it had to be a river variety, when the cold wet weather arrives(no sign of it yet!) I will target some still water stripeys but while the Warwickshire Avon is in such good condition I will stick with it. I also took a bucket of maggots along so that there was plenty of action. The fish fed well right from the off seeing me land loads of Dace, several Roach, a few clonking Gudgeon, some Chublets and a few smaller Perch.
I also landed a lively Jack and the best fish of the day, a chunky Perch weighing 2lb 2oz. An enjoyable session in this mini Indian summer we are having.

Opportunistic Angling, Monster Perch

This morning I didn't set myself any targets, had no real ambition, I just wandered down to the river with a bucket of maggots and a tin of luncheon meat. I thought I would just catch fish under no pressure whatsoever. I started off in my favourite Dace swim happily trotting away loose feeding as I went hoping for a decent fish or two to come my way.
In the next swim above me was Hank, a friend of the family who has recently been made reduntant and feels that fishing is a good way to spend his now abundant free time. What he lacks in skill he makes up for in enthusiasm and I'd gone along to give him a few pointers. His plan involved swimfeeders and the way he kept losing them, lots of them.
We were building up quite a netful between us catching Dace, Roach and Gudgeon with consistent regularity. None of them monsters but good fishing fun all the same. We were about halfway through the session when I noticed a disturbance by the keepnet. At first I thought a Jack had taken an interest in our captives but on closer inspection I made out a monster Perch that was obviously pretty hungry. Not being the sort of person to miss out on an opportunity, look a gift horse etc I thought I'd like some of that.
I snipped off the hair rig on my Barbel rod and stuck a size eight hook through the lip of a mini Dace.

Float just beyond the keepnet

My keepnet was under a Willow tree which I used as a makeshift rod rest and dropped the Dace by the net in only two feet of water. The bait runner was put on and I left it as a sleeper. I carried on 'tiddler bashing' for a while when suddenly the sleeper rod burst into life and a fish shot off into the main current. I grabbed the rod but within seconds of me doing so the hook pulled-gutted! I dropped it back on the same spot and ten minutes later it went again, this time though I won a short battle but I was disappointed as the Perch I drew over the net was definitely not the same one I saw terrorising the keepnet, I was sure the one I saw was much bigger.

1lb 2oz

The sleeper rod went out again with fresh bait and I continued trotting maggot down the main flow still catching bits and pieces including some quite decent sized Gudgeon. All went pretty quiet and with about ten minutes to go I checked the sleeper bait to find the hook bare so I put on one last Dace. Within minutes the reel screamed as another fish made off into the main flow. I gained control, turned it's head and saw a great swirl that set my heart racing, I was attached to a good fish. Slowly and carefully I drew the fish upstream and breathed a huge sigh of relief as it was forced into the net. I pulled back the folds of the net and knew that this was definitely the one I was after.
Big Perch have been a nemesis of mine in recent years, eluding my considerable efforts so hopefully this 3lb 2oz beauty will break that run of poor results, my biggest Perca Fluviatilis for over 20 years.

3lb 2oz

Back she goes........

There was no need to carry on, I had just caught one of the biggest Perch I have ever heard of from the Warwickshire Avon, job done.

Plymouth Blues

The Devon coastline is not as renowned for it's shark fishing as it's neighbour Cornwall and more recently the Welsh shore but it is my favourite place to wet a salty line. We have been fishing with Malcolm Jones aboard the 'Sea Angler 2' for several years now, in fact this was my seventh trip with him, my fourth chasing sharks but my companions this time were both shark virgins, 'little bro' Nathan and Cheggars. Malcolm charters out of Plymouth and the nightlife there is the second best reason to visit the city, after the fishing obviously. Having travelled down the night before and endured a shocking full English breakfast in our cheap B&B (you get what you pay for!) we arrived in dock at about 7.30am.

The sharks round here live a good distance from shore so we have no choice but to steam out for about 16 miles and then set about the first task to gather bait, Mackerel.

We needed flappers for the hook and the rest goes in the 'rubby dubby' which mixed with oil and bran and hung over the side in an onion sack.

This is the ocean version of ground bait and gives me an idea for Pike! By lunchtime we were eventually sharking.
The set up is a fairly simple float rig, only on a bigger scale.

Big circle hooks are attached to a six foot hook link of wire trace for obvious reasons. This is then clipped to several feet of 200 pound mono leader which is needed if the shark rolls, which they often do. If they were to roll straight onto the main line then their sandpaper-like skin would part the line like cotton but the 200lb mono gives extra insurance against a lost fish. The float is attached free running but has a genius clip that grips the line just enough to hold the bait at the desired depth but the line releases when a fish is hooked and running.

There is nothing more exciting than watching a float sink out of view knowing that a big shark is the culprit.
Three rods were put out, all baited with Mackerel, the spines removed to make the flappers and all three are set at different depths. One rod each to begin with but if someone catches then they would take a step back and the remaining anglers would have all the rods. The first run came on Cheggar's rod and the reel screamed, obviously a good fish attached.

Gradually he started to get the line back on the reel until finally we saw colour. As we got it alongside the boat it rolled up the trace right to the mono and managed to take a bite, not all the way through but enough for it to snap as we tried to lift it aboard. The skipper estimated it at 80lb but I thought that was a little generous, we'll never know. The touched leader/did it count debate continued light heartedly all afternoon and evening.
The next run came to my rod and a one-sided battle ended with me landing a thirty pounder.

The action then became fast and furious with Nathan landing his first ever Blue, a twenty pounder and Cheggar's had his second fish, a fifteen pound puppy.
Next up was me again this time having a much better battle from a fifty pounder that I ended up winning.

Nathan landed one more fish and that was the end of the shark action. A great result, six sharks in four hours.
Even though we were 20 miles out to sea there are other species to fish for whilst waiting for a shark to turn up. Bass, though not easy are possible but I love playing around with the Garfish that are attracted to the rubby-dubby slick. They fight like stink on an avon rod even tail walking and leaping about like a baby Marlin! I landed my biggest ever on the trip and what a fight!

We had drifted so far that it took over two hours to get back to the harbour but it was worth it.
If anyone fancies a great day's fishing with a top skipper who works hard, especially with the kettle, then give Malcolm a call, you won't regret it.

Autumn is definitely on it's way

There was a distinct Autumnal feeling as I wandered down to the river this morning. The mist was rolling down stream adding to the chill in the air. I checked the water temperature on arrival and it was still warm but that won't last long now the nights are drawing in and the sun is having less of an influence. To be honest I am looking forward to the season change and targeting a few Grayling but for now I am sticking with Barbel and Chub.

The first fish of the day came on the second trot, a 4lb 12oz Chub that snagged me up in the middle of the fight but I won in the end. As usual luncheon meat proved it's down fall. I then struggled for another bite, roamed a bit and still struggled but eventually nailed a 5 8oz Barbel. 

A christening meant the session was just a quickie but it was nice to be back on the bank after a two week break. I am looking forward to next weekends foray, watch this space to see why.

Under the old Willow

The old Willow in my favourite swim has finally succumbed to the pull of gravity under the weight of this years foliage. It has had a dangerous lean on for a long time. I have sat by this old tree for more hours than I dare to add up and I am grateful to it for giving me respite from rain and snow on several occasions. I hope it is left alone to wither away naturally but no doubt someone with a chain saw will deem it necessary to remove it. At the moment it is creating a brilliant habitat for fry.
Today was yet another short morning only session before an afternoon school uniform shopping expedition for my eldest. Not a massive amount to report, but I did winkle out a few fish.
First up was a 7lb 14oz Barbel, taken on trotted meat as usual.

The swim went dead after that so I dropped into the next spot and landed a 4lb 6oz Chub.

Similarly I could not get another bite from that peg so dropped down one more and first cast in the new area saw me landing a 6lb 11oz Barbel

After that I called it a day.

'Smashing' session

A stunning sunrise accompanied me this morning as I made my way along the banks of the Warwickshire Avon. A good start to what I hoped would be a busy day full of hard fighting Barbel. I set up leisurely, there was no need to rush as I had plenty of time unlike most of my recent sessions and when I struck into a fish on the second run through everything was going according to plan. However it was at that point that everything started to go wrong. I was just beginning to get the upper hand when the hook inexplicably pulled. I rebaited and on the fourth cast I ended up snagged up.
The two major problems with float fishing fast swims are hook pulls and snags and I had experienced both within the first couple of minutes. There was a fair bit of weed in the swim so with a decent amount of pressure it is normally easy enough to release the hook. I gave the rod some side strain, not too much or so I thought when suddenly there was a loud 'crack'. The rod had snapped in two places! What an utter disaster. I hadn't planned on fishing two rods so this was the only one I had in the van. As the river is only fifteen minutes from home I packed up as fast as I could and made my way back to get a spare. I was just leaving the car park as a couple of anglers were just arriving and I knew that my swim would now be taken.
Having picked up another rod I made the decision to try a different stretch of the river which is not as heavily fished and where there is a lovely swim perfect for trotting. I baited the run with Hemp and broken pieces of meat and within no time I was into another Barbel. All through the fight the fish felt heavy and I was just about to get my first glimpse of it when I suffered another hook pull. I am beginning to think it is time to look at alternative hooks to the ones I am currently losing.
A few more runs through and I hooked another fish and this time it did stay on right to the net.

Not quite a double but at 9lb 12oz a good fish that went some way to making up for what had transpired previously in the day.
As I was beginning to tire I changed tactic and swapped the float for a lead weight. First cast the rod hooped over and line started to fly off the bait runner. The battle was fairly short lived though and I soon netted one of the smallest Barbel I have ever caught.

An immaculate specimen and a good sign for the future of the river. That was the last of the action for the day unless you count the Kingfisher who was very busy all morning.

Barbel bonanza before breakfast

Another dawn start saw me toddling down to the Avon, this time in search of Barbel. I travelled light not even bothering to take a seat as I planned to stand in the river all morning. As usual luncheon meat was the bait but this time it was the popular (amongst anglers not sure any humans consume it!) garlic flavoured Spam. I trotted it below a two swan loafer and on the third run down I had a bite. A sluggish fight ensued and within no time at all I was slipping the net under a good fish. On the scales it scraped past the 10lb mark by a mere ounce.

An excellent start to the day and my first double of the season. I continued catching regularly after that taking a five pounder with a big paddle............

and then a six pounder................

and then followed that one with my second scraper double of the session, this time 10lb 2oz.

I remember feeling more pleased than I look!

The very next run brought another fish, this time weighing 5lb 11oz.

A quick check of my watch and it was only 8.30am. I decided it was time for a wander, tried a couple of other swims but the result was just one lost fish before I called it a day. Did see the biggest ever Duck nest though.

Not a male in sight and I don't blame them, who would want to live with nine women?!

Short trotting session

The only way to squeeze in time on the bank at the moment is to rise early, get there at first light and then back home for breakfast. Not really an issue at this time of year, apart from the lack of sleep. This was my first session for several weeks so I thought I would target just fish, sounds daft but I mean that I just wanted to catch, size was irrelevant.

I chose to fish the run off of the weirpool down at Barton on the Warwickshire Avon. An area with a good head of fish and a nice long trot. I chose to use one of the handmade avon floats mentioned in my previous post coupled with a 13 foot float rod and centre pin reel. I chose to feed hemp and casters with a single caster on the hook, a size 16 buried inside.
I caught steadily throughout the morning swinging in a succession of Roach and Dace plus a solitary gudgeon. Nothing that made me reach for the scales but a fun session with plenty of action.

For the final hour I decided to change bait, putting on a big lump of luncheon meat and letting it trundle down the same run to see if anything bigger was at home. On the third run the float dipped and I struck into something much more substantial. What ever was on the other end of my line was not happy and it used the powerful flow to it's advantage as it powered off downstream. At this time of year the river is busy with pleasure cruisers and one turned the corner just as I was playing the fish. I had no choice but to bury the tip underwater as the boat went straight over my taut line. This gave the advantage to what could only be a big Barbel and it took it. Without any control I was powerless to stop the fish ploughing through unseen weedbeds. The boat passed by, I raised the rod tip and could feel the weed. Maintaining steady pressure I began to regain control and then the hook pulled. Without the boat would I have landed the fish? Who knows but it definitely didn't help. I was gutted, it felt like a good fish. I fished on further but the action was finished for another day.

A new arrival, my cameras and old age

My fishing has ground to a halt with the arrival of my third child a beautiful little girl that we have named Grace Josephine. Weighing 6lb 8oz she is a new 'personal best' beating her big brother by a meagre 1oz. Been far too busy to venture out on the bank but give me a week or two and I am sure I will get back to it.

I have been asked a few times what camera/set up I use for my blogging photographs which is a fantastic compliment. I admit to not being the greatest photographer but I try hard and am usually pleased with the results. My set up is not fancy or spectacular but it works for me.
When I was searching for a camera a few years ago I had a few must haves. It had to have a remote control for self takes, I wanted it to be better than a compact camera in terms of quality but I did not want to be lugging around a large DSLR with several lenses and finally it needed to have a large screen for instant reviews of the photo. When you have fish out of the water, speed is of the essence. I spoke to the bloke with the big fuzzy hair in the local independent camera shop and came away with a FUJI Finepix S2000HD and I have been really happy with it.

Remote control and bank stick adaptor 

I am not sure if they are still manufactured but if they are I would thoroughly recommend getting hold of one. Mine has taken nearly 3,700 photos and is still going strong. It works brilliantly outdoors but take it inside and I really struggle with it, just cannot seem to get the right settings for indoor shots. I use it mostly on auto but it does have some excellent other settings for action and landscape shots.
Last year I treated myself to a second camera. I fancied trying to get some underwater shots inspired by Matt Hayes excellent photography book,  Fisheye-A guide to angling photography. He recommended the Panasonic Lumix FT3. I am still getting to grips with this compact camera but it has produced some great shots, there are not many venues with clear enough water to get good sub surface photos but I will keep working on this. It is lightweight and simple to use and fits in the 'Finepix' bag.

There is one other camera that I use occasionally, a Nikon D60 that belongs to Mrs C and does not come fishing with me very often.

The quality of photos are superb, pin sharp and full of colour but it is too bulky and most of the time I cannot be bothered to carry it and all it's lenses. As I say it does take great photos, even at distance:-

A pair of nesting Buzzards through the long lens

Is it a sign of getting old if you suddenly become interested in angling the traditional way. It started a few months back when I treated myself to a centre pin reel purposefully for trotting and now I have purchased some hand-made traditional floats to go with it.

Hand-made by Ian Lewis-click here

Some Avons for summer Barbel, a couple of cork bobs for Autumn Grayling and the darts for Winter Perch/Roach, I cannot wait to get them wet. What next-split cane rod?? possibly.

A fish filled friday morning

One of my favourite species is the dainty diminutive Dace. Not a spectacular fish in terms of size but stunning looking, and lightning quick. They are a species that will readily feed at all times of the year and their bites can be frustratingly missable but it doesn't matter when you do because the next opportunity is only moments away.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the time for a full day session so an early start was again necessary in order to put in a few hours on the bank and I found myself tramping across the dew soaked fields at 4.30am on my way to a favourite Dace hotspot, Barton weir. I travelled light (for me!), rod, net, rucksack seat, holdall and a bucket filled with four pints of red and white maggots. My intention was to feeder fish, I enjoy trotting for them but the fast pace of the swim means a lot of time spent reeling in and recasting and time is precious at the moment.
I initially piled in hemp and maggots to stir the fish into a feeding frenzy while I set up the rod. The rig is simplicity itself, a paternostered 40g black cap feeder, strong size 16 hook and three pound hooklink (which I upped to 5lb when I lost a substantial fish half way through).

I caught quickly right from the off and landed loads of Dace to 6oz, a few Roach, some lovely looking Perch to about a pound, a bootlace Eel, three Bleak and a couple of Chub. I would have really liked a bigger Dace but fun was had none the less.

I was down to my last few maggots and about to pack away when I struck in to something of a different class. By that time I was using the more substantial hook length but still had to play it carefully to avoid a hook pull. My unseen adversary powered up and down the swim staying out of sight and the beauty of maggot fishing is that you have no idea what is on the other end until it is right at the net. It turned out to be a bruising chunky Chub which weighed in at 5lb 4oz. Only an average fish in some rivers but in the Warwickshire Avon a five is a good fish.

This year has been brilliant for me on the Chub front as this is my third 'five' already. I set off home a tired but contented angler and still had plenty of time in the day to help set everything for my daughters school fete.