Getting cold but dry at least!

When I woke this morning I had a feeling it was going to be a tough day by the waterside. The rain has finally ceased (for now) and the river is back in it's banks, well most of it is. I hadn't planned on tackling running water, still far too much dirty brown water in there for my liking so I headed off to a favourite local still water of mine in the hope of a big Perch. There had been a sharp drop in temperature overnight and the forecast was for bright and cold conditions all day, not ideal for Perch but I still had an air of enthusiastic optimism about me.
The plan of attack was to fish Prawn in the edge baiting regularly with mashed Prawn and red maggot.
The fish were having none of it. This lake is stream fed so has had and is still getting lots of water in it, freezing cold water this morning. The fish were keeping their mouths shut. Still it was a lovely day to be outdoors. I had started the session fishing for big Perch, three hours later I was just fishing for bites. A change of area and a change to maggots brought me fish. The float would twitch, wiggle and just about go under, the were being finicky due to the conditions. I finished the day with a few very small Perch.....

and a few slightly bigger Roach.

As the sun went behind the trees my feet started to feel a bit icy so I packed away, satisfied to have avoided the blank and caught a few fish.

Click here to see a summer session at Hailes

Gravel Pit Piking

Beyond the fence is the field where on an August bank holiday weekend there will be hundreds of anglers milling about the fishing stalls trying to pick up a bargain or two. At the moment it is under about seven feet of dirty floodwater. 

This morning I headed off to Linear to attempt to catch a gravel pit Pike, something I have never done before (by design). Three years ago I landed a Pike out of St Johns lake on a boilie! This time I took dead baits.

The forecast rain was not due until late morning so at least I could set up in the dry. Oxfordshire has not managed to avoid the rain therefore the banks were sodden and the pegs were actually in danger of disappearing under water.

I put three rods out, two in the margins to either side and the other straight out beyond the weed line. To say it was quiet was an understatement, not even a bleep, and then mid morning the rain started. 

And it did not let up. The rods continued in silence so to alleviate the boredom I played around with the camera.

I took photos of the rain on top of the brolly...

the rain from under the brolly....

and anything that flew by.

Around lunch time the bailiff came to inform me they were closing the whole complex at 3pm as a precaution for the flooding, I think it was unnecessary but I had had enough so didn't mind.

I'm thinking stillwater this weekend!

The Warwickshire Avon in the centre of Evesham having burst it's banks already and another deluge forecast. Getting home should be interesting and I think it may be a couple of weeks before I cast line here again.

Chub on the Cheese

The last of the leaves are falling from the trees and Winter is almost upon us. Today the river looked perfect, about a foot above normal, a nice tinge of brown coloration to the water and not too much debris floating along. I felt confident of catching especially as I was setting my stall out for Chub, not the most difficult of target in these conditions.
Chub love cheese paste, especially old smelly cheese paste and mine smelled terrible being a batch I made last year that had been in and out of the freezer several times. The rig I set up was a simple running ledger to a 4lb hooklink and a size 10 paste hook. Although it was not a warm day the temperature was still quite good for this time of year. Great from an angling perspective but it played havoc with the cheese, it was too soft because it was warm and therefore difficult to keep on the hook. If it did stay on for the cast then there was the mental uncertainty of "is the bait still on the hook?" or am I wasting my time. I worked out that by dipping the paste into the water for 20 seconds before casting it would stay on until it was eaten or I reeled in, pulling the hook through it.
Hitting Chub bites can be a frustrating game, they rattle the tip, they pluck it, they shake it and sometimes they actual show a bite that you can strike at and hit. I had six of those in total, landing five fish up to 4lb 4oz. No 'five pounder' that I would have liked or 'six pounder' that I dream about from the Avon but a good few hours sport.

click here to see my cheese paste recipe

Leaf me alone

Perch were the target of this weeks 'sesh' and Willow Farm the venue. I have caught two pounders from here in the past but there are rumours locally of much bigger fish occasionally landed by pleasure anglers fishing for bites. Fifty Lobworms and two bags of Prawns would be bait. I had a plan.
I set up two float rods carefully plumbing the marginal shelf so I would fish at the bottom of the drop off feeding mashed Prawn, cut up Lobworm and red maggots steadily throughout the day to attract the Stripy Sergeants. There was just one aspect I had not counted on, the late fall of Autumn leaves. There were literally thousands of them coming off the various types of Willow that line the edges of this lake.

There was only a gentle to light breeze but it was constantly changing direction. The leaves would blow in, blow across and then out again in a never ending cycle. I kept adjusting the float position and it would be ok for a few minutes and then the leaves would attack it and again and again I would have to move the float.

It took me about two hours to get one bite, the first fish falling for a Prawn. It powered off. At first I thought I was attached to a giant Perch but the fight continued too long and soon I realised a Carp was the culprit. I was just beginning to get control on the light gear when the hook pulled.
The commotion killed the swim and it took another couple of hours before any more signs of life. Next bite came to the worm but I bounced the fish off on the strike, the worm had masked the hook point. Between the worms and the leaves I was starting to think I was staring a blank in the face when the float sailed off while the worm was on the drop and I hooked a fish. It was not the target species but there was an air of relief when I netted a decent Roach. It was an old fish, only one eye and one pectoral fin, I almost felt sorry for it so I took a quick photo of it's best side and put it straight back.

That was the end of the action for another week, a familiar pattern is beginning to emerge to my sessions, nearly blanking with a late fish saving the day. Need to try harder.

Trip 'oop North'

This weekend the wife and I took the kids to visit the old folks in Yorkshire but I still found room in the schedule for a fishing session and also room in the boot for some fly gear. Last year I had had a successful session at Bellflask lake so I decided to revisit the former gravel pit for another bash. Upon arrival I sought out the owner to pay. He informed me that the fishery was closed due to the gravel track leading up to the fishery having some work done to it and also normally he only takes telephone bookings. Having said that he would still let me fish this time 'but dan't fell in thare lad, nay'un to rescue ya, ya got t'hole lake to theeself'-result! I quizzed him about the Pike I had heard about that roam the crystal clear depths and could I have a go for them but only he is allowed to fish for them, the biggest he has had weighed 43lb! Going to have to keep working on him for some of that!

I started out on the spit, the old roadway for the gravel trucks that used to remove the Yorkshire stone, this is central to the lake and gives a large area to fish. Lures were to be my first line of attack and I had the occasional follow but only one take where the hook pulled. The sun dipped in and out of the clouds and a breeze started to pick up so I decided on a move into the sheltered bay opposite. I persevered with the lures trying Ugly Buggers, Dancers, Critters, Lead Bugs and Humungus Whites but the Trout were being lazy, sometimes following slowly but never taking. It was beginning to get frustrating. A change of plan was required.

The odd fish was topping but there was little fly life. I looked for what they could be eating and the only thing creature I could find was tiny white midges. Having searched through my box I picked out a small white dry fly, a grey duster I think. On it went. First cast and I missed a take, then nothing. After about half an hour I put the rod down, reached for my box and suddenly the line tightened catching me totally by surprise. Panic set in when I realised the trailing line was round my boot, I slackened off, untangled myself and pulled tight, luckily the fish was still on. In the clear water the hard fighting Trout gave me a nervous runaround but finally it slid over the net and the blank was avoided.

A full tailed plump Rainbow of about 2lb, shame I did not see the take!

I was on a three fish ticket but at bellflask you can practice catch and release so I did,  plenty of Trout in the freezer anyway.

I fished on, found a shoal of Perch but could not tempt them to take a fly before it was home time. 

Chub and Rats

Saturday was a difficult session due to rapidly falling overnight temperatures, a clear sunny sky and a brisk wind blowing plenty of leaves and debris into the water. I decided to start the session after predators and chose one of my favourite Avon weir pools to search for Pike (and Zander-bit naive considering how bright it was!). I tried hard, changed baits and spots several times but could not muster a bite. When I go fishing I like to have a back up plan because I detest blanking and this week that entailed mashed bread and the feeder.

Roach, Chub, Dace, whatever, I wasn't bothered and after feeding a lovely run just downstream I started to get my first indications of fish in the swim. Finally, well into the afternoon I had a strikeable bite and played a Chub of about 3 and a bit pounds to the net. The Chub was not the only thing attracted to the bread though, a pair of Rats kept popping their heads out and rushing off when I startled them. This happened for about half an hour until one ran right over my foot! That was enough for me, I don't mind them if they keep their distance but when they get that brave I'm not keen. I packed up and headed for home.
Not the most exciting of sessions but felt I should post it in the interest of balance, not all the days can be fish filled.

Chasing Ladies

The stunning River Irfon

A day full of minor disasters that ultimately finished a success.
The alarm went off at 4.30am and for once I did not hit snooze, I was dressed and the kettle was on quick smart. A fishing trip always excites me but this one was more eagerly anticipated than most. The  river Irfon in deepest darkest Wales is a beautiful waterway crammed full of wild Trout and hard fighting Grayling and I love it.
Cue the first disaster, a pea souper outside. Not enough to stop me going but it would make the two hour trip last closer to three. Disaster number two, my sat nav gives up the ghost halfway there. Luckily I was past the complicated bit and pretty much knew the rest of the way but the return journey would be interesting! I arrived at the spot just after 8.00am-not bad considering.

Like an aquarium

The river looked in great condition, maybe just a little bit too clear! The fish must be somewhere so I dropped into a likely looking run where I couldn't see the river bed, hoping that fish were there. If not I had three pints of maggots that would draw them into the swim anyhow.

I set up a two swan loafer to 2lb line and a size 18 hook and cast out. Disaster number three, the float got halfway down the glide and stopped, I didn't have enough line on the reel. Luckily there was some 3lb Maxima in the bag so I respooled up the reel, set up again and cast out. Perfect, first run through and fish on, a Grayling weighing 1lb 6oz.

I then realised I had missed out the butt ring with my line so had to set up yet again. Tangles and lost hooks also followed, today was one of those days when you perform poorly, but thankfully I also caught fish, losing count of the number of Brown Trout landed (all carefully looked after because they are out of season) and six Grayling (four over a pound to 1lb 14oz.

Also carefully released.

I took several wrong turns on the way home but it was all worth it!

Pb Silver Bream from Willow Farm

The sun bursts through to melt away the mist on a perfect autumnal morning. The overnight temperature was a little on the low side and that slowed sport for the first few hours until the rays had raised the mercury by a couple of notches, only then did bites start to materialise.
A fortnight ago I had fished Willow farm for Perch but failed miserably however I did stumble across some Silver Bream of the sort of size to make them interesting and today I targeted them properly.
My initial bait was pellet but I changed to worm when that failed. Bites were hard to come by but there were a few indications and I kept feeding chopped worm and maggot into the swim in the hope that things would speed up. In the meantime a Kingfisher kept me amused as it went about getting it's breakfast. It was putting me to shame.

At one point it landed on a branch so close I could have almost reached it but it flew away just before I could press the shutter on the camera-next time!
By lunchtime I started to get amongst the fish facilitated by a another bait change, this time to maggot. Roach, Perch and a few small Silver Bream were caught. I then had a bite on the drop followed by a large swirl and I hooked into a Silver Bream that made me nervous. Early on in the fight I could see that it was a pb and I repeated to myself 'stay on', 'stay on'. Thankfully it did and I slid the net under a 1lb 2oz fish.

I fished on despite my mission being completed, landed a few more tiddlers. The difficult morning forgotten with just one fish, funny how that happens!

Dace day

It's nice to set off fishing knowing that there is very little chance of a blank, which is exactly how I felt this morning as I trudged across the soaked fields heading for Barton weir. Heavy overnight rain meant the river would be rising but I knew it would be a few hours before it started to affect the fishing conditions. The lower than recent temperatures would not matter either as I was chasing Dace, a fish that will feed in all but the very extreme temperatures.
My tactics were simple....

four pints of maggots.....

one rod, a John Wilson travel avon, easy to transport and light......

and a simple running rigged black cap feeder with a float stop to create a self hooking/bolt effect. Barbless hooks because they are easier to extract from small delicate mouths leaving no damage.

I caught a Dace first cast into the fast water and a steady succession followed mixed in with a couple of Perch, Roach and a big Gudgeon.

I gave up at 2pm, the bites had slowed up, the river had risen three inches, I was freezing cold(must dig out the long johns) and I had just lost my third feeder to an unseen snag.

An enjoyable day chasing a stunning diminutive fish that are very obliging.

A Trotting and Fly-fishing mixture

Size 8 barbless hook to 8lb hook link, swivel, loafer and 10lb mainline-works for me

I just couldn't make my mind up what to fish for this weekend or where to go so I decided to have a couple of mini sessions, the morning chasing Barbel on the river and the afternoon fly fishing for Carp.
I have really enjoyed trotting for Barbel with luncheon meat and been pretty successful doing it so when on my first run through I struck into a fish I thought that it was going to be a bumper session. The fish was no monster so I did a quick self take, didn't bother checking it and put the fish straight back, thinking there was bigger to follow.

Not weighed

A blurred photo was the result and captor not looking at the camera, poor effort!
I fished on for about an hour with no bites so decided on a roam. The second swim I tried has a large overhanging tree which when trotting is no problem apart from on the retrieve when it seems to grab hold of the tackle whilst reeling in. The solution is to wade out which I did, nothing took the bait but I did get a fright when I looked down to see a Pike eyeing me up from about three feet away. It watched me for a good ten minutes before it decided that I was too big to eat and sloped off to find a smaller snack.
The river is very low and clear at present and the fish that I spotted along the stretch seemed very spooky and skittish. That's my excuse for not catching more. It is amazing the lack of water considering the summer? we have had.
In the afternoon came the change of tactics and although the temperature was not high and there was little sun I got the fly rod and dog biscuits out down at Stubb's pool. It took ages to get anything interested but eventually a few Carp started sipping freebies off the surface. I waited so long for a take when it eventually came my reactions were miles away and I missed it. It turned out to be the only take of the day.
Eight hours fishing and the only capture was first cast. I have been playing with the camera quite a lot lately, trying different settings and stuff and I took this photo of a swan which I am quite proud of.

What do you think?

A better class of fishing truck

'Er Indoors has been on a funny one lately, she said that she didn't mind me going fishing for a second day running! There must be something in the offing but not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth I jumped at the chance. Having spent all day yesterday staring at a float and needing a change from all the recent Barbelling I have been doing I grabbed the fly gear and pointed the car to Oxfordshire. There is something civilised in the lack of tackle needed to fly fish. I took my work car because there is no smelly nets involved and raced down to Lechlade. I had set off late after enjoying a lie in, no rush, there would be plenty of swims available, unlike the river.
It is wonderful chopping and changing flies, casting to visible fish in the crystal clear waters and watching the reactions of monster Rainbows to each offering I amateurishly tossed their way. Within an hour I suckered one in to taking a gold headed red lure type fly and my confidence soared. A spirited fight on the wippy rod followed and just as my arm began to ache the fish tired and slid into the net. A nice bow weighing 5lb 6oz.

I only ever buy a two fish ticket as I am not that confident of hooking the full four but at this point I was thinking 'easy easy' and wondered if I was going to regret my lack of self belief.
With my next attempted cast I tried to get it out that bit too far and instead caught the tree behind. I pulled carefully but lost the fly, too high up to reach. I went on to try every bit of fluff in the box and although I had a few follows they turned off at the last moment every time. It became frustrating but still enjoyable. Thank goodness I stuck to the two fish ticket. Just the one was it then which has now been gutted and Uncle Dave and Aunty Maureen will have for their tea.
It's another world this fly fishing lark, look at what some chap drives to the lake!

Silver Change

This morning I set off with big Perch in mind. I took loads of bait: maggots, dendroboena, lobworms and prawns. My tactics were Prawn on the float rod and a sleeper rod with lobworm on a low resistance rig. I baited continuously throughout the day to attract small fry to the areas and the big Perch would follow them and fancy a seafood appetiser or wriggly treat. All good in theory but the Perch didn't follow the script.
The sun came out and made it warm and bright, not classic Perch conditions so I moved to the shaded area behind the island. It sort of worked in that I found fish that were willing to feed just not the target species. I finished the afternoon with several Roach, Tench, baby Perch and Silver Bream up to a pb equalling 12oz.

I did not know they were in this particular pond but I would guess they could grow to a decent size in here, well at least to over a pound! On my return I think they will be the target.

Catching is just a bonus!

My last chance for a mid-week evening foray due to the nights drawing in and the pool league starting again next week. I only allow myself one night out during the week, not fair on 'er indoors to have the daily battle that we call 'kid's bedtime' on her own every night! It is a question of balance and fairness and she does let me get away with a fair bit!
I fancied a change from the river so I grabbed the fly rod and dog biscuits and went in search of Carp. They had not read the script and I blanked but the close quarter sighting of three big muntjac on the path down to the pool(they vanished before I could get the camera out) plus this spectacular sunset made the evening enjoyable.

The sun sets across Stubb's pool.

Sometimes just being out in the countryside is enough!