Surprises on the Itchen

Our successful sortie on the river Test gave us a hankering for some more chalkstream action so we booked a day on the Test's shorter cousin the river Itchen. Like the Test the Itchen is a predominantly Hampshire river rising from the chalk aquifer at the Hampshire Downs then flowing some 28 miles through Winchester before joining the Solent in Southmpton. Most of the river has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the presence of seven species which are Brook Lamprey, Salmon, Otters, Bullheads, White-claw Crayfish, Souther Damselfly and Water Crowfoot. The water quality is superb and must be to support these species. 

Dave arrived first having stayed locally overnight and was just finishing off setting up when we landed. He was doing things the right way, split cane rod and centre pin reel. His target was the same as mine, Grayling but Martin also had a hankering for some oversized Chub which inhabit this stretch alongside the ubiquitous game fish.

We would all begin by trotting floats although some would fall by the wayside and end up chucking out feeders later in the day, sacrilege!

My own set up was simple, 13 foot float rod, fixed spool reel, 5lb line straight through (possibly a little overgunned but you never know what might turn up!) to a strong size 18 hook plus a bucketful of red and white maggots. The approach would be a roving one searching as much water as possible before picking the best swim possible for the last couple of hours of light. This river was new to me and I wanted to fish as much of it as I could in the little time we had available.

The first swim I tried drew a blank but the next one produced a Grayling first trot and the another straight after, both around the pound mark. My Grayling photos are always net shots even if someone is close by to help. They fight as well on the bank as they do in the water and are so wiry that holding them is nearly impossible. It just causes them too much stress and then they end up belly up in the water, pointless trying, they are too delicate!

The fishing continued along that vain taking fish from each swim including some cracking but out of season Brownies. I was really hoping for big Grayling but they were all around the pound mark, the Trout tending to be bigger going to about two pounds in weight.

An interesting aside for me was the Sea Trout. I have never caught any Sea Trout before so an instant personal best was achieved with my first one, weighing twelve ounces. They are impressive battlers going mental when they are hooked but they can quickly ruin a swim for any subsequent fish!

Several more Grayling and Brownies were landed before my mobile rang, well it rang three times before I answered it, I hate my phone with a passion when I am fishing! Turned out to be Martin who had a Salmon in the net that needed photos and weighing. 5lb of stunningly coloured male Silver tourist had fallen for double red maggot.

With the Salmon returned lunchtime was upon us and classy Dave continued his 'doing it the right way' theme as he helped himself to a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with his sandwiches and bathed in some welcome Winter sunshine,

and a cheeky Robin helped itself to Martin's maggots while his back was turned.

The other boys had dropped down to the lower end of the fishery by the mill race but it turned out not too successful meanwhile I went back upstream to Grayling country. I steadily fed a lovely looking run and after about ten minutes I hooked into an absolute nutter of a Sea Trout that gave me the scrap of the day. Twice it leapt clean out of the water and I ended up walking 30 yards downstream to net it. The flow in the swim was powerful enough to rip the hook out if I had tried to pull it upstream.

Another new pb at 1lb 8oz and another Trout destroyed swim so I decided on one final move. A cracking swim I had dropped in earlier where the main flow was pushed under some trees on the far bank. I landed several more fish including Grayling, Trout, Sea Trout and a bonus Chub of about 2 1/2 lb. I trotted until I could not see the float any more.
A stunning sunset provided a fitting finale to another great day of chalk stream angling, cheers.

Hampshire's Magnificent River Test

The early morning sun begins to burn off the overnight mist as we take our first look at the river Test, one of England's finest chalk streams world famous for it's superb fishing. It is also the longest (40 miles) of Hampshire's chalk streams and the crystal-clear waters are so clean they are used to wash the paper for making bank notes!

Rivers of this quality are normally the reserve of noblemen and gentry where they practice the art of fly fishing in it's inaugural home so why were three numpties from the Midlands stepping out on this hallowed ground?

Nowadays certain sections are open for day ticket, and at this time of year even for coarse anglers allowing them to fish for big Grayling, large Roach and Dace and massive Pike. An opportunity Martin, Baz and myself wanted to take full advantage of.

Really I should have brought the fly gear, it would have been the right thing to do but I fancied trotting for her ladyship the Grayling. I also had the feeder rod in the bag but that is where it stayed, it would have been a step too far, chucking out a 'plastic pig' into this hallowed water, I couldn't bring myself to do it! My rig consisted of 5lb line straight through to a size 18 Drennan specimen hook. A strong set up that could deal with any monsters that I may hook during the session.

We all caught steadily throughout the day, loads of Grayling, sadly none over 2lb but hard fighting quality fish up to about 1 1/2 lb. 

Interspersed with the Grayling were the inevitable Brown Trout. They can be a real nuisance when Grayling are the target but I relish them when they came along. These stunning creatures were great fun, huge and fought like stink on the light float rod I was using.

3lb 7oz

They are out of season at the moment and the beat has a strict policy on no photos of Brownies but I am sorry I could not resist, magnificent specimen and a new pb to boot. I only took very quick net shots and then released the fish quickly, no harm done!
I roamed around the beat even fishing the carrier streams too.....

I landed lots and lots of these............

Too many of these............

and a few of these.......

Plus I added another pb with this fish, 3lb 11oz.

The scenery was stunning..............

and the sun sets on a fantastic day.

Hangover

The river looked perfect for a Barbel, about a foot up with a touch of colour. The forecast rain had not materialised and the sun shone all day. I didn't see it until mid-afternoon though as the previous nights over-indulgence meant I needed some extra sleep.
My excessive lethargy also meant that I could not be bothered with trotting instead choosing to sit behind a pair of static rods and wait.

Bait was the usual Spam but this time a flavoured variety. The plain stuff works really well but the fish do seem to like a bit of Garlic with their snack.

It was a quiet session but I avoided a blank with an Eel which I photographed and unhooked in the water, doing my bit for their conservation.

I didn't have the energy to sit out long and went home early for some more tablets. It definitely takes longer to recover the older I get!!

Wonderful Wye

Another fitful nights sleep caused by the usual pre-fishing session excitement was interrupted by the 5am alarm call, to be honest it was a bit of a relief. Today Martin, Dave and I were heading down to the middle Wye just the other side of Hereford. It was a section I was unfamiliar with so I packed virtually everything, trotting gear, Barbel rods and Pike rods plus a selection of baits to match. It only just fitted into Martin's estate as he had packed the same amount if not more!
We met Dave at the car park down by the river and wandered across the field to discover a typical stretch of this beautiful river, shallow riffles interspersed by slower runs with deeper holes all bounded by Willows, Ash and Elm. Dave suggested also having a gander at a section beyond the woods but I had seen enough and persuaded him that wetting a line straight away would be a much better option.
Dave and Martin chose a pellet attack targeting the Chub and Barbel in the deeper section while I ventured upstream to an enticing trotting peg. A Cattle drink stretched into the river and from this point I could wade out to the middle and enjoy a 90 yard long trot with maggots. I attack a new stretch of water like a batsman builds a cricket innings, get off the mark as soon as possible ie avoid a duck/blank and then build an innings/netful as the day wears on. Trotting maggots is not selective but it would get me off the mark.
It took slightly longer than expected but eventually I hooked into a good fish a long way down the run. It used the powerful flow to it's advantage and kited into the near bank straight in to a snag. I released the bale arm and wandered down the bank. From a higher vantage point it was possible to see a Chub tethered to a fallen branch. It was only shallow so I waded into net it and as I did it managed to slip the hook.
I carried on trotting and within minutes struck into another fish but this time I knew where the snag was. The fish made a beeline for the branch but I was able to steer it safely past to the waiting net. An immaculate Chub of about two pounds that spewed up a bellyful of maggots.

There is only one slight problem with fishing a cattle drink, cattle! Initially just the one came down for some morning refreshment,

but then all his mates followed as well.

Thankfully they were obviously used to seeing people down the river as they just ignored me, some cows can be a nuisance trampling over fishing gear and getting too close but these ones just left me alone.
I was also grateful that the fish were used to them and a succession of Brown Trout were carefully captured and released back into the swim.

With Brownies being out of season I decided that a change of both tactics and swim was required so I headed downstream to a more sedate swim with increased depth and some good cover from Willows, there had to be Chub in residence and I was not wrong.

First cast and the rod hooped round and the fish headed straight into tree roots and escaped, transferring the hook in the process. I pulled for a break and managed to snap the rod's tip ring clean off! In order to be able to continue fishing this swim I was going to have to use 'hit and hold' tactics, bullying any fish hooked so I upped my hooklength to eight pound breaking strain and increased hook size from an 18 to a 16. The larger diameter line did not affect bites and the very next cast the rod wrenched round again but this time I gave it some serious welly. At first I thought it was a Barbel such is the power of these fish but it soon became apparent it was a decent Chub when a pair of big rubber lips breached the surface. Not a monster but a hard fighting 4lb 6oz immaculate specimen.

Several more Trout and Chub followed and each time the fight was brutal. I could not believe I was getting beaten up by average Chub and small Trout! I felt knackered! They were all in excellent condition too.
Time was marching on and come late afternoon I struck into yet another fish but instead of heading for the snag this one set off past it and downstream and there was nothing I could do about it. A right ding dong followed, I was hoping it was a monster Chub but I was not disappointed when I eventually saw I was attached to my first ever Wye Barbel. I kept on with the heavy pressure until it was beaten into submission.
I have never caught a Wye Barbel before so I guess it is a kind of pb, all 4lb 14oz of it!

By now Martin and Dave had changed from pellets to maggots and they were also catching well now.
More Chub (and a solitary Dace) followed for me before I landed my second ever Wye Barbel, again only a small one, 4lb 10oz.

The silly expression is me telling Martin that it was worth photographing and to just get on with it. That was the end of the action.
A superb day spent in stunning surroundings on a magical river.

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.