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!

Where is everybody?

Amazing, bank holiday Monday and I had the whole river to myself, either the weather had put everyone off or they were at the angling festival in Evesham. Every year I wander down there and every year I am disappointed, the same stalls selling the same crap as the previous year. I know where I'd rather be.
The river looked perfect, a couple of inches above recent levels and with a lovely tinge of colour. I was trying a different stretch from normal that looked good for a fish or two. I started in the fast water below the weir, trotting meat down a lovely long glide as far as I could see. Nothing was forthcoming but twice in as many minutes there was a big splash from a fish above the weir. I had no choice but to give that swim a try.
I also changed tactic to a static leger approach and within an hour I had a Barbel on the bank.

This must have been the culprit of the splashing because there was no sign of anything after that.
As a last roll of the dice I dropped well downstream to a slow deeper section and although this also was quiet I did land a 5lb 7oz Bream which put up a fairly decent fight-for a Bream.

On the way home I stopped off to have a look at another popular section of the Avon and that was deserted too, not everybody could be at the festival, surely?

Brilliant Barbel Session

Following my previous success with float-fished meat I ventured down the Avon again this morning looking for a similar result. I was late getting to the river, not arriving until gone 7.30am and considering it was a lovely warm morning I was amazed to have the river to myself. Again a 2 and a half Swan loafer was employed, bulk shotted 6 inches above the hook, hair-rigged meat as bait.
First run through resulted in a familiar fish coming to the net. A four pounder with only one eye which I have now caught three times this season, he must like me!

My friend 'cyclops'

A couple more casts later and I landed another small fish, this one had eyes that made up for it's mate.

I have caught quite a few Barbel this season but have not had a single 'double', which was beginning to wind me up a bit but all that was to change, in quite spectacular fashion. I hooked a fish that felt a different class altogether, dogged deliberate fight, large tail slapping against the surface, the sight of it made my nerves jangle. Luckily everything held together and I put the net under an immaculate 11lb 9oz specimen.

11lb 9oz

My biggest Barbel for three years and I could have gone home happy right then. I am glad I didn't because the very next cast I landed another beauty, another 'eleven', this time 11lb 1oz.

Over twenty two pounds of Barbel in two casts, cloud nine now!
The swim then went quiet so I wandered downstream, trying a few swims as I went without success.
After an hour I returned to the original swim and first run through had another good fish just short of a double weighing 9lb 13oz.

I caught three more smaller fish before calling it a day, it was still only 1pm but I was shattered.
Eight Barbel for well over fifty pounds, not a bad morning's work and a great recommendation for using moving baits to catch old Barbus.

Is a static bait the best way to catch Barbel?

This week I have used up a couple of days of my few remaining days off work left in order to give my Summer barbel campaign some real momentum.
Tuesday 21st August.
Got to the Avon early and baited up the swim with Hemp in order to fish meat over the top. The swim is one of my favourites and my confidence was high. The barbel had not read the script though but it was still an enjoyable couple of hours as I was visited by a moorhen and her four chicks which came really close considering what a skittish bird they normally are.

The Kingfisher was very active getting it's breakfast, I will never grow tired of watching these beautiful creatures.

and there was also the usual Swans, Duck, Sparrows, Wrens and a noisy Thrush.
The bird life was a pleasant distraction but I soon grew tired of them and the motionless rods so decided for a change of tactic.
Out came the waders and I tackled up with a loafer, bulk shot down the line and the same hair rigged meat on the hook.

Such a good look!!

First cast and I was into a fish straight away.

Not a monster by any means but a good fighter and a blank saved. I carried on, roaming from swim to swim and finished the session with five Barbel and two Chub.

Trotting certainly outfished static on this occassion.

Troutless

A frustrating day spent fly fishing. The hottest day of the year and spooked fish led to a blank on Bushyleaze Trout lake. I tried every fly in the box, saw lots of fish but they ignored my offerings, all except a mayfly-like effort that gave me the only bite of the day-I missed it!
I still enjoyed it though, a beautiful day spent in stunning peaceful surroundings.

Fishing is a wonderful excuse!

Big Bad Bruce the Blanker

My Aussie neighbour has set off back down under but we managed a short evening session before he went to try to get him a 'Pommie' fish on the bank. This time I took him Barbel fishing, sitting in one swim, blowing the froth off a couple of 'tinnies' was much more relaxing than the previous session of lure hiking. We put two rods out, both baited up with luncheon meat over a bed of hemp, Bruce would take the left one, I the right.
The right side rod was inevitably the first one to go and I played in a 7lb 8oz Barbel.

We were happy to just get a fish on the bank so from then on the big Aussie would have both rods. As the light faded we got another bite, and Bruce was away. The fish made an unstoppable run downstream and then with Bruce applying steady pressure it started to come back towards us. It was clear it was a good fish, we could see nothing in the darkness but the fight was deliberate and tough, signs of a biggie. It was looking like Bruce was getting the upper hand when disaster struck, the fish kited across into a weed bed and became stuck solid. Steady pressure wouldn't shift it so we tried the slack line approach, nothing worked. After 10 minutes we gave it too much pressure and heard the sickening crack as the line went.
Within seconds of recasting one of the rods did a three foot twitch and Bruce was in again. This time there was no way it was getting to the reeds. Bruce piled on the pressure but sadly a bit too much pressure and the line snapped. There was time for one last bite but it was missed, the hook did not penetrate due to a snail masking the point. It was not his night and Bruce was sent home an unlucky blanker. There is always next time!

Slow start to my career as a fishing guide

Sun setting over the Warks Avon

My guiding service will have to remain cheap, free in fact until it improves significantly. This week I have had two sessions with new angling friends and both have blanked despite considerable effort on all fronts.
On Wednesday evening I met up with Jim. Jim has been fishing Stubb's Pool midweek while I have been fly fishing for Carp. He has also been after the Carp and last I week I photographed a cracking 16 pounder for him. We chatted a bit and talk turned to Barbel, he fancied a go for them having only caught one small one previously so I offered to give him a few pointers on one of my favourite stretches.I showed my rig, method and bait, let him choose which swim he wanted and told him where the fish were likely to be. I dropped in the next swim. It was fairly quiet until dusk started to fall then I had the first take and after a cracking fight I landed a small Barbel.

I thought it was much bigger until it was in the net. Twenty minutes later the rod buckled and the reel screamed and I was in again. Another great fight and another Barbel landed, this time a much better fish weighing 8lb 8oz.

8lb 8oz

Sadly that was all the action, an enjoyable session but a shame that it was a blank for Jim.

Session Two

My next door neighbours have an eldest son who has lived in Australia for the last 28+years, since he was 18 years old. He was born in England but speaks with a broad Aussie accent. His name is Bruce!!-brilliant!
A keen fisherman Bruce so we met in the pub last week and arranged a day out on the Avon. I figured that a day spent behind motionless rods probably wouldn't be his bag so we decided to lure fish for Pike.

Big Bruce 

Friday was clear and sunny and I knew it would be tricky but I thought we would catch something, we blanked. Miles of riverbank were trodden in search of old Esox, every lure in the box was cast but we ended with a couple of follows from small Perch and that was it.
Strewth-being a fishing guide is harder than I first thought!

New lure- instant success

I spent Wednesday evening down by the river playing with some new toys that I have recently acquired, some big Pike flies.....

and some fancy new plugs......

These are pretty impressive pieces of kit. They were probably designed with Bass in mind and I am itching to cast them into the sea. Three ball bearings rattle in the 'belly' and you can just about see the red oil that rocks around the inner chamber looking blood-like! They have a lovely action and fish just below the surface on the retrieve.
I cast it out downstream and mid river and as I started to turn the reel handle it got nailed.

A Jack had taken an instant liking to the lure. Not a monster but I was pleased. I fished on for about an hour, exploring this quiet stretch of river, had one more attack on the lure but the Pike missed it before the heavens opened yet again and I decided to retire to the pub.

I am bored of this weather now!!

Crucian fishing-teaches me a 'Marsh' lesson

Being an all round angler has it's benefits and it's downsides. I could never be a single species angler, fair play to those that are but I love going to new places (as well as familiar ones), catching different species using different methods and the whole anticipation throughout the week for the next session.
My problem is I try to vary it too much and whilst I feel I enjoy more than my fair share of success sometimes I feel a bit out of my depth.
The key is to learn from that and improve for next time. This weekends attempt at catching a monster Crucian was just that, a massive learning curve. They are a fish that I have largely ignored so far but intend to put that right. I will tell you what I did wrong this time and how I feel I could put it right. Any advice is welcome.
I made the long journey to a mecca of Crucian Carp fishing, Marsh Farm in Surrey. A good place to start in that it is a proven big Crucian venue but I thought I could just turn up, cast in a float, catch a big 'un and be home for tea. I was wrong.
I came here last year and fished maggots on one rod and got mullered by Roach and tiddlers all day. On the other rod I fluked a Tench and a Crucian using a mini bolt rig with pellet as bait. I felt that his year all I had to do was float fish pellet and I would catch Crucian all day. I still put out the sleeper rod as a back up.
The sleeper rod caught me a couple of Tench and I also had one other run that failed to hook up.
The float rod was fished with an insert waggler, size 16 hook, 6mm soft hooker pellet cast to the right of the above picture next to the reeds. I regularly fed the pellets all day to keep the bites coming and keep coming they did. There was just one problem. Could I hit them, could I buggery! Nearly every strike was met by nothing. I did catch: Tench close to 7lb, great fights on 3lb line on a float rod but they did mess up the swim for a bit.

This old warrior deserved to be photographed 

I also had Roach as well plus a couple of fish bumped off but no Crucian. I am convinced I had bites from the golden beauties though.
Let me tell you what I think I did wrong: An insert waggler was too heavy, 3lb line should have a 2lb-ish hooklink, a number 8 shot near the hook is fatal and fishing two inches over depth is a schoolboy error.

What I think I got right: bait placement in the margins and the bait itself, I did get plenty of bites! I used too crude tackle to convert them.

So in summary next visit I will still use pellet as bait but with a size 16 hook, 2.2lb hooklink, 3lb mainline, a pole float (pinprick showing) and the bait at exact depth. (Method feeder on the sleeper.)

Any more suggestions gratefully received!

Houdini-Barbel

The river looked in perfect condition this evening, just a touch of colour to it and virtually at normal summer level. Everything was alive, fish leaping about all over the place plus bugs, flies and mosquitos(three bites!) everywhere. I arrived fairly late but only a couple of minutes too late to miss out on the peg I really wanted to fish so I settled into a spot where I have had fish before but it is a third choice peg.
I am still rating luncheon meat as the prime bait for the Avon despite the recent problems with Eels. If they leave it alone for long enough then the Barbel are on to it and seem to get caught. Pellet on the other hand seems to be avoided completely.
I cast out and was getting the now familiar Eel taps straight away. Nothing hittable but at least it was action. If the taps stopped then the bait was gone so I knew exactly when it was time to rebait and cast. I fished a longer than usual hair which meant I avoided hooking the Eels. Third chuck out and I got a hittable bite and played out a fight with a 4lb 7oz Chub.

More taps and recasting followed until I got the unmistakeable screaming run of a Barbel. I managed to turn it and take control. The fight continued to that point where you feel you are winning, the fish was in front of me, out of sight but below the rod tip then suddenly everything went slack. I reeled in lead, hook, the lot, a hook pull! The hook was brand new and hook length were just tied on the bank so I checked the rig but all was good. I felt it was just one of those things. It happens to all of us.
The rest of the short session followed the same routine. Cast out , taps from Eels, landed a Chub (3lb odd) and then a screaming Barbel run. Unbelievable, the hook pulled out again. I have great faith in the tackle I use so I am putting it all down to an unlucky session but if I lose the next one I know I will have to rethink the lot. Confidence in the gear we use is a big factor in fishing and I hate losing it.
I continued for an hour or so later but the swim had gone quiet. Frustrating to lose fish but better to have hooked and lost than to have not hooked at all.

At last some Ruddy sunshine!

At last we had some summer weather forecast and that influenced my decision as to what to fish for. An overgrown lily pad infested pool where I could target the beautiful Rudd. If this pool held Crucians as well it would be the perfect summer venue, sadly it doesn't but it does contain a few hard fighting wild Carp.
This water is not a stocked commercial and it is not over fished. I have been there a few times and at the most there are only ever three or four anglers on there, today was no different. It is never advertised and there are never matches on there. I heard about it through word of mouth and I hope it stays that way.
The pool is full of fish so a blank is never on the cards, the difficult thing is getting to the better specimens. I fished soft pellets on the drop, casting into the slight 'bay' in the lilies that you can see in the photo. The only problem I had was keeping the bait on the hook, by baiting little and often, if the pellet stayed on the hook I would get a bite, usually within three seconds.
I finished the day with a net full, mostly Rudd, a few Roach and I also had Carp (which I did not put in the keepnet). The best fights came from the Carp, I had to play them very carefully on 3lb line in the snaggy water, I landed three and only lost one. None of them were big but they were immaculate, no 'boilie bellies', split fins or mangled mouths.

Wild common Carp

I didn't count the final total but there must have been nearly a hundred fish caught, the pick of the Rudd deserved to be photographed.
 None over a pound but some getting close, a thoroughly enjoyable Summer's day catching stunning fish in beautiful surroundings and no jacket required.

Pb on the fly

Landing a target fish does not complete the task, it merely creates another target. Having caught a 9lb 12oz Carp on the fly a couple of weeks ago I set myself a double as the next step. Tonight I achieved just that. It wasn't easy mind. My stash of mixers has been running low and I had intended to stock up today but completely forgot. Prior planning and all that! I had a few left so I still went down to Stubb's pool armed with the fly gear.
I decided that the best place to start was the site of my only success but within ten minutes I knew the Carp were either not there or not feeding. The swim was lifeless. I gave it a bit of time to see if the free bait would attract any fish to the area but it did not work. I moved to an enticing spot between to lily beds. Again the freebies were catapulted out but despite that the swim also seemed dead.

Where are you fish?

With the light fading rapidly I thought I would try one more spot. The last of my mixers went out but this time there was fish in the swim and they started to slowly feed. I cast out my deer hair imitation amongst them but no bite was forthcoming. Bloody frustrating.
The light faded almost completely and I could not see the bait but just as I was thinking of accepting the blank the line straightened and it was 'fish on'.
The fight was fun but not spectacular and within no time I had a biggest ever 'Carp on the fly' pb.

10lb 3oz

There was no point in trying for another so off I went to the pub to celebrate.
A target done but now I want a twenty on the fly!

Only mad ducks and an Englishman

Despite the terrible inclement weather I ventured down to the Warks Avon for a couple of hours Barbel fishing this evening. I knew I would have the pick of the swims because nobody else would be mad enough to be fishing in the torrential rain we are having, yet again!
Over the last few years I have read many times that Eel numbers are down by 95%, I don't believe that figure.  My bait tonight was ledgered luncheon meat and they were absolutely mullering the bait as soon as it was cast in. First fish an Eel of about a pound. The rod tip was bouncing and twitching all night as the Eels attacked the meat often stripping the bait but not getting hooked.

The next proper bite thankfully was a three foot twitch and after a brilliant fight I landed an 8lb 13oz Barbel. A solid stocky fish that fought like a double but wasn't long enough to weigh that much.

I took two self take photos, I will not take any more than that because it would cause the fish to much stress  but due to the conditions the photos were crap. This was the best of them, not up to my usual standard but it will suffice.
I ended the session with one more smaller Barbel and went to the pub contented that I had had a result when most other anglers would not have bothered trying.

Brown Water Barbelling

The Warwickshire Avon has been up and down since the start of the season. At the start of the season it was a very strong reddish brown colour and something put me off, I just did not fancy it to produce fish. Today it was at it's highest point this year following yesterday's 'months worth of rain' (seem to have heard that a lot lately!) This time around however it was a more familiar chocolate brown and I fancied it for a Barbel.
The problem I find with a swollen river is fish location. Are they in the flow making the most of the bountiful larder being swept down to them? Are they sheltering out of the flow avoiding all the rubbish and debris that is washed downstream? Are they under the willows foraging in areas that have previously been under water? Probably all three, the river is wider than normal so there is more area to search, a daunting task.
The first swim I tried had been successful for me in the past in similar conditions but today it seem dead. I was fishing pellet wrapped in paste which I am confident in catching on and although I saw a Barbel roll it was under the far bank willows. An impossible area to fish due to the amount of debris coming downstream.
The next two swims produced the same result, nothing, both good swims in normal conditions but not right for today.

In the final swim I changed tack slightly. Pellet on one rod and luncheon meat on the other. I had grabbed a small tin on my way out this morning purely as an afterthought and this was the bait that went first. A couple of taps and then the rod bent right over. The fish felt good but not Barbel like so I suspected it was a Chub. It was actually an Eel.

1lb 6oz

A quick weigh and photo and back it went. I was pleased because it had stopped me from blanking.
With renewed enthusiasm another lump of meat was cast to the same spot.
Less than an hour later the rod hooped over again and the free spool screamed, an obvious Barbel bite. The fish felt strong in the fight but it's power faded rapidly telling me this was no monster. I netted a small Barbel and as I unhooked it I noticed a bite on my other rod. I put the Barbel in the net in the water to recuperate and reeled in a Bream.

Not a typical brace shot! Bream and 4lb 11oz Barbel

I thought I was crazy sitting in the rain but I could not believe my eyes when this lot turned up. A stupidly dangerous pastime in these conditions.

Confidence was high now and the next fish came quickly. It was a part blind cousin of the other Barbel weighing 4lb 12oz.

I had only picked up the meat as an afterthought so only had one small tin with me and I was running out fast. On virtually the last piece I nailed one more fish and it turned out to be the best of the day, 8lb 12oz.

An excellent finale. A couple of hours in the right place made up for several hours in the wrong place. Or was it the bait? As always with fishing, more questions than answers!