Prawns to the Rescue...

Dad wanted another day out, somewhere he could catch a few fish, and a variety of species not just carp. I had just the place in mind, somewhere that would be familiar to him as we used to visit there years ago, but somewhere that contains good specimens of most species, including some monster perch; so we were armed with a nice big bag of prawns, along with other favourites including maggots, worms, meat and corn.

We had to source our tickets from a local newsagent and then dash to the venue in the hope that not too many beat us to it, there were a few spots I had in mind that I hoped we could secure. We needn’t have worried though, there was one chap fishing opposite the causeway on the smaller pond and he was our only neighbour throughout the whole day. It was really misty when we arrived, and wonderfully atmospheric.

WIGG 2014

The Wallington Invitational Gudgeon Gala was in its second year. 2013 saw a group of friends visit their local River Wallington on a cold November’s day, and although spirits were high and many laughs were had, there was only one gudgeon caught. The trophy sat with Jonny for the ensuing year, and he wasn’t about to hand it over this year without a fight.

We are very fortunate, in as much as we have some of the most wonderfully intimate stretches of river right on our doorstep, the fish might not be massive, but they are huge in their own rights as this year’s event proved. So with an earlier scheduled event now taking place in early September, we felt confident that it would be a case of the largest gudgeon deciding who’d be champion, rather than if somebody actually managed to snare one.

Dreaming....

Lakeside

On Sunday last I decided to stay local, so a visit to Lakeside was arranged and armed with 2 pints of fidgety maggots of red and white I headed to the point with the faint hope there was nobody already there. The sky was amazing, no less than three times I stopped before reaching my final destination just to take photos. The sun was just beginning to climb above the large white buildings of IBM Headquarters and eventually I pulled up in a(thankfully) very empty car park.

Bonefish of the Valleys - Part 2

Day 2 - Llyngwyn

A rather noisy camp cockerel woke everyone a little before 5:30am, an early start is essential to those ready to climb hills in order to find wild carp. Some sprung out of bed like kangaroos, some took a tad more persuading, but eventually and by 6am all were getting ready for the day ahead. As the sun began to climb through the trees and peeked over the hilltops the atmosphere filled everyone with the enthusiasm needed to complete preparations and engines were soon started.

Estate Lake Capers

Julian kindly offered to arrange a day at a private Estate Lake he often fishes, I’d missed out on the previous outing so wasn’t about to let this next opportunity go begging. The details of this paradise of his were passed to me via the private message system, suddenly I started to realise that this could well be something very special indeed. Preparations were made; the car was loaded the evening previous and with the alarm clock ringing at 4am I left at a little after quarter past.

As I left the main roads and started the final leg of the journey through country lanes, I watched a faint orange glow transform into the most wonderful sunrise, so much so that I had to pull over a mile or so from my destination to capture it on camera. The photo doesn’t do it justice, but you can start to realise just how special a morning it was. Five or so minutes later I was pulling into the car park and greeting my companions for the day.

Bonefish of the Valleys - Part 1

Day 1 – Pant-Y-Llyn

After last year’s marvellous visit to mid Wales in search of the oldest strain of carp known, I vowed to return, so when Matt started making plans to arrange another trip this year I didn’t need asking twice. I love catching fish as much as the next guy, and when given the chance to get amongst such sought after and historically important fish it really is a no brainer. But when you start to realise just where these fish are found, among mountain ranges, high up above the clouds when sheep and buzzards vastly outnumber human presence, you begin to appreciate that a trip of this magnitude really is up there with the best angling experiences available. 

As with all good angling trips, the company is key. A group of traditional anglers descending upon a lake is always a delightful occasion, but a few days fishing such a remote wilderness with the added bonus of a couple of nights camping and socialising and you have the makings of a truly memorable outing. The plan was for us to meet in the afternoon of Friday at the campsite, kindly secured by Matt, and to split in to two groups, fishing Llyngwyn and Pant-Y-Llyn respectively over the weekend. 

The 'Association of Crucian Anglers' Fish-In - Abshot Pond

Abshot pond is a water close to my heart, it, along with Hilsea Moat, was among the first venues I fished for coarse fish, learning as I went using whatever tackle I could get my hands on, which at the time was minimal. Abshot went through some difficulties, namely topmouth gudgeon, so in the summer of 2012 it was drained, de-silted and restocked with more mild mannered angling in mind, I’ll explain.

It’s no secret that, since the arrival of king carp, true crucians are getting harder and harder to find, and where there are old fish present, the stockings of kings into their homes can only mean that the longevity of the pure breed is under threat. Therefore, what is needed is a shake up, less fisheries being hell bent on introducing fast growing carp into their ponds, and to think about the humble crucian. Act now and save this delicate little fish from what could end up being extinction of the pure breed.

Thankfully, there are folk out there who do care enough to do something, to take action before it’s too late. I’m pleased to say I’m involved with both, Portsmouth and District Angling Society (PDAS) and the Association of Crucian Anglers (ACA). PDAS decided that as Abshot was basically a ‘start again’ water after the draining, why not introduce those fish most of us started off catching, fish like rudd, tench, perch and the humble, but gorgeous crucian.

A Pleasant Couple of Hours

Having Thursday off work to go crucian fishing for the day, I was quite taken aback when Corrinna told me I could fish after work on Wednesday. I asked no questions, just said thanks and planned where to go.

Tithe Barn seemed a good bet, it was warm still, mid-week so not many folk would be around, and is just around the corner from work meaning I could get there just after 4pm. That I did, and found I was the only one on the venue.