I managed to blag an extra hour off work today so at just after 11am I headed to Asda for supplies and onto the water. There was nobody else fishing, much as I expected, and I approached the bridges stealthily. I was travelling light, barbel rod, small reel loaded with 8lb line and the large unhooking cot loaded with tackle, camera etc.
Just after the bridges I spotted a carp on the far bank, not a big one but a carp nonetheless. I watched from behind a bush as two more fish joined the first one. I climbed back up the bank to the top of the swim and set up the floated rod as best I could with shaky hands. With a nice piece of crust impaled on the hook I made a gentle cast in the direction the fish were headed. As they approached my heartbeat got faster and almost popped as they sniffed the bread and carried on without a care in the world. I continued in the swim for half an hour and did have a couple more fish look half interested, but still no takers.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Too cold to play
I left home at around 9am, not an early start but I just didn’t see the point of getting there at the crack of dawn what with the frosts and sub zero temps we’ve been experiencing recently. The outside temperature was minus three, not conducive to good fishing but with no fishing the previous weekend I just had to get out on the bank. I wanted to fish a water local to work but due to it having a solid lid I turned to the river, and a river I’d heard good things about. Conditions were far from ideal and any thoughts of barbel had to be erased from my mind, although I still went tackled up to fish for them if I thought there was a chance.
On the way I was mesmerised by the amount of buzzards flying around over the motorway, one group of four in particular caught my eye. The fields on either side were a patchwork quilt of many shades of white; the frost had really taken hold and was still there even though the sun had risen. I pulled into the pub car park and a quick check of the outside temperature was still minus three, thoughts of a bumper day couldn’t have been further from my mind but just to be there was enough for me.
On the way I was mesmerised by the amount of buzzards flying around over the motorway, one group of four in particular caught my eye. The fields on either side were a patchwork quilt of many shades of white; the frost had really taken hold and was still there even though the sun had risen. I pulled into the pub car park and a quick check of the outside temperature was still minus three, thoughts of a bumper day couldn’t have been further from my mind but just to be there was enough for me.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Spurlings Farm
Yesterday I was undecided what to do, I knew I wanted to go but didn’t, for the life of me, know exactly where. I finished work at midday and for the hour previous to leaving I had it set in my mind that it would be a trip to the river Wallington, a local stream not too far from work with sections I was yet to explore, so I guess I was going fishing but it was more a reconnaissance trip. A quick stop home for a bite to eat and with the bare essentials loaded I headed for the river with thoughts of chub set firmly in my mind.
I pulled into the car park at Spurlings Farm and wandered up to the bridge, a quick look around either side saw that downstream there was a lovely deep pool which flowed under a half submerged fallen tree, if there were chub in the swim I knew just where they’d be. The moment should have been one of excitement and anticipation but seeing a decimated chub laying on the bank, probably the result of an otter or mink, marred the occasion somewhat. Nevertheless, I set up the 11ft cane rod, centrepin and net and went off in search of the chavender.
I pulled into the car park at Spurlings Farm and wandered up to the bridge, a quick look around either side saw that downstream there was a lovely deep pool which flowed under a half submerged fallen tree, if there were chub in the swim I knew just where they’d be. The moment should have been one of excitement and anticipation but seeing a decimated chub laying on the bank, probably the result of an otter or mink, marred the occasion somewhat. Nevertheless, I set up the 11ft cane rod, centrepin and net and went off in search of the chavender.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
A Winter Social
Friday night was frosty, very frosty, I arrived at the work party at 8am on Saturday and was met with a white ground, white trees and cold finger tips. The car thermometer read minus five and twelve of us began work clearing the path for the new otter fences. We were scheduled to work until midday and get to the lake for an overnighter, six of us were to fish a local park lake but with temperatures the way they were we were prepared for a rough ride and a lack of action.
The lake, around 12 acres, used to be a thriving match water, but the carp have almost wised up to anglers and big bags are not as common as they once were. Having said that, I still went with an approach aimed at holding fish in the swim if they arrive and trying to capitalise on any window of opportunity that may arise. With this in mind, 2 x 5 litre buckets of particles from the freezer the night previous mixed with my boilie base mix to create a sloppy soup mix that would waft around and, hopefully, draw the fish in. My own popups, the dual coloured peach and scopex baits I’d prepared earlier were to get a trial run, mainly due to the fact that the last big hit I had from the venue came to bright, highly flavoured popups.
The lake, around 12 acres, used to be a thriving match water, but the carp have almost wised up to anglers and big bags are not as common as they once were. Having said that, I still went with an approach aimed at holding fish in the swim if they arrive and trying to capitalise on any window of opportunity that may arise. With this in mind, 2 x 5 litre buckets of particles from the freezer the night previous mixed with my boilie base mix to create a sloppy soup mix that would waft around and, hopefully, draw the fish in. My own popups, the dual coloured peach and scopex baits I’d prepared earlier were to get a trial run, mainly due to the fact that the last big hit I had from the venue came to bright, highly flavoured popups.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Fun with the float rod
During the summer I visited a local pond and fished for the carp, whilst doing so I noticed a number of rather large perch swimming through the gin clear margins. Try as I might I couldn’t get said beasts to show the slightest bit of interest in anything I dangled in front of them, the issue I had was that the club operates a live-bait ban. Well quite recently the club lifted the ban, you can guess where I was headed today!!
Saturday, 7 January 2012
The first fishes of 2012
The first trip of 2012 and I was determined to catch a good fish on the cane and pin. I had promised Roy a trip to Headlands Farm, perch were the target and live-baiting was to be the tactic employed. With supplies gathered the on Friday I was ready for the off, bed early and up at 6am to leave for Roy’s. We left his place at seven and headed for the M3 and onto Wellow. Roy had never been to Headlands before but had heard me taking about it so was itching to get there ad try for the wonderful fish that swim there, perch to good weights, stunning little carp and countless other species to angle for, float fishing with maggots really can produce anything, as we were to find out.
I offered up the swim I’d had a perch of 2lb 2oz in on my previous trip to Roy, advised him where to put his bait and set up in the swim to his left. Roy opted for float fishing pellet on one rod and had a maggot feeder on the other. I started off trying to catch a few live-baits and soon had half a dozen small perch, perfect bait for the big stripeys. Without an air pump I brought along a spare landing net, submerged it in the margins and the small fish swam happily there until it was their turn. With enough perch for a few hours fishing I set up the 11ft cane float rod with a Leeds centrepin reel and attached a small 8 gram bobber float with a 6oz drilled bullet and size 4 hook. The bait was added to this and I was soon watching the float ride the waves shuddering and dipping every so often. The wind was keen, it felt chilly for most of the day but with the odd brief sunny spell we felt a little warmth every so often.
I offered up the swim I’d had a perch of 2lb 2oz in on my previous trip to Roy, advised him where to put his bait and set up in the swim to his left. Roy opted for float fishing pellet on one rod and had a maggot feeder on the other. I started off trying to catch a few live-baits and soon had half a dozen small perch, perfect bait for the big stripeys. Without an air pump I brought along a spare landing net, submerged it in the margins and the small fish swam happily there until it was their turn. With enough perch for a few hours fishing I set up the 11ft cane float rod with a Leeds centrepin reel and attached a small 8 gram bobber float with a 6oz drilled bullet and size 4 hook. The bait was added to this and I was soon watching the float ride the waves shuddering and dipping every so often. The wind was keen, it felt chilly for most of the day but with the odd brief sunny spell we felt a little warmth every so often.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Winter carp on the pin...
Managed to squeeze one more trip into 2011. I recieved a call from Tony asking if I wanted to join him and Dave on a day session at Stroud fishery near Petersfield, I hadn’t fished with Tony since Redmire back in August so jumped at the chance of a catch up and hopefully a winter carp or two. We met at the nearby MacDonald’s and I followed the guys the rest of the way. First impressions were good, a small lake of less than an acre with one very good looking spot where a great tree had fallen in the water, if the carp were anywhere, it was there!!
Tony jumped into the swim opposite the tree and fished two rods with his usual method of Sausage Oil criticals attached to a size 4 wide gape and small 1oz lead. He fished both rods tight to the snag tree locked up and we just knew that he’d have a good day. Dave set up to his right and I was in the next swim. With just open water in front of me I fished my home made popups with small bags of pellets and threw a few balls of groundbait in the area in the hope of interesting anything that might cruise by, this consisted of white crumb and crushed hemp.
Tony jumped into the swim opposite the tree and fished two rods with his usual method of Sausage Oil criticals attached to a size 4 wide gape and small 1oz lead. He fished both rods tight to the snag tree locked up and we just knew that he’d have a good day. Dave set up to his right and I was in the next swim. With just open water in front of me I fished my home made popups with small bags of pellets and threw a few balls of groundbait in the area in the hope of interesting anything that might cruise by, this consisted of white crumb and crushed hemp.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Midwinter 2011
Midwinter, at least that’s what the calendar said, but the conditions outside and the forecast for the few days ahead were that of an unsettled mixture of clear and cloudy, calm and windy, dry and wet. However, I was going fishing with great friend and all round legendary angler Martin James. The Kennet was the venue and chub and barbel were the target with the option of some pike fishing on the last day.
I arrived at the river around 11am on Tuesday, met Martin and after hand shakes and Christmas niceties it was down to business. He told me of his captures the days leading up to my arrival and also of his losses. The plan was to try for chub and barbell on Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon and evening and hit the Lodden Thursday for some piking. Our first job was to walk the river; both banks looking for spots to fish and introducing bait to the areas we’d be laying our traps. It was quite a walk and I must admit it was heavy going in my full winter attire. Martin however, led the way and showed no signs of fatigue even being well into his seventies!! We completed our tour, found a couple of swims we were happy with and retired for a lunch of Hot Pot made by Martin’s wife. During lunch we spoke of many things, the old days, new days, things Martin got up to, things I got up to, there was certainly no lack of conversation.
I arrived at the river around 11am on Tuesday, met Martin and after hand shakes and Christmas niceties it was down to business. He told me of his captures the days leading up to my arrival and also of his losses. The plan was to try for chub and barbell on Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon and evening and hit the Lodden Thursday for some piking. Our first job was to walk the river; both banks looking for spots to fish and introducing bait to the areas we’d be laying our traps. It was quite a walk and I must admit it was heavy going in my full winter attire. Martin however, led the way and showed no signs of fatigue even being well into his seventies!! We completed our tour, found a couple of swims we were happy with and retired for a lunch of Hot Pot made by Martin’s wife. During lunch we spoke of many things, the old days, new days, things Martin got up to, things I got up to, there was certainly no lack of conversation.
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