Not Quite An Obsession

A return to the estate lake this week. This is becoming a bit of a habit, bordering on obsessive. I can't recall doing so many stillwater sessions on the bounce during the main season.

The truth is that time is against me on the lake and within a few weeks it won't get much of a look in if the rivers are half fishable. Of course there's a likelihood that the lake contains pike and I'll probably have a speculative dabble at some point.

I had good intentions of varying my tactics but once again the wind was blowing strongly across the lake. I went for a straight lead approach again, but on a braid mainline to improve bite registration.

I opted for a different peg with a few extra reeds to help provide shelter from the wind. It didn't make life easy in terms of watching the quiver though. The tip blended into the ever moving background. Time to think outside the box.

I was using my short 8ft TFG all rounder rod anyway, as I needed a short rod for my choice of swim. I moved back a yard or so from where I'd normally sit and that allowed me to place a large bankstick directly behind the tip to give me a static reference point.

It was better, but still not good enough. Then the solution dawned on me. In my holdall was a rod tube for my travel float rod. Dispense with the rod, place the empty tube over the bankstick and voilà - problem solved. OK, so it would be a whole lot easier if I just dug out my target board, but that's no fun is it?!

The fishing proved reasonably predictable and a double handful of 6oz stamp roach were the result. I had one eye on trying a tight and snaggy little swim to my left though.

With an hour or so to go I gave it a shot and on arrival I spooked a fish that displaced a fair amount of water. I had a carp rod set up so I gave it a shot with floating crust.

Time after time I saw swirls in the water, but nothing took my bait. I went into overtime and fished well into dusk, but still nothing could be tempted. I packed up, locked the gate behind me and vowed to return the following evening to break the carp duck.

A day on and I was back to find an almost completely calm lake and loads of fish topping. Like taking candy off a baby I thought. I had the place to myself again so the options were plentiful. The only barrier was time. Just a couple of hours to crack it.

Again, most fish of any size were operating at distance. Now I'm not really geared up or used to long range fishing. 30-40 yards is extreme for a self confessed margin plunderer like me. I now found myself chucking the lead probably 60-70 yards and in truth I felt like I needed more. I still seemed to be short of the main zone and the only close call came from an inquisitive gull.

I gave it an hour before switching to a different bank which the fish seemed to have moved closer to during the session. I felt much happier and I got the bait bang on the money. I thought my number was coming up when a fish swirled by the bait and others were close by. Surely the threat of competition would trigger one of the fish into action.

Sadly it seemed spooked by either the bait or my set up and it bolted a little, causing the rest to back off. And that was that. Apart from a daft moment where in the reducing light I managed to spend about 10 minutes watching the wrong bait, very little else happened!

A very brief foray with a float rod and some leftover maggots in the margins, threw up a roach and a perch of the usual stamp.
A failed effort really, but it's all useful knowledge. It's not an easy nut to crack and the carp will certainly be shelved next time.

Having seen the whole lake in a calm state, it allowed me to see exactly where the fish were feeding. I was actually quite surprised to see plenty of bubbles within comfortable float fishing range on most pegs. I'd like to think some of it was tench related.

The lake is shallow across its whole expanse. So, although I was concerned about fishing the float in shallow water (2.5ft max), I don't think I need to worry. I haven't even found 3ft of depth when venturing out to around 70 yards. The lake isn't pressurised in any way and sees very little bank traffic on my preferred swims. Maybe I don't need to fish at long range after all? A close in swim with a bit of cover might be better after all if the depth is so uniform.

More to ponder over for the week ahead...

Calibration's What You Need...

... If you wanna be a record breaker! Not quite the words I used to remember Roy Castle belting out during my childhood, but close enough.

Records are something I'm unlikely to trouble, but Jeff Hatt served up a timely reminder recently to do some scale checks of my own. While in the grand scale of life it matters not one jot, but it's nice to know that attempts to beat my meagre personal bests are trustworthy.

I didn't have any proper weights to hand so I plumped for a heavy cooking pot and popped it on a set of kitchen scales that weigh to 0.1oz or 1g. The result was 6lb 12.9oz.

Out with my digital scales and they came up with 6lb 12oz. Close enough for my liking and slightly under weight. That sad, they only weigh to 1oz, so they would never have matched exactly.

Now given that I had proven both sets of scales were reading in the same ball park, it could still have been possible for both to be equally wrong.

A third set of scales (kitchen dial) were now brought into the equation with a lower weight that fell within its capacity. All 3 scales returned results of 2lb 8oz, when rounded to the nearest ounce.

A more stringent check at higher weights with a properly verified weight would be more useful, but for now I'm happy that my scales are close enough for my needs. I have some proper weights stored away somewhere (not seen since I last moved house) so I'll do further checks if I can unearth them.

I had another crack at the estate lake last week. Plans went out of the window when the only area I wanted to fish had a stiff facing wind. Float fishing at range was shelved in favour of the lead again.

Bite registration was a pain and I missed as many (probably more if I'm honest) as I hit. Peas in a pod roach were the result. Seven in total, all in the 6oz to 8oz range.

I was geared up for a go at the carp with a surface bait, but the wind was just making it impossible. As I called time to head home for tea, the wind just dropped off totally. To tease me further, the carp started to reveal themselves one by one.

Again they were at a fair old range, but one spot on a different bank looks quite favourable for reaching them. Importantly it's a little less snaggy looking too. A crafty late afternoon stalking session is on the cards next time - if the wind allows.

Only a month to go before I really start to target the predators. It seems to have flown by this year. Better start clearing out the freezer, ready for the deadbaits!

P is for...?

The bank holiday saw me snatching a few sessions amongst my other commitments. The theme for the weekend was the letter P.

Perch

First up was a brief after work session to start the break. With less than three hours of fishing time to play with, the brief was simple : fish with worms and catch a big Perch. Joined by Steve, we plugged away and caught a good few of the right species, but about 2lbs+ below the target weight!

In a bid to encourage Steve into the world of pike we had a little dabble for them into dark. Just a jack to my rod to show for it. No evidence though, as it flung itself back into the river while I was attending to the net.

We fished into dark and the bats began to appear, swooping across the water in front of us. Steve was stood out on a platform, gazing towards the water, waiting and willing for something to happen. Sure enough it did - a wayward bat came from his blind side and took him by surprise, narrowly missing his head. The startled angler jumped out of his skin and I really thought he was going for a dip!

Pike

The following afternoon saw me returning for another crack at the perch, joined by two others. I've honestly never seen the river so alive with fish. Prospects looked good.

Once again I fished mostly with worm but I was unable to catch anything much beyond a pound. Whenever I switched to a bunch of maggots I picked up the odd roach and some better stamp dace. Not anywhere near the class of fish from a certain venue further upstream, but a little better than I'd seen here before. Charlie also reported some nice dace. They have always been here in good numbers, so maybe there are some better ones to be had now. Maybe I'll have the play the numbers game one day and just wade through them to see what can be achieved.

The only problem with hooking small fish on this section of river is the pike. I had three encounters with them and none ended in my favour. Bitten off twice and I pulled out of the other - or more precisely I parted company with the prey fish and the pike made off with its meal.

The pike wasn't the only poacher. I can't say too much, but I've filed another report with the EA.

Promise

Last up was a short bonus session on an estate lake I've recently joined. I was meant to be out cycling with my good wife, but the session was abandoned when we couldn't get her bike's gears adjusted to her satisfaction. It's funny how awkward gears can be to adjust, particularly when you know that complete failure might result in spare time to go fishing instead! Best left to Halfords just to be safe!!

Remembering what I saw last time, when fish were feeding at distance, I went armed with leger set ups. Against my normal habits I set up a sleeper rod with an alarm and worm hook bait. The other rod was rigged up with a bunch of maggots and a quiver tip approach. A smattering of groundbait was hurled as far as possible and then fished over.

Bites were at a premium, but I managed three roach, with the best a healthy 15oz. It gives me hope that talk of 2lb fish might actually be completely true. Time will tell ...

What cheesed me off though was the own goal I scored before leaving home. I forgot to take any floating baits and throughout the session a host of carp could be seen breaking the surface time and time again at distance. I'm not expecting them to be monsters and although I'm not really a fan of carp, I do love picking them off with floating baits when opportunity knocks.

I'm quite taken with the estate so far. I've seen enough to suggest there's a bit of potential. It definitely requires a different approach to the ones I'm normally used to, which can't be a bad thing.  I do have a tendency to be a little lazy with my methods. I'll continue to adapt and hopefully get some rewards soon. Either way I'm in this for the long haul and I have a year or so to see what I can extract from it.

Summer Catch Up

A month has slipped by since my last post. Eight short sessions have been squeezed in and while I'd like to report a bountiful haul of fish, the truth is somewhat different.

I've acquired a ticket for an estate lake, but so far I've only managed a single visit. Just a few small rudd to show for a brief encounter and more groundwork is the order of the day to unlock whatever potential might exist.

The truth is that I really have no clue what it holds and there's nothing of note mentioned on the internet either. This one will get some attention during the next closed season, but I will hopefully sneak in the odd session over the next couple of months.

An evening bream session on the Avon with a friend yielded no slabs for either of us. Plenty of dace and perch about though. It was then off to Somerset for a family orientated trip. The good news is that I get to fish a little, but always at the wrong time of day.

I could of course get my backside out of bed earlier, but in truth I like the odd week where I can really recharge my batteries and just chill out. Late to rise and a few beers before bed is the general way it works.

I tackled four different venues - Rivers Brue and Huntspill, King Sedgemoor Drain and the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. Yes, you read that correctly - me, on a canal, by choice, during the main season.

I'll start with the canal and my initial plan was to fish it on the day I arrived. A crappy journey meant that I lost all enthusiasm to trek the extra 15 miles south from my base. Battling the masses heading for the beach or other south west destinations, didn't appeal.

So, it was a few days later when I finally reached the canal. The section I'd planned to fish was out of bounds due to roadworks. It was either a long detour or drop in closer to home. I took the easy option.

This canal bears no resemblance to my local canals. It's gin clear, very weedy and has no boat traffic to speak of. It's also stuffed with fish. Those who have been following Russell Hilton's Tales From the Towpath blog will know about its potential.

I fed positively to see if I could tempt a tench or bream. Initially all I could find was small rudd and perch, but when bubbles started to show over my baited area, I got a good vibe. Eventually I bagged a small tench of 2lb 1oz to a legered worm. I'm sure others were on the cards, but the need for food and beer got in the way.

The Brue session was unplanned and replaced the aborted canal trip. It's my go to venue when I don't have any tickets. At £2 a day it's cheap and can throw up the odd surprise, but not on this occasion. Just a few small fish to speak of, while I listened to England's Ashes victory being confirmed.

I was lucky enough to be at Edgbaston just over a week earlier in the heart of the raucous Eric Hollies stand. A truly memorable day that was different to any cricket match I'd been to before (even beats seeing Warwickshire win a Lords final!). Will I go again in 2019? Try to stop me!

The Huntspill was full of silver fish and did throw up a few small silver bream to 4oz. An eel also graced my net, much to my companion's excitement. I thought it would make a pound, but having wrestled the dog away from it, the verdict from the scales was just 13oz.

The KSD was full of roach and I had plenty of them to 6oz on corn. I did connect with a lump that I was attached to for about two minutes, before suffering a hook pull. I was only on light tackle and I never actually saw it. The fight wasn't mental enough to be a carp or tench. It had all the hallmarks of a decent foul hooked bream.

Back more locally I joined Brian for another go on the Leam. It was utterly mean. A blank for Brian and just four fish for me - a gudgeon and three perch, with the best pushing towards a pound and the other pair 6-8ozs.

The latest session was on the Anker, which I now think has a silent W in its name! A royal blank for both me and Brian. I've rarely been so disappointed in a session for many a year. It looked bang on.

We saw the odd fish moving, but nothing would bite. Others were suffering the same fate too. The water absolutely reeked though (not for the first time), but there was no hint of fish in distress. There was a decent flow and colour too. Very strange. It's not proving to be an easy nut to crack, but when tackling new rivers you need to go through the whole season to learn how it ticks over. Maybe autumn and the first frosts will bring about better results.

Reports suggest that the Avon is probably my best bet right now. A 3lb 10oz perch came out of my club stretch recently and several 2lb+ fish have been caught this season. With the volume of prey fish present, I wouldn't be surprised if it threw up a 4lb fish soon. The pike fishing prospects look good too.

Tough Going

I managed three sessions over the past week, but like the England cricket team, it wasn't very productive.

The Anker was given another shot and I carried out my promise to ball it in this time. The result wasn't the specimen frenzy I'd hoped to induce. I completely bombed out and the only respectable fish banked was a perch of around a pound and a half.

The pike, or more likely a single pike, taunted me. Fish were snatched and hooklengths severed. Scoff though they might for now, the odds will change somewhat when the first frosts appear. Soft mono is replaced with wire, hooks get a whole lot bigger and rods are much beefier. I'll be back!

Some good information was gleaned from a venue regular and the tales of bream, carp and tench had me salivating. I guess I just need to put the time in and be patient. I like what I've seen, so I will be giving it every chance for sure.

The Avon was a little more responsive to more sympathetic tactics,  yielding lots of small fish. Like the Anker session it was completely at the wrong time of day. I was expecting a tough one, but was surprised to see fish feeding throughout the heat of the day. There's such a good head of fish present right now and it looks promising for the predator season in a few months time.

I took some time out to clean up pegs across the whole section. Being on the committee it's something I like to do, but it amazes me how reluctant other anglers are to keep things ticking over (but they are quick to moan!).

For years now I've always carried a small sickle in my kit and most pegs I fish are treated to a quick trim to help keep them in shape. Just a minute is all it usually takes. Sickles (or similar tools) can usually be picked up for peanuts at car boot sales. Well worth the tiny investment to help give a little back.

There was one notable success on the day as I helped steer my companion for the day towards his first ever pike - in fact the first he'd ever seen in the flesh. It wasn't a bad one either at 8lb 12oz. I'm not sure he's completely converted yet though. I think he enjoyed the fight on a light telescopic rod, but the sharp pointy things in the Pike's mouth were less appealing!

The final venue this week was the more intimate Leam. Being honest I wasn't relishing this one and I thought a grueller was on the cards.

With Brian joining me for this one we dillied and dallied over which section to fish. Checking out all three options in turn, we eventually returned to where we started! The section in question is pretty new to both of us - we'd only tried it once previously.

I had a bite first chuck on the lead. Not expecting quick action, I missed it of course, but a small perch quickly followed. Things went quiet and I set up a stick float, as I couldn't resist getting the pin out and running a bait down the swim.

First full run and the float buried. The rod arched over and something solid was on. I took it carefully, but never saw the fish as I suffered a hook pull. Gutted, but it actually made me more positive.

I pressed on and half an hour later banked a pristine and slightly portly chub. At 2lb 11oz it's no monster, but it was a venue best for me and in immaculate condition.

Another venue best surfaced next cast in the shape of a 2lb 2oz perch that put up a right old scrap on light gear.

A tiny dace and another small perch followed before the swim completely died. I remained biteless for the last couple of hours, as did Brian. He'd had a couple of pound chub and some bits beforehand.

It was actually a pleasant short session in the afternoon sun, albeit tempered a little by the incompetent effort of England's cricketers. Hopefully they'll put up a better show next week, as I'm making my maiden test visit to Edgbaston during the third test. Sucker for punishment?

River of Green

As suspected, I had a lay off from my fishing last week. Not what I wanted at this time of year, but married life brings committments that require a bit of give and take. I guess we can't fish every week if we want to stay married!

After a run of six sessions on six different rivers taking in four counties, I made my first repeat trip. The Anker was the venue and Brian joined me for his first crack at this river for an afternoon / evening session.

On approach to the river my jaw hit the floor. I was greeted with this sight and I can tell you it gave off a right old stench.

Three weeks earlier I had fished that peg and it looked like this.

I continued downstream and fortunately the river started to open up. Clearly there was a blockage in the river, but beyond it there was some flow and a bit of hope. Crucially we feasted our eyes on the clear signs of feeding fish - some of the most intense bubbles I have ever seen. Spirits quickly lifted.

I never really know what to do when fish are clearly grubbing around in your swim. Should I ball it in and risk spooking them, or is a softly, softly approach better? I went on the cautious side and eased the bait in throughout the session.

I started off with corn and switched to maggot, but over 30 minutes in and we were both biteless. I had been laying on with the stick about 6 inches overdepth. I took the extra depth off and tried again. First cast and the float buried.

It didn't feel big to start with but then it started to crank up. I thought it might be a small tench, but it was actually a big and very dark coloured bream which was a pb shaker for sure. I could see it was lip hooked so I took it carefully on the 3lb hooklength and banked my prize.

Brian thought it might push towards eight pounds, but with a hint of pessimism I thought high six. Either way my previous best of 6lb 5oz was definitely beaten. Brian loaded the net and zeroed the scales. I placed the fish in and waited for the verdict. 7lb 9oz was the result, so it was pretty much in the middle of what we guessed.

With a willing photographer available I tested out the arms out effect. I don't usually push my arms out when being photographed, which tends to make even half decent fish look less impressive than you'd imagine them to be.

The following two pictures are of the same fish, but one looks so much bigger, yet I remain in a fairly similar proportion in both.

The rest of the session wasn't prolific for me, but I had some roach and perch, with the best knocking around the pound mark.

Brian was kept busy with plenty of roach on the next peg, but that in turn caused him to acquire a friend in the shape of a feisty jack that kept snaffling fish throughout.

Late in the day I hooked another lump and I confidently predicted tench due to the scale of the battle. Snagged deep in the lily pads I eventually got it out, but it had now turned into a bream! Brian clocked that it was foul hooked and the mystery was solved. Cranking up the pressure it went into the net sideways on and the hook pulled clear just as the net was lifted. It went 5lb 10oz.

With light fading the last action was left to Brian as he finally got one over the pike that had taunted him throughout. The funny part of it being that we could see the pike wasn't hooked, but was stubbornly ho!ding on to its prey. It eventually let go when safely in the net and both fish survived the experience.

An enjoyable session and I'm learning more about the river now. In hindsight I think I should have been more positive to start with and next time I think I'll ball it in from the off.

The good news for me is that I have a bit of time off this week, so I'll be aiming for a couple of midweek sessions amongst my other plans.

I've also had my eye on an estate lake that caught my attention earlier in the year. After a short period on a waiting list my number came up, so I should be in business soon. It's the wrong time of year for me in all honesty, but the plan is to secure my ticket and then I'll have somewhere to target during the next closed season. I have no idea what it holds, but that's all part of the attraction for me.

Weekend Away

A trip to the Herefordshire and Worcestershire countryside was the offering this week. Once again the planning required for such a short trip seemed to take over the preceding week. I'm not even a serious angler, so heaven knows how much time the really keen guys must take to get prepared.

Three of us headed out to execute a simple plan involving fishing, food and beer. First stop was our usual haunt on the Wye. We've used this stretch for a few years now and it's an absolute gem. There are more prolific areas I'm sure, but the access takes some beating. The pegs have also been improved massively and many now have steps and comfortable areas to fish from. No ropes needed here!

Conditions weren't ideal - bright and with low, clear water. That's always the gamble when you need to pre book hotels. You have to take what's thrown at you. Our first visit here was the polar opposite - 10ft+ of floodwater hammering through and it was a struggle to hold bottom in the margins with 5oz of lead.

Only light leads needed this time though and I concentrated on a mid river line. I was surprised to bag a chub of just over a pound on pellet first cast. Things didn't take off though and a switch to maggot resulted in some chublets and a solitary dog bleak.

Back on the pellet I connected with a barbel, but the battle was short lived as I suffered a hook pull. No more barbel encounters in that swim, but I had a nice battle with a brownie of around 2lb that was quickly returned.

I played the bites game with maggots and eventually got a bonus chub of 2lb 14oz. Not quite the monster I hoped for, but the best of the season for me so far.

The bailiff was badgering us to move up to the banker peg that he rotates around his customers. We agreed to give it a couple of hours to end the day. Operating two at a time we all winkled some fish out. I had another brownie and a couple of barbel - 4lb 5oz and 6lb 9oz.

4lb 5oz 

6lb 9oz

Charlie had one out of 5lb+. Brian had to settle for a chub.

We headed off to pastures new for food and beer. The change of location was down to problems booking our normal room at a sensible rate. It wasn't too bad though. Excellent food at the nearby pub and they didn't kick us out until gone midnight.

Next day the plan was to tackle the Teme. With BAA tickets already purchased we headed for one of their waters. With wet, slippery conditions we needed to drop lucky. Sadly we didn't.

Venue one required some serious mountaineering skills. Venue two was too unsociable with just two obvious pegs available - the next closest being a lengthy walk. Venue three required some major gardening skills. Clearly not much traffic seen on the bank here.

With a lot of time wasted we gave up on the Teme and headed for venue four - via a cafe in Stourport while the rain cleared. Fuelled up, we eventually settled on a stretch of the Severn slightly upstream.

For me and Brian it was tough going. There were loads of very small fish in the peg and although I caught my share, my landing net remained dry throughout. In all honesty I fished poorly and was probably too tired from the effects of the weekend to do myself any justice.Charlie had better success, with some quality perch in a mixed bag of 20lb+.

Next weekend is looking tricky for me and I might not get out at all. Totally out of character, I'm following up on an interesting stillwater option that will hopefully be the answer to my closed season blues next time around (and for occasional sessions this season).