This afternoon I fancied going out to do some fishing owing to the fact I didn't get selected for my football match, so Roach fishing was on the agenda and my swim was to be the same spot that I fished towards the back end of august that I had been very successful in, with the sun out and 25c + it was a tad warm and that was good news as it was the weather that we had when I had the 2 brilliant hauls.
I arrived at the swim, set up, cast out and waited......... for around 3 hours before I got my first real bite and I had a fish on which turned out to be a Chub very annoyingly, as I didn't want the Roach spooked off by the Chub storming around the swim, after releasing that fish it took another hour and a half to get another take the day certainly was not going the way I expected it to, it just goes to highlight how right I was over the 2 last sessions in everything from tactics to bait and time of day.
The next bite that I got did turn out to be my target species that shot across the swim in typical big Roach fashion using the river to it's advantage, after a couple of short powerful runs I had it in the net and quickly weighed, 1lb 10oz, my Roach was landed.
That fish was shortly followed by an even bigger Roach of 1lb 14oz, nearly another 2lb Roach for the collection but it fell just short of that magical mark but after a hugely slow start I did manage 2 Roach both of which were of a fantastic standard anything over the 1lb mark is a fantastic sized Roach and I've been lucky enough to find a piece of redfin heaven even if occasionally they don't want to participate in my game and become famous.
Just 8 days until I get my long awaited visit to the Hampshire Avon, can not wait.
I arrived at the swim, set up, cast out and waited......... for around 3 hours before I got my first real bite and I had a fish on which turned out to be a Chub very annoyingly, as I didn't want the Roach spooked off by the Chub storming around the swim, after releasing that fish it took another hour and a half to get another take the day certainly was not going the way I expected it to, it just goes to highlight how right I was over the 2 last sessions in everything from tactics to bait and time of day.
The next bite that I got did turn out to be my target species that shot across the swim in typical big Roach fashion using the river to it's advantage, after a couple of short powerful runs I had it in the net and quickly weighed, 1lb 10oz, my Roach was landed.
That fish was shortly followed by an even bigger Roach of 1lb 14oz, nearly another 2lb Roach for the collection but it fell just short of that magical mark but after a hugely slow start I did manage 2 Roach both of which were of a fantastic standard anything over the 1lb mark is a fantastic sized Roach and I've been lucky enough to find a piece of redfin heaven even if occasionally they don't want to participate in my game and become famous.
Just 8 days until I get my long awaited visit to the Hampshire Avon, can not wait.
Another magnificent Roach 1.14.
Hi James another great catch mate,i check yours and brians blogs each and every day with great anticipation as to what i am going to see that you have now caught from this lovely little river but the best for me are your roach catches they are very special and proper red letter days. I fish the wandle myself but only maybe a day a week but no where near the same success as your catches but i will keep trying and learning about this magical river. well keep up the good work James and i look forward to the day you catch the magical 3lb roach (fingers crossed). Tight lines mate.
ReplyDeletePaul
Hiya Paul, Im glad you like it, in regards to the Roach unfortunately they were'nt off of the Wandle as much as I'd love that - also I am on the tail of a 3lb+ Roach that will be a target of mine over the next couple of years and I've come very close in the past, 1oz to be precise which was off of the Thames whilst fishing for Bream up the Walton stretch.
DeleteOur little river system has some great fishing to offer but there are so many issues to combat as well which is a shame but on an urban river, anglers are'nt the only people who use it!!
Tight Lines Paul.
Thanks for reply and sorry I thought they was from the wandle,my biggest roach from the wandle is 1.8lb but I know there are 2s in there and wow 1oz of off 3lb you must of been chuffed to bits what a cracking fish. Well please keep blogging about your angling days and good luck for the 3lb+ beauty. Tight lines James.
ReplyDeletePaul.