tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92085530621752054852024-03-19T07:33:03.174+00:00James' Angling Adventures.Written by James Denison.
Follow on Instagram @james_denison_angling James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.comBlogger739125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-45279265332980206642024-03-19T06:00:00.002+00:002024-03-19T06:00:00.138+00:00One Final Roll of the Dice.<p> </p><p> The pull of the Wye has had me travelling the 310 mile round trip to fish conditions that most would avoid, oddly I seem to love it! ( tongue in cheek ). I guess my rational for fishing the Wye in these conditions is that it is well documented that the bigger fish tend to continue feeding when smaller specimens batten down the hatches and switch off, also the time of year would suggest its the best time to try and target a double as all those high 8's and 9's during the warmer months would all now be doubles, I only want and need one!</p><p> Frustratingly for me the only chance I've been faced with was the one I lost a few weeks back, that was put down to a stroke of bad luck, it happens to us all but I had tried hard to atone for that error even if conditions as I've said before aren't great. Rising cold water rushing down the valley never makes for easy visits, I simply had to grind out what I could. This time Brian would endure the visit with me, could he manage something that has so far eluded me? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoku8pygdrkWt_yCaexwVmAlAiEAncFdTOow2ku0JoofK9nnaNsYmkQRRoreA2NQHhI06QqzaH0uYEuTDEAhUuZPuIR_H5yL15GPOmTgf2nRcd0rIxAFk1ZN_CHUMh7kgl_TqxdODyuh3YpOjAVNifOj9p9gBJklc3O86F71rLCB1WN3XhaRR1JKvk-g/s5184/IMG_7904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoku8pygdrkWt_yCaexwVmAlAiEAncFdTOow2ku0JoofK9nnaNsYmkQRRoreA2NQHhI06QqzaH0uYEuTDEAhUuZPuIR_H5yL15GPOmTgf2nRcd0rIxAFk1ZN_CHUMh7kgl_TqxdODyuh3YpOjAVNifOj9p9gBJklc3O86F71rLCB1WN3XhaRR1JKvk-g/s320/IMG_7904.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><p> We set about trying every spot possible with an eye on the gauges and weather forecast upstream, we knew fishing would be harder come the 15th of March ( last day of the season ), the impetus to catch a few on the 14th was strong. </p><p> My first taste of a Barbel unfortunately was a foul hooked fish that made life very hard for Brian and I as I simply could not control it, after plenty of persistence we managed to net the fish and safely release it, not long after that I finally got a Barbel that was hooked fair and square, this was quickly followed by another two Barbel, but nothing big, in-fact the smaller fish seemed to have switched on, not the sort of stamp I wanted to be seeing but better than nothing I suppose.</p><p> The remainder of the day ticked by and by midnight I got my total up to 5 fish, everything was pinned on Thursday and that rising cold river which was going to be hard. Thankfully for me the final day wasn't a total washout as two more Barbel made it to the net, the best coming just 20mins before we packed up for home. 8mm pellet once again catching most of the fish.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ObdaMG6tyoZEG17AgfqZO_S8L_zjZXonWGzahaLyFpDrA7AFIyWbyHAOFqdRqoWz_1DG7JjMpU3FlPvAOpYFQVuOBlIOH3S0VOqojTWJduzlnFPqjWtKQYKXP1KeAFqCvnfvfoYpl4JdRVmy7oV2rwvWqKOQbEcQiLDSTQksQUVzCmmK65WfUVvC9qw/s5184/IMG_7917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ObdaMG6tyoZEG17AgfqZO_S8L_zjZXonWGzahaLyFpDrA7AFIyWbyHAOFqdRqoWz_1DG7JjMpU3FlPvAOpYFQVuOBlIOH3S0VOqojTWJduzlnFPqjWtKQYKXP1KeAFqCvnfvfoYpl4JdRVmy7oV2rwvWqKOQbEcQiLDSTQksQUVzCmmK65WfUVvC9qw/s320/IMG_7917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> 7 Barbel and 2 Chub, not the end I hoped for but the conditions this season have been very testing, fingers crossed it's a lot better upon my return.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-76275694824862958672024-03-16T16:55:00.006+00:002024-03-17T20:12:29.798+00:00Wading About for Ladies.<p> </p><p> As the season drew to a close I got an invite from Mike once again to join him on the beautiful Wylye, how could I ever say no!!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHsVzS2T41b3XOsMK0CJpVWANVrVDd9MtCIWIGyosMi6-g9GjWFqE5nilkW0V8kgHkoA2vVDkoXFrITcGJvtefo6bvh8iST8W6raMcQCPJCUBRtV2JE85eZ8zHhzPhHhGIKZp11kD2VcG6mya5JVVtxYeG23pmCpffpaqSn9izdnV9GalQLx0mqw9M7c/s4032/IMG_3750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHsVzS2T41b3XOsMK0CJpVWANVrVDd9MtCIWIGyosMi6-g9GjWFqE5nilkW0V8kgHkoA2vVDkoXFrITcGJvtefo6bvh8iST8W6raMcQCPJCUBRtV2JE85eZ8zHhzPhHhGIKZp11kD2VcG6mya5JVVtxYeG23pmCpffpaqSn9izdnV9GalQLx0mqw9M7c/s320/IMG_3750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> Conditions apparently were testing and so it proved to be, when I arrived some parts of the fields were underwater! most areas I've fished previously were boiling torrents and the bank as treacherous as you could imagine given the levels, without waders it would have been a total waste of time. </p><p> The first 6hrs of the trip were very hard going indeed with just 6 proper bites and five of them were Grayling with the best just over 2lbs, I really did wonder whether it was going to get better in the evening and thankfully for me it did! </p><p> The final two hours provided much better sport, not sure why but glad it did switch on, that final stretch provided a further 13 Grayling with 2 of them over 2lbs ( another at 2lb 1oz and my best of the session weighing a pleasing 2lb 6ozs ), that was backed up with numerous decent 1lb+ fish with two 1lb 15oz specimens chucked on top for good measure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9KoT23_jQW5w_rn8Xi6IvkyHQae0DGbeeojMCy6sGcjLFBer9iCnxp6-X5CufKQvA2BT-gtNSfBZZHt3sjTw-moLhqvg-PSFgpstVAuMrU2X8k2Ne-KkOTilOWez_NAxBQaofEBTzqvtJgOfCy1gcUUPV9wl2LdDmvH3AmKD_QaUKfylyLsJNfxo4Go/s1388/IMG_3769.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1388" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9KoT23_jQW5w_rn8Xi6IvkyHQae0DGbeeojMCy6sGcjLFBer9iCnxp6-X5CufKQvA2BT-gtNSfBZZHt3sjTw-moLhqvg-PSFgpstVAuMrU2X8k2Ne-KkOTilOWez_NAxBQaofEBTzqvtJgOfCy1gcUUPV9wl2LdDmvH3AmKD_QaUKfylyLsJNfxo4Go/s320/IMG_3769.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2.06</td></tr></tbody></table><p> That did mean however that my quest for a 3lb+ Grayling rolls onto next winter, I knew it would be tough but it has not been easy at all, nevertheless the fish I've been catching of late are of a superb standard and one can never tire of runs of 2lb+ fish!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPju52IxozoyIt0bitx1p9Gu-lWB625Y0UE-p0vOS4h2L9XPaHFSHcxH0OOkY5nryqyfW8h-IFp-pQLs_T8EpiSeoFqwf9Uz0ObeYW0nDfatgytDEdYC7gHUcHruKjiXHgyMVv3gDCrL7-9FLkk8RDR77t933kapDZ7vajSAzbW2yxnx6feU5Co-7E9s/s4032/IMG_3766.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPju52IxozoyIt0bitx1p9Gu-lWB625Y0UE-p0vOS4h2L9XPaHFSHcxH0OOkY5nryqyfW8h-IFp-pQLs_T8EpiSeoFqwf9Uz0ObeYW0nDfatgytDEdYC7gHUcHruKjiXHgyMVv3gDCrL7-9FLkk8RDR77t933kapDZ7vajSAzbW2yxnx6feU5Co-7E9s/s320/IMG_3766.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p> Until next winter....</p><p> Best fish: 2.6, 2.1, 2.1, 1.15, 1.15 & 1.14.</p><p> Also after my recent trip to Drennan HQ I collected a couple of new bits to try and absolutely loved how easy the new 15ft Acolyte Specimen float rod managed in that pacy water, I can not wait to tackle some summer Barbel and Chub with this rod π.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ubVnDcaanWYK3MSV_RFTJx3bhzldtjVZt4KO87JZ0ifZXoQfL8dkPgjL1NOrpaoSQV78EPkLk3KOcdVWRYEfUTUhtK0gYUAIdREX959gTmLvGdfm-vylAn2poAeOyXtHAdhZR0YtZ6TFNTAx0VWJSHRvJAc7_SE9gAEUuhTktRqnPlGD7XxwkT1CM4/s4032/IMG_3753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ubVnDcaanWYK3MSV_RFTJx3bhzldtjVZt4KO87JZ0ifZXoQfL8dkPgjL1NOrpaoSQV78EPkLk3KOcdVWRYEfUTUhtK0gYUAIdREX959gTmLvGdfm-vylAn2poAeOyXtHAdhZR0YtZ6TFNTAx0VWJSHRvJAc7_SE9gAEUuhTktRqnPlGD7XxwkT1CM4/s320/IMG_3753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-13891742921997043692024-03-02T15:47:00.000+00:002024-03-02T15:47:16.962+00:00Upcoming Events.<p> </p><p> With one eye firmly fixed on the end of season glut I'm hoping to sample I also have a couple of events that I have been invited to talk in.</p><p> Bear in mind this is first time I've ever done anything like this so god knows what it'll sound like and be for the listening public, but I've been asked whether its something I'd like to do, of course I said yes, so now it's time to start prepping as the first one (21st March) is at the RDAA (Reading & District) Fisheries Forum where I will be chatting to like minded anglers about my angling but mainly about the "Forty Rivers Challenge" that you guys all know about by now!</p><p> Details for this evening of festivities is available below. However, in June I have been asked to open "The Barbel Society'" annual show at Notts County Football ground, this may well be a bit more nervy as I suspect there will be a fair few people attending and public speaking is not something I've done before and only been in front of a camera a couple times, so I have quite a bit of work to do over the closed season.</p><p> If any of you guys are coming it be great to see you and looking forward to putting faces to names and meeting new people too, it will certainly be an interesting chapter personally, we shall have to see if it is a total disaster or an educational and light hearted chat among friends both old and new.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBEXHlGMl8qyMm7UDJC9pSGITtmOvTk5qa5gtBGv6Uy_1YHf_fT8J-vgDMyzcNfkrs8yOJMSJhPEGjsHnbK8AW-Z_E35wWD295x21DRwPfuOOcn5M1TYNibAujA23Fnq3uA0EK9rOhvRXJw_R64tFJi7OT8CA_qLemscQ15x1OJOaxFZwKGyq_bbQxo8/s1792/IMG_3625.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBEXHlGMl8qyMm7UDJC9pSGITtmOvTk5qa5gtBGv6Uy_1YHf_fT8J-vgDMyzcNfkrs8yOJMSJhPEGjsHnbK8AW-Z_E35wWD295x21DRwPfuOOcn5M1TYNibAujA23Fnq3uA0EK9rOhvRXJw_R64tFJi7OT8CA_qLemscQ15x1OJOaxFZwKGyq_bbQxo8/s320/IMG_3625.PNG" width="148" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy656YEEZqua2CFyyc3eF4CnnoNndP7irRlpUeaq5_npb8pPUd5aPphwmCiGGkNlWpHHSUX9VvZF22e86chATTnpC1jfeOZkH6cPPet_QJ_viQQUG7H9hN5rHSGiEKFqlvCSNB_g8LtHtxRjQmUapbCJT91hcligOtMVTF7N3o2YFKxcMOFfjdn0qi6tg/s1792/IMG_3589.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy656YEEZqua2CFyyc3eF4CnnoNndP7irRlpUeaq5_npb8pPUd5aPphwmCiGGkNlWpHHSUX9VvZF22e86chATTnpC1jfeOZkH6cPPet_QJ_viQQUG7H9hN5rHSGiEKFqlvCSNB_g8LtHtxRjQmUapbCJT91hcligOtMVTF7N3o2YFKxcMOFfjdn0qi6tg/s320/IMG_3589.PNG" width="148" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-67893329503177402962024-02-18T16:00:00.001+00:002024-02-18T16:00:32.097+00:00Six Foot.<p> </p><p> Well, winter still hasn't arrived and the rivers are in a constant state of flood, now for Barbel that isn't the end of the world but now valentines day has passed my attentions typically turn to plump Dace, solid Roach and Gigantic Grayling, all of which will be close to their pomp. Issue is these conditions are not conductive to targeting any of the above. Therefore I still feel persuaded to target Barbel, can't say I am too disappointed of course!</p><p> Once again I made the journey to the R.Wye, this time however it was via Oxford as I felt I was long overdue a visit to see the chaps over at Drennan HQ, I have had conversations with a few of the guys ( Chris, Ian and Foxy along with Jack and Richy who I have been filming with on the Wye ) however I haven't personally met most of the guys including the main man, Peter, who I had the pleasure of meeting on Thursday. Many many fascinating stories from yesteryear and many exciting things ongoing and new projects in the pipeline for all you anglers out there. </p><p> It was great to see machinery doing it's thing, whether its laves being used to make float bodies, machines cutting and profiling new bank sticks and buzz bars or creating small brass weights to fit on the bottom of floats for still water fishing, it was great to see manufacturing here in the UK and I didn't even see the main part, which I'll hopefully see another time. </p><p> It was a fantastic opportunity and left with a couple new toys in the shape of the new Acolyte 15ft Specimen Float Rod, Acolyte 9ft Commercial feeder rod which I'll repurpose most likely for close quarters Chub fishing and the new 2.8m telescopic landing net pole which feels great, for the roving angler who wants to keep gear to a minimum but not compromise on ability this may well be the bit of kit for you as for example this new pole compact is about 2ft long where as the middle of the range Twistlock is around 4.8ft compact, plus it is light too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnKMxGdqn7FxTwN0VIJKhDZppaCbeRMn8nxDrapUHXFQiPzAxyIe_AOByI9Zs8Ml2sbKNBUx3vdJrxD5K6ZwZCASgK_n0130mnqjIujUaWT9567S0o69rdtWj8VAEMOdwl1A3nd9fy9Byeh7AJkprs5vIkxyD4h2uh8wDGld9L8IrqOzBbWP5x84JJ74/s4032/IMG_3463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnKMxGdqn7FxTwN0VIJKhDZppaCbeRMn8nxDrapUHXFQiPzAxyIe_AOByI9Zs8Ml2sbKNBUx3vdJrxD5K6ZwZCASgK_n0130mnqjIujUaWT9567S0o69rdtWj8VAEMOdwl1A3nd9fy9Byeh7AJkprs5vIkxyD4h2uh8wDGld9L8IrqOzBbWP5x84JJ74/s320/IMG_3463.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXIEcmPx6T_GigHnmY8Ns9uDCUWMZiuZ15pUD31VPf2-tKgWAWvUxrX-gQ9eqHr1sWQpQOnzVs73oSG_EFULMJrkDaU5eeD-G1uY2CIjs7d43Chg9z_e0TJ-0_QLiH9YwCF3dnHKXabY_DU8utaeTd3Rhfm-Jx4dfiLTPyH3yQg4Xuw8iSize67g9xSo/s4032/IMG_3465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXIEcmPx6T_GigHnmY8Ns9uDCUWMZiuZ15pUD31VPf2-tKgWAWvUxrX-gQ9eqHr1sWQpQOnzVs73oSG_EFULMJrkDaU5eeD-G1uY2CIjs7d43Chg9z_e0TJ-0_QLiH9YwCF3dnHKXabY_DU8utaeTd3Rhfm-Jx4dfiLTPyH3yQg4Xuw8iSize67g9xSo/s320/IMG_3465.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MozM2_ztkRu42ldjqHD0_wiWWa9AlenyVkanEo3Sz5lpbvoQIOxL82nAgt_8ppDHh7sVYHL3a1sfH9QGSvvoXbKGlGqh6UMrLBb5huZq-lMf3xMU1d4fJydfxAtG3q6-eFRAHpBMG23Xd8MdBtl8lMRiRXAogLjrz3Ic-rhHeBIyKEqJtPHDEdaUWrg/s4032/IMG_3466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MozM2_ztkRu42ldjqHD0_wiWWa9AlenyVkanEo3Sz5lpbvoQIOxL82nAgt_8ppDHh7sVYHL3a1sfH9QGSvvoXbKGlGqh6UMrLBb5huZq-lMf3xMU1d4fJydfxAtG3q6-eFRAHpBMG23Xd8MdBtl8lMRiRXAogLjrz3Ic-rhHeBIyKEqJtPHDEdaUWrg/s320/IMG_3466.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> I am looking forward to using them. My tour of HQ at Drennan was done for now and said my goodbyes to all and set off for the Welsh border, the plan was to fish for the afternoon for a few hours and then fish on Friday, so I had a day and half planned. The level when I arrived was 3.4m and tanking through, the temp was okay at 9.4c which I felt was fine for a few bites and a few bites I got, the first two takes were modest Chub to 4lb+ and after 45mins the first Barbel of the trip slipped up, around mid-6 it gave a good account of itself and as evening drew closer my tally was inched up to 3 Barbel with the best weighing 7lb 9oz, a nice fish but bigger were sought after so she quickly went back. As soon as dusk came the river went dead and packed up at 10pm having not had a bite for 5hrs.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj182qPWf2uBwois6nPfxEHpR5p2877kPhMgI5elDSQrYH1e1HSdS3Wnr-0Vxp9W7K59McvW92OjqiDwbLWJ5SP09NdFQNlPs53crQkX0La6C8TZZ9JCUgjAhDIPkNiho_jScPT-XUGyE1Xj0MWwAalVYuC_Eu-jqucfplNfG4WoEziU5r86Cae-bxwz2c/s4032/IMG_3413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj182qPWf2uBwois6nPfxEHpR5p2877kPhMgI5elDSQrYH1e1HSdS3Wnr-0Vxp9W7K59McvW92OjqiDwbLWJ5SP09NdFQNlPs53crQkX0La6C8TZZ9JCUgjAhDIPkNiho_jScPT-XUGyE1Xj0MWwAalVYuC_Eu-jqucfplNfG4WoEziU5r86Cae-bxwz2c/s320/IMG_3413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFznpQSpafyJL8gad83jDC1m-QMoAT-mlE_BXaHO6_CdH5VdOarMp-kDBuDzUxOYv6EgdiVtKc-rZl8TPBOsJanyeDlo-WTb_9uf-x_o_1NTQ861otNj76daj83hOQnWgH8pXL95J0yroVEFAEjh10r1VaLDlSeTmJww5iRqAFRPM2qGm8KHGhSXyTGp0/s4032/IMG_3406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFznpQSpafyJL8gad83jDC1m-QMoAT-mlE_BXaHO6_CdH5VdOarMp-kDBuDzUxOYv6EgdiVtKc-rZl8TPBOsJanyeDlo-WTb_9uf-x_o_1NTQ861otNj76daj83hOQnWgH8pXL95J0yroVEFAEjh10r1VaLDlSeTmJww5iRqAFRPM2qGm8KHGhSXyTGp0/s320/IMG_3406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> Friday morning I woke up nice and fresh after a surprisingly comfortable night on the backseats of my Audi, I certainly can't lay straight at 6ft tall but was good enough. I started the day with a couple of bacon rolls and set about building on the previous afternoons work. Friday morning was not a bad affair as my 8mm pellet and small PVA bag approach certainly got the Barbel feeding swiftly as my rod was put into action, a couple of 6's followed by another 7lber was topped by a lovely hard fighting 8lb 5oz fish, which like all the others were in great condition.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI0pyRkDR-o1F0R2ZxMMyGKXJwolEdx3srP6_xz3-oqIz_wVTw2397SVWhmfGcshBzYpQAB9QFGLcxKsKB08EaLy8I3Nk4PfJAgohzcLW5leCdCvZi_vLp8Ec46FSdDpeHWW_pBVFDj_HVX0hzHqODR_iU80C0ZLRaZqtVDhOqTLFDjuEcDGt1Dlop80/s1432/B4977711-CC04-4EF6-B11F-47FA392D0B19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1432" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI0pyRkDR-o1F0R2ZxMMyGKXJwolEdx3srP6_xz3-oqIz_wVTw2397SVWhmfGcshBzYpQAB9QFGLcxKsKB08EaLy8I3Nk4PfJAgohzcLW5leCdCvZi_vLp8Ec46FSdDpeHWW_pBVFDj_HVX0hzHqODR_iU80C0ZLRaZqtVDhOqTLFDjuEcDGt1Dlop80/s320/B4977711-CC04-4EF6-B11F-47FA392D0B19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> The Barbel sport dropped off a cliff around 1pm, but the Chub seemed to switch on massively, the utter carnage that ensued was glorious, every slack, crease and snag came alive and the tip was bouncing all over the place and wrapping round at regular intervals, nothing massive with the best around 4.08 but I quickly got up to 19 Chub, most of which were 4's before all of a sudden the bites ended, like the light had been turned off.</p><p> For the hour leading up towards dusk I was back to manning a motionless rod/s ( which became 2x rods on nightfall to double my chances ) and as the light gave way to night my luncheon meat rod bounced a couple times to which I became alert, a few minutes passed without further incident, well that was until the rod went into meltdown, even stripping line off the clutch which was fairly tight. I knew it was a good fish and by the way she hung deep in the flow I had a feeling it was big, the first 3/4 minutes were played out in the flow and barely got it off the bottom. </p><p> The fight was slow, strong and on the stout gear felt that I was just in control, my main issue was I was fishing beyond a concrete landing stage and throughout the fight had to keep my rod tip high to prevent the line from rubbing on the concrete lip but also get the fish up and over the lip into what is usually dry but currently 5ft or so deep. It wasn't until it rolled a rod length out that I got to see her and knew it was a double, the fight pretty much cemented that thought but seeing it just confirmed any doubts, however things did not go to plan from that point on as I knew I was nearing the end and was seconds from chalking off number 25 of my Barbel challenge, the next phase of the fight was agonising, she rolled on the surface again in front of me and all of a sudden my gripper lead came hurtling out the water toward me, it took me a couple of seconds to work out what just happened, then it dawned on me, she was gone! I thought the grating of the concrete on the hooklink had parted the 12lb flourocarbon but turned out that the hook hold had given way. </p><p> I was THAT close....just six-foot between a R.Wye double figure Barbel and me....that was tough to take.</p><p> My first hook pull in over 12 months and only the second Barbel I've lost all season. The remaining hours drifted by without another touch as the stars emerged from behind the clouds, the Owls chorus grew louder and louder and the thunderous echo of the turbulent river emptying out of the valley. </p><p> 150 miles back home, I will have to do it all over again. 19x Chub to mid-4lbs and 8x Barbel to 8lb 5oz.</p><p> Below is a little look through my rigs / tactics for most of the trip.</p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOQ5Mh_4rhD6ZMC2wENbCATly9gTHUqmlYpLhHorFY7pRFK1FLBFtKZVammobLZDF5GNAY8ecNl6VAM5E90lhjsNePLyQ_-yxERfvCYDT-HY2XunTJQ1GYK4CM4uVeKK-o7WGYmQkD2y4NH0fOwSYudFhHVT0TwtcTE9eMI42FvG4yYiKWVOkVK0JNwM/s4032/IMG_3409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOQ5Mh_4rhD6ZMC2wENbCATly9gTHUqmlYpLhHorFY7pRFK1FLBFtKZVammobLZDF5GNAY8ecNl6VAM5E90lhjsNePLyQ_-yxERfvCYDT-HY2XunTJQ1GYK4CM4uVeKK-o7WGYmQkD2y4NH0fOwSYudFhHVT0TwtcTE9eMI42FvG4yYiKWVOkVK0JNwM/s320/IMG_3409.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A starter bag, used in swims I have just started in.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UUrcEVkKW6gFjs-7rFqf5TeRcd-SPf5EU3YkXY6Wy_Dj13CxJ7IRZ5BJnksbpoTEKOf4lL16cHleCHUmairfomgyG3vqaY7ngs3Y-7LlHb_4n0Q-bpJwC8D2gbOA7jvZgDesFqZ0LhxQE3KQo9uI6VSo2HmpX2NxGZPiamVFT4XswA1Hi0IpwT0_Iq0/s4032/IMG_3411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UUrcEVkKW6gFjs-7rFqf5TeRcd-SPf5EU3YkXY6Wy_Dj13CxJ7IRZ5BJnksbpoTEKOf4lL16cHleCHUmairfomgyG3vqaY7ngs3Y-7LlHb_4n0Q-bpJwC8D2gbOA7jvZgDesFqZ0LhxQE3KQo9uI6VSo2HmpX2NxGZPiamVFT4XswA1Hi0IpwT0_Iq0/s320/IMG_3411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running 2oz gripper lead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtvoysEJh7KgJBZ4poBEc5tk2F2AIcAK-VoI3WfS9XPubWDKeT-jVn6M1hq2wq6ssFPJCVGAOzsGBXgxS72yo8hStUnlP8u8T9PJdsgMHDXNi9u3NgiR9lVa6xbXARNi47PmH3qo10Cq1DIrblMD3cbl6HiIMvnANZ9rRN-YaO21ZISO7xTbVSkD0FWk/s4032/IMG_3410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtvoysEJh7KgJBZ4poBEc5tk2F2AIcAK-VoI3WfS9XPubWDKeT-jVn6M1hq2wq6ssFPJCVGAOzsGBXgxS72yo8hStUnlP8u8T9PJdsgMHDXNi9u3NgiR9lVa6xbXARNi47PmH3qo10Cq1DIrblMD3cbl6HiIMvnANZ9rRN-YaO21ZISO7xTbVSkD0FWk/s320/IMG_3410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8mm Robin Red with fake maggot tip, size 10 hook.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-26026075451956558442024-02-10T16:03:00.001+00:002024-02-10T16:03:12.758+00:00Local Action.<p> </p><p> On Tuesday just gone I dropped the kids off at school and nursery, that left me with a dilemma as to what to do, chill at home for a few hours before heading back out to get them at 3pm or go fishing... </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O6_AT4dN9BgrVLuHKO-VOuQW8LvxWAKGqkvDXEQK3erQzoXvQG_4WVrS0pWvv48W7KsVV0uONCwM8sCt4XN6WHRpInWCmywo1y2_hzHLIUtE3hTBnDqUVdtXhFth26yd0TMxtc4s0ehH1HyadI5LazPFebTbTm1M99RsM5k6J-w3hDUfrUXrrRCfK7Q/s5184/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O6_AT4dN9BgrVLuHKO-VOuQW8LvxWAKGqkvDXEQK3erQzoXvQG_4WVrS0pWvv48W7KsVV0uONCwM8sCt4XN6WHRpInWCmywo1y2_hzHLIUtE3hTBnDqUVdtXhFth26yd0TMxtc4s0ehH1HyadI5LazPFebTbTm1M99RsM5k6J-w3hDUfrUXrrRCfK7Q/s320/IMG_7867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> It was an easy decision of course π, not a big one at just over 7lbs but a healthy bend was put in the rod as I aimed to keep that feisty Barbel out of the snags in the far-side undercut which it did visit momentarily but the well balanced tackle did it's job well.</p><p> Release of that powerhouse below β¬β¬β¬β¬</p><p> Available via YouTube where there are other videos too ----) <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/FG8WwWzQnnY?feature=share" target="_blank">Chalk stream Barbel</a> </p><p> Before the Barbel downstream I did have a surprise Brown Trout that was easily over 3lbs, very good to see them frequenting the lower reaches. Half past one came and that heralded my exit so I can make the 13 mile journey back home in time to collect the kids, t'was a nice way to spend 3hrs.</p><p> Not quite the elation felt a few nights previous, that capture will be remembered until the day I kick the bucket. Still perched on cloud nine and smile everytime I see the pics.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-58234185479486106272024-02-04T16:00:00.013+00:002024-02-04T16:00:00.141+00:00River Itchen Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> Well, I can honestly say the R.Itchen really made me work hard and it very nearly didn't happen, sometimes angling is a game of chance and I played my hand a few times on this trip and came up, in the end, with a royal flush.</p><p> I originally planned to head down Friday night after work and fish through to sunrise then head home, but the mrs unbeknownst to me had plans so my trip to the Itchen had to be put on ice a night. Conditions were still good on Saturday night so I chose to go then instead. </p><p> A day was spent at the sister-in-laws before heading home where the youngest decided to puke everywhere in the car, not once but twice. Time was spent sorting that out, however the smell lingered for the duration of my journey down to the river, even with windows partially open the smell was still there, thankfully an hour and half later I was at the river and getting myself set-up.</p><p> I opted to fish two rods, one on meat with a 5oz cage feeder and the other on 8mm (Robin Red) pellet with bouyant maggot tip. The plan was to set-up base for a while and move if things did not materialise and after 5hrs thats exactly what happened. Oddly the level rose and the colour was getting heavier which I didn't know if it would help or hinder me. The only negative thing I was faced with was debris coming down and at times my 5oz feeders were being swept out of position, so I had to re-evaluate my approach.</p><p> The best option for me I thought was to rove around and give each spot 20 minutes as the bait and wait approach wasn't working. I spent the next hour and a bit hoping around slacks and creases to try and illicit a bite, 3am had come and gone and I was just tidying up the boot of the car which I was now fishing next to when I caught the glimpse of the rod tip tap and hold about two-inches which grabbed my focus, I crouched down to see if it would materialise and as I was about to pick up the rod it ripped round, giving me no doubt as to what it was and within the first few seconds I knew it was a very big Barbel. </p><p> The way the big ones hold out in the flow on the bottom is mighty impressive and took me 2/3 minutes to gain some control before it cruised up into the back-end of a weed bed where it got temporarily jammed before easing back down and under full contact again, it really was a hairy battle but knew the kit was up to the task. </p><p> A couple of minutes later I could sense my time was coming close to wrapping it up and it didn't dawn on me how big she was until it came into full view through the coloured water and steam from my breath as my BPM possibly reached 140+, my fixed rim 26" net never looked so under-gunned for a fish, until now.</p><p> Somehow I managed to land her and allowed her to rest after her exertions, I staked out the net in the margins so I could get my mat, camera, sling and scales all set-up. Once that was done it was time to lift her out the water, I did honestly think I was gazing at a new personal best Barbel, she really was that big!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ru-I4pHUKK8GULmyDgDRCVErwWn5ulH183Z7OvNNMXnOdZ_2lzyIQnqtrzSqV5c-pdIUIUlbko60iIoMNqNTW833E3Kgkw5CtuRTZBfutCvU0WgvwEiiCOn_DpRWAeJMqMPtHtiN3GkiSr_X-Q-rhLTAssaAqWZuN8rY1wokO8q4K6jDyvO1MTWiHV4/s1285/IMG_3213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1285" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ru-I4pHUKK8GULmyDgDRCVErwWn5ulH183Z7OvNNMXnOdZ_2lzyIQnqtrzSqV5c-pdIUIUlbko60iIoMNqNTW833E3Kgkw5CtuRTZBfutCvU0WgvwEiiCOn_DpRWAeJMqMPtHtiN3GkiSr_X-Q-rhLTAssaAqWZuN8rY1wokO8q4K6jDyvO1MTWiHV4/s320/IMG_3213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fish I never thought I'd lay eyes on.</td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>I was in awe at first when I laid it on the mat, but when cradling it for photos I felt privileged to have managed such a feat, the words captioned in the title were words that I didn't think I would be writing, this was my 13th trip to the Itchen and the previous 12 trips resulted in blanks across 140.5hrs.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF6uI409fqHKiBuo9rOw_Naq7Q2VqNM2fe58bAQSLu9toB9bs533n2JpCR39SxDp8UBYNRYEsjFIYk27pukae15aOiG2cb0Spp0i0rNRyWed4IqTaU5neo-kRghqDh5WIZlc4FiaYgebbAUVBQQnMl-woEnIB7SxSzmybMT6jLwYC-_ijL7yURoD9xFg/s4032/IMG_3197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF6uI409fqHKiBuo9rOw_Naq7Q2VqNM2fe58bAQSLu9toB9bs533n2JpCR39SxDp8UBYNRYEsjFIYk27pukae15aOiG2cb0Spp0i0rNRyWed4IqTaU5neo-kRghqDh5WIZlc4FiaYgebbAUVBQQnMl-woEnIB7SxSzmybMT6jLwYC-_ijL7yURoD9xFg/s320/IMG_3197.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a true Itchen beast.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As the digitals settled it obviously confirmed it was a double, that was never ever in doubt as the scales read 15lb 2oz and river number 24 of my epic challenge has now been completed, it's a fish that made me work bloody hard but the result of all that hard work could not have been better! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9-Wr7pVm2QtWfPdA2sVgc04_VyJ8R9cO65IrUagkwVsrlZRahM-qfXm5GnfP8i4iX4BsmuOFT31Ce091o6Yi18HQvNUu33aUFgzGZYO8ZbEgk0a4opU8vnv5h1rp8rXCqO80o4dfNqYqLAwXvum_62fiGhel8ZmvbJuM6RaLyI_MpMsFB2Vzn3UmRR8/s4032/IMG_3206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9-Wr7pVm2QtWfPdA2sVgc04_VyJ8R9cO65IrUagkwVsrlZRahM-qfXm5GnfP8i4iX4BsmuOFT31Ce091o6Yi18HQvNUu33aUFgzGZYO8ZbEgk0a4opU8vnv5h1rp8rXCqO80o4dfNqYqLAwXvum_62fiGhel8ZmvbJuM6RaLyI_MpMsFB2Vzn3UmRR8/s320/IMG_3206.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cigar time!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-88869443209458909062024-01-27T13:39:00.000+00:002024-01-27T13:39:24.038+00:00Made to Graft.<p> </p><p> I challenge anyone who thinks angling is a fair weather sport and one that requires to be sat down all day eating sandwiches under a brolly. Angling for me is so much more and yes, the mantra " you get out of it what you put in ", certainly rings true, no time spent sat around wasting time, there is always a plan afoot, even when things aren't going the way you'd expect or hope.</p><p> Brian and I on Thursday morning set off early before the motorways had the chance to scupper our progress, a three-day bender on the Wye was in the offing, we did not want to be held up! This trip was planned a good few weeks back as clients needed to be moved around to open up the gap and this was the best I could do, problem was the Wye was shooting up and with a full water table the levels shot up rapidly, equally when the rain stopped the river struggled to offload the extra water and when we arrived we were greeted with a strong tea coloured and powerful river, 2.8m on the gauge we knew it was going to be hard.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXuixG-SKc1xgd3T0upFRXsK5LlLW9FkZNZZKUebYWJGsoairb_-v85gVm7gRGGdUKh9Et1HMOsZt65XBzgymeGzLo_wjfQfkXo7Svvsox3TT6TIKAf4E9cGivxjXj4c8dkRG_09a30J7au2OWmKIKUCF5xvsCFTVCj2Q_TVpejIV1lfaAmVrTRC-juI/s5184/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXuixG-SKc1xgd3T0upFRXsK5LlLW9FkZNZZKUebYWJGsoairb_-v85gVm7gRGGdUKh9Et1HMOsZt65XBzgymeGzLo_wjfQfkXo7Svvsox3TT6TIKAf4E9cGivxjXj4c8dkRG_09a30J7au2OWmKIKUCF5xvsCFTVCj2Q_TVpejIV1lfaAmVrTRC-juI/s320/IMG_7770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around 2pm on Thursday.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I began with a single rod and fished a small chunk of luncheon meat in the slacks and creases as I hoped in the coloured water the Barbel would be relying on smell and scent, what could be better than meat! </p><p> Well it turns out after a full day of roving around, none of them wanted it. 9 hours spent working every little slack I could find came up short on the Barbel front ( just one Eel ). As the night rolled in so did the rain and wind, which did turn out to be alot more than I thought would come down and typically the forecast was wildly inaccurate ( surprise surprise ), however, I wasn't just enduring the weather empty handed. As night settled in I set up a second rod which I fished with 1x 8mm Robin Red pellet with a tiny bag of 2mm and 6mm pellet in the margins, this decision turned out to be an inspired one as it provided me with my first fish of the trip around 1830. A strong battle in the flow provided a much needed bit of excitement!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgFyeaqrKi2U8vZpc528D9VTlrWSi6V8pwbG6e4x10L15ilXj7lhueI6Ti3_GUgtocvEcXlOwgIEzo6f7annjfJNEiD0u2npjtU6d4KL5eIs8MrSpTD_rt-UHPZ2_lY_HPa5GdlKth5b2m8g_sTmkaM0f9PfcKNYH_wgemPhy24Hobvf-ZGBBCGgqXOY/s1445/IMG_3081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1445" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgFyeaqrKi2U8vZpc528D9VTlrWSi6V8pwbG6e4x10L15ilXj7lhueI6Ti3_GUgtocvEcXlOwgIEzo6f7annjfJNEiD0u2npjtU6d4KL5eIs8MrSpTD_rt-UHPZ2_lY_HPa5GdlKth5b2m8g_sTmkaM0f9PfcKNYH_wgemPhy24Hobvf-ZGBBCGgqXOY/s320/IMG_3081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8lb 5ozs</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I really wanted to get on the scoresheet having made a massive effort to be there, first blood wasn't a double but a sight for sore eyes as the digi's registered 8lb 5oz, it was a start. 2 hrs later I got another bite and I was away again, quickly I could feel it wasn't big and so it turned out to be, around 3lb but wasn't all the action for the evening as the best was yet to come. Sat there, cowering away from the rain and driving wind I noticed a tiny tap on the tip, almost instantly the tip wanged around I was in again ( Pellet rod again ) and this fish felt much better in the extra flow but is often quite difficult to gauge, some fight harder than others but this felt good. 3 or 4 minutes of tooing and throwing I finally got a good look at her and couldn't tell if I had done it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7-SRcUWV3y7d-Oi4CAzCLVoynSB22IXbp1E7zESOByzm5mgMzrTxo7hD6Ewr0AWu7sybfvXrOqyan53hyD-dvfwdxrvPZyCi8kcOPQEwvqKetl7h3wL9jpkE8XFsDJx40UpDgXwOD9aDy_GzIRW3xjnGtzYCjLcYcPHUH52K6rSE7B2TR_viokaWlYY/s1409/IMG_3082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1409" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7-SRcUWV3y7d-Oi4CAzCLVoynSB22IXbp1E7zESOByzm5mgMzrTxo7hD6Ewr0AWu7sybfvXrOqyan53hyD-dvfwdxrvPZyCi8kcOPQEwvqKetl7h3wL9jpkE8XFsDJx40UpDgXwOD9aDy_GzIRW3xjnGtzYCjLcYcPHUH52K6rSE7B2TR_viokaWlYY/s320/IMG_3082.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9lb 0ozs</td></tr></tbody></table><p> When lifting her out she felt heavy, however once on the mat Brian and I both thought she just wasn't long enough to be a double and so it was confirmed on the scales, 9lb on the nose, slowly getting bigger but was that double figure fish I so badly want in front of me? only time would tell. 2230 was the cut-off time for us as we had had a long day and needed some grub, so not long after that 9lber we decided to get out of the wind and rain and eat some food.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxqhsSz0DlVOKZJIpUJBHW444qoavlkp9mmBFD3QZ5Dq1nfzy3XTR7UXKv9XLifyBPtHmZo4ZKmp7S8awsIgvw5C5TPowGJ785w7GQQe-9qrBftds6KGm_s0MG7VtKJpLp9D-15QxLScfNU_jjVxCoNO7uWcpzTqmPF2CiDo63wrJyHiE-OVx8Ex2RpU/s4032/IMG_3048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxqhsSz0DlVOKZJIpUJBHW444qoavlkp9mmBFD3QZ5Dq1nfzy3XTR7UXKv9XLifyBPtHmZo4ZKmp7S8awsIgvw5C5TPowGJ785w7GQQe-9qrBftds6KGm_s0MG7VtKJpLp9D-15QxLScfNU_jjVxCoNO7uWcpzTqmPF2CiDo63wrJyHiE-OVx8Ex2RpU/s320/IMG_3048.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winning formula, 10lb Acolyte flourocarbon, size 12 hook,<br />1x 8mm RR tipped with bouyant maggot, 16inch hooklength,<br />size 8 swivel with buffer bead and 2oz gripper lead to 10lb mainline.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p> Problem was my poor shelter was tormented all night in the gale force winds and driving rain, it made for a poor nights sleep so when the wind finally abated around 4am I got 3 hours unbroken sleep, not enough for me but I managed. The new day was started with bacon rolls, a cup of tea and a new sense of direction for the day. The previous nights action of the pellet meant I was going to stick with one rod, a 1.5tc 12ft Twin Tip Duo as I was finding bites during the day really fine and on the 1.75's I could barely see the indications and had no time to react as the blanks aren't as sensitive as 1.5's, all those changes bought me a little more joy over the course of the day as I got amongst a fair few Chub, most of which were giving very gentle touches which now I could hit and was converting. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzSgol1ztcpXzh-xgao_6s-9mNMGajDw4qjOholud5SVVIL8cEreAhnDAblfnsnm-GG_PnXSzmaqLA8D7-YLEpXGyO0cIS8xqKya47ToKpNPp1SBgvbo6aeTuTYHByvS9-OWf_NZIECzgJrqYp00fefRrmcFMof78uPAg1fv5XU_pIdU_MN00r3h-cfk/s4032/IMG_3061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzSgol1ztcpXzh-xgao_6s-9mNMGajDw4qjOholud5SVVIL8cEreAhnDAblfnsnm-GG_PnXSzmaqLA8D7-YLEpXGyO0cIS8xqKya47ToKpNPp1SBgvbo6aeTuTYHByvS9-OWf_NZIECzgJrqYp00fefRrmcFMof78uPAg1fv5XU_pIdU_MN00r3h-cfk/s320/IMG_3061.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fair few this size.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Around 1pm I got a swim rocking on the Chub front and hoped a Barbel would be present as it looked ideal for a few to be held up in. Well, my hopes were answered as I got a couple of taps on the tip before slowly pulling round and I didn't need two invitations to that party! I was finally in again to a Barbel, first of the day and when I see it roll I thought it could have been threatening the 10lb mark, I couldn't wait to get it up the bank to reveal my prize for my persistence. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuPUzvUYWRTLUJEw3N6heJo91spyOjWtMAY34nJl67YkU9YxRdVCvQaxvxfKjGlEyyGmyE-SEtudRLX0AjTJikKxHHMZF-g-9YCYgJQ8GfgB34uIJ5l2E_F11i12jCHKLPzsDkF4psw7uHRTAjR-T7INdmBAgi1CxSQYCuqCZWVgiPupQHHctGFiGu2c/s1319/IMG_3083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1319" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuPUzvUYWRTLUJEw3N6heJo91spyOjWtMAY34nJl67YkU9YxRdVCvQaxvxfKjGlEyyGmyE-SEtudRLX0AjTJikKxHHMZF-g-9YCYgJQ8GfgB34uIJ5l2E_F11i12jCHKLPzsDkF4psw7uHRTAjR-T7INdmBAgi1CxSQYCuqCZWVgiPupQHHctGFiGu2c/s320/IMG_3083.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9lb 2ozs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB1kUlcluEF9dz7znQ2NlU119Z0n1fKx2BJN3PY5obwc2VutiP2KP8DMJo_N8UDv8LpvSQFrVl1o9bmxXFBKKdnByOLaGNC9111AkXc5T_Nprjyzf3Tp_SQvI0SQebpNBXArZweYpdLrGOkwLy_iJ8R9LJdmDjVkHYYAuyzrjxaPxXkg-RgSyOxiZoKI/s4032/IMG_3055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB1kUlcluEF9dz7znQ2NlU119Z0n1fKx2BJN3PY5obwc2VutiP2KP8DMJo_N8UDv8LpvSQFrVl1o9bmxXFBKKdnByOLaGNC9111AkXc5T_Nprjyzf3Tp_SQvI0SQebpNBXArZweYpdLrGOkwLy_iJ8R9LJdmDjVkHYYAuyzrjxaPxXkg-RgSyOxiZoKI/s320/IMG_3055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sadly, she did not make the cut, but a nice fish all the same, not to be sneezed at. Bites were by no means easy to come by but at least I was getting them. A few more Chub came before dark and then the bites dried up. Dusk came and went but there was one more bit of action for me for the night in the shape of another hard fighting floodwater Wye Barbel.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZQPs-vJ0ZOZ8N5T_7h1vJpq-8lefXSYpBmecZeS6h7ue3FsOhDipV5IF2Y6gm9RVqToO9eRb7UHSewca2l3i9G2hgpw2WrV8dGMmypdowty0rlcLSCDbLZJ6E9ByDvRaEBnRDKyBegNA4L8sEXc6lakWgUNrUHv1S73okXJke_VKqYzZgKl4xfFZizk/s1431/IMG_3084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1431" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZQPs-vJ0ZOZ8N5T_7h1vJpq-8lefXSYpBmecZeS6h7ue3FsOhDipV5IF2Y6gm9RVqToO9eRb7UHSewca2l3i9G2hgpw2WrV8dGMmypdowty0rlcLSCDbLZJ6E9ByDvRaEBnRDKyBegNA4L8sEXc6lakWgUNrUHv1S73okXJke_VKqYzZgKl4xfFZizk/s320/IMG_3084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7lb 9ozs</td></tr></tbody></table><p> As the evening wore on it became increasingly clear to us that the river level was rising rapidly and the amount of debris on the lines was increasing too, the clear sky meant a frost was very quickly descending and made for an uncomfortable last few hours to which we decided enough was enough, our 3 day bender was going to be a 2 day bender instead, we headed back to the car at 9ish and packed everything down and drove back to Kent, a tough trip but feel I made the absolute most out of what morsels I was offered.</p><p> Scorecard read, 5x Barbel ( 3ish, 7.09, 8.05, 9.00 and 9.02 ), 12x Chub to 4.11 and 1x Eel. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5P9KmJmzKYRGmxrFGIH2lZii_8hyphenhyphen1iyIFJrTtiYeXhvhxtLEzqSik0zAKDxWV_trBnBnmryg8-5cyUHh_p5YJJFqA1sGvMy9xBhZ6QShGg57Kd3LewNhb7SkUuIunhtMLBcIQ5YPZo6N_iMv7TqaZvmrA3LfIxrpdHstMRF_lkxQhehUFIT-xndGrj0/s4032/IMG_3073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5P9KmJmzKYRGmxrFGIH2lZii_8hyphenhyphen1iyIFJrTtiYeXhvhxtLEzqSik0zAKDxWV_trBnBnmryg8-5cyUHh_p5YJJFqA1sGvMy9xBhZ6QShGg57Kd3LewNhb7SkUuIunhtMLBcIQ5YPZo6N_iMv7TqaZvmrA3LfIxrpdHstMRF_lkxQhehUFIT-xndGrj0/s320/IMG_3073.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final straw.</td></tr></tbody></table></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-6220249421077369712024-01-23T19:14:00.003+00:002024-01-23T19:14:53.750+00:00Barbel Saves The Day.<p> </p><p> I had a few hours burning a hole in my day as I needed to run my van down to the service centre, so naturally I took the fishing gear with me and wet a line. The plan was to start on the float and fish for Chub, however the deluge we endured overnight turned the river from a benign stream to a raging torrent...seems to be my luck recently. </p><p> After persevering with the float for an hour I finally jacked it in without a touch. My mate Stu popped along for a wander and chat for the day in the vein hope he'd see some fish. Knowing the river as well as I do I opted to change over to a very simple link ledger set-up and fish 5lb line straight through, most would feel this a bit light for Barbel but it's not much lighter than I used (6lb) for about 15 years on this specific river and very rarely lost a fish, in fact I would go years without a line break. Of course you had hook pulls occasionally but that was no reflection on the lines capability.</p><p> First spot that we dropped in looked decent but could feel it was very snaggy and quickly thought better of it. Second spot I tried was a bit more like a floodwater Barbel swim and thankfully it didn't take long! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A7UebKyFhOT3vToLw7uoXRKF02FR2i1fEck0JzNc5dOld5IDp3r9OTgKIvLzTqsoVjcc7TjYTrk9TXm1-BcilndOE4a74RkWh6fG41oOJJco0qRkWtI9ffmWEr07IuAY7ByuuAGxP6bGlpLfLYI5bCIyflPN1v3MSqGg81QAz95sviYRHjSIhjvjFmw/s5184/IMG_7766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A7UebKyFhOT3vToLw7uoXRKF02FR2i1fEck0JzNc5dOld5IDp3r9OTgKIvLzTqsoVjcc7TjYTrk9TXm1-BcilndOE4a74RkWh6fG41oOJJco0qRkWtI9ffmWEr07IuAY7ByuuAGxP6bGlpLfLYI5bCIyflPN1v3MSqGg81QAz95sviYRHjSIhjvjFmw/s320/IMG_7766.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful looking fish.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> A spirited battle ended up with a nice plump floodwater Barbel lying in the net, this was followed by another not long after which was great sport in the powerful current where they both decided to hang for a majority of the fights. As the session was drawing to a close, I dropped into my penultimate spot on my way back up to the garage and before I could get comfy the rod tore off as it quite often does when they really want it, no subtlety in sight!. I do like the smaller ones for that reason, they really put the gear to the test.</p><p> On another note...</p><p> ...Soon, it will be time to hopefully put the River Wye to bed and complete river number 24, with a river best of 9lb 10oz I'll be hoping to beat that by 6ozs or more π. Only time will tell.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-56597333699962504912024-01-07T16:33:00.000+00:002024-01-07T16:33:58.385+00:00Looking Back on 2023.<p> </p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2023, where did it go? It seemed to fly by. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Looking back on it I think it was a successful year, plenty of blanking endured as a majority of my angling was focused on Barbel and trying to put a dent in the 40 Rivers Challenge. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>January</u></i></b>, I continued my year long run of blanks on the Loddon for a Barbel but the Kennet was a lot kinder to me with the 18th river chalked off my challenge in the shape of a hard fighting 11lb 12oz specimen at last knockings on my first ever visit to the <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>river. Total of 3 trips across the month.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH39OLq_XA2QP29HKYhbRkHXqb9gied60zzM8VIIbgFu212xubvCWBcs3J4BeM2_0SO74g3u93qP_8XecXhkgrQ2zgcTsUfaZZd2pJa_nP3wWbAwtr44Qt1oJ1kRhMFhLVhElhW-JdgqDvGV4_GAXjgm7OtrxjrUI_kvud4YY0-scN38dY3hNHudCOmYc/s5184/IMG_6074.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH39OLq_XA2QP29HKYhbRkHXqb9gied60zzM8VIIbgFu212xubvCWBcs3J4BeM2_0SO74g3u93qP_8XecXhkgrQ2zgcTsUfaZZd2pJa_nP3wWbAwtr44Qt1oJ1kRhMFhLVhElhW-JdgqDvGV4_GAXjgm7OtrxjrUI_kvud4YY0-scN38dY3hNHudCOmYc/s320/IMG_6074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>February</u></i></b> heralded a new chapter in my angling when Drennan contacted me as to whether I'd like to join their specialist team, I of course said yes! Who wouldn't?. Fishing wise I blanked on the Ribble and grafted for a 7lb Tame Barbel over a 3 day period. Total of 2 trips across the month.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>March</u></i></b> is always an odd month with just a couple weeks left on the river, the Itchen was true to form and held out on me with nothing to show for my 194mile round trip, but the Grayling fishing on the Wylye was superb with my haul topped by a 2lb 11oz specimen. The Chub fishing was good too but nothing over 6lb was had. Total of 4 trips across the month. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b2xRSZ4lFdKZAxicD10Rbs9m3jtfdGJ_6V6BNwhrHsckieM9G8kdgZQ-shzil1QWLZJiXE3l9CZe9_1rkHZ3yE4zl0HDtwNF_wMqzyJzs83I872PP42xDXOdquwBQMxafyh5v-ACzsBtxTHdRE7DCJS2F6-Wnm3Kp8MUfjeHVHBCNmb9-aaxuF4ks94/s4608/IMG-7487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b2xRSZ4lFdKZAxicD10Rbs9m3jtfdGJ_6V6BNwhrHsckieM9G8kdgZQ-shzil1QWLZJiXE3l9CZe9_1rkHZ3yE4zl0HDtwNF_wMqzyJzs83I872PP42xDXOdquwBQMxafyh5v-ACzsBtxTHdRE7DCJS2F6-Wnm3Kp8MUfjeHVHBCNmb9-aaxuF4ks94/s320/IMG-7487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><u>April</u></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I only fished once as work was super busy and I thought it was going to be a car crash as the Bream simply weren't in my area on a big reservoir, on my way home I swung by a canal with the stalking gear and tempted a beautiful 24lb 1oz mirror off the top. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZvbFcoDDRvEduAok4Gf8ZA23VejuSMmmNPKx4gpErVlnyRjlIl3WvlvDK7zhRnob9gu1FOxTjWNNb3_zjTlHwNxbch3QfpA8DNRqgh9I2wu-xb0VFeyF0s-ZE8ddfqVFesKpf2fmVocN7Y-9i7lyE3VtQ1-c7T1KR3iANrSUQFw96-5ExpaonZSdZGA/s5184/IMG_6255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZvbFcoDDRvEduAok4Gf8ZA23VejuSMmmNPKx4gpErVlnyRjlIl3WvlvDK7zhRnob9gu1FOxTjWNNb3_zjTlHwNxbch3QfpA8DNRqgh9I2wu-xb0VFeyF0s-ZE8ddfqVFesKpf2fmVocN7Y-9i7lyE3VtQ1-c7T1KR3iANrSUQFw96-5ExpaonZSdZGA/s320/IMG_6255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Again, <b><i><u>May</u></i></b> was a very lean month fishing wise as I only headed out once with work touted as the excuse for not getting out but did have a return for reservoir Bream and this time was more successful, a brace of 12's was my reward for ringing in the changes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr0lTAGElWKp8QUsCgZg505wigngd7XjqxYdsSD8OgOcu6iA1FZWJ7fSIdb0TpAQdzFqGdQbUnzqOVL_G4iHBXVjIfbI3U5qgtIP9gi2AzkzGFekH5e23Xip13FVsfTLwkZXZVQEYsPFS8iqfFoCYl6HKxKCmvMhvhMWz603dXXUY1vzBYD0_hm2zlZw/s1000/IMG-8527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr0lTAGElWKp8QUsCgZg505wigngd7XjqxYdsSD8OgOcu6iA1FZWJ7fSIdb0TpAQdzFqGdQbUnzqOVL_G4iHBXVjIfbI3U5qgtIP9gi2AzkzGFekH5e23Xip13FVsfTLwkZXZVQEYsPFS8iqfFoCYl6HKxKCmvMhvhMWz603dXXUY1vzBYD0_hm2zlZw/s320/IMG-8527.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>June </u></i></b>I started the season with Rudd as I always do and was a brilliant trip out with my mate Brian. With plenty fish caught it wasn't until I slipped the net under a 2lb 11oz river Rudd that I felt truly satisfied, it was wonderful to see and hold and my best off a river ever! But that wasn't the only good fish I had in June as I finally located and banked a river Loddon double, a thick set powerhouse which tipped the scales to 10lb 7oz which represented river number 19 being completed on my challenge, what a finish to the month. 3 trips out.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ14eE30Rz0pb0fVXA4T6-gfAIPgM2UsPRzIwR9ukp5u1r7b5iwgcscx6EqQqzT5I_dEDifvNfMCmJIq-TlF8-CrMP2z0L77XBtQatojoxsWl-rgArjSW-Dqu6lY3P_59rcYalyNnToJZF2XzKUZjIEc0YBSm-HwsYqJrG7QuQ9-kb9BUzhVIfu06BTxs/s5184/IMG_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ14eE30Rz0pb0fVXA4T6-gfAIPgM2UsPRzIwR9ukp5u1r7b5iwgcscx6EqQqzT5I_dEDifvNfMCmJIq-TlF8-CrMP2z0L77XBtQatojoxsWl-rgArjSW-Dqu6lY3P_59rcYalyNnToJZF2XzKUZjIEc0YBSm-HwsYqJrG7QuQ9-kb9BUzhVIfu06BTxs/s320/IMG_6911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lgj3MBpi-zL04XFcX027hWSqp1f64NjLgQSMoCNiJxj_8s8a67r7M_8pHSCVyivfS1Od988p4VEJb4qtJV6FPd7E5rDfj-h5VmI-YqCkmbhq4cdpLokocxlVtnHfoo3H0gtvCMf6VAkBvH0ZWaPyqxikld01A7P9TyyNJAMgtjpvITCrcmVGhKWipZA/s5184/IMG_6985.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lgj3MBpi-zL04XFcX027hWSqp1f64NjLgQSMoCNiJxj_8s8a67r7M_8pHSCVyivfS1Od988p4VEJb4qtJV6FPd7E5rDfj-h5VmI-YqCkmbhq4cdpLokocxlVtnHfoo3H0gtvCMf6VAkBvH0ZWaPyqxikld01A7P9TyyNJAMgtjpvITCrcmVGhKWipZA/s320/IMG_6985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>July</u></i></b> saw me get out a bit more and a few after work trips to the ColnBrook which were mainly blanks did result in another Barbel albeit a long way short of my 10lb+ target. Another trip to the Fens was a success with a few good Rudd to just over 2lb. I did return to the Wye and upped my rivers PB to 8.4 but know there's some way to go. 6 trips out.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>August </u></i></b>is usually a good month for me and it was no different this year, 3 blank days on the Nene were followed up by a Blackwater 9.1 which was great to see, I am certainly in the right area. The last week of the month proved to be incredible. A family holiday to the Lake District gave me a great excuse to pack a bit of gear as the Ribble was only 40min down the M6, within in an hour on my second ever visit I landed a 10lb 13oz fish, river number 20 done! The following Sunday I was on the banks of the rock hard Sussex Rother, this time however I got it right and after an epic battle I clapped eyes on my Rother double! 12lb 10oz and river number 21 complete! That was a tough one. 6 trips out.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gt0LO04OjeNU5FgLzmNe_RZUWauAI6XorHmjssoaysY2dX7WFSojCVzyIuJrasPVP2Tn74DM8Gj9llIT6hJLIvEK6SNPbZootzKvF7DFspxpB45xaMTnZJrGmcLmdoR63OTfV9jmo5RqtQcGs1cdLbgTIVvNYsFvxe4nSEC1vGKgiYaHDs3UTonnYDY/s5184/IMG_7247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gt0LO04OjeNU5FgLzmNe_RZUWauAI6XorHmjssoaysY2dX7WFSojCVzyIuJrasPVP2Tn74DM8Gj9llIT6hJLIvEK6SNPbZootzKvF7DFspxpB45xaMTnZJrGmcLmdoR63OTfV9jmo5RqtQcGs1cdLbgTIVvNYsFvxe4nSEC1vGKgiYaHDs3UTonnYDY/s320/IMG_7247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1r9Tk-iK8MleGue0SVCr2aCj5g8f9L99ubMG0Qnd-ygIUxQwToDiOQF_Jc4L9loGhgb16d2HsYUkUKTuQ4gsRHtaaHZZbwJ_eXqG2hSX1oKMHGZT6-mt_bWH8SHOWt6eIfqSIwOfuja5aje0NizR63IyCQwEIIDDO8LfRmtIIVJNgC7PejDotNVvayE/s3835/IMG_0519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="3835" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1r9Tk-iK8MleGue0SVCr2aCj5g8f9L99ubMG0Qnd-ygIUxQwToDiOQF_Jc4L9loGhgb16d2HsYUkUKTuQ4gsRHtaaHZZbwJ_eXqG2hSX1oKMHGZT6-mt_bWH8SHOWt6eIfqSIwOfuja5aje0NizR63IyCQwEIIDDO8LfRmtIIVJNgC7PejDotNVvayE/s320/IMG_0519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNaSYrVw4xcB5hX99lnZf-mjGWpTlffIjxVz_4ECK3erRgxm-qKbvexgd9edtaQzf5b3yi0MnyhtVqKs3coQ7T884yTtArj2vqb3Suzr3Xwg1S6pwNTBVsJZCiFH0LRPeZzKXD85T0vVICXc7KQ_mphrPK_AgxzkkSIlxNGflN7pUxzmzfaMsgtr9yc/s5184/IMG_7337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNaSYrVw4xcB5hX99lnZf-mjGWpTlffIjxVz_4ECK3erRgxm-qKbvexgd9edtaQzf5b3yi0MnyhtVqKs3coQ7T884yTtArj2vqb3Suzr3Xwg1S6pwNTBVsJZCiFH0LRPeZzKXD85T0vVICXc7KQ_mphrPK_AgxzkkSIlxNGflN7pUxzmzfaMsgtr9yc/s320/IMG_7337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>September</u></i></b> turned out to be very busy with work so I didn't have much time out on the bank, but what time I did have out I took full advantage of as I finally chalked off the ColnBrook which had been a thorn in my side (3 seasons much like a few other rivers) a solid 11lb 5oz Barbel lay on the mat in its full glory! River 22, done! I revisited the Thames for a chat up with my mate Richard and managed 3 Barbel to 10.9 which was nice. 2 trips out.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC_CYpBhUR_K0I1Nd72PxurU8lovKrpNp2Tr6URZZl2ukje1Os1EiYNA-KEowHSqpAvBAHj7rtgpi7wxkvTMA1KTEQqrNRMPnzBmJUJ8Rw_sToxbicrkk1pR4sM3S8ro70fAQ4NoTws_6FI3FMECNT28rnMK_2LfONInDnFYyooyyAFRgoIAkPZbFBJw/s5184/IMG_7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC_CYpBhUR_K0I1Nd72PxurU8lovKrpNp2Tr6URZZl2ukje1Os1EiYNA-KEowHSqpAvBAHj7rtgpi7wxkvTMA1KTEQqrNRMPnzBmJUJ8Rw_sToxbicrkk1pR4sM3S8ro70fAQ4NoTws_6FI3FMECNT28rnMK_2LfONInDnFYyooyyAFRgoIAkPZbFBJw/s320/IMG_7374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>October</u></i></b> saw a total of 3 trips for Barbel and 3 blanks, but it was a PB Perch that was the highlight of the month, at 3lb 13oz it beat a long standing best of mine and a fish I've wanted to catch for years. A 4lber next on my radar! </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJur9xiCioT9_DCsLebycl1VtAJUWXDKOy5bKi-quC1zYRDfcwIpb2qiOJN9NvYsAiD2QeyhCHXmGTAVEI1wrM8Aq4kKTTbO8uEuo-kUu77hxpOORLCENozcK1kYbaiFj_6c17l_afh11zjetXun4x963Gvrr4MooI3mo-Y-AsyZuDoRgIgFZ3a5zSAHw/s5184/IMG_7502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJur9xiCioT9_DCsLebycl1VtAJUWXDKOy5bKi-quC1zYRDfcwIpb2qiOJN9NvYsAiD2QeyhCHXmGTAVEI1wrM8Aq4kKTTbO8uEuo-kUu77hxpOORLCENozcK1kYbaiFj_6c17l_afh11zjetXun4x963Gvrr4MooI3mo-Y-AsyZuDoRgIgFZ3a5zSAHw/s320/IMG_7502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>November</u></i></b> see me buzzing around the Severn and Wye as I looked to turn the screw on both, two rivers I know doubles are possible and nearly achieved it on the Wye (9lb 10oz) and did it on the Severn with a 10lb 7oz hard fighting lower Severn Barbel. River number 23 completed! It wasn't just Barbel I targeted, the Grayling also got a day of my attention and had numerous fish over 2lbs topped with a fish of 2lb 8oz. 7 trips out in total.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7BzLgYFiaZ8MIojQWKbA09OPomSSpDIlryUdzmYrX7Pm7Pw4HIiK4lQZsdO530cdsAm6ta9WsegqwcDIEk2siaJV_WltSEfc5cVN0c8bNAuTSGWm-T3WcFDc6zXPsANCa3e2WcO-XaMDoYY3L8C4GVudVQfpfHryWFg-X1JKAReQ_D6F5dUo4JmmSGk/s5184/IMG_7638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7BzLgYFiaZ8MIojQWKbA09OPomSSpDIlryUdzmYrX7Pm7Pw4HIiK4lQZsdO530cdsAm6ta9WsegqwcDIEk2siaJV_WltSEfc5cVN0c8bNAuTSGWm-T3WcFDc6zXPsANCa3e2WcO-XaMDoYY3L8C4GVudVQfpfHryWFg-X1JKAReQ_D6F5dUo4JmmSGk/s320/IMG_7638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>December</u></i></b> has been a washout for the most part and two trips to the Itchen have resulted in blanks as has a trip to the Blackwater. I've certainly got around this season when I've had a chance to go fishing and to have caught double figure Barbel off of 23 different rivers so far is crazy to think, it has been tough but glad I have chosen such a challenge, I'm getting to see so much of the British Isles because of it and soon I'll be planning a trip to tackle the River Clyde as a Scottish double is also on my wanted list. 5 trips out in total.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSQmJmrAiNwJiavFxEF3Lhapg-xHc31KFVANcnrAxVkFhnEeqkJZOKGEkDvmWVESmLiR9y4ZqgCZxbdSuApH2TJFIqBMoAerqxd9RIutCbsdD3l0NIJU1ro56mumVN8D2sr6yupEaRItW7jskbFA4SCIGtSHOqudcgyIj_H-P1s2Q4VJ2J6QxhawYKmc/s5184/IMG_7474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSQmJmrAiNwJiavFxEF3Lhapg-xHc31KFVANcnrAxVkFhnEeqkJZOKGEkDvmWVESmLiR9y4ZqgCZxbdSuApH2TJFIqBMoAerqxd9RIutCbsdD3l0NIJU1ro56mumVN8D2sr6yupEaRItW7jskbFA4SCIGtSHOqudcgyIj_H-P1s2Q4VJ2J6QxhawYKmc/s320/IMG_7474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Happy New Year to you all, I hope 2024 is a kind and prosperous year.</span> </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-50900281030832922402023-12-31T00:00:00.009+00:002023-12-31T00:00:00.128+00:00Grinding Out Results.<p> </p><p> What a washout this winter is turning out to be. God awful wind, insane amounts of rainfall is making getting out on the bank a chore, thats before a trot or cast is made. </p><p> Two visits to the R.Itchen and one to the R.Blackwater for Barbel have all been a total blank without more than a half hearted tap on the rod ( most likely a chub ) on the Itchen and one Chub off the R.Blackwater, not inspiring returns on substantial efforts and expense.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJUDKgsIWKg2jy3zkWD7j3JY6h1HyINsY5o8vvx9ja5b8mq2MBnQv0skE-yaWR6VcfoVuk63KgSL-CMdY3dEM7Pr4XMjt_scQiulaeUA5ne3L64X7vBSZvWzIUKyivwDxIjPTVSB3tfIvIMnK_ETJhR3CU0qEn4Ga4sAj_3L4yk36E3POHHphqTZbDuI/s4032/IMG_2673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJUDKgsIWKg2jy3zkWD7j3JY6h1HyINsY5o8vvx9ja5b8mq2MBnQv0skE-yaWR6VcfoVuk63KgSL-CMdY3dEM7Pr4XMjt_scQiulaeUA5ne3L64X7vBSZvWzIUKyivwDxIjPTVSB3tfIvIMnK_ETJhR3CU0qEn4Ga4sAj_3L4yk36E3POHHphqTZbDuI/s320/IMG_2673.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very full and flooded R.Itchen.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> With the Barbel not playing ball I decided to target predators yesterday. With Pike and Perch in mind I packed light to try and find a fish or two using live and dead baits. My faith in the previous always has me keeping dead's in the bag until I've eeked out what I feel is possible and very quickly success was struck in the shape of a 9lb 6oz pike which was nice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNHxvXQAbsqhvZTJS7L9v4L3sQjcP83uePk21MlOO0KikKOCcM50LemlwrEV9Y3uk10SBLhw0hwHiodz-6H6Kp55rCeiUR03j-qyF0jDCH_V_Pj7jklvO40h-YysdqxmlUL5biua842y7uRC0RNXODFql0rk6Y0hyphenhyphenSaKP6kGzZrWEh3UCzMYBaY9fRUA/s3666/EA8F721E-EEB7-4D8E-AEE2-ADA4D176C790_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3166" data-original-width="3666" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNHxvXQAbsqhvZTJS7L9v4L3sQjcP83uePk21MlOO0KikKOCcM50LemlwrEV9Y3uk10SBLhw0hwHiodz-6H6Kp55rCeiUR03j-qyF0jDCH_V_Pj7jklvO40h-YysdqxmlUL5biua842y7uRC0RNXODFql0rk6Y0hyphenhyphenSaKP6kGzZrWEh3UCzMYBaY9fRUA/s320/EA8F721E-EEB7-4D8E-AEE2-ADA4D176C790_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> Not to be content with that I went hunting for more and quickly found another a bit smaller which nailed the bait but unfortunately came off as it shook the treble violently enough that it came free, half an hour later I suffered the same fate with another Pike of similar size to the one I landed so I wasn't too upset about that and by 10am the float dipped and sailed away for the fourth time with what was a better fish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4cdWOb2vackAz6GtiMEOFbuGVBq4Vg_dMLu05-slX6NeDD2T6SsKRNSwdcVS10cZO6uAFp8vErmKrAZOJF5zYjHV5z7WGoGhnv4JmqlBRjpSc0ZNaZB9TsdMDhyPI1tTZzTghTo9Z15Qpv-yqosUsRGgevdUCdMMJuz8c4MJkEq30nVHLGAt60ikKg/s5184/IMG_7716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4cdWOb2vackAz6GtiMEOFbuGVBq4Vg_dMLu05-slX6NeDD2T6SsKRNSwdcVS10cZO6uAFp8vErmKrAZOJF5zYjHV5z7WGoGhnv4JmqlBRjpSc0ZNaZB9TsdMDhyPI1tTZzTghTo9Z15Qpv-yqosUsRGgevdUCdMMJuz8c4MJkEq30nVHLGAt60ikKg/s320/IMG_7716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Watching the Pike slip out of its lair to stalk and snaffle its prey ( my bait ) is so exhilarating, the heart rate does shoot up and as I watched the gills flare and bait disappear I allowed it a couple seconds before setting the hook, a short but sturdy battle ensued before I slipped the net under this decent fish ( 13lb 4oz ).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE8VwbFCVFmqXBpYLzlvFFOsqQ1nn6KCgMh_HJr1yhmNBXKmYWkoh99kUSL_MLphwlefQTFoDRPotWrDqDwn3fYeeaFncCAoGhvK4q5CprFO3wIvrJithgcax9FuIVXsGN5NO2ybrZC4NmzoySCv3zSmSI1lY6xqV5ignuu7wGKfcNSaF5YgWiaBiD4Y/s4799/IMG_7703%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3074" data-original-width="4799" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE8VwbFCVFmqXBpYLzlvFFOsqQ1nn6KCgMh_HJr1yhmNBXKmYWkoh99kUSL_MLphwlefQTFoDRPotWrDqDwn3fYeeaFncCAoGhvK4q5CprFO3wIvrJithgcax9FuIVXsGN5NO2ybrZC4NmzoySCv3zSmSI1lY6xqV5ignuu7wGKfcNSaF5YgWiaBiD4Y/s320/IMG_7703%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> A good fish to build upon I thought. It took over an hour before anymore action was had as things looked to tail off but there was one last piece of action in store and that was in the shape of a good upper double that made no mistake in inhaling my bait as it drifted downstream on the pacy flow, I left it a couple seconds like I always do and the hook was set, a powerful fish looked to put my new Drennan Esox " Piker Bait rod" to the test, frustratingly for me the fight was very short lived as I could see my treble on the edge of it's snout and knew one shake would be enough to loosen its grip and with that, she shook her head and my float came hurtling toward me and the fish with one almighty flick of its tail was gone.</p><p> Luck wasn't really on my side yesterday, yes I had caught two, I'm happy about that but it could and possibly should have been FIVE! Maybe another day I'll cash in on those chips ( preferably for an Itchen double figure Barbel?, just saying ).</p><p> The Perch? They didn't show after three hours of trying at a different locale, but I'll keep trying.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-46341378875139025892023-12-18T22:37:00.000+00:002023-12-18T22:37:03.028+00:00First Chub of the Winter.<p> </p><p> It's now mid-December and I have only just ( on Saturday ) got out for Chub, the conditions have been all wrong and no weather pattern seems to settle in for long enough to make a concerted effort at one particular species, by the weekend just gone I gave up waiting for that settled weather system and just went. An early start with Brian as we aimed to get to the river before sunrise...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdqF4elx1ep27DDgd5i0jBkmFV7bhT29FwcN4xKbuofLb8YOz27gw8wXR1ofYgUwgYGJq3GCbQWWGi57vzaZlVuy9wH-LgZZ6QRZljiRGhY0zxK6v4nxlVqBw4hwzL5dPUTPY1u1sKQkXzG8dMKudyiEKwGr4iTMVybyCgqaqWmbDbAB9pFo3VQA20Rw/s4032/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdqF4elx1ep27DDgd5i0jBkmFV7bhT29FwcN4xKbuofLb8YOz27gw8wXR1ofYgUwgYGJq3GCbQWWGi57vzaZlVuy9wH-LgZZ6QRZljiRGhY0zxK6v4nxlVqBw4hwzL5dPUTPY1u1sKQkXzG8dMKudyiEKwGr4iTMVybyCgqaqWmbDbAB9pFo3VQA20Rw/s320/IMG_2417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> ...An hour later than billed we arrived. I decided to start on the float with my 14ft Acolyte Plus rod on the pin and my 11ft Acolyte feeder rod to chop and change if needed. Fishing towards a deep run along an undercut bank I started to feed little pieces of breadflake and a couple handfuls of mashed bread, once the free-offerings went out I let the swim settle for about 10mins before fishing it, when I did get a baited hook out the float slipped away fairly quickly and a Chub about 3Β½lbs battled away deep among the remaining weed, a good start.</p><p> The good start got even better as within my first 5 trots I had three Chub, the third being a much better fish, broad and pretty chunky which I thought would go over the five-pound mark and so it was to be, 5lb 3oz on the digitals was a pleasant sight, always know when you have a better Chub on the end, they just get their heads down try to find every snag in the river but the power in the reserves of the 14ft rod allow you to give you all the help you need. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbiIOxwyufhyG9-L9tSTUdhxYBA2a7C0aLfzZl3sPRe6L8kO_pID-W1yjCJQ3Rmx7LRqNXns_TTK1RL4PWjn5ATOLiVonat8WA_9OLf-zJUpKwzpjUmQSm76o7Z1iCn7J8wzTN2XBDUx3cZrn03UNazoPHgZBjBgiQeTg3UxVUahtjYwgOKT_sBENU6E/s1409/IMG_2493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1409" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbiIOxwyufhyG9-L9tSTUdhxYBA2a7C0aLfzZl3sPRe6L8kO_pID-W1yjCJQ3Rmx7LRqNXns_TTK1RL4PWjn5ATOLiVonat8WA_9OLf-zJUpKwzpjUmQSm76o7Z1iCn7J8wzTN2XBDUx3cZrn03UNazoPHgZBjBgiQeTg3UxVUahtjYwgOKT_sBENU6E/s320/IMG_2493.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My winter's benchmark, 5.03</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCVjpDQ63e7RhcVOoQQ9107vBrCTGcSv5ld15jgvjMLffBQZ56CIcqolk1J1n2B-ZTnry64ng-i7tvvIfxsQu7_pm4Jc6d-9ZCP8xEVHdrft0-oSquWXFBcJ4R9xxlEevziHqj_2l3_CktqUtXbgzm5SPeuv6rIBC7_qiN1306rkmvZFDGiL2LQPelwk/s1500/IMG_2492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCVjpDQ63e7RhcVOoQQ9107vBrCTGcSv5ld15jgvjMLffBQZ56CIcqolk1J1n2B-ZTnry64ng-i7tvvIfxsQu7_pm4Jc6d-9ZCP8xEVHdrft0-oSquWXFBcJ4R9xxlEevziHqj_2l3_CktqUtXbgzm5SPeuv6rIBC7_qiN1306rkmvZFDGiL2LQPelwk/s320/IMG_2492.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it behaved itself!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz1xPZvh3m9UhC4GeBNW2ik6qo5lNEy9EYWwiBsIYOYg7IY8xxL36YinOidBjg3vGnN3KlNIZleud5yo0a-wYb6HiuF0MM3HFZxIJ6U0jWNQIgS2k-XIsV5dNIcKqlYrsS0vwPGwweK4MyjF_Oc0baEHURcKvURwPAtPxAANYXNnZkQ5Zb-hFIyoU1wk/s854/IMG_2494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz1xPZvh3m9UhC4GeBNW2ik6qo5lNEy9EYWwiBsIYOYg7IY8xxL36YinOidBjg3vGnN3KlNIZleud5yo0a-wYb6HiuF0MM3HFZxIJ6U0jWNQIgS2k-XIsV5dNIcKqlYrsS0vwPGwweK4MyjF_Oc0baEHURcKvURwPAtPxAANYXNnZkQ5Zb-hFIyoU1wk/s320/IMG_2494.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice start :) </td></tr></tbody></table><p> Thirty minutes in the bites began to dry up, the amount time between the half-hearted pulls on the 7BB float got further and further apart. After 3hrs of fishing and a few Chub later I decided to move on, even though I knew more fish were present, they were just cagey. Issue was is the remaining hours spent on the river provided very very little and I really had to scratch around for a bite and an hour after sunset I finally got another Chub on the bank which was only a small one of 2lb or so.</p><p> It was hard, but a good first Chub trip of the winter.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-71342863435992032542023-12-09T22:16:00.000+00:002023-12-09T22:16:53.898+00:00Barbel Tactics.<p> </p><p> Over the last couple years I have been asked by a few anglers for my input into what makes a good rig for Barbel, this question doesn't really have a straightforward answer as different scenarios the travelling angler is faced with could and probably will dictate how you approach the fishing.</p><p> My go-to and has been for probably a decade is flourocarbon ( referred to as "FC" from now on ), which is almost invisible in water and if we can't see it then you would like to think Barbel can't either, I have tested this out for a good few years and certainly think the Barbel are more confident in feeding on the deck when "FC" is being used instead of monofilament fished straight through or braid / coated braid. I find "FC" where it has it's stiff properties allows when the bait is lowered in or cast to be pushed away naturally from the lead and mainline, where braid or mono' can often coil up near the lead unless fishing pacy water where the line should naturally lay straight.</p><p> The stiffness of FC does have a couple of drawbacks, however these can be combatted by taking a little more time in your rig preparation. One of these drawbacks being the lack of flex in your bait on the hair if one is being used. Where the FC is stiff it doesn't allow the bait to move naturally as you would expect in the flow for it to move around, I would prefer if the hook and hooklink be as fixed in position as possible but still allow the bait to move freely / naturally on the river bed, so what I do is not tie a hair in the FC but to use soft uncoated braid of a low breaking strain, say 8/10lbs and tie my hair loop in that and then whip that onto the hook when securing the FC to lock in place, most good quality hooks size 12 and larger should have enough eye space for the multiple passes. </p><p> This ensures that the hooklink is stiff, almost invisible and yet the bait on the hair can waft in the flow as freely / naturally as possible and it does work, this seen with my own eyes on my then local river which runs gin-clear approx 300 days a year. When Barbel are feeding with complete abandon then these finer details that may give you an edge one day may not be required. I do believe very much in the tackle selection being absolutely key, theres no point having a bait out there and Barbel not be tempted owing to poor presentation.</p><p> I don't think these little edges above are as true in dirty water as visibility can often be really poor and the Barbel are honing on the bait predominately using their sense of smell. That said I still use FC in the winter as I feel that confident using it, why fix something that isn't broken! </p><p> Other little nuances I've picked up is rig length, I have spoken to many anglers over the years who swear by the length of their tackle!. Clear river fishing when I was growing up I opted to fish hook-links of just 7/8 inches long where I was hugely successful at times, but on other rivers I have deployed hooklinks of up to 2ft, however this is nothing compared to what some chaps use on the likes of the R.Wye and Severn where tails of 4ft to 6ft are opted for as some are convinced any shorter and the fish simply won't be fooled, I'm not so sure but again, it's all about confidence and if thats what delivers confidence which inevitably would be Barbel shaped then who's to say its wrong! </p><p> I seem to have sloped off a tad...just below is a sequence of images of my go-to rig for the entire season, easy to make, the components easy to source from most good tackle shops and only takes 30-45mins to knock up 8-10 rigs which should do you a few trips. I don't sharpen my hooks, nor do I decommission a rig once I've caught on it, I use it until the hooklink is fouled or I lose it! </p><p> So the components I use are in the next image, followed by a step by step of the rig.</p><p> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnZMLt6zu2da8mD4kf8zL6WAIQjNXCIHtyqlnuDKOaHX7H70_ztwIO0Drbsfq9EKe-8bKpc8SXUaTdY7Zn0IdpZWWUA16hOD6wPA0xro1mr4aQNmBpqi5L6nO00T5-rQ_9FdRRbhuwQ5cSS1sJ7UMzgiIlzeZMIU3aWg2UYh3SgKE8E0Bx2iTsEa5XRM/s3899/IMG_2350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3899" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnZMLt6zu2da8mD4kf8zL6WAIQjNXCIHtyqlnuDKOaHX7H70_ztwIO0Drbsfq9EKe-8bKpc8SXUaTdY7Zn0IdpZWWUA16hOD6wPA0xro1mr4aQNmBpqi5L6nO00T5-rQ_9FdRRbhuwQ5cSS1sJ7UMzgiIlzeZMIU3aWg2UYh3SgKE8E0Bx2iTsEa5XRM/s320/IMG_2350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The components.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUOEH_ley1IEfqZ9J2B-jEE3qW08QRgkQFEgvgIZKVNkmVWqC4_GpVR0BzhxrhbXKV6A1XUGeCudkeTCHoV-Is32pMzgZhonmpEgL9vqNQA1_vjzFXc262OfAeeJz7xJ0rOpvVXDYLlZOIAeHmYj9tkcQOXEbD03-q1bS1lD1ZOqN0BG4_q5MCNyi2X4/s3878/IMG_2351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="3878" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUOEH_ley1IEfqZ9J2B-jEE3qW08QRgkQFEgvgIZKVNkmVWqC4_GpVR0BzhxrhbXKV6A1XUGeCudkeTCHoV-Is32pMzgZhonmpEgL9vqNQA1_vjzFXc262OfAeeJz7xJ0rOpvVXDYLlZOIAeHmYj9tkcQOXEbD03-q1bS1lD1ZOqN0BG4_q5MCNyi2X4/s320/IMG_2351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of 10lb uncoated braid which will be the hair-loop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWZfRwCBCkBnLcj1yNZRj3fZZwGFJB1W7krjmWFyJ_YcgMJIFwYnRpCxDdUaTYHsaNOHI6AyfH7MDNBA31Gi9NO-3uY7Ye1Cz1FrrFxY45BRcw8tYQ7dAabLjO_egCZWByAJ-PgKdgI5cK-Yjk68kkNaBaQnFyelbyIth6fe9QCjLJgPEx9rhTF2Nb2c/s4032/IMG_2362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWZfRwCBCkBnLcj1yNZRj3fZZwGFJB1W7krjmWFyJ_YcgMJIFwYnRpCxDdUaTYHsaNOHI6AyfH7MDNBA31Gi9NO-3uY7Ye1Cz1FrrFxY45BRcw8tYQ7dAabLjO_egCZWByAJ-PgKdgI5cK-Yjk68kkNaBaQnFyelbyIth6fe9QCjLJgPEx9rhTF2Nb2c/s320/IMG_2362.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braided hair-loop threaded through eye and back <br />on itself and then "fc" whipped on using a knotless<br />knot.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxE8w8gZVQXMeKwrYiJevwpEhpafgrK4AFLKLy0YQLYBsUrdht9TipxqKUiKQ66wZkEdJ06G9wq3caa9B59eyBpBOozTvPDg82X2MouoSRtgfBePX2aLAFqslUtvdwuuI9enh52A-jKQpFId4CNHh-sTI366EzNhuRKFJ9NgQ1t8OHwDJWxoCh9c2d10/s4032/IMG_2363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxE8w8gZVQXMeKwrYiJevwpEhpafgrK4AFLKLy0YQLYBsUrdht9TipxqKUiKQ66wZkEdJ06G9wq3caa9B59eyBpBOozTvPDg82X2MouoSRtgfBePX2aLAFqslUtvdwuuI9enh52A-jKQpFId4CNHh-sTI366EzNhuRKFJ9NgQ1t8OHwDJWxoCh9c2d10/s320/IMG_2363.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut off tag ends and will look like this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRMBWqgmX3SJS00d6IWV2gdm9pEukwi9eIUz0NzhgOnjl7YVHG-YSyPTfnW8js-bseM_kPHoNh8KPQy_wrXb4MpdHFAFDZUqB3JV7KwmLQgI5TS1JNMRtKi4fK-PTIQhsad1zkfrJRhfklBOEez533S7S9AAT0qvzQfXB4AcNfJVl_mSkf1MYDX6pOO0/s4032/IMG_2358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="4032" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRMBWqgmX3SJS00d6IWV2gdm9pEukwi9eIUz0NzhgOnjl7YVHG-YSyPTfnW8js-bseM_kPHoNh8KPQy_wrXb4MpdHFAFDZUqB3JV7KwmLQgI5TS1JNMRtKi4fK-PTIQhsad1zkfrJRhfklBOEez533S7S9AAT0qvzQfXB4AcNfJVl_mSkf1MYDX6pOO0/s320/IMG_2358.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished rig, 8 inches of 12lb FC used with a <br />size 10 micro-barb hook and a size 8 swivel <br />attached using an overhand loop and neatened up<br />with a silicone sleeve.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p> Some may notice I'm using a size 10 hook for my rigs, I find at this time of year that smaller, more pungent baits work better, especially when the conditions are cold and the Barbel may only feed for short spells, I tend not to use any free-offerings and keep my hookbaits small so a size 10 or 8 is perfect for fishing a 12 or 15mm boilee on the supple hair. In the winter I do use paste too so I make my hairs long enough to allow the extra space the paste would require, I don't tend to fish the baits tight to the bend of the hook, this is to allow a little space for the bait to waft freely in the flow and also affords me the choice if I want to increase the amount of paste I use moulded around the boilee.</p><p> On my hooklink also use a small amount of tungsten putty, this is just to pin the hooklink tight to the bottom making the rig even more discreet, again other anglers pinch shot on the hooklink but I have found this can cause a weak point and when you are targeting Barbel of potential British Record proportions you do not want to find yourself in this position, putty is the best way to pin the hooklink down if you feel it might lying across an uneven bottom and is easy to remove if you feel it isn't needed anymore.</p><p> During the summer months I rarely static fish as rolling meat is my go to method unless conditions do not dictate that be the best approach on that given day. When I do static fish during the summer months where the rivers are clear and the Barbel see a lot more angling pressure then little edges like those above in terms of the rigs may well put more fish on the bank, I certainly believe its benefited me in the past and will continue to do so. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxB2cWVSAxNi_ihyD9pT5wbVUYt4_4ePNeymcWyG8F9ZxfJ_7KkKwpkd7Rhveg0r2W9fSpMKkmS7ZoBcBDBn5KIjYl5P88_fFnEA6ClExM4mlbEO-w6LluhFnqEODLm-QtB9h_CAMdHeX87keIgZGuuNMe4lWCVnTxjQq4nu5pnbwiiuAgTPZ1yAqGlM/s4032/IMG_2364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxB2cWVSAxNi_ihyD9pT5wbVUYt4_4ePNeymcWyG8F9ZxfJ_7KkKwpkd7Rhveg0r2W9fSpMKkmS7ZoBcBDBn5KIjYl5P88_fFnEA6ClExM4mlbEO-w6LluhFnqEODLm-QtB9h_CAMdHeX87keIgZGuuNMe4lWCVnTxjQq4nu5pnbwiiuAgTPZ1yAqGlM/s320/IMG_2364.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">45mins of work...another 8 fresh rigs tied.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p><p> In terms of FC breaking strains I opt for 12lb as a standard but will up that to 15lb should If I feel the bottom or surroundings are unforgiving. During the winter ( when it's coloured up ) I don't usually fish to snags anyway as I like to use the pull of the bait/paste to bring them upstream away from the potential danger, during the summer months the rivers are typically a lot clearer so you can see the topography and snags present which gives you a better indication of how light / heavy to fish, in the winter there tends to be more water coming through and stronger currents which again would dictate stepping up the tackle which would include mainline, test curve of the rod/s and of course leads / feeders etc.</p><p> Most of you may have your own views on this and would be intrigued to know what your go to's are on this topic and how you feel your tactics fare across a season. </p><p> A bit random I know but got an hour spare thought I'd scribble this up.</p><p> Tight Lines all and look forward to seeing your catches!!</p><p><br /></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-79661579653702659242023-12-04T20:48:00.000+00:002023-12-04T20:48:04.233+00:00Feel It In My Toes.<p> </p><p> Hmmmmmm.....winter.....I spend months looking forward to it then you remember it's never easy fishing, even when you think you have sussed out a venue. The question I asked myself, can you ever have somewhere truly sussed out? Rivers always like to keep you on your toes and the winter just makes you focus your aim that much more acutely.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Nj4AecYQHu3dGSaD-3LRO101YODda7kqHeQy-beA8Vn6OAyC5PgT1W5zRhaNXXRz5Vj8flNEZqZTAfox6wj1XlbvEZdliYm63s9zkH2nq7GrmclpVTVXTw_gl1beyy23yMLo1E85IEIHaNLctKMgCQtCrpu1Q2vOyRJ65ZSIy_gf_9W6KhD5G3GUhLI/s4032/IMG_2191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Nj4AecYQHu3dGSaD-3LRO101YODda7kqHeQy-beA8Vn6OAyC5PgT1W5zRhaNXXRz5Vj8flNEZqZTAfox6wj1XlbvEZdliYm63s9zkH2nq7GrmclpVTVXTw_gl1beyy23yMLo1E85IEIHaNLctKMgCQtCrpu1Q2vOyRJ65ZSIy_gf_9W6KhD5G3GUhLI/s320/IMG_2191.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Perch water that I'm currently blanking on.<span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p> In a week where I went fishing for Perch, Grayling and Pike all in separate sessions. For the Perch I have a venue that I've been targeting recently and with that initial success I thought I was on to a winner but have subsequently blanked the following 4 trips and left somewhat uninspired, I put it simply down to the sharp downturn in temps. However my next target shouldn't suffer from a dose of the "I don't wanna feeds", and with that I made the 109 mile drive back down to the Wiltshire countryside for another go for a Grayling of my dreams.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0x69ezkbK0nlhKxHHonUMdq2D3xb5TQlayKaUJ9TUh1JH1iG8VFGso30MbM_VKpbg8NC7MSS5SbAkXoWvDAargYJnj7oiszDLSOO9gx7zyKEHvXret0vPe1mOj3dzvrAx2M9DUabG9tNk12hheUJbS_m6M4tJolYAjuwYN-2OQyZ6I32fMDP0gmg0hk/s4032/IMG_2222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0x69ezkbK0nlhKxHHonUMdq2D3xb5TQlayKaUJ9TUh1JH1iG8VFGso30MbM_VKpbg8NC7MSS5SbAkXoWvDAargYJnj7oiszDLSOO9gx7zyKEHvXret0vPe1mOj3dzvrAx2M9DUabG9tNk12hheUJbS_m6M4tJolYAjuwYN-2OQyZ6I32fMDP0gmg0hk/s320/IMG_2222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> The grass was crunchy underfoot, the river still up but crystal clear given the drop in temps and my maggots lay almost dormant in their tubs as -5c temps kept them subdued, I could only hope they would all either be useful feed or the single maggots that would tempt a lady onto my size 16 wide gape hook.</p><p> All the previous sounded perfect, problem was the Grayling very quickly seemed to be off the feed, a couple of very good looking swims that have done fish for me in the past were devoid of Grayling and to make matters worse the sharp decrease in temps meant the Trout were feeding in ravenous fashion, buggers could not be avoided! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoO0s3eFsrJxLczdR1tWHMZWqZxjkdaWg2wMp9N1bP-vheCChNEI_2ze8JyPrNA_cGvCa093ZDZsmZ6zUPdNgXNlzypfSuQz87GnM5tongrjFDWYduaxxefDxeHl8fjWKVbcNMBob4N53DGOgPII2iolxaD1nSqvjLYFC7fZaLgzqXMCep-Fn7uGDK6s/s4032/IMG_2226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoO0s3eFsrJxLczdR1tWHMZWqZxjkdaWg2wMp9N1bP-vheCChNEI_2ze8JyPrNA_cGvCa093ZDZsmZ6zUPdNgXNlzypfSuQz87GnM5tongrjFDWYduaxxefDxeHl8fjWKVbcNMBob4N53DGOgPII2iolxaD1nSqvjLYFC7fZaLgzqXMCep-Fn7uGDK6s/s320/IMG_2226.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1lb 14oz.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> It took me hours to finally find an area where Grayling were feeding and they took ages to tempt, hours of trying and numerous runs trotted I finally started to get some decent fish but the effort put in this time wasn't rewarded in the fashion I usually experience, that was until I connected with a big Grayling just minutes before dusk, a big powerful fish made its way very slowly up the run and in hindsight should have walked downstream to intercept it knowing how many fish I'd lost throughout the day, alas I didn't and the frame of a mid-2lb specimen showed itself in the gin clear water just a rod length out before it came off, I was just a little bit pissed off, that fish would have made my day and in the famous words of Rex Hunt, " Yibbidy Yibbada that's all folks". Not the day I was expecting but, that is winter fishing, it rarely plays to the script and Friday was no different.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCWAmLjFbVY1SvVgRiD4TviMmrJDKtecjYH8il6MatlN_F759X471YtIHQvGdWkPyUyQRrikrMlZ7gF91KKwA8QQ1Pn4H7crANFBwhi1fBVo1lfldKwmpHIz0FAtnxBumvIKRx2VM7-jdelHKNdqqQjaU6g36clC7W61yF81HoXM-zXqQsPQCyIdbFmw/s4032/IMG_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCWAmLjFbVY1SvVgRiD4TviMmrJDKtecjYH8il6MatlN_F759X471YtIHQvGdWkPyUyQRrikrMlZ7gF91KKwA8QQ1Pn4H7crANFBwhi1fBVo1lfldKwmpHIz0FAtnxBumvIKRx2VM7-jdelHKNdqqQjaU6g36clC7W61yF81HoXM-zXqQsPQCyIdbFmw/s320/IMG_2242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1lb 13oz</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0_PTkB7YXQJ432arXaLb6oUgJUzCbDAaVlQx2Yrn4BdorV49pABO0Kwy3uby-j0P1b2etQpVNS2PDj6qOI7u5058mSG1ysE9O59OHj0s75Q2fltYOaBFQGrEILt4xtPTNIjJOKX1j_7lOZdUiQpYSZbXRQowXTU1Tk8y2_92idKudTy8CM4phfqkgPc/s4032/IMG_2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0_PTkB7YXQJ432arXaLb6oUgJUzCbDAaVlQx2Yrn4BdorV49pABO0Kwy3uby-j0P1b2etQpVNS2PDj6qOI7u5058mSG1ysE9O59OHj0s75Q2fltYOaBFQGrEILt4xtPTNIjJOKX1j_7lOZdUiQpYSZbXRQowXTU1Tk8y2_92idKudTy8CM4phfqkgPc/s320/IMG_2236.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prime trotting country!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap1kcYQPckipaliiRZTebusIFnVOUpNn_iy1rUkOIS4shlfabE21uK-yiiv_j3xjpWN6kJVUzOvWPbJRYmvoHcCTyWxR2BVwaFnmC1IU4dLT91Hp6UmzXia4LHadWIsOXIne5QM_j6YaDwiFCSdJTetfVTTjEMW7Aw9F4PanW34THPIRapMuf9bNMWF4/s4032/IMG_2237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap1kcYQPckipaliiRZTebusIFnVOUpNn_iy1rUkOIS4shlfabE21uK-yiiv_j3xjpWN6kJVUzOvWPbJRYmvoHcCTyWxR2BVwaFnmC1IU4dLT91Hp6UmzXia4LHadWIsOXIne5QM_j6YaDwiFCSdJTetfVTTjEMW7Aw9F4PanW34THPIRapMuf9bNMWF4/s320/IMG_2237.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh and a dead Otter in the margins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div> So given that tough day on Friday I decided it would be a good idea to go deadbaiting on the Rother for the day on Saturday. Taking my new Drennan E-Sox Piker 12ft dead-bait rods out for a maiden fling I hoped they would get a beating! <div><br /></div><div> Wrong....I spent the day trying to no avail and ended up as ghillie for his royal highness Brian-of-Nazareth, shame Brian didn't hook the one prior to his Erling Haaland look-a-like as that would have been turn up, alas he didn't catch it and I blanked....Where did I leave my golf clubs? <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5fp-RkvH-fU6Db3-9JGQZuhVTG9WEeGaYu7gSnVrF5RoW1KFWIIlB2g0iJNX1sV9SmZoay9NaOS3UwnEa7rWigPAvBKPUn7e3ubLQFxo46dn1d8MDslz1Lub_JquiVrI9y_Udqe2GIA85R2LQaZplhhmdduptOXKw3LPVjjFk0-m-YjRFodJuGIgQBQ/s4032/IMG_2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5fp-RkvH-fU6Db3-9JGQZuhVTG9WEeGaYu7gSnVrF5RoW1KFWIIlB2g0iJNX1sV9SmZoay9NaOS3UwnEa7rWigPAvBKPUn7e3ubLQFxo46dn1d8MDslz1Lub_JquiVrI9y_Udqe2GIA85R2LQaZplhhmdduptOXKw3LPVjjFk0-m-YjRFodJuGIgQBQ/s320/IMG_2251.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP46ZeABSnkvr1iYCUfn0MAHaaMIvxT8ZcAIzobxc96ueFVJ3f4TjrcT7g23nxOQQjqano3kDr-v9GjR_RzJ5um-SPP7OwBuamsgGUgzaBiZ1i0h3Mx-DnfDV6s6huLUX5w11P1BQ4d0XPzLuPXPSHr_-o6cusWg5Ch2QCzwvvnHrMSnvFYE9g42xNE38/s4032/IMG_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP46ZeABSnkvr1iYCUfn0MAHaaMIvxT8ZcAIzobxc96ueFVJ3f4TjrcT7g23nxOQQjqano3kDr-v9GjR_RzJ5um-SPP7OwBuamsgGUgzaBiZ1i0h3Mx-DnfDV6s6huLUX5w11P1BQ4d0XPzLuPXPSHr_-o6cusWg5Ch2QCzwvvnHrMSnvFYE9g42xNE38/s320/IMG_2260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3FzH51wP6SEax26m1O1OBuW71gFt4a0HX8ejcihxP5i0PMbku5RFwj9BBVEllTAuKFryykY-rCO7SA7y5Lp-NqcYOktSOzpp0fdCmU5ktHNzWgGY0PMTFlgnLVR0zzCOTO048smD7X9457h9Zv0mSglYaLYBzOVyozpxXOA7MTKoYyJHywz1N77el18/s4032/IMG_2267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3FzH51wP6SEax26m1O1OBuW71gFt4a0HX8ejcihxP5i0PMbku5RFwj9BBVEllTAuKFryykY-rCO7SA7y5Lp-NqcYOktSOzpp0fdCmU5ktHNzWgGY0PMTFlgnLVR0zzCOTO048smD7X9457h9Zv0mSglYaLYBzOVyozpxXOA7MTKoYyJHywz1N77el18/s320/IMG_2267.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS9PJTh30ohfp9IrFt6-3cgx_PKC0-cLPOhleb-6L6ULWlhFJYwaDq_DLTjKJsGFMWq_0M1rg331a3ZA7kfGIrT-xhssEV9VFf4_lu58GfwPyEQeDp0ikdD4TUexVASFzt_sFfv8UKJRrkbhZOkyJWP5_qi4UWYZmH3w9EpCvHkOS8c_nxqwZjNIOu0g/s4032/IMG_2270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS9PJTh30ohfp9IrFt6-3cgx_PKC0-cLPOhleb-6L6ULWlhFJYwaDq_DLTjKJsGFMWq_0M1rg331a3ZA7kfGIrT-xhssEV9VFf4_lu58GfwPyEQeDp0ikdD4TUexVASFzt_sFfv8UKJRrkbhZOkyJWP5_qi4UWYZmH3w9EpCvHkOS8c_nxqwZjNIOu0g/s320/IMG_2270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-36372602829248389112023-11-26T11:34:00.000+00:002023-11-26T11:34:49.862+00:00River Severn Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> Success on this river has taken some time and in time I knew it would come, 300-mile round trip and 5hrs of driving makes it one of my less local of venues but it provides me with a better chance of a double over the tougher and lesser stocked venues like the Kentish Stour and the Arun for example. </p><p> I had about 24hrs to fish as a cold northern front was due to settle in from Friday evening and the sudden drop may affect the fishing through Saturday. A water temp of 11.3c upon arrival had me feeling quite confident of fish. Still pushing hard and up around 4/5ft but falling I thought it was just a case of finding fish and the rest would follow suit. Once I was set up and fishing I got to making some scran for myself which was bloody lovely. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F8ROFLQ21fmENHhp7sgaNZ0Qn2bEBrZQ9dSd6S72g1IB7Hd0PE-dNsdL5DGZhdQ8fTlGhTi2MYv8opgw_0ssULs9-l5W2JHlT0a1zEYilsEmTihlzVqOciKvfPBItD_dlzzGaasWJ-64l1ruVLy8EK2WJdRENEuChBspI9ZYKO9nS0aYRGc2XLDuwNk/s4032/IMG_2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F8ROFLQ21fmENHhp7sgaNZ0Qn2bEBrZQ9dSd6S72g1IB7Hd0PE-dNsdL5DGZhdQ8fTlGhTi2MYv8opgw_0ssULs9-l5W2JHlT0a1zEYilsEmTihlzVqOciKvfPBItD_dlzzGaasWJ-64l1ruVLy8EK2WJdRENEuChBspI9ZYKO9nS0aYRGc2XLDuwNk/s320/IMG_2107.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad view for the night.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK8fN8ggjjI0tISQf8jG7DQnQBpv-NYHRYQ4mvXWHUQZKUnbv3j3Bbr6HCpBCI7sv2EQ2DvG7V6sOhn6DVpxSlqakfVjm-fjLaiAtUUXkaG2ck8ng9l5-9r_S_zQ-b5Pox-8Tgchu8SzFLQ8eYCazR5F3LxQzKtMRFHTQyF4xZ6nb4sUEKPNmM26yOyY/s4032/IMG_2101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK8fN8ggjjI0tISQf8jG7DQnQBpv-NYHRYQ4mvXWHUQZKUnbv3j3Bbr6HCpBCI7sv2EQ2DvG7V6sOhn6DVpxSlqakfVjm-fjLaiAtUUXkaG2ck8ng9l5-9r_S_zQ-b5Pox-8Tgchu8SzFLQ8eYCazR5F3LxQzKtMRFHTQyF4xZ6nb4sUEKPNmM26yOyY/s320/IMG_2101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maple glazed chops and rice π</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> The hours rolled by without a sniff and a move around 10pm didn't yield anything until I got to sleep when I got a tentative pull on the rod which sounded the Delkim, I was up and ready but nothing happened so I lay there star gazing and watching on as the shooting stars came across the sky by the dozen.<p></p><p> Finally at 0315 I got what I was waiting for, the rod hooped over and I found myself rushing out the bivvy to lift into what felt a decent fish in the strong flow where we fought for a few minutes before landing my first Barbel of the trip, not a big one but nice to see.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXac9cTShScdWoCfyz_TJ2SUxFY-2DOJkgpE6S9h8YAkZnYM4Hu1xMeg1MInS9AXRsCfpiJJwP47hDCPrnXTxzm-iSpI5O9javibQ_SC6caEqJJXqYhQaTTVbH1kUJl62zL3uTI9aZ_qkHHEQgLQh8N3PaNZuT08YucvARn6rU21z2tGQrVNJbbXILS9g/s1356/IMG_2149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1356" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXac9cTShScdWoCfyz_TJ2SUxFY-2DOJkgpE6S9h8YAkZnYM4Hu1xMeg1MInS9AXRsCfpiJJwP47hDCPrnXTxzm-iSpI5O9javibQ_SC6caEqJJXqYhQaTTVbH1kUJl62zL3uTI9aZ_qkHHEQgLQh8N3PaNZuT08YucvARn6rU21z2tGQrVNJbbXILS9g/s320/IMG_2149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8lb 7oz, Severn best at the time.</td></tr></tbody></table> <div> Once the rod went back out I nipped back into my shelter and had to wait an hour for the next enquiry which came by way of a pretty docile nod of the tip and gentle peeling of line, this had to be a Barbel, totally unaware it was hooked! I lifted the rod and the fish was heavy but couldn't really gauge much from it, that was until I cranked it up to the surface in the torchlight, thats when my knees went, it was big and certainly a Severn double, by some considerable margin ( I estimated around 12/13lbs ) when on the third lunge for freedom turned to disaster, for it found something submerged not far off the bank, it didn't find it the first time around but this time it did and within seconds my 6oz lead came flying out the water, the fish had broke me off around 3 inches from the hook, I was fuming beyond belief, I was seconds from landing it, the net was out and ready, this was most likely its last lunge I could not believe it.</div><div><br /></div><div> I got that rod set up and back out in the spot that had now done two bites, I hoped for more action. Unfortunately for me that did not happen and dawn came and went without another touch. I had planned to move stretch so I went along with that plan. I set myself up and got my first rod out before putting a lump of meat on the other rod when out of nothing my rod that I had just put out starting lurching to the river and line peeling off the spool! I couldn't believe how quick that was!</div><div><br /></div><div> I wasn't ready, the net weren't even set up but its so easy to pop the arms in on the new 36" specialist net that I could do it with one hand and jam the pole between my legs. The fight didn't last long and very quickly the body of a substantial Barbel broke the surface, I thought to myself that's going to be close but when I lifted it out the water I felt quietly confident I had achieved what I'd set out to do and this one wasn't escaping at the very last moment.</div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzSPl3rCusABXDGLBBGbyRytH4kZI2W089zle6KEeS6rXja5iOtbGu-noIF_4bhbF4mAYLUzbI2qEE71OSzvOR25PdyyxWS_4eAT_TvxXgJe7kFfcE5gOEpbW4E4MKaon9gz_NRclAqm40fo4tRTmBAGW9ZRLsCuGSslvhMNHYNJTuWf1ieIBInSUd3E/s4032/IMG_2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzSPl3rCusABXDGLBBGbyRytH4kZI2W089zle6KEeS6rXja5iOtbGu-noIF_4bhbF4mAYLUzbI2qEE71OSzvOR25PdyyxWS_4eAT_TvxXgJe7kFfcE5gOEpbW4E4MKaon9gz_NRclAqm40fo4tRTmBAGW9ZRLsCuGSslvhMNHYNJTuWf1ieIBInSUd3E/s320/IMG_2118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine lower Severn double.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH29DCM-L17R-ej07e9GlaHdAMn6amX3oDSPP5k7aFSoNof8fdNyOn9g7l1LaJRLj6xYXzGNuFPnkGZYH2TAzofP9r-1oomgGh2-8cc0usyLs9Dt9oichGYjMMEyXoW6gJ5sPgkqcaP6Awb96fxP8iGGGOfpdCXOCNulQ0ljDwTczC9vlDdnNjMPW_58/s1437/IMG_2152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1437" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH29DCM-L17R-ej07e9GlaHdAMn6amX3oDSPP5k7aFSoNof8fdNyOn9g7l1LaJRLj6xYXzGNuFPnkGZYH2TAzofP9r-1oomgGh2-8cc0usyLs9Dt9oichGYjMMEyXoW6gJ5sPgkqcaP6Awb96fxP8iGGGOfpdCXOCNulQ0ljDwTczC9vlDdnNjMPW_58/s320/IMG_2152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River No: 23 completed π</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> It took a few trips, mainly staring at motionless tips or blank rolls with the meat. It all finally came good and exercised those demons from what transpired overnight, a solid framed Barbel which weighed on the right side of ten pounds at 10lb 7oz! That will do nicely indeed.</div><div><br /></div><div> Release video of that Barbel just here πππ <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/bzBFCIp1htA?si=XQesbHZyYa89mnWG" target="_blank">Release Vid'</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I breathed a massive sigh of relief to have caught that fish and instead of packing down I decided to stick around and see if I could add to the tally of two fish and although the tip did go around again it was only with a modest Chub which was all I conjured up before leaving around 5pm. Job done, that will do me and maybe my last trip for Barbel this year unless conditions are too good to ignore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio2KJ3JsFCg8mWbGsqToElP8WKxTnU1jNsYlgrwp4rho6uznjjHsKJ4pR-6zuNEahELKFII_asM1nIwckaSvCVkYZjvZgCwnJiSYtZe-GaReBrPnBD6QTN4qGFzSA8GN78C5Bv-_1qzBEYW4MbFf0D30V5wDm73mRUao2L_Yu5WYbGAzykadIC-VgucE/s1500/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio2KJ3JsFCg8mWbGsqToElP8WKxTnU1jNsYlgrwp4rho6uznjjHsKJ4pR-6zuNEahELKFII_asM1nIwckaSvCVkYZjvZgCwnJiSYtZe-GaReBrPnBD6QTN4qGFzSA8GN78C5Bv-_1qzBEYW4MbFf0D30V5wDm73mRUao2L_Yu5WYbGAzykadIC-VgucE/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnH0VtBvve9ZjuncViBho31i9hj9xtCNaeDKXtO-yYuxZdiBthoT6Lnsp7hJjMru6DSqED0xa_GtP5PlG2iuNKJzyzwnxhnnrH95Orh7kkw7BDPmTAY6rOLHEW4-kRXmhZ9Ce5odKwy8LaaiG2zlExhgRFrPmutTy6wu8fxFf98Srg6pGndLr1ihdzNg/s4032/IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnH0VtBvve9ZjuncViBho31i9hj9xtCNaeDKXtO-yYuxZdiBthoT6Lnsp7hJjMru6DSqED0xa_GtP5PlG2iuNKJzyzwnxhnnrH95Orh7kkw7BDPmTAY6rOLHEW4-kRXmhZ9Ce5odKwy8LaaiG2zlExhgRFrPmutTy6wu8fxFf98Srg6pGndLr1ihdzNg/s320/IMG_2145.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 6pm it was -1c and the frost had settled on the car.<br />This time I was successful.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-48158825321474430932023-11-19T06:00:00.001+00:002023-11-19T06:00:00.135+00:00Ladies, Ladies, Ladies.<p> </p><p>...And no, not those kind of ladies, I mean these! battle worn, hard fighting and smelly...well that could relate to some of the human type but this time around I am talking of the Lady of the Stream (Tymallus Tymallus or Grayling). Around mid-November I tend to get the Grayling itch and dust off the trotting gear for a day out chasing a 3lb specimen which still eludes me.</p><p> The day started off in less than ideal fashion when I got about 6miles into my 104 mile journey the break heat shield on one of my wheels came completely loose after going over a series of potholes, I had to jack up the car, remove the wheel, remove the heat shield, refit the wheel and tighten up the bolts, that cost me a good 20mins which had a knock on affect as I hit the beginning of rush hour traffic on the A303 which was slow with people heading toward Salisbury and neighbouring towns for work. I on the other hand had fishing to get on with and this was all a bloody inconvenience!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdScRQFu_l7NcMe4Y40CgQIPcP2hbt8jtvyhHEsxmKUHtkN-ftQNDhBUUmETf0M_wKdIQw885sOMU4keE1u3EMVlP2cIpepepK27foF7pl1j7el8kmn8qaXMMY9v08MpEXcc14BNherga6KHezZxA2RfpCe6O9CqhVEe1-D2ud7eyJFR3OVMzJPK7bz8/s5184/IMG_7561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdScRQFu_l7NcMe4Y40CgQIPcP2hbt8jtvyhHEsxmKUHtkN-ftQNDhBUUmETf0M_wKdIQw885sOMU4keE1u3EMVlP2cIpepepK27foF7pl1j7el8kmn8qaXMMY9v08MpEXcc14BNherga6KHezZxA2RfpCe6O9CqhVEe1-D2ud7eyJFR3OVMzJPK7bz8/s320/IMG_7561.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As anglers we really are lucky.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Finally I arrived, about an hour later than I wanted. However I still caught the captivating sunrise which is of stark contrast to the dross we've put up with for weeks now! The river was high and waders were a necessity to fish half of the runs, the high water bought other challenges too as the water was really turbulent and Grayling aren't usually keen on staying in unstable water, problem was a lot of the river was like this and did limit the amount of water I and later on Mike would have to fish.</p><p> That said I got off to wonderful start as my 14ft Acolyte Plus float rod was put into action with a 2lb 6oz specimen which was swiftly followed by a smaller fish of around 10oz then the float sailed away for a third time in as many trots with what turned out to be another two-pounder weighing in at 2lb 4oz, quite the start!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQJQj5Ar2g1pgO9U3gaQCIJcZYZSBqMnDBI63_4iQ8BmqDFs88wqtcN1X7VrWnIuATuvbSwrt1huP06_sn_NDxmVn2N-qgxW5sijLfdPLzItihaGCkmsyheqXzkxfUElkr8JrQi-W5Z1Nv1ygqb4WW-K7JQoWiypSI_rGH1CNMqIu1HSNZQFst-aswe8/s5184/IMG_7574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQJQj5Ar2g1pgO9U3gaQCIJcZYZSBqMnDBI63_4iQ8BmqDFs88wqtcN1X7VrWnIuATuvbSwrt1huP06_sn_NDxmVn2N-qgxW5sijLfdPLzItihaGCkmsyheqXzkxfUElkr8JrQi-W5Z1Nv1ygqb4WW-K7JQoWiypSI_rGH1CNMqIu1HSNZQFst-aswe8/s320/IMG_7574.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2.6 BOLM!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0lEcUQRG5XvXnsbnhvjCFLI0v2ASGG0_xz7VR_eny6OD9SEii4DSLc3YBiICJyFYrQ2z3ZpzVlHXVQqivUH8dkGuQAkpywJQBb5TDnzfZk1yI8cg_dwf_3UfOUb-WyFb8MM4HCFGKvFb7pdsTDwAODCEWUFQXM2Qb_xyHesQTZXjt2JI03icGcm-0z8/s5184/IMG_7577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0lEcUQRG5XvXnsbnhvjCFLI0v2ASGG0_xz7VR_eny6OD9SEii4DSLc3YBiICJyFYrQ2z3ZpzVlHXVQqivUH8dkGuQAkpywJQBb5TDnzfZk1yI8cg_dwf_3UfOUb-WyFb8MM4HCFGKvFb7pdsTDwAODCEWUFQXM2Qb_xyHesQTZXjt2JI03icGcm-0z8/s320/IMG_7577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2.4 </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div> The sun was lovely and warm and the fish continued to come to the white maggot, reds really weren't working and in the end gave up on them, when the white maggots were going through the sport was steady. A few more average sized fish came to the net and the total was steadily rising past the twenty fish mark and another two-pounder (2.01) joined them, which was then followed by a slight lull in sport before I contacted what turned out to be the biggest of the day, a strong fight in the pacy main flow which made for a good video opportunity, see link here β <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/cjOYQArPj1Y" target="_blank">Locked into battle!</a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx7p54loloGfrit6BlqREQ5ZTcxfcbux5FNWxcCV5YcxKxWTqfaTW823-CG99Ef2pndqmOLeOJXoAlXz1n4hR1bdIRTyiZhxNiRLaKiNles5HPvAjCvcEqnelvk5YSEmSKz_pvu4_zbYP2Z17q1zUPhyphenhyphen0D1GC9v2zWL1-GIb50b9O5bH_uIoBdB10UHg/s5184/IMG_7597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx7p54loloGfrit6BlqREQ5ZTcxfcbux5FNWxcCV5YcxKxWTqfaTW823-CG99Ef2pndqmOLeOJXoAlXz1n4hR1bdIRTyiZhxNiRLaKiNles5HPvAjCvcEqnelvk5YSEmSKz_pvu4_zbYP2Z17q1zUPhyphenhyphen0D1GC9v2zWL1-GIb50b9O5bH_uIoBdB10UHg/s320/IMG_7597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best of the day at 2lb 8oz.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> A pristine male Grayling, so not quite "a lady" but a fine specimen all the same. As said previously fish were not east to find and sport became really patchy, nevertheless I was still catching the odd fish and as dusk was fast approaching my tally steady increased to 31 Grayling with another three fish over 2lbs ( ending up with seven over 2lbs and two others that weighed 1lb 15ozs ), it was my best haul off the Wylye yet, a special place and feel very privileged to get the opportunity to fish it!<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgnv_kksR7pS1p9-itV_tcQb219g5ipvKFKdIhXqfi9WKmVdUkg01IkdJd0jpeR5JfQq4C1iWIoo-fNytj-i2JZWQ8AAGAopXokh7W3cyha-pK1TXxhKkm7OooJ6U4ae9Z72Za0aiLh4zgzmbivcGqISF_d0K1jMRifVCrXefb2A9dRaIICoP8V3E_pk/s5184/IMG_7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgnv_kksR7pS1p9-itV_tcQb219g5ipvKFKdIhXqfi9WKmVdUkg01IkdJd0jpeR5JfQq4C1iWIoo-fNytj-i2JZWQ8AAGAopXokh7W3cyha-pK1TXxhKkm7OooJ6U4ae9Z72Za0aiLh4zgzmbivcGqISF_d0K1jMRifVCrXefb2A9dRaIICoP8V3E_pk/s320/IMG_7599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another low 2...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLHOpSC52Lg33cl8GkQMFAMdhain0Hq2XdU7d-i74NdtjCaZBFQozK27RGykSQw4Ub6HavK3za7FLnp01DJ6cPz2Tqx3_916uMSwVOoYx26J9wcE21FjwgJAkBappQEPxzXJOdvVdSpXtxHQTQCk0WA7NzFuFinFQivxlMx9dT9-l_LlfBsPerXZRgVM/s5184/IMG_7610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLHOpSC52Lg33cl8GkQMFAMdhain0Hq2XdU7d-i74NdtjCaZBFQozK27RGykSQw4Ub6HavK3za7FLnp01DJ6cPz2Tqx3_916uMSwVOoYx26J9wcE21FjwgJAkBappQEPxzXJOdvVdSpXtxHQTQCk0WA7NzFuFinFQivxlMx9dT9-l_LlfBsPerXZRgVM/s320/IMG_7610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Followed by another...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rjH-9E5v_6Mphf8DsjRs-ULs7slCukaPjkqCzqsgzJ1vMhii3Ak066hw1hLwRspAURVYtyBVbI7OddjRmUaP7XBzVRiuEWgVclWdxIAzLbLhhG-CQ_LaGvrXlS7ryheUec2IiCyXjxim2FVcm2925967Zze18G3IaYEYhjkNB9ntgT59A2n2a-2Lcu0/s4032/IMG_2026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rjH-9E5v_6Mphf8DsjRs-ULs7slCukaPjkqCzqsgzJ1vMhii3Ak066hw1hLwRspAURVYtyBVbI7OddjRmUaP7XBzVRiuEWgVclWdxIAzLbLhhG-CQ_LaGvrXlS7ryheUec2IiCyXjxim2FVcm2925967Zze18G3IaYEYhjkNB9ntgT59A2n2a-2Lcu0/s320/IMG_2026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Finished off with this lovely 2lb 4oz female.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-63040721183801086922023-11-18T09:38:00.003+00:002023-11-18T09:38:28.334+00:00Bourne to Blank.<p> </p><p> That late August / early September glut is a distant memory now and used to reassure myself I am actually capable of catching Barbel, ordinarily things do get tougher this time of the year but I am still very happy to try. </p><p> With the Bourne being one of the last "local" rivers left for me to chalk off I've dropped on there a few times this season, hoping to cross paths with a Barbel which is something I've not seen in over two years of trying, my first and last Barbel came in August 2021 and was on my first attempt, I've since realised that that was a classic case of beginners luck because since then I have drawn a Barbel blank which spans 7 visits over 2 years.</p><p> Last night I hoped that would change. I arrived late afternoon and immediately took a temp reading which settled on 10.2c, for me that is still less than ideal but Barbel will be caught if I could only find them. The river was still up really high, which did mean I could fish it but the flow was so quick it limited my options as to where I could fish, slack water really is hard to find on this river owing to its course, which is quite straight for large sections with a couple sharp bends thrown in for good measure. <span> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOT2PXggXgTJIj_DYARPKaN1Geq3tCIBlLY7hB5fUjcP3gs_RHrlLxuN98M8zEXx90YNypfbWF5WjOQ7vpPr-0E5Jq9pzPc8xbMGDWwyi1ol4NvM4zjOTbcCnOqbbwyXQCjLGv6WXlz_vPGI5z6pQiDwNKUzROJk1FN6FTLf12OxuaYxLsVekXmO-f1A/s4032/IMG_1740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOT2PXggXgTJIj_DYARPKaN1Geq3tCIBlLY7hB5fUjcP3gs_RHrlLxuN98M8zEXx90YNypfbWF5WjOQ7vpPr-0E5Jq9pzPc8xbMGDWwyi1ol4NvM4zjOTbcCnOqbbwyXQCjLGv6WXlz_vPGI5z6pQiDwNKUzROJk1FN6FTLf12OxuaYxLsVekXmO-f1A/s320/IMG_1740.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of shots from my previous</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAxX-KRUFazF9-umPmcUbXplkbvKKxRD7J-xUZu9e8ZOoYZ-zYT7pPGHkNsPwf3IjksH2nH_Ejrol5cp_4GYc-xtAH64_BEl9u4Lax0KSW9FVKjaZWLqLE0IESlWGBz1yO4zBX7F9plPPzLzvMEdAu09A5ae-i06F0-xmEGbajXtpe93XwyllnZAePz0/s4032/IMG_1751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAxX-KRUFazF9-umPmcUbXplkbvKKxRD7J-xUZu9e8ZOoYZ-zYT7pPGHkNsPwf3IjksH2nH_Ejrol5cp_4GYc-xtAH64_BEl9u4Lax0KSW9FVKjaZWLqLE0IESlWGBz1yO4zBX7F9plPPzLzvMEdAu09A5ae-i06F0-xmEGbajXtpe93XwyllnZAePz0/s320/IMG_1751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> My first swim was a dud, 45min spent in there without a touch but the next swim about 40 yards upstream looked promising as I received a couple of half-hearted touches before the pulling began, nothing savage which suggested an Eel had found my bait, a couple of minutes later that Eel finally came back for the bait and had it away, about a pound n half it wasn't small but not what I was after, it was clear though that something was feeding, I drew a little confidence from that and continued to fish in the remaining slacks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo5QNZY3njnNxFgsVVGDTGNqk7qSq2ovVVFURS7CUB6up0VhPDb-rgPRN9ihWeWRxOCPAYbv2mG8zKyfU03OwSwieGh40rA9jW_ubLe9pPiUQssM-2vJePAuO0bZ2kpCqvBMEsIYze5qa9rGgypWV1Du6Aqm6GngNf91tZG2JQEP8uPa6IxInlNd8eho/s4032/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo5QNZY3njnNxFgsVVGDTGNqk7qSq2ovVVFURS7CUB6up0VhPDb-rgPRN9ihWeWRxOCPAYbv2mG8zKyfU03OwSwieGh40rA9jW_ubLe9pPiUQssM-2vJePAuO0bZ2kpCqvBMEsIYze5qa9rGgypWV1Du6Aqm6GngNf91tZG2JQEP8uPa6IxInlNd8eho/s320/IMG_1757.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical floodwater bait, big and bold!</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Unfortunately for me that was all I could find, or that's all that found me! Another blank on the Bourne, something that I am expecting everytime I fish it now, that 7lb 8oz Barbel I had over two years seems to be one of just a small handful of fish that call the river home although I do know doubles do come out and seen photographic evidence that they exist with some being resident fish and some transient fish that have entered the river from the Thames when it's in severe flood. </p><p> I will just have to keep going, the journey there and back isn't terrible and it's a lovely little river to spend some time on, prospecting, hoping something will finally happen!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY6bs-_VmYC0pLb07xiJ-54CJzoTediDKIdhoUKQsRefLewyJhnJ4RL0Pc9s_ZcycLUjw5nOxUYhiXe2cnQ2uB3F_SkUiJOmleAoRaNF4ZdZQiSGA-cz_7AnZNS2kQ2Dk8wmFWhIVZ6Ev_lGPfNnbxlozP_ObNO6qXxIZ5a6xYjTVLm2aAzkO4DYRjb8/s4032/IMG_1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY6bs-_VmYC0pLb07xiJ-54CJzoTediDKIdhoUKQsRefLewyJhnJ4RL0Pc9s_ZcycLUjw5nOxUYhiXe2cnQ2uB3F_SkUiJOmleAoRaNF4ZdZQiSGA-cz_7AnZNS2kQ2Dk8wmFWhIVZ6Ev_lGPfNnbxlozP_ObNO6qXxIZ5a6xYjTVLm2aAzkO4DYRjb8/s320/IMG_1754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-13423969169819264872023-11-10T22:54:00.000+00:002023-11-10T22:54:01.200+00:00R.Wye Return.<p> </p><p> It's been roughly a month since my last visit to the Wye and really wanted to get back this year before things got tough. Recently we have faced vast amounts of rain and most rivers across the country have been in flood and not just a little bit, some rivers like the Wye have been very very high, highest that some areas have experienced in a generation! not to be deterred I made plans to get up there and fish for Barbel.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU9W5KIc2p7GbjguLSPKH_Ovy56722SD9eaDGwV6nJovF4AId_1CEgfwH1GVhSSigZ0_9I5KH5H-sy5ne0VCJS-gSQgQEM_F3Z0k7q-XewVImBDHR5Kkp7OCZPdaZYYecSsrL4o6wWvBdqVYzwCm6KNP3X66Rn7N_xVJvtE2jc_jhfKiJW1zhfVUut3A/s4032/IMG_1876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU9W5KIc2p7GbjguLSPKH_Ovy56722SD9eaDGwV6nJovF4AId_1CEgfwH1GVhSSigZ0_9I5KH5H-sy5ne0VCJS-gSQgQEM_F3Z0k7q-XewVImBDHR5Kkp7OCZPdaZYYecSsrL4o6wWvBdqVYzwCm6KNP3X66Rn7N_xVJvtE2jc_jhfKiJW1zhfVUut3A/s320/IMG_1876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3.1m on, nice!</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Of course my prime target was to catch a double figure Barbel and chalk off the R.Wye but given the conditions I did feel that I would be aiming at just a handful of fish across the time I set aside which this time around was 3 days ( I looked to divide that across the Wye and Severn ). After completing a very long drive to the Wye via the office of Drennan HQ to collect the key for the section I'm currently targeting I got a glimpse to what I would be faced with and even I was a little surprised at how high it was.</p><p> For about 4/5 days leading up to Wednesday I'd been religiously watching the levels of both rivers at various stages in the course to build a picture of how it should look come midweek. With high levels on the Lugg yet to pass and stubborn main river levels the Wye barely dropped and indeed at times began to rise again during my time there. This did however make one part of my trip easier, the amount of water to target had been drastically reduced to half a dozen good looking marginal slacks, 6oz didn't reach the bottom out in the flow such was the force of the river, so I was left with the margins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs9qPHmTY-Zp_lZmw5v0w9l1fB-3QqkX7ZgdiuFkLRWsnojVdb73IfHZfd19fSqs18lqflhOBa-WlVieH67gPQvFACHzSYv4QNup2hdrqCAZsjLlT2C5t-IqxDqVoU8X7G_MHj0y1A4q_r7BeBud0PT1CWt2YeZN4pRtKIn25u5QqOXdQfp-VvisPb5k/s4032/IMG_1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs9qPHmTY-Zp_lZmw5v0w9l1fB-3QqkX7ZgdiuFkLRWsnojVdb73IfHZfd19fSqs18lqflhOBa-WlVieH67gPQvFACHzSYv4QNup2hdrqCAZsjLlT2C5t-IqxDqVoU8X7G_MHj0y1A4q_r7BeBud0PT1CWt2YeZN4pRtKIn25u5QqOXdQfp-VvisPb5k/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEWtSCxOh_FXbeHQjSv2NT-R4DCmCOLvEbMNnkoBZeJKsPh6j6IGxPaivpfALOjAb-4h7g_7wuD7M4ICV_09gAbXefeWZHXVcRHf8_mv7kD_4MmEXJ20jniqsLpNInC2tzSm0wg85BSK5tFJzp4f17_ywsH59kOzNrf6dvChD6N7zSV3d8gLrE0dAn_Y/s4032/IMG_1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEWtSCxOh_FXbeHQjSv2NT-R4DCmCOLvEbMNnkoBZeJKsPh6j6IGxPaivpfALOjAb-4h7g_7wuD7M4ICV_09gAbXefeWZHXVcRHf8_mv7kD_4MmEXJ20jniqsLpNInC2tzSm0wg85BSK5tFJzp4f17_ywsH59kOzNrf6dvChD6N7zSV3d8gLrE0dAn_Y/s320/IMG_1852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p> I opted to hedge my bets across two baits, one being the ever-faithful Spam and the other boillie and paste combo to try and put a decent and consistent scent trail in through the murky water which I hoped would lure a tentative Barbel into the area and snaffle one of the baits. Owing to the colour and the water temp of 10.1c on Wednesday I opted to move the baits around each slack every 30-60min just incase in the colder water they became more slovenly. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2FcM3okkpy8euOEtFV8zvegdIDK3p6ryGEuCDrn0fyIyjXQ2D-6a9vcHU0vgwOie-cmNflzXCJH_gBXU8rJ0ljJViEwQE7AhCgiDGGxyGJW5hK41hCmtEMBf1apj1_eCQP0IeJekcY2Km4WUlTqu7P4agr6r5khVbxteGY2VK0h0URP7JZEE_Kx_DwQ/s4032/IMG_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2FcM3okkpy8euOEtFV8zvegdIDK3p6ryGEuCDrn0fyIyjXQ2D-6a9vcHU0vgwOie-cmNflzXCJH_gBXU8rJ0ljJViEwQE7AhCgiDGGxyGJW5hK41hCmtEMBf1apj1_eCQP0IeJekcY2Km4WUlTqu7P4agr6r5khVbxteGY2VK0h0URP7JZEE_Kx_DwQ/s320/IMG_1870.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the rare moments it wasn't grey and grim.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I fished numerous good looking slacks over the course of the ensuing 7hrs without more than a tap from what I suspect were very subdued Chub of the small variety, that was until I was halfway through a phone-call with Brian nattering about the goings on or lack of on the Wye when my paste rod absolutely slammed round with no indication that something was afoot, all out savagery and the battle was very impressive in the current as the Barbel made its presence known. For the first minute or so I was quite worried as I could feel what turned out to be the hook-length and line rubbing on a rock, at the time I could just feel grating but wasn't sure until I got it in to inspect it all. </p><p> This fish which was certainly a Barbel and a good one at that as it just kept going, fully charged and gave a superb account of itself, long lung busting runs up and down but completely measured at the same time with nothing remotely erratic at all, typical traits of big Barbel, problem was I left my torch in the car, so I had to do it all in the dark which was not easy, luckily for me my night vision is bloody good, upon the second time of asking I slipped what looked like a good Barbel over the cord of the net, she was mine and bloody well deserved if I may say so myself, I worked hard for that bite which actually turned out to be my only bite of the trip! But I'll touch on that afterwards.</p><p> I staked the net down with a bank-stick and hiked back to the car and back, not knowing how big this fish actually was I was still chatting with Brian the whole way through, a running commentary if you like, the sense of anticipation was building, would it be pure elation or an anti-climax? From the title of the blog you have probably already guessed it missed the mark.</p><p> Not to feel down it still is a big Barbel for the Wye at 9lbs 10oz, just not quite as big as I really hoped, she looked like it could be when I lifted out of the water for the first time, but just not filled out enough but such as life, I go again!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu60BDk7COkVt-XSVEHRTmdOZiThRWckTC1h-WfLtobPFvS81wp9kqsq2dpnj9o6QN2QXynMu8G1tRabs7LyIWT_CLrqwwgYwlQPaeh4N9iYxeH1zXYALC4S8PLOuEsSikU6nEhaVYzm2_BkL4LTCrPFOXt5JKMd2Q61QeShG7dkHTV_xcGipYdVW-Ys/s5184/IMG_7540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu60BDk7COkVt-XSVEHRTmdOZiThRWckTC1h-WfLtobPFvS81wp9kqsq2dpnj9o6QN2QXynMu8G1tRabs7LyIWT_CLrqwwgYwlQPaeh4N9iYxeH1zXYALC4S8PLOuEsSikU6nEhaVYzm2_BkL4LTCrPFOXt5JKMd2Q61QeShG7dkHTV_xcGipYdVW-Ys/s320/IMG_7540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new R.Wye PB, the weight of my lead off the magic mark.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I took a couple of pics and a short video of her disappearing into the murky waters before recasting where I hoped there would be one or two more holding steady in the slacker water, unfortunately for me the rest of the evening passed by without incident, which was pretty much how the first part of day two unfolded.</p><p> Prolonged showers and strong gusty wind made for a miserable few hours on Thursday morning where I again, tried those slacks I tried yesterday, with the water temp falling further ( now below the magic 10c mark ) and rising river levels once again I decided it wasn't worth anymore of my time and opted to target the Severn instead which, just like the Wye was up and very coloured but in a better state than the Wye.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYY8YOT9DF34uVzz3LgyORYHNbqRwIaHlAqpv92kbGpbN3yXeFOpYqh4VOM7WC6Np2ZE7DfBgBBvLLxfk4yYuVez5VXoPkUYQw7iqvoUmmabiQ-FYHkmACVAcQGEdVX0FMbwXU52mwBeJO0I5PaZfemsTO84cyfNrm8vzz0kLS_TIJKFvS1RM5OdMFBY/s4032/IMG_1883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYY8YOT9DF34uVzz3LgyORYHNbqRwIaHlAqpv92kbGpbN3yXeFOpYqh4VOM7WC6Np2ZE7DfBgBBvLLxfk4yYuVez5VXoPkUYQw7iqvoUmmabiQ-FYHkmACVAcQGEdVX0FMbwXU52mwBeJO0I5PaZfemsTO84cyfNrm8vzz0kLS_TIJKFvS1RM5OdMFBY/s320/IMG_1883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> I targeted a section I've spent a bit of time on now and know some of the good floodwater swims from friends who frequent the river and found myself hopping from spot to spot every hour to try and land on a Barbel before kicking off time. I took a temp reading and it proved grime reading, 9.2c and the river was rising upstream once again, that for me was the end, conditions and fishing were only going to get harder and felt by remaining on the river I was running a fools errand, so I loaded the car and made the 163mile journey back home to delight of the mrs a whole 24hrs early! I'll keep that 24hrs in credit π
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxFdaemWjhqNM_Jt0WZ-UPMD0fQAaAr4U5ayLi6YEvQrPDu0OCmWUP7p87Jt64g4STfa_LD5TtfEwgxEJ-3ImbrEjVM0jaTcUQu38Jc2covROXxiFA7NniKVwH2Th_ypEYaXM3QWzGRrAJBKmDVEOE6e9gs7UzXBIL4-E1DRRVwM_sXrezKhiC_p__iU/s5184/IMG_7553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxFdaemWjhqNM_Jt0WZ-UPMD0fQAaAr4U5ayLi6YEvQrPDu0OCmWUP7p87Jt64g4STfa_LD5TtfEwgxEJ-3ImbrEjVM0jaTcUQu38Jc2covROXxiFA7NniKVwH2Th_ypEYaXM3QWzGRrAJBKmDVEOE6e9gs7UzXBIL4-E1DRRVwM_sXrezKhiC_p__iU/s320/IMG_7553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful autumnal riverscape.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> That was bloody hard, but very nearly pulled it out of the fire. Even as I write this on Friday night as the kids sleep my gear is drying out, it really did piss it down, thank god for my 25k suit! bailed me out.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-61454067996582764232023-10-28T12:40:00.000+01:002023-10-28T12:40:12.868+01:00Keeping up Appearances.<p> </p><p> Barring that Perch trip last Sunday the last month has been very hit and miss, a couple of visits to the R.Itchen for Barbel (primarily) have resulted in blanks and along with a visit to the R.Blackwater I have stared at motionless tips or rolled hundreds of times without incident. Unfortunately for me time is tight, so many of my trips this season have been shaped around my work or this instance taking my brolly and bed-chair out and grabbing a couple of hours kip whilst trying to eek out a Barbel from what is turning out to be a bloody difficult venue on a work night ( getting back home for 5am to get showered and dressed for another days graft ), I know stocks on the Itchen are very low with around 30 Barbel estimated among the locals in over a mile of river. Real needle in a haystack kind of job.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzpZzwl2Hz7xCGQFfF-6nV2O9Ni8ZP4Mh3Y0eeA8C8VEK3P8525XDmxRLgQCqwp35R5T0TOpyWs6mFgXHJjRWemFk0MqqFSMYP13zLllwhTQaygkt7ICWJhBT0KPkCzzQNPXSowemWcVCLBBzVuxzVATy9NMRDWurdlOdF1WdfLGO9KWPnNwoP7hsTA0/s4032/IMG-1554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzpZzwl2Hz7xCGQFfF-6nV2O9Ni8ZP4Mh3Y0eeA8C8VEK3P8525XDmxRLgQCqwp35R5T0TOpyWs6mFgXHJjRWemFk0MqqFSMYP13zLllwhTQaygkt7ICWJhBT0KPkCzzQNPXSowemWcVCLBBzVuxzVATy9NMRDWurdlOdF1WdfLGO9KWPnNwoP7hsTA0/s320/IMG-1554.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working the weedlines.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> During the day of my first trip I opted to fish for the Barbel where I remained biteless whilst sat in the expensive seats, by midday I'd given up. I then decided to go and join the boys (Keith Jobling, Danny Everett and Brian) who were sampling the wonders of chalkstream delights. I have to admit I'm quite spoilt that I can be on some of the very best chalkstreams in just over an hour and have access to some wonderful beats, some free, some paid for. The LIF is something of an enigma, because its a beautiful place to go fishing and you should feel that you are on an exclusive bit of river with the chance of big Grayling etc. Neither of those are true unfortunately as the Grayling rarely top 2lbs there anymore and its certainly not exclusive, Β£31.50 paid in advance is enough to have anyone wondering the banks!, plus the constant pressure once the coarse season opens. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6hW0ipbHAAdgphi8mkkxxrVNi3I29G0ztw-TWtvBMkg0M7eKhYDps1II6QCHSJhxopgrfPeVS3iJgIwWKr1oyxxsOtBzuIl56vqsxw56GSqAGZKctVHztHvRKgoSdvWsm6-jXiKWHA1PLVovIsqOAfoR1SpyPsy-eIqRQbPtCwNIotTwgdVl_ZMRmug/s4032/IMG-1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6hW0ipbHAAdgphi8mkkxxrVNi3I29G0ztw-TWtvBMkg0M7eKhYDps1II6QCHSJhxopgrfPeVS3iJgIwWKr1oyxxsOtBzuIl56vqsxw56GSqAGZKctVHztHvRKgoSdvWsm6-jXiKWHA1PLVovIsqOAfoR1SpyPsy-eIqRQbPtCwNIotTwgdVl_ZMRmug/s320/IMG-1370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvXMv-KU2xNDd43XYwYFDWDnxSp-rTwkhICBSibvy34p3_dLD8YbStBfxLIMsqmlZHAEfEOg1sRtVRxQOXIDWvDVimReVBRavyt9baBw0sZdjoffTKYkX2k2Oy7YqQWDNgvuwhnGm3d2NRptkuaBl94tJFAtIibSVGwXhLrmaLtxvgY3yzd3KzsPSBhs/s4032/IMG-1372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvXMv-KU2xNDd43XYwYFDWDnxSp-rTwkhICBSibvy34p3_dLD8YbStBfxLIMsqmlZHAEfEOg1sRtVRxQOXIDWvDVimReVBRavyt9baBw0sZdjoffTKYkX2k2Oy7YqQWDNgvuwhnGm3d2NRptkuaBl94tJFAtIibSVGwXhLrmaLtxvgY3yzd3KzsPSBhs/s320/IMG-1372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJGKIjIi-iLTIjVQSXs1XjA0YNwMqwz0JI7CrzMsA9aAt27ETa6CiJOfQnUhDXGhmDGlLOcaD0dfEmx5am4pTzKzhA8Kslrbcm6gDwoGLsw6-aN91o3X917B9I1vufTjzCNopttOq4hKSq8twZ8bNQgpZDT1-88pMBWBjBX3D_Jn8nmVgGXf3IFnGYOo/s4032/IMG-1375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJGKIjIi-iLTIjVQSXs1XjA0YNwMqwz0JI7CrzMsA9aAt27ETa6CiJOfQnUhDXGhmDGlLOcaD0dfEmx5am4pTzKzhA8Kslrbcm6gDwoGLsw6-aN91o3X917B9I1vufTjzCNopttOq4hKSq8twZ8bNQgpZDT1-88pMBWBjBX3D_Jn8nmVgGXf3IFnGYOo/s320/IMG-1375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> For me when fishing the LIF it's never about PB'S, simply the catch-up with friends and the chance the bend some carbon. Going back to the Barbel, the more I go I know I'm just one step closer to what I want, the odd fish is coming out here and there but invariably anglers blank, that's just the nature of the beast and being a free-stretch it gets a lot of pressure. I must admit I can not wait to chalk off the R.Itchen, its taken long enough now. Think I'm 11 sessions deep now having spent around 120hrs without a Barbel, the sooner this one falls the better I'll feel!</p><p> As for the R.Blackwater it seems that the stocks of Barbel, albeit small again are pretty transient, so my efforts have been mirrored and barring time spent in the peg I had my 9.01 Barbel I've only spent around 30-40 mins of my time before moving off to another spot if I've had no indication of fish present, it's a fairly narrow river and spent quite a bit of time peering in, in the vein hope I'll spot an unwitting target, thus far that hasn't paid off, fingers crossed that changes for me over the next however many trips it takes to finally come away successful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k9_x7uImtGWZVtc-t100-VzXWluGERSQycfS7YFIbpe_l9DHCjUmDfTMWs4pIjXbsVRVYAwYVMLvJ2dAjM1tqtn_LPBkvk2oRpDIYUUqb6zrijCtXVLVRl3GLtXID0wudnG6rJQ-Sij8MYZu_5GNL13CFOBThiEvNnLjLfGtgmX2WROlnUXJgMNMj5Y/s4032/IMG-1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k9_x7uImtGWZVtc-t100-VzXWluGERSQycfS7YFIbpe_l9DHCjUmDfTMWs4pIjXbsVRVYAwYVMLvJ2dAjM1tqtn_LPBkvk2oRpDIYUUqb6zrijCtXVLVRl3GLtXID0wudnG6rJQ-Sij8MYZu_5GNL13CFOBThiEvNnLjLfGtgmX2WROlnUXJgMNMj5Y/s320/IMG-1560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> Moving away from Barbel I had a quick visit between jobs to the area I had that magnificent Perch last weekend, with just four live-baits I got to moving around a fair bit and let the gonks do their best to find me a massive Perch. The issue was the Pike were of a ravenous disposition, I managed four takes, using all four of my baits to all of which managed to swim off. I lost three of the four fish, with two looking / feeling decent (over 10lbs for sure) and a little jack, the one I landed again was a jack of possibly 6lb which was in great condition but not the species of predator I wanted, next time I hope that those big old soldiers are in a feeding mood and the Pike stay at bay.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBeAfk-0cEHQXE8mmn0Kw7GFmt6kM7i7HugtulYWv5NClGuBEZLLVc0A3HNMfU_tBPwM0fe5WeWA1I-mdEjsZQ_DwW-vcNa05fu9Pz_SRbjcSn_MCbH0dQymjr4zja0g8jHMz2pX5yUrfcMlragw7OtEaDz653sTTrXdtzrWEsEEAZMR3tx1RicuST5I/s4032/IMG-1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBeAfk-0cEHQXE8mmn0Kw7GFmt6kM7i7HugtulYWv5NClGuBEZLLVc0A3HNMfU_tBPwM0fe5WeWA1I-mdEjsZQ_DwW-vcNa05fu9Pz_SRbjcSn_MCbH0dQymjr4zja0g8jHMz2pX5yUrfcMlragw7OtEaDz653sTTrXdtzrWEsEEAZMR3tx1RicuST5I/s320/IMG-1625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uBUTix5poV8__UB01nuH7znQ6zuEALeU7S8RMZCEjRqtbazTgIq1pTLjhtSYeLr2zxhTiGyBq_fWZEnDukgYHUu9GLGoe8yy0a8YkImVIjJfjlRkVnU_8LXeTxjBvXtw6fmcb4BDdLJVuYTYxYsh6jUdLzpbQgbMnaVM43TbsrhPlDklN_fbUpaV24/s4032/IMG-1617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uBUTix5poV8__UB01nuH7znQ6zuEALeU7S8RMZCEjRqtbazTgIq1pTLjhtSYeLr2zxhTiGyBq_fWZEnDukgYHUu9GLGoe8yy0a8YkImVIjJfjlRkVnU_8LXeTxjBvXtw6fmcb4BDdLJVuYTYxYsh6jUdLzpbQgbMnaVM43TbsrhPlDklN_fbUpaV24/s320/IMG-1617.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No wonder why the perch are big!</td></tr></tbody></table>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-4595957265031457172023-10-18T06:00:00.032+01:002023-10-18T06:00:00.143+01:00Lights, Camera, Action.<p> </p><p> Leading on from a couple of short and unsuccessful visits to the R.Blackwater and R.Bourne I set my sights on filling my boots on the picturesque R.Wye for a couple of days in front of the cameras. The boys at Drennan were on the banks with me doing a few bits which mostly required me to catch copious amounts of Barbel.</p><p> Once Brian and I had arrived I set about familiarising myself with the cameras and what was expected of me and very quickly I was leant into a couple of fish, first of all a Chub decided to show its face but very quickly a typical three-foot twitch had me reaching for my rod as a Barbel shot out into the powerful flow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqHiPdIRQS72ijMYWt3L6bd1z-Tj_KtyKbCqAgso-O9fQlzP2tD7hmsFAUya29a2uJAFXJVrsqOauR9ircBfo5ubf1Lo9U6zd9sNOQCRVxDT5_GKW5On_PJYc2KVO-TJ0PX4l8F4NxqLqvwBfb9bRVu3j06mwdO_Rj1nfHAMQTE0Z4iN_KmTAPRq57jI/s2048/4b7a78d1-f2f0-4122-b612-466056f4b351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqHiPdIRQS72ijMYWt3L6bd1z-Tj_KtyKbCqAgso-O9fQlzP2tD7hmsFAUya29a2uJAFXJVrsqOauR9ircBfo5ubf1Lo9U6zd9sNOQCRVxDT5_GKW5On_PJYc2KVO-TJ0PX4l8F4NxqLqvwBfb9bRVu3j06mwdO_Rj1nfHAMQTE0Z4iN_KmTAPRq57jI/s320/4b7a78d1-f2f0-4122-b612-466056f4b351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Action was fairly consistent for around 2hrs with bites coming frequently, by the time the swim died I had managed a few Barbel to mid-7lb and lots of Chub. From that point on I opted to move around and fish various good looking slacks and creases as fishing the main flow was not easy owing to the extra 3-4ft that was tanking through the valley. The odd Barbel and Chub slipped up as I made my way up and down the river but was unable to fish one or two of the known areas properly given the floodwater.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5bvFXcjAMX7w55HWri8nVdrt5XW0fQlAOhj8NWnf8lsKCWl41DvXvsfAhj9yMaT91h2CiPD3HRLW11uop-kxzLwBAdJ1jsj8ol805cvSTPeMzBDYBiWnwGSzI0O_ZqoZx5CjJ3nvOWNUXaPYFPbvzVh1D_1W5SUGQjVZCTOrPEIjap3B9HT22YvD1iM/s1600/IMG-1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5bvFXcjAMX7w55HWri8nVdrt5XW0fQlAOhj8NWnf8lsKCWl41DvXvsfAhj9yMaT91h2CiPD3HRLW11uop-kxzLwBAdJ1jsj8ol805cvSTPeMzBDYBiWnwGSzI0O_ZqoZx5CjJ3nvOWNUXaPYFPbvzVh1D_1W5SUGQjVZCTOrPEIjap3B9HT22YvD1iM/s320/IMG-1480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> As night fell I had a brief flurry of Barbel activity with three coming to the net in 20mins, again the best was exactly 7lbs, it was the Barbel laden day I hoped it would be. 10 Barbel in quite tough conditions on the first day for the cameras wasn't too bad at all I felt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsddaIZA80rPC2RaIJ_P5IfDmiqbp4nDr10UBtNvIYqcbnBKVSKPcTICubKNV_jWAo1sJ8dH0ShQ1NOudQ8sANDw3XrpG6F9vW3a0YevtL_fa1wySqbQlrsqADI01-42B89wJjbySLf_2QQG0B5nOIPFkwi5YTwM1Rh0ONNzdFuHFK8VJGgiFFOIUnwM/s2048/6a917233-ddaa-4bca-88d5-54e2a5bb9c77.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsddaIZA80rPC2RaIJ_P5IfDmiqbp4nDr10UBtNvIYqcbnBKVSKPcTICubKNV_jWAo1sJ8dH0ShQ1NOudQ8sANDw3XrpG6F9vW3a0YevtL_fa1wySqbQlrsqADI01-42B89wJjbySLf_2QQG0B5nOIPFkwi5YTwM1Rh0ONNzdFuHFK8VJGgiFFOIUnwM/s320/6a917233-ddaa-4bca-88d5-54e2a5bb9c77.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Friday morning came and I fished for a couple of hours, drifting between swims and started off the day with three Barbel to 7.12 before the Chub got ravenous once again. Around 11am I started to do some camera work, so that was more time away from the rods and when I did get back to fishing the sport was really really slow, even Chub became difficult to catch and the day ended up a damp squib. Once again, the conditions were against me, 13 Barbel to 7.12 and 5.2 trillion Chub came to the net, and on dark Brian and I waved goodbye to the R.Wye and hello to the R.Severn as we continued our short tour of the west.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODbIxaVxyu_XKhZMZa75fiTp9xlv8VVcCheV6x3wmkW8P7eF49dZ_xN8F_nMPAQnccgBEeJxk_Oe_j_G_63SMFokhnkNVTaEhmA6qRT5DB1eqhE6MQFX3koPCNnaCdn3STshksTJWfHoecPW3dyn8k2ulgid1RSvGI9TshanDlbX0_pPP_JuXsZssksI/s2048/bc5f9070-f4f7-41de-bbb9-d7a57c3e34da.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODbIxaVxyu_XKhZMZa75fiTp9xlv8VVcCheV6x3wmkW8P7eF49dZ_xN8F_nMPAQnccgBEeJxk_Oe_j_G_63SMFokhnkNVTaEhmA6qRT5DB1eqhE6MQFX3koPCNnaCdn3STshksTJWfHoecPW3dyn8k2ulgid1RSvGI9TshanDlbX0_pPP_JuXsZssksI/s320/bc5f9070-f4f7-41de-bbb9-d7a57c3e34da.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River-Keeper George looking on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfGIdH-aEUCjWTETLOSbmIO5Ej29p5Ay8iyVzhNwVbmFnqUxiaq-O4HQi9-wM_1-yhxgztXgzUuuGn1IRfgQt-5VzkziXWqPPjgWZakaaW2-vWcD1EJE-_C2S0O99CkTlnTLARc3F6Nq9MdxsOjE_17jme6q9fHE8_dFnr1XCOnOl425mJSphel1OvAc/s2048/477278ab-0b7f-4a9f-9793-e96af9b33d7b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="2048" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfGIdH-aEUCjWTETLOSbmIO5Ej29p5Ay8iyVzhNwVbmFnqUxiaq-O4HQi9-wM_1-yhxgztXgzUuuGn1IRfgQt-5VzkziXWqPPjgWZakaaW2-vWcD1EJE-_C2S0O99CkTlnTLARc3F6Nq9MdxsOjE_17jme6q9fHE8_dFnr1XCOnOl425mJSphel1OvAc/s320/477278ab-0b7f-4a9f-9793-e96af9b33d7b.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Wye snaffler.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> A night on the Severn around Upton was in order and although I fished all night, sat behind the rods I had very little action but for three Bream which the best weighed 8lb 2oz, a respectable weight, just not a Barbel, come 7am I still hadn't managed a Barbel and it was now time to move on to the next section of the river to try my hand there instead. </p><p> A short 6min drive up river bought us to a section of river I've fished twice previously which both times it was in flood, first time around 6ft up, the second about 26ft up!! the fields as you come down towards the river resembled more of an inland sea rather than meadows / grassy fields. At least on Saturday (3 weeks back now) the river was well within its banks, I just needed to find a Barbel! </p><p> The hours ticked by with very little incident, the faintest of touches occasionally getting my blood pumping before sitting back down to watch motionless tips once again, it wasn't all doom and gloom however as Brian continued his hot streak, landing something special, those details I shall leave it for the man himself to reveal, I however spent the day wishing to catch something akin to that, unfortunately for me even the best time of the day came and went without as much as a tickle.</p><p> My purple patch has officially ended, next up is a trip to the R.Itchen where I hope to rediscover some form, I would really love to chalk off another double soon, keep the run going before the cold weather comes in and I look to move away from my fixation on the Barbel front. ***EDIT: I also blanked there too...***</p><p> Until next time, tight lines and don't fall in, water is definitely feeling cooler already.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-22947669533873033582023-10-15T15:58:00.000+01:002023-10-15T15:58:13.526+01:00First frost! Epic Stuff.<p> </p><p> A sudden drop in temps in the last 48hrs has had my mind drifting away from Barbel, to tell the truth I think I need it. Yesterday evening I got my gear together to do some trotting with Perch in mind. It has been years since I targeted them specifically and feel it's something I will do a bit more of this autumn.</p><p> One of the issues I have is that there aren't many areas where Perch reside, let or lone big ones. With my current personal best weighing in at a pleasing 3lb 6oz which I caught some 20 years ago! I think it was time that I changed that and with this fall in air temp I dusted off my LureFlex 9ft rod for its maiden outing.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKgBmf2rDmSZhQSutybGpts44eNrFy7DiDX9Y7GW8FxjvtktslMc_QAAzjOmABSCST_Zt_1S0U0T-QlbGf9mEO2G9rwSvQURbG3WSlSqpt-gpoLa7rhePBlsrHFDmDdAP1lsFfu_OhD-kmsYBsPMtzJhay37eeMHKWftBZNwd9KDDSe6-j-dNLBBJhu8/s5184/IMG_7515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKgBmf2rDmSZhQSutybGpts44eNrFy7DiDX9Y7GW8FxjvtktslMc_QAAzjOmABSCST_Zt_1S0U0T-QlbGf9mEO2G9rwSvQURbG3WSlSqpt-gpoLa7rhePBlsrHFDmDdAP1lsFfu_OhD-kmsYBsPMtzJhay37eeMHKWftBZNwd9KDDSe6-j-dNLBBJhu8/s320/IMG_7515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9ft 15g-50g version.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I set the alarm for an early start as I had about 1hr20min of driving ahead and given the very clear cold conditions I knew it would be a sunny start, so I wanted an hour or so's fishing before it got too bright.</p><p> Having never fished this particular area before I just went with what I knew and hoped for the best. </p><p> Using small livebait's I worked the inside shelves and overhanging bushes etc to see if anything was present, after about fifteen minutes I watched my bait head one direction, then very quickly double back in a blind panic, the float bobbed and then shot under, there were no chance in missing that. A firm strike was met by some impressive resistance as the rod lurched over and line was sent peeling off the clutch. The fight didn't last too long and just a couple of short powerful runs later I had what was almost certainly a personal best Perch in the net! When it first came into view in the murky water my sphincter loosened up a tad! I've only ever seen one or two Perch that size before and never to my rod. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbuAzXe-8S6eiSdTXJNiOAbwziHI63P3lscgYqWriyNqZpTR2c0242kBnHvnCW7AxEDkOCv4tYW8MTwbiqkbCv-yev_KUvLxMC5TjpJaK4h9c0UfavkP9XRabOS0sJzuWGFyZioc9aLNHz8QAEe52E-xYg26t42cPychWB2mLqUrrKPbpsmE7GTY0uTU/s5184/IMG_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbuAzXe-8S6eiSdTXJNiOAbwziHI63P3lscgYqWriyNqZpTR2c0242kBnHvnCW7AxEDkOCv4tYW8MTwbiqkbCv-yev_KUvLxMC5TjpJaK4h9c0UfavkP9XRabOS0sJzuWGFyZioc9aLNHz8QAEe52E-xYg26t42cPychWB2mLqUrrKPbpsmE7GTY0uTU/s320/IMG_7507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woah!!!! </td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p> I wasted no time getting my camera set-up and sling wetted and ready to see just what this magnificent creature would weigh and it's suffice to say I was not disappointed, first Perch of the Autumn settled on 3lb 13ozs! PB buster, that will do!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j9yeJyV0EPKx6VuKCVJJUN5ONWN1eas1qZ3iWVlA_uj2JisTNVTIatsiizRA0ISwaUL3feaxJ9x-7ZpOCuxpSBCQr4OxTeGIOVQe0xK6yusxLALioRGymVhXvJp-v4hwuxVpgXIjjLYudF_HCoG87zP2_zjMb_U4hSYYUF-yFwS8NprTSQcwAboYGdk/s1346/IMG-1470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1346" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j9yeJyV0EPKx6VuKCVJJUN5ONWN1eas1qZ3iWVlA_uj2JisTNVTIatsiizRA0ISwaUL3feaxJ9x-7ZpOCuxpSBCQr4OxTeGIOVQe0xK6yusxLALioRGymVhXvJp-v4hwuxVpgXIjjLYudF_HCoG87zP2_zjMb_U4hSYYUF-yFwS8NprTSQcwAboYGdk/s320/IMG-1470.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worthy of the early wake-up call!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> It's a fish of dreamt of for years, that old adage of 15mins spent in the right place is better than 15 years in the wrong place summed this capture up perfectly, but...could I find another? was I really getting blasΓ©, of course not! </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqJ2ElkP9nfOWNX8U-gH4zu7lS_i3TenOrLcqH-74J_FfWnvWLHHx5AheaD9YorBuViw_TSgZc3R2XZs57vFKOgdtl0qtdb0JHK3ToK-6Fs8Dq0_M6sUaeUXkhk4G0zUkEJuPg0O7b5kI0VMmvLirm0Y-pDo7PaK7m22cAUs7bMlr3xkKm8ixZGYXPtk/s5184/IMG_7510.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqJ2ElkP9nfOWNX8U-gH4zu7lS_i3TenOrLcqH-74J_FfWnvWLHHx5AheaD9YorBuViw_TSgZc3R2XZs57vFKOgdtl0qtdb0JHK3ToK-6Fs8Dq0_M6sUaeUXkhk4G0zUkEJuPg0O7b5kI0VMmvLirm0Y-pDo7PaK7m22cAUs7bMlr3xkKm8ixZGYXPtk/s320/IMG_7510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3t0ilPkycRCJTy0UyDETFXUEnEHuTBVDVAn_GZAmeXy7ZNxfReqjNITeXx1ujLK44ble9frBIHlH9IjkaJH6RrU2QIAd85T1pubn57730r5AZEV5E8mWz05577Sj-l25_wYF3DxEnJnezNqPHli53YxIRQK36EybB0sCV7rUBvyreY59ngP75ljPKFM/s5184/IMG_7511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3t0ilPkycRCJTy0UyDETFXUEnEHuTBVDVAn_GZAmeXy7ZNxfReqjNITeXx1ujLK44ble9frBIHlH9IjkaJH6RrU2QIAd85T1pubn57730r5AZEV5E8mWz05577Sj-l25_wYF3DxEnJnezNqPHli53YxIRQK36EybB0sCV7rUBvyreY59ngP75ljPKFM/s320/IMG_7511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> As the morning progressed the suns glow enveloped the river and felt the Perch would seek darker spots and lay up awaiting dusk before feeding again, I gave it a good 2hrs before deciding nothing more was going to happen. That was a big result for me and my first personal best in 19 months, however if more PB's are going to be bettered it's the predators bracket which is where I have plenty of room for improvement in my opinion, with that Perch this morning, it will be that little bit harder to surpass, that said, I'll give it a very good go!</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-5937367923309093972023-09-27T05:00:00.001+01:002023-09-27T05:00:00.137+01:00River Thames Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> Well well well, this purple patch just keeps going! I think the superlatives have run dry by this point, need some blanks to reset and no, this is not a spoof!</p><p> I shall start with the beginning, that would be helpful I guess. </p><p> A month or so ago a friend of mine, Rich, proposed that we meet up at some point for a bash at the Thames, it's a river I fished a lot as youngster. Barbel came up sporadically when targeting the Carp over night and managed some good fish over those years of carefree youth, my best was caught back in January 2013 weighing in at 11lb 9oz. </p><p> That eleven pounder was the last Barbel I caught off the Thames and remained my best until the present day. I thought the invite to the Thames would be a good excuse to put a rod out and see what the night might bring. </p><p> I loaded the car with my work and fishing gear, ready for a long day ahead. Working in Putney it wasn't a particularly long drive to the Thames but issues on the M25 meant the surrounding routes were suffering as a result so I spent over an hour picking my way through the tailbacks before finally arriving at the river 2hrs late. </p><p> Upon first glance the river looked in fantastic condition given the heavy rain we had endured for the previous 4/5 days. I must admit, I felt quite confident that one of us would catch a Barbel, but first, I needed feeding so off to the chippy I went. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd15dmpZ0MMJj9rKcsGqQj_b-bAdz9Fcx7rHZSn_cliFa6-NwBihlsYdbuWwQand8vBj8mg9nk9DRa_gNI-UIYOkTtvqHEPCI7NUYpg0Eri5Y4N1LpawprQ-E6lcgbrECONLvq-Lf7HR265MJ8FSHv6pIg5lxKhBdWu9ZE2VCyMESutJrxwR4-98bWhtE/s5184/IMG_7406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd15dmpZ0MMJj9rKcsGqQj_b-bAdz9Fcx7rHZSn_cliFa6-NwBihlsYdbuWwQand8vBj8mg9nk9DRa_gNI-UIYOkTtvqHEPCI7NUYpg0Eri5Y4N1LpawprQ-E6lcgbrECONLvq-Lf7HR265MJ8FSHv6pIg5lxKhBdWu9ZE2VCyMESutJrxwR4-98bWhtE/s320/IMG_7406.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p> After polishing off the grub I set about creating a decent area of feed and loaded my 6oz feeder with 2&6mm pellet, along with a large bag of PVA'd pellets, knowing this area of the Thames I knew I wanted to get the Bream grubbing around as I know the Barbel mill around with them. Pretty quickly the tip on my upstream rod began to bounce away, I knew what was happening and soon enough it was away, the culprit a nice Bream around 7lbs, the task now was to keep the bait going in and hopefully the Barbel would muscle in on the action. </p><p> For around 4hrs the Bream came at regular intervals with the tell-tale knocks before the rod hooping over, all of a sudden I had a sharp knock, almost like a liner and before I could even think of sitting back down the rod went into meltdown and the take was so savage the rod flew out the back rest and the eye above the reel seat whacked the Delkim and cracked the insert of the eye, with no need to strike I leant into the fish and immediately knew it was a Barbel, strong and steady out in the flow was a dead giveaway, for around 4/5mins we played tug of war before finally ambling into the margins, ready for me to slip the net under it, my first Thames Barbel for nearly 11 years.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V360EiTxn2uZwyp9AyfkBJ50NGBrxWqRrexw8cJoGC7nNe70r-Sm11kl6HgNVBYc_iA1NxCYDp3n2Zxp7y8pTiXqbGOGipAtncp8bG4yBeVTHwC7KIMPT7OBKkSqZoPNBwzv7zPtdfcWNrU2vutFZXBpTPImKCtCHcXx528VqfipguNAysws3-JOv-w/s5184/IMG_7378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V360EiTxn2uZwyp9AyfkBJ50NGBrxWqRrexw8cJoGC7nNe70r-Sm11kl6HgNVBYc_iA1NxCYDp3n2Zxp7y8pTiXqbGOGipAtncp8bG4yBeVTHwC7KIMPT7OBKkSqZoPNBwzv7zPtdfcWNrU2vutFZXBpTPImKCtCHcXx528VqfipguNAysws3-JOv-w/s320/IMG_7378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9lb 2ozs, happy days!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> A good fish to kick things off (0235) was followed by a couple of Bream where I had a similar take almost an hour later (0340) to which the Barbel decided that it wasn't going to play hard and behaved itself relatively well. A short stocky fish, much like the first! This was becoming a bloody good session, two Barbel on my return, it couldn't get any better could it? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4a9UdgIaIt6ZEVazAvjb2xUja0k0IhpC2m_MNa2y-pDS40TO4d8CZxG3YFy7llpRwHBb_QgrzaYsFCOhS5RcujBlECcycWzbp3oNKsRQVqh0iLlljix6YODSi6Odjn1uGw_CGscZXkBa-HAuwS_XDImm_eeH6CDe7WHePXaS8Ga-6EvUKadgwFhX4EE/s5184/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4a9UdgIaIt6ZEVazAvjb2xUja0k0IhpC2m_MNa2y-pDS40TO4d8CZxG3YFy7llpRwHBb_QgrzaYsFCOhS5RcujBlECcycWzbp3oNKsRQVqh0iLlljix6YODSi6Odjn1uGw_CGscZXkBa-HAuwS_XDImm_eeH6CDe7WHePXaS8Ga-6EvUKadgwFhX4EE/s320/IMG_7389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No2 of the night, 8lb 3oz.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> Bream number 14,15,16 and 17 came to the net in quick succession before the crowning glory. Sleep was something that I had to forgo, the fish were on me and still feeding. I had just finished a rolly then looked at the time when I heard the clutch left off some steam! I was away again and this fish felt similar to the nine-pounder, stayed deep and did not move much, in a couple minutes I think I moved it ten-yards, probably nothing more than that. All of a sudden it woke up and went ballistic, first of all it thundered out into the middle of the river with gusto before slowly making its way back towards my margin, problem was it knew about the weedbed that separated myself and the gravel channel I fished. It wasn't long before I felt the line rubbing on the weed as the Barbel ploughed through it, the horrid thought of losing it started to play on my mind after a couple minutes had passed with it still in the weed. </p><p> I changed the angles, applied more pressure, then slackened off in the vein hope the fish would come out on its own volition and it worked, soon enough the weight of the fish back on the rod, I wound down on the fish and did everything in my power to stop it going into the weed again, but nope, it managed to make its way back in there and the same thing played out, only this time I had to completely slacken off. With full trust in my micro-barb hook being firmly in place I just waited for the kicking again. With the battle now edging toward 10mins I wondered if I was ever going to get it in! 12lb line, 12lb hooklink and a 1.75TC rod I knew I had the right gear for the job so as was becoming slightly impatient I turned the screw on the Barbel and once again I could begin to feel faint kicks through the rod, at that point I leant into the fish and got it moving, this time I could feel the fish was tiring, this was my chance and with my "long reach" landing net pole extended fully I finally had Barbel number three in the bag, this looked decent, double decent. </p><p> After a long hiatus, I was cradling a double figure Thames Barbel. 10lb 9oz on scales made for pleasing reading. Whilst Richard was asleep I was hauling, I was having a pukka return on a river I enjoyed fishing for many years on the Barbel front, back in the late 90's and 00's double figure Barbel weren't as plentiful as they are now. That fish also set another record too, it was my fourth trip out in 5 weeks and managed a double on each of those four trips off four rivers, stupendous!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFuHuixktdsc7c_qQuwFKtZ6NN53hX2BTaeACKvabBOdwj3RBHGk6Ppf3BBdY3u-HIqOJ4UxEvz4b0ysqBsx6O2r9SJ_M9eRDOOwVj5-8CVwi52fJ_ie2nljyQVVdIfVB-4S6uozOM_DB8T2FBSC-kmsYOGPM5OKoAYdEBhk2DgTzsxssXsJ_5VpdR0/s5184/IMG_7398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFuHuixktdsc7c_qQuwFKtZ6NN53hX2BTaeACKvabBOdwj3RBHGk6Ppf3BBdY3u-HIqOJ4UxEvz4b0ysqBsx6O2r9SJ_M9eRDOOwVj5-8CVwi52fJ_ie2nljyQVVdIfVB-4S6uozOM_DB8T2FBSC-kmsYOGPM5OKoAYdEBhk2DgTzsxssXsJ_5VpdR0/s320/IMG_7398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A solid Thames double, yeehaw!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> Once I'd taken some pics I slipped her back and hoped the night wasn't over, but with just an hour or so of dark left I knew bite time would end soon and so it proved to be. Sunrise had come and gone to which point I packed down and contemplated my next move. Unfortunately no Barbel for Rich but that's angling sometimes, I seem to be riding the wave at the moment, it's surely going to petter out soon. </p><p> End of session results, 17 Bream and 3 Barbel (9.2, 8.3 & 10.9).</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-63950802240890299792023-09-13T06:00:00.028+01:002023-09-13T18:36:34.647+01:00River ColnBrook Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> My last two trips out resulted in two magnificent catches of Barbel off of the ( <a href="https://jamesthespecimenhunter.blogspot.com/2023/08/river-ribble-double-thats-wrap.html" target="_blank">River Ribble</a> and <a href="https://jamesthespecimenhunter.blogspot.com/2023/08/river-rother-sussex-double-thats-wrap.html" target="_blank">River Rother</a> (Sussex) ), somehow could I complete the hat-trick? Well, it would seem my purple patch extended into my third session, it has become quite an incredible 3 weeks. Almost speechless.</p><p> After more than two weeks off the bank owing to work and family commitments I hadn't managed to get out, so with the hot spell abating and an unexpected early finish I thought it would be rude not to go fishing for a couple of hours before heading home for dinner. </p><p> Around 1530 I arrived on the ColnBrook and had a wander with my rolling gear, very minimal gear and scoped out areas where I suspect the Barbel would be holding up and it didn't take long before I got a savage wrap around on my rod but when I struck nothing was on the other end, I suspected a Chub as it was typical for Chub to be present in this specific area. But on the other hand I could not totally rule out a Barbel.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7UZLNqrcdGlZ5TRDhpCp94Q1_1va6qH4JRweV7dqCkSAUwYt5xYn23i-8sqQO90DPYkMO7vO0yE76KqJk34F7BPEDzcfDGLy8FTmgK7IoxEuES8MSsqoxDOpniORdI-lw9fpewW9FtPBqjN7-O1f-2WuWGudmClg9hbNfs7OT1MJBMATw_9NR53EqJo/s4032/IMG-0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7UZLNqrcdGlZ5TRDhpCp94Q1_1va6qH4JRweV7dqCkSAUwYt5xYn23i-8sqQO90DPYkMO7vO0yE76KqJk34F7BPEDzcfDGLy8FTmgK7IoxEuES8MSsqoxDOpniORdI-lw9fpewW9FtPBqjN7-O1f-2WuWGudmClg9hbNfs7OT1MJBMATw_9NR53EqJo/s320/IMG-0964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tough to roll but doable when you know how.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> After that brief action I decided to stick it out in that area and got a bait on the bottom but after an hour nothing materialised so I moved upstream, rolling through various treelined runs but every run seemed devoid of life, all that broke that lifelessness was the constant flow of planes taking off from Heathrow, some low enough to cup your ears and feel the hot waft of aviation fuel whip past as they headed for foreign climes. </p><p> 2hrs of constant rolling meat and evading mosquitoes led me slowly back down to where I had that early action, I dropped my bag on the floor gently, crawled into position and flicked my bait across to the far bank and allowed it to slowly fall to the bottom ( around 4/5ft ) no sooner did it brush the bottom I felt a subtle pluck which was instantly followed by the raw power of a Barbel, my centrepin was in meltdown and my 1.5TC Drennan Twin-Tip Duo was bent right through to the butt, this fish was very strong and within half a minute I caught a glimpse of the fish which I knew was a double, that made me very very nervous indeed.</p><p> I think not seeing them for a majority of the fight makes it somehow easier, seeing this one so early on I knew how high the stakes were and this was a must win battle, ColnBrook doubles are very rare indeed.</p><p> Three or four times during the battle the line pinged off its dorsal fin and that did not help with the nerves either, twisting and turning downstream after long surging runs up and down towards weed-beds which seemed to surround me before inevitably it found one and wedged itself deep underneath, luckily for me the bed it found was under my feet so I had the chance to create numerous angles on the fish, with 12lb line and a micro-barb hook I knew the odds were still in my favour. I slackened off the tension and slowly but surely began to feel it kick gently under the weed where I then put the rod into full action and the Barbel eased out and back out into the flow to continue its crazy fight, this fish did not want to come in, mercifully she was tiring and it wasn't too long before I finally had a ColnBrook double resting in the net, we both needed a breather! That was enthralling to say the least. </p><p> I didn't need to weigh it to know what I had achieved, but I did anyway, of course!.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV575Tw-GM7BFq9c0ygnlqh_dxBkLHz6y6nJsbr4MXucNo0YfJQ9b_xNkHLlp41Up3308_v9PXIIwpILikakdxIwQ4rnD2Kb1CF6fy7FhIVfkGyETmuOi0Awq4cNZN-lhCaLRcw2fi41PPTmGXJD5ngWzB5ahlhVuLbGSo4WRCqXTJq8Fv-e_W6eXYYAo/s4032/IMG-0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV575Tw-GM7BFq9c0ygnlqh_dxBkLHz6y6nJsbr4MXucNo0YfJQ9b_xNkHLlp41Up3308_v9PXIIwpILikakdxIwQ4rnD2Kb1CF6fy7FhIVfkGyETmuOi0Awq4cNZN-lhCaLRcw2fi41PPTmGXJD5ngWzB5ahlhVuLbGSo4WRCqXTJq8Fv-e_W6eXYYAo/s320/IMG-0980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> With great anticipation I watched the scales settle on 11lbs 5oz, EPIC!!!</p><p> π₯π₯π₯ RIVER NUMBER 22 COMPLETE!!!! π₯π₯π₯</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CtsrtBKaAqu0MW3KMvQH3jNpPmcBKf0mdudJQlrDCRIckNaJxbfix5RlzCVSSUhaAo8GggKQk8VRqgtDaTg6jC8ij9AMo5geAirCLBFgq9bT8tH7z67qHIcmG_tJK8IhTDHvzShtcu9ewTmesgeGmmGgsXlKWSn_ZCZrtiqaDHVV6NoaPRDR4NZZKU/s5184/IMG_7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CtsrtBKaAqu0MW3KMvQH3jNpPmcBKf0mdudJQlrDCRIckNaJxbfix5RlzCVSSUhaAo8GggKQk8VRqgtDaTg6jC8ij9AMo5geAirCLBFgq9bT8tH7z67qHIcmG_tJK8IhTDHvzShtcu9ewTmesgeGmmGgsXlKWSn_ZCZrtiqaDHVV6NoaPRDR4NZZKU/s320/IMG_7374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ColnBrook beauty.</td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p> I honestly don't know what is going on but that's now three trips, 4hrs on the Ribble, 10hrs on the Rother and now 3hrs on the ColnBrook and caught a double off each with no other fish featuring, there is no way I could top this run, could I??? Right place, right time and the right tactics and watercraft.</p><p> Bring. On. Number 23, please :) </p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-62922935473750153022023-08-29T06:00:00.086+01:002023-08-29T17:19:58.705+01:00River Rother (Sussex) Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> Well, what can I say? Last Sunday I had the absolute pleasure of achieving my goal of targeting and slipping the net under a R.Ribble double - seen in my last post. Just seven days later I have already added to that feat so here is how it went.</p><p> I had a couple of plans running through my mind but in the end it was a toss up between the Kentish Stour or the Sussex Rother, it being a bank holiday weekend I assumed the KS would have been busy so after opting to fish the Rother I went to bed and had a lay in too. I finally got up around 0715 and loaded the car then made the hour journey down to the river. </p><p> I arrived in the car park to find two other cars so it was nice and quiet, this meant it gave me the luxury to move around. I walked downstream and fed some pellet and broken boilies into likely looking areas that I would fish on rotation. Every 20m has a feature that you know should hold fish but unfortunately there isn't many fish present, just handful throughout miles of river, it really is a needle-in-a-haystack kind of task.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPsTYiGbGkn0XE4QN6b8owj1nd5y5PGsjsv0-PDKuIAo4vuEePfSxj3LgcP2O5p7l42O7WLMWCsdZReSO1fVRivJrvoOaivt_qbtyS4UxgUSvuMAsjOaHVb6w1Xe8WnEhYIrTlhSfZ_zpttJorAuSvGZWMi9GG9mpLfzK6viNnnaizUwCWuYBIkE1LNk/s4032/IMG-0736.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPsTYiGbGkn0XE4QN6b8owj1nd5y5PGsjsv0-PDKuIAo4vuEePfSxj3LgcP2O5p7l42O7WLMWCsdZReSO1fVRivJrvoOaivt_qbtyS4UxgUSvuMAsjOaHVb6w1Xe8WnEhYIrTlhSfZ_zpttJorAuSvGZWMi9GG9mpLfzK6viNnnaizUwCWuYBIkE1LNk/s320/IMG-0736.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poised, waiting, unexpectantly.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I stayed in each peg for anything between 45min to 1.5hr just to make sure if anything was present it gave them plenty of time to build confidence, but only one of those pegs gave me much of an indication which was almost certainly a chub bite that got me springing into action to strike at nothing, crafty fish. That peg however would feature again on my way back up to the car. Around 1400 I stripped down the rod and switched to rolling meat as the river has a decent bit of pace of it. Ideal for rolling meat. It's a tactic that has had its hand in a few successful missions and hoped it would do the same for me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic19OEb4v-zpuq1Nk_r9RhHkrB6P9fGI_GdAqQ2yw9OGGXD26wSy37xyVqzDs8JSwjifKlR91y3Q79XUy2LhuzKBHfGuL8ZP4nhE_zG51Rs3IV8VG2zY9UFHuVTwknm1uj7u6_xQ7DjXZGqwGAuBcRWJo5BVxJu48sox0PDsXri0PG61pOH1GsmMUfrTU/s4032/IMG-0739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic19OEb4v-zpuq1Nk_r9RhHkrB6P9fGI_GdAqQ2yw9OGGXD26wSy37xyVqzDs8JSwjifKlR91y3Q79XUy2LhuzKBHfGuL8ZP4nhE_zG51Rs3IV8VG2zY9UFHuVTwknm1uj7u6_xQ7DjXZGqwGAuBcRWJo5BVxJu48sox0PDsXri0PG61pOH1GsmMUfrTU/s320/IMG-0739.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rolling set-up ready to leave base.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Around 1700/1730 I packed in the rolling meat to which I had no joy even though I covered some brilliant looking pieces of water. Once arriving to that peg mentioned previously I switched back to my static approach as it had been rested a few hours, before I set off rolling meat around 2pm I had thrown a few small chunks of meat in to hopefully stir something into feeding. </p><p> I popped the rod out off a nice steep slope where the river drops suddenly from 1ft to 6ft which seemed like a sensible place to position my bait, an hour or so later whilst munching through my sweets the rod savagely hammered round and my 70 year old match aerial pin roared into life as a big powerful fish steamed off downstream, I was in no doubt it was a Barbel from the outset.</p><p> The initial run was extremely powerful and had my 1.75tc 12ft rod bent round to the butt as I put absolutely everything into stopping the fish from going under the trees as I knew even with 12lb line I stood little chance of getting her back out, the area I was fishing was gnarly, littered with weed, overhanging branches and a submerged tree which ran downstream that was about 50ft long, I was literally running the gauntlet with a fish in tow that knew it surroundings well and had no intention of making the battle easy. </p><p> I simply had to put the power and faith into the gear, thankfully for me I was slowly gaining on her after a few minutes, my heart rate couldn't deal with it much more, such an adrenaline rush when your backs against the wall. Slowly but surely I began to win and seconds later I shipped out the net on top of a weed bed and at the third attempt I got a glimpse of a solid Rother Barbel resting up, safely in my net. What a relief that was and my prize was this powerhouse, glistening in the sunset, its these moments is why I do it all! All the blanks, all the travelling, hot, cold, wet and windy, the expenditure on club books, fuel etc, every single penny well spent.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdzwt01xLFnDA37mW06wNyOhx5u_0sIxMYIchxZ78FrpoiikKnzj2fnMooB0RjfV2p1IQGPEZBMU7e839O-pGs1SS-owc6rliX8-MeMnXGePuxX25wyuNcZGrRxSjp5SeBKkcx2741imBLgkmvqDXdneVJo-3-zmw3R79nUHSNg6XI2zpMQvmGuis2wM/s1468/D5BDA439-AEE1-4510-822E-7CF52F22A5B1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1468" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdzwt01xLFnDA37mW06wNyOhx5u_0sIxMYIchxZ78FrpoiikKnzj2fnMooB0RjfV2p1IQGPEZBMU7e839O-pGs1SS-owc6rliX8-MeMnXGePuxX25wyuNcZGrRxSjp5SeBKkcx2741imBLgkmvqDXdneVJo-3-zmw3R79nUHSNg6XI2zpMQvmGuis2wM/s320/D5BDA439-AEE1-4510-822E-7CF52F22A5B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sussex Sunset Seeker, 12lb 10oz!!! GET IN!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsZnp1L5R-Ny00gSv8LqxjZC2VeEhF4ASLeu1EqvBAmG8V4y9ezN_Brvn938oBNs2RDR084Csk3BEnalgDcP9vDNcQfh5RbYwmbmmbpeVTtsMlbqhEtrh5UrvxCgIRvsJbKH_CX3C7bSFe1SQ39NSbwXorgeDTUupR1BoSrjp5W-jUS4jpT-QW8cnF0Q/s1000/IMG-0762.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsZnp1L5R-Ny00gSv8LqxjZC2VeEhF4ASLeu1EqvBAmG8V4y9ezN_Brvn938oBNs2RDR084Csk3BEnalgDcP9vDNcQfh5RbYwmbmmbpeVTtsMlbqhEtrh5UrvxCgIRvsJbKH_CX3C7bSFe1SQ39NSbwXorgeDTUupR1BoSrjp5W-jUS4jpT-QW8cnF0Q/s320/IMG-0762.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an awesome beast, this sight never gets old.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I had done it! For a moment I was speechless, every one of these fish are very hard won and some anglers don't see one of these Barbel all season! and those who are lucky to catch them 60 blanks a season are commonplace with just a couple of fish breaking up those blanks, utter madness. The winning formula, a big chunk of meat with a small PVA bag of little bits of meat. </p><p> I could not have been more chuffed, truly epic and this wonderful looking Barbel completes river number 21. 2 achieved in the last 7 days. How could I possibly top that. Time is tight in my life at the moment so I do need things to work out when I do get out fishing. It has done on my last two trips and very thankful for it too.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-32995174693383837062023-08-22T06:00:00.025+01:002023-08-22T06:00:00.137+01:00River Ribble Double, That's A Wrap!!<p> </p><p> While taking a break up in the Lakes with the family I knew that could present an opportunity to take the gear up north in the car and seeing as we crossed the Ribble on the M6 heading north it would be rude not to give it a go at some point, the Ribble is one of my most northerly target rivers and to achieve the unthinkable would be immense.</p><p> The only time I ventured on to the Ribble previously was back in March and the river was in a terrible state where 5oz leads didn't hold bottom in the margins. This time around things were very different. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhibft2bsh9r6uo0yX_Zzdm33DlE9ipN4fu4hrcryscn5WQnnmbZ2nTZmx3cx46N_o1ZZi6-HsTF8JvcNurAgjF1CSA5dJgH1bcLdO8-z9sW0GrL-04hVVtq8cziFnJIxPSHMfHz8ke4bXsVd8D8UExJw6VoXhZcnDpwwhngpG6U_puhHeI1OU20HjYKU/s4032/IMG-7171.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhibft2bsh9r6uo0yX_Zzdm33DlE9ipN4fu4hrcryscn5WQnnmbZ2nTZmx3cx46N_o1ZZi6-HsTF8JvcNurAgjF1CSA5dJgH1bcLdO8-z9sW0GrL-04hVVtq8cziFnJIxPSHMfHz8ke4bXsVd8D8UExJw6VoXhZcnDpwwhngpG6U_puhHeI1OU20HjYKU/s320/IMG-7171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly less benign.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxqIN9-EwPzDVcxSePWbP-36USTr8PG0QFo3E7aRxj5Ek4QiBsBGKCc3P7pMsr39NjdiL012EWL2D4GKRdH9lppQjVxF7igPpcPEl58UVatGwM8VBOYYnALwyJFoBPfR4B0QVe6cCyYBAseM8M_ohvkvyu2VhWaRBWVvL2g0dffYg60syY0c_VahmMhI/s4032/IMG-0511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxqIN9-EwPzDVcxSePWbP-36USTr8PG0QFo3E7aRxj5Ek4QiBsBGKCc3P7pMsr39NjdiL012EWL2D4GKRdH9lppQjVxF7igPpcPEl58UVatGwM8VBOYYnALwyJFoBPfR4B0QVe6cCyYBAseM8M_ohvkvyu2VhWaRBWVvL2g0dffYg60syY0c_VahmMhI/s320/IMG-0511.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I was greeted by on Sunday evening.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Sunday evening I made the 50-mile trip south with the gear and made my way up to an area where it was reputed to hold Barbel and somewhere that I felt I stood a chance. With such a big river it was a bit daunting as to where I should start exactly. So I leaded around briefly to try and find any gullies or drop-offs where Barbel might patrol and within 5mins I found a good gully in between two shallower banks, this was to be where I would set my traps.<p></p><p> A single 12mm robin red pellet with a small PVA bag on one rod and a large lump of Spam on the other rod was my go-to, all I could do now was wait and hope that there was something moving around. As mentioned above, the conditions on my previous visit were not ideal. However, they weren't fantastic this time around either as the river was really sluggish and barely moving owing to very little rain where it matters. I just hoped it wouldn't hinder me and around thirty minutes later as I was staring at the shooting stars arcing across the skyline my pellet rod went into meltdown, nearly losing my rod in the process!</p><p> Immediately I had to loosen the clutch as the fish really fought hard from the get-go and knew I was attached to a Barbel or a Carp, obviously, I was really hoping that a Barbel was pulling on the other end and once I finally got it out of the gully and over the rocks I saw what I was attached to and knew it was my target fish, all that was left was the small task of coaxing it into the net which it was not happy about, she stripped around 30yards of line off and was back in the middle of the river before I could blink, such was the power of this fish I was not in complete control for around a minute, once I finally got it under control she came in gently with no more than a plod for the bottom, the battle was over and even better still it was a double! The scales were readied along with the mat, but oddly not the camera...yes, I bloody well left it at home in the middle of the bedroom floor. I could not believe it, but thankfully for me my iPhone is pretty decent and the couple of images I got were sufficient.</p><p> My first and last Ribble Barbel weighed a very pleasing 10lb 13ozs and represents the 20th different river across the U.K that I have managed a double figure Barbel from and the halfway stage of my epic journey.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl96HJydNnw515tkjxAkLb3vBkjxCs-xKhh6aTvXrYPBq67LUCC8VTllsOFkj0l4Ms0dDqpejD-R2mxFrJGRj_7HdAAIw7NgPKqU41i6zgmWhAJAKV7_NNAbQ7fziGo5u85H8ch7DjP52wURa3QTD3mfl-6ziIHO-XSZVT4YeU-Q2829z4E1LCnto4qU/s3835/IMG-0519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="3835" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl96HJydNnw515tkjxAkLb3vBkjxCs-xKhh6aTvXrYPBq67LUCC8VTllsOFkj0l4Ms0dDqpejD-R2mxFrJGRj_7HdAAIw7NgPKqU41i6zgmWhAJAKV7_NNAbQ7fziGo5u85H8ch7DjP52wURa3QTD3mfl-6ziIHO-XSZVT4YeU-Q2829z4E1LCnto4qU/s320/IMG-0519.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very happy man!! No: 20!</td></tr></tbody></table><p> That. Will. Do!!</p><p> The mighty Ribble conquered in very quick fashion indeed, it was the fish I needed and the hard work was mainly done before I had even stepped foot on its banks. Once she had left the sanctuary of the net and back home I sat back thinking about the achievement that's just been made, that sense of success is so good when I calculate all those times that I fail, every day is a school day!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuZyDAmXCFe74LFGHOU7kV12zhHuwUoPKkE4GA7cAuLoMRHfC_DI4fdfcONKFPha8Fk3FQtI0QKLgdTn75lhxQ4ftoAkPltsy5DJd0qTr3sqapsx6RXAg17TMfMbBCYf2yQ8v_YyCbLhVDMunkUd6TtCS_YiW7gl5WCBqDyyGjpxlIkcklTy4S375gA/s4032/IMG-0521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuZyDAmXCFe74LFGHOU7kV12zhHuwUoPKkE4GA7cAuLoMRHfC_DI4fdfcONKFPha8Fk3FQtI0QKLgdTn75lhxQ4ftoAkPltsy5DJd0qTr3sqapsx6RXAg17TMfMbBCYf2yQ8v_YyCbLhVDMunkUd6TtCS_YiW7gl5WCBqDyyGjpxlIkcklTy4S375gA/s320/IMG-0521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City lights with Mars shining as bright.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> The rest of the 3hr session passed by without more than chublet pecking at the Spam and a small chub falling off as it was coming to the bank on the pellet rod, Mission Complete, on to River Number 21!!!!!<br /></p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208553062175205485.post-14858415124061042742023-08-16T16:09:00.000+01:002023-08-16T16:09:27.405+01:00A Gap in the Nettles.<p><br /></p><p> After opening my account on the Blackwater a few days later my next trip was beckoning. This time I was heading back up to the Nene where I hoped that my run of poor form was turning the corner, a 9+ off a tough river like the BW gave me a bit of confidence whilst making the 288 mile round trip up towards Peterborough. </p><p> A decent run up there meant I managed to get fishing before witching hour in a spot my mate Ross knows holds a couple of fish around late-summer, we hoped this would be the scene of success and finally chalking off my 20th river. We sat chewing the fat and as bite time came and went we wondered what if..., so many ideas running through our heads but you could only fish one spot at a time. At kicking off time we packed up with nothing to show for my efforts.</p><p> The next morning I woke up at 0430 and headed over to a spot that I felt maybe worth fishing for a couple of hours but unfortunately someone was already in there and had THREE! rods out in a small mill pool, really not necessary but that's fishing, I felt he was doing himself a huge disservice having three lines out in what is a tight area and quite likely the Barbel were on high alert before he finished setting up.</p><p> With that disappointment I went back to the car and drove about 3 miles downstream to another section where I static fished for around 3hrs in an area known to hold early season fish, but again I had nothing but a couple of tentative Chub taps. Once those 3hrs had passed I had decided to completely change tact and opted to stalk Barbel in the backwaters, only travelling with the basics. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKNjWHap8w3hOdtfSfpakaIqN8kcFAVNuk6co22uF5_d0uWZfliURwnqMQJgrn58f-HfCJTLbtkgVSGJd7Z7TXXegqoIghe2NRR91QB9Dx-sRHZ548ee3i5itJMqTtsktDxKuYpuT12T_If3oDDS23PI5eG4NACqK686hbAcPOPmLuWxr8OYYlzTzRqU/s4032/IMG-0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKNjWHap8w3hOdtfSfpakaIqN8kcFAVNuk6co22uF5_d0uWZfliURwnqMQJgrn58f-HfCJTLbtkgVSGJd7Z7TXXegqoIghe2NRR91QB9Dx-sRHZ548ee3i5itJMqTtsktDxKuYpuT12T_If3oDDS23PI5eG4NACqK686hbAcPOPmLuWxr8OYYlzTzRqU/s320/IMG-0339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful looking bits of water.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I covered some superb looking areas with numerous areas that I thought would hold Barbel, it wasn't until 2/3pm that I finally found a Barbel and it was my target fish, a long thick set Barbel came cruising downstream past me and held up in a clump of ribbon weed before coming up in the water and flanking twice on some clear gravel, this fish of about 12lbs was the fish I really wanted and it was within reach. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9nbYKEWGWXZeYdaD5cLGMqAg_SD3huvZYFr2Ft7_hxqMU4tAgJE4Z7osbGsDVPhwGEWbfYlfxU7suriajyMS3KS1Z96a5IeENgwYsvCqLqt_UiEuSnp2z6tuoqZLvPUmNp0j8cajBySun7XNCU8P6klEyAwmQvpXxbUy13AJFJIUoKxLqy5S03FqYbo/s4032/IMG-0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9nbYKEWGWXZeYdaD5cLGMqAg_SD3huvZYFr2Ft7_hxqMU4tAgJE4Z7osbGsDVPhwGEWbfYlfxU7suriajyMS3KS1Z96a5IeENgwYsvCqLqt_UiEuSnp2z6tuoqZLvPUmNp0j8cajBySun7XNCU8P6klEyAwmQvpXxbUy13AJFJIUoKxLqy5S03FqYbo/s320/IMG-0345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stealth mode activated.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I rolled meat continuously until it became apparent that wasn't going to work so I pinched on a couple shot and allowed it to gently come to a stand 8-10 yards downstream, alongside a bed of lush ranunculus, a modest sized piece of meat was just waving enticingly on the gravel and as the initial minutes drifted by I was very confident of a take, as the minutes turned into my first hour my confidence that the fish was still in the area was on the wane. Given the fact I hadn't seen it I changed my tactic again, by replacing the meat with a 2ft tail of 10lb flourocarbon and size 10 hook along with a scaled down 15mm boilee and small PVA bag of 4/6mm pellet with a tiny lead to minimise disturbance and up stream put another rod out around 20yards to see if it had passed me by and was sat just above me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXD5viEflPL6DN4UCj7fWbI6ZyVkKWbVflE_030KYJNc7JgkPWa447FHm9Xo0BDLPOvyaPaOiX4lDC0w00_HJTMkAq8bQuTU7OUJzNkl8TFrYY_RugTUdUwilQVa2QnIfnr2i5VSEaDe3cX2EGNWqkoAKLYbUBzFIH2_Q7N0auFh8Z9KSQ_pX-1G5X2c/s4032/IMG-0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXD5viEflPL6DN4UCj7fWbI6ZyVkKWbVflE_030KYJNc7JgkPWa447FHm9Xo0BDLPOvyaPaOiX4lDC0w00_HJTMkAq8bQuTU7OUJzNkl8TFrYY_RugTUdUwilQVa2QnIfnr2i5VSEaDe3cX2EGNWqkoAKLYbUBzFIH2_Q7N0auFh8Z9KSQ_pX-1G5X2c/s320/IMG-0343.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rolling gear :)</td></tr></tbody></table><p> I spent the next few hours hoping she would come back but after a good 4/5hrs I finally gave up and decided to try somewhere else for dusk which was the spot I fished the evening before. Unfortunately night fishing is not allowed on the sections I was fishing so I was reliant of the witching hour doing the business but there was a familiar lack of action and by 9pm it was almost time to call it and another visit to the River Nene ended in a blank. This wasn't before an Otter showed itself cruising the far margins in search of dinner. </p><p> Just to make matters worse my 1hr 49min journey turned out to be 4hr 20min as the Dartford crossing was down to 1 lane and when I was approaching the roadworks the signage and my App said 20mins delay, that I can stomach so decided to ride it out, WRONG! that 20min delay ended up being 2hrs 31mins!!!! I was fuming to say the least and when I finally got on to the bloody bridge it was down to one lane for one bloody van! Absolutely disgusting. It made what was a tough trip and blank even worse. </p><p> I think I'll leave the Nene now until next season and create a plan of attack for an earlier season leviathan.</p>James Denison Anglinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02713988521860790219noreply@blogger.com4