Dork hat

Date fished 3/11/2024

8am until 12.30pm

You may remember, I asked the kids what they wanted to try and catch this year. Rupe said a pike and Martha said a chub, (she has since changed this to a river carp!!) . I wondered if I could sort both together? Well, I could try. 

Earlier in the week, I went to Tight Lines North East and bought some dead baits. It's been a while since I did this style of fishing. I remember why now.  It can be frustrating, but rewarding! 

We set off early with pain au chocolate, wrapped in tin foil. They were eaten well before we left Hexham. We had two rods, one for pike and one for chub. The usual tactics. 

Martha wore waders, but hadn't checked if they fitted. She had tried the boot on but not pulled up the legs. She waddled all the way to the river moaning! 

We started at the washing machine peg. I was hoping for a chub here but thought a pike may be on the cards too.  We lacked stealth, the kids creating the actual noise of a washing machine! 

It just turned into a place for selfies. We moved on upstream and found the perfect swim. We waited and only got snagged. I remembered the pit falls of pike fishing. 

You can see Rupes float, waiting for a bite

We moved on and found another perfect swim. No bushes, no cover. Just a slack on our bank in an otherwise expanse of flowing river. It was 10.40am, we cast in and gave ourselves until 11am. 

I had explained to Rupe about reeling in slowly when we are moving on as this can still produce a bite. At 11am he started to reel, the bait came inches to the bank and rose in the clear water. We both saw the pike follow and lunge at his bait. It grabbed it and he held on. He played it like a pro and we were soon netting (a bit downstream) his first pike. Very proud dad. At 8lb 7oz it was a great first fish. 

We moved on upstream and found a swim we thought was chubby, we could also sit here and eat our lunch, chubby too! 

The cheesepaste was cast in by the bush and we waited. I am not sure if it was Martha wiggling on the chair or a fish but the rod definitely did something. There was nothing on the end though and even the trick of giving it until 12.30 didnt work. We left happy and still wanting more, isn't that the best way!? 

The dork hat was a phrase coined by my dad and his mate Les on a fishing trip. I think Rupe wears it well!!

A dog's dinner

Date fished 23/01/2022

8am until 12.30pm

Tom had not been fishing in a while and wanted to go Pike fishing. After much fanny, a plan was formed. I had put some feelers out last night and (again) Jason had some responses, Preston Park. It was an area I knew well from seeing it with Ellis from on board Big elbow, but I had never been there on the bank. It was free fishing and there was a good chance of Pike, dogs and Perch. Yes, you read that right. Jason warned about alot of dogs! 

We set off at 6.30am and headed South. In next to know time we were parked up and headed to the river. I had ledger gear with worms as bait, Tom had deadbaits and a lure rod. We found a swim where we could set up and soon my rod was getting knocks. 

The Michelin man was not getting cold! 

Boots a la Essex

Plenty of bites here but no fish

No fish here so we headed off. We worked our way along many swims to find some fish. We looked for signs on the water. There was lots of fish topping. We hoped the fish under the water were feeding. Our friendly Swan had a look for us! 

No fish here lads

We were mostly fishing close in, only about a rod length out. We were positioning baits near to bushes, snags and likely looking spots. As we positioned them, I felt it appropriate to take up a gnome position, says Tom.

A gnome?! 

We spoke to many dog walkers and families as they too enjoyed a morning by the river. It was nice to be in the hustle and bustle, in comparison to river trips where I see no one for hours. In some of the swims we saw used deadbaits that had been thrown in, clearly showing this area is well fished. 

We sat together in a swim watching our bite indicators, Tom admitting he was more often watching my tip instead of his float! Suddenly it happened, a dog darting from no where straight into my bag of bread crumb!! I grabbed the bag and a white nosed black Labrador emerged!! The dog ran off to it's owners as I glared at them. They walked on totally oblivious to the day light robbery. I wonder what they would say if I was in their fridge at 3am!?!  

We fished on and soon it was time to pack up. A short trip that unfortunately ended in a blank. It was great to recce a new area, and feed the local wildlife.

Predictions

Date fished 3/1/2022

8am until 3.40pm

It's surprising but there are still club sections of the Tees I have not fished. There is always the old " stick to what you know" approach when sometimes it would be good to "try somewhere new". Today was one of those days, Ellis and I went to fish a "new" section of the Tees, albeit close to where we have fished before. 

The river levels were predicted to be back to normal after it's New Year Eve exploits, and it seemed Ellis and I were too. We had decided to hedge our bets and each brought two rods. One for Pike and one for Chub. I brought the newly christened Korum Snapper Cult deadbait rod and the 7ft River ambush rod, perfect for Chub in tight, snaggy swims. 

It was still mild, but colder weather was predicted. 

What we were not expecting was the height of the river. With no further rain, the river had risen again. The banks were dry but the river full and rising. Not ideal conditions for short rods and not knowing the beat. We headed upstream to see if there were fishable swims. 

We had started at peg 62 and walked up a fair way. We fished around the 48 to 50 area. I walked a bit further and found the bridge at 45. 

We found some swims and started to fish. I alternated between Pike and Chub gear whilst Ellis mainly targeted Chub. 

A dog walker shouting to his dog, made Ellis come over to see what all the noise "I" was making! I told him it was not me as I had nothing to shout about! 

Ellis divulging that he had missed a bite, re cast and hooked a Chub. He was just about to net it and it got snagged just in front of him and came off. This spurred me on, at least they were feeding! So I stopped taking photos and concentrated! 

After a while of no bites and snagged in the bush, I walked and joined Ellis. I set up my rod again and thought I would poach one from his swim as he was still getting bites. I got into position and promptly cast into the tree!! 

I tackled up again, and then sat and ate my lunch and chatted. I knew I was beaten. 

I declared to Ellis there would be no snow today, far too warm. 

After a while, we headed back downstream to see if we over looked some swims on our march upstream. We found a couple of promising swims right where we started. It's amazing how the river does not look as fast after a few hours of looking at it. I guess your eyes get accustomed to the movement. Anyway, we fished here, and a strange eruption when Ellis threw in some old bait, the only notable comment. 

Ellis then left as its Carole's Birthday - Happy birthday!! 

I fished on. I walked downstream to the low 70's and was soon at where Ellis hooked the (Barbel) Pike in the Autumn. It was not fishable today, so I turned around and headed back. I stopped in a good little swim and took stock of the tackle. I could not fish with the short rod, and it was unlikely there would be any Pike swims. So, I changed things around and was soon ledgering meat on a 3.25 tc Pike rod. Perfect!! 

No self respecting Chub would fall for this crude method, and none did. I ended up in peg 62 for 20 mins just because I thought it would make a great story when I caught in there even after we walked away from it first thing. 

Sadly, that didn't happen either! Seems I can't predict that! 

I have just got home, came via the A68, was OK until the heavy snow at the end. Seems my predictions were wrong on that too!

Pike Fishing by A.R. Chumbley

29/12/2021

8am until 3.30pm

I always wondered what it would be like to write a book. Let's see how it might go. 

A snappy cover pic would probably be something like this: 

Then I would detail how my fishing trip went, maybe like this:

A red sky in the morning.... well you know the rest. However, Ellis and I are not shepherd's, so we didn't let a red sky stop us going fishing. We met just after 8am at a section of the Tees we usually fish in summer. We usually trot the stick float with maggots and catch some decent fish. We also get plagued with Pike when we have 2lb hook links and size 18 hooks. So, today we came with 15lb line, trebles, newly made traces and Pike gear only! 

A gentle down hill walk got us to the river. Quite a bit up on normal level and with some pace, but the gauge said it was dropping. Some mild weather expected later in the week, so hopefully the Pike would be on the munch and we would find them in the slacks. 

We walked to the first swim and cast in. We had decided to fish in every swim together, with only one rod each there was enough space. I had (very old) Lamprey as bait and Ellis had Mackerel. As the floats bobbed around in the water we chatted about past and future trips, work, life and generally just caught up. 

It was Ellis that saw my float start to bob, twitch and slowly slide away. I was straight on the rod, fish on. I soon realised this was the first fish on my new (now 12 months old) Pike rod and I didn't want to lose it. I played it carefully and soon it was guided to the net. Ellis rested it while I got ready. Soon the fish was unhooked (easy with barbless trebles), photographed, weighed and returned. A pristine Pike of 8lb 8oz definitely worth a good few pics! 

We tried a while in this swim, but no more fish so headed downstream. We fished our way down to where the trees blocked our path even though we think our club water continues further along this bank. We will have to consult the maps. By now the skies had darkened and the rain heavy. The wind soon picked up too and the day was turning miserable. We turned around and headed back up stream to fish some swims we had walked past. Every swim was fished for 20 to 30 mins, two rods. Checking all the slack water, even that only inches from the bank. We were sure another Pike would be waiting. 

Eventually we were back to the first swim and we swapped positions ( I had caught my fish on the left, so Ellis now fished here. I am a goodun!?!) and fished on. Nothing doing the second time so we headed further upstream to areas we had not fished today and never seen before in summer! They were always covered by thick vegetation. We found a perfect looking swim. After getting snagged, but getting all my tackle back, I sat back and we both watched Ellis's float, desperate for it to slide away. 

Sadly the float stayed still and as the sun came out and dried us off, we tried our last swim. Ellis even got the lure rod out and tried with a large lure to knock the Pike over the head, when that didn't work it was time to call it a day. A slow trudge up the hill to the cars. Once the cars were loaded, Ellis gave me a Christmas present. Not a typewriter or dictionary to aid my writing skills, but a soup thermos. It seems my envious stares of him tucking into hot soup on cold winter days had not gone unnoticed!!

So back to writing my book. Two things I think I would struggle with:

1. Editing and selecting one picture. Clearly, as seen above, I just put all the pictures in as I couldn't choose.

2. My books title. I don't think Mr Hartley would appreciate me just nicking his! 

Proper blank!!

Date fished 2/1/2021

8am until 1pm 

I am already a day late this year. I remember new years day last year sat on the bank of the Tees with a groundbait feeder for Bream. Today I met Ellis and we were on the Tees hoping for Pike, with trotting gear for Grayling as a back up. 

There had been some good Pike caught on the Tees recently so we were keen to get amongst them. We decided to not bring too much tackle as we thought we would end up doing a fair bit of walking!! I didnt think that walking would be through three inches of snow!! 

We arrived as several other cars also came down the lane to the fishing spot. Five cars in total. It was like a commercial pond! We said good morning and headed off. The snow was like little balls of frozen rain and we didn't think it would snow for long. We walked down the track to the swim we wanted to fish. The ground was patchy with snow so we set up and waited.

Within 10 minutes of setting up the snow changed to large flakes. Within about 20 minutes areas where we had stood were covered. The sky was dark and the snow was not going away. It was peaceful fishing in the snow and I longed for my float to bob and sail away. Sadly it stayed motionless as the snow came down harder.

We alternated between dead baits for the Pike and trotting maggots for Grayling. Ellis did alot more trotting than I did, I managed about seven casts! And two of those were the dead baits into the two swims we fished. I don't think I got even close to a fish. It's a shame as the photos would have looked ace today.

We walked to another swim and tried in there. The snow had stopped again but it was getting colder. Thinking about getting stuck on these farm track roads or other roads nearer to home, we decided to call it a day. 

Ellis had a few bites on the maggots, but on reflection it may have been a snag or a leaf. It was tough on the Tees today, but as I keep saying "we really do have some great adventures when fishing!" 

We trudged up hill back to the cars and indeed the track was ropey in places but I can report, we are both home safe and sound. Licking our wounds and hoping for Chub on floating bread on a warm summer's evening, when I am sure we will be moaning that it's too hot and sweaty!! 

Shortest session ever, it's snow joke!

Date fished 24/12/2020

8am until 10.30am

The plan today was to fish the Swale. Watching the river levels app yesterday, all I saw was a big rise. I was determined to go, I even set the alarm for 5am to check the levels. However, it is now 6am and I just decided not to bother with the river. I will go to the lake at Ryton and see if I can tempt a Pike instead. The river trip may have to wait until tomorrow. 

I drove the short journey to the lake and parked up. As I got out the car, I wondered what the feathers were falling on my head. Looking up, I realised it had started to snow. Unperturbed I walked to the lake. The edges were frozen but there was plenty of water to still fish. Out went the lamprey and I waited. The morning was still, the lake flat. If it wasn't for the snow, I may have said perfect. 

As the snow eased off, I walked around the lake. Soon, the second swim I tried was just as snowy! I walked up and down to keep warm, my rod out over the lake. Just as I turned around a Kingfisher was getting ready to land on my rod, two birds in as many trips! My movement scared the bird and it spun on a sixpence and zoomed off around the lake. 

That's where the adventure stopped. A few more areas also didn't produce any fish. Alot sooner than I intended, as the snow came down heavier it was time for me to go thaw out. 

Short and sweet sums this up, but in reality it was cold and wet!! Nevermind, there is always next time.

 

Like watching paint dry

Date fished 14/11/2020

7am until 3pm

When Boris announced lockdown 2.0, thoughts immediately turned to "what we are allowed to do?"

I saw many FB posts about,' I will do this', 'You wont stop me doing that' and I am not going to preach to anyone. Just do what you feel safe and comfortable with, ensuring its within the law/guidelines.

I am still going fishing. I will be alone this trip as Ellis is working away. I will be travelling to my usual spots on:

the Tees,

the Swale, 

and when they are not fishable, I will be trying at Ryton.

The weather has been fairly mild of late, but with some heavy rain mid week, when I looked at the levels the rivers were rising. I crossed fingers, toes and other dangly bits that conditions would be right for the weekend, and as I sit here now on Thursday evening, I am still not sure which of the 3 options above it will be!

I decided to head to the Tees today and try for Pike. The river was in flood and dropping. I had seen another angler have success Pike fishing post flood, so I decided to copy. I planned on fishing a couple of areas, they are a 20 minute drive apart so I would use that time to reflect! 

Arriving 10 minutes before dawn (the time of day, not a new female angling partner!) I was set up and walking to the river just as it was getting light. I walked to the furthest swim I was planning to fish and would work my way back towards the car. I cast my float fished Joey Mackerel into the slacks and waited. 

After a few casts around the swim and a biteless hour, I upped sticks and headed upstream. I found a few swims I had never fished before, so I gave these a try too. 

I was soon at a familiar spot. Ellis and I Pike fished here last year. I plonked my kit down and ping! The strap on my Aldi special tackle bag broke. A few running repairs and I was back in action. 

No bites in this swim, so I headed to the car to drive to another section. Being in a club can mean sections of water close together. The club stretches are also spread out a little in some cases so it's best of both worlds. Today I fished a club stretch and an Association stretch, the latter is a collection of waters that all individual Tees clubs share for all their members. It's great to have more water and I still have not fished it all! 

A short drive and it was Pike 2.0 time. I now had Lamprey on the hook, my favourite Pike bait so I was hoping for a fish or two! 

Nothing in the first few swims so I walked on. There was an angler on my bank, so I stopped for a distanced chat. He was a dedicated Pike angler and had some good information. He was also a dedicated angler as he had come on a push bike!! It was electric though, but that's dedication! He only had to come from Darlington, I think from Hexham would be a tad far!! 

He told me that an angler, I had just walked past on the opposite bank had caught a 19lb 6oz Pike a few minutes before! He also told me that he had a take but his bait had no teeth marks, I told him that could be Chub. Now with my Lamprey I was hoping for Pike or a big Chub! You will know, I have had Chub on Dead baits before so is quite likely. 

I was fishing slacks only about a rod length from the bank. I found fallen trees or bushes to also target, in the hope a Pike was laying close to the structure. Nothing was happening so hunger got the better of me.

I fished on and tried swims I had found earlier in the year, that looked like they would hold Pike. They were just not "having it" today, or they were not home! As I crept forwards in a tight swim under a tree, I pushed the bank stick into the ground. Crack!, I broke the angle holder. Today was starting to rack up the breakages!

I enjoy watching the float. Of course I enjoy it more when it bobs, rises and slowly sails away. To non anglers it may seem as dull as watching paint dry, and I accept their opinion. But for us anglers, there's nothing better. So please enjoy.....