Ronnie or Reggie |
Fishin' Impossible
My blog about all my fishing thrills and spills.
Saturday 12 October 2024
Two club chub
Sunday 29 September 2024
If I only fished to catch fish. I'd of given up ages ago....
Saturday 21 September 2024
Small perch gear, Big perch gear
1lb 8oz |
1lb 5oz |
Saturday 14 September 2024
Lost float 😥
Date fished 14/9/2024
6.30am until 2pm
Driving to the river this morning, heavy rain greeted me in North Yorkshire. I had checked the forecast, 0% chance of rain. I had taken this at face value and brought no coat. It reminded me of a 'joke' a brother told to, and about his sister on Christmas day when I was in Australia. Its not funny or pc, so I won't relay. But it's strange what things go through your (my) head.
I put my waders on as waterproof and set off towards the Swale. It was still early, a 4am alarm had its effect. I settled in a familiar swim, but I don't recall having much luck in it before. I know it can be good, but not often to me.
First cast was with a boilie that was still on the rig from the Wye. It was not a proper 'first cast', I just did it to get settled and put some feed in. Rarely for the Swale, I had a feeder with groundbait on. Usually, the hookbait alone is enough for Mr chub to find.
Now, my proper first cast, with meat on. It had been in the water five minutes, and the rod hooped over. A 3lb chub finding my bait quickly enough.
I continued to ledger for an hour, by then I wanted to be more active. I set the float rod up. Catapulting a few pouches of maggots had the desired effect as after a few casts my float disappeared. I wanted it to be a barbel or a chub. It was a grayling!
An hour of float fishing was enough exercise for the arms but the legs needed some, so I headed off upstream. I found, in my opinion, the best looking peg on the stretch. It looks so fishy, but no one has told the fish!! Not a touch. They just don't live here. I know where they do or did, so I headed there.
I wish I hadn't. I decided to change rigs and float fished small cubes of meat, as I was pretty sure some chub would be on the far bank. Disaster struck when I got snagged in a tree, not just hook caught, but more. Pulling for a break, it happened. I lost my favourite bolo float. It has been prominent for so many years. I think that's why, I am writing this in such a sad mood and my usual flair is missing.
It was now about 11am, so time for lunch.
I walked back downstream to check what changes had occurred. The fields now had no fences and some swims looked very different. I tried a few but with no luck. I stopped in a swim one up from where I started this morning.
A very recognisable chub soon in the net. Just over 4lb. A large lump on its head.
As usual, this got me thinking. I wonder who has caught this before, let me know!
Ellis and I have chatted a while ago, I think I have mentioned this before. All the chub should be numbered, so we can tick off each one individually. Trying to catch them all, or actually knowing how many chub there are?! I realise I am trying to turn a wild river into a commercial.
I will just give up there. Off for a beer.
Oh, I walked firther downstream and found some fish feeding on the surface too, but didn't manage to catch them either.
Saturday 31 August 2024
Last day of summer!?
Date fished 31/08/2024
7.15am until 1.30pm
Autumn was fast approaching last week, but now summer has come back for the last few days. I was not sure where to fish, asking the daughter was no use as she replied "I dont care daddy". I took that to mean maybe try feeder fishing for bream on the Tees, so off I went.
By now the rowers had started and the river was not just alive with fish topping, it had a human presence too. I was the only angler on the bank, but a few went by on a boat. The dragon boat whizzed past with some encouragement from the cox.
The fishing was slow but I kept changing things, mainly my position to stay warm. Maybe I should of trotted maggots somewhere? Then the rod nearly got pulled in, thinking it was something big was quickly quashed as a tiny perch came in.
I watched something chasing fry in the shallows, so next reel in I jigged the worm behind the feeder. It is a new technique I call "drop feedering". I am awaiting the patent lawyer's call anytime now. Anyway, a perch grabbed the worm, so it must have some merit.
The wind was now blowing straight at me and it was chilly. I decided to call it a day.
19 degrees the car now said!
Seems shorts was the right choice, but now I am looking forward to Autumn and winter, they separates the men from the boys!
Saturday 24 August 2024
Little miss loud
Sunday 18 August 2024
Location, location, location
Date fished 18/08/2024
7am until 3.30pm
Location was key today. The river was low and clear so we had to find the fish. We also accidentally interrupted another angler on the opposite bank. He was hidden and we didn't see him, so firstly just want to say sorry about that.
Ellis invited me as a guest to fish a Leeds stretch. He got me a visitors day ticket, so away we went. We arrived at the car park at exactly the same time, at least we know that location, although Ellis claimed I parked a few words away from the three he sent me!
We walked to the river, it looked good, the dark and gloomy morning helping. I did have sun cream with me though!
There was another angler on the opposite bank in the swim we wanted to fish, so we went to find a new one. Ellis was already tackled up (for once) so he was fishing first whilst I got ready. He started with maggots and was soon catching bleak and small dace and attracting attention from pike. I started with meat and was catching nothing.
We thrashed the water but no other fish were caught. I hooked and lost one. After a break, I decided to return with the rolling meat kit. The korum touch ledger being chosen.
Second cast and the rod was nearly ripped from my hands. A spirited battle in the flow and a chub about 3lb soon in the net. After another few casts and with Ellis now stood next to me, I caught another. I now had chub of 1lb, 2lb and 3lb. Perfect.
As is usually the case in our fishing. We share. I mean, Ellis finds a good spot and I come poach. Well, today was different. The next 10 minutes and Ellis managed a chub closer to 4lb and a barbel of 4-5lb. He had definitely learnt my poaching trick!
The barbel came to the net in about 10 seconds, not realising it was hooked. But then it did! It swam out and gave Ellis a battle in the strong current until I manged to net it again. We rested it, then when we let it go, it just sat between us. Sat on the bottom, not moving but holding in the current. Was fascinating to see how it 'swam' from so close. It got bored of us, turned its flank and was back to where it wanted to be.
As Ellis went for a nap, I fished on for my own barbel. Nothing came, so we went to try a different location.
Thirty minutes here quickly turned into an hour. The sun was warm and with a 90 mim drive home, I decided to head home. Ellis stayed on and sent me a pic as I bombed up the A1. I hoped it was a massive barbel or a piece of kit I had left behind.
In true Ellis fashion, he had found another good location. No words, just this picture.