2025 Review

January 

First trip, first fish. A grayling!! Eventually, I had lost three and Ellis had skilfully landed two for about 2lb. The Tees grayling here are a really good size. Freezing cold, but a fish in the net warmed me up. 

February

The second trip of the year and I was back on the Tees. A mild trip with cheese paste ledged mid river. Swims where we had knocks before produced nothing. I waited it out after having a rove about, but nothing materialised. Deciding for an early bath, I headed home for tea. 

The second trip in Feb was another gruelling day! It was freezing cold and a grayling and out of season trout all to warm my hands up - oh and some hand warmers! Where were those chub? Commitments meant it was unlikely I would get out much before March 14th. Hopefully just one more trip!!

March

It only took one more trip and indeed one more cast (well it was the second in this new swim) and all was forgotten. A pb, A yearly target. I was buzzing.

I planned to sit it out all day, in to dark if needed. I had no plans and was committed. Well, in reality I was in a fettle, didn't really want to fish and actually fished out of spite of it being the last chance on the river! I am glad I did. I fished some usual areas, then decided to go somewhere I don't usually go to. I have been there in the past, I saw a barbel once, my first ever river siting. I cast to it and spooked it when a chub came out of nowhere and grabbed my sweetcorn. I remember that day so well. This trip it was again a single chub, but at 6lb exactly, it was amazing. My first six, a new pb and truly stuff of legends. 

I was looking at my best two captures on the Swale, given I have fished it for about 10 years they occurred only 250 days apart! The chap on July 6th 2024 and the pb six pound chub from the final day of the coarse river season 2025. Shame to think, I was on my own for both and didn’t share with my fishing buddies or family. Just weird how things pan out. 

April

Three trips to Tilcon af varying success. Stubbornness to use more summer baits like corn and bread when it was still cold overnight probably my downfall. A few fish caught but nothing like the pole dudes using maggots, they were bagging, the lake coming alive. Some nice perch caught by anglers too, has got me thinking!

May

Just like that it was May. It's been a warm, with freezing overnight April. I saw someone's greenhouse thermometer showed a high of over 40 degrees and a low of minus 1 during the month! Its also been dry, not much rain at all, I assume the rivers will be low. I have seen on the book of faces that people are chucking fluff on the flowing water with some pet trout being caught. It's still Stillwater for me and another trip to Tilcon. Using just prawns as bait, I was hoping for a two pound perch, a two pound bream with one eye and an ide my only catches on the first trip. 

Two more trips in May around work parties. The highlights being the actual work. I blanked at Tilcon and Wydon, my most local lake, I thought the tench would be awake. The work involved general lake clearance and building a platform in a peg. Really enjoyed chatting with other members and I must of done some work cos I ached in the morning!

June

A trip to London usually involves fishing. This time it was on the Grand Union in Milton Keynes. Jar caught one nice perch, his first ever but sadly the zander eluded us. Nice to catch up though even if there was little else being caught. 

Then the rivers opened, the usual anti-climax. Ellis and I hit the Tees, a forgettable trip in tough conditions. We actually tried two areas, driving between them at half time, something we very rarely do. We usually find something by walking the stretch. A few wasps for Ellis and I blanked. 

A blank the following day, but at least I had contact. Certainly a barbel ripped my rod off and if it wasn't for the line catching on the rod rest, I may of had a chap as my first river fish of the season. Its swings and roundabouts, an enjoyable day - of course the big man caught a barbel, he really is on a barbel streak at present!! 

My first fish of the river season was a first from the swale for me, Anguilla anguilla finding its way into my net after devouring a one inch cube of meat! I managed a solitary chub too, the river was low and clear and only going to get worse over the dry summer.

July

Just the one trip in July. The start of my Tees barbel campaign, or was it? It was certainly not as full on as other sessions. I more dabbled in areas and really ended up trotting maggots or ledgering worm to actually catch something. A nice chub on the float and a good sized perch grabbing the worm making for an enjoyable first try.

 

 The kids and I had a quick session for chub at Morton, Rupe would of had his first chub if I had been a bit more patient!! sorry son. 

The Tees perch from barbel trip 1 

August

Two 'out and out' Tees barbel sessions were all that I mustered. Two weeks in Florida with the anticipation of bass fishing, sadly timings and theme parks got the better of me and no fishing was done. Swimming with manatees was an amazing experience though!

Back on the Tees, there was chub and dace to be caught. I was definitely in the right place, with the right bait. I just needed some luck or a barbel to slip up. Would I ever get that Tees barbel?

September

A moving bait approach again tempted two good sized chub. The gonk was a bonus, how it thought it was eating an inch cube of meat, I have no idea! Anyway, a few hours stood mid river trundling meat or pellets to the fish below the fast water was awesome.  Sadly, no barbel this time.

 I am definitely learning patience! 

I said we needed some rain, we got lots! The river had risen, then dropped and was approaching 1m (it rose to 1.8m) but I went anyway. Fishing the slacks, I hoped a barbel would slip up. Plenty of snags, lost tackle but an enjoyable three hours. 

An evening session with Ellis followed and although there was a fish on his hook when he reeled in for the last time, we both recorded blanks! It looked perfect for a barbel, we fed an area and fished ledger tactics hard on the bottom. It just wasn't to be. At least we avoided the big pile of dog poo as we trudged through the woods in the dark back to the cars. I will take that small win!

A few hours free on a Saturday, so I nipped down to Tilcon. I couldn't get in at first as the key lock is now a number code! I must have missed that memo. Anyway, a quick message to Philip and I was in, I had the code all along! and now a useless key. Keys | Recycle Now

An enjoyable few hours catching perch, they just couldn't leave my worms alone. A good sized ide being the highlight and meant I at least got the net wet!

The last pic of said net 

October

Theft is a strong word, I prefer borrow. A trip to the Tees for barbel resulted in a dropped net, that got borrowed. I fished on, with a pit in my stomach that if I hooked the elusive whiskers, I would struggle to land it. I left early. 

A day off in the week was welcome and as I sat in the sun behind the feeder rod, all was forgotten. It was lovely to see the water lapping gently at the edge and soon, over my boots! The river rose quick and the crease was gone. I left early. 

London calling - I answered. Float fished small dead baits on the canal for zander whilst chatting nonsense with an old school friend and eating kabanos - yeah, that was a perfect few hours, minus any fish!

Rarer than a zander - all five of us together

Saturday night was party night, as above shirts and jackets! so Saturday morning it was a quick trip to the small river. Travelled by train, it was fun. One lost fish and to be honest, more walking than actual fishing. I really enjoyed my time in the South. 

November

Success this month was shared. Well, taught. Maybe. I had been trying to get Rupe a chub for a while. He finally caught one, all on his own. I was looking at pictures on my phone when I heard the cry of "Dad, I have one". 

His first ever chub, 5lb exactly. Caught from the swim Davey caught his first ever chub and Tom caught his first Swale chub. I really am the best guide. 

No other trips were made in Nov. 

December

A last trip to the Swale, a blank. Amazing as I have faith in my ability to catch winter chub on cheesepaste. Not this time. 

A final trip on the final day and it was not too dissimilar to the first. Tees grayling with frozen rod eyes!! 

You can't moan when they look like this!! 

Another year completed. Highs and lows as always. Next year, I have a different Yorkshire club to explore and will be fishing some different North Yorkshire rivers. 

So, targets. I caught a 6lb chub but not the rest. I am fairly confident I can tick off the rest of them this year, the zander will be the hardest as it means travelling. I will try my best. 

I will also amend the barbel one too:

One barbel from two new rivers and a new pb barbel.

Thanks for reading and I will catch you next year. 

Double delight

Date fished 31/12/25

8am until 10.30am

11.20am until 12.30pm

After my double blank earlier in the week, I planned a double success today. I thought I would go full circle on the year and end with a Tees grayling just like the year started on 18/1/25. But also  I hoped to get one from a second river on the way home.

A sharp frost greeted me. Minus two and windows that needed scraping. I was soon on my way though, heading south. I arrived at the Tees and walked quickly to the spot. Its a favourite spot for Ellis and I to catch grayling. No idea why they love it there, but they seem to. 

The island was very different now, loads of fallen trees and debris washed up on it when the river was several metres higher and bombing through. Today it was low and clear  but looked spot on. 

Third trot through and a fish. A grayling. All was well with the world! 

Three different fish

I fished on and in the next hour, I had six fish. Three nice grayling and three annoying out of season trout. The next 90 mins brought cold feet and three more grayling, the last one being the biggest as seen below.  It was time to put my plan in place. 

I drove North and headed to the Derwent, tributary of the Tyne. There are no grayling in the Tyne but they are in here, I have caught two here before. 

Second trot down, the float buried. I played the fish towards me. It was an annoying one though! I cursed and quickly unhooked it in the water. Is hard not to catch these trout out of season, who does not love a maggot on a cold day!?! 

I moved upstream and fished my way back. The highlights were a kingfisher whizzing past as I was wading mid river and getting stuck in a tree for what seemed like an age. Sadly no grayling and I headed home. 

As I pulled up to my house, a parcel force guy was crossing the road. He was holding a big box. He got to my door and knocked. I jumped out my car and gave him the greeting "thumbs up" 

He knew straight away.

"This your house mate? Great timing"

I took the box from him, marked 'Theakstons, handle with care' and laughed with him on the amazing luck of timing. 

Luck in life is not always fish or no fish! 🤣

Twixtmas, 'Crimbo Limbo' or 'Feral Week',

Date fished 28/12/2025

7.30am until 1pm

After a busy Christmas, I ensured the southerners left Northumberland, then I was free to go fishing. 

A spur of the moment decision meant I grabbed one rod, the net (new), terminal tackle and a ball of Cheesepaste. I headed to a club water on the Swale. 

I have been in this club for over 10 years, but have decided to switch it up this year and join a different area to target. I am sure I will be back soon. 

Unfortunately today's trip was a blank, well a double blank, more on that at the end. 

I tried several swims and although the river was high, it was still clear and very low in some places (I didn't understand why). 

A mink popped it's head out several times whilst I fished in this swim. 

In one particular swim, three knocks on the rod resulted in no bait. Whether it was chub or crayfish  I will never know.  It was fairly mild, but I still relaxed with a hot drink whilst watching the non moving rod.

I met another angler on my way back to the car. He had lost one fish and he headed back over the swims, I had vacated. 

I headed to a local brewery after checking their opening hours to buy a crate of beer I have recently found. It really is amazing!! 

I parked up, walked to the brewery to find it shut. Checking the date again, I realised I had got confused as to what date it was.  Gotta love the post Christmas, pre New Year period!! Ffs.

Rupe's chub

This post is not about Rupe putting on weight, or indeed going to the gym or making some kind of protein milkshake concoction in my special beer glass. It's about him trying to catch a chub as I guaranteed him I could help him....

Its been a few trips in the making, starting some years ago (sept 2021) when we went to the Swale with my dad. Rupe caught a crayfish that day and declared that was a fish - Fishin' Impossible: Tired out

Then all subsequent Swale trips that were masked by grayling, trout or pike were actually chub trips too! There have been 4 blanks on the chub front. 

Fishin' Impossible: Junior anglers

Fishin' Impossible: Minn-ho ho ho

Fishin' Impossible: Dork hat

Fishin' Impossible: Catching salad

12/7/2025 - 90 mins

A hot day and evening meant we could not be arsed with driving to the Swale. 

Trying to buy a local day ticket was 'awkward' but we managed to visit the Tyne. 

Rupe fished meat and bread flake alternating for an hour and a half in the evening. It was certainly pleasant sat in the shade as the paddle boarders went up and down. No chub though!

A trip to the Swale end of July and it happened - 27/7 - 7am until 1pm

Well, it would of if it wasn't for dad to muck it up.  

We fished the Swale again, all three of us. Two rods. Meat and worm - the worm just got attacked by small stuff and the meat just sat. Eventually some local advice arrived and put us on the potential for a pull. Rupe crept into position and cast mid river, the flow took the bait under the tree and we waited. It wasn't long and the rod began to twitch, I was so excited I shouted at Rupe to strike. He obliged, but far too early and the chub was gone. I mean, it might have been a barbel - who knows. 

We kept on but nothing came back, another blank on the chub front, but a minnow, called Gary (obvs) got impaled on our hook. He went back strongly though. I swear, I will get Rupe to catch his chub this calendar year!

1/11/2025

7am until 10am

I woke Rupe up by switching his bedroom light on. We had agreed a gentle shake does not work and he usually goes back to sleep. Cup of tea, homemade sausage muffin and we were off. Wanting to put everything 'down by my feet' said rupe, I let him pack the car. 

We had not left Hexham and he was fiddling with the radio. November must mean one thing. Heart Xmas! Over an hour of nonsense, but we did get a spaceman and a fairytale! 

Travelling light it was a quick scamper to the river. It was high but fishable and looked good. We started in the swim we ended in last time and started to fish. The cheesepaste we made last night was ledgered on the crease towards the over hanging willows. 

Nothing here, we moved on. 

The sun was warm but blinding. we moved on. 

We came to my usual spot. I helped my dad and Tom catch their first Swale chubs from a particular peg. I tackled up a 7ft rod and shepherded Rupe to the swim. He has fished it before, but would today be different? 

"I've got one dad!" I heard, as I checked the photos on my phone. 

I scrambled down behind him, with a near useless net and scooped up his prize. For a first ever Chub, it looked a beauty! 

At 5lb exactly, we were both over the moon. We rested it and watched it slowly swim down and through the weed. 

Was there time for me to try in the first swim again, if I could only pry the rod out his hands!!??

Not a chance! 

Catching trains

Date fished 25/10/2025

8am until 11am

I fished Brian's small river for a few hours this morning in the hope of a barbel. 

Two trains and I was there. I tackled up in a swim where I could see some fish. My ledgered breadl flake got interest but not a proper take. Eventually I got too excited and spooked them. 

I walked along and looked for fish. Not seeing any here but remembering Brian, I fished in a not so secret swim. In the summer the vegetation would cover the entrance.

My line started to tighten, I grabbed the rod and was in a snag. I could feel a fish on too. The fish won and managed to get free. 

I left empty-handed, but I kept my pants on! 

Mk 2

Date fished 24/10/2025

9am until 1.30pm

A trip down south, meant two things. Fireball and zander! 

I picked Jar up from the train station and we headed towards the canal. This time we float fished deadbaits. 

We walked the length and fished likely looking spots in the shade. We started in a turning basin where we saw plenty of fish topping but no predators lurking around. 

Sadly we didn't catch any zander, but we had a great trip. I think on this occasion I will leave it to jars photography..