The Glorious 19th

Date fished 19/06/2024

8am until 4pm

I know, I know! but with other commitments on Sunday (16th), this was the first day I could fish. I was back on the rivers. The mighty Tees today. 

I met Ellis after he had a slight detour, its been so long he got lost! We tackled up and walked to the river. Hacking our way through the vegetation, we were soon at the edge. Not sure if it was just the moment, but it looked spot on! 

Tactics today were simple. Float rods with maggots and hemp. I started to fish whilst Ellis set up the camera. It was all going well until I caught a dace and went to show Ellis.  A disagreement with a boulder and I was nearly underwater. Apparently Ellis has it on video, so we look forward to that!? Take care when wading, always wade with a friend and you won't go wrong. Apart from a wet bait pouch! 

We were both catching dace when my float buried and the fish pulled back. I quickly declared perch, Ellis guessing chub. After a spirited battle a nice perch lay in the net. We put a number on it. 1lb 6oz and it equalled my pb. Long story short, I then caught two more perch, different fish due to distinct markings. But all three weighed 1lb 6oz. A triple of pb equalling fish!? Am not sure if I should laugh or cry!?! 

Ellis caught dace and roach but soon he was to get amongst the predators.  He played a nice fish towards him and we both saw the pike come into the fast water and grab the fish. He played both for over 10 minutes, again on video, hurry up and edit it Ellis! The pike let go several times but grabbed it again before Ellis could intervene. The pike was maybe net ready, but it let go and a mangled roach came in. It was returned to the river, presumably pike breakfast! 

We fished a while longer but decided to move on.  A further five swims were fished with varying success. We caught nice dace and roach throughout the day, probably ending on 50 fish between us. We both commented that we were bad at counting exactly, but also agreeing it doesn't really matter! 

My last fish took an hour of trotting back in the first swim. I thought it would be easy, but it really wasn't. Ellis went and fished the feeder slightly downstream, but with no fish visitors. My final fish was a good sized roach, no pic as I didn't trust myself not falling in again with my phone!! 

Glorious Geek!

I can't wait for my next trip and not just because it will be my 300th blog post! 

Hashy B's

Date fished 2/6/2024

4.45am until 9am

6 Hashy B's

I left the house at 4.45am, arrived at the lake at 4.47am. Perfect! 

The lake looked great. I decided to fish at the opposite end to where I usually do, as it looked so fishy in the early morning mist. Two rods, both ledgering sweetcorn with plenty of loose feed of corn and pellets. 

Short rods and easy tactics. It seemed to work as I was soon getting knocks. At 5.48am the rod hooped over, I was in. I played the fish, it was certainly a tench as it stripped line during a couple of powerful runs. The problem with this lake though, is birds. Well, ducks really. Any bait you throw in, they come on over and any action, they seem to know. I was playing the tench in front of an audience.

Unlike an audience that just sit, these guys get in the way. I don't know how or why but I was shusshing them away whilst playing the fish and the inevitable hook pull and it was away. I felt 'ducked'. 

Soon, reinforcements arrived. Rupert, Martha and Bertie joining me to chat, cast and pretend to coax the ducks away, when in reality Martha wanted to feed them corn! 

As the sun got above the hill, it turned bright and warm. Midges drifted over the swim. I was planning on fishing until 10am and then home for some chores. With no more fishy action but great company, it was no chore to up sticks early and head for hash browns and chocolate milkshakes at 9am!! Now, that's perfect!!