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..

Very appealing

Date fished 22/10/2025

8am until 2pm

I had booked some days off work, but looking at weather etc decided I would take today for a fishing trip. I was back on the Tees, not targeting the barbel but if one came along!! 

I arrived early and walked to my chosen swim. The river looked good and I had a nice crease about two rod lengths out. The aim was maggot feeder with maggot on the hook. I did have some breadcrumb I had mixed with predator liquid. I have two bottles and never really used it, so thought why not!

It was bites straight away. I had watched an otter in the swim as I arrived. Was lovely to watch it and it was not fazed by me. Eventually a rattle turned into a proper bite and a nice perch was landed. 

I fished on and apart from a deer, two kingfishers and a buzzard it was quiet. I played around with the rod rests and if I put the rod flat, no bites. If I put it up high, constant knocks. No idea the logic. 

The sun was lovely, I didn't need the big coat, but I had it with me. 

Another fish  a dace that was the same length as the perch. No pic as I was trying an arty shot close to the water, you know the rest..... 

I was having a lovely day. I noticed my rod rest was now in the water. Soon my chair legs were in the water. My feet were in the water. The crease had slowly disappeared and was now the main flow. 

As lovely as a day it was, I decided to head home, via a couple of tackle shops.