Reely odd first fish

Date fished 20/6/2025

9.45am until 1.45pm

A red hot day, weekend, week, but I had the day booked off work. Once the kids left for school, I decided to jump in the car and try the Swale at Northallerton. 

I walked around a section that has changed 'again'. Ellis was telling me about the change, but I thought he meant the previous change as he had not been there for a while. I now realise he meant this change, and I agree Ellis. Its unrecognisable!! 

I am sure the fish would find new areas to live in the deep, fast currents. All I managed to do was realise I couldn't wade through as I usually did. 

I cast in a piece of hotdog sausage, am still trying to catch on this bait. The rod gave a slight twitch, I struck and a fish pulled back. It was a jagged fight, I soon realised why. A good sized eel had taken a liking go my sausage! 

I managed to unhook it, but not hold it for a pic. It really was a wriggly bugger. I needed some shade, so walked the long way round to the bank opposite. Finding a shady tree, I sat down and leisurely cast meat this tine against the far bank bush. 

A few minutes was all it took, the rod bouncing as the fish dived into the bush. It was snagged, I pulled, no luck. I took off the tension and left it for a minute, I could feel the fish still swimming about. Eventually, I gave a smooth sideways pull and the fish was out into the river. Quickly unhooked, photo and rested, it was away back to the bush before you knew it. I was happy. 

I walked to a few more swims and even fished mid river for a bit. No more fish, but the weather was getting a lot hotter. 

Sitting in my favourite spot, I threw in a couple of slices of bread. I was sure catching on floating bread would make everything OK. No fish found the bread, so I departed.