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.