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! 

Too Keen

Date fished 6/6/2025

7am until 3pm

A house warming, birthday and Anniversary party in London immediately got me thinking about fishing. Sadly the rivers are still closed for coarse fishing so it was a canal trip again. I usually fish at Coventry on my way south, but some investigation told me that I could try for zander in Milton Keynes. Speaking to my host, he said "I can get there on a direct train, I will meet you"! And that's how a plan works!!

My mate Jar, aka Mum, aka Alan, who I have fished with before met me in "the Keens" in the hope of catching something. I was after zander, he was after everything. I had a lure rod and a ledger rod with sweetcorn and breadcrumb as bait. 

I parked up like a troll and had a few casts. It was shallow but definitely looked fishy. This was confirmed when I text the (best) only lure angler I know - Tom. He also had mean things to say about my tackle, so we will ignore him!!

With no bites, I went and braved the multitude of roundabouts and collected Jar from the train station. Parking back under the bridge we went off left to find the lock. A few casts but mostly chat as we wandered, we were soon at the lock. A nice grassy area just beyond and it was time to lazy fish. It was lovely just catching up, casting a little and watching the float as small fish attacked the sweetcorn. Nothing with a big enough mouth, not including us two that demolished a kilo (if not more) of sausage roll!

The heavens opened and we took refuge under a smaller bridge. We really did look like trolls here, although the views were spectacular.

As we walked back, it was clear that a lure and ledger approach didn't work as a team. The sun was bright and we could see fry and smaller fish in our margin. Jar fancied a go at lure fishing. I switched over the rods and soon we were both flinging plastic into the canal, not littering! Also some of his casts didn't make the canal, just the trees!

I had explained that a real lure anger would of changed their lures a million times by now, and would probably be flinging some kind of floating, ribbed, sinking paddle tailed abomination with a rattle.

Jar looked at the lure box and decided on a sparkly number. Second cast he shouted " I have something".

Those of you will remember, I was after a barbel on the small river for a while, I took Jar and he caught one just whilst holding my rod. I thought, had he now fluked a zander too?!

It was a lovely perch, his first. I was buzzing, not because it wasn't a zander, but just to be able to take a good friend fishing and share in their success/happiness. 

We fished on and soon I noticed a large dark shape swimming down the middle of the canal, then another and another. A large shoal of big bream were on a day out. I chucked in some corn and bread hoping to slow them down. A few went for it, but the shoal didn't stop. I quickly set back up the ledger but as a boat came round the corner, the chance was gone. I think the bream carried on to Birmingham.

I sat under the bridge as Jar cast around the edge. A savage take on the lure shocking him, but sadly it got off. As we were at the car, hot and bothered and I had been awake since 2.30am, we decided to jump in and drive the 60 miles back to his house. At three hours and 18 minutes, you have to "love" Friday evening London traffic!

Cheers Jar 

Photos from Jar:

Wet cement

Date fished 25/8/2022

7am until 2.30pm

As usually happens this time of year, I was seeing my old school friends. Old as in, I have known them a long time, Yume since we were six and also old as in, we are bloody old! 

On this occasion it was a boys weekend in London, so I filled up the car and headed South. Work commitments for Dwix meant I was able to do some fishing on the way down before descending on châteaux Dwix.

Immediately I thought of zander fishing the midland canals as I was practically driving along the toe path as I headed South. 

I left the house at 3.20m. A) so I could have a full day fishing and B) in the hope I would 'avoid' the traffic. I knew I would have the London traffic on the next part of the journey, so lets enjoy this bit I thought. 

I parked up in an area I only "knew" from Google maps (street view). This was research in its truest form. I had obtained a day ticket from the Tusses website, and looked at their fishing water maps, the rest I did with the internet and asking some questions on facebook. Thanks to those that replied and gave me sound advice. 

Tackle was simple, as shown above, I also had a net, mat and angler food. I parked up and walked to the Canal, it looked like any other and I was confident of some fish.

I started chucking a pink lure about, I walked a few yards and chucked it some more. Lure fishing is exciting but it does take some skill. Not sure I have that skill yet, but I was excited! 

Eventually I changed to a green lure and first cast it was grabbed. I was hoping for a zander but was rewarded with a stripey.

The canal changed from looking like a wild river with trees to man made sheet piled sides with houses next to it. I do enjoy fishing canals for the variety. 

I walked a few miles and only caught sticks and snags. One snag I was particularly proud of. 

It must be a pb traffic cone and being full of silt, it was pretty heavy. It was hooked fair in the mouth too, so definitely think I can claim it!? 

I got back to near the car and it was 12 o clock, I sat down and started eating my lunch, the heavens opened. I ran back to the car and had my lunch seated inside. 

After lunch I decided to try the other way from the bridge. Again, I thrashed the water with pink and green. 

I fished on and the heavans opened again, I was due to leave at 3pm but it was just after 2 and I was soaked. I walked back to the car and prepared to drive to London. 

As mentioned above, the canal is an interesting place,  full marks for drawing and I wasn't expecting that handwriting!!

Relax with an ice cream

Date fished 18/6/2021

7am until 3pm

Today saw us leave the bank and waders and climb on board Big Elbow, we were off for a days boat fishing. We were gonna be using spinners and small jigs in the hope of a Perch or two. 

We met (as usual) at 7am and prepared the boat. I threw the rope to Ellis, nearly breaking his nose. " No limp wristed throwing here", I declared.

We cast off and headed upstream. Ellis drove the boat while I tackled up and then we swapped. It meant we were ready to go when we got go the mouth of the Leven. We would fish here for a bit and then work our way back. 

Today was a relaxing day, I did alot more sitting than actual fishing. After two days of serious fishing it was just a great day to be on the river. Being on a boat gives a different feel and the gentle rocking certainly is relaxing. Ellis was first off the mark with a blank saving Roach, I kept trying for Perch but soon we were both on the float road with maggots trying to catch "bits". 

Eventually I caught one too and I was off the blank. No monsters but with the finger tip approach we could make all fish look splendid. Ellis doing a much better job than me!

Some of the silver's went on as live baits but the predators were not playing ball. The river had an algal bloom all over the slower moving edges and the green pea soup sticky residue covered our line, floats and well, pretty much everything! 

We tried swims we had caught Perch and Pike in before but still no joy. We tied up alongside trees and bushes, most of them were in the boat more than alongside! 

Eventually we came to where Ellis lost a big Pike a while ago. He cast out his live bait and it swam perfectly straight along the edge of the lillies. Ellis remarked " It's like an ice cream van for Pike, it just needs a little tune" on hearing this, I cracked up. Another classic line for the blog. 

Sadly no Pike here so we moved on. We were in another tight swim by some trees when suddenly the Pike float bobbed and sailed away. Ellis wound down to the circle hook and felt the surge of Esox. As quick as it arrived, it was gone. The live bait now dead with tell tale pike teeth marks across it's flank. We tried here for an hour but to no avail. 

The wind was getting stronger and I had drunk two litres of water in as many minutes and weed over the side about a million times. It was time for an early bath as I believe "something's coming home" tonight! 

It was a relaxed end to three great days fishing. Shame we didn't land the Pike, but I think Ellis is glad I didn't poach it out of his swim like yesterday. 

The relaxing is over as I will be going fishing again soon, "Great" I hear you say! Great indeed, I am going again tomorrow!! 

Real time Fishing

Date fished 18/10/2020

7am until 1.36pm

With "good" weather and favourable conditions, I thought it made sense to get fishing again. The rivers may be unfishable come the winter so I should make use of the mild October. This time I headed to the Tees. I was armed with meat, worms, pellets and some spinners and hoping for some Perch and if I was really lucky a Chub.

It's 7.38 and am sat on the bank. I have 2 issues. 

1. The river is high and I can't fish with spinners in my Perch and Chub banker swim.

2. I left the worms in the car.

I tried to fish below the weir but could not even wade out to my usual spot. I had a few casts but really they were just token gestures. Am now sat in the swim I caught a 4lb Chub in November 2019. Here's hoping. 

8.03 Come on! Lets walk back and get the worms! 

8.16 With worms now on the hook, I am feeling optimistic. 

8.28 The birds are up and about now and I am watching a woodpecker just above me, looking for breakfast. I hope the fish are doing the same! 

8.48 You know the feeling when you find a swim and you wished you had brought maggots and float fishing gear??

9.10 With lots of noise and anglers on  the far bank, I think I better check there is no match today! Not here, but a few other places. Phew! 

9.14 What fish could resist this? 

9.29 I have double and triple checked, am not in the match venue! I did check last night, but scared me when all these match anglers rocked up.

9.39 First knock of a bite. Something was liking the worm. 

10.00 The match men have started to bait up. 

10.30 I watched a guy catch about six fish in six casts on the float. I had a few knocks but no real bites. I have walked further upstream and hopefully will catch something myself. 

10.39 A proper bite missed because I was watching a match angler!! 

10.49 Constant knocks as fish attack my worm. Just couldn't connect. I am still in 4lb Chub "swallow the lot" mode. I suspect these are micro perch or minnows tugging at the worm. My size 12 hook is too big, hopefully them buzzing around the bait attracts something more sizeable.

11.17 As I eat my sandwich, the constant knocks stopped. In my head it's because a 2lb Perch has swum about and scared the little ones away. 

11.34 I left this swim biteless but no longer hungry. I continued my adventure upstream. I thought I had walked this far in the past, but I think this is new territory for me! 

12.00 And I am crouched under a tree, very Mr Crabtree. Ledgered meat by a fallen tree. No Chub yet but they must be hungry. It's lunchtime!!

12.23 I think a match angler just told me I couldn't fish opposite him or anywhere on this side. I did not think that was a rule?? Also I couldn't be sure he was talking to me. I moved on and have found a swim further upstream. 

12.40 Not quite sure if I got to the end of the beat, but I thought for today that is far enough. I will turn around and head back downstream. I will fish a few more spots, but as it's a school night I may call it a day and have an early bath! 

12.54 No trolls, so it was safe to cross the bridge. I slipped on here a few years ago and bashed my arm. I always walk over it now whilst doing a crab impression! 

13.01 Last roll of the dice now. One last swim for 20 minutes and then I will call it a day. 

13.36 That's me back in the car, ready for home. I have enjoyed blogging in real time today, but it's probably a reflection on the fishing that I was able to sit and type all of this. Oh well, there is always next time! 

Broomstick woes

Date fished 15/8/2020

7.30am until 4pm

My recent trips have definitely been missing something. Fish? Maggots? Chub pics? No, none of those. The answer is, Ellis!! He has been doing some diy as the weather has been helpful, with alot of it now completed he was able to come out with me this time. He suggested the boat, which I was quietly pleased about as it was exactly what I was thinking. We have not been on the boat in a while and we always have a great time up and down the river, so the plan was made.

See, two floats not one! 

I met Ellis at the Marina and we loaded Big Elbow with the gear. Perch and Pike the target on lures ( I brought the lure with no tail too) and maybe some live baits if we were able. We would have the trusty float/ maggot/ blank saver rod for silver's too!

First stop was at Disco Corner, we had not fished it for ages and it was some guaranteed silver's, or so we thought. Ellis plugged away on the float and although fish were clearly there, none were obliging. I caught a small Perch so we were off the mark.

We tried a few more swims and eventually caught some small silver's for live baits and I caught another Perch. The Pike did not seem to be interested and the floats only had the bait to make them move, and in some cases even that was too much! 

We swapped between the float rod, lures and live baits but still it was proving to be a difficult day. Ellis suddenly had enough, exclaimimg "Pass me my Broomstick!" 

I fell about laughing but duly passed him his 150 gram plus casting weight, 130lb braid broomstick onto which he put a large burt lure. He thrashed the water, but to no avail. It was getting desperate. 

Plan B was in order, I wondered why it took him so long to do it. When he did, he was soon catching Perch after Perch after Perch. Ellis had set up the drop shot rod!! 

We always like to use smaller silver baits for lives, releasing the Perch or better fish. We just do! Ellis catching a great fish that was released.

We discussed how many lures are Perch pattern and obvioulsy Perch and Pike will eat smaller Perch. I just wondered if they prefer fish that are alot less spikey. Anyway, I caught a small Perch and put it on as a live bait. We were in a swim where we had caught Pike before, although there were some large trees in the water here now which were not before. Actually, all along the river there were some large trees looking like potential hazards in the river. I digress, the Perch was cast to where we had just seen a splash.

"What was that?" I asked.

"You will see in a minute" being Ellis's confident reply. 

My float was in the water for about 30 seconds when it suddenly sailed away. I struck and was in. A small Pike, 3 to 4 lb shooting off like Usain Pike. It nearly went up the bank, it went round a floating branch and towards the tree. I tightened the drag, but long story short. The Pike escaped and managed to snag me in the fallen tree!! Hindsight is a glorious thing and maybe the swim was too cramped now with the tree, but that is probably why the fish are in it! 

We tried many more of our usual swims and although the drop shot produced countless more Perch, the Pike count remained zero.

It was a tough day. Back at the Marina, there was time for a few casts off the bank. Just enough to catch a few branches (or were they broomsticks) each, before jumping in the cars and calling it a day until next time.