2025 Review

January 

First trip, first fish. A grayling!! Eventually, I had lost three and Ellis had skilfully landed two for about 2lb. The Tees grayling here are a really good size. Freezing cold, but a fish in the net warmed me up. 

February

The second trip of the year and I was back on the Tees. A mild trip with cheese paste ledged mid river. Swims where we had knocks before produced nothing. I waited it out after having a rove about, but nothing materialised. Deciding for an early bath, I headed home for tea. 

The second trip in Feb was another gruelling day! It was freezing cold and a grayling and out of season trout all to warm my hands up - oh and some hand warmers! Where were those chub? Commitments meant it was unlikely I would get out much before March 14th. Hopefully just one more trip!!

March

It only took one more trip and indeed one more cast (well it was the second in this new swim) and all was forgotten. A pb, A yearly target. I was buzzing.

I planned to sit it out all day, in to dark if needed. I had no plans and was committed. Well, in reality I was in a fettle, didn't really want to fish and actually fished out of spite of it being the last chance on the river! I am glad I did. I fished some usual areas, then decided to go somewhere I don't usually go to. I have been there in the past, I saw a barbel once, my first ever river siting. I cast to it and spooked it when a chub came out of nowhere and grabbed my sweetcorn. I remember that day so well. This trip it was again a single chub, but at 6lb exactly, it was amazing. My first six, a new pb and truly stuff of legends. 

I was looking at my best two captures on the Swale, given I have fished it for about 10 years they occurred only 250 days apart! The chap on July 6th 2024 and the pb six pound chub from the final day of the coarse river season 2025. Shame to think, I was on my own for both and didn’t share with my fishing buddies or family. Just weird how things pan out. 

April

Three trips to Tilcon af varying success. Stubbornness to use more summer baits like corn and bread when it was still cold overnight probably my downfall. A few fish caught but nothing like the pole dudes using maggots, they were bagging, the lake coming alive. Some nice perch caught by anglers too, has got me thinking!

May

Just like that it was May. It's been a warm, with freezing overnight April. I saw someone's greenhouse thermometer showed a high of over 40 degrees and a low of minus 1 during the month! Its also been dry, not much rain at all, I assume the rivers will be low. I have seen on the book of faces that people are chucking fluff on the flowing water with some pet trout being caught. It's still Stillwater for me and another trip to Tilcon. Using just prawns as bait, I was hoping for a two pound perch, a two pound bream with one eye and an ide my only catches on the first trip. 

Two more trips in May around work parties. The highlights being the actual work. I blanked at Tilcon and Wydon, my most local lake, I thought the tench would be awake. The work involved general lake clearance and building a platform in a peg. Really enjoyed chatting with other members and I must of done some work cos I ached in the morning!

June

A trip to London usually involves fishing. This time it was on the Grand Union in Milton Keynes. Jar caught one nice perch, his first ever but sadly the zander eluded us. Nice to catch up though even if there was little else being caught. 

Then the rivers opened, the usual anti-climax. Ellis and I hit the Tees, a forgettable trip in tough conditions. We actually tried two areas, driving between them at half time, something we very rarely do. We usually find something by walking the stretch. A few wasps for Ellis and I blanked. 

A blank the following day, but at least I had contact. Certainly a barbel ripped my rod off and if it wasn't for the line catching on the rod rest, I may of had a chap as my first river fish of the season. Its swings and roundabouts, an enjoyable day - of course the big man caught a barbel, he really is on a barbel streak at present!! 

My first fish of the river season was a first from the swale for me, Anguilla anguilla finding its way into my net after devouring a one inch cube of meat! I managed a solitary chub too, the river was low and clear and only going to get worse over the dry summer.

July

Just the one trip in July. The start of my Tees barbel campaign, or was it? It was certainly not as full on as other sessions. I more dabbled in areas and really ended up trotting maggots or ledgering worm to actually catch something. A nice chub on the float and a good sized perch grabbing the worm making for an enjoyable first try.

 

 The kids and I had a quick session for chub at Morton, Rupe would of had his first chub if I had been a bit more patient!! sorry son. 

The Tees perch from barbel trip 1 

August

Two 'out and out' Tees barbel sessions were all that I mustered. Two weeks in Florida with the anticipation of bass fishing, sadly timings and theme parks got the better of me and no fishing was done. Swimming with manatees was an amazing experience though!

Back on the Tees, there was chub and dace to be caught. I was definitely in the right place, with the right bait. I just needed some luck or a barbel to slip up. Would I ever get that Tees barbel?

September

A moving bait approach again tempted two good sized chub. The gonk was a bonus, how it thought it was eating an inch cube of meat, I have no idea! Anyway, a few hours stood mid river trundling meat or pellets to the fish below the fast water was awesome.  Sadly, no barbel this time.

 I am definitely learning patience! 

I said we needed some rain, we got lots! The river had risen, then dropped and was approaching 1m (it rose to 1.8m) but I went anyway. Fishing the slacks, I hoped a barbel would slip up. Plenty of snags, lost tackle but an enjoyable three hours. 

An evening session with Ellis followed and although there was a fish on his hook when he reeled in for the last time, we both recorded blanks! It looked perfect for a barbel, we fed an area and fished ledger tactics hard on the bottom. It just wasn't to be. At least we avoided the big pile of dog poo as we trudged through the woods in the dark back to the cars. I will take that small win!

A few hours free on a Saturday, so I nipped down to Tilcon. I couldn't get in at first as the key lock is now a number code! I must have missed that memo. Anyway, a quick message to Philip and I was in, I had the code all along! and now a useless key. Keys | Recycle Now

An enjoyable few hours catching perch, they just couldn't leave my worms alone. A good sized ide being the highlight and meant I at least got the net wet!

The last pic of said net 

October

Theft is a strong word, I prefer borrow. A trip to the Tees for barbel resulted in a dropped net, that got borrowed. I fished on, with a pit in my stomach that if I hooked the elusive whiskers, I would struggle to land it. I left early. 

A day off in the week was welcome and as I sat in the sun behind the feeder rod, all was forgotten. It was lovely to see the water lapping gently at the edge and soon, over my boots! The river rose quick and the crease was gone. I left early. 

London calling - I answered. Float fished small dead baits on the canal for zander whilst chatting nonsense with an old school friend and eating kabanos - yeah, that was a perfect few hours, minus any fish!

Rarer than a zander - all five of us together

Saturday night was party night, as above shirts and jackets! so Saturday morning it was a quick trip to the small river. Travelled by train, it was fun. One lost fish and to be honest, more walking than actual fishing. I really enjoyed my time in the South. 

November

Success this month was shared. Well, taught. Maybe. I had been trying to get Rupe a chub for a while. He finally caught one, all on his own. I was looking at pictures on my phone when I heard the cry of "Dad, I have one". 

His first ever chub, 5lb exactly. Caught from the swim Davey caught his first ever chub and Tom caught his first Swale chub. I really am the best guide. 

No other trips were made in Nov. 

December

A last trip to the Swale, a blank. Amazing as I have faith in my ability to catch winter chub on cheesepaste. Not this time. 

A final trip on the final day and it was not too dissimilar to the first. Tees grayling with frozen rod eyes!! 

You can't moan when they look like this!! 

Another year completed. Highs and lows as always. Next year, I have a different Yorkshire club to explore and will be fishing some different North Yorkshire rivers. 

So, targets. I caught a 6lb chub but not the rest. I am fairly confident I can tick off the rest of them this year, the zander will be the hardest as it means travelling. I will try my best. 

I will also amend the barbel one too:

One barbel from two new rivers and a new pb barbel.

Thanks for reading and I will catch you next year. 

ChatGPT

Ellis and I were talking about AI yesterday, so I thought I would give it a go. I have never used it (knowingly) before.....

I wrote (only) the following six words!!: writing a fishing blog - river fishing

It spouted out the rest in a time quicker than the barbel pulled my rod around earlier this week. There are a few spelling mistakes (just like my typing), but given all of that for six words, I am amazed at what it would do if I gave it more. I may be out of a job!! (Hobby). 😂

ChatGPT said:

Great! River fishing is a rich topic with lots of potential. Here’s a simple structure and a sample blog post to get you started:

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🎣 The Rhythm of the River: A Beginner’s Guide to River Fishing

There’s something timeless about standing beside a flowing river, rod in hand, waiting for the telltale tug of a fish. Unlike lake or ocean fishing, river fishing requires a unique understanding of moving water, fish behavior, and seasonal patterns. Whether you’re new to the sport or just new to rivers, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

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🏞️ Why Fish in Rivers?

Rivers offer a dynamic environment. Fish like trout, bass, catfish, and steelhead thrive in these moving waters. River fishing is not only accessible—many great spots are public and easy to reach—but it also keeps you on your toes, constantly adapting to changing currents and conditions.

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🎯 Finding the Right Spot

Success in river fishing is often about location. Look for:

• Eddies and pools – Calm water behind rocks or bends where fish rest and feed.

• Undercut banks – Prime hiding spots for bass and trout.

• Confluence zones – Where smaller streams flow into larger rivers, bringing food and oxygen.

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🧰 Gear Essentials

Start with the basics:

• Rod & Reel: A medium-action spinning rod is versatile enough for most species.

• Line: 6–10 lb test for most river fishing.

• Bait: Live bait (worms, minnows) works great, but artificial lures like spinners, soft plastics, or crankbaits can be deadly.

• Waders: If you’re planning to wade, invest in chest waders for comfort and safety.

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🐟 Reading the Water

One of the most valuable river fishing skills is learning to read the water. Fish often stay out of the strongest current to conserve energy, so target seams between fast and slow water, or areas behind obstacles.

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⏰ Best Times to Fish

• Early morning or late evening are prime times, especially in warmer months.

• After a light rain can be excellent, as runoff stirs up food and increases oxygen.

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🛶 River Ethics and Safety

• Respect the water – Rivers can be deceptively strong. Always scout before wading.

• Catch and release properly – Handle fish gently and return them quickly.

• Leave no trace – Take your trash, respect wildlife, and follow local fishing regulations.

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📝 Final Thoughts

River fishing isn’t just a sport—it’s a way to connect with nature. The challenge of moving water, the reward of a well-placed cast, and the beauty of a river at sunrise make every trip worth it.

Tight lines and see you on the river!

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Would you like me to help turn this into a multi-post series? We could cover topics like:

• River fishing for specific species (e.g., trout, bass, catfish)

• Seasonal river fishing tips

• Best rivers to fish in [your location]

• Gear deep-dives

Let me know your direction!

2024 Review

My year

January

Grayling was going to be my first catch of 2024, but no one told the trout! A short session on the Tees. Seven grayling, all of a good size 12oz to a pound and four trout, obviously some beasts amongst them. Great to be out, wading with my thoughts.

The following day it was a trip to a new river. The Derwent at Blaydon. First 2 fish were the target species, grayling. Over shadowed by a good size trout that gave me the run around on light float gear, still out if season though. Someone needs to tell them!! 

February 

My first blank. Back on the Derwent, one hour fished in very different conditions. Nice to try, but try was all I managed. 

Blanks are like buses..... another followed closely behind. A short session for chub on the Tees. Minus three in the morning, and glorious sunshine by the time we packed up. It was a good social session, with Tom and I fishing the same peg and chatting all session. The river looked perfect whilst the guage said 97cm, so definitely something to remember. Jack sh£t to remember apart from that! 

March

A last trip to the Tees this season with Ellis. Cheesepaste for chub was what we were hoping for. Ellis managed two threes, cracking fish. Another blank for me! 

Nearly a total blank as Ellis thought he forgot his reel, I brought and had to ledger with a waggler rod and Ellis nearly drove away leaving his chair behind. 

Not a calamitous trip though, great to catch up, chat and plan future trips. Roll on June 16th. 

For most of last year, I was going to try and fish the Tone at Taunton. I never managed it. A week in Dorset, so I decided to fish the last day of the season. Day ticket bought, I headed off. A nice river quite near to an industrial park including Ronald, so all was great. Cheese paste ledgered in likely spots. Plenty of bites, quite a few pulls and two chub landed at 2lb 8oz and 2lb 9oz. I was happy it had all worked out. It was kind of bittersweet though as deep down I wished I had found this sooner and gone there with Davey. 

That ended the river season for this year. Hopefully some still water action between now and June. 

April

A solitary ide for my first Tilcon session, but it was a nice morning. Plenty of wildlife around the lake and signs the fish were active. The lake was in flood, and I enjoyed fishing from the walkway several feet away from where I usually would sit. Very different to the time in September 2022 with Davey when I was sat a few feet in front of the platform! The lake does fluctuate during the seasons. Hopefully I will catch it dropping and with it some fish will grace my net. 

A cold morning greeted Tom and I at Tilcon. Some chatting, laughing and banter warmed us up. No fish and still a flooded lake. Come on spring, hurry up!! 

May

I started by fishing the Bank Holiday. A mixed bag was on the cards and didn't disappoint. Bream, golden orfe and ide (only 1 of each) but better than a blank and a great few hours with cornflakes as ground bait. 

By mid May, the lake was alive. A bite a chuck coming to corn and pellets. One session produced four bream, two tench and nine ide. A nice morning before the sun got too warm. The downside being the carp that smashed me up. Am reluctant to fish too heavy and risk not catching the ide. Some of them are really piling on the pounds, they must muscle other species out the way. 

The end of May and still the lake fished great. Me and the kids went for a morning session. Bream, ide and tench all being caught again. Rupe doing the business with his new whip. Delicate presentation against the bush whilst feeding accurately and Rupe was soon unhooking all three species. A first for him being a 3lb 3oz bream. 

June

An early morning trip to Wydon sounded perfect. The kids joined me for a bit. I lost a tench due to 'ducking' about and had plenty of knocks. No fish caught though. No dramas, 6 hash browns and chocolate milkshakes with the kids at 9am, enough to turn any frown upside down! 

It was not until the 19th that I was able to fish the rivers again. Ellis and I hit the Tees and it was great to be on running water again. Trotting maggots whilst feeding hemp and soon the fish were coming. Dace and roach first and then a trio of 1lb 6oz perch. All equalled my pb, just one more ounce would of been good! Ellis thought we would have pike trouble and he was right. A pike took his roach and for 10 mins, I thought we were going to land it. Alas, no and away it went. Further walking through vegetation taller than us and some enjoyable sun made for a great first river session. Oh, and I fell in the river too!

July

A few hours early morning on the Swale. My usual feeder tactics with meat. I also tried seafood sticks, but no action on them. Maybe another time!? 

The meat seemed to work. First cast and a target beaten! A "proper" Swale barbel. 6lb 7oz and to say I was happy is an understatement. Lost a fish later but still drove home grinning like an idiot. 

Before a busy few weeks, I thought I would go local and try for tench at Wydon. A 5am start and I was soon catching. Sloppy sweetcorn mix making the tench go mad. Three angry 3lb'ers and I left happy. Or did I? Two lost fish, one was a big one, I didn't stop thinking about it for the 90 second drive home! 

The end of the month and a trip to the Wye with Ellis. A great few days fishing in some very hot weather. It was too good to put into a few words, so go read the three blog entries again. I will!! 

1, 2, 3

August 

Down in Dorset for a week, so it was carp fishing with the kids. This time just Rupe and I took the youngest cousin, Eddie. He had not fished before, so hopefully we could get him some silvers.....

He got the gold. A 9lb 1oz carp (after a few roach). I am sure he won't forget this in a hurry, well until he gets hungry!!

Back home and it was back to the Swale. Ellis took me on a Leeds stretch. After finding the correct location, we soon got action.  A good few chub each and another chap for Ellis!! (5 in just over a month!) Awesome angling!

A few hours at Tilcon with the kids. I hooked Martha in the finger, none of the other bites were connected with. I am just getting rusty or old! 

The final day of August could be called the last day of summer. I fished it and it was cold! 6 degrees on arrival but 19 when I left! The sun was out but the wind really took the edge off. Four fish on a slow Tees. Feeder fishing with maggots, worms and groundbait the tactics. Nice to be out, who knows what the colder months will bring......

Not shorts!

September

Two chub and a grayling. Not bad for a session on the Swale. Was nice to walk a bit of the stretch I had not fished in a while and see the changes. The chub both coming to ledgered meat whilst the grayling was on the float. Would of been a good day, had I not lost my favourite bolo float. Rough with the smooth, and all that.....

All my fishing pal's are out fishing me at the moment, and I love it!! So glad to see them catching, hopefully some of their skills rub off on me. A few hours on  the Tees with Tom. I caught 12 perch up to 3/4lb, he had two fish, 1lb 5oz and a new pb of 1lb 8oz. Great work on the lures! The weather has definitely turned. The leaves were changing and will be soon time for the big coat. Wading today was nice in the shallow water, soon be grayling time!! 

September ended with a trip to a new North East river. I fished the Wear with Jason. There was promises of barbel. The day was dominated by small trout. Lots caught, some grayling, chublets and salmon parr too. Always great to fish somewhere new and I really enjoyed the day. Hopefully will go back in the summer! 

October

It was definitely getting colder. The car did the '4 degrees warning thing' on the drive to the river. Cheesepaste and ledger tactics were used. Free lined baits won the day, accounting for a chub on one club water and then a bigger one on the other club water. Nice to catch a couple and sit in the sun.  

The month ended with a visit to a new river, and what a swim!! It was perfect in so many ways. No one told the fish though! Ellis and I fished a swim on the Ouse where he had caught three barbel to just under 9lb a few weeks ago. I wonder if the change of weather had an impact. 13 degrees when I set off but 8 degrees and foggy on arrival. A great session and food for thought about clubs to join next year. 

November 

A session with the kids on the Swale started the month. We tried for pike and chub although Martha secretly wanted a carp!? Yeah, really. 

It was pike that won the day. Rupe catching his first ever one when it grabbed his deadbait as he slowly retrieved it right by the bank. 8lb 7oz of Swale predator putting a smile on his face. Me remembering my first pike at 15lb quickly wiping that smile!

December 

I fished the mighty Tyne at Hexham. a £10.19 day ticket from the council and I was good to go. All the action was in the first 90 mins and I think all 8 bites were from the same greedy fish. It weighed 2lb 11oz when I finally caught it. My first Tyne fish and I was over the moon. Vicky and the kids came down to see what was happening, well they came for a winter picnic. It was lovely to be on the bank on such a warm day, oh and my first ever Tyne fish was AMAZING! 

A couple of weeks later I was back on the Tees. A solo trip for grayling and what a short burst it was. Eight grayling caught, five were easily a pound in less than an hour. A great stamp of fish on what turned into a short 4 hour session. Flat calm at 8am, by 10 the downstream wind was bitter. My fishing fix completed, I headed back up the A68 for a (warm) early bath. What a great grayling session. 

Post Christmas, Ellis and I went to the Tees to catch a chub. Cheesepaste and ledger tactics, the float rods and maggots just being a carrying burden; we still carried them though! 

A quiet day on the fishing front but a good chance to catch up with 'van man'. It was good to chat and laugh about all things. Many swims covered with not a touch. The last swim and it all happened. Bites, really savage pulls for both of us, constantly. None connected with. Maybe the freezing fog was something to do with it, it certainly hurt our fingers. Enough action to make us stay nearly into dark. Home to presents with the kids, my feet finally warm about 8pm. 

The year sadly ended with a blank, but it was a trip for me and my son. So really, it was a perfect trip. 

A cold wind meant we left early, our ledgered Cheesepaste not tempting any swale chub. Some good casting from Rupe though, he will need that for the summer hopefully. 

A great year, finally caught a proper Swale barbel, amazing for my 300th blog. Trips on different rivers and a 3 day session on the Wye.  

My targets for 2025 are as follows:

2lb perch

5lb bream

6lb chub

Zander

A new river barbel 

Look forward to keeping you updated on this and many other trips. Tight Lines. 

2023 review

January

Flooded rivers (like 2022) started the year. I didn't fancy trying for a barbel, it might have been possible as it was a barmy 10 degrees. Instead I went for a few hours to Tilcon. It was hard going as I am not much of a winter stillwater angler. I stuck it out and enjoyed the few hours. A micro perch and one about half a pound reward for my efforts. The perch certainly got rewards too! 

Some time down in Dorset followed but when I was back I hit the Swale. Nine degrees when I left the house but there was ice on the field as I crossed to the river. 

Bread, cheese paste and maggots as bait. Caught big trout on all three! Plenty of good sized grayling found the net too, but actually hampered by the trout to be honest. They eat everything!! 

The end of the month and what a great trip. Only a few fish caught but the first time I took both kids to the river. It was a cold day, but both caught grayling on the float. Some great trotting, feeding and striking by both. Rupe christened his new rod with a strong fighting trout on cheese paste. We so hoped it was a chub. 

February 

A quick session on the Tees with the feeder rod and one small skimmer was all I could catch. Lots of bites but I couldn't connect. If I was missing bites on the float, I get excited. On the feeder, I just get frustrated! How can they pull the rod and not be hooked!? Answers on a postcard......

March

The final session on the river season had me back on the Tees. Some brown crumb added to the groundbait was a great trick. Alternating between that in the feeder and then maggot feeder eventually got the fish feeding. Roach, perch, a skimmer and then a bleak/dace hybrid!?! Let's say a blace. 

April

One from one on the first day of April. Imagine fishing every day of a month!? I remember when I fished 8 days in a row in. That was fun, anyway I digress. I fished Tilcon on April fools day. I had the lake to myself, maybe something to do with the rain. I caught a good few fish including ide and gudgeon. A great day.

The kitchen scales joined me on my next trip as I wanted to weigh the little fellas. We tend to weigh just the biggest, but thought it would be interesting to weigh the smaller fish, just to know. Ended up with some three, four, five and seven and a half ounce silvers. A great days fishing. 

May

A blank holiday Monday started the month off. Tom and I went to Tilcon. We shared a swim, chatted about everything and generally chilled. Tom had a nice bream on the feeder, I blanked whilst float fishing sweetcorn. The sun came out and it was roasting. When Tom left, the heavens opened and I was soon drenched. I left chuckling about "fair weather anglers". Some weeks later it was back to Tilcon for more of the same. I was going to help with the work party at 10am so arrived at 5am to get a few hours relaxing fishing in. Catching some nice tench on the float it was relaxing, two carp picking up the single piece of corn on a size 14 to 3lb line however was not so relaxing! Both smashed me up, resulting in expletives and retackling often. It was a nice morning fishing though and after a good few hours of manual labour in the hot sun, it was off for home for a cool shower and a relax. These hands are not used to manual labour!

A few afternoon hours after work on Tilcon was a good distraction from stuff. Lots of fish swimming around and plenty of bites. Nothing hooked though, but I left relaxed. 

June 

A line was not wet in June. There was a lot going on with Davey, chemo and hospice stay. He endured the cancer since diagnosis mid December but with no help from the chemo it was an uphill battle. He went into Weldmar hospice at the beginning of June and sadly died at the end of June. It proved there is more to life than fishing, but I definitely look back on the times we fished together with great fondness. Love you always dad. 

July

My first trip for over two months. Was a bit rusty but made the most of it. A lot of sitting, some fishing. Mashed bread and flake on the float worked well, I wanted to persist with this in the future.  Highlights were chilli sausage bait and a non blank!! 

August

The family fishing trip in Dorset this year was a little different. The water was salty! 

An hour spent for Mackerel was the plan, it turned into poor cod catching over a wreck. We caught eight fish between the four of us and thoroughly enjoyed the change of tactics! I still managed to get snagged and lost some tackle though. That does not change. 

Back up North and it was back to the Tees. I sat behind the feeder whilst the maggot or worm did its business. A cold wind and drizzle made the day uncomfortable. Casting the usual distance brought no bites, I then shortened the cast and a small skimmer and a perch soon started to warm me. A pike grabbing the feeder on the retrieve made for an interesting few minutes. It ended when the 2.5lb hook link snapped or got bitten through. 

The following day I was back on the Tees, this time with the float rod. 100 fish was enough to keep my mind off no morning cup of tea. It was topped off by a 1lb 4oz perch, same swim, similar size. I think the same fish..

September

A trip south had the potential for a couple of trips.  Zander the target on the canals around Coventry on the way down and barbel the target on a small London river. 

A wet day whilst walking on the canal, a lot of casting and lots of plastic removed from the canal. I am still not sure I am great at lure fishing but I dragged jigs and the like slowly across the bottom.  It wasn't a total blank, I caught a cap and a football amongst the plastic debris! 

A few beers and food with friends once I finally made it to London and the following day it was barbel fishing. Jar (Alan) and I jumped in a zip car and drove to the usual spot. We walked a fair few miles, looked, even with binoculars and saw no barbel!!

Eventually we spotted something decent, Brian!

He knows the river well and agreed the area we had been showed little fish action. He took us somewhere else and soon we were watching 14 fish in one swim! I cast in and watched a barbel focus on the bread, swim 15ft, push a chub out the way and take the bread! A 6lb 11oz fish soon in the net. 

There was another swim he showed us too. It was amazing, proper stalking. The casting was difficult, and I would of loved to fish it more. However, I put my hand on some nettles and couldn't really focus on anything else! 

First trip of 2023 with Ellis. Was great to catch up and catch fish. About 100 caught between us. Nothing huge, but fun all the same. All float caught in fairly pacey water on maggot or worm. Bread didn't do us any good! I fished the fast bits while Ellis the slack - there is a witty comment here about "life in the fast lane, or slow lane", but I wont go into that, especially as Ellis is a lot more active than me!!

Dace and chub still confuse us, but the perch and gudgeon were easy!

A chilled session at Tilcon followed the following weekend. I could not tempt anything except perch. Ten in  total found the net, well, were swung in! Some were the size of my little finger! 

October

A trip with the kids to the Swale in search of chub and grayling. We waited until the river was  fishable and in it's bank, last week it wasn't! Unfortunately with waiting, it had turned really cold. Single figures and a biting wind, meant for much fun but no fish. Well, some minnows for the kids and Heart Christmas on the radio being the highlights. 

The actual highlight which didn't make the blog entry was on the drive home. When we passed over the Swale and I pointed it to Rupe,  he thought we had been fishing on the Tees all day! Let's hope he doesn't take geography GCSE!! 

The month ended with a trip to a new section of the Wharfe. Ellis and I fished at Tadcaster, home of John  Smiths. Yummy! The day might have been better if we sat drinking in the brewery. No barbel caught but definitely noted for another time. A great stretch of river. 

November 

A cold, Tees trip for Ellis and I. Tom venturing alone in search for pike. A blank for me, one pike for Ellis and an 18lb pb pike for Tom! 

Pike pals all around. Definitely need to review my cold water tactics, can't rely on chub on cheese paste all my life!! Nice to put some steps in and catch up with Ellis. Did he win that lottery yet!?? 

A lot fewer trips this year, due to family commitments. Some things in life are just more important. Hoping for more success in 2024 - See you there!