Blanking with "Brian" on a stillwater

Date fished 21/10/17






Due to Storm Brian and huge weather conditions I decided to fish a Stillwater for Pike. It is a very weedy and deep 5-6 acre water. I have never caught from there but know there is Pike in it. It was more to get out and have a go.




I did not manage to catch anything that day, however I did go to the River after so I could put a visual mark to what the river level websites were saying. I live some distance from where I fish so need to know the trip is not to be wasted. However, I find looking at the river level website is still hard to actually know what it means.




Of course I can understand if it is above the normal level, in flood etc. but I needed to see what 0.897 m and falling actually meant.




Well, I can tell you, the Tees was huge and bombing through!
Think I will leave the river level stuff to the EA.

"7 swans a distracting the pike angler"

 

Love it when a plan comes together!

Date fished 07/10/17






Todays plan was simple. Target a new stretch of the River Swale for Chub and Pike.


Bag packed, Chub bits, Pike bits




Arrived at river as sun was rising. WOW! what a difference the other bank makes. This was a new stretch to me, this was the Stockton side of the Swale at Morton, where I normally fish the Northallerton side. I am in both clubs and Darlington too, plus the association waters that come with the membership.

The swims looked great, it looked like the side to fish, but as I probably said the opposite a few years ago on the other bank! we would see what side was greener.



First swim looked chubby, so I thought I would try something new. Touch ledgering with curried meat. Had never caught on curry flavoured meat before so would give it another go. Holding the rod was ace, you could feel everything, suddenly a tap and a pull. strike, I was in. ping, the hook pulled, I was......??? out??! ( do we say out, if before I was in?? hahahaha


I quickly put another piece of meat on the hair

First Homemade hair

and cast it in. pluck, pull, strike. I was in, again. this time I managed to play it in the flow and slipped the net under a lovely Chub. Had been here 5 mins and was catching chub!!

I moved along the bank alternating between Chub or Pike tactics depending on what the swims looked like. I spoke with a few other anglers and defo found some spots to try in the winter.

As I moved further along the bank, I was targeting Pike. One swim looked very "Pikey" so on went the dead bait.
After 10 mins the float lifted, I struck into the fish. Again, I was in. A good sized pike jumped out the water, swam around and eventually came to the net. Then my treble caught the net, the fish rolled and the hook came out of the pike. It gently slipped backwards and as I tried to net it again, I got the twang of resistance as the net was still hooked!! I did not manage to net the pike and it slipped back, completely unhooked but without it's picture taken.



I was annoyed, blew my chance of two targeted species caught. I rebaited and cast out.
10 mins later, the float went. Same result. Was in again. A different fish, as I had seen the first pike had a lump on its head. This time it went in the net perfectly. It was an awesome looking fish.

Saved a blank

Date fished 23/09/17

After my Barbel fishing I thought I would persist with my Tees Pike target. I went off with lures to see if I could tempt one. I am less familiar with the Tees still, really just getting to grips with it. I took some pellets etc to see if I could maybe tempt a Chub too. I am changing my approach often at the moment, using different bags and taking different kit. It is somewhat annoying to either carry everything or not have the right bits to target a species on the day. I move my kit before each trip to the bag or bags I am taking and see how it works. I will keep you updated on this as it is still a work in progress!

 

The fishing was hard, I lost a few lures in trees and traces too. In truth I had a nightmare. I had not packed enough traces or bits to make new ones. So by midday I was out of Pike fishing kit so was left to walk around and target Chub. I know big chub are caught on the Tees, I don't know where but do know it’s mostly in the dark. I stayed most of the day and targeted likely areas, but really it was a good opportunity to walk some of the river and try to improve my watercraft.

 

 

After a long day of being along the bank, up a tree and wading through the weir,

I set off for home. Grateful of this little fella that I caught on about my first cast, a good many hours before home time. Oh!, and by not having enough Pike bits it seems I need to work harder on my preparation before a trip!!

Trent Barbel

Date fished 14-16/09/2017








After my Stillwater Barbel success for Anglers Mail, I was really hoping to catch a river Barbel. I had tried before, kind of half heartedly on the Swale but thought I would go all out. This meant booking a pod on the Trent and fishing for 2 days solid. A few hours drive and the Trent lay in wait.



I had decided to fish at Maltkiln Lane , a great fishery on the Trent. The pods were very basic and sleeping bags, mats and general camping equipment was required.

I had bought a new reel, shimano Baitrunner 6000RB so this an opportunity to couple it with the Korum 2lb Barbel rod and see.


A visit to the local tackle shop Future Fishing  equipped me with heavy 5oz feeders and pellets galore, halibut and premonition!!! I was assured these were the business.

I had prepared hemp and curried meat at home so was ready to target the Barbel. The rods set up and I was fishing. There was something quite hypnotic about the traffic going over the bridge, the trains going along the track behind and the occasional swan or boat meandering along the river whilst I sat and watched the rod tips pointing high to the air.

The day passed twitch free. I had the wonder bait on at least one rod at all times, meat on the other, when I was not fishing double prem!



I decided to switch the right hand rod which had always had prem on it, too normal pellets, the time was 16.50. At about  5pm though, I joined the three foot twitch club!! My right hand rod, hooped over, the Bait runner screaming. I was in. I was attached to a most gracious and powerful creature.

The Barbel looked beautiful in the water. I played it for a while as its strength was something else I had never experienced. Safely landed by my gillie Lucy who had joined me on the trip, I stood to look at my prize. It looked immense. Perfectly bronze. I had no idea on weights as I had never seen a river Barbel, so this one was carefully put in the sling. 6lb 12oz. I was so happy.

I fished into dark with no more bites. The next day I was up before light to set up ready. Again fishing all day till well into dark, nothing. I really enjoyed chatting with the other anglers on the bank and being "out" not "out out" but having been on the bank with the wild surroundings, this was definitely proper fishing, and I loved it!!

Orfe, Eel and torrential rain

Dorset was the scene, August, summer holiday with the kids at my parents house. Perfect for a spot of pole fishing with Rupe and Sam, neither had used their new weapons and as 7 year olds should be, both were eager to try.

3 generations of Chumbley loaded the car and set off to buy bait. 4 pints of mixed later, after all we would be filling in now!, at half price, don't ask, and we were ready. We met sam at the venue, UK Llama in Mosterton, paid, provided our rod licence numbers, which we agreed was a good thing. There is often the debate about venues or tackle shops "checking" licences as a means to keeping our sport regulated, and I don't think its a bad thing.

We walked past the Llamas and saw the lake. WOW!!! It looked amazing. Only 5 swims in a pond about 70m long by 35m with a small island in the middle. Lots of bank cover, various depths and each swim had a wooden platform and space for rods and kit.

It really looked lovely. We were told it contained Rudd  Crucians, mirrors and commons to 18lb, Tench, Chub, Eels and Golden Orfe. We had maggots for bait, so started "filling it in".

Rupe started on the whip and Sam on his rod. They were soon catching Rudd every chuck and loving life. I continued with the feed, trying to entice larger fish in. Am sure they were there but it was hard to get through the small stuff. The more handfuls that I applied, the more swirls where happening. Soon Rupe struck into something that was not 4 inches long!!!

After playing it superbly on his whip with a little help from daddy, we slipped the net under a lovely Golden Orfe of about 3lb. Rupe was so happy to catch " my biggest ever fish, daddy"

Sam immediately suggesting he would like to use his pole now too!! I rigged him up, with a ready made rig that had the pole  float upside down, strange I thought, and removed it to change later in Munchkins (My nan) room later with a few beers. I set Sam up and left him fishing with Gramps, as I went back to see what Golden boy was doing. Soon, after another thousand small Rudd  Sam was squealing with delight as a huge snake thrashed under his pole. Ok, it was an Eel, but he is 7. After a great battle on his pole, the strong swimming Eel was in the net. I have caught many Eels before and their strength always surprises me. This one was no exception and a lot bigger than the ones I have ever caught. It was soon unhooked, and after showing it to the man who had dug the lake back in 2000, it was off on it's way. 

We now needed lunch, a good few sandwiches, crisps and chocolate later we were back to fishing. Again we all fed heavy. Rupe had begun putting on his own maggots, albeit impaling the hook right through the middle, and he actually liked throwing the maggots in. Sam was unhooking and returning fish himself and Davey was fishing in his normal way, one eye closed!!

It suddenly got very dark and hot as we watched some people walking Llamas around the lake towards us. They had been on an experience to walk the countryside with these unusual looking creatures, the Llama I mean!!

Then it started, rain and I mean RAIN.

It was torrential, thunderous. As I shouted for the boys to go with Gramps under the tree, my rod bent over and the spool sung a jolly scream. I was stood in the pouring rain playing the best fish of my day. Quickly, due to the rain, it was in the net. A lovely looking Carp that the boys thought was huge, it was, compared to the days Rudd.

All that was left was for Davey to visit Specsavers and take a pic....

Don't think Chappy will be worried about his job at Anglers Mail.

As the rain poured, he kept trying and eventually got lucky

When the rain stopped, we packed up and headed for warm drinks. A successful days fishing that showed all ages can enjoy a day on the bank, but not take a good photo!! And it only took me two beers worth of time to sort the pile of tackle the three of them left! 

The Gospel according to Me

I am sure many of you will think you have read this article before, but you have not. You have read the original, albeit told by Mr Collett in Anglers Mail over 4 glossy, picture clad pages, this is my version of events.

We will start at the beginning, March, e mail, You have won a days fishing with Steve Collette!

OMG!!!!!!!! Pleased?! I was ecstatic, it actually made my year! Next thing I know, the legend that is Steve Collett (Two times British champion, European Champion, Division one Champion, regular columnist in Anglers Mail, 6’2 of fishing hunk and a big head) is e mailing me arranging to set up the days dangling.

Due to work, life, weather and other commitments the date was arranged,  Wednesday July 5^th, the venue Whitmore Fisheries, Preston and the target Barbus barbus

The day finally arrived and after a quick 2 hour drive, I was in the three lane queue outside the fishery. 8 am sharp, the gates opened. I parked up and waited. I saw a face emerge from a car that I instantly recognised, it was Chappy, angler, photographer and sidekick to Steve’s writing skill, he may argue the butt of Steve’s writing jokes too!

After a few mins chatting with Chappy, I already had a feeling this was going to be a great day. Steve quickly arrived and straight away we were chatting, Hexham, Northumberland, Southern accents, Ascot, Star Letters, £100 were all quickly discussed and seemingly Steve was taking all this in for his article. It was clear quickly that his and more so Chappy’s knowledge of waters around the country was second to none. Chappy was listing waters close to me that he had fished before and no doubt had clear images of the swims that produce and the tactics used.

A quick stroll, phone call and swagger into the tackle shop resulted in an armful of bait, and I mean armful! Swims were set aside for us in an already packed fishery and we were going fishing!

We tackled up, Steve showing me the GURU micro lead clip that I had bought but not used yet and providing me with a small weight, ( that now resides in Northumberland!!) as I had nothing suitable. Steve started to fill in the lake. Barely 6 inches from the bank went pellets, casters and dead maggots. The perfect amount, about 6 bags!

Worm on the hook, and I was fishing. The swim was alive with fish, I could see tail patterns, huge bow waves and small fish scarper when obviously larger fish moved over the feed. It was not long before there was a tap on the rod tip and I struck! Boom. Fresh air! Not a thing, but flying tackle. A wry smile from Steve, saying "that was  a savage take, next time wait for the fish to really hang itself”

I knew what he meant, and next time I would wait. I did look a bit of a wally.

Soon the rod wrapped round, two foot twitch and all the clichés, I was in. I played it like a dream and soon my nets man aka 6’2 Brummie had the fish in the net. A nice looking carp. Steve informed me we would need to catch a few of them before the Barbel came to us. We filled the lake in some more!

A new worm was baited and off we went. The rod wrapped round again, this felt different, strong and keeping deep. Finally the net was skillfully swept under my first Barbel! About 4lb of perfectly looking and pristine Barbel. I was overjoyed.  As with all photoshoots, next the pics came! Hahaha. Angles, faces, points and gestures. It was amazing to see Steve and Chappy working to already develop the article.

Worm out, fishing, rod wrap around, Barbel. This continued for 4 fish until finally a magnificent fish of about 5lbs lay wet on the mat. This fishing was amazing, 20 mins had passed and I felt like  I had emptied the lake of the Barbel. 

We decided it was time for breakfast, so off we went to the Café. After much hilarity, butties and chat we thought we had better do some more fishing.

We were straight back to it, Steve instructing me to "fill it in" and catching more amazingly perfect Barbel. This time it was different though, I only caught small Barbel which were so perfectly proportioned to their older relatives and Steve did some fishing...

I was to be the nets man now! Steve quickly caught a nice Chub, Ide and Barbel, this guy could really fish, I thought!

After a short few hours of catching quality fish between us, it was time to go Christen the Coliseum! This was to be different, catching on the pellet waggler, oh and I was to be using Steve's tackle, oh er Misses.

We were told that there was only Carp in this lake, so we baited some likely looking areas around the edge but also fired some pellets in the middle to catch them on the drop with the pellet waggler. By now the sun was quite hot and the Carp were easily seen on the top, taking all the pellets, crashing around and generally giving us 2 fingers as they ate everything but my bait!

After a while and change of tactic, fishing the pellet on the bottom and feeding micro pellets quite heavily, my float dipped and sailed away. Playing the fish on someone's else rod is different, granted Steve's tackle is better than mine, but I always think it feels weird using someone else's tackle, anyhow enough of that, you know what I mean!

We all wanted to see this Carp that lay in the net, amazingly it was a Barbel!! It would seem, now, after having never caught a Barbel I was a supreme Barbel hunter, catching them in a lake devoid of them.

We carried on fishing and a few smaller fish followed, soon the tails in our swim got bigger as they waved at us, heads down feeding on the pellets. This was such an enjoyable time, we were all chatting, telling stories, I think Steve told some Jokes, if you can call them that, it really was what I would call a social fishing trip!

It was almost a surprise as the float disappeared under the water and this time it was a nice Carp. What followed was something akin to Benny Hill meeting Monty Python. We had commentary throughout from Steve and Chappy, we had the fish caught on floating debris, we had a broken landing net and plenty of laughter and smiles.

I am sure you can see in the final picture of me and Steve with my prize that we all had a great days fishing, making friends and enjoying the hobby that brought us together, albeit due to correctly knowing Steve was a "lure fishing champion" in a magazine competition.

Thanks guys, I really will not forget this trip.

Lures for catching Anglers

As I look at my lures, I wonder are they for catching fish or anglers?!?


As you will know, as much as I love fishing, I really enjoy sorting through my tackle. I often get out my feeders, hooks and bits, and re sort them into my bags or on my shelves so they are ready for the next trip.
As I often fish for different species, I like to only take what I need. Although saying that, I always have visions of having Barbel gear on the Swale and seeing a 20lb Pike swim in front of me whilst I only have size 10 hooks and bait droppers!!
I recently heard a story where a friend was Roach fishing and had a huge Pike grab his Roach when bringing it in. He had no Pike gear on him, so had to run back to his car, gather all his Pike kit and attempt to catch the Pike. Obviously we all know how this story ends, so I will not continue..


This weekend, I am not fishing so I decided to sort my lures. I generally have two types; hard and soft. I have always had hard lures, plugs, spoons and jerkbaits but more recently soft plastics. I was introduced to soft plastics by Giles at AT Products and now tend to use them as often as hard lures.


As with everything, it is about confidence of use. I have caught Pike on Shakespeare Big S in Scotland, Fat Boy 110 on the Swale and Vibro shad on the Tees (Perch of course as I have never caught a Tees Pike).


I don't think I change lures often enough, recently when I was fishing with some lure specialists they were constantly changing lures to see what the Pike wanted. I stuck with a few lure choices, they missed 4 fish between them, I had no takes!


I also have thoughts on lure size, bigger is better will spring to mind, however I caught a lovely 8lb Pike in the canal on a tiny pin fry lure, making me think Pike will often target smaller prey too. I don't have many big lures, ones that resemble the size of fish I may try to catch! The large tailed jerk baits or the large soft plastic Roach and Trout are always lures I would like but then I see the price. I think as I develop my lure fishing I will invest in more but for now the below will suffice.


Now I have all my lures out, I will clean them and "service" them. That will entail cleaning off bits of weed and checking the hooks. You will see, most are armed with 2 or more trebles of various sizes and there has been many debates on the use of trebles verses single hooks. I will remove any old trebles and replace them with trebles on the front and single hooks at the back. It is easier to remove single hooks.

If you want to know about any lures, just ask in a comment

Oh, and of course he did not catch that huge Pike!!!