The Walk - Day 2

Day 2 - Heddon- on- the- wall to Chollerford = 15 miles

A beer and burger at The Three Tuns last night was enough to have us in bed by 20.30. Dwix was snoring by 20.31 even though he kept saying he was not asleep!!
At 7am the alarm told us to get up. We could get breakfast from 8am and it was definitely worth waiting for. We also had 15 miles to walk today so thought starting by 8.30 would be a good compromise, as there were gonna be some earlier starts ahead!
We stayed at Houghton North Farm in Heddon and it was spot on. A room to ourselves with shared showers and toilets, kitchen and lounge area. All very clean and great value for £30 each a night. We actually had a disabled room so had our own toilet and shower which was ideal for Dwix to visit at midnight!!

Cereal, bacon and egg roll, fruit, orange juice and tea and coffee was more than adequate fuel for us. We didn't go to the Spar to buy lunch bits and thought we would stop on the way.


After the tarmac and bustle of Newcastle's Quayside yesterday, today was more scenic and had a more countryside look about it.
The path took us over the A69 and then we followed the Military road towards Chollerford.

Whittle dene, I have fished here. 

Today was all about fields, trees and stiles. I wished I counted how many, but there was alot.

We saw and chatted to alot more people today. People going in both directions. The sharing of stories was invaluable and it seemed most were camping so had much bigger bags than us. We motored on, sun cream being applied regularly as the day hotted up.

We alternated on both sides of the Military road and walked through woods and open fields. A perfect mix of sun and shade to keep us going the 15 miles.

After 10 miles (3 hours 2 mins) we arrived at The Errington Coffee shop, used to be the Errington Arms pub. It was too good an opportunity to fuel up for us to miss.

Checking the weather, we haven't stopped talking to eachother yet! 

5 miles left, we were soon on our way. The terrain was now evident of the Hadrians wall ditch and we got our first bit of Wall.

As we carried on, Chollerford bridge loomed in the distance. We had called for a pick up and Rupe and Rupert pulled up to the bridge just as we were crossing it. Perfect timing to end a perfect day.

It's back to my house tonight for food, washing and getting kit ready for the next 3 days. Cumbria, here we come!

The Walk - Day 1

Day 1 - Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend to Heddon- on- the- wall = 15 miles

After a night spent doing last minute planning and some first minute beer drinking, we set off for Newcastle.

Dwix and I caught the train from Hexham at 07.31 and headed East, it would be our last day of heading East as the next five were going to have "West" written all over them!
Arriving at the Toon it was a short (if not overly complicated, we didn't get on the first train cos we were confused!! ) trip on the Metro to Wallsend, would of been nice to start at Wallstart but apparently we didn't quite name it that way!


We arrived at the start just before 9am. It was now or never....

As we walked along the Tyne, I couldn't help but think I wish had my rods with me!
We were soon seeing a familiar shape in front of us St James park and the Newcastle bridges.

We continued through the hustle and bustle of the city and said hello to Peter Beardsley as he walked past. It was enjoyable to be in familiar surroundings as I have walked along the river on my lunch break nearly every day for over 10 years. It's been a while since I was last in the office so it was nice to see the building still standing.

We carried on the road and soon turned off to a greener part. Finally crossing over the A1 and entering Denton Dene. It was time for Dwix to change from trousers into shorts, so we stopped for lunch.
Sandwiches eaten, we headed off. Following the river and walking through Tyne river park, it was getting more green. Some rowing clubs had impressive club houses on the banks of the Tyne.
We walked through a tree lined path and the shade was welcome.
We arrived at Close house, the golf course looked impressive, the KEEP OUT! signs, less so!
An up hill climb saw us approach Heddon. Some very large houses with lovely views

At 13.30 we arrived at The Three Tuns pub and its there that I am typing this. Looking forward to a chilled evening and day 2 tomorrow.

Stylised version

Tom bagged up!!

Date fished 2/6/2021

4pm until 9.30pm

The river season is approaching fast, so I thought I would do some evening sessions on the lake. I was meeting Tom again and we were going to fish Tilcon for Bream, Tench, Carp but not Roach! 

We decided to fish on the opposite side of the lake. I had never fished on this side but Tom had and caught some fish. He picked a corner swim with the wind blowing into it and I fished next to him in between Lilly pads. We were fishing as usual with hybrid feeders and pellets.

Tom was into a fish straight away and I honestly had written the opening paragraph before I left home, but you've guessed it. He caught a Roach. It was nice to not blank.

Blank saver! 

He was soon into another fish, but this was no Roach. A lovely Bream and at 4lb 12oz it was a great fish. 

Seen enough of his face! 

4lb 12oz

Unfortunately this side of the lake was in the shade and as the clouds rolled in the wind was quite cold. We were both soon in our jackets and wishing for some warmth. That did come, in the shape of fish. Well, to Tom anyway. I forget the order but in short he caught 4 Bream and 3 Roach ( I told him we were not after them!) He was indeed smashing it!! 

These are different fish! 

As the evening got cooler still, we had a chat. We discussed boilies flavours, (seriously, don't ask. Two carp anglers on the opposite bank heard my flavour thought and we ended up laughing together across the lake), shared coffee and eventually Tom was offering me £5 (which he owes me still!!) to go try another swim. More out of spite than commitment, I persevered in my swim and soon I was getting line bites and fish were showing in my swim. It was not long before the rod went round and I played my blank saver to the net. 

The Bream showed signs of spawning, but there was little sign on the lake compared with Monday. The water was just as warm though and holding the hybrid feeder each time to re-load with pellets actually warmed my hands. 

We fished on. The lake starting to come alive as the sky darkened. We had thought about fishing till 10pm, but changed it to 9.30 as the chill took hold. It was about 9.18 and after having lost some good bites, Tom's rod leapt into action. This time he lifted into the fish and played a lovely Mirror Carp to the waiting net. Complete with weeds, sticks and gunge the fish was his. At 6lb 10oz it really did round off a great session for Tom. 

Tom finished on over 20lb of fish, it was a great evening. Looking forward to the next trip, where it will be a mad dash from the car park to that corner swim! 

Pb correction!

I am just getting ready to go fishing again at Tilcon for the Bream when I started thinking how big my last Bream looked. On reflection it is a new pb for me, my previous pb Bream being 4lb 2oz so 1oz more!! I knew it looked bigger 🤣🤣

Pb 4lb 3oz 

Some panoramic views of the Lake

Tom's Blank Holiday Monday

Date fished 31/5/2021

5am until 12pm 

After the last session saw me bag some Carp, I decided to have my first trip this season for Bream at my club water in Ryton. I was fishing on Tilcon. 

Alarm set for 4am, it was an early start. I met Tom at the lake at 5am. We tackled up in our usual likely spots and started fishing. It was quite chilly and foggy, the mist rose from the lake as I cast in. 

Within 5 minutes a jerk on the rod caused my coffee to go all over my lap! No fish though. It was constant knocks and line bites, maybe fish were brushing the line as they fed in the feeder or smaller fish nibbling at the pellet. Anyway, no fish for a few hours and I was getting chilly. After taking my rod out the water, I went for a walk and chatted with Tom. It was good to natter for a bit, and with renewed vigour it was back to my swim. 

We were both using hybrid feeders with micro pellets, and pellets or corn as hook bait. 

It was Tom who hooked a fish first, although by reading the blog title (approved by him), you know the outcome. Actually Tom had about 8 takes and didn't land any. Some were small fish, he actually saw a small Roach hooked but not landed, but he definitely lost a good take. For some reason the fish were not hooked. To be honest, it is alot down to luck, and today I had some. 

We fished on for a bit and soon the sun was up and warming us up. With no luck in my swim, I picked up all my gear and moved to a swim next to Tom. We could now chat together, that's two trips in a row that have been "social fishing", a big improvement on "social distancing"!! 

Suddenly my rod hooped over, fish on. I picked up the rod to a twang. My hooklink snapping instantly. Luck was definitely wavering.

I fished on and again the rod indicated a bite. I lifted into it and quickly saw the fish. A good sized Bream already on the surface. Unbeknown to me, my photographer getting an action shot!! 

It looked a really good fish, just hadn't quite filled out. I was so surprised it only went 4lb 3oz so weighed it twice!! 

I cast back out and we chatted on. 10 minutes later my rod motioned again. A smaller Bream this time of a couple of pounds but I was happy.

We fished on until the sun was directly over head. It was now confirmed as scorchio, so was time to pack up and vow to come back later in the week for an evening session. Hopefully, Wednesday does not get changed to We-both-ne-catch-day!!! 

 

I'm back for some "Social Fishing"

Date fished 22/5/2021

8am until 4pm

What seems like a long time, really has been a long time! I am glad to say, I have now been fishing again. Since my last trip on Jan 2nd, I have been mostly working and walking ( no typos!!), more on that later, but for now I am back behind the rods.

So, what's new?? Honestly. Not alot. As I got my kit ready last night for today's trip, I actually nearly forgot what I needed. We were keeping it simple today though. Instead of going to my local lake, I felt I needed a drive. So I hopped in the car and headed the 90 miles down to The Oaks at Sessay. I was meeting Ellis for a day Carp fishing. What could be better?!? 

We fished Poplars lake. A lake we had fished on our first visit here and we caught a net full! 

I arrived and found us a couple of swims, the same ones we fished before! Soon Ellis arrived and had he not said "can you see me?" I really may not have, clad in full camo gear, he looked spot on! 

We tackled up, me using a new 7ft stalking rod, Ellis the Acolyte. We both had hybrid feeders with short hook links, pellets for bait. 

The fishing was slow, but we were able to chat. It wasn't long before Ellis was changing positions in his swim, not so he could fish more but so he could chat without his back to me! This is what's fishing is about. Social fishing!! 

Ellis caught the first fish, an F1 we think. It had eyes, fins and a tail. Was defo a fish. 

I then caught some fishes too. 

Ellis found (Thanks Jason) a new mode to take pics on the IPhone. It seems using portrait really brings the angler and fish into the front and the background, well 'back! It definitely works and takes some great pics. 

We chatted alot and the fishing was not really 'full on', but it was what was needed. Ellis soon had the fish taking bread off the top and we were soon trying that. 

The surface frustration soon followed. It's a great method, but so addictive. Plus, the fish always know which piece of bread to take or not take! 

Ellis had decided to squeeze the bread harder and have a sinking "floating bread". This worked and soon he was noisily, on the centre pin, playing another fish to the net. 

We changed between the two methods, and I had a few quick fish on the feeder which warmed me up. As I contemplated the drive back, Ellis had the fish feeding off the top again. I jumped alongside and poached a couple of fish from his swim, including the fish of the day. 

It was soon time to pack up. We had caught double figures of fish between us and had a good chat. This type of fishing is not what we are used to and it does feel a bit weird sometimes compared to the river.

Talking of our next trip, we have both booked off the glorious 16th from work so will be back on the rivers soon, I just have to do a little walk before that.....

I have decided, with Dwix, to walk Hadrians wall from Segadunum in Wallsend to Bowness on Solway in Cumbria.  83.5 miles in 5 days. If I survive that, I will see you on my next fishing adventure. You know What?, I may blog a little of my walk on here too....