Jugglers

Date fished 4/12/2021

9am until 2pm

December had snuck up on us, and some wintry flurries had already fallen in Hexham. Ellis was back from work commitments and we both wanted to trot the Tees for Grayling.  Over the last few years, since Nov 2017, that's basically what December means to us!

The river had risen a lot during the week, but dropped fairly quick, and with no rain forecast before we fished, we were hoping for good conditions. Definitely not cold river conditions when I have a small hole in my waders!

I packed the 14ft (13ft 9 inches) float rod, centre pin and bait apron and was already to go. Ellis got maggots en route, (from a tackle shop not fresh from a road kill) and I met him in the usual car park. The Grayling fishing was great here, we were on an Association Water. We generally fished from mid river (wading) or bank if possible. Feeding maggots each trot through, we generally got the Grayling going and had caught scores of them before. I had some worms, that had been in my fridge since early October just incase we wanted a change of baits. 

We walked to a spot we usually finish in, no fish here. As the rain started we headed off to fish our favourite part of the beat, within a few casts we had both hooked and lost fish, this was better and certainly warmed us up.

Soon I connected and held on, a superb Grayling that was the biggest I have had from the Tees. It was not bigger than the pb I caught recently but was easily over a pound. 

A few juggles but we got a good picture too! Ellis was soon into a fish too, another larger Grayling. We commented how we had not caught a brace like this on the Tees before, it really was a great start. 

Definitely some more juggles! In our defence Grayling are the hardest fish to hold. They are so strong and wiggle about, especially when a good size! 

We certainly lost as many as we landed. A Grayling's mouth is small, bony and delicate all at once. Added to that is their spinning fight and raised sail fin in the current, they really do give a great fight. Ellis caught a Trout here too, but as we were chilled to the bone we went for a walk to warm up. 

We walked to an area we had caught before, there was no wind and the river was flat calm. I cast in and straight away the float buried, a good sized Grayling again fighting in the flow. Sadly the hook hold came away, and the fish swam back to it's mid river spot. A very brave dog walker in shorts appeared on the far bank!! He must be practicing for visiting the Arctic, as here, it was bloody freezing!! 

Ellis then joined me and caught a Grayling, I also landed a Trout but as the wind picked up, we headed off. 

We fished a few spots on our walk back, but in reality this was just fodder, we wanted to get back to our favourite swim.

Yes the sun came out, it warmed us for a few minutes but the overall feeling was cold. Well for me it was cold and wet! The hole in my waders had been breached, I was now basically wearing a wet suit! 

We arrived back in the swim and was straight into fish. We were feeding and trotting, the fish obliging. 

Again, I could not help but juggle with the hard fighting fish.

I ended with a couple and the Trout. Ellis with four and a Trout. The overall stamp of Grayling were the biggest we had caught from the Tees. Every fish around the three quarters to one pound mark. It was a great session. 

Eventually the cold (and wet) got too much so we decided to head home. I rung my sock out by the car, my right leg drenched. It seems it was not just juggling that us clowns managed, I had comedy trousers on too!! 

Planes, trains and automobiles

Date fished 19/11/2021

9.45am until 1pm

Sadly today was a blank, but it was good to fish a new venue. Dwix and I travelled by walking, tube and then bus to fish the Grand Union Canal at Harefield. We arrived at Harefield and went to the tackle shop, a day ticket and £20 later we walked to the Canal. 

We had to walk the last bit, shame we couldn't get the train direct, seeing the HS2 (topical) construction site in the distance.

We found a good looking swim where the river joined the canal. We used maggots, worms and used bread crumb as ground bait. I started off with a feeder with breadcrumb, worms or maggots on the hook. I then changed to a float. Our only action was when I reeled in and disturbed a fish, it jumped out the water as the float went over it. 

After a few hours of nothing we walked on and I lure fished in the hope of a pike. Sadly no action  either. We decided to call it a day and went for lunch. A few beers later and we are home. The canal definitely had potential. I will add it to the list of fishing again......

Contigency

Date fished 18/11/2021

7.30am until 1.57pm

I am heading down to that there London to spend the weekend with the boys. We have decided to do Movember, so myself and the tash jumped in the car and headed South. As Dwix was not going to be home until later in the evening, I thought I  would stop on my way past the Swale and see if I could bag a Chub or two.

Bags all packed for the fishing and then the weekend, I set off at 6am and drove to the river. The car told me it was 16 degrees, don't think I needed the thermals on. I walked to the river and immediately saw changes. A few trees that were close to the bank have fallen in. These have created new slacks and potentially new fish holding areas. I thought I would put this to the test. 

I filled a small feeder with breadcrumb,  moulded cheese paste around  the cork ball and cast in. After a while, there was a knock, then a gentle pull. I struck, fish on. I played it in the tight gap between trees, it felt very much like a Chub. Then the hook hold gave way. No break, no snag, just came free. I fished on but this incident must have spooked them as no further bites. I decided to head off downstream. I do like this time of year, the bank vegetation is really low, you can access more swims but the fish still get cover. Plus, in reality the fish are probably well hidden in the roots, stuff we never get to see. 

I walked downstream and just looked at the river, I was thinking of where to fish and I remembered a few trips ago seeing a Chub on my bank, trying to tempt it with bait but it swam across the river to a bush on the far side. I decided to go fish there. I cast in and waited, it must have been less than five minutes and the rod pulled tight, I struck and the drag gave out line. A good fight from a good sized Chub. 

I tried to weigh it, but the battery had died. I hoped I would not live to regret this later!? It made me think about packing a spare, and a spare spare, and well you know what I mean? Where does contingency stop? 

It was easily over 4lb but I don't think over 5lb, so I was happy. I was glad I went for the walk, although when the sun came out, with the thermals on I had to take my coat off! 

I walked back the way I had came and fished in the first swim again, deciding to eat my lunch here and see if the fish were hungry again. No bites, but in the sun you could of been mistaken that it was a summers day. 

After no action, I decided a short walk upstream. About the same distance as I had walked down, just to balance it out! A few good swims but nothing. Literally nothing! I realised I had left my cheese paste in the first swim.

A quick walk and I was reunited with my cheesy bait. It works magic this time of year. I have caught numerous Chub on it, Trout and even Pike! Amazing, definitely a fluke and a one off! 

As I was so close to where I started, I thought I would give it another go. Third time lucky? I only had 30 minutes before I was going to set off for London. I cast in and waited. I had a strange bite, and then nothing. I waited a few seconds but nothing happened. A fish must have taken my bait, so I wound down to check. As the line tightened, something pulled back. It woke up and lunged around the swim. This was no Chub, big lunges caused the drag to spin. It was toothy as expected and was quickly netted. Two pike on Cheese paste now, how many more before I list cheesepaste as a dead bait!? 

It seemed a good time to end, it was 1.57pm and I planned to stop at 2pm. 

I have persuaded Dwix to try some fishing again. We blanked last time, so tomorrow we are heading to the Grand Union Canal to see what we can catch. I do hope he has some batteries!! 

A good walk spoiled

Date fished 6/11/2021

7.15am until 2pm

As you will know, I love a sunrise and sunset time. I was contemplating fishing into dark as I have seen some bigger chub caught after dark, although I enjoy going early morning. If I was to stay at home a bit, I would be scratching the walls to be out fishing. However, now I can fish "all day", given the shorter days. Although if I am to fish a couple of hours into dark, I will need some wader pyjamas!!

I also like to fanny, I mean study the river levels prior to fishing. This first pic shows the levels at Park Bridge, way up in the Yorkshire dales, you will see the spike between Saturday and Sunday. 

In the second picture, this spike is then seen at Catterick Bridge about 30 miles downstream approximately 24 hours later between Sunday and Monday. That is why I look at the levels at Park Bridge the day before I am due to be fishing. 

I had made a fresh batch of cheese paste on Friday afternoon, I also had some meat and worms from previous trips and I was ready. I was planning on walking a fair bit, so just had the 7ft, 1.75lb tc ledger rod, net and terminal tackle. Instead of a straight ledger, I decided to have a small cage feeder with bread crumb in, this would add a little attraction and continue to help me empty the bottom drawer of the freezer. 

I was going to fish a completely new area but thought I would keep that for summer. I headed to the Swale at Morton. Parking up, there was another car already parked. I got my kit and headed to the river. 

In short, I fished cheese paste, meat and worms with nothing. I had a few taps that I think was Cray fish. I think today I got it all wrong. Wrong tactics, wrong swims and wrong bait. I couldn't buy a bite! 

The water was up alot since last time I fished it but was still quite clear. There were swims that looked perfect for float fished maggots, however I was ledgering bigger baits. I just got it all wrong. 

The wind was bitter cold and increased all day, I was sheltered from it most of the time, but when I wasn't it was a menace. The rain came a little at about 12pm but the wind quickly blew it away. At 2pm though it rained heavily and as I was near to the car, I took this as a sign. 

"Nevermind" I said to myself, there is always next time, plus I got out and had a good walk. 

Horsing around

Date fished 23/10/2021

7am until 1pm

Some last minute changes of plan and I was due to take mini me for a horse riding lesson at 4pm. With Ellis unavailable, I decided on a trip to the Tees. Leaving the float rod at home, I decided on two ledger rods. I had meat, worms, cheesepaste, breadcrumbs and some good sized feeders! I was looking at using some longer hooklinks but time was not on my side (plus laziness) so I grabbed the ready tied ones and got my kit ready. 

It was a rare event, but I took a chair with me today. I usually just sit on the unhooking mat, but thought today's few hours would be in comfort. 

I hoped the bait and wait approach would work and with two rods I was doubling my chances. I mean surely this would work? Surely the fish wouldn't have their own plans?, would they? 

I set off by 6am, the car telling me it was eight degrees. I was walking towards the river by 7.20am and it looked great.

Settling in the swim, a few feeders of breadcrumb to tell the fish breakfast was ready and I was happy. 

After about 20 minutes I heard a commotion and saw two otters crossing the river. They dived and played around before heading downstream for their own breakfast. I had cast the meat rod close to the bushes on the far bank and the worm rod just where the current hit mid river. It was the latter that got attention first. A few rattles and a fish was on. I thought it was a Dace, then a Chub, now I am convinced its a Dace. Anyway it was the blank saver 

I carried on casting quite regularly, I wanted to stir up some interest and also use up some of the breadcrumb mountain I have in the bottom of my freezer!! Repeated casting and soon the worm rod lept into action again. A brace of Dace now! 

The second was quite a bit smaller but still very welcome. I fished on and soon a Cormorant was swimming through my swim. It surfaced with no fish in its mouth. It jumped out onto a rock to warm itself, and after a short while it flew off upstream. It must have known the otters went downstream! 

It was a lovely morning to be on the river and soon my tummy was rumbling too. I ate my lunch whilst I watched more and more leaves blown off the trees. The wind was picking up, large swirls clear on the surface. I was quite sheltered here today, a far cry from a few weeks ago when I tried to fish this swim and it was like  a wind  tunnel! 

I had used up all the cheespaste I had and went back to meat. I decided to cast not close to the bushes as I had been all morning but just to where the worm had been. I cast the worm rod a bit further downstream. I sat back and watched nature.

Suddenly the meat rod jerked forward and headed towards the river. I grabbed hold and played the culprit across to my bank. It got snagged in a branch about a rod length out. I gave some slack line and held my breath, 30 seconds or so and the fish was out. I played it to the net. A nice looking Chub, the kind I had wanted on the float these past few weeks. Unweighed but easily over two pounds. Just what I had come for. 

I am writing this now as I sit at the stables watching Martha.

A good day had by all it seems! she must get that smile from me!!