Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

This weeks musical accompaniment is Mean Street by Van Halen if required http://www.youtube.com/user/kentcarlevi#p/u

I was in good Company this week in my continued search for that illusive 2lb Roach.

In my last two adventures I had managed 6 x fish over the 1lb barrier, with the best fish attaining a very pleasing and impressive weight of 1lb 10 ozs. With this obvious success I had found it hard to contain my excitement and on that basis alone I had contacted some one I new would immediately jump at the chance and relish both the opportunity and the challenge. Bruce would join us and give us the opportunity to work together in attaining one of Angling's ultimate goals.

Stewart Bloor. A Passionate Angler with a Keen Sense of Humour

I have followed Stewart Bloor's Angling Journal / Blog http://www.sicm.org/anglingdiary/ and website now for over five years. His Journal actually started in 2003, and when you consider he is out at least once a week rain or shine , Summer or Winter that is total commitment for you.What Stewart doesn't know about Specialist Angling isn't worth knowing. He has a vast amount of knowledge and experience of catching all the British Freshwater Species and also occasionally has a dabble at Sea Fishing. Being an all round Angler Myself I can easily relate to his adventures. Earlier this year I had invited Stew in a whole hearted attempt at a local lake to catch some Large Rudd. The day didn't exactly go according to plan , but I think Stew enjoyed his day with non stop action that preceded and lasted for an amazing fifteen hours of non stop catching fish. We both have a few things in common. Obviously we are both Passionate Anglers , We enjoy are Football and are both Passionate Englishmen, but maybe the most important aspect is that we both have Wonderful Wives that allow us to follow our avid Sport as often as we do. Creep Creep !!!

Home for the day. Stew prepares his weekly Video clip for U TUBE http://www.sicm.org/StewartBloorsAnglingJournal2009entries.html

And so at 06.50 am I met up with the Black Country Ace and Wolverhampton Wanderers fanatic for the second time this year. The morning was, lets say, a little bit damp, but we were not going to let that get in the way of our quest. As Stew himself pointed out, he had been like a kid a Christmas ever since I had told him of my success and had struggled to sleep that night, so is his passion for his sport. I too was excited, for I new that this new venue had lots of potential. If anyone was going to get the grips with the place, it was going to happen in the next few visits.

Quality . My 10th fish over the 1 lb barrier in two and a half visits.

As we unpacked are gear in the dark car park my phone signalled a call, It was Bruce. He was going to be a bit late and he told me that the current weather in Wrexham was verging on a Monsoon. With that Stew and I hurried around the lake to a more sheltered spot before the oncoming deluge arrived. I offered Stew the choice of swims knowing that after two trips I was still getting to grips with the place. It was still all hands to the pump, and hopefully the input from the three of us and six rods, could help us all point are selves in the right direction. Jigsaw and pieces came to mind.


Both Stew and I settled on a sheltered bank surrounded by small trees that would help break the wind that was now a gusting at an easy 20mph from a South Westerly Direction. Bruce's fore casted rain arrived. However by the time it set in I was quite snug under my 50 " Nubrollie , where as Stew was even Snugger in his Ovalbrolie Overwrap. The only thing he had to negotiate was a Slippery Slip that was immediately in front of him. To get to his rods he had to slide down the bank with the lake waiting to grab him.

The morning progressed an I continued my match man tactics of maggot feeder fishing on one rod using a little and often tactic all in the same spot. My other other rod was to be fished on a larger static bait with an experiment of bread flake , worm and corn and Bite Alarm. This Rod was placed approx 10 ft from my main feeder swim. After 2 hours I started to receive some delicate taps on my quiver tip. Bruce the up and coming Welsh Wizard arrived just before 9am and opted for the shallower end of the lake. He wasn't wasting any time and got to work straight away. His Blustery prediction was spot on and the strengthening wind and rain continued all morning.

Bruce with a fish from last week. A impressive year for the Welsh Wizard with Carp to over 30lbs, Barbel to 11lb +, Tench to 9lbs and his first Salmon ever. I think Bruce should invest in more lottery tickets !!!

At 09.30 am I received my first decent bite of the day and connected with a good fish but after 4 seconds all went slack , Drat !! I wound my fish less rig and re cast . I recast sat back and waited. These Roach really were shy, it was now 3 hours into the session and there was just a hint that they had just arrived. At 09.55 I stuck into a good twitch and made contact. I played the fish on tender hooks literally and after a great fight I had a good fish sitting in the landing net. Now as we know Roach are a popular species among all anglers alike, as they tend to hang about in numbers. Although abundant, roach are not the easiest species to catch and it is often said that the true measure of a quality angler is the ability to catch roach consistently. Well I certainly had one fish whether the rest would arrive only time would tell. I weighed the fish to find it topped the scales at a very pleasing 1lb 12 ozs. Only 4 ozs of the magical mark. Slowly but surely they were getting bigger and bigger. Photos followed from both my and Bruce's new camera. The Gentle Giant was released and She slowly swam off possibly to return back to the shoal. As Stew pointed out this is always a disadvantage of returning Roach as they do spook very easily and have a nasty habit of telling their mates of the ugly sites they have seen on their trip out of the lake.Well in my friends case anyway !! Keep nets are not allowed so this option went straight out of the window.

1 lb 12 ozs and the best fish of the campaign so far. Smiles all round.

Half an hour later and I had another good bite and again I was in to a good fish. This one was intent on giving the fight of its life and somehow managed to tangle itself in my other rods line. As I lifted the fish the hook length got caught and a huge Silver Shape certainly as big as my last fish if not bigger sunk into the depths as the 2lb line parted company after to much pressure. The surprised fish just sank into the depths bemused. I was momentarily gutted, but because this event has followed me all year, I just got on with things. I am like a professional Golfer now, I just have to forget the nightmare on the last hole , move on and start a fresh. I informed both Bruce and Stew of my misfortune.

Bruce and Stew discuss whether or not to throw me in, after another Big Fish Loss... Chuckle !!!!.
The day past and the weather got slightly better as the rain stopped but the fish were not really having any of it. We all caught Perch all day to 8 ozs but the Roach played hard to get although Bruce did lose two good fish at the end of play. All in all it had been a steep learning curve for us all , but we could all take something from the day, and certainly would have us back for more visits in our onward quest.

Stew continued to slip and slide up and down the bank all day , and I was convinced he was going to fall in at some stage. Bruce struggled in the shallow swim but had the two good bites on moving to a deeper swim. He finally foul hooked a Perch in the last seconds and was quickly reminded by Stew that it didn't count. We all laughed !!

I was personally very pleased with my results. It had been a tough day all round but I had bettered my previous best fish from the venue. Yes I was obviously disappointed at losing another very good fish, but this would only drive me on for even more success next time. We all called it a day at 5pm as the light faded and the rain started again. The Company had been great, the fishing somewhat slow, but I think we had all enjoyed the day and our taste buds had been tingled once more . It was great to see both Bruce and Stew again and to have shared some fishy moments

A little Bird tells me it is only a matter of time before one of us breaks the magic 2lb barrier. It is basically down to the fish and if they feed. It was hard going but no one said catching Big Roach was ever going to be easy. Watch this space for one of us will crack it very soon , off that I am Sure !!

On the Nature front it had been a rough old day , but She had provided us with a huge flock of Peewits ( Lapwings) estimated at 300 by Stew. We also saw Robins, Long Tailed Tits, Black headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and a solitary Great Crested Grebe, plus a pair of Coots , Three Mallards and a Carrion Crow.

Bruce christens his new camera on Coot and Great Crested Grebe.

A Big Thanks to both Bruce and Stew for their Wonderful company and for their contribution in piecing the Roach jigsaw together. Bruce is on his hols now, and is off to sunny Egypt. I hope you have a great time mate and thanks for giving me the opportunity of fishing this venue, I owe you one. You will bounce back with your uncanny habit of having a few blanks usually followed by an absolute Stonker of a fish. Stew, I know is already itching to get back there already , and if I were a betting man , it is only a matter of time before he lands a Real Whopper. My personal Roach tally now stands at ten fish over the 1lb barrier, the best going 1 lb 12 ozs . I am certainly more than happy with my progression after 2 1/2 visits.

We have already made arrangements for another trip next week. Until then hold on to your hats and .......................................

Tight Lines !!

Friday 13th Horror Show

I had my second session on the Roach Quarry the other day. Unfortunately this time without as much success. I had arrived at dawn in hope of seeing some good fish giving away their presence. However , the lake was very calm and still and only a few fish topped where as last time the surface was full of rising red fins. After 4 hours all I had to show for my efforts were 3 x 6oz Roach , a few Perch and an old 5lb common carp that had some previous horrific mouth damage. I had caught the poor old fish on a popped up dog biscuit 3 inches off the bottom. But how it had manged to get the bait in it's horrendously disformed mouth I will never know. There is no excuse for this type of butchery.

Barbless hooks. They do have a point !!

In all I tried three different swims but I got frustrated with the lack of action. I new heavy rain was forecast in the afternoon and the draw of the River Dee was strong for I new the level should be spot on. On that basis I left the quarry, and headed home to grab my Pike gear.

An Autumn Perch Glows

After an hours drive I arrived on the Dee to find the level a good 3 feet up and the current pushing through hard. So much for perfect conditions. It could only be excess water from Bala Lake coming through as it had been dry for a few days. All was not lost, many of the pegs were taken but a known flood swim was vacant I opted for that. After 30 Min's my float dipped and a text book run occurred. Once more Friday 13 th played its part and somehow I managed to strike into absolute thin air ?? I have been fishing for Pike long enough now to realise that this does happen from time to time. I was not happy but, with my new resolved angling outlook I gave it another 60 minutes. With no more takers there was only one thing for it , another move.

Half a mile from my home is a tiny river. It is literally 1/2 a mile from my house. I have fished it a few times over the years, it is barely a stream , but it does hold some very good specimen fish with Perch to 3lbs +, Chub just shy of 5 lbs and Trout ( both Brown and Rainbow) to 4lbs + being taken in the past. I had only ever caught one Pike and that was on a worm that was intended for Perch.

A previously caught Male Brown trout that came to stick float and worm tactics

I had a nice little swim in mind. I had viewed many times but yet had never given it ago. It was a slow deep bend just out of the main flow with a little relief channel to the side. It was now getting dark and I only had an hours light left. I had needn't of worried for within 60 seconds of casting, there was a yellow flash in the shallow water and my float juddered as something hit the bait. I felt my Adam's apple scrape against my dry throat and I slowly gathered my rod and waited for the jaws music to start playing in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCI-gNK_y4

Sure enough the Barrel, ( sorry float ) , started to move off and continued to gather momentum , as what ever had grabbed the bait moved off. The float finally slid under the water steadily as I wound down and stuck. Thrash !!The water exploded as a lively Pike shot off and frantically tried to escape. Then it bore deep ploughing into a near side reed bed before it turned and came tail walking right out of the water. Fantastic !!! Eventually it tired and on my second attempt I landed a feisty Jack of 8lbs.

Now this fish was certainly no Monster, but for a little stream it obviously reigned supreme and it had certainly given me a great deal of pleasure with its capture. I could not have been happier if it had been a twenty. The sense of achievement would have been exactly the same. This little stream simply yards from my home had produced a little terror from the deep. Captures of fish on your own patch always give you a warm glow and this was no exception. I unhooked the feisty little chap and told him to fetch his Big Sister before I slipped him back, to terrorise the neighbourhood once more.

Say Aggghhhh !!!

It just goes to show you can always turn a negative day into a positive one if you believe and trust your confidence and angling ability. It doesn't always work but when it does it makes the effort all the worth while. Friday the 13 th had come good after all. A seventy mile round trip and success was quite simply on my door step. The earlier horror show was just a bad dream.

I have the honour of sharing the Banks next week with Two Super All round Anglers in Stewart Bloor and Bruce Ruscoe. Both are to join me in a continued attempt to land a Monster Roach from the quarry. Hopefully the hunt will be fruitful. I am sure the banter will be good and entertaining, certainly if Mr Bloor gets his way. The competition should prove interesting as Friends, Romans and Countrymen do battle in this super little Wildlife Park. May the Giant Roach be fearful and the Anglers Triumphant. Lets hope that one of us succeeds in the goal.

My Fingers are well and truly Crossed. Gentlemen Choose your Baits, and let battle commence.

I also have a couple of Ace Match men waiting in the wings who are also as keen to land Angling's Ultimate prize. Good luck Steve and Lenny if you venture out.

Tight Lines !!!

A ticking clock chasing Monster Red Fins

If we took all that we read to be true , then most of our local waters are just stuffed with 2lb Roach that are just hurling themselves out of the water and giving themselves up. However, if you are like me and your feet are planted firmly on the floor and you live in the real world !! , then you will probably realise that there are more 35lb Carp swimming around in our waters than the Bench Mark Red Finned Specimen itself. Ask any angler of his true desire, and most will unleash a firm desire to bank a 2lb Giant Red Fin. The Roach is the most wide spread and common of all British Coarse fish. Hunted by a wide range of Predators from birds, fish, and mammals ( including anglers ) , the Roach is still gazed upon with starry eyes with its deep silver flanks and glistening blood red fins. No other fish captures the imagination as a " Stonking Big Roach".

It is quite possible that the British Record Roach, which currently stands at 4 lbs 4 ozs, is the most prized in coarse angling. A half-pound roach is a nice one. A pound er is a big fish and a Two-pound er separates its captors from mortals, being the equivalent of Bannister's four-minute mile.

A few weeks ago Bruce Ruscoe brought to my attention that the Carp Anglers of a fairly local water were complaining of a lack of action. Most were pinning the blame on large nuisance Roach that were snaffling boilies intended for their larger cousins. One angler had returned a fish of 3lb 4 ozs in disgust, although why he had bothered to weigh and photograph this cheap piece of silver , I will never know ? Perhaps deep down inside a distant burning memory of catching small silver fish as a boy, and that magical 2lb barrier still pricked him from his now, He-man quest.

Bruce gets to grips with his fringe and the local Roach population using corn and maggots.

Never one to miss a trick, I met up with Bruce for a few hours, just to get a feel for the new venue and to ask a few questions from the owner and local anglers a like. A jigsaw of many pieces lay ahead. If I could just get the frame into place thou , I reckoned I might just be on my way. Bruce has always provided great top quality info in the past and for that I am very grateful. I certainly didn't doubt him for one second. My two hour visit would allow my natural angling ESP Water Craft to run wild , plus I could get a real feel for the place before deciding on my initial approach. After talking to the owner , the huge capture was clarified without any prompting and many other large un-weighed Roach had been putting in an appearance over the last twelve months, much to the Carp Anglers disappointment. On the downside, a netting of the lake was to take place very soon to remove some of the silver culprits and I only had until Christmas to act.

Two super Roach from my local River Dee

My current Roach Pb stands at very pleasing 2lbs 3 ozs so I have already achieved the want of many, however, such is the draw of these Gentle Giants that I would never give up any chance of improving on and so landing the ultimate angling prize.

After Bruce had managed to land a fair few fish of which two were knocking on the 1lb mark, I decided to visit the pool two days later giving it the dawn till dusk approach. Big Roach do have a knack of giving their presence away at first light when topping, and so as the dawn broke the skyline at 06.45 I was there waiting for the show. I had decided on ledgering tactics with one maggot/ ground bait feeder alternating between maggots and corn and one static 8mm popped up fruit flavoured Boilie situated six foot from the main feeder rod.

To cut a long story short on this first day of the campaign I managed 6 fish over the 1 lb barrier , the best fish weighing in at a pleasing 1 lb 10 ozs. All the fish were photographed on my old 80s Shakespeare match basket cushion for size reference. I always find it easier sitting on a basket when quiver tipping. Old habits die hard.

Hungry Perch were also landed.

Results from Session One

A good start at 14 ozs

They are getting bigger 1 lb 2 ozs

Best fish of the day . A very pleasing 1 lb 10 ozs.

Obviously the venue does have real potential and further visits are certainly a must before the netting takes place. Hemp, worms, casters and bread flake are all on the list for trial.

I intend spreading the word so as to give anyone who has not had a 2lb Roach the chance of doing so. Super Specimen Hunters are not off the list either , for in the angling world everyone who is anyone loves a Stonking Big Roach.

On the wildlife scene the quarry is an actual Nature Reserve and is close to a Top Bird Watching Site. Peewits or Lapwings, Black headed Gulls, Long tailed Tits , Chaffinches Grey lag Geese, Wrens and I reckon although I cannot be sure as it was to far away a possible Osprey. They are present in the region. All Exciting Stuff !!

Tight Lines !!!

Autumnal Bliss

Autumn, Our Most Spendid Season.

One of my favourite quotes of all time comes from a book "The Blameless Sport" written by Wilfred Morris. In it, he is heard to say :-

" There is nowhere like a well wooded riverside for viewing Autumn changes in there most enhancing form. And no one sees them so intimately as the Angler.
For he goes into the very heart of nature, at its wildest "

A Super quote but unfortunately there is not much to report on the fish catching scene this week. The long overdue rain finally arrived in a monsoon and left the rivers in a swirl of mud and debris. Possibly it could be argued as " The Wrong Sort Of Rain ". It could certainly be a few more days before the level reduces significantly. I did have a try for the old Barbel, but I blanked unsurprisingly. Maybe the sudden temperature drop from 12 to 10 oc was all a bit to much for them ?? Seven foot of extra water gave them plenty to play with and, it would have certainly washed all those bugs and slugs, seeds and berries out of the dry ditches and straight on to the Barbel's Dinner plate. A period of acclimatisation maybe before the gorge maybe ???



Fishing in a slack on a Swollen River ( click arrow to play video )


A sign that Winter is surely on its way as a Geese Skein forms overhead (video )

Being one step ahead, fortunately I took both Pike and Barbel rods and had a bit of fun on a canal with some feisty jacks. I managed two Pike-lets in the end and had quite a few follows. These Follows are always great to see. Normally a fish suddenly appears from nowhere intent on attacking your jerked bait. Normally your heart is in your mouth with a will it won't it take it. This all takes place within a split second as your wobbled bait finally runs out of water. I must remember to keep my rod tip off the water and on the bank so as to prevent spooking any such fish. It's a fine line, with such critters and spooking them with the rods reflection is simply not an option. Saying that, it was all very enjoyable.

I do love the Autumn, I think it is definitely my favourite Season. Not only for fishing but for the Wildlife and the wonderful British Countryside and all that goes with it.

Matt captures a Wonderful Pikers dawn

Black headed Gulls fight over fish scraps

I had a day out with Slash on a normally productive Pike Venue but for once the the Pike had the last laugh, Matt taking the spoils with a 8 Dram Perch, I ask You !!!!!! Black headed Gulls squabbled and competed with Great Crested Grebe and Cormorants for the ever pressurised Roach.

I thought I would post some pics and clips of this weeks adventures and capture the Autumnal Mood. Even if the fishing was poor the Wildlife viewing was wonderful. I had a Kingfisher sitting on a branch ten foot from my rods , and a Barn Owl shadow me much to its interest on the upper Severn. The Geese are starting to collect now in their familiar Skein formations. Quite a sight and sound at dusk. Mute Swans , Long Tailed Tits kept me entertained again on the upper river as well as some Funny Looking South-down Sheep on the far bank. A Grey Wagtail was my company on the canal as it flitted around looking for the maggots that I supplied it with.

A Fluffy South Down Sheep. I can see Ewe !!

A Grey Wagtail Flits about, looking for maggots !

Work again this week , which will be utilised well in allowing the rivers to fine down a tab. The Severn was close to bursting her banks on Thursday night so four days without further rain should have Her back to some sort of normality. Wishful thinking anyway . Failing that either hunting Monster Roach with Bruce or still water Piking with Slash , and his New Wheels , will be the order of the day.

I have just noticed that my camera has been set on Normal 3m mode instead of High Definition 10m. This will explain the poor picture quality of my last two sessions. It is normally the case when you catch somthing worth while. Oh and the camera clock was an hour fast.
Normal service I asure you Will be resumed next week.......................Doh !!

Tight Lines !!

A Magical Hour , in a Never to be Forgotten Evening. Barbelitus Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8QFNrTq9oo&feature=browch

"Oh what a night" by the four seasons came to mind in a magical Upper Severn Hour

Wednesday and I found myself at work, on my second day shift. I was having the run round, and it just one of those days. At 18.30 I escaped and sat in the car. I gathered my breath and wondered whether or not I could bothered going fishing at all after such a silly day. I took a deep sigh and thought hard about my previous two trips. Yes !! I had no hesitation. This was my time and I was going to utilise it to the max. I felt the angling pull grab hold of me. My stomach tightened as the thought of a chance of a real Big Kipper whirled in my head. I quickly fastened my seat belt and headed off down the A483, my gear already in the car for the quick get away.

I arrived at the Severn venue at 19.35, it was pitch black. On my last trip I had managed to tangle both rods together at last knock ins so I used the car headlamps to set up two new rigs for each individual rod. I grabbed my Korum Rucksack, rod bag, and landing net, donned my coat and woolly hat and headed down to the river. It was fairly nippy and the stars twinkled in the night sky as I ambled my way down to the river. Obviously there was nobody else there I had the whole stretch to myself again. The correlation of the Plough or Great Bear shone directly opposite where I was going to position myself. I set up the rod rest and quickly made up some pellet ground bait and attached two glugged shellfish Pellets on both rods. I was after Barbel this time , the Chub could wait. My first casts went in at 20.05. By 20.10 I had my first wrap around which resulted in a fish of just over 7lbs. Just as I was just slipping the net under the first fish of the night , the bait runner on my second rod screamed and I was playing another hard fighting Barbel. This one went 7 lbs 8 ozs. Both fish were now obviously in the landing net at the same time. I unhooked each one of them individually and allowed them to recover together in the steady current in my landing net. They were like peas in a Pod. Wow ! what a start and on the upper river. This was more like Middle Severn action. Ten minutes two fish.

Ten Minutes in and they were like peas in a pod. ( 2 x 7lb ers) , but my new camera was playing up again *"_*^ !!

Both fish were released when they had sufficiently recovered. Both rods were then re baited and cast back into position. For the next hour it all went quiet. I sat back and rattled off the weights of the fish I had had over the last three visits. A 4 , and a 5 , 2 x 6s, and 2 x 7s, an 8 and a 9 . I chuckled to myself, with all accounts the next fish should either be 3 or 10. Little did I realise the forthcoming outcome.

I was beginning to think that the full moons presence behind me was having its usual adverse effect. I have never had a good night when a full moon is present, it just seems to light up the whole sky and puts the Barbel off coming out of their daily haunts . However all these previous findings were about to change. At 21.45 hrs a good mass of cloud rolled in and I had to take my coat off as the air temperature rose. Suddenly with the absence of the moon the river was pitch black again, and I felt immediately more confident. At 22.20 the cloud disappeared once more , the stars and moon reappeared and once more my coat went back on. I sat and mulled over the situation. As it was fairly dark when I had arrived. I had made the pellet groundbait slightly drier than normal , not wanting to fall in the river, reaching out into the inky darkness for the magic mix. I wondered with this being the case, whether the small offering that were also present , had washed just that little bit further downstream than normal. I wound in both rods, I attached fresh pellets. I grabbed my landing net and walked the 30 yards downstream to where the free offering quite possibly had gathered. Being mobile in the past had paid dividends more than once and tonight was to be of know exception. Both rods were cast out simultaneously at 22.30. One just behind a trailing willow branch and the other on the far bank in the patch where a shadow of a large willow beckoned. Only five minutes after casting in the Shadow rod was a way and a very Powerful fish shot off downstream. I made contact and the fish did feel heavy and just hugged the bottom in the current as better fish do. After what seemed an age I managed to raise the fish and immediately slacked the clutch as a big swirl and splash occurred on the river surface. This was a good fish. Now, I received some great advice years ago from a Great River Angler called Cliff Taylor when playing Big Tench on light tackle on a a club water. Cliff would say "just take your time" . And so it has proved its weight in gold over the years. These great words of wisdom have helped me out many times over the years. It just helps you concentrate and not rush , panic or apply to much unnecessary strain. I did take my time and I felt in total control. The fish started to swim upstream again another good sign of a better fish. Finally I managed to glide the fish into my landing net and I felt the relief lift , and I felt the weight of the net the gloom. This was a " Gud un " the one I had been after. I arranged my unhooking mat in the now Bright Moon light. I peered down holding out the net and gasped , Yessssssssss !! The fish looked good and I was confident she would have a real chance of exceeding that Magical 10 lbs barrier. I lift the fish and net onto the mat and felt for the hook. It was well and truly buried in the fishes top lip, this was never going to get off. I attached the scales held my breath and lifted the net. The scales settled at 11lbs 5 oz . Deducting 1 lb for the landing net this fish was my first double of the season, weighing in at a creditable 10lb 5 ozs.

Elated . The plan had all come together. My First Double of the season and a special Upper River One at that. An immaculate 10lbs 5 ozs Upper Princess.

I simply beamed. I slipped the fish back and the net into the current and allowed her to catch her breath while I hurried back to my original position for my camera. Photographs were taken and then the fish was videoed as she recovered in the water before being released fit and well back into her watery abode. I was a happy bunny. My perseverance and confidence had paid off Big Time.

At 23.00 , I recast my rod with another glugged pellet to the same spot and sat back. Success and achievement felt oh so good and I smiled to myself incredibly content with my hunch and the success. At 23.25 the shadow rod was away again and I couldn't beleive it as once more a very powerful fish tore off downstream. Again the fish bored deep and hugged the bottom and then kited upstream, surely not another double. I held my breath as I raised the fish to the surface and once more a big swirl was forth coming. I quickly slackened the clutch and played the fish flinching every time it took line in case the hook slipped out. After another couple of surges the fish was mine and once more I peered down into the net. Wow this one looked even bigger. She was immeadiately weighed as She was still quite fiesty and full of energy .She was Bigger and was recorded at 10 lbs 8 ozs after deducting the 1lb landing net. This fish looked a lot bigger as She really was thick set and deep where as the previous fish had been fairly long. I checked the scales but settled for the double check. Spot on 10 lbs 8 ozs. Wow I was cock a hoop !!

At 10 lbs 8 ozs A real Thick Power House of a fish that looked even Bigger.

I had already texted Slash earlier to tell him my good news and I hesitated looking at my watch before I sent the second message just in case he was sleeping. He would understand my elation !! and I pinged off the text, it read " Another One !! They are coming like Buses " !! Once more the fish was photographed. I had just finished taking the last picture and was placing the fish in the net , when I noticed my other rod tip tapping sharply. I grabbed it quick and stuck, Yes !! fish on. This was know Barbel it shot of for the willow roots but I turned it easily compared to the Barbel and after two minutes of tooing and froing I had the Culprit sitting in the net beside me. It was an unmistakable Chub and She was a Big one at that. I allowed her to recover before I weighed her She really was a beautiful and well conditioned fish as were my previous 2 x 5lb fish from previous visits. I held my breath once more as the scale needle continued to move around the dial. It finally rested at 6lbs 8 ozs. With the 1lb deduction the fish was recorded at 5lbs 8 ozs.

3 x 5lb Upper Severn Chub from the new stretch , Topped by this one at 5lb 8 ozs

You don't get many of these pics in a lifetime. A 10lb + Barbel and 5lb + Chub . Both sit cheek and jowel on the unhooking mat together.

Upper Severn Magic. Video just click on the arrow to view

What an hour it had been. Two Double figure Barbel and a Clonking Big Chub. Someone really was looking down on me. The three River Fish weighing in at a combined weight of 26lbs 5 ozs . Not bad considering one of them was a Chub. I was, to say the least, ecstatic. One double is good enough, but two , well ...........................

Returning an Upper Severn Double. Video . Totally Barking Mad talking to fish , but obviously a very Happy Chappy !!

I stayed until 2am in the merest hope of another fish but the air temp did drop rapidly. I wasn't bothered one bit. The job was done I never felt the cold one bit I was Hot Hot Hot and felt like a Ready Brek Kid with that Orange Glow all around me, I was on Cloud 9 . Needless to say the Radio was flat out all the way home with Van Halen'.s Panama belting it out at max Thrash !!

And to think I wasn't even going to bother after a crap day at work. Determination , Confidence, and dedication had won the race. I was back on home ground and it felt Very Good Indeed !!!

Show me the way to go home !!

A Barbel Punch Drunk Video. I would have been well over the limit !!!!

Tight Lines !!

A Severe Case Of Barbel-itus Part 1 and Part 2

This week I had six days off to go at , and after recent events I was sure I was going to make the most of it. I had Barbel in mind and I new just the spot to try.

The River Severn is very low at the moment. We really have had little rain to speak of in the last two months. If the river was to spruce up rain would be required, How wrong could I have been , and the next three sessions were to prove my theory totally wrong. For some unexplainable reason I just had an inner feeling that old whiskers may just be catch able even if Sabrina was shockingly low. Armed with a variety of baits from Boilies to glugged Pellets , I set of for the upper River, the next three sessions would see my whole revived passion and love for my sport, reward me Big Time.

A Cheeky Young Scamp

Session ONE

Session one took place on the Sunday Night (25/10/09). On a previous trip I had landed a 5lb + Chub and a small 4lb Barbel . I was keen to see if there were any more leviathans present on the stretch. Big Chub are an awesome sight any time. They are the original native Severn Big Fish before the Barbel were introduced from the River Kennet by the Angling Times back in the 70s. A Chub beyond 5lb really is a sight for sore eyes. On the Upper River there have always been tales and myths of huge six and even 7lb fish , but with them being as illusive and as crafty as they are , you really can, and are up against it, most of the time. From recent articles in the press I have to agree that the best chance of catching a big Chub these days is to fish for Barbel A Real Monster Chav is then a real possibility. Not so long ago Bruce Ruscoe was lucky ( and I use the word loosely for it was a fantastic capture) to lure a 6lb 6oz River Severn fish to his net. A fantastic achievement from a river. Chub can grow even bigger in Still waters and I have also reaped the rewards in the past, in being lucky in catching fish up to 6lbs 13 ozs from such venues.

Bruce and a Previous Big River Prize at a colossal 6 lbs 6 ozs

Still water Chub grow very Big. My current PB stands at a very pleasing 6lbs 13ozs

I arrived and set up in just upstream of an overhanging willow and was in position by 17.30 just as the light was fading. I started to feed the swim slowly yet constantly. I had opted for glugged boilies once more. A Meaty Source for the Chub and a Scopex flavoured one for the Barbel. At 19.30 hrs and after two fruitless hours it was time for a change . The scopex boilie was replaced with a heavily glugged 14mm shellfish pellet. I recast to the same spot. I had just finished setting the bait runner when the rod was virtually pulled out of my hands from the the rest. The bait runner screamed as a powerful fish headed off way downstream. The fish was literally travelling like a train and there was little I could do about it. I finally managed to engage the reel and made contact with an obvious large yet very active lump. I just managed to turn the fish which was now an incredible 40 yds downstream and was dangerously close to a monstrous overhanging willow tree and its obvious accompanying snags. I slowly started to gain on the fish bringing it slowly up stream , but really it was still in total control. Suddenly it made a powerful lunge for the Willow roots. I had no option , I slammed the clutch on and jammed my fingers into the reel so that I could give the fish maximum pressure. It simply writhed and ploughed further into the underwater tangle of roots. I could feel the line grating against the snag as the fish seemed to shake its head violently. And then suddenly, and without any warning the line went slack. I sank to my knees in total disbelief and my head dropped as the pain bit hard. That had been the fish I had been waiting for for so long. This year really has been like no other for Big Fish Losses for me and so the saga continued.

On recollection the fish could have been a Salmon or even a big Pike or even a lost Carp , but it had felt 100% Barbel and a Very Big One at that. Once more I was left reeling on what could have been. Slowly I started to attach another pre-tied hook link, since my eyes are just starting to fade. And then I amazed Myself , for all the negativity of the loss was instantly dismissed. I was in the right spot, I had the right bait and it was working. The job in hand was again focused on. I would catch. I was upbeat and positive and determined to catch if not that fish, then its sister. This felt like the Stu of old, feeding on my positive and angling confidence. I was Truly back !!! The Mexican blues were history. I attached a freshly glugged pellet and recast to the same spot as before. At 20.10 the rod arched round and I was playing an obvious barbel if in miniature. Sure enough the culprit was a short plump fish of about 4lbs. I smiled at the plucky fish and took a quick photo of the bloated scamp. This one obviously enjoyed it's pies, and was one for the future. I uttered a deep satisfying sigh , attached another glugged bait and recast. At 20.45 the rod was off again and this time it felt a much better fish. After a good hard battle I slipped the net under a definite 8lb fish. I allowed her to recover, and I set up my weighing gear and camera. The scales crept round to a satisfying 8lbs 10 ozs.

Turning a negative loss into a Positive gain. 8lbs 10 ozs

I felt a lot better for the success and photographed the well conditioned fish. After that I had one more scamp of about 6lbs at 23.10 before I called it a day and headed home. The sky had cleared and the air temperature had dipped, a coat and woolly hat had been a willingly attachment. The roads for once empty apart from an ambulance that possibly had a supply of blood or an transplant organ on board was the only vehicle present. It never went daft but did a steady 75mph with its blue light flashing. I shadowed it and I stayed with it for 20 miles or so before it turned off for the Wrexham Maelor hospital



Video Clip A steady ambulance shows me the way home, after a night of tuition and learning.

I sat, whilst driving the creepy coupe and reflected on the night and what could have been. However this time I was totally upbeat and focused. I was was firing on all Angling cylinders. My next visit had already been planned and from the nights events and I was determined to succeed and land one of the Stretches obvious Monsters.
One would be mine, of that I was sure !!!!

One Last Cast

Session TWO

Session Two took place the following evening. I was still upbeat and totally focused. I really was convinced that this super new stretch of river really could produce a lump. Once again I arrived an hour before dusk and set up as previous. I set up one rod on the successful glugged pellet and the other rod on a source boilie, with big Chub still the intention. As with the previous night , I started to feed the swim slowly yet surely. At 19.30 , and after two fruitless hours, the source boilie rod started to receive twitches. Chub immediately came to mind. I played out two foot of extra line from the bait runner and held the rod in my hands. Chub , as with Pike, do not like resistance, and they will pick up and drop baits constantly if they feel any pressure what so ever. By giving them extra line , the pressure is slightly relieved and sometimes the bait is taken more readily. A good sharp strike is required as soon as a twitch is registered to stand any chance of lip hooking a Wiley old Chub. Finally after 4 ft of line being offered I had a good sharp pull and I struck. Yes !! Chub on , and it was a good one. I could feel the weight of a heavy fish as it bore deep and bolted straight for the willow roots. After a fine fight, even on pumped barbel gear, the Chavender was safely in my net. I removed the meat flavoured boilie from its big rubbery lip, and replaced the fish in my landing net to recover.

5lbs 2 ozs and very much on track.

The scales registered a very pleasing 5lbs 2 ozs. I was overjoyed. This had been the best possible start and now the rest of the evening could well and truly enjoyed. The super clean fish was photographed and returned safely. I smiled to myself, my confidence in my own ability was well and truly back. I was astute. Positivity followed by success was where I should have been along time ago after my dreamy hols , but now I was back , I was mentally angling strong and it felt good. The warm glow was certainly back. A feeling only an angler can experience after the satisfaction when a plan and successful capture all comes together. I was content and very happy. Stu was finally back and I meant angling business.

With much lighter shoulders I re baited and cast back to the same spot. A tiny bat was intent on knocking the rod tips as it crashed into my trailing lines. This had been a first, for it was the first bat I had seen on this higher upper stretch. Normally you are constantly accompanied by a variety of different species of bats on the Middle river reaches. Normally they appear at dusk feeding on the flying insect life. Using there finely tuned Sonar they can normally avoid your lines , but sometimes they just seem intent on just flicking your lines. This normally occurs if you suddenly change the position of a rod. It always seems to catch them out until they re tune, their high pitched and well developed sat Nav. Sometimes you can even here their tiny little wings vibrating as they fly closely over head.

At 22.23 I was joined by a pair of Mute swans as they made their way upstream, their strong legs carrying them against the strong current , grunting cautiously as they passed. They were obviously astonished to see me in the gloom for not many anglers frequent these upper reaches in the day let alone at night. I had to wait until until 21.30 for my next bite, but it was worth waiting for. A good hard fighting fish of 9lbs 10 ozs was the reward.

Now we are getting there. A Blurred High Speed Train of 9b 10 ozs

A super condition specimen that unfortunately was not captured in all its glory as my new Nikon Cool pix camera was playing up. Both Chub and Barbel pics came out hazy but I have since rendered the problem. I left at about 23.00 hours once again content with my nights work. The progression towards a Monster Barbel and with a Great Chub under my belt was well under way and I was so sure that this stretch really was going to reward me.

Session Three follows, when a Magical hour finally delivers the goods, Big Time !!!

Tight Lines !!

Fish on !!!