A recent trip to Cumbria and Scotland ignited the flame again, a trip to a syndicate water with Fred Sykes in search of wild carp was just the tonic I needed,
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| brace of wildies |
then a move to another lake owned by top angler Sid Boulter confirmed the fact I needed to be on the bank again, the ever faithful fish spotter Stubble accompanied me on this occasion,
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| Stubble the fish spotter |
but alas in all got a bit much, concentration levels were overtaken by the need for sleep.
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| too much |
On my return home the banks of the Stour seemed a very welcome place, the lack of anglers was also to my liking, I suspect that may change as the season progresses, fish were found on the first weekend of my return, the water clarity was good for fish spotting, I had soon found a small shoal of chub in the 5- 6lb bracket, these were ignored as one fish thirty yards downstream had caught my eye on the way up, this of course as ever was the focus of my attention, despite my best efforts and being a little rusty the inevitable blank ensued, several pulls were missed, a couple of seasons ago it would have resulted in a capture.
The following weekend a deluge of rain resulted in the river rising and coloring up, I should have made some cheese-paste, but having a busy day I never got around to it, that won't happen again, I will make time. Another blank, but new swims were fished, and indications on the rods told me fish were in these areas, so things are going in the right direction.
Hopefully next weekend will bring some reward, I have ordered more 3-B paste from the ever reliable Hookbait Company, I will of course keep you posted.
cheers nairny
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| Dorset Stour, their be monsters |
Hi Ian.I have loved reading your blogs. Glad you getting back into the fishing.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask how you mount your paste.Direct on the hook? Do you mould it around anything?
Also I in a dilema with rod and line. Stretch i fish holds 7lb+ chub and 15lb+ barbel. I after chub but am using 1.75lb tc rod with 10lb line in case a barbel shows. But not sure whether too heavy for chub.Can you fish effectively for both species?
Hi mate, I mould paste directly on the hook leaving a tiny bit of hook point showing, I have tried all ways this works for me. The rod and line you are using is too heavy for chub, I use a drennan feeder with an 1.5 oz tip reel line is 6lb Guru drag line, I have landed 7lb chub and barbel to over 14lb on this although it is a little under gunned for the barbel. Chub and barbel are a world apart so I really don't think you can seriously fish for both species effectively, something has to give. That said the gear I am using will land most fish in my swims, so I am fairly confident. I also fish for barbel as well, my gear then changes to much the same as you are using. Which river are you on, if you don't mind me asking. Cheers nairny
ReplyDeleteCheers for the reply Ian. I was using 1.5lb seer quiver which used to be my dads but upped the gear recently. I will go back to the lighter set up I think. I fish the Stour same as yourself. We share the same bait Company which is where I found the link to your blog. Been using dumbells but now getting cooler changed to paste but just bit paranoid it coming off.
ReplyDeleteSorry just realised I spelt your name wrong twice. Apologies
DeleteHi mate at least you did get there in the end no worries, I have people from my office emailing me everyday and getting it wrong, now that does piss me off haha.
ReplyDeleteMay see you on the bank sometime. Bumped into an old guy on the bank Sunday looking for you. I told him I have never met you but would prob recognise you as been reading your blog which helped inspire me to get back into course fishing this season after a break of a few years.Small world lol
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