Trotting Pellet For Chub - Warwickshire Avon Magic

I had recently fished both tiny and large rivers so I fancied a bit of middle for diddle medium size piscary, so I popped down to the Avon just to catch whatever came along, although when I say 'popped' it took me two hours courtesy of roadworks for HS2, no doubt that will be a recurring theme over the next few years. I was undaunted though as I was fishing a new stretch of the Warwickshire Avon in the green rolling hills and couldn't wait to get started. I had a pint of maggots, a pint of pellets and a whole heap of excitement and anticipation. Gear wise it was a one rod, rucksack and stool job as usual.

A stool job doesn't sound good does it? Basically I was travelling light with the usual gear.

I started at a spot below a fantastic old fashioned boulder weir, the rumble of water a stark contrast to the ever so silent peace and tranquility of the walk from the car. Naturally I started on maggot happy to catch anything but after a dozen of the world's smallest dace, bleak and minnow I realized this may not be the best approach here.

I could see gudgeon dancing about in the clear water at my feet and there's a wise old native American saying that if you can see the spots on gudgeon flanks then the water is clear enough for pellet to work well. I emptied the maggots out of my bait bib, wiped off all the maize with a towel and tipped in a pint of 4mm and 6mm pellet and banded a 6mm on a size 18 barbless, I was going all in, pellet attack!

Ok I made up that 'wise' saying about the gudgeon but it does usually ring true, however native americans prefer traditional methods and reckon pellet is not apache on other baits.

It was an awkward swim requiring a decent cast of the stick float and a catapult for feeding so I fed out a small pouch of pellet, waited then fed another, I then cast into the flow and the first bite came instantly, often this approach picks out small chub then the roach and larger chub will follow and sometimes barbel if they are about, however you can also get nothing so I was happy with a nice coloured chub to kick things off.

Another almost identical chub followed by another slightly larger, things were looking good and it sure beat catching minnow sized dace.

Then a couple of good chub of around 3lb put a bend in the rod and I had that magic feeling of knowing it's working and every fish would be a netter.

When pellet works it works well and every strike was met with solid resistance. I expected some roach but it was currently all chub, nothing else was getting a look in but I didn't mind, you can't fish rivers and not love chub.

It was a purple patch of a fish almost every trot through and they were getting bigger and at times I thought they were barbel as they ploughed into the middle of the river and held station, I decided to weigh one and it went 4lb 6oz and would probably be a 'five' when it fills out a bit.

I had to stop for a bite to eat as it was quite tiring fishing, but I kept feeding whilst I munched away, the sun came out in patches but the weather had on the whole been perfect at around 19c and cloudy, a little bit of sun wasn't going to ruin things after a good morning. I watched as my gudgeon shoal was joined by the odd tiny chublet and dace in the shallows some of which were attacking the pellets that escaped when loading the catty.

The sun did make fishing harder, illuminating the weed I previously didn't know was there, I knew it would slow things down but I still managed to winkle out another chub, the bonus of the bright weather is it really brings out the colour of the fish.

Usually the roach feed well on pellet in the sun but I had none today, perhaps there was a pike about as a few fish were jumping out there and all the chub seemed to be a good size. During the short sunny spells I chilled out and looked down once more at the gudgeon in the shallows, they were now accompanied by a tiny perch and a few small roach which ghosted through.

When the cloud came back so did the fish although it was typical pellet fishing now with not many bites but when there were the float went under in exactly the same spot each time, just below a small patch of weed where I had to hold the float back to go over it, getting the float in the sweet spot each time was hard in the flow but worth it especially as some of the later fish were in almost perfect condition like this one.

There was still time for the largest fish of the day at 4lb 8oz, a solid fish that really felt heavy in the current and took some playing as a moorhen and it's fluffy black chick decided that was a good time to cross underneath. Once again it was a fish that will fill out a bit more but to catch one this size in such wonderful condition was a real bonus.

I finished the day with 16 good chub, most of which were in really fine condition much like the fishery which was spotless and beautiful, I only fished for five hours and some of that was on maggot and a lot of the time I was taking breaks and soaking up what was a wonderful day, something I've been trying to do more of since starting this blog. 

There was the odd comedy cast, but I succeeded in not hooking any of the reeds which was a result as they looked ever so unforgiving. There was also quite a few streaky catapult moments but lets not dwell on those eh! If you have read any of my other posts you'll know my catapult skills are... well lets just say I grew up fishing rivers you can jump across so go figure.

I suppose there must have been 40lb of chub but lets not forget the 4oz of dace too, although that may be pushing it as they really were tiny. How I didn't lose a single chub was more down to good fortune than anything else as quite a few crashed into the reeds, with clutch screaming runs and the rod bent double, only to be coaxed out each time, but sometimes you just get lucky.

I was lucky, not just with the fish, but the scenery and the weather too - Everything was just perfect on The Warwickshire Avon today.

First Barbel of the Season

 I was back on a local river yesterday afternoon with the leftover bait from the Marlow trip, just enough maggots for a few hours trotting. I didn't expect it to be so hot and the bright sun was a stark contrast to the overcast windy day I had before. No coat or hoodie was needed as it was the T-shirt weather again, the weather has certainly had some variety this summer and I must admit I quite like it.

I wanted some variety in the fishing too and any barbel would be nice although I couldn't spot any which was worrying as it sort of confirmed stories of poaching going on, there was still a few nice chub around though and a 3lb chevin was the first good sized fish of the new season, lots of dace plus decent sized roach and these three species kept me busy in the sunshine as I trotted maggot. 

It seems this year is going to be a good one for dace and I had some crackers once again but this blog is fast becoming trottingdowntheriverfordace so no photos this time. The roach and chub kept the silver darts honest and I soon got though the half pint of maggots I had remaining.

I moved to get some shade for the last hour or so and switched to pellet for the first time this season stepping up the gear slightly, naturally the first fish was a small chub with a big gob but also a few 6oz roach followed which is a good sign. Then the float buried and stayed buried, like a magnet had sucked it to the bottom and wouldn't let go even with a strike. Sometimes you forget how much these barbel fight especially on float gear, the first barbel is always great so I took a photo of the long, lean torpedo of a fish, not big by any means but it sure wasn't a dace.

As is often the case on the float a three more followed in quick succession interspersed with kamikaze cigar sized chub and the odd roach, it showed there was still barbel around in this stretch. Up to now the season had been 'nice' with nothing big but now it seemed better now that a few barbel had seen the net. The second barbel was a beauty and to get such a nice fish so early into the season is a real fillip. 

I rested each fish well taking the opportunity to watch them in the net, stopping, staring much like the swallows yesterday, each one was fighting fit and wanted to go, nonetheless I waited until they showed it fully, skylining the narrow swim each time but like I cared about that then. The swim naturally went dead but I'd had enough by then, the warm sunshine had turned to cool shade where I was so I was happy to take a slow walk back through the sunny meadows in the evening sun, reflecting on what's been a good start to the season.

I may delve into the records and pick a random river next, or try somewhere new although I've already fished four rivers and the season isn't much over a week old. Despite all these trips it seems I've been watching football all week, how does that work? A few weeks ago I had no car and envisaged limited trips to the rivers so now I'm making the most of it, so when I'm stuck indoors snowed under with work later in the year I can look back at these days when I made hay as the sun shone, it was certainly shining today.

River Thames Marlow

 It had been a while since last visiting this stretch of the Thames so to be greeted with bankside improvements such as purpose built platforms and designated fishing areas was a pleasant surprise, so before I tell you about the fishing it's worth crediting the work done by Little Marlow Country Park and the EA in improving this stretch, also the place was spotless so well done to all involved.

One arrival the river was a nice colour but when walking downstream I was unable to keep up with the current, when the Thames is doing this in summer it's safe to say it's pushing through a little. It looked too fast by the first few swims and actually looked too fast where I set up on the deep band but I had to run a float through somewhere.

I set up a 7no4 stick which I knew full well took a bit more shot like most floats do, but this one took the biscuit as it was more like 10no4 but it would do. I started at around 8ft deep edging deeper each time before I finally got my first bite fishing close in under the rod tip but well downstream, I must have been around 9ft deep and bites were similar to hitting bottom but the first dace was more than welcome.

It was hard to gauge where my loosefeed was getting down to in the deep boily water which also surged every now and then, bites seemed to coincide with the surface being flat and the flow going steady which wasn't often as a series of boats went by. As each one chugged through we exchanged waves keeping it friendly, just to let them know their course was good as it is a corner that can get cut quite badly, on several occasions they slowed down for me although they didn't have to which was nice of them and it was all ever so relaxed, even this canal barge overtake was in slow motion.

Trotting through the chop was pretty futile as I couldn't get bites then but when It calmed a small window of opportunity arose. After a couple of dace something better was on and I thought it was a good roach until a small chub surfaced, even these half pound fish pull well and they felt twice the size bringing them up through the deep water, which was putting a decent bend in the rod.

It was a good morning, hard but rewarding getting 4 dace and 4 half pound chub all of which were in great condition, I hoped for the odd roach but they didn't show and although it's usually good for perch there I didn't expect any in that current today given there was a massive slack across the other side, only one rogue bleak showed but I'll take that given there could be thousands of the blighters.

Then the bites just stopped maybe due to a combination of a dog going in downstream where it shallowed and the sun coming out, also more boats came though including the only one who didn't wave in his huge white plastic battleship, looking down on all he surveyed. Give me a genteel canal barge chugging through any day. I stopped for lunch looking at the poor houses opposite wondering how these people cope.

After lunch I needed a wander so I explored back upstream, on one occasion looking through a gap between two alders I stopped and watched several swallows skimming the surface in a wonderful close up display, whilst a tatty looking red kite soared overhead observing all below, it was a time to stand and stare as the traffic rushed over the flyover and people walked behind me, oblivious to this show which seemed to be all mine, enjoy it I did before a dog took a shine to me despite being encouraged back by the two young ladies who were walking it, they were ever so easy on the eye It has to be said, at times like these I do wish I was younger again, mind you I would also need to be better looking and not covered in turmeric.

Despite all the sights it soon dawned on me I should have really stayed put as it was ever so windy further up and the current was not yielding any bites only turbulence, a couple of carpers were in the lock cut so I left them to it, one on a little boat no doubt inspired by Terry Hearn's excellent Eleven Years Afloat video the other bivvied up out of the wind. In another spot my float pinged off the latest snag into an almighty tangle so it was time to call it a day and keep the powder dry in the hope I can pop out the next day.

I only caught the 8 fish and it was hard going but feel I could have had more which isn't a bad feeling to have in a strange way, I could have fished a tad better, however on the flipside it's not impossible to blank when the Thames is a bit stroppy so a few fish are better than none, it was also fun and the surroundings were pleasant, it was, all in all a nice morning on Father Thames.

A Subtle Start to The River Season

The Glorious 16th

 I'm up with the birds on the 16th partly to get a good spot and also with a view to packing up at lunchtime with temperatures potentially nudging the 30 mark, off to a private stretch of river that would hopefully be quieter than the other options available. It was the 16th though so I didn't care as long as there was somewhere to run the float through for the first time, trotting down the river.

On arrival there's a few cars there but it's ok, one of my preferred swims was vacant, trouble was it was also empty of fish, the same spot where last year I had one a chuck was now clear gravel with nothing to be seen gliding over it in the bright morning sun, they must be somewhere else I thought so I continued upstream my feet getting wet from the morning dew as the birds sang their hearts out.

I found a spot where there was a decent run through and set up a 4no4 stick with basic shotting as it was only two feet deep, it's always special when the float glides under the shade of the trees and goes under for the first time, the first fish of the river season was a small chub, which was almost predictable as there's loads in this stretch.

An hour later I wondered downstream passing a couple of anglers and settled on a deep bend where the river did a right angle, here I could still see bottom but also a few roach gliding about and it had a lovely bit of shade. Just to sit there running the float through was a dream, looking up I also had a great view of the river as a swan came down, it's white reflecting the sun in what was a sea of green.

I was catching a few fish although nothing big, it seemed to be one of those days but I was content to be getting a few 6-8oz roach which looked absolutely massive in the clear water, then when in the net it's a case of "Oh not as big as I thought" They were pretty though as their silver flanks and red fins stood out when returned to the water to look big again.  A few perch, gudgeon and the compulsory chublets made for variety as a couple of carp crashed around in the watercress still breeding.

One of the chaps packed up and came by, covered in sweat he looked ever so hot, he said it was the worst first day he has had which was a shame, I really hope he regroups and gets some perspective of the day once at home with a nice cool drink. After he passed by I had a nice chub, barely even a pound but absolute perfection, It was to be the biggest fish of the day but I wasn't too concerned.

I was still sitting in the shade getting bitten but it beat getting burnt, it had been ages since I had such an early start and lunchtime seemed to take forever to come so I had elevenses and tucked into my packed lunch before noon, which is illegal in some countries. Mark Twain once harshly said that "Golf was a good walk ruined" However you can't say that about fishing, I'd already had a nice walk, caught a few fish along the way and was now having a picnic under a tree, I didn't need a big fish today.

Apparently they now reckon Mark Twain didn't say that at all, also it's not illegal to have lunch before noon in any country, even Hungary.

The Wet 17th

The next day i'm off to Cassiobury Park in Watford to fish the Gade, almost a tradition even if it is a river suffering from the usual urban predicaments and is considered well past it's best, I have fished this river for decades from the time it used to see dozens of anglers each day, today there was just one as yours truly had the whole stretch to himself. Mind you it was chucking it down but after the heat of yesterday I didn't care as I set up in the heavy rain by a weir.

I couldn't wait to wade out there and I knew I would get a dace or two and sure enough the float went around the boils like a whirling dervish and the first of several silver darts ripped it under the way only weirpool fish can do, medium sized but perfection.

A few small chub, roach and gudgeon were mixed in with the dace although I was a bit miffed to lose the only perch of the day in the turbulent water, not a big one but perch are really rare in this stretch since the weirs were lowered making it shallow and fast, they used to be the most common fish as my records dating back to the 80's show, sometimes it's good to keep track of how the rivers change.

I wondered upstream (I would say lonely as a cloud, but clouds were aplenty and they were still dishing out the wet stuff) and fought my way through the undergrowth to spot that used to be good for chub but hasn't produced the last few years. With the rain finally starting to ease it was like a jungle, even when the park is busy this spot is tucked out the way, with everything overgrown it took me a while to find it and even longer to find a way back out, my reward for this endeavour was just a couple of roach and small chub, but that's proper roving for you.

Out of the jungle I had lunch at a deserted picnic site, sitting on my jacket in a T-shirt having worked up a sweat, the cooling effect of light drizzle now welcome on my arms. Some chap went by with no shoes on, it's never dull when you fish somewhere public.

 I soon had to work my way back downstream as I was on the clock regarding limited parking in the side street, refusing to pay the £5 for the car park that was once free. The park itself was still empty, the bonus of this weather as only the hardy dog walkers were out, along with one hardy angler and no shoe guy. Trying a few more likely spots here and there I picked up more roach and dace, some better ones too.

In little over three hours I ended up 47 fish most of which were dace all on my own private bit of river, well when I say private it's free, anyone can fish it but if you want the whole place all to yourself - Just add rain.

An Angler's Guide To The Fishing Road Trip

 It's that time of year again, the days are long and the road beckons, here is a lighthearted guide that may help you if you are in two minds whether to take that long journey, is it all worth it? I think it is so what are you waiting for?

This guide is for the solo road tripper so if you have a companion on your journey that's great, also it's a bit old school at times so if you have also got tech that does the job better than what I'm using that's even better, already you are one step ahead. I hear many people say how it's "Too far" or "I get bored on long journeys" so in this blog I'll reveal some steps that make that journey fly by and stuff you can take that may come in useful.

Most guides would have suggestions as to the ideal vehicle for such trips but have you seen the car I drive? Seriously If I can do it in an old banger then you can do it in your motor no problems. Most my road trips have been in  a 1.0 litre automatic city car that's over 20 years old, now that's rock n roll - literally when going round corners.

Here are some of the things I wouldn't be without on a long journey so let's get started, Oh and by the way don't forget your car, it can get tiring walking along with all the gear before you realize you're going round the M25 quicker than you usually do.

1. Fishing Gear

It sounds obvious but hands up if you have forgotten an item of tackle in the past, we've all done it but on a long trip you cannot afford to leave something out, so do whatever it takes to remember everything - Write a list, have a mnemonic, tattoo it on your arm (ok maybe don't do that)  but double check, triple check just to make sure you don't leave that vital bit of kit at home on the kitchen floor, It's no good to you there and will be sitting laughing at you on your return.

2. Maps

You have probably got a sat nav but there's still a place for maps and if you have printed out maps of the fishery they come in super handy. Your phone is going to be hard to see in that blazing sun even if you do finally get a signal by the River Obscure in Wherearewe, Nowhereshire, you can also print out back up maps with postcodes for other waters nearby, for that plan B when you find the original car park looks like a demilitarized zone full of undesirables.

3. Coffee/Tea

Bit self explanatory but it is a long journey so why not have a break somewhere, I've managed to find some fantastic places off the beaten track to stop for a brew. By taking a flask you can stop wherever and whenever you like, lean against the bonnet of your 1.0 (hiding the rusty hole on the wheel arch) and look well cool. 

4. Food

The chances are you could be getting a bit hungry by the time you reach that dream water, you don't wan't to be looking for food so why not take a packed lunch, you can either eat this on the bank or on your coffee break depending on how kind the traffic gods were. If you know you are going really off grid why not take a dinner for later as well, a cool box with some cooked chicken and potato salad in the boot of the car - Yum! Or reccie where the local chippy is as it pays to fuel up before heading home.

5. Magic Bottle

Ok this bottle does what it does and it's usually stowed away under one of the seats, I found it ideal when camping and more so when there's no where to go when driving, lets face it there aren't always services around and the chances are you will pick the one layby that's totally open with no cover at all, what's worse it has a minibus full of nuns parked up and that coffee, as nice as it was now want's to go through. The map book comes in handy here is it can cover everything whilst you sit pretending to plot the rest of your journey whilst that coffee you drank earlier finishes it's. Just pray though that Sister Wendy doesn't come up and ask for directions. 

There are a couple of don'ts with the magic bottle, one is don't use it whilst moving, it is almost impossible and pretty dangerous both to other traffic but also your car's interior. Also don't ever mistake it for the coffee flask, one will be lukewarm and taste really bitter and the other will be the magic bottle. Do try to empty it discreetly and like everything else on your trip it's reusable so the only thing you'll be leaving is footprints as the saying goes.

6. Transistor Radio

How old school can I get but seriously this comes in handy, batteries seem to last years in them unlike your phone or car so if you have an 'engine off' traffic jam you can find out what's going on without draining your electrics, you can also take it fishing if there's a big game on. However don't go round telling everyone you enjoy having your tranny in a layby.

7. Music

It doesn't matter what format you are using, 8 track, cassette, CD, MP3, MP4 or M-People playing live on the backseat, music really breaks up a journey. Take that music you haven't heard in ages, an audiobook or a new album and enjoy, that's a good chunk of your journey where you can switch off and relax. If you have your sounds on your phone why not listen to a roadtrip playlist, the modern equivalent of the mix tape us oldies used to make, stick it on shuffle and wonder what the next track will be as all the sales reps tear past. (Don't worry you'll overtake them later when they stop at the services as they don't have magic bottle, food or a flask of coffee ;-)

There are other things you need like money, clothes and fast women, little things so if ever you think you are missing something include it next time, it's your road trip after all.

Anticipation

Always take this as it's free and it's what makes fishing special, there's no harm in having a picture in your mind but be prepared for a new water to look a lot different to how you imagined it. If you are revisiting an old favourite you can guarantee it will differ in some ways to last time, the water could be lower or much higher, the wind may be a pig, that swim may be full of nice barbel and all yours, the possibilities are endless, you never know what's ahead.

It could just look beautiful like this.

Warp Speed

This leads me to how we break our journey up, how we fold time, not like sci fi but in the mind. Time is, after all a man made concept to chronologically order our lives, we have no need for tracking time on a leisure trip so under no accounts say you'll aim to be there at a x o'clock, you'll only find yourself rushing or getting beaten by the traffic, you're not working after all, leave the mad rush to those who are getting paid for it. That dream water will still be there when you get there.

I always split my journey into 3 hour slots roughly even if I know the journey could take less time on a good day, that way there is no rush all all, for the first part the radio is on getting the latest traffic reports, I also get down with the news and sport, finding out what's going on in the world and usually thanking the heavens I'm going fishing away from all the madness. By the time you have contemplated why on earth traffic reporters always tell you their name you are well on your way. 

The next part usually involves a motorway or two, this is where your new killer sounds come in, it really helps to drive slow on this leg, I know that sounds weird but it does work, drop in with the lorries and just cruise, by the time that new album has finished you've just gone another 50 minutes and the chances are you are over half way. Driving fast makes you more tired and going this speed is quite relaxing, just try not to look at those annoying signs that say Jct32 is 48 minutes. If you have a hands free why not phone someone if you have time, catch up with a friend or elderly relative for a chat, but not whilst you are playing thrash metal or punk.

The final leg of the journey is usually back on the A-Roads, chances are you are looking to stop by now for a break to use the magic bottle, have a coffee or both, you're now in the countryside and almost there, breathe in that fresh air and enjoy it but find time to curse those who are lucky enough to live in these areas, especially when they moan how it once took them 45 mins to get there on a fishing forum.

So you've now made it, it wasn't that bad, you do have a look at the time just to see and guess what there's still over ten hours of daylight left, now that's one long session ahead. Despite this you are so eager to wet a line, that walk to the water cannot go quick enough but now's the time to once again take it easy, find a good spot and realize that you may not be onto fish straight away, most of all enjoy it, you could be at home doing the same thing you did yesterday or the day before....

Or you could be doing this.

Now I did remember the landing net didn't I?

Magic Bread on the Match Pool

 With June here and the weather hot at last it was time to do a bit of fishing in the upper layers on the match pool, no single maggot this time, bread was the bait, a loaf of cheap white. It couldn't be simpler with a slice at a time going in to a tub of water crusts n' all, feed a golf ball of this mash and cast over it shallow. The pole float would cock gently with no weight other than the bread hookbait, squeezed on so it falls slowly though the upper layers, that was the plan. I call it Magic Bread - It's magic because you don't have to do anything to it, just keep it simple.

The plan worked, I'm not sure the float ever cocked fully despite having it set at just 3ft, bites were instant and continuous, I thought I would get plagued by small roach but it was all carp and bream aside from two decent redfins, even the mallards stayed away. I hit a good fish almost every time the float zipped away on an angle with the bream seemingly needing a gentle lift rather than a strike, it felt good slowly bending into these fish, whereas the carp took off all crazy and made for some barn storming runs. I was also able to mug cruising fish at will at times as there was no weight, a floating bit of bread was an easy swap to make when ambushing passing surface fish.

This type of fishing often picks out the bigger samples and whilst most the fish were in the middle  I managed the next one from right by the platform as I was sitting on the step behind it, there's something about dropping a bait on a carp's nose and it taking it under your feet, they are lovably daft at times. I was lucky it didn't get underneath the platform and it also only just fitted in the landing nets the club supply at this fishery due to khv.

I had to change nets as that carp made what was a small hole quite a large one so my walk gave me a chance to take a break and stroll round the pond, it was such a lovely morning and the only other angler on my bank was in good spirits enjoying the sun, he looked like he was getting as sunburnt as me.

Bites continued on my return, when not mugging carp the bream were providing solid bites out in the middle two rod lengths out and a couple of them were the flying variety, this one did three jumps, one of which was a forward two and a half with tuck and would have scored 6.0's from the judges I imagined on the far bank holding up scorecards.

I couldn't help but pick out a few more carp and seemed to spend the half hour before lunch alternating between carp and bream, I must admit I do like doing this sort of fishing every now and then, the bream all slow motion (aside from the airborne variety) and the carp all clutch screamers, jolly good fun they both were as I was fishing light enough to enjoy the bream and heavy enough for the carp.

After lunch a chap set up on the pole quite close so it became all bream for a while as the cruising carp got cagey, my bread was outfishing his pellet attack although I did have a head start to be fair, the fish were on it and staying on it. I managed one last carp covered in tubercles which secreted a white milky substance on my arm when I was unhooking it, so much for them not feeding when in the mood for love, one thing's for sure they do love bread, I'm not sure there's a better bait for fishing on the drop on hot days.

That breeding carp was my cue to call it a day an hour after lunch, mind you I had got through all my water and was pretty knackered plus I had managed to get sunburn on my left knee of all places. I was down to my last couple of slices but must have had around 70lb of fish which is a bit crazy really especially when you think that's just 50p worth of bait. 

That's what I call value for money.