Sometimes they get away 22-12-18

Me and Chris went on another pike session at the res.We decided to try a different area,the weather was overcast and during the morning we had a couple of showers.My first run came as my float buried and pike no 1 was on the mat.

Chris had his first run not long after on lamprey.Turned out a dropped run.At around 12-30 we moved to another area,both fishing a float and a rod on an alarm.After about an hour my float buried for pike no2 but after unhooking it ,it's gills flared and as I put her back on the mat she slipped back into the water.My second pike of the day on smelt.As the afternoon wore on Chris managed another run on lamprey but that also turned into a dropped run.Just as darkness was falling Chris,s float dipped for his first pike on mackerel.seems Smelt is king on this water for me anyway.

Came at just the right time,we fished into darkness and with no more pike we headed home.

Till the next time bloggers.

Smelt Is King 15-12-18

We decided to fish a Resovoir for pike today.The weather wasn't looking good,strong winds with rain to follow,I,hate pike fishing in the rain.We sorted our pegs,Chris would float fish both rods and I decided to fish one on the ledger down the margin to a overhanging tree and then float fish one in the margin in front of me.My baits were herring on ledger and smelt on the float rod.It wasn't long before my ledger rod went only too lose the fish,on inspection of the bait I had bite marks in between both trebles.I Recasted to the same spot and clipped up my drop arm ,then I heard this bang and thought what the hell my float rod has fell of the bank sticks into the water as I tried to get my landing net the rod slipped away into the deep margin.As I saw the butt dissapear I had to compose my self as I thought was it a pike that had pulled my rod in ,had I not set the baitrunner ??????????????????

I reeled in my other rod took the bait off and cast in searching the margin,luckily I new the make up of the bottom as I'd feeder fished there and new if a pike had took my rod that it couldn't of got far,after 3 casts and help from Chris I was reeling my rod in and unbelievable there was a pike on,I guided the rod to the surface and Chris grabbed it and safely landed the pike.

Hooked in the scissors,rod back and this has never happened to me before .

It wasn't long before  Chris,s float dipped and sailed away for his first pike of 2018 and his first in over 5 years.

The face you pull when it's a jack ..............

The wind had really picked up and after the nightmare I'd experienced I was now fishing both rods on ledgers.Chris had another bite and the fish came off.He didn't have to wait long before he landed his next pike.

A nice pike for Chris his second on smelt.The rain looked like it was gonna come down earlier than forecast and the wind was up and it was damn cold now.Chris would get another run but that fish came of aswell,a busy day for Chris .Nothing was happening for me before Chris had his third pike in the rain ,yet again to smelt.

Looking at the fish it seems a repeat capture of his second fish.

As the afternoon came the rain was persistent and didn't look like clearing ,we packed up at 2-45pm cold wet and a few pike under our belts.

Chris 3 Pete 1 All on smelt.

Onwards and upwards for the next Pike session.

Tight Lines .

The forgotten Lake 9-121-18

Me and Chris set out today to fish a lake I got obsessed with over 4 years ago,for me it replaced the heartbreaker I'd previously put a lot of time in knowing the rewards,but had to move on away from the circus and the killing of a pike I wanted badly..This trip would see a return for Chris who hasn't pike fished for a long time,.We arrived at the lake with it all to ourselves.We decided to fish the big peg,memories came flooding back for me as we set up.One rod was on an a

Arm with a pollen.second rod was a float rod on smelt.Anyway time to kick back enjoy a chat with Chris and a brew.It was overcast with wind blowing into the bank ,we didn't set up camp as a move at lunch time was on the cards.At around 10 am my float dipped and sailed away.

Not a monster but was pleased with a bite on a lovely lake.At 12 we moved with no further action to a sheltered bay.Chris was like a kid on Xmas day ,he was enjoying the fact he was out after pike after so long.We switch baits around 2pm and waited .We fished into dark but nothing came.On the way home we discussed possibilities for next week and will be back after pike.I think my enthusiasm is coming back,I've missed it.

Till the next time bloggers,Tight Lines .

Pike and Roach 1-12-18

Today would be my first time out for 4 years pike fishing,Chris would be fishing for silvers.I set a bag up with pike gear what I would need but I forgot butt rests,rods were made up of which I had left them last time I was out.So after a bit of modification I had two floats out,one with a pollen and the other a bream.The temps were up,the easterly winds had gone and it was overcast.We were both struggling and Chris had a fish on that hadn't registered on the alarms.

A tiny Roach of which a perch followed .After lunch I wanted to switch a float rod to a ledger rod ,but with no butt rest I looked at my forceps and thought that'll work.So I reeled in the right hand float rod and took the float of and added a lead.

Can you see the forceps .

As the day wore on Chris had another roach but nothing for me.A guy further down Chris photographed a 17 lb pike .Throughout the day there was plenty of fish topping ,a few pike swirls but no action in my peg.

Even these Xmas treats didn't work.We fished into darkness ,packed up but will be back for another trip to the countryside on this water .

Till the next time bloggers .

Fishing The Mere 11-11-18

After a bit of discussion between me and Chris we decided to travel in to the countryside and try out the fishing for Roach and Bream.Armed with Maggots and worms we set up in a large peg,me fishing in one direction and Chris the opposite way.We hadn't been there long and the rain which was forecast arrived and was uncomfortable as the wind changed and was blowing into and across the swims.After lots of casts and different distances we had nothing to show for our efforts.We met a nice angler called Mike who was fishing in the next peg for pike.In the afternoon he popped round with a lure rod and net and said he'd had 9 pike,nothing big but good sport and wanted to share his spoils with us.After 3 casts Chris caught a small jack.I had a few and felt a knock but didn't make contact.A nice gesture from another angler who Knew we were struggling,Thanks Mike.As the afternoon wore on the wind eased and as it was our first time there fishing for silvers we agreed we were in the wrong place,but would be back.

Chris view of his swim

Light fading and Chris,s set up.

View of my swim.

Another good day out,great company and maybe we need to get back on the Tunnocks.

Till the next time .

A Tale of Two Pegs 20-10-18

Today's session would see me out with Chris again at one of our local waters.I arrived first before Chris as he was at a work meeting and set up on the far side of the lake as the pegs we normally fish were taken by carp Anglers.Tactics were Avon rods fishing for roach and bream with red maggot and chopped worm.

My Peg and rods out fishing,Chris arrived and he set up further down the bank .As the sun broke out the temperature was like a summers day.I was into skimmers from the off and Chris had an early crucian ,of which for this time of the year is unusual on this lake.

As the morning came to an end Chris was into some lovely bream and I was catching more skimmers and a roach.The sun went in and the fishing got good again more skimmers for me and a nice perch for Chris.

As we went into the afternoon I was hoping the roach would switch on but the skimmers kept coming for me and more bream for Chris .I decided to just fish one rod now for roach and put the other rod out for Perch,but with only worm my confidence wasn't high ,Lobs rule for me ,so I put lots of chopped worm in my maggot feeder topped with the maggots .

Chopped worm and maggot my baits today ...............

Probably the smallest Chris caught.He caught some decent ones to 3-4lb .He caught some cracking bream today and probably the warmest October day I can remember .

My helicopter rigs I was fishing today.The skimmers kept coming for me until the light was going and Chris caught another cracking bream.No look on the perch rod.So time to pack up as darkness crept in and what a great day.Chris did really well with a good haul and I was busy but nothing to shout about.Another enjoyable day and look forward to what happens next.

Tight Lines,Till next time .

Back To the Res With Chris.8-10-18

So me and Chris had a chat about this session to fish two Avon rods on alarms and fish the same area as last week and see if we could catch bigger roach or even Perch.My tactics were groundbait feeder with cators ,chopped worm and maggot.My other rod would be a maggot feeder with castor,maggot or worm hookbaits.Chris was doin two maggot feeders.From the off we were catching perch and nice roach.We both had a Tommy Ruffe and a skimmer.I felt my groundbait rod was not catching as much,so I opted to fish that 4 rod lengths out.The bites were fast and furious .

My set up.

We both continued to catch throughout the day but the fish remained small even though Chris had a decent size perch like last week,around or just under a 1lb.

By mid afternoon we had cloud cover and the sun had gone and we were catching again .There was some interesting sights of bigger perch chasing fry so there must be bigger Perch here.

Chris seemed to pre occupied on the phone ordering a 2 lb Roach ,it will happen mate.

Great day and a good chit chat .

Tight lines till the next time .

Feeder Fishing 30-9-18

So today's session would be on the feeder with me and Chris having a short match between ourselves from 1pm till 5 fishing a local res .The water was well down but we managed to find a good spot so we could fish side by side.Bait for me was a sweet groundbait,maggots and castors.There was a nice flow on the lake and quite windy with the odd shower and some sunshine .We were catching from the off with me taking the lead early doors .

The Bait..........

Chris was a few behind and I then extended my lead,could Chris bounce back.Chris was fishing a double hook rig and a good pull produced a Perch and a roach .I was still catching so,e nice roach and perch,then a double knock.........

A Tommy Ruffe ,not had one of these for a while.With my lead extended Chris was fishing the maggot feeder now.I carried on the cage feeder and seemed to be catching roach and perch,Where was the bream.Chris had a skimmer ,would the bream come now.

Chris doing something secretive .............

I was struggling now and Chris hauled back a couple more.A late flurry saw me well in the lead then Chris bounced back with the biggest perch on the day.

A cracker on the feeder Chris.......

We called it a day just after 5 pm,an enjoyable 4 hours fishing in great company.

Browny 18 Chris 14 .

Tight lines bloggers till the next session .

A Few Pictures 22-9-18

As I've been busy I thought I'd share a few pictures I've took this year.

Anyone Lost a Rubber.

A Lost feeder(Not Mine)

Swan on a small Pond.

Waiting For a Pull.

Chub Shot .

Another Chub.

Nighttime .

Any way tight lines and hope to be out soon.

First Double of the season 1-9-18

So time to get back on the river again and was slightly lower than last week.My First session with Chris today so hopefully I put him in the right area .I fished both rods down stream same way as last week with pva bags,boilie and pellet hook baits.From the off Chris was getting twitches and I was really hoping he was gonna catch .The temps were 22 degrees a lovely warm evening sat in a long sleeve t shirt .i was gettin a few twitches and as it was goin to be dark soon I was hoping we would be in for some barbel action.Just before 8pm and my left hand rod was off,felt like a barbel at first but was a good chunky chub around 4 lb.As the light levels dropped now we sat back and the temps were a couple of degrees lower and everything felt good.As the river was low we were casting every 30 mins up to an hour.I felt for Chris as he was getting the odd twitch his swim was lively earlier with fish topping and now seemed dead.He up streamed one off his rods looking for a bite.It was long before I was getting a couple of twitches on each rod and a good one off a Bat.At 10-30 my left hand rod ripped off and what a fight in low water,I could feel the barbel hugging the bottom and my heart was racing as it melted off a few times before she was finally mine in the net.

10lb 2 and my first double of the season.I was well chuffed after a difficult night in lower conditions.I really felt Chris did everything right tonite and I'm sure they,ll come by buses mate,Be patient.

Nice to be out with Chris in great surroundings.

Tight lines ,need Rain .

The One that got Away 25 -8-2018

Well I was really excited to get out back on the river,it was a glorious evening as I set off with 3 places to fish i had in mind .I Decided as I got nearer to go where I wanted too rather than take the two easy options I could of gone.I arrived in my peg,River was low it had dropped since the morning when I checked the levels.Plans were to fish one rod half way,the other rod downstream.I sat in the warm sunshine making pva bags having a coffee,rods were ready and around 7-30 I cast out .My first bite came around 8pm and was a lovely Chub.I wasn't happy with the positioning of my left hand rod ,so I reeled in an added a heavy weight,re cast and it was out fishing where it should off been.As the light levels started to fade the temperature was dropping rapidly.I was just making another bag with just pellets when all hell broke loose,my left hand rod had the 3 foot vicious twitch.This was a good barbel going on powerful runs as my clutch melted.Ive never seen my rod bend so much but has the backbone to cope with any size barbel ,as soon as I started to gain line it yet powered off again and my clutch was melting yet again.I finally became in control and as it came closer in the dark it yet powered off again ,that's when it found a rock or a snag and my line went slack,I was gutted.I checked my hook length and had probably lost 4-5 inches.I re composed my self,re cast to the same spot,fresh bag full of pellets.My right hand rod soon went off and yet another chub.I changed the pellet over to a boilie and a bag of pellets.I probably waited when another vicious take and after a good fight my line went slack to a hook pull.Was I gonna be third time lucky or was the evening gonna be a disaster.I checked my hook,it had turned over,so a new hook link and back out on the spot.As we were approaching 10 pm it was cold,everywhere going damp .At around 10-15pm my left rod was off again and after a good fight I had my first barbel ,Phew.......

8-13 and happy days.Glad to be back and can't wait for the next session

Tight lines bloggers .

Carr Mill Dam 3-8-18

Well it seems like a lifetime since I last fished.My house is now re wired thanks to Batch and a cracking job aswell.Ive got a days work left finishing the dry lining and I can leave it for a bit to concentrate on fishing.Todays trip saw me and Eddie fishing the dam.One of the main problems is all the pegs are out in the water,so we fished peg 123 for Eddie and me 124 as it was shallow.I started of with 10 feeders cast out clipped up at about 40 yards.

Baits on the tray,maggots ,dead maggots,corn and worm chopped up.

I was pretty much casting skimmers early doors,then the water skiers came out and it seemed to kill my swim and bites were few and far between .

Eddies peg,he missed a lot of bites and had a few perch on he didn't know off.

View down the res,it's a lovely place to fish.I put 10 more feeders out and when the boats went in I was catching again.I had one nice bream but the rest were skimmers.

My marker to the right of the missing bricks in the wall.

A big heron who failed to catch.An enjoyable but frustrating day saw me with 14 skimmers,1 Perch and one decent bream .So the scores were browny 16 Brocky 7.Not a great session but nice to be back out .

Tight Lines and need rain for the river .

A Short Pole Session

I've not fished for a couple of weeks and have been itching to get out.Maybe this warm weather has stopped me and the rivers being low and not wanting to fish for barbel in this warm weather I needed to get out.I always buy a local card for those quick to go sessions,I was lucky to get this card as unless so,done dies or leaves it's a long wait.They own two waters on the same site.So my plan was to fish the bigger water and try out a new pole I bought a while back to replace an old one I'd had for years.I chose a peg that had a slight breeze on my back next to some lilies .Baits would be maggots and castors.My first put in saw a roach,then it was perch attack one after the other,nothing of great size but annoying.Then a few more roach,I decided as the morning Went on I'd introduce some balls of micros hoping I'd catch something more that perch.There was a few carp coming out but not in my swim choice .A few skimmers fell to the net then a decent bream,I decided to pack up and head home for the England game.A few more baits next time and maybe put another swim in .Enjoyable but all perched out to be honest..

Perfect pole for me,8.5 m light enough and happy with it.

The baits Maggots and castors .

The main water I fished.

Tight lines,need Rain,wanna go on the river ,missing it.

Barbel Season 2018/19

I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the river.I never really bother with the opening day,in fact I havnt.I always tend to wait till July before I get out.The river is low at the moment and as we're having a cracking summer we do need some rain.Ive made all my rigs,baits ready to go.Ive just spooled up with new line.So it's time to pack my bag and wait for a rise in the river before I get out.Im looking forward to taking Eddie to an old stomping ground hopefully get him his first river barbel experience .So tight lines everyone and good luck for the season ahead .

A Day On The Dam 10-6-18

Today would see myself and Eddie fish Carr mill dam for the first time.We normally have feeder fishing sessions during the year ,but last year we didn't .So with Eddie wanting to go barbel fishing and me wanting to fish Carr mill,it was a no brainer to get a ST Helens ticket,this would enable us to feeder fish the dam and also fish Easton for barbel.Todays session would see bright blue skies,hot weather and probably not ideal feeder fishing weather.I fished peg 76 and Eddie 75.The parking was easy and a short walk on good paths to our swims.Bait wise ,corn ,maggot,dead maggot,pellet and groundbait .We both put out around 8 feeders full each and waited.Eddies first bream came after 30 minutes ,but he bumped it off.I waited an hour for my first bream.The fishing was slow,basically a waiting game hoping the fish would switch on .

This was my far bank marker.I was really pleased with my casting,on the money every time.

Eddies swim .

Sat waiting .

Then the boat came out and still didn't get the fish going.

Eddie with a nice bream .

The fishing was really difficult today and Eddie took the first feeder match ,my turn to buy biscuits.

Scores Brocky 4 Browny 3.

Not a great days fishing,but as always a good day out,learned a few things and can't wait for our next one.

Tight lines and Rivers open very soon .