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 .

First up best Dressed 19-5-18

Well today the target was Tench,I dropped Julie off at work and headed to a water where you have to wade through Rudd to get at the tench.Tactics Tip Rod,helicopter rig and red maggots and an alternative bait of corn.I arrived at the water to find it packed out,only 2 pegs available and looking at how everyone else was fishing I decided against it.I headed to another water nearby that I've only fished once for perch in winter .I set up and after 30 minutes I'd managed a micro perch and loads of Canadian pond weed .After a few casts I found a clear spot and started catching some lovely crucian said and another perch .I missed a lot of bites on the tip and upped the maggots to 3 and the hooking was catching me a few more crucians.The bites dried up so I fished corn on the float rod and was getting a lots of sail away bites and nothing to show.The next dip of the float was a lovely Tinca,only small.I managed a couple more tench both to maggots .As the day wore on it was getting warmer and mid afternoon I packed up.Not really the days fishing I planned for,but was nice to get out.

Biggest crucian off the day.Ferocious bites as well.Till the next time bloggers ,Tight Lines.

Breaking Surface Match Bradshaws Fishery Lake 4 12 May 2018

Seems like forever since I've been out and yes I'm on another match at Bradshaws Fishery in Bolton on Lake 4 .Draw at 9 Fish 10-3 .Todays methods were Tip Rod,Pellet waggler and I set my pole up but didn't end up fishing it.As usual I started on the tip rod,Micros and wafters hookbaits .I managed in the first hour 1 carp ,Roach and an Ide.Id drawn Peg 31 and the angler next to me was fishing the waggler on Peg 30, So I switched and started to catch,But it was slow,I'm not the greatest at the waggler but was managing another ide and a few carp.At around 1-30 I'd noticed the fish had switched off and I went back on the tip rod and what a good decision as the fish were responding and I was catching steady .

I switched to yellow band ums and was catching quite steady.The angler next to me was still doing well on the waggler ,I was catching larger carp but not the numbers he had.The weather was lovely today nice in the sunshine with a light breeze flowing down the lake.I managed a few more carp and a skimmer,another ide and was building a good weight.As the match was coming to an end I knew I hadn't done enough,but an enjoyable day and a decent weight considering .

1st place 79lb

2 place 59lb

3 place 57lb

I finished 6th with 42.3 lb

Eddie finished with 26.3lb from a snaggy swim.Anyways here's a few pics from the day.

The winner next to me.

Eddie in the distance on Peg 12.

Tight Lines bloggers,Till the next time.