Reel French fishing on Public Waters
I expect most keen coarse anglers own a rod or two dedicated to fairly specialist tasks – perhaps a crisp, fast action float rod, designed solely with long trotting pacy rivers in mind; an ultra-light lure rod that brings to life the most tiny little jigs; or even one of the legendary Drennan Tench Float … Continue reading “New Rods – Making Moves”
It was the barely-there breeze one evening that told me a break in the relentless heat was finally on the way. By the next morning the wind had really whipped up and it was a relief to feel cooler air at last. I hoped it may have the same rejuvenating effect on the Wye’s barbel … Continue reading “Second Wind”
As another Great British Summer (TM) slowly but surely lumbers into our collective consciousness, its traditions, old and new, shape those precious few weeks when everything feels different. Seaside. Silly Season. Fish & Chips. Camping. Cricket. Mr Whippy. BBQs. Brexit. Wasps. Lager. Pub Gardens. Headlines. Headaches. Nostalgia. Knees. Festivals. FA Cup Final. Music. Mud. Sweltering … Continue reading “Spring Carp – Rain or Shine”
I’m sure most coarse anglers have a strong affinity with tench. For all the ‘misty dawn’ clichés, they really are an exciting species to fish for and there aren’t many more satisfying angling experiences than slowly building a tench swim and watching those small clusters of pin-prick bubbles begin to move around the baited area. … Continue reading “Canal Tench – A World Away”
From Jeff’s canal carp quest to Mick’s hunt for a canal double figure zander; James’ search for giant chub or finding tench in the Kent marshlands – the idiosyncratic angling blogger challenges often make for really interesting, and at times gripping, reading. Personally, targeting and catching a few bigger perch became a campaign of sorts, … Continue reading “Welsh Carp Challenge”
I invited Russell up to try for chub and barbel on the Wye just before the close season. It was an odd day. We arrived to find someone playing a decent barbel in the first swim we passed, and I honestly thought we’d have a decent session after the prolonged spell of mild weather. However … Continue reading “Winding down on the Wye”
The Wye has been well up over the last fortnight after remaining very low and clear through the winter. In the low conditions the fish tend to shoal up tightly and even productive stretches can become very ‘peggy’. The extra water sees the fish spread out and with the water warming up I expect some really … Continue reading “Wye Perch – Gatecrashers”
It was a pleasant morning on Saturday with just a hint of spring in the air. After a slow, steady rise in temperature through the week and with the noticeable the extra daylight, I was sure the Wye perch shoals would be starting to spread out and get on the feed in preparation for their … Continue reading “Wye Perch – Perseverance”
I met up with Russell on the banks of the wonderful river Tone for a few hours’ grayling fishing on a bitterly cold afternoon recently. As I ambled my way down the M5, I was struck by the number of rivers I went over on my way down into deepest Somerset. The Avon, The Yeo, … Continue reading “Two on the Tone”
I really thought I was going to get a winter Wye pike, perhaps even a big one. But we all know expectation can be a cruel thing…
