Will write up these pics soon….
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This is the question in mind for the coming week, some rivers still have colour and are cold, and others the colour has run. So for those with some colour and heavy flow left, I would recommend the meat approach! And the others…the maggot may ilicit some response, we hope. Good luck!!
Finding the river??
The poor farmers fields!!
It also reinforces to me just why I love this hobby. To be out in the country surroundings breathing fresher air and watching wildlife going about the art of survival, in sometimes very harsh conditions. All this, while awaiting the exciting moment when a fish may visit the baited area inside the watery world in front of you, or “not”… Lovely.
The rivers were actually in a bit of a state, and quite cold too, there may still have been some salt content (from gritted roads) in the water also, putting the fish off feeding. That`s the excuses anyhow, it really is a matter of timing and location, and the right tactics of course! You can rest assured, that I will now be looking for the next good looking opporunity to get out and catch one of these prize fish, as I am missing them already!
The River was here!!
After a couple of weeks of up and down weather conditions which have varied from “cold” to “colder”, the tables are turning, or should I say the temps are turning? The snow has melted rapidly causing flooding in many area`s and taking all that cold salty water out of the equation, hopefully. So I for one shall be braving the banks over the next week or so, and shall as ever keep you posted with any stories or catches that may arise…
Well Well Well. Would you believe it, Winter has arrived at last, and with it some “dumps” of snowfall. There will be lots of salt and icy cold water running into the rivers. But on the bright side, a whole change of landscape and scenery to witness out there on the banks. I have not been out yet since the last posted trip, but I am beginning to get the “itch” for a try!!
The latest story to catch my eye though is that of a Seal (affectionately named Keith through local press), who has arrived way up the river Severn at Bewdley. He/She has apparently become a rapid success with the public, and has attracted visitors from far and wide to see him/her. In the meantime though, this animal is munching it`s way through pounds and pounds of fish and even taking the odd duck it can grab!
From what I have gathered, local public opinion states that “Keith” has more “right to be there” than any angler who wants to “hurt and distress fish”, and “leave line, hooks and rubbish” on the riverside. – I must protest and say, that not all anglers do this, and many actually clear up after other anglers who have!! – Yet it is the anglers who are concerned for all these fish and the fish stocks of a wild river. The Seal is not a native to the environment it is currently in, (it is not natural for it to be amongst an abundance of fresh water fish), and should be captured and releaesd (in the same humane way it would if injured) back to the Sea, from whence it came.
As concerned anglers, we also pay our licence fee`s (E.A. & Club) to give us the “right to be there”, and to pay towards an Environment Agency staff force who should, with their expertise realise, that a Seal does not naturally live in freshwater, and should take steps to relocate it.
I am not averse to seeing Seal`s, and gladly do so when at the seaside!
That`s right folks, time to catch up on the things I dont usually get the chance to do! The weather report has forecast snow, and temps not much above freezing, so the Barbel bites will be few and far between. The rivers were fining down and in tip top condition for bites last week and I am quite dissappointed that I didn`t have more chances to get out. There have been reports all over the country of some good fish hitting the bank for those who were out! But, so be it, the account is open for the New Year and I am setting a few personal targets for the coming months…… I shall keep you posted. Good Luck and Wet Nets.
Recycling???
This was the river Severn at Severn Stoke yesterday, it had climbed the fields for at least a quarter of a mile, and houses were made into Islands! It really was a sight to see compared to its normal state, it had risen up to the village war memorial and in the corner of the shot, the sheep have climbed a hill for refuge.
I am looking forward to trying to find some barbel when that river drops!!
Anyway, back to the “fishing” yesterday… So we drove on over to the Warwickshire Avon and had a go. The river was a couple of foot up on normal level and a milky brown colour, the temp was reading 6 centigrade and we were unsure whether to be optomistic or not, but one thing was for sure, the temp was not going to drop while we were there!! Roving around and trying several swims was the plan, on the fourth swim the sun was setting, and the sky turned red. It looked beautiful and as I was looing to the horizon thinking this, the rod whacked over in my arm! The first barbel of the day was on and it was feeling very heavy and pulling hard.
When it arrived in the net I was quite surprised to find it going to 8 and half pound, it fought like it was heavier, but, it was a full fish and fit from fighting these floods. Next cast was just into dark, and over it went after 20 minutes or so, the fish pulled well and just as I thought it was safely hooked, the hook pulled!! Shame. Next cast, another good knock and this fish of 6lb 
Just after this, a call came from Nick who was half a mile upstream, he had just returned his first fish of the year, a lovely 10lb 2oz! What an afternoon, we all caught and before it was too late Nick had had a second 10lber (10lb6oz). Time to celebrate. So we stopped off for a nice “Ruby” on our way back to Bristol. The tally was 8 barbel between 3 of us, with Big Bragging rights to Nick who had a brace of 10`s and a 9 and half pounder just before we got to him on route to the car park!! Well done again Nick, it really was your turn for the big girls, and here`s to more in 2013!!
Here it is New Years Eve, and I have been struck down with some kind of “lurgy”. I was just beginning to make plans for a trip or two, to catch a Barbel. I am sure it wont be long and I will be back on the banks.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and Wet Nets for 2013!
AND THE VERY BEST WISHES OF PEACE AND HAPPINESS FOR THE SEASON, AND THE REST OF THE YEAR.
As the rain poured on Wednesday night, the decision was made to travel over to the Kennet and give it a go through a mild afternoon of consant rain the following day. The rivers were rising rapidly all around the South and the Kennet was no exception, but the temp had risen slightly too, so as long as I could find a spot, I would fish it! The third swim I had chosen was faster than I first thought, but as the lead bounced into the area I wanted to hit, the indication came with subtle bumps different from the bounce with the flow.
So lifting hard, the first fish of the afternoon was on!
The fish pulled hard with the flow on his side, and it made me wonder afterwards how I would have coped with a double in that swim!! The fish was very welcome after these cold day`s and nights and spells of no fishing. The river continued to rise and make swims less fishable over the next 2 hours…
It was beginning to spill into the fields and cut off paths as darkness approached, so I decided on a safe and likely looking area to try one last on-dark cast before leaving. After just 10 minutes or so, a second hard fighting Barbel was on, this one was a pound or so heavier, and gave a great account of himself once he was close in! And after that fun it was time to beat a hasty retreat before the river could catch up with me!!