tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33341642481769040232024-03-13T16:05:30.287+00:00River AnglerA blog about my fishing exploits, successes and disappointmentsJimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-71208988946461385412023-02-13T23:33:00.001+00:002023-02-13T23:33:31.251+00:002023 - A few trips so far<span style="font-family: arial;">After a fairly significant break from angling, I’m glad to say the bug is well and truly back. For now, it’s just great to be getting out and going for it, and targets / species can come later. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">First trip had me going for a long walk along the lower river tees in search of specimen perch, armed with maggots / worms and a feeder rod. First wrap round resulted in a chub (they seem to be frequenting the lower reaches more each year, especially in winter).</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9su2Gz_LrJMbwzohnh0nYanrG14exbxRUb3rizzkJhJJ1slUk6oG4uodK5CIry8Svw_eIcbfnR5fo74RHHvSzSEsDd4AbVInD0TvX5PzJfwaI-L4FLWSdV1LSyOKLIuclbk7-3ESTThXW2qsAtv_IKQ3QTcwzbSLoZ3w3mLnzwaejXpe82s-dArHoQ/s4032/738AF85B-6B0B-4C75-8AF9-70F4F1DA92C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9su2Gz_LrJMbwzohnh0nYanrG14exbxRUb3rizzkJhJJ1slUk6oG4uodK5CIry8Svw_eIcbfnR5fo74RHHvSzSEsDd4AbVInD0TvX5PzJfwaI-L4FLWSdV1LSyOKLIuclbk7-3ESTThXW2qsAtv_IKQ3QTcwzbSLoZ3w3mLnzwaejXpe82s-dArHoQ/s320/738AF85B-6B0B-4C75-8AF9-70F4F1DA92C2.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually I had what I was after and a perch hit the worm. I hoped this was the start of the floodgates, but there was very little to follow, and I left without the big girl I was searching for.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD6Rvj_sKluuM2PLllC0R0yd6oNA3WgnGfAhiZjEU2GB97ZX6VME8TcWv04dRqT8f4hxsAk4wNaOEVd-cPiYt2tU1J3PGpQseaCfJmh1Kx0M_AWXVRj2OPN-JtuT5JHiFwCRjnIjBqr2eQ50RBdpG3E8Lg_-YgF1lzJSekAngWmVql21MJRh0is498Q/s3080/0A2F42A4-E7B5-4302-8FA7-5E6623FD1778.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3080" data-original-width="3020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD6Rvj_sKluuM2PLllC0R0yd6oNA3WgnGfAhiZjEU2GB97ZX6VME8TcWv04dRqT8f4hxsAk4wNaOEVd-cPiYt2tU1J3PGpQseaCfJmh1Kx0M_AWXVRj2OPN-JtuT5JHiFwCRjnIjBqr2eQ50RBdpG3E8Lg_-YgF1lzJSekAngWmVql21MJRh0is498Q/s320/0A2F42A4-E7B5-4302-8FA7-5E6623FD1778.jpeg" width="314" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">With the river in decent condition, and having a couple hours spare one evening after work, I wanted to give lamprey chunks a try for some chub. Fishing a stretch which is usually challenging but can provide something larger, the rod eventually flew over after trying a few pegs and I had a feeling it was decent as it hung in the flow. At 5lb 6oz, an excellent tees chub came over the net </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8_j7qDnjfe7g3zll94ycETB70sDUyoOzhx4jDLMNRNRbqyvIOnQvf8Na_zGxqG54iDfFULQAS7PHTma-z5QZlgjJBrS4FyRMzqHVYrn2N4orppgOE9sc6p2QaiFNW_tbwULSX9FAwyu5Kps08xFI17gWnlvjsLhL9yS13lSV1YNk_9POUvQ5JaCBtQ/s3780/77E2B70A-B2DC-4D58-957E-41AC3087F894.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8_j7qDnjfe7g3zll94ycETB70sDUyoOzhx4jDLMNRNRbqyvIOnQvf8Na_zGxqG54iDfFULQAS7PHTma-z5QZlgjJBrS4FyRMzqHVYrn2N4orppgOE9sc6p2QaiFNW_tbwULSX9FAwyu5Kps08xFI17gWnlvjsLhL9yS13lSV1YNk_9POUvQ5JaCBtQ/s320/77E2B70A-B2DC-4D58-957E-41AC3087F894.jpeg" width="256" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">With low conditions continuing, and a reminder from someone about a good swim on the swale, I broke the float rod out with a few pints of maggots and caster. Second trot through, I hooked and lost a chub. The notes kept coming, however, and 9 chub to 4lb 12oz graced my net until I hooked and lost a barbel followed by a chub, which seemed to spook the swim. All in all, a great morning though! </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5E_bVoJCXK8FodSCDwPhKkRi17S2N6vi6i5KFEiHM4chgOyrBqe3XT0N_TOonkq6gDo1JGPz1AIcTEvSxpp5jtsjQEn0cBI_ekW0y1zCIymDdOA_Akl4o9mtINrxSDfvpGsSuFB6ykDG-J5uyrgnr044EmnCNsfjp2ZJOp9N4jb6yHQrFz9UsnZQ3A/s4032/369C2968-03B9-4BD5-BDE8-D1F37C688E1F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5E_bVoJCXK8FodSCDwPhKkRi17S2N6vi6i5KFEiHM4chgOyrBqe3XT0N_TOonkq6gDo1JGPz1AIcTEvSxpp5jtsjQEn0cBI_ekW0y1zCIymDdOA_Akl4o9mtINrxSDfvpGsSuFB6ykDG-J5uyrgnr044EmnCNsfjp2ZJOp9N4jb6yHQrFz9UsnZQ3A/s320/369C2968-03B9-4BD5-BDE8-D1F37C688E1F.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Really looking forward to the coming weeks and months….<br /></span><div><br /></div></div>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-84333828486927052382019-12-28T21:44:00.000+00:002019-12-28T21:44:01.164+00:00Time to start updating again! <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Six months since I last looked on this blog, with available time and fishing motivation failing me somewhat. I have been fishing, but often seemed to be finding excuses not to on the few occasions I could get out. Not sure why, I’m sure it happens to most at some point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More recently, however, the flame has returned, and suddenly I’m back dreaming of tees monsters and getting out again. As I write this, I have maps out and marked up, traces ties, gear set up and I’ve even managed a few trips in search of something special. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To bring the blog more up to date and start afresh, however, here’s a few highlights of the last six months......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15/06/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suffering from a bout of insomnia, I decided I might as well struggle to sleep sat next to a gravel pit, and I duly arrived at 4am wearing t shirt. The worm tactics used on my previous trip were deployed again, however this time there was a long wait until finally in late morning the alarm started purring to the joy of a 6lb 5oz fish. For you southern boys, that’s a very good tench up here in the north and I was over the moon! Packing up, I got home and slept the afternoon away! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20/06/19 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An after dark trip to the tees ended up with a decent bend in the rod, even if it wasn’t the intended barbel. A 4lb 3oz chub being the culprit. I think I’m future seasons I’ll try to leave the rivers alone until August onwards as the post spawn fish really don’t compare to a solid fish in its annual prime. With the tench still yet to spawn. I should have continued in that vein but one to remember for 2020</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23/06/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A chance of tactics, this time an attempt to try get a shoal of tees chub feeding on casters. The issue here is that the tees, unlike the swale, is solid with other species such as perch and dace, and try as I might I couldn’t feed them off. I did end up with a nice mixed bag however </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">30/06/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the above in mind, a trip to the swale seemed in order. Whilst still trotting a float, I had the idea of using feed pellets with a small pellet banded to a size 16 hook. After regular and consistent feeding, I initially found it difficult to trot the swim effectively due to wind and tight space. A change of float however and suddenly it buried into a solid chub, this being a float caught pb of 5lb 8oz. It was quickly followed by a few chublets before the swim died a death and I left home happy with the chunk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14/08/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Failing to catch a tees barbel so far, I decided a quick trip to the swale was in order to scratch the itch. Conditions were ideal, so I was confident of a fish and it didn’t take long for the rod to buckle with a small barbel. Happy with the result...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">September / October</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the north winds blowing, a few relatively unsuccessful cod trips were in order. There’s something about sea fishing on the north east coast, wild, untamed and you never know what’s going to happen. I did manage a small cod, released back as undersized. Will get back out soon once conditions prove fruitful...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">22/12/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the rivers seemingly in constant flood for weeks on end, I decided to travel further afield and hit a Yorkshire canal. First time fishing one, a few casts with the quiver tip quickly had me half a dozen roach, and I’d noticed that pike were striking fish near the surface so decided to trot livebaits shallow near the far bank boats. It took a while, but eventually the float bobbed a few times and disappeared. I hit it straight away and after a dogged fight slid the net under this low double, a solid fish and pleasing for first from the canal. Something I’ll be trying again....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">27-28/12/19</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A couple of short morning trips to the river tees with pike and chub in mind. I didn’t connect with the former but did the latter on critically balanced cheese paste and bread crust. Fun, but really my mind is on pike and moving forward I think the chub rod will be staying at home so I can focus my attentions....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this brings me on to now! I’m really keen again, wanting to go fishing and with targets and plans afoot. Can’t wait </span>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-4701593703513229222019-06-09T13:32:00.001+01:002019-06-09T13:33:15.232+01:00Dawn Tench raid<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Up early this morning in search for tench, arriving at the syndicate, not long past dawn I had a wander over to a nice bay with a number of features to fish to. Tactics were fishing hair rigged worm fished heli style, and a mix of groundbait and chopped worm in the feeder, using two rods on alarms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Weather was spot on, and with the sun warming up my bald head it was nice to just sit there and soak it in, especially with the wildlife on show including great crested grebes, buzzards and dragonflies. The water is gin clear as well and occasionally fish like to wander close, in this instance a pike of 5lb or so slowly swam past before bolting when it saw me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The right hand rod then purred into action out of the blue and I was soon netting a nice tench of 5lb 1oz. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I didn’t get any action after that, but really enjoyed the few hours just chilling. The river season is nearly here, but I’m intending to split my time between an evening trip to the tees during the week and a weekend trip doing something else, be it fly fishing upper tees, lure fishing for bass or gravel pit tenching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Back to tiling the kitchen now!! </span></div>
Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-47619990309157729962019-01-17T20:21:00.004+00:002019-01-17T20:21:26.802+00:00A couple of trips to the River Tees, including a pb!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starting off earlier in the week, I managed to get out for a couple of hours one night in search of chub. The river is very low at present, but presenting a chunk of raw steak saw me hook two chub, unfortunately landing just one, but a decent 4lber which is always good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the freezing conditions and snow blizzards, I also managed a few hours today during daytime, and decided I would try and break my perch issue (that being that I always struggle to get decent perch). Fishing the lower tees using feeder and worm, it wasn't long until the rod was pulling round to a perch of over a pound. A very good start. Bites were slow and finicky, and I think the fish were taking in the bait and not really moving. I ended up striking at what I suspected was a fish, and the rod bent over to the plod of something pretty decent. Shortly after, I had a wonderful fish in the net, resulting in an excellent start to 2019 as I bagged a pb of 2lb 4oz. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after, another fish fell, similar size to the first, and then that was it. I walked home a happy man though, thinking about the fact that, despite the tees being a rock hard venue, it has done me some very special fish over the years and people do really underestimate its potential. </span><br />
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-38415503563563737262019-01-13T16:58:00.002+00:002019-01-13T16:58:44.072+00:00Season catch up!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been a while! I haven't kept up to date with my blogging, but new year, new start I guess. I suppose the best way to catch up would be to list out the highlights of the year. In terms of fishing, 2018 was a very busy year for me and my fishing time was restricted. I'm determined to change that for the coming year....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once the rivers opened, I was quickly onto the river tees, planning out my route to catching the elusive Tees barbel. I don't quite understand what I love about targeting them, as there's hardly any there, but the challenge is immense and very occasionally it throws out something special. Some of my early trips threw up the usual chub, and some of them were of an impressive size, including a 5lb fish and the very special 6lb Tees chub that i'd caught twice before, this time at the lowest weight of 6lb 1oz. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">After circa ten trips without a tees barbel, I decided to switch my attentions to the more famous barbel river, the Swale, with the aim of achieving another target, that being to catch one on the stick float. Fishing the middle reaches with caster, it was exciting stuff watching a small shoal of barbel feed on them. The first trip saw success when, after losing one mid-battle, I finally landed a 6lber on the stick; a lovely way to catch them. I was back before work two days later, knowing they were in the area, and after an epic fight netted a 9lb 1oz fish, again stick float and caster.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A much better stamp at 9lb 1oz</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">With the barbel itch scratched, I was back at the tees trying trip after trip for a barbel. Eventually, late in September, fishing a single boilie my rod went through an alarming bend and I hit into what was obviously a tees torpedo. It's a privilege to land one of these fish, and despite the challenge I will keep trying. They have a slender build compare with other rivers, and are magnificent fish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that essentially rounds up my year, as I haven't had much opportunity to fish since. It's now winter, I have chub and pike on the brain, and i'm trying a few rigs up in preparation for a night trip on the tees....</span>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-30372287827487624532018-05-14T22:37:00.000+01:002018-05-14T22:37:06.595+01:00Lift method for gravel pit tench<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been a bit quiet of late, I’ve had a few trips out with the carp gear on the syndicate water without any success. I had a few hours spare this evening, and decided to leave the bite alarms at home, and just take float gear.<br /><br />Fishing the lift method in 12ft of clear water, I put down a decent bed of hemp, caster and pellet, and fished sweetcorn. Gear consisted of a 12ft 1.25lb drennan specialist avon rod, couple with 6lb line straight through to the hook. No splitshot on the line, with the float and swan shot link being stopped by drennan grippa stops. A size 16 super specialist hook finished off the rig, which provides a very sensitive set up, indicating any sot of feeding near to the hook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">After an hour of nothing, the float twitched, lifted slightly, and then fizzing started. This continued for a short while before the float lifted beautifully and I struck into a nice tench.<span><br /></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><br /></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really nice to catch a tench on float, and 20 mins later I struck into my second, only for it to come off. I watched my float into dark, and then walked back to the car, whilst Venus and Jupiter lifted into the night sky. Cracking evening.....and one that i'll hope to repeat soon (perhaps with a larger stamp of tench). Hoping for a little bass trip on the dorset coast this week at some point, as i'm travelling about a fair bit at the moment.</span><span><br /></span><br /><b><br /></b><br /><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-81467174683194140122018-02-09T19:55:00.000+00:002018-02-09T19:55:18.508+00:00A Challenging start to 2018<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rivers have been really up and down since the turn of the year, snow melt, floodwater, extreme low with frost. It's proven a real challenge to try and get things under way, but I have managed to squeeze a few trips in, including one or two blanks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I always make a point of getting out fishing in the snow; there's is something special about capturing any fish in challenging conditions. The Swale was the destination, roving the banks with a chub rod at the ready. Steak was flicked out in various good looking spots, and eventually the rod hoofed round and a decent chub was quickly landed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Despite my best efforts, nothing else occurred. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With the snow melting, and south westerlies approaching, the river was soon in flood. Ever the optimist, I was out on the Swale again, armed with worms, moving about and trying to find any suitable slack - this wasn't easy, and I had to keep a keen eye on the river which was doing its best to cut me off. A blank was expected, and was the result, but great to see the river in such condition....this is what creates the ever changing environment we come to love,</span><br />
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Eventually the river died down, snow came back, and on one horrid afternoon with gales and blizzard, I ventured out, again trying for chub. Trying as many swims as I could, my hands were really struggling in the cold, but the tip jolting forward had me grabbing for what I hoped was my target. The fight didn't feel right, fishing staying deep and slow for a while. To my surprise, a very big trout came up, and I was chuffed to land a pb of 3lb 1oz. Certainly a nice splash of colour on a very white day. <br />
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There have been a fair few other blanks along the way - truly a hard start to 2018!<br />
<br /></span>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-67458289410245566872017-12-08T19:57:00.004+00:002017-12-08T19:57:45.381+00:00A smashing river tees specimen<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After two weekends on the bounce of blanking whilst chasing after pike on a gravel pit, I had a small window of opportunity mid week to get out after dark for a couple hours. Given the cold temps and water that was holding a little snow melt soon, chub were my only real possibility.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Arriving at my first swim, I soon realised that the river was pushing through a lot harder than I expected, and decided to wander upstream for a bit, targeting the slacks. Tactics were raw steak with mince in the feeder; I tend to start with the feeder, but there are times when the fish are only interested in the mince, and so I remove the feeder and use swan shot, offering them just steak and a few samples. The first swim saw me getting a couple of knocks, but nothing strikeable and despite twitching the bait back (something that regularly works), it wouldn't go. I moved through two more pegs, without any interest. An otter ran through the swim and splashed nearby, so I moved on. I don't get annoyed at such things anymore, just seeing it as part of the way things are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last swim of the night, I sat for 15 mins and was considering packing up. One more cuppa I thought, the rod twitched. 30 seconds later, it twitched again, suddenly flying round. Here we go I thought, as I struck into absolute thin air. Flicking the bait out, this time just the steak and nothing in the feeder, throwing a couple samples out. After a few minutes the rod slowly started pulling round, so slow that I expected leaves. I bent into it anyway, and was met with a very satisfying level of resistance, as something very solid tried its best not to come close. After a short while, It was soon netted and peering into the net, I realised I had another lump, which turned out to weigh 6lb 3oz. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Strangely I have mixed emotions about tees chubbing at the moment. After spending many years targeting them on the tees, I caught my first tees 5 last year, and this year has been excellent for specimen chub, with two 6's and a 5. My concern is the complete lack of other chub, the 3lb-4lb class that are the next generation. A couple years ago, I could guarantee going to the river, bagging a couple of fish, often one of them being 4, and go home happy. Now, i'm out on similar stretches and struggling to buy a bite, sometimes blanking, and occasionally getting something very special. I'm hearing similar things throughout the length of the tees, with thornaby match results showing a similar downturn. Something to think about and monitor......</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-66097793924049285092017-11-20T22:31:00.000+00:002017-11-20T22:31:13.368+00:00A glorious morning after pike<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up early on sunday morning and taking the dogs for a walk noticed there had been a hard frost. That couple with clear skies and high pressure, I had a feeling it would be pretty tough going. <br /><br />I decided to fish a gravel pit, casting different baits to different depths to mix it up a bit. Once the sun got up above the horizon, it formed a nice sun trap where I was sat and it was pretty pleasant, I'd have been quite happy just sitting there, woodpecker behind me working away at a tree, absolute stillness on the pits surface. Nothing much was happening when, out of the blue, the peace was broken as the drop arm hit the rod rest and the alarm let out a few bleeps. I picked up the rod, felt a knock pretty quickly so hit it straight away. The fish fought well in the crystal clear depths, and eventually rolled over the net, I knew it was a good double. At 17lb 7oz, it's a new Stillwater pb and definitely the result I was after. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've had a solid upper double, so I was very pleased to catch this one. As the morning progressed, there was no interest on the pike rods so I spent a while scanning the lake for signs of anything of interest. I noticed a few fish roll towards the far side - unfortunately with the place being nearly 30 acres I wasn't able to work out what they were. Then something rolled a few times directly in front of me, which I suspect were tench from a recent stocking - I'll be targeting them come spring, as the place has great potential for special fish, a rarity for stillwaters around this area. </span><span><br /></span>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-71303846720549580812017-11-06T18:16:00.001+00:002017-11-06T18:16:26.187+00:00Tees Grayling and chub update<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a blank on the swale whilst targeting pike (something that I get really bothered about!), I managed to sneak an hour fishing in midweek, after dark, on the tees. I really didn't have long, so the rod already set up was cast out with steak and mince in the feeder. I had decided that I wasn't leaving until I had a fish, and after ten mins the rod knocked then looped over, resulting in a great fight and a hefty tees chub. Looking at the width of the stomach, I had a feeling it was decent and the scales proved that at 5lb 2oz (only my third tees chub over the 5lb mark in many years of fishing it!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The weekend came and there was a clear marked shift in weather, with cold and frost setting in and bright clear days. The first couple of days like this are often challenging conditions to fish, so I often target something reliable, in this case being grayling. Hitting the Upper Tees, it was great to break out the centrepin, rove about with minimum of gear and trot maggots in different pools. I managed a dozen or so decent sized fish in a couple hours fishing - great sport and cracking fish.</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-82049775784941348482017-10-15T15:34:00.003+01:002017-10-15T15:34:39.023+01:00Floodwater Barbel fishing the Swale<span style="font-family: Arial;">Having been too busy to get out midweek due to work, I was very keen to get some fishing in this weekend. Temps were up and I had in mind to do some more wear chub fishing, but was surprised to see the levels had shot up in the hills overnight. A quick change of plan, and it was barbel fishing on the swale that I opted for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Turning up at dawn, the timing couldn't have been any better as the floodwater had just peaked. I decided to rove the river and fish the slacks with boilie and worm. I was also trying out my new rod, a free spirit barbel tamer in 2.25lb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first swim didn't produce, but the second saw me hooking a fish whilst upstream fishing to a tree that was now well underwater. After a spirited fight, I put the net under this mint conditioned fish, a good start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I moved on, keen for another. The next peg was a tight affair, but just enough room to play a fish in if I used hit and hold tactics. What I didn't realise was the hidden snags underwater about a rod length out, which the hooked barbel found. I had to leave it for 5 mins before I got bored and tore out. Another nice fish of similar size...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that was that. A lovely morning spent fishing a flooded swale</span>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-64189230896730143682017-10-09T20:47:00.002+01:002017-10-09T20:47:59.928+01:00A River Wear 5lber<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some chub success on my first trip to the river wear last week, I got out this afternoon in search of something bigger. What a contrast a Saturday afternoon in Durham was to early sunday morning....canoeists, dog walkers, joggers etc. As I set up, and with a load of boats messing about downstream, my plan was to fish half heartedly until the sun went down and it quietened. <br /><br />Despite all the racket, and the bright conditions, the rod soon flew round and I hit into something pretty solid. Once again, the acolyte distance feeder tamed the fish nicely, and it was soon resting in the net. A gem of a fish at 5lb 4oz. These wear fish really do fight well and are solid fish. To catch a River Wear 5 on the second attempt is fantastic, and gives me real confidence of adding the Wear to the Tees and Swale 6's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Try as I might, I couldn't buy another bite but really happy to get my first wear five on only the second trip</span><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-78778912450725888302017-10-01T17:53:00.002+01:002017-10-01T17:54:03.221+01:00Wear chub campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Got out this morning for my first attempt at wear chub (other than one or two half hearted attempts a year or two ago). <br /><br />Walked downstream for a while and stopped at a peg, with the idea of roving back to the car. First cast and I was getting touches quickly, but with it being a new river to me you don't know if it's minnows or what. Struck a couple of times at some proper knocks but missed. Re- cast, the rod flew round and this time I hit something very solid. Felt like a proper chub, took some line, and held solid in the flow. I got it close to within netting and it came to the surface, proper lump, decided to kite to the left and straight into a snag - the inevitable happened.<br /><br />There was obviously a few fish in the swim so another cast and 20 mins later again I struck into something solid, this time I knew what their game was and stopped it from getting near the snag, netted and weighed at 4lb 9oz. Judging by size, I reckon first one was close to a 5.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />Couldn't buy another bite in that swim, or any other swim, but really happy with catching a 4 at first attempt and some of the pegs fished looked smashing. Going to give it a late night go next time I think. After catching sizes from the swale and tees now, i'd love to add another river to the list!</span><br /><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-76784003650432685372017-09-26T16:52:00.001+01:002017-09-26T16:52:37.637+01:00Target smashed, pb chub!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I had my winter campaign planned out. Having successfully had six pound chub from the river Swale previously, one of my prime targets was to do the same on my more local (and preferred) river Tees. The problem is that this river just doesn't hold many such fish - it took me years to get a five pounder, which I achieved last year at 5lb 10oz, a special fish. I was aware of the existence of a couple of 6lbers that have been landed in recent years though, so I knew they were there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sunday evening, I decided to get out before dark and fish a few hours, initially for chub and then to target barbel late on. Arriving at dusk, I set up and got cast out, flicking the lamprey chunk into a likely looking run. I didn't get any sort of indication for the first 40 mins or so, and was considering a re-cast when the rod tip jagged, then pulled round confidently. I hit into what was obviously a very good fish, but one thing I've noticed is that 4lb chub on the tees really pull. The fish tried to take me into a snag, which I managed to avoid (just) and then it was a case of playing it closer to me. The fish hugged the bottom for a good while though, until finally coming into the net. I didn't see the size of it upon landing, so let it sit in the deep mesh in the water to recover, whilst I rebaited. It was only when I lifted it up and saw it that I realised there was a definite 6lber in the net, which I was gobsmacked at. I quickly zeroed the scales and recorded a weight of 6lb 10oz - this wasn't just over the magic mark, it absolutely smashed it and was closer to 7! In addition, my pb was broken by 1oz. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So now I'm debating what to target next - a 6lber from the Ure or Wear maybe?</span><br />
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-24604735840382851052017-09-20T17:02:00.002+01:002017-09-20T17:02:34.920+01:00Testing out the new Drennan Acolyte 13ft Distance Feeder rod<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fortunate (very fortunate!) enough to enter and win a drennan competition with the prize being a drennan acolyte 13ft distance feeder rod. Received in the post this week, the rod is a 3 piece feeder rod, primarily designed (I believe) with deepish stillwaters and launching out above average size feeders, but also ideal for larger rivers as well. The good part is that, with a line rating of 6lb - 10lb and a fair amount of power in the blank, I'm assuming it will make a pretty decent chub and possibly barbell rod. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The blank is provided with 3 tips of 3oz, 4oz and 5oz, but there are also options to get as low as 2oz and high as 6oz as well. The tips are different to the other tips in the range in that the eyes are larger, I assume to help with the constant casting of slightly thicker lines and larger feeders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm having a busy week this week with family and work, but could just about fit in an hour fishing last night after on the river tees. Upon arrival, I noticed a good mate marc was in the car park so I met up with him and we fished a peg for half an hour, with a few little pulls to show. I moved on upstream, chucking out a piece of lamprey under a raft, which was taking within about ten mins. This was a good test for the rod, as I had to hold the chub firm without allowing it any line to avoid it finding the roots under the raft; this it did very well, and a chub of around 3.5lb was quickly landed. Unfortunately I had to go, but initial impressions are that the rod is smashing, plenty of power, but subtle enough to be extremely enjoyable playing fish. I'm looking forward to trying it on the lower lengths of the tees for winter perch, and possibly summer barbel fishing (though I'll need to test the rod plenty more with chub first to make sure it'll cope!). </span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-10633526478038463012017-09-18T18:25:00.002+01:002017-09-18T18:26:37.361+01:00Pike season has begun<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pike rods have been dusted off, new reels purchased (shimano 8000d's), rigs tied up and I was up and on the river tees for daybreak on sunday. I hadn't managed to get out midweek so I was pretty eager to get catching, and with a slight chill in the air and some autumnal colour in the trees, it seemed the right time to go chasing the predators. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tactics involved moving around, spending an hour or so in a few swims, and offering the fish smelt or lamprey deadbaits. I was fishing slightly deeper areas between shallow flows of water. After some early rain, the sun shone through an all felt right in the world. Things got even better as my lamprey was picked up and I saw the pike float bob out of the corner of my eye. It soon started moving off, and I hit into it early. Well hooked, the fish gave a good account of itself with plenty of energy in the runs, but was soon netted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nothing big, but I love catching wild river pike, and hopefully the start of a productive winter chasing them (as well as chub!). The colouration on tees fish is fantastic as well.....</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-4924422703422929642017-08-29T17:35:00.003+01:002017-08-29T17:35:55.899+01:00An evening on the Tees<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_59a597201eff97c86999885">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours fishing tonight, arriving shortly before dark. The River Tees is really on its arse - desperately needs some extra water in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As it was low, I opted to fish the chub rod with steak as bait, waiting until after dark before trying for the barbel . Letting it bounce around in the flow until it came to rest, it took a while before anything showed interest, but the rod flew round and I hit into a hard fighting tees chub - they really are f</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ighting well at the moment. A nice start at 4lb 7oz. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hooked another small chub which was snaffled by a decent pike - I played it for a minute or two before it let go of the now mangled fish. Noted for October onwards when i'll pop round with proper gear. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After this, I got the barbel rod out to see what boilies might bring - a slow and confident bite only meant one thing, bream! Not bad size though, and they do fight well in the flow. And that was that - happy enough!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A Tees 6lb chub is on the agenda for the coming months......</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-78620934976051089032017-08-10T23:49:00.002+01:002017-08-10T23:49:25.996+01:00A River Tees double, and pb smashed!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back on the Tees last night, turned up at 9pm ish and intended to fish until late. A little extra water had entered, not much but enough to get the whiskers twitching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Double pellet was used to avoid the constant attentions of the chub (as in just ignore the pulls) and be patient. A big moon rose over the horizon about 11pm ish, and then the rod absolutely hoofed round. I struck into a solid fish, and knew straight away what was on the end. Unfortunately I just couldn't get its head up off the deck, and for 10 mins it was a tug of war that the barbel was completely dominating. I decided to try give it some proper welly, as I was using 15lb synchro, and this just annoyed the fish which went on a long and determined run. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I managed to pump the fish back towards me, and eventually and suddenly it appeared and was ready for netting, which fortunately happened first time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At that point, I let the fish settle whilst I calmed down, knowing I had my first double in the net by some margin. Weighed in at 12lb 1oz, I couldn't believe the size and bulk of the fish I was holding up for the camera. Absolutely over the moon!</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-16823000621662109162017-08-10T23:29:00.001+01:002017-08-10T23:29:20.631+01:00First trip of the year to the Swale<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a number of barbel blanks on the Tees, I decided I needed a couple of fish to get my confidence back! The fact that conditions were ideal, with water just receding from a bit of a summer flood, meant that my confidence was high.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn't get there until 9, and after putting out a dozen droppers of pellets, I let the swim rest for half hour or so. This worked well, as first cast the rod pulled round within minutes, resulting in this splasher that fought a lot better than its size.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next cast and, after an otter had gone through, and a 20 minute rest, the same again as this one bent the rod round. Another small fish, but good fun. Showing signs of otter damage - at least they get away at times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The contract between the tees and swale is very marked. The tees has very few barbel, but of a decent average size, however coupled with the large numbers of cub makes targeting barbel a big challenge. On the swale, it completely different, a smaller size on average, but with a good chance of fish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lets hope that Tees double comes soon!</span></div>
<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-41704330336943815262017-07-07T20:34:00.002+01:002017-07-07T20:34:25.741+01:00A special fish - Tees Barbel in the bag<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been after a tees barbel for a while now - even when others around me have been catching around me. It's a tough challenge, and one I've completely failed at so far. I got out on Tuesday, and decided that a change in tact was in order - that was I loaded the feed in to try create a competitive feeding situation with the chub. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The problem with the tees is that there are not many barbel, and tonnes of ravenous chub. Great in winter, not so in summer when i'm not targeting them. After a couple of hours of constant chub attention to the baits, and then bats, the rod went round more purposely and kept going - suicide chub I thought. I lifted into it, and very quickly realised this was no chub. The downstream run was constant and never ending. Eventually I slowed it to a stop, and pumped it back up towards me. The fish held solid near me, neither of us was winning at this point. It dedided to go upstream, and with the rod buckling round I held it from approaching a snag. Eventually I got it within netting range and fortunately got it on the first attempt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When you have targeted something for a while, and it finally comes good, the adrenaline is mental - I had to sit down and compose myself as she sat in the net regaining her strength. She'd given it all, and deserved some respect. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The weight was 9lb 1oz, not really of significance as putting a number to it wasn't the point - it was a tees barbel, and i'd finally got that monkey off my back. Next target - a Tees Double</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-71128667756641154512017-04-09T17:30:00.001+01:002017-04-09T17:30:08.152+01:00Converting Daiwa Emblem-X 5000t black edition to quick drag<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately for me, I've not been able to get out since the rivers close. Work has been manic and I just haven't had the time. That will all change soon, and a quick drive over to a local gravel pit, I was soon watching a nice chunky mirror carp being landed by a regular there - certainly enough to whet my appetite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I picked up a set of daiwa emblem black editions for a bargain recently, a real workhorse of a reel and ideal for fishing the 30 acres of water. However, without the bait runner facility I decided to look into the quick drag option - it turns out that to buy the spool caps would have set me by £75 - not really something I wanted to do (the reels weren't much more!). </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">A bit of googling about and I decided to give it a go doing it myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The spool cap has 10 plastic welds in it. These needed to be melted out one by one (easy with a soldering iron I guess - more timely without, but a flame and needle soon sorted it). After about half an hour of messing about with them, all three reels had the welds removed. Doesn't look pretty but you don't see it once all back together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once this is removed, the spring is revealed. The drag is spring tensioned, hence it takes a lot of turns to change it from 'free spool' to 'fish playing' modes. Remove the spring, and it can be changed from one to the other with have a turn on the drag. The spring lifts out easily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, the spool needs looking at. Within the spool, there are a load of washers. Four of them are fabric - these need changing to plastic washers, that you can pick up for £4 or so from ebay (search Daiwa reel conversion). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, remove the clip that keeps everything in place, then one by one, remove the washers, keeping them in order as you go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the fabric washers are replaced with the plastic ones - as below. The washers are then replaced, one by one, being careful to do it in order.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only thing left to do, is to put the spool back on, test it out and off you go. Free spool to drag with have a turn. Make sure you keep hold of the old components, in case you want it to go back to how it was. Also, it might be worth using a bit of araldite on the spool cap if there is too much play in the spool cap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now time to try them out - looking forward to it</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-12869597790871321592017-03-02T22:33:00.000+00:002017-03-02T22:34:33.182+00:00A chilling night chub<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm really struggling to get the time to fish at the moment, so it's all about getting out whenever I can, even if that means having one cast. Last night, the river was finally down to a decent level and after putting the kids to bed, I dropped on a peg that often produces a chub or two. The usual bait was fished on a link ledger, 5lb line and a soft 1.5oz quiver tip. After 20 mins the rod flew round and I struck into a fish. I'm using an okuma epix pro reel, and as I struck, the anti reverse stopped working, which isn't necessarily a problem, but allowed the fish a fraction of a second to get near a snag. I managed to coax it to the net, resulting in this chub of around 4lb - Tees chub this year fight well, but aren't as solid as previous winters; strange.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for the reel, well it's goosed. Time to invest in a new reel (in fact, a pair of them, to match the 1.25lb drennan specialist avon/quivers - do nicely for tenching as well!). The clock is definitely ticking down on the rivers now, but i'm hearing of very interesting things on a local Stillwater with regards pike, and unfortunately the close season coincides with the last few weeks of pike fishing before they spawn, so I really want to make use of this short period when they are at their heaviest. That probable means that my last couple of trips on the river will be after dark for chub, although there's a possibility of a final day trip during the day just to see things off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anyway the other issue, and reason I didn't fish more than an hour is because of what happened. I only started fishing at night in the last year or two, before that I was always a bit cautious (ok, nervous). But I got used to everything, the noises became part and parcel of the countryside, every noise had a reason (such as fox, bird, rabbit etc). I've actually come to quite enjoy it. But last night....well I got a sudden chill. I started to look over my shoulder; felt like something was looking over me. Then heard a noise in the distance...the wind picked up slightly. I just decided...nah! reeled in and went home. Strange how the night can affect you..........</span><br />
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Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-14955082859633752192017-02-26T20:16:00.000+00:002017-02-26T20:16:15.112+00:00A piking blank - time to give the next couple of weeks some serious thought!<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was tough going today. I just didn't fancy the river, so thought my best chance of catching would be some Stillwater piking. Problem is I just couldnt buy a bite - I did see a 19lber landed though so they are there! <br /><br /> I blame these new drop arm indicators - they don't drop!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Joking apart, I always seem to struggle around this time of year. Need to try change that and bank some decent fish in the final couple of weeks. A quick count on my fingers has indicated five potential trips out between now and season end - varying between quick two hour chub trips and a full day out. A couple of these trips will be after dark on the river tees, in search of that elusive Tees six pounder (though in reality, i'll be bloody happy with a five - a Tees five is a special fish, unlike other rivers where fives and sixes are a lot more common). </span></span></span><br />
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I quite fancy a trip with the stick float as well as potentially a big fat march barbel. Really, it'll all depend on conditions. However, as said above, I always seem to struggle once we get into March, so i'm not expecting too much. </span></span></span><br />
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After Mid March, i'll be spending a couple of weeks in search of a gravel pit 20lb Pike, and then my attentions will be turning towards Carp and Tench (and possible eels if I can motivate myself - think I may need to read a book or two to get my mind going....)</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-39422434960363763312017-02-22T20:34:00.000+00:002017-02-22T20:34:29.674+00:00A couple of short trips to the Tees <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick update from the last few days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I was out previously, bites became shy as the sun got high, and whilst I knew there was a chub in the last peg I was fishing, it wouldn't take properly. So I threw a few samples in, and vowed to come back after dark. The day after, after getting the kids to bed I had a spare hour or so, so quickly shot the gear in the car and went there. Bait was put on, flicked out, left to settle for a few mins and the light rod tip flew round, resulting in a pleasing 4lb 3oz chub that I had to hold hard to keep out of a snag. Quick photo, and I was en route back home as quickly as I had arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I had a few hours spare in the afternoon - a quick check on the charts showed a surprising and sudden rise in levels. I figured the water would be warm, so decided I would go to the Tees and 'try' for a barbel. A fresh batch of paste was made up, and this was wrapped round krill boilies to provide an appetising stench for them....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I got to the river to find trees floating downstream, but after wandering I found a few inviting creases that I baited before going back to the start and trying for them. Each of the four swims got an hour. To cut a long story short, I blanked, but I did manage a few chub knocks that I ignored. The usual buzzard was witnessed as well. Still, a nice day to be out, and I don't get disappointed anymore when targeting Tees barbel and blanking.....</span></div>
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<br />Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3334164248176904023.post-17334195280036311692017-02-19T15:34:00.001+00:002017-02-19T15:34:44.771+00:00Trying out the 1.25lb Drennan Specialist Avon/Quiver - A morning chub fishing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently acquired a couple of 12ft 1.25lb Specialist Avon / Quivers, with perch and tench in mind but also as a chub rod. I though i'd get out on the river tees for the morning to give it a go. The positive with them is that they are the original ones - i.e. come with 3 tips rather than 2 (prior to Drennan's cost cutting exercise!) and the night site tip section is much longer than the modern one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Using the 1.5oz tip, I targeted the slacks and creases with steak, looking for some chub. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be (the sun was bright in the sky), but eventually I did bag a few fish to around 4lb. The good thing is that the tip really flew round on each one (nice sensitive glass tip), and i'm very pleased with the rod. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Next trip out will probably be for gravel pit pike during the week, in search of my first Stillwater 20. Looking forward to it......</span><br />
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Jimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01415000472960664934noreply@blogger.com0