Something to report

[drynetter]

With the waiting over, I left the house at 3am this morning. Getting to the River 10 minutes later. Think I may have got up too early, as by the time I arrived, it was still dark, not even the half light had arrived. Undeterred I unpacked the car and made my way to the bank.

Problem no.1. The bankside vegetation could have hidden an elephant, so with my trusty weed cutter attached to a robust bankstick I set to work. 10 minutes later I'd cleared a path, think i may have been a bit overzealous as you could have got three lanes of traffic down it. But with a bit of luck someone else may reap the rewards of my hard work.

Still dark, right get some bits out that don't need a lot of thought... baitwaiter, keepnet, landing net.... done. Have a fag.

By this time it was light enough to tackle up the rest of my gear. Some 15 minutes later the bait on the waiter, rods ready to go.

Starting off on the stick I managed to snag up on the first run through. (Note to self, avoid that line in the swim).

Third of fourth run down a bite, the float burying good and proper, result... a minnow. Good grief. Not what I was expecting. 20 minutes later the first "fish". I use the term loosely as I practically had to squeeze it out of the maggot! So after an hour, there wasn't much too show.

An hour later still not much to show, the odd chublet and dace going in the net at sporadic intervals. Time for a rethink. Feeder rod in hand, block end cast out, just managed to set the tip when it banged back (don't strike, don't strike, you're fishing on braid). Lifted the rod up and felt a little resistance, turning round to see a trout flying through the air trying to emulate the red arrows, after a brief struggle it hit the landing net. Again not what I was after but welcome all the same. A few more chublets added on the feeder back onto the stick and had a good run of dace (11 or 12). Then nothing at all.

And that was about it, back home for 9, hardly what I expected but worthwhile nonetheless. I've got some pics of my immense haul which I'll try and post on Monday.

Thanks for reading...

[MANAGER]

It was a pleasure to read it.
After this weekend, it will start going darker sooner, and lighter later.........so you can have an extra half hour in bed.

I use a 12" two piece rod for my float fishing, so no setting up is required, except maybe plumbing the depth.
I always have a weed/grass cutter with me.
Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Garden Scythette 305mm Blade 890mm Handle - 4752SS - S/J4752SS - Spear & Jackson Scythes & Grass Hooks
It comes in handy frequently.

Nice to see that you caught enough to keep you occupied and pleased, and probably managed to get home before it started raining.

[Annwn]

Good to hear there was a few Dace about mate Still strange how there are so many chublets but not a great deal of better ones, been like that for years on there

Did you fish near the gas marker ?

[drynetter]

Originally Posted by Annwn

Good to hear there was a few Dace about mate Still strange how there are so many chublets but not a great deal of better ones, been like that for years on there

Did you fish near the gas marker ?

Dunno, couldn't see it, but fished further upstream than usual, thinking I'd have a bit more water to go at (pulling the fish up???). Had its benefits as it's the first time that I've managed to get my feet flat on the river bed, normally they're at odd angles which is a bit uncomfortable after a while. Also gave below the bridge a quick go, only for half an hour. Not really set up for that though and didn't have the time to change to a wire stem. The water is very quick and boily, so god knows what my bait presentaion was like. Managed 3 dace there, so definitely worth a go with the proper set up.

Another point was the number of cormorants I spotted, 7 in total, which isn't a great deal, but it's 6 more than I saw in the whole of last season. Make of that what you will?

[drynetter]

View to the Cheadle bridge





view below the bridge...

The "haul"!




Not the best view I saw...