now for something completely different report

[drynetter]

5.38am and I left the house for the three mile drive to the Tame. I was quite surprised that when I arrived it was still more or less pitch black, so I took my time to unload the car. It didn't take too long as instead of the usual gear and the kitchen sink, all I'd taken was a net bag (with all the bits I needed), landing net handle two extending bank sticks and a rod. Kept thinking that I'd left something behind, but I'd checked and double checked everything the night before...

All that was left was the walk down to the River, so I set off down the path. Still no sign of dawn yet. Eventually managed to get down onto a decent enough looking peg. And set work tackling up. I'd just about finished when there was a large rise almost right in front of me. This filled me extra confidence for the first cast. Out it went and I waited and waited, then waited some more... nothing. Tried a few more cast round the swim and settled for somewhere to introduce my main feed. Lit a fag and looked up, tap, tap, bang... struck into nothing arrrggh!!! Immediately out again and the same again arrrggh!!!

Two good bites both missed... Had quick think and decided if I got another I'd let it develop a bit more. Didn't have to wait too long, as the next followed pretty quickly. One tap, two tap then a really strong dropback, struck and felt the resistance at the other end and it start to move off, It didn't take alot to turn it and thoughts of a Barbel were quickly extinguished as a Chub about 2lbs came gasping for breath toward the landing net. It's mine I thought, wrong, one flick of the head and out came the hook.

And that was it, no more bites.

Thoughts of moving swim had evaporated, it's something I'm going to have to make myself do in future. But even though it was the first time I'd blanked this season, I'm hungry for more. I know a couple of more things than I did before about the venue and realise that this is going to be a gradual learning curve.

I'm already looking forward to the next trip out, whenever that will be. But getting a few bites had made it all worthwhile. Who knows, next time I may even put a fish on the bank.

So for now, the search continues...


Thanks for reading.


There were a couple of other things, a large fox on the opposite bank that stood for a couple of minutes just stared at me and two kingfishers that flashed past.

[kermit]

It may have been a blank, but it sounds like there was some enjoyment to be had in the session! Hope things work out a bit better on your next trip.

Out of interest, were you hair rigging your baits? Chub can tend to pick up baits in their lips and move off so can often give unhookable but confident bites if they are in a 'lippy' mood. Could be one explanation for missing a few?

Mike.

[drynetter]

Originally Posted by kermit

It may have been a blank, but it sounds like there was some enjoyment to be had in the session! Hope things work out a bit better on your next trip.

Out of interest, were you hair rigging your baits? Chub can tend to pick up baits in their lips and move off so can often give unhookable but confident bites if they are in a 'lippy' mood. Could be one explanation for missing a few?

Mike.

Yeah mate, didn't really think of that to be honest, something else to think of for the future.

Was originally gonna just fish meat, but fell for the boilies instead.

First time ever fishing with em... So there's alot to learn.

[kevw]

If you're hair rigging boilies on the river Drynetter try tying the hair so the boilie is almost tight to the hook, not like a stillwater carp or tench rig.

Bait bands looped around the hook and used as a hair work quite well, or if you're fishing nylon then tie a lasoo rig which can be used for big pellets by pulling the lasoo tight around the bait or fished as a normal hair rig for boilies. With this you can switch baits without switching rigs

[drynetter]

Originally Posted by kevw

If you're hair rigging boilies on the river Drynetter try tying the hair so the boilie is almost tight to the hook, not like a stillwater carp or tench rig.

Bait bands looped around the hook and used as a hair work quite well, or if you're fishing nylon then tie a lasoo rig which can be used for big pellets by pulling the lasoo tight around the bait or fished as a normal hair rig for boilies. With this you can switch baits without switching rigs

I had the hairs really short, so the boilie was right up against the hook... Used the knotless knot...

I'll try the other rigs though, thanks for the advice