[connor]

having just got the sotas ticket wouldnt mind a break from carp fishing looking a having a go on the dove or the sow tackle ive got is 1.75tc rod 8lb line 6lb hooklink for barbel and chubb would this be up to the job or not? any help on this would be great or pointers on where to fish as i've never been before thanks in advance.

[kermit]

I've not fished the Dove, but would imagine the gear you have is more than up to the job for Chub and Barbel.

The Sow is a tiny little river (but great fun to fish). However, my gut feeling is that your tackle would do the job, but you may feel a little overgunned for the fish and size of river. I've fished it with a 1.25Ib avon rod, going down to about 3Ib line on the float and that felt about right, but I would happily have fished with a lighter float rod (lighter hooklengths would be good, but there is plenty of weed in the Sow to contend with).

The Sow stretch is interesting and a stealthy roving approach is the way to go. Keep low, keep quiet and make use of whatever cover you can find. Oh, and take a pair of polaroids - the water can be quite clear.

There are a few bigger pools on the Sow (including the weir pool at the U/S end of the stretch) that may accomodate a more static approach.

Plenty of time for you to refine your tackle and approach before the start of the river season though. Good luck!

Mike.

[PJW]

Connor, give Kev W a shout via PM I know that he has done a bit on the Dove, if anyone can help you i'm sure it's him

[kevw]

Some nice swims on the Dove Connor and well worth the trip out

If you're hoping for a barbel would suggest you up the hooklink, I use 10lb straight through as they really do test the tackle and average around 7lb, might not sound big compared to a carp but once hooked .
The chub aren't shy and average 3lb, have had a few 4lb'ers and my mate had one nudging 5lb, there's no need to scale down for them in the summer.

Park your car at Scropton and you can walk to either the Scropton or the Fauld stretch, often pays to have a wander and try a few swims.

Will be giving it a good few trips myself this year, still not managed a double figure barbel but have been close

[connor]

thanks for the info guys some valuble tips in there,is using semi fixed leads or running leads better for chubb & barbel? nylon or braided hookling? thinking of hair rigging an overflavored pellet or small boilie on a size 10 or 8 hook over hemp and a few scattered baits, cant wait to give it a go when the season starts, , just the thought of travelling light and having a go in a few different swims and not knowing what you may catch, is just the thing i need after sitting behind static rods and buzzers for years ,once again thanks.

[kevw]

Running leads or in-line leads both work, running feeder filled with small pellets well worth a go too. If I'm fishing 2 rods, usually have one on a pellet feeder and keep recasting 15 - 20 mins, then one downstream left alone with a boilie or big pellet.

I prefer nylon hooklinks, think that theres less chance of a tangle in the running water.

Boilies, pellets, meat, corn, all work. In winter when it's mainly the chub on the feed then bread takes some beating.

[wiganstu]

some very good advice there mate ,

all i would add is to make sure you have a decent clutch on your chosen reel , if you connect with a decent barbel , it WILL get tested

you sound like i did 6 or 7 years ago , thing is i didnt go back to proper carp fishing again as the mobile type of fishing i encountered suited me down to the ground , the rivers have got me now

minimum of tackle , 1 rod , small chair or unhooking mat to sit on , landing net , few bits of terminal and bait in a small stalking bag and your away , no barrows , beds , sleeping bags , pods etc , total freedom

good luck and enjoy

[connor]

Originally Posted by kevw

Running leads or in-line leads both work, running feeder filled with small pellets well worth a go too. If I'm fishing 2 rods, usually have one on a pellet feeder and keep recasting 15 - 20 mins, then one downstream left alone with a boilie or big pellet.

I prefer nylon hooklinks, think that theres less chance of a tangle in the running water.

Boilies, pellets, meat, corn, all work. In winter when it's mainly the chub on the feed then bread takes some beating.

brilliant thanks mate! good old bread flake pinched on a size 8 hook, does take some beating its been along time since i fished on it in the early eighties for crucians & tench . iam a bit confused over the rules on the sotas rivers it says 1 rod only between sunset and sunrise dose that mean you can fish 2 of a day or just 1 rod only at all times? cheers gary.

[kevw]

You can fish 2 rods in the day, one only through the night.

Some swims suit a static approach and are always worth a couple of hours, so 2 rods gives you a couple of options - feeder/pellet one rod and boilie the other.

[connor]

Originally Posted by wiganstu

some very good advice there mate ,

all i would add is to make sure you have a decent clutch on your chosen reel , if you connect with a decent barbel , it WILL get tested

you sound like i did 6 or 7 years ago , thing is i didnt go back to proper carp fishing again as the mobile type of fishing i encountered suited me down to the ground , the rivers have got me now

minimum of tackle , 1 rod , small chair or unhooking mat to sit on , landing net , few bits of terminal and bait in a small stalking bag and your away , no barrows , beds , sleeping bags , pods etc , total freedom

good luck and enjoy

my reels are ss 2600's that i use for floater fishing would of liked some shimano's with fighting drag on but cant justify buying another 2 reels, dont get me wrong i still love taking all my gear carping and getting away for a few days, just a bit sick of crowded banks and really looking forward to travelling light and fishing for another species thats new to me and hopefully get the bug for that aswell! and enjoying it along the way. cheers gary.

[connor]

Originally Posted by kevw

You can fish 2 rods in the day, one only through the night.

Some swims suit a static approach and are always worth a couple of hours, so 2 rods gives you a couple of options - feeder/pellet one rod and boilie the other.

spot on thanks for clearing that up for me!

[kermit]

If you're aiming for chub then be careful how you hook your bait. Chub often pick up baits with them between their lips and move off. If fishing with hair rigged baits you can quite often get missed bites if the chub are in a 'lippy' mood. Traditionally hooked baits often score better for chub than hair rigged baits.

Mike.

PS Connor, if you want to cut down the driving miles on your river sessions, have you considered the River Dane?

[connor]

Originally Posted by kermit

If you're aiming for chub then be careful how you hook your bait. Chub often pick up baits with them between their lips and move off. If fishing with hair rigged baits you can quite often get missed bites if the chub are in a 'lippy' mood. Traditionally hooked baits often score better for chub than hair rigged baits.

Mike.

PS Connor, if you want to cut down the driving miles on your river sessions, have you considered the River Dane?

thanks mike ,being so into carp fishing for so long i've lost touch with other forms of angling will try some bread flake and worms maybe! watched matt hayes the other day on sky, he fished for chubb with a hair rigged a fake caster on a small hook and a bigger hook as the main one to hook the fish after other methods failed i suppose its just trial & error will certainly give the dane a go is it day ticket or permit? thanks gary.

[kermit]

Originally Posted by connor

will certainly give the dane a go is it day ticket or permit? thanks gary.

I believe that most of it is club controlled. However, there is a section near Middlewich that is day ticket from Dave's of Middlewich (you can also buy tickets on the bank, but it costs more).

Mike.

[kevw]

Originally Posted by kermit

I believe that most of it is club controlled. However, there is a section near Middlewich that is day ticket from Dave's of Middlewich (you can also buy tickets on the bank, but it costs more).

Mike.

Downstream of Byley Bridge is day ticket, the better swims are upstream but still not too bad a stretch. Not a patch on the Dove though IMO, in both quality and no's of fish. Think it's Middlewich Anglers that have the fishing on this stretch, isn't too expensive a ticket from what I remember.