Duncan’s
Monthly round-up – March 2015
1/3/15 – After dropping the
girlfriend off at work I picked fishing pal Chris up and we headed to
the River Itchen for what might be our last chance of a two-pound
grayling. The river looked good, albeit slightly faster than normal
and whilst Chris tackled up I sneaked a couple of grayling out from a
usually easy swim but it was far tougher than normal and when Chris
failed to gain any response in his swim it seemed the writing was on
the wall. Fortunately most anglers had stayed at home and we enjoyed
leap-fogging each other taking maybe a dozen fish before heading
downstream to explore new pastures. We both found a productive swim
but apart from one sizeable grayling each of around 1lb 8oz it seemed
the trout were on the feed and although good sport it wasn’t what
we really came for so decided to head to a new spot that I recall
seeing massive grayling some thirty years ago! We caught quite a few
fish all around two…ounces and decided as this was a somewhat grey
area for fishing their was absolutely no point pushing our luck so
headed home in time to see England get a lesson in rugby discipline
by Ireland.
2/3/15 – Today’s task was to
complete a ‘Best off’ feature for Anglers Mail which took most of
the day, before catching up on the usual daily tasks.
3/3/15 – Another day in the
office, mainly because looking at the weather its going to warm up as
the week goes on so best get all the features and paperwork done when
the weathers cold and not good for angling. Jobs today included
sending Nash my monthly round-up and doing a couple of user reports
for anglers mail, yet it amazes me just how long emailing and
telephone calls can take, today it just seemed to engulf most off the
day. I did speak to my old mate Mike Townsend, based in Doncaster, he
is what I call one of the nice guys in angling, always jolly and
willing to pass on leads, in exchange for the same, which is more
than I can say for many of the younger, look at me, take all and give
f-all back in the press type angler!
4/3/15 – Today saw me on the
banks of the river Blackwater/Test tributary in the Broadlands
fishery complex with customer Howard. We were hoping for a bit of
stick float fishing, however the Blackwater was coloured and pushing
hard and couple this with the overgrown nature of the river made it
not very enjoyable. We did manage a few small dace and roach yet
after just a couple of hours headed to a free stretch of the river
Itchen. There we bumped into a couple of friends, one being Sky
Sports Andy Ford who had already been through the stretch fluff
chucking with plenty of success. Normally I fish corn here yet with a
couple of pints of maggots these were used which saw maybe thirty
fish taken. Unfortunately these were mainly small trout, salmon par
plus grayling to just over the pound. I think the size of fish was
mainly down to fishing the swims after others had been in them,
probably catching bigger fish and leaving us to be the pest
controllers. One thing that was noticed is how important it is to use
the right pattern and size of hook. I have to smile when I read
articles where anglers complicate grayling fishing by using small
hooks, swivels and elastic shock absorbers. To solve problems of
loosing grayling is simple, use a strong hooklink such as Reflo
0.13mm then tie on a size 12 or 14 Kamasan micro barbed B525.
5/3/15 – A day spent writing
and compiling images for ‘Day Ticket’ number 12 for Coarse
Angling Today as well as getting in touch with a few different
fisheries to start a new feature for Anglers Mail.
6/3/15 – The general ‘odds
and sods’ before getting the barbel kit and heading to the river.
Arriving at 2pm I bait dropped a couple of swims on route to swim
number one where after just 2 minutes the tip signalled a bite by
three serious taps. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, whether I was
taken unexpectedly from such a quick bite, or that my clutch should
have been tightened right up due to a snag downstream, yet the fish
didn’t charge downstream in barbel fashion but head across the
current before finding sanctuary within the snag. My head tells me
that the culprit was a carp, yet my heart tells me that it could also
have been a very big barbel. Come 9pm and after trying three other
swims without a touch it was time to call it a day. I’m trying to
tell myself that just getting a bite was a result, yet it certainly
doesn’t feel like it!
9/3/15 – Today was spent
compiling a feature on different variations on the helicopter rig for
a European magazine. This along with general Monday morning
organisation took up the day, however with the end of the river
season in sight and thoughts of that lost fish last week I’m going
to spend the next few days on the bank in the hope of something
special to end the season.
10/3/15 – Trying to make a
mends on losing that fish last week headed back, late morning to the
stretch for revenge yet second swim in and disaster happens as yet
again a hooked fish finds a snag. This time it was down to bad
angling, however the bite and fight was certainly not from a barbel
but probably a big chub. To say the F word was mentioned is an
understatement yet lets just say I never made this mistake before
mobile phones were taken to the river! If things couldn’t get worse
a chub bite was missed in the next peg and five swims later the salt
was rubbed into the wounds when I finally slide the net under a fish,
a bloody two pound sea trout!
11/3/15 – Today was meant to
be a day of rod bending action at one of my favourite day ticket
venues however come the end of the day I could only manage two pound
and a half roach. Dad fared better with two similar roach plus a
tench. I was trying to compile an article for Anglers Mail and had
high hopes of the standard 100lb mixed catch only for the bailiff to
inform me that the lake had been netted 48hrs prior to my arrival and
couple this with a brisk easterly wind had certainly put the fish
off. Hopefully next week will be better.
12/3/15 – Today was spent with
a customer on the banks of the river Loddon in hope of a last minute
barbel. Conditions were good apart from a low clear river yet roving
around soon saw the tip bounce and thin air to be struck. Chris
didn’t make any mistakes come the next bite but yet again it came
from a modest chub. Searching the river we soon settled in to a new
swim and at last the three-foot twitch arrives and a barbel hooked,
yet it seems my luck is rubbing off as having the fish beaten, it
makes one last dash and the hook pulls. I’m not sure who was gutted
more, Chris or myself yet at least the new tactic that I’ve started
to use is working.
13/3/15 – Chris my mate has
the day off so we decided to head to the river again in the hope of a
barbel. Full of confidence with the new method and bait saw the rod
pull round first swim in and a chub of 4lb 14oz landed. This was
followed by another four-pounder in the next swim. That was my only
action with Chris taking a chub in his last swim. Heading home just
after lunch time we grabbed some food and headed to Old Bury Hill for
a last chance fish at the zander. Meeting up with five other anglers
we spaced ourselves out along the grassy bank and soon started to get
a few indications. Barrie was first to catch, a small zed of around
3lb with Ian landing his first of the species, one that weighed 4lb
2oz and was soon followed by a double figured common. Full of
expectance, especially when Barrie landed two more to 6lb 5oz, we all
patiently sat behind our rods awaiting the switch to be hit, yet come
9pm we were all still waiting as after dark the lake died a death and
although we continued to refresh the baits and keep casting the
zander were just not playing ball. The saying ‘when the winds in
the east the fish bite the least’ certainly was true this week!
16/3/15 – The standard day
spent writing up features for Anglers Mail, posting new data on my
website and facebook, returning all my emails as well as fixing a
leaking toilet, joy!
17/3/15 – On the road early
with the car pointed in the direction of Slough House Lake in Essex
to create an Action Replay for Anglers Mail. Back home by 4pm meant
that I could set about sorting out the tackle for Thursday/Friday and
have a full day writing the article up on Wednesday.
18/3/15 – In the office all
day to get feature to publication for deadline.
19/3/15 – This was the first
session back in the world of targeting a certain species and size,
however as the big fish world goes, you have to take the good and bad
days and believe me there are more bad ones than good. Today proved
to be a bad day, due to the horrid north east wind that has been
killing sport for everyone. Target species failed to show with my
only decent fish being a tench. Hoping for a better day tomorrow,
however I think it will be the same as although decreasing is still
coming from the N/E.
20/3/15 – Arriving back at the
lake at 7.30am we were confronted with a chilly Easterly and trying
to find the fish I set up with the wind in my face which was
uncomfortable to say the least. Chris was into a carp straight away
so hopes were high, however with such a bad wind it wasn’t to be
and come 4pm we decided to call it a day. I managed a tench again
plus a few modest roach with Chris taking the same with his best
roach going 1lb 7oz.
21/3/15 & 22/3/15 – The
Big One. Two days on your feet all day, early starts, eating crap
takes it out of you, and as for a 50th birthday get
together Saturday night, well I needed that like a whole in the head
and come 8.30am the girlfriend sent me to bed as I was snoring loudly
in the sofa! To be honest I love these shows as it’s a great time
to do some networking with other companies as well as catching up
with customers and fishing friends that, well if it wasn’t for the
shows, it just wouldn’t be possible. Highlights of the weekend have
to be chatting with legends such as Sir Pete Springate, Chris Ball,
Chilly, Des Taylor and Mr day-ticket himself Bill Rushmer. I didn’t
get my cuddle from Virginia but Sarah Collins at Go-Fishing made up
for this, she’s an inspiration to us all. The Korum Consultants are
always fantastic, especially Dia Gribble who came over for a good
chat as well as the big man himself, ‘The Pons’ who gave me a big
hug, then a good talking too as well. The local angling clubs, such
as Farnham Angling Society and Hartley Witney were doing their very
best to attract new members, as were Godalming, however the cries of
180 seem to be the passing comment. Nash, well they surprise me every
minute with a never ending release of innovative products and baits.
What’s hot at the moment? Well it has to be ‘The Key’ a HNV
bait that I tried right at the end of the season, and well, if you’re
a chub angler its instant! However Gary informs me that TG Active and
4G Squid are even better, bloody hell they will be crawling up my
rods then! A problem that many predator angler experiences is an
alarm not working when using slack line, open bail-arms. Well forget
the rest and go with an alarm that works in these precious moments
and you don’t have to reach deep also. The Siren S5 solves that
dreaded problem, especially for eel and perch anglers, the moment
when the drop off indicator pulls off, giving just a single bleep
followed by nothing! Well I can assure you that 27.99 will solve that
problem! The Scope and Dwarf range of rods draw an ever lasting
following as do the bed chair/sleeping bag system do, and as for the
bivvies it’s like a bee-hive of activity but for me I will settle
for the brilliant Groundhog Oval style brolly. The new range of small
item luggage is also innovative as it covers every area of fishing
from, camera case, scale and lead pouch to overnight/session angler
food and bait carryalls, to be honest I could go on for ever but its
easier to go to www.nashtackel.co.uk
and enjoy looking at an everlasting array of long lasting products
that will keep you happy. It was also good to catch up with the
consultancy team who make these shows run so smoothly, anglers such
as Paul Garner, Ted Bryant, and Alan Storey.
23/3/15 – Monday it was
straight back into things again, this time heading off to Berkshire
to look at and create a couple of new venues for Anglers Mails
‘Where to fish’ section.
24/3/15 – Tuesday once again
was spent creating another Anglers Mail feature, this time called
‘Venue Expert’ at Willow Park Fishery with a true Gentleman of
our sport, Alan Chadbone. Keep an eye out for these informative venue
articles as they will help you catch loads more fish. Unfortunately
time got the better of me as I was hoping to write this up in the
evening but it will have to be done on Thursday as I’ve got that
twitchy feeling and need to go fishing on Wednesday.
25/3/15 – Big fish session.
Was it a success, well you will have to wait till the end of April to
find out!
26/3/15 – Back in the office
to write up Tuesdays feature along with getting the specimen gear out
for tomorrow.
27/3/15 – Big fish session.
29/3/15 – Big fish session.
30/5/15 – The standard Monday
morning round up which included taking a number of photographs to
complete and forward a European article as well as heading to
Berkshire to get a couple of images and info on new Anglers Mail
‘Where to fish’ venues along with getting the kit sorted once
more for another Big Fish session that, due to the weather might not
happen on Tuesday. Lets just see what’s happening come 5am!
Well it had to be
the horrid easterly come north east wind that really put paid to the
sport this month. In total I been out casting a line on thirteen
occasions split between personal sessions (9) Guiding (3) and
features (1) totalling nearly 100hrs, a nice split yet its been the
time spent indoors producing features that really indicate the amount
of hours dedicated to angling.
The first two
weeks of the month were spent on running water with the hope of a
monster barbel. Unfortunately apart from a customer loosing one, the
only species that seemed willing to feed were chub. A last go at
catching a few zander failed miserably with five out of seven anglers
blanking, however the move from running to still water has had its
highs and lows. This is standard when fishing for big fish in low
stocked waters, bites come at a premium but fortunately a couple of
mine have come from good fish to lift my confidence for a good April.
I would love to
share where and what I’m up to but with the campaign in its early
stages I can’t disclose these details until the end of next month.
Hopefully their will be loads to tell you.
.jpg)