Monthly Report September 2017
I don’t have to keep saying it’s
been another manic month as is everyone nowadays. Looking at my statistics I
been on the bank thirteen times either fishing for myself (8), creating
features (1) or guiding (4) which is the sort of mix that suits me. Most of my
fishing has been based around short sessions either zigging for carp or
targeting crucians and both have been extremely rewarding along with introducing
Alan Blair to an urban hotspot. The one feature that I created was on the
Thames in search of a zander but although one never showed the predator action
was simply explosive. The four guiding sessions have all been on rivers, one
for perch and the other three on the Wye for barbel. All were successful trips,
yet driving to the Wye and back in a day does take some doing!
Day to Day events.
02/09/17 – Spent
a few hours starting my weekly Anglers Mail ‘Where to Fish’ column.
03/09/17 – A wet
windy day forecasted but after such a spell of hardly any wind and bright
conditions just what’s needed to kick them into feeding. Fortunately when I
arrived at Johnson’s to meet up with my dad we found very few other anglers
fishing so headed to the railway bank as this is where the wind was pushing
into. My good friend Mark was already there and had taken a personal best
mirror of 26lb 8oz on his crucian gear (same carp I had the week before) along
with a couple of crucians and with fish moving things looked good. Another
mate, Barrie also joined us and with the rain not as hard as forecasted we all
enjoyed catching a few fish. I seemed to be getting the lads back for taking
the p... out of me on the Wye for loosing so many barbel and gave them a lesson
in crucian fishing taking a dozen to 3lb 5oz along with the odd tench, carp,
rudd and roach. Dad was struggling so early afternoon I wound my rods in to
help him get his bobbins moving and he went on to take a couple of crucians
including the best of the session at 3lb 11oz 8drams. Whilst helping him I
couldn’t ignore that Barrie had borrowed one of my rods, inspected my rig and
obviously learnt a trick or two as well as catching a few crucians to 3lb 6oz.
Good angling mate! Mark seemed to be on a roll and caught steadily all day,
maybe eight crucians to 3lb 10oz, another personal best! With the rain getting
harder and the girlfriend to pick up it was time to wind the rods in come 3pm
but what an enjoyable day.
04/09/17 – One of
the reasons I am slowly getting into carp fishing is simply I can just grab
my
kit and go and after dropping the lady of at work did just that. Arriving at an
almost empty lake I dropped in the same swim fished the weekend before and soon
had carp all over my baits. Didn’t
even have time to turn the second alarm on
when a big drop back saw the first of four carp falling in just two
hours to my
new found wonder rig. Unfortunately after the forth carp they seem to drift off
and the next two hours saw absolutely nothing happen but once again I think I
know the reason they left my swim. The four carp landed weighed 11lb, 18lb 2oz,
22lb 3oz, all commons and a 22lb 5oz mirror.
05/09/17 –
Complete day in the office.
06/09/17 –
Slipped out for a few hours carp fishing this morning. Cast out at 8am but
found the fish to be somewhat cagey. Worked at it till 11am and managed just
one bite but it did come from a real mint common weighing 25lb 6oz.
07/09/17 – So
annoyed at one particular angler
who didn’t read his Farnham Angling Society
membership book regarding the third FAS barbel teach-in and then decided to
ignore three signs clearly stating that the river was closed. The reason that
the river is closed is to give time for the fish to settle and allow the six
anglers the best possible chance in catching. Unfortunately one of my biggest
edges that I explain to these anglers is the importance of being the first
angler in a swim as once someone else has been there then the chances of
catching are almost nil. Not only did this angler kill the bottom two fields
but three poachers then killed the top field. Thanks!
08 & 09/09/17
– A couple of days in the office writing a European article, getting ahead of
myself on my WFT Column plus sorting some kit for a carp session tomorrow.
10/09/17 – Headed
to Johnsons at 8am to meet Chris for a spot of carp fishing. The weathers
certainly not good for what we will be doing, zig fishing with a growing
southerly, clouding over and rain forecast come mid afternoon. The lake busy so
headed to a quiet
corner but after a couple of hours just couldn’t see any
fish, let alone get a bite. Barrie was fishing for crucians on another bank and
reported that the fishing in general seemed slow. Dad called to say he was on
his way to join us for a few hours, however somehow dropped his front wheel of
the track around the lake and we had to get him towed out along with around
half a dozen strong lads lifting the front to free the wheel. It was going to
be one of those days! Back in the swim and after another fruitless hour’s one
of Chris rods was away and he managed a lovely zip-liner of around 11lb which
was quickly followed by a mirror of 18lb to myself. Happy with the result and
enjoying the banter with Barrie we weren’t expecting anything else and with the
rain imminent decided to call it a day at 3pm, however one fish had other ideas
and shortly before leaving Chris awas away again and after a lengthy battle
slid the net under The Big Dink at 32lb on the nose provided him with a new UK
personal best. Happy days...
11/09/17 – The
last lay-in before the lady has a run of early’s so made the most of it before
getting my head down to the standard Monday chores which included around four
hours organising the tackle room, returning emails etc and getting kit sorted
for a busy few days on the bank.
12/09/17 – On the
bank at 7.30am to have a few hours with my dad crucian fishing. Can’t
understand why some days Johnson Lake is so busy and then others, like today
are almost empty? After having such a productive session a week or so ago we
headed to the Railway Bank and although the skies were bright and cloudless and
the temperature was just seven degrees it didn’t take long for the first
crucian to grace my net. This steady action continued till early afternoon and
come 1pm when we headed home we had taken sixteen crucians to 3lb 10oz and two
tench. I quickly popped into the Apollo Angling as I left and found some
brilliant inline cage feeders made by Guru which I will be putting into action
tomorrow on the Thames as well as buying a fishing rod, the first in probably
twenty years, a 12ft Drennan Acolyte Carp Waggler rod which I’m hoping is going
to be powerful enough to tame the odd Wye barbel next week? Fingers crossed!
13/09/17 – On the
road come 7am, this time heading to the tidal Thames. An hour and a half later
I arrived, 30 minutes to do 26 miles then an hour to do 4 and then to find the
tide right down which was strange as high tide was meant to be at 8.18am! Think
it might have been something to do with the dangerously strong westerly wind
which we under estimated and saw white water and waves heading downstream
towards Richmond! It would have been so easy to turn around but knowing rush
hour was upon us we madly set up and fished till 1pm in which time we managed a
handful of roach, mostly around 12oz, a small bream and one clonking dace.
14/09/17 –
Another early this time to meet Ian Joyce one of my regular customers and one I
always look forward to fishing with. Chilly, just slightly and with a strong
wind still blowing we were aware that winters on its way. First chuck in with a
lobworm and a good bite was missed yet the second saw the hook find some flesh
and a 2lb perch graced his net followed by one slightly smaller before the swim
died. Heading downstream we tried another swim without any signs before
dropping a float paternoster and a small minnow live bait in another. That
didn’t take long to see a 4lb pike in the net that got revenge by dragging its
teeth across my fingers. A couple more swims were tried for just one small chub
before casting out in a big pool and straight away the float disappeared and
the first of around ten perch to 2lb graced his net.
15/09/17 – The
alarm sounded at 4am, yes 4am and come 5.30am I was in the good company of Alan
Blair standing in pitch darkness next to a normally productive barbel swim.
It’s always difficult introducing someone to a new river, especially to a river
that I’m not that familiar with but I was so confident that first run down with
a piece of meat would see him battling a hard fighting beard on his 6ft
Shot-Gun, however come an hour later and still the rod failed to bend. I headed
upstream and fared the same before finding Alan someway downstream, well
excited having found some carp but also somewhat frustrated at missing two
chances off the top. It wasn’t long though before he staggered into my swim
with the smile of a Cheshire cat as in the folds of his landing net lay the
most beautiful zip lenear you could ever which to catch. Never one to slow down
he soon had another in the net, this time a small kio before the carp backed
off into an area difficult to fish, however Alan wasn’t fazed and was soon in
the river, risking getting a right boot full and following them but even these
extreme measures weren’t enough. Heading upstream we located more carp but no
barbel and after I managed a chub around 4lb on the float we headed back to our
original position only to see Alan lose the same linear at the net and myself
finding a swim absolutely stacked full of silver fish.
16/09/17 – At
last a lay-in before a few fishy hours in the office.
20/09/17 – Been
looking forward to my office backdrop toady as I would be aboard a small boat
floating about on the river Thames with Jason Vorster, a great lure angler in
search of a few oversized predators. Jason certainly produced the goods but if
you want to see just what we caught then you will have to keep buying your
weekly Anglers Mail magazine as the feature will be appearing here soon. If you
are an avid lure angler take a look at –
www.lucklurebox.co.uk
Amazingly back in the office I was able to write the article up and get it off
my mind as the next couple of days are to be spent on the river Wye.
21/09/17 &
22/09/17 – The alarm sounded at 4am and come 5am I was on the road heading
to the river Wye in Herefordshire. Meeting my two customers, John and John who
were staying with Sue and David at the really nice Sink Green Farm B&B come
7.30am and after a cup of coffee we were on our way to give them an
introduction to this majestic river. We were hoping to catch a few on the float
but the river was up a foot or more and rushing through so it was a case of
standing in the river and feeder fishing, sadly in the rain and a howling wind.
I think it was a bit of a wakeup call for both as it’s a far cry from the short
walks and comfortable swims of our local venues but I’m imagining a real
adventure for them. It didn’t take long for the first bite and fortunately a
barbel found the bottom of the net, a personal best for John who had never
caught a flowing water beard. Unfortunately a snag was proving problematic,
something the Wye is known for and a few fish were lost, however come the end
of the day and in far better conditions they had taken another five barbel and
six chub.
The following day I introduced them to a new stretch, one I
hadn’t even fished before, one that a previous customer who now fishes the
river on a regular basis had directed me too. Having good information is vital
if you are to put yourself on fish and something that takes years to achieve,
so thanks Mark, I owe you a free days guiding! Fishing from the top of a bank
in glorious sunshine we were all far more comfortable and first cast a barbel
graced our net. The action then continued for a few hours before slowing early
afternoon but still the odd barbel fell. In total I think thirteen were taken,
the best two going 7lb 15oz and 8lb 7oz.
As an angler I think it’s only fair that I inform you off
good products and bad products and if you are heading to the Wye and stocking
up on feeders you have two options. You can either buy feeders that are made by
Wye anglers or go to your local tackle shop and buy ones that are mass produce.
I recommend getting specifically made Wye feeders as they will last and are
cheaper than the crap ones that simply shatter or break after a couple of
casts. Paul at Woody’s Angling Centre makes his own as does Paul who is behind
the FFF feeders, both reliable and brilliant feeders.
Sink Green Farm – B4399 Rotherwas,
Hereford, HR2 6LE. Tel:
01432 870223 – www.sinkgreenfarm.co.uk
Hereford and District Angling Association – wwhdaa.blogspot.co.uk
– membership just £50 per season!
Woody’s Tackle Centre – 67 White Cross Road, Hereford, HR4
0DQ. Tel: 01432 344644 – www.woodysangling.co.uk
FFF Feeders – Fisky’s Fantastic Feeders Face book. Price
list email Paul at - fiskysfantasticfeeders@yahoo.com
25/09/17 – Was
hoping to head to the lake for a spot of carp fishing but due to heavy
overnight rain thought I’d bring a trip to my publishers in Kent, Calm
Productions forward to pick up some books that they have kindly offered me to
sell? Was hoping they were by the door and that a fork lift would be able to
load the two pallets into the hired Luton Van but sadly not as I had to load
them two boxes at a time. Eight books in a box weighing 1.2kg each, nigh on
ninety boxes, to say I was sweating come completion is an understatement but I
did have someone to help one end and my poor dad the other end. I wasn’t that
worried until I read that the Luton had a weight limit of 500kg, Ouch, work it
out. As you can imagine it was a very slow drive home and missing the traffic
each way was a blessing, but things were going too good, and a nightmare was
about to hit me as after being distracted by my neighbour I forgot to lift the
tailgate and crunch, yes it wasn’t pleasant as I drove out the drive.
Fortunately the guy at the hire company needs to go to Speck Savers as he
completely missed the scratches.
If you fancy a signed copy I can now offer them at reduced
rate of just £10.99 plus P&P, (normally £25). If you are interested then simply email me at
duncancharman.me.com
26/09/17 – A
rough night meant that I never made it to the lake until 10.30am and with just
three and a half hours to spare knew that I would be up against it but constant
feeding eventually fed the birds off and a few carp started to show an
interest. Unfortunately the first bite saw a good fish kiting into the shallows
and with the lead not falling saw the hook pull. I wasn’t expecting anything
else but shortly before having to call it a day managed another bite which
resulted in a common weighing 22lb 9oz.
27/09/17 – Spent
the day writing up my weekly Anglers Mail ‘where to fish’ column as well as
getting the tackle ready for a long days guiding on the river Wye tomorrow.
28/09/17 – On the
road come 5.20am in heavy rain. I just hope it doesn’t stay like this? Luckily
when I arrived at The Falcon B&B come 7.30am to meet Steve and Nathan the
weather was much better, in fact to good as the skies were now cloudless and
the sun already high. After last week’s success on a new stretch it would have
been stupid of me to go anywhere else and fortunately the swim was free as when
we arrived shortly before 8.30am. An hour after casting out all looked good as
my customers had landed a chub and a barbel along with losing a couple due to a
snag, however things then slowed and with the sun on the water we assumed this
was the reason. Mark who had put me onto the stretch arrived a couple of hours
later and setting up in the swim just thirty Yards downstream took a while to
get off the mark, but then started to haul! Checking his rigs I knew we were
doing nothing different, the only difference was his swim had a tree casting a
shadow across it. Mid afternoon the shadow covered our swim and I was hoping
the action would commence but sadly it didn’t so come 4pm I made the brave
decision to move downstream of Mark some thirty yards and within ten minutes
the first barbel graced there net,
followed by four more to 7lb and two chub! I
had earlier mentioned to my customers about moving if no bites had come after a
couple of hours but things are slightly different when you drop in a swim that’s
produced the week before and then gets your customers off to a good start on
the next trip. If we hadn’t got those early fish then I would have had no
problem moving but I always thought the fish were in front of us, but they had
moved. Lesson learnt but at least we didn’t sit in the swim all day. I just
wish we had moved a couple of hours earlier. By the way Mark finished with
thirteen barbel!
29/09/17 –
Although it’s the Ladies day off, and tomorrow, I still managed to not only
finish of this week’s AM column but also get well on the way with next week’s
‘where to fish’ piece. This is because I see another manic week approaching.
Sunday I’m guiding, Monday and Tuesday on the bank with Carl & Alex
producing another Nash video then on Wednesday heading off to the Kennet to
produce an AM feature. This leaves Thursday and Friday to not only write up the
Kennet feature, finish my ‘where to fish’ column along with feeing enough time
up to see if the carp are still taking zigs and treating my mum to a well overdue
9 holes of golf before heading down to Christchurch on Saturday for a fishing
treat. All will be revealed next month...
Fantastic roach fishing.
With four hours to spare I headed to a local club lake for a spot of roach fishing. First dozen casts resulted in a dozen roach averaging 10oz. The sport continued in similar fashion, however I should have caught more as Dad arrived and whilst enjoying the frantic action I asked him to tell me when it was 1pm, however he had forgot to change his watch and I only realized this when I returned to the car! The total weight for the session was just short of 32lb and apart from four small perch, all were roach, the best just over the pound.
