Cows, fish and broken landing net handle.

Having decided on a plan to look at the swims 

at Limply Stoke and get to know the features.

I took the usual kit plus the float rod

and maggots over ground bait.

On arriving at the field at 12.00, I was

surprised to find a small herd of calfs.

I mixed the ground bait and and put in 

three orange size balls straight away

plus some maggots and pellets.

I first of all set up the usual ledger rods,

and cast out to both banks down stream.

Then I settled down to loose feed

6 - 10 maggots every few minutes

down the float line.

I now heard some snuffling behind me

and turned round to find the calfs

taking an interest in what I was doing.

Well they got bored quite quickly

and went back to eating grass.

I started getting some interest

on the far bank rod and

so extended the landing net handle

and placed it on the edge of the bank.

The far bank rod then pulled round

and a Chub then ran towards the

rushes. I manged to turn it and the fish then

tried to get into some reeds 

 in the middle of the river.

Well again it failed to get to them.

I bent down to pick up the landing net

when "CRACK" the landing net handle 

broke.

So with only half a handle

I had to jump down the six foot

to the bottom of the bank.

Well I landed the Chub and then had to

climb back up. Not to easy with my bad ankle.

Anyway this 2lb 12oz Chub

was my prize.

 The youngsters were back but soon

turned away bored.

 Anyway a few trots down the float line

proved that only small fish were

showing interest in the maggots.

I decided to drop a ledgered pellet

on the ground bait and sat back to

await the out come.

Half an hour later,

 after an other visit from the locals,

The pellet gobbled down the pellet

and this 2lb 15oz fella was in the net.

 With another Chub to the far bank

rod coming in at 2lb 8oz,

I then went back to the float.

I had a very pleasant hour and a half

catching:-

Trout 

 Roach

 Dace, small Chub and minnows.

The float line was in line with the

rod rest down a drop off.

Well as it was getting dark

I packed up and said good bye 

to my little friends.

I am now trying to repair

the landing net handle

and look for a new one.