Happy New Year

A very happy New Year 

to all my followers.

I'm not sure when I'll next escape,

as I've picked up a 

bug of some sort

and She Who Must Be Obeyed

is going in for a hip operation.

So till my next escape chit

Happy Angling New Year

to you all.

Seasons Greetings

Well its been a busy

festive time 

and I forgot all about

my blog.

I did not get out

fishing as to busy

and chased some visiting aircraft

at Bristol Airport.

I hope you all had a brilliant

Christmas

and hope the

New Year

is a good one.

Rockingham 16-12-15

As can be seen

the gusty breeze was

bowing the hanging rigs.

The second Severn Crossing

can be seen in the far ground.

Drizzle was a constant companion.

Rag and Squid were used on

1/0 Wishbone and Pennel Pulley rigs.

I fished 8am till 11am

with high water at 10am.

From the start small Codling

were on the Wishbone rig.

In all 6 small Codling preferred Rag.

and one decide on Squid on 4/0 hooks.

All in all another good fishing trip,

shame there were not any larger

fish out to play.

Where has all the sand gone?

Back down to the ledges at Ladye Bay

at 08.00.

Low water was at 12.00.

A cool start with a gusty

wind but the sea was calm.

With yellow tailed lug and squid

I was joined by a couple of great

fishermen for a 5 hour session.

Well I failed to catch

while only a couple of tiny Codling

and Whiting were caught.

The big surprise was the total lack 

of sand and mud

around the start of the ledges.

As can be seen from the following 

pictures a lot of sand and mud has disappeared. 

Although the fishing was poor,

the company was grand.

Dry, wet and windy.18-11-15

Another free morning saw me

setting up on the ledges at

Ladye Bay.

It was quite warm with a south westerly breeze.

At first it was clear but later 

the cloud thickened and then the rain

came down with the very gusty wind was back.

The usual rigs and baits were used

with the first cast at 07.20.

High water was at 11.00 and 11.4 mtrs.

There was a lot of Bladderwort

weed floating past so I knew 

there would be problems,

however it was only an annoyance.

The first fish was a 3 inch Whiting

taking Lug and Squid cocktail

on a 4/0 hook.

 This poor Kittiwake had taken

a battering at some time.

Its left leg was broken in two places

and the right on had a gash on it.

It could still fly but stayed about 10 feet from me

most of the session.

However by the time I left

it was well fed.

This is the first Kittiwake 

 I've seen this far up the channel.

Just about at the top of the tide

I pulled in this Doggie (Cat Shark)

to Squid wrapped in Lug and Rag.

The wind by now was gusting happily

and the rain started making the

rock quite slippery.

By 12.00 the weed was back and the 

rocks were very slippery.

So I decided to pack up.

I only managed one more tiny

Whiting which was foul hooked.

So ended another enjoyable fishing trip.

Wow that was windy. 15-11-15

With some worm baits left over and 

some Squid I once again drove down

to Rockingham.

Getting there at 06.30

I realized that I was in for a 

windy session.

Getting down to the grass bank

I knew I was in for rough time.

Setting up the usual rigs I was surprised to see that the 

tide was coming in quicker than normal.

This made me move everything 

back from the drop off by 20 - 30 feet.

 The weed was bad from the start 

combined with the wind and the 

waves there was no chance of

seeing any bites.

None of the bait was touched,

so with the waves cresting the top of the bank

 and the weed blocking the top eye

before the shock leader knot was out of the water

I called time.

That is the first time I had to take my glasses off

while fishing

and they were the worst

condition I have ever fished.

I was packed up by by 08.20

High water was at 09.00.

As can be seen in the video

the surge was well over the bank with 

40 minutes to the top of the tide.

I did enjoy it, except for that mass

of weed. The only way to get the weed off was cutting the line

but as my glasses were covered on spray  very quickly,

tying shock leaded knots was a real pain. 

The edge of ex Hurricane Kate. 14-11-15

The local forecaster last night said 

it would be the rain and not the wind

that would be the problem

and he was right.

I went down to Rockingham

with my son, arriving at

06.20.

It was raining but the wind was lighter

than I thought it would be.

It was also quite warm.

Two rods were loaded with

lug, rag and squid.

3/0 - 4/0 pennel pullies

and wishbone rigs were used. 

First cast produced a small

Codling on the wishbone rig,

followed by an other a couple

of casts later.

The Bladder Seaweed now

became a problem, with large clumps of it

floating by and snagging our lines.

With one of these pulling my rig

along the bottom, I had no choice

but to wind it in.

While pulling the weed and other

rubbish (including plastic),

from the shock leader knot,

I felt the line pulling out.

This was a Codling of 

between 1 1/2 and 2ld.

This one had taken squid.

As can be seen from this photo

it was quite muddy

 The fish now seemed to have stopped feeding

as it was a while before once again

I pulled in an other Codling (slightly smaller this time)

again hidden by weed which also hid the bite.

That was all before high tide, 08.26 and 12.6mtrs.

There were no more signs of life and by

09.00 we were proper drowned rats.

So with more weed and now logs floating down tide

we decide to call it a day.

Out sea fishing. 11-11-13

Deciding I wanted some thing different

I headed down for a low tide session at 

Ladye Bay Clevdon.

Low water was just after 1.15pm,

I arrived there at 09.30.

This strange vessel was passing by,

it carries Wings and other aircraft

parts for Airbus industries.

 Well I set up using two rods,

on using a Wishbone rig

the other a 1/0 - 4/0 pulley rig.

Straight off a small Codling

took Lug on the Wishbone.

For the next hour I was plagued

by tiny fish.

6 Small Codling, 2 small Pouting, 1 tiny Whiting

and the smallest Conger I've ever caught.

So I now used 4/0 - 4/0 pennel pulley rigs.

 With the hooks being stripped of worm baits

by these small fish, I used small Squid

This however stopped the bites completely,

the worm carried on being stripped off

but the Squid was not touched. 

 The tide was a 12.8mtr,

which showed a lot of sand.

It was a nice to have a change

of fishing style

BUT

not of the same result.

Had a nice chat with my eldest son

who popped down to give me some support.

That climb down and then back up again

has played havoc with my knees.

Should be out tomorrow morning

at Rockingham.

Just the one! and a blank.

Well at last a couple of minutes to catch up on

catches or not as the case maybe.

 Up to the Avon on 13-10-15

arriving at 13.00. Usual baits in hand

with six swims baited up on the walk down stream.

Well the normal tactics with both feeder rod and

float rod produced some signs of life in the first swim,

with this 3ld 15oz Chub taking maggot

to the float.

But that was it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not another bite or sign of a bite from the six swims

not even bob of the float.

On the 20-10-15

I decided to try at Upper Christian Malford

I fished here before and had some good

catches.

However once again

I failed to catch anything

not even a bite.

Great shame as it is a very nice venue.

Well that was it I with having to spend

time at home again.

So no fishing for a few weeks.

Chub at last 29-09-15

This time I arrived at the Avon at 1pm,

and walked to the furthest swim. Feeding others I intended

to fish as I passed them.

Again, I could not catch on boillie

or pellet.

However I did feed maggots into

most of these swims.

By 4.30 I was in the

float swim as I call it.

From the first put in I started

catching small

Roach. Dace, Chub and this time

Perch.

 Early on I lost another bigger fish,

This was the fifth larger fish I

have lost to hook pulls, bent out hooks

and fish swimming into a snag.

So I beefed up the hook length

but this slowed the fishing.

So swapping back to

the lighter hook length I

was catching again.

I think the water was so clear that

 fish could see the line.

Well about 5.30 I had the smallest of bites

 and striking into it I found a better fish.

A short but brisk play and this 3lb 7oz

Chub was on the bank.

Lean but in good condition 

it was most welcome.

 I continued to catch the small

fish and really enjoyed being back to

the way I enjoy the most.

Whilst using the float rod I 

was also using a Maggot feeder rod.

This was not very good but I did catch a few

small mixed grill fish.

 One was hit by a Pike which was a really

good fight. In the end it won its prize

and bit through the hook length.

At 7.15ish I had another really gentle

bite this time I struck slowly

and felt the weight.

On 5lb main line and 3lb 2oz

hook length to a size 16 hook.

This 3lb 15 1/2oz Chub

was banked.

Well that was it another really enjoyable day on the Avon.

Back to Avon. 20-09-15

06.00, the mist is rising off the river into a low fog.

Not as thick as last time or as chilly.

I fished a number of new swims,

learning the depth, snags, type of bottom state

of the bank and where the weed were.

There were some very interesting swims,

as well as one real bad one.

So plenty of info and no fish.

I did take a float rod and maggots

an spent two hours

catching Roach, Dace and small Chub

up to about 1/2lb.

Packed up at 12.30.

Wet net. 20-09-15

Well I went back to the Avon

but this time with Maggot 

and Casters.

Also the float was in the rod

quiver and desperate for an outing.

Right from the first cast

it was roach, dace or 

small chub.

 Most were between 

3oz and 6oz.

All were fin perfect,

and really god to see.

Hopefully  a good sign for the future. 

 The best was this Roach

of around 1/2lb.

I did loose 2 good fish which

were to strong for for my light

tackle. Straightening the size 16 hooks.

 I fished from around 06.30 till

11.30.

After a foggy start it ended up sunny

and warm.

I tried a couple of other

swims,

but nothing but Minnows.

Pellet on the quiver failed to even get a bite.

So I will get my centre pin reel and beef up the tackle

So role on the next trip.

A damp morning down Crooks Marsh. 14-09-15

As there was some spare 

Lug worm left over from one of my sons

weekend fishing trip,

I added some Frozen Squid 

to the menu.

I fished from 6.30 till 10.00.

Pennel Pulley rigs were the order of the day.

Sea Bank Power station

was causing its own drizzle

from the cooling fans,

but later the rain added to

the damp feel.

The little wind that there was

was very light from the east, southeast.

Well the out come was very

slow, with only a of bites over

the top of the tide (0849 - 12.9 mtrs).

So by 10.00 I had run out of bait

and the rain was getting heavy

so a quick walk back to the car

and start drying out. 

First trip to a new venue. 08-09-15

Well at last

I was feeling a lot better and

things at home had settled down.

So I arrived there at just before

06.30

in a lovely thick fog.

I'm up stream from Limply Stoke,

and looking forward to 

the new challenge

of a new area.

 I chose swims with good 

overhangs on both banks.

First problem was my poor casting,

so I had to really concentrate

on getting it right and accurate.

Second was the weed, its pretty

thick and trying to get the bait

down was a real hassle.

Especially as I was using

very light weights. Even trying free lining

between weed beds.

 In most of the swims I saw Chub 

just  sat at the surface, not even feeding.

I tried some surface feeding

and the result was the Chub

just either moved aside or

let the bait go straight over their heads.

 One swim was quite clear of weed mid stream

so I cast over to the far bank, next to the weed,

and one under a near side overhanging tree.

Well that's the spot where

I did manage a few knocks,

and a good take.

The fish went straight under the

the over hang, resulting in

me losing it with a hook pull.

Well that was it, no more interest.

So with only about 20 minutes to

my planed finish time,

I tried a hole in a bank of trees.

I had seen Chub swimming there so

was hopeful I would at least have some interest.

But no, nothing was interested in getting there

heads down.

As can be seen the river was very low, slow and clear.

I packed up at midday. Having tried

5 swims.

I think as I find some deeper swims and 

learn the river better it should be a great venue.

Still not well!

With the headaches still

being a pain in the head.

I am not going out this week.

Stir Crazy.

Well! sitting around the house

I am going Stir Crazy.

So as my son as already had Chickenpox,

we went out for a walk along

a new stretch of river.

 There are many good looking swims

how ever a long landing net handle

will be needed.

 Luckily I already have one.

As the medication is already

taking affect,

I hope to be out next week some time. 

In one swim we saw 5 Chub

around 3lbs.

There are some swims where

I will have to try a new

style of fishing.

Now I know what I've got!!!

A short visit to the Doctors

shows I've got Shingles,

and been told I shouldn't

go out for long periods of time

and drive because

of one of the tablets I'm on.

This is getting me down!

Well its my turn to not feel

very well.

Aching from head to tail 

and constant headaches.

Not sure when I'll escape to

the bank next. 

Oh dear not out again.

Once again family health

and training for the

Bristol Half Marathon

have cut my free time,

so I can't escape.

Hopefully out next week.

Fingers crossed.

Slow, low and clear. 20-07-15

12.30 and the car is loaded

and I'm fighting some of Bristol's

traffic jams.

Soon enough I clear the traffic

and moving towards

Limply Stoke.

I walked about 1/2 mile of the bank

and found it clear, low and slow.

Decided to pick a swim with

a longish cast.

This seemed to be the best idea as

the fish would hopefully not see me setting up.

Well I guess they were very weary.

Not a touch, even the float fished maggot

failed to entice anything except Minnows.

These Swans and Cygnets spent a good

hour preening themselves.

 Having started fishing at 2pm

it was a surprised when this 3lb 9oz Chub

took a lightly ledgered boillie at 4.20pm.

 A short while later the swans

decided to swim right over my baits. No

problem but when a canoe came by,

I thought it was time for a move

 So I settled in to a swim at the far end of the venue.

Here I fed around a pint of maggot and

three handfuls of pellets under the near side over hanging tree.

On the far side I fired out a few cut up boilies

and pellets to a patch of cabbages and streamer weed.

 A Wren was  in the bush on the far bank

calling for a mate, hoping for a late bit

of slap and tickle.

Well after putting in the last of the

maggots I thought I was in for a blank from this spot.

Having moved at 5pm

it was a surprise, at 9.24pm the rod pulled

round producing this 4lb 1 1/2oz Chub

over the Maggots to a small pellet.

That was it for the day. So packing up at

10pm I was pleased with the result,

with some light drizzle  and gusty

wind it was good to see the pollen was not

a problem.

I'm now planing to head to another

River Avon venue.

River Frome, short session. 14-07-15

At last the pollen is dropping out so

with a few hours free I popped down to the Frome.

I must have picked a popular day down there,

as I was asked if there was a match

taking place.

Well with eleven other anglers wondering around

I guess it could have looked like there was.

First swim was a blank,

So I wondered further up stream. 

Here I found Dace were interested in my Maggots.

This one was about average size, with the usual Minnows

joining in, I had a very happy hour.

Around 2 1/2lb of fish were caught.

More swims tried but with very little interest

 being shown to the Maggots. 

 The odd small Dace and Roach

but not much else.

One surprise was this 

"TWO HOOTS"

Shawn the Sheep.

I think some swim baiting needs to

be carried out to get some more

fish biting.

I fished from 11.00 till 14.00.

Float fishing with 3lb main line 

to 2lb hook length to size 16 hook.

Not out again!

Pollen has caused me to have the worst 

Hay Fever ever.

So I have not been out,

hope to escape to the 

river bank soon.

Even bought some maggots

and casters last week.

So I guess the birds have had 

a good feed.

Another trip to Limply Stoke, 23-06-15

Another day with time out,

so back to Limply.

Today I arrived early and set up and fed my usual swim.

 Then I walked along the bank checking out possible new swims,

ones that looked like they may

be worth a cast or two were fed

with hemp and corn plus my pellet mix.

Then it was back to my chosen swim,

I used my normal mix of pellet and doilies,

as well as sweet corn and worm.

Well the Chub were sun bathing and not interested

in any of my offerings.

Then the first of five canoes

cam by. Straight over where my baits were. 

 So leaving one ledger rod out

I set up the float rod 

with instant success.

These little Chub were really

hungry for chopped worm,

as were some small Trout.

 Can you spot the two

hot air balloons?

These drifted sedately over

from west to east.   

Well the fishing was poor the river

was low, slow and very clear. 

The Chub I saw were on the surface

and not interested in feeding.

16-06-15 Open day on the rivers.

Yahoo!

Car loaded and on the road by 1.00pm.

At Limply Stoke, at 2.00pm, I had my second choice of swim

below the weir.

Low clear and slow 

was the order of the day,

with bright sunshine and light down stream breeze.

 Well that was a poor choice as it turned out

lovely setting but a hook killer.

I used up 10 hooks in total, out of

around 20 casts.

The river bottom must have had

a lot of rocks and stones

which blunted the hooks.

So at 4.45pm I decided to move around a mile down stream.

Here there was a continuous hatch of various 

midges and other aquatic winged bugs.

So settling in for the evening, I cast one rod to the far bank 

and the other down the near side bank. 

 So with no signs of fishy movements

I was surprised when the near bank rod pulled round slowly.

This produced a 3lb perfect Chub, quite

plump compared to the the early season

Chub last year. 

 At around 10 to 8 the far bank rod

bent round and the bait runner reel

peeled off a load of line.

This 4lb 1oz Chub had signs that it had already

been caught or spawning damage.

 Whilst I was sorting the Chub

my other rod started nodding.

This produced this little Brown Trout

on pellet and worm cocktail.

 Then around 10 to nine

this 2lb 15oz Chub took a liking to

a boillie on the far bank.

That was the end of the fishy business for the evening.

However the wild life was great.

With a Mink grabbing a duckling

and the Mum pecked it a couple of times,

the Mink dropped the duckling

and ran off.

Mum swam off with her three little ducklings safe for now.

A Wren flew across the river with 3 little ones following,

they are tiny. 

Plus the usual Kingfishers, Buzzards and many other birds 

it was a great start to the 2015 / 2016 river season.