What no fishing!

Due to this Covid Virus I have had to 

                                     stay at home and isolate to protect my wife as she is at risk

                                      Also the river has been out of sorts and there has not been 

                                      very much caught in the Bristol Channel.

                                      I am not sure when I will be out fishing again, not to long 

                                                                            I hope.

Lacock blank 26-11-20

 A chilly but sunny session on the Avon which was very enjoyable as usual.

I started in my usual swim, I call it the Twisted Tree swim. the Avon was up and running and very coloured. The level dropped a little during the afternoon.

I used one rod only with CC Moore Tuna Dunbels 

with loose fed pellet mix in PVA bags and Dumbels, cut in half and held by PVA stringers.

Well sat in that swim for an hour and a half with out any sign of life.

I then moved to a swim upstream about 100 meters,

SAME AGAIN.

No sign of any life.

W3aited another 1 1/2 hours then moved to my third swim.

N o photo of this swim.

Again same style of fishing and rigs,

but no interest.

All in all another great day out but no fish.

Sorry for the delay to posting this session.

I am a carer for my wife, so have been busy with

that but also have had builders so have been

sorting that out as well.

With my area in Tier 3 at the moment I can't go to Lacock.

I hope to get out sea fishing soon.

Caught a couple more Chub. 10-11-20

Back to Lacock for another go at the Chub.

Arrived at a regular swim around 11.00,

with my usual Dumbell and pellets and 

Luncheon meat with a new ground bait

mix.

After about half an hour

I had knocks and rattles on both rods.

The Dumbel rod was first to show

a take, a small 1lb 4oz little Chub.

Before I managed to release  it,

a Chub of 4lb exactly pulled  the tip

on the second rod round.

It wasn't very long but chubby

round the waist.

It had a number of black spots on it's

cheek. 

By midday I had moved to my second swim,

this one I haven't fished much.

Again there wasn't much sign of life.

At 1.30 I had a shy rattle on the dumbel rig,

which turned into a 3lb 1/2oz Chub

 Shortly after I moved to my last swim,

this one looked to have been fished before I got there.

However the two other swims I wanted to fish

 were not fishable. 

The first was being fished and the second 

was under 3 feet of water.

I packed up at 4.30.

Another great day and the wildlife was good as well.

not 

Decided to have a sea fishing trip today.

After a short stop at Reel Fun 

in Portishead,

 headed down to Ladye Bay.

Fished from 11.00 till 15.00.

A breeze was blowing from my left

a south west wind.

Mainly sunny with

occasional patches of cloud.

The  showers luckily passed by

and left me alone.

Baits were

Squid and Rag and

Squid and Lug wraps

to size 3/0. 4/0 and 5/0 hooks.  

Well from the off the baits were coming

 back trashed, as can be seen below.

Until this 7 to 8lb

Conger came along.

I had four other

bites,

pull down of the rod tip,

drop back of the rod tip,

big bow in the line.

STRIKE

Nothing.

How bad was that.

One of the Squid I was using

had this strange

crab cross prawn

type crustacean in it.

 

Well that was about it.

On the way back

spoke to other 4 fishermen.

Result was 2 small conger for one of them

the rest blanked.

Hope they caught after I left.

 

Later start at Lacock. 18-10-20

Lacock was under an overcast sky,

with 7 degrees and a light southwest breeze.

Started with the usual baits in

a usual swim.

The river was almost back to

to it's usual  state, and clear.

Again the fish were still in  bed

and not out to play.

One new swim tried today

but the steep banks were just to 

slippery and after ten minutes I moved 

further down stream.

I have fished this swim once before

with a good result.

The river had a bit of pace

and was quite clear.

 

This 3lb 3oz Chub was a welcome arrival

on Luncheon Meat.

It put on a good fight

and was quite plump.

The Chub swam straight across

the river into a tangled mess

of branches and brambles.

 I had to move down stream to

 get it out.

It then came to the reeds under my feet

with the help of the landing net I managed

to  get it out and land it.

I packed up at 6.30pm.

Early start at Lacock. 07-10-20

Lovely early start, at 06.00,

cool, 7 degrees and calm.

The reflection is reflecting

the pink sky.

The river was dropping from being over its bank

and was back with in its bank and clearing.

 

First swim was one of the

usual ones I fish

but I didn't get any sign the fish 

were hungry.

I them moved on to

one of my new swims for this year.

I had a few knocks on

the both rods but nothing positive.

My third swim was very much the same

again, not much interest in the baits.

The fourth swim was a new one.

The river does a sharp left hand turn

with a big back whirl pool on the near bank.

This 2lb 5 3/4oz Chub took a fancy to

Tuna flavored Dumbell. 

Not the most inspired fishing day,

I think the bright sun put the fish down.

I packed up at midday. 

 

Another Blank down the Tanks. 29-09-20.

 An evening down the Avonmouth tanks

turned out to be rather atmospheric.

I had frozen Lug and Squid wraps

because I couldn't get any fresh bait. 

I cast one rod, small baits, about 30 to 50 yards and

a second, big baits, out to about 80 yards.

The worm on the furthest cast baits would be stripped out

very quickly, without me seeing any movements 

on the rod tip.

Of the two other anglers,

one blanked 

and the other

caught two Flounder.

The weather however

was really something.

Mead Farm and Lacock 22-09-20.

Earlier start and a longer walk

found me in a new swim.

Whilst putting in some loose feed hemp and sweetcorn,

I saw a number of Chub from under a pound to about

4lb enjoy a free meal.

I set up my kit and then had a walk

further down stream to see if there were

any more swims.

On returning to my swim

I noticed one of the Chub

had 2 golf ball size wounds on it's back.

It was swimming ok but it headed down stream

not interested in any more.

I managed to catch this 2lb 3oz Chub

which took less than a minute pick up the bait

but that was it no more interest.

I took spice flavored Spam.

I then moved on to another new swim,

this one has a drop of over 12 feet.

Lockley I have a net handle that can reach

15 feet.

Again on heading down stream earlier

I put in some free bait and saw some larger Chub.

However once again no interest 

was shown in the hook bait.

I now realized that the clear sky's

and bright sunshine was putting the

fish off feeding.

A further two swims had the same

result.

Absolutely no interest at all.

Even with full cloud cover.

By now it was late afternoon so

I moved on to my chosen last swim.

However there was already another angler in it.

So on to another swim I like to try

but once again already taken.

Third time lucky?

Yes!

Set up and well same again,

absolutely no sign of bigger fish.

I spoke to two other anglers

and they had the same result.

So by 7.30pm I

packed up and headed home.

 

Second of two blanks. Chesil Beach 17-09-20.

Well what can be said,

160 mile return journey for a blank.

I arrived 20 minutes late of a broken down horse box

and other slow traffic.

After a 15 minute walk  with my son, we settled for an area 

he knows.

I had fresh Lug and Rag

along with frozen Crab, Squid, Mackerel and Sandeel.

Varying cocktails and used on their own at

distances of 40 to 100yrds. 

Also various rigs were also tried.

How ever the bait out far were stripped pretty quickly,

while in close they weren't touched. 

 I  decided to try to photograph some of the waves

curling and breaking on the shingle bank.

A very enjoyable session

with great company.

First of two blanks. 07-09-20

An overcast, warm and windy (gusting 44mph) afternoon.

I was at the first swim by 13.45,

I used my usual pellet and Dumbell baits

as well as Luncheon meat.

All afternoon in the three swims I chose to fish

I had the same result.

Knocks, rattles and tugs 

resulted in a blank.

Still a very enjoyable afternoon.

 

Bristol Avon Barbel. 26-08-20.

Arrived at my favorite venue

at just before 2pm.

As there had been some rain in the days before 

I was prior to this one the river was up.

However it was dropping down

and clearing.

My first swim was one I had dabbled 

with a few times.

It looked very fishy as usual

but with only a few light knocks 

on the lines

but no takes.

My second swim was a new one,

again looked very fishy.

Over hanging tree down stream 

on either bank.

Once again knocks and pulls

but no takes.

The reasons I fish these swims 

are:-

To find any snags,

To introduce my baits and ground baits,

and check the depths.

 By 6.15 I was in my third and last swim.

This was a is a regular swim,

I nearly always finish up here, it is closest to the car park.

I set up two rods,

one down stream with my usual Dumbell hook bait

and pellet  stringer and pva netting.

The second rod wes fished upstream

with Luncheon meat flavoured with a dusting of 

Braddocks Spice. Don't think it is available now.

At 6.52 the upstream rod, a

Korum 12ft Twin Tip. I was using the Avon tip.

A Trinium centre pin reel, loaded with

8lb Diawa Sensor line (brown) and 2ft same line for the hook length

to size 8 hook.

This 10lb 3oz Barbel pulled the tip round and

raced off up stream. I then had a 10 minute battle.

This is only my 4th Barbel ever,

and first on an Avon tip and center pin reel.

When I sorted out the Barbel,

I wound in the other rod, this

Gudgeon.

It took a size 4 hook on 10lb line.

Shortly after this Chub, 4lb 4oz, took the size  4 hook

with the Dumbell.

The Barbel was still recovering in the landing net,

and so the difference between the two can be seen.

The Barbel was 79cm long abd the

Chub 68 cm.

This was the last action for the evening,

and I packed up at 8.30,

a very happy fisherman.

 

Back to the Tanks. 23-08-20

Sorry for the gap on putting up the 

post.

Popped back to the Tanks at

09.00.

High water was at 11.10.

And fished till 12.40.

There was a light south, southwesterly wind

and quite warm.

I used Lug-Squid and Rag-Squid wraps

to 3/0 and 4/0 hooks

on Pulley Pennel rigs.

I failed to get any bites

and realized I should have used smaller hooks,

smaller baits and

shorter casts. 

All in all got it totally WRONG.

OUCH!

I saw three Sole caught by two other anglers,

Well done them.

 

Avonmouth Tanks. 18-08-21

 First time down the Tanks

With my usual spot down the grass bank at Rockingham

now a no go due to the parking problems, 

I decided the next best place was the tanks.

I had problems finding the right track

to the Tanks.

Eventually I had help to find the way.

I had missed the first half hour of fishing,

but soon had the baits cast out and fishing.

I then phoned "she who must be obeyed"!

Well that was the time a fairly decent pull on one of rods

proved there were still some fish in the channel.

Well I soon felt a good pull back and weight,

unlucky for me the bait the fish took,

felt like a Conger,

was only 12lb with 1/0 hooks it wasn't long  before

what ever was bit through the hook length.

High water was at 19.40.

I had no other interest until my second to last wind in.

Felt extra weight and some pulling back,

this proved to be a 5lb 7oz Thornback Ray.

Baits used were Lug and Squid and Rag and Squid wraps.

This one also took the 1/0 rigs with Rag / wraps.

Packed up 21.00.

An evening on the Ledges, Clevedon. 08-08-20

It was hot and humid on the ledges on Saturday,

I arrived an hour early to get some photos of the area

in front of the ledges.

These next photos show the sand out front and some of the obstacles.

 Where the tide is at this spot, is where the first tide flow crease is with about 3 hours before High tide.

There is another crease around 70 mtrs further out.

I aim to cast to the near one on tides of 12mtrs or more  

because the tide flow is to strong to hold bottom, even with casting up tide.

Take care when fishing the low tide here as there can be some areas of quick sand. 

Also give yourself plenty of time to find your route back up the ledge

I was using Squid, Sandeel and Crab 

on Pulley rigs.

The sunset was a good distraction for the lack

rod tip action.

The MSC Manya looks to have a very light load for Avonmouth.

 I arrived at my chosen spot at 18.00

started fishing at 19.00 and 

packed up at 23.30,

having run out of baits.

There is not a lot of fish out there at the moment.

River Avon 05-08-20

 

Headed to Lacock for an afternoon and evening

of  river fishing.

I was in my first swim by 2pm. This swim was a new one for me.

So in the hour or so I was there, I did quite a few casts to check

out the bottom features.

There are not to many snags so I made a drawing of 

the snags and reeds and cabbage leaves.

This is a must when the river is higher, with

colour and more pace.

I didn't get any interest on the baits, 

I didn't really expect any as the the sun was out

and the river clear and slow.

So I moved to my next swim.

This swim is a deeper one,

I have fished it a couple of times before

but never had much luck.

The main reason for fishing this one

was to introduce my bait in it again

and  do another profile of the bottom.

As it started raining I decided to stay

there for longer than I intended.

Once the rain stopped I headed to swim number three.

This swim is one I have fished recently and I wanted to check

out the bottom again.

There is a good flow from the reeds

into a hole, then a gentle rise  to more reeds.

Unfortunately there is a snag there.

I hope to get it out at a future date.

I sat here and played around with different 

hook lengths, weights and rigs.

A very enjoyable couple of hours.

With time passing very quickly

I moved on to my last swim. 

I did managed to catch this

2lb 7oz, 53cm long rather skinny Chub.

I was using my usual Dunbells and pellet mix

over hemp and Sweetcorn.

Also managed to catch a couple of

22cm Perch.

These were caught on worms.

 With time passing very quickly,I moved on to my last swim. 

This one is a usual swim I fish most times.

However there was no interest here for the

rest of the evening.

Not even the worm getting any interest.

So just after 21.30 I packed up and headed home. Another very enjoyable day. 

Ledges again.

Sunday 03-07-20 Ledges, Ladye Bay.

Decided to head to the Ledges for the afternoon high tide.

I arrived at my chosen swim at 11am

with Lug, Rag, Squid and Crab.

Well what can I say about it!

Blanked except for a tiny crab that managed to tangle

one of its legs in bait elastic.

Weed would pull the rigs out and bounce them down tide.

While I was there I didn't see any other fish caught.

Well it was enjoy able and I had plenty of casting practice.

I think it is back to the river later in the week.

Painful knee and and a Snotty. 29-07-20

Decided to try out Lilstock for the first time.

Boy those large shingle rocks are a proper pain in the knee.

Arrived down there at 05.30,

my knee started complaining straight away as expected.

Haven't any idea what this about, so I will look it up at some stage.

I haven't a clue about this either, plus plenty

other man made structures.

As for the fishing, I started at 06.00 to the right of this structure.

I used Rag, Lug, Squid, Mackerel and Crab.

I had 3/0 and 1/0 pennel pulley rigs and size 1 Wishbone rigs. 

Well with only one small rattle on the Wishbone rig,

my knee complaining like made, I packed up at 09.00.

I headed to Ladye Bay, Clevedon, for the high tide.

Using the same rigs and baits,

I fished from 11.00 till 15.00.

High tide was at  14.50.

I had run out of Bait.

About 13.20 I had a rattle on the Wishbone rig,

this  Green Eel tangled it's self around the rig.

With all the reports being so poor

along the Bristol Channel at the moment,

I think I'll head to the Bristol Avon next trip.