A Day With The Lady

It's Melanie's 40th Birthday today, so with that in mind I
had took a couple of days out of work. It being a surprise
she had arranged a full day of girly things on Tuesday.....
It looked like the fishing Gods had looked kindly on me
leaving me with a free day!!
It was good because a busy weekend had left me fish less
and a chance to re-fill the old battery's could not be ignored.
I approached my first swim with caution, a quick call to Phil
had warned me of the low conditions and spooky fish , he
had fished over the weekend. The glide looked empty as I
peeped from over the bank side, resembling some kind of
sniper than a fisherman in an attempt to stay hidden.
I started to feed and within a few minutes the first fish
glided across the swim, after a few more minutes a few
more fish, feeding like this is a must in low clear water.
I entered the water some 30yards up stream and my first
run with the float brought a nice Chub all going to plan.
Then I had a mad few minutes it all went pear shaped.
First I managed to lose the Chub as I was taking a quick
snap it went into the streamer weed taking my float with it.
So I set up again next run snagged on a branch lost my hook
length. I went to get a hook knocked my bait over loosing
half of it Oh well at least the rain had stopped.

I carried on and took another few Chub not big
but good fun, the other thing it was nice on the
old rod now fully restored, and it was very nice
just the job.
Last time out I had a couple of Roach Phil's
had a couple as well no big ones but signs they
are still around is welcome all the same.
When I reached the area I caught one last time
I had it mind to move the weights slightly, I put
the weights in the last 18in but spread them out,
the last small one only a few cm off the hook, this
helps when holding back which for the shy fish helps
a lot, I only managed one but was happy.
I have had a lot more Dace over the last few visits
not like years back but better .
My first Grayling was a good one but it slipped the hook.
Soon after another decent fish darted around in the fast
water.
The Grayling switched on and the next few hours
was one of the best I've had every run was met by
a fish and some of a better quality than usual.
A true sign Autumn here is fallen leaves and Grayling.
Great fish in top condition and on my pin and old rod
life's great.
The next one was strange a short stubby face,
no damage just looked strange.
I made my way to the area Phil hooked a Barbel
the fish are still around. I was feeding when I saw
what looked like a good Chub it's large fin gave
away the fact it was in fact a big Grayling, much
bigger than any I have caught or even seen in
the Dane before. I dropped in the river above and
fed again the response with my first run was instant
it was a good fish but not the big one.
With the water low I put it into a little fast pot of water
behind me to recover. My next cast brought me another
good fish if the other one had not been behind me I would
of thought it the same fish. It allowed me a nice photo of
a good brace to end a day with the Lady even if it was not
the one I had planned.

A Few Trips And A New Project

Managed a couple of trips and found a
new project. Not a bad few days all told.
The weathers been better but the end of
Summer is here, the first signs of Autumn
are around, watching the float trundle
down a Gin clear glide accompanied by a
fallen leaf or two is a sure sign of a change
in season. The waters a touch colder and
the days are getting shorter, but as night
falls little can offer more than the river.
Phil had spoke of a day on the Dane I
have had some good visits lately, the
chance to spend a little longer on the
river(in it) could not be turned down.
We both booked the day off work and made
our way down the M6 to this small stream,
because when you compare it to the Ribble
that's all she is. When this river is low and
clear you can not believe how destructive
and wild in flood she is but on a day like
we found ourselves with nothing could
be better.
We made our way to fast water, a few Grayling
was the aim. Phil asked of our chances on the way
" Oh we will catch"
I think he thought the same, when I made
my first cast and the float darted under without
traveling more than a few inches, we had guessed
rite . Moments later the first fin perfect Grayling
was in my hand. The only other fishermen that it
may of encountered in all likelihood me or Phil.
You see if a river has Barbel in it most ignore other
small fish. However on lite tackle and in fast water
these fish are fun and in my humble opinion catching
fish like this with fly or float is the best.
Phil was next, within two or three runs down the
swift glide he was playing a fish.


This way of fishing is a sort of tradition now for
us both a couple of fish from the glide before we
split up and seek out more.
Safe in the net .
A typical River Dane Grayling with it's happy captor.
We continued and I found some new water.
I had walked round the little bend and was
disappointed too see the river had changed,
the little pocket water that has brought me some
good fish gone, but now a great gravel run into
the next bend, it looked full of fish. After another
four Grayling and a few Dace I went back for
Phil, he had a few more but when I said that
he should fish this new water because I thought
he may get a good fish, he was soon on his way.
Well I was nearly rite Phil was into a good fish
it glided back and forth across the swim, his pin
whizzed and the bright fin of a large Grayling
broke the surface
"@~##"
He had lost his prize thing is I think I feel just
as bad when my mates lose a fish I know the
feeling only to well.
We found the Chub and Barbel, problem
someone was sat fishing for them. Still I thought
we may eek one out n the pellet but we failed
that's fishing though.
I carried on with the float and maggot a couple
more Grayling a few small Barbel some Dace,
small Chub and then bang a better fish my pin
spins hard and before I regained control
the line hit a snag!! back came a float but no hook.
I managed a half decent Chub before we moved again.



We spotted some Chub and Barbel, Phil was
on a quest for a better fish, I sneaked off and
had another dozen or so fish .
We fished another new swim on the way back to the
car, we had a half dozen fish between us before the
night fell.
This Photo of Pete was a few weeks back
I had forgot about it, the last hour a snatched
cast that brought Pete a few fish.
Well another few hours on the Ribble only a
Short session. The water had been up and was
dropping I was hoping to find a river still carrying
a touch of colour but it was just tea stained at best.
The reason was any colour in the water and you can
get the Roach, I told Phil we had a chance and after
a few casts made contact with a fish just short of a
pound.
It was a case of sack the juggler, I dropped it before
a photo I did get another couple not quite the special
fish that haunts me from last year but welcome all the
same.

The time for home was approaching when the float
dipped again, I had managed a few Dace a couple
of Roach and a brace of Trout . This fish was better
if only it had been that Roach!!!
A Autumn Barbel
The night falls on the Ribble........sad it's time to go
also Beautiful .
Again last hour with Pete and Logan
a nice Common.

Well the nights are are falling on us fast so
it's time for a new project.
I have been thinking of a rod build but a
practice on a old rod rather than a new blank
was in order. It's a long time back but my 18th
birthday brought me a stick float rod a good
blank and a spliced tip. A few years back I broke
the tip on a tree and so the rod minus the top few
inch spends it's time at the back of the garage.
So about two months ago I made contact with a
professional rod builder a new eye and handle would
leave me with no change out of £100 so that made up
my mind.
First thing first a makeshift thread winder
to hold the rod, this worked well and with
the design in hand some decent wood will
bring me a long term tool.

The Daiwa stick float blank was and still is well
thought of it's a fast rod but has a good through
action when a decent fish is hooked. I have had
Double figure Carp and Barbel on the rod and the
butt section kicks in on big runs.
The tip just needed a new eye easy job.
No expert on stripping cork but it's not hard.
It was only the reel seat area that was worn
so I blended the new section into the old one,
time consuming but worth it. I kept the original
look. Another thing I nicked a few inch off the
handle length making the fishable length the
same as pre break, this rod will be married up
with the pin, helping keep the balance.
Some wood filler mixed with coffee helped
the look just sand it down after 24 hours.
A order from Guides n Blanks cost me a grand total
of £20 ..........£80 now towards my new blank!!!!
A good practice on my old rod should stand
me in good stead . The rod was looking the
part the blank is fully sanded and the new
whippings look good. Will post some pictures
when it's all done.

A Boys Day Out and Out Chubin

Me my Dad and Logan had a few hours fishing.
Its good to see my Dad back up and about,
he has had a hard few years with one thing
and another. Two new hips keeping away from his
beloved rivers and the golf coarse. It must be
hard for him because he has a great passion
for the outdoors.
We arrived at a local stocked fishery a few bites
and a bend in the rod for Logan the plan.
When we arrived most people were fishing pole,
and it was a little quiet. We only had our float
rods and with the weather hot I made my mind
up to fish shallow. The first cast brought me a fish
Logan soon took over and a string of Carp all around
one to three pound followed.My Dad was soon in on the
act. As we fed the water boiled with fish.
Some big fish could be seen but with so many smaller fish
they could not get the bait first.
It was good fun Logan enjoyed it and it was great to
for us boys to spend some time fishing.

Out Chubin
Mike and Phil where on a Tench mission, I quite
fancied it but with clear skies and no wind I took
too the river(what a surprise)
I had no maggots and only carried pellet a year back
I frowned on such things but after reading about fishing
them on the stick float I gave it a go the results have been
stunning. I decided to fish a little further up stream. The river
was low and clear so a bit of fish spotting was the way forward.
I went on my knees and got between two trees and spotted some
Chub gentle feeding soon had more fish out from the shadows
amongst them some Barbel a couple of good fish amongst them.
At one point I must have had twenty plus fish feeding all over 3lb
and the biggest Barbel around eight. If you look at the photo below
the shapes on the sand bar mid river are fish.

I made my way a little above now and tried to bring
the fish into more open water , if I had cast into the
shoal results would have been instant but only one or
two fish would have been taken before they spooked.
By tempting them towards me away from where
they held near the snag I hoped I could take more
fish then drop in for the bigger Barbel later.

It worked perfectly a string of Chub no
monsters all between two to three pounds.

Good fun on the float with the water slow
I used the closed face and a pole float, a carp
dibber which is like a little stick float.
A dozen or so Chub followed all on soft pellets
the fish took the pellets as they hit the water
they were so confident. I had spent an hour
feeding them and watching before my first cast
but it was worth the wait. All the time I watched
I worked out the swim and how to maximise my
chances.
I hit a good fish which I could not stop from the snags
even with my normal tactics I lost the fish which I think
was a Barbel.
The lite was fading so I waded slowly and could see the biggest
Barbel at my rod tip I lowered the bait and watched the fish
move and take it again the swim has a very bad snag and
I lost it will need to step up for her next time.

Could not Help Myself

It was a nice day on Sunday, even though
it was the last day before I had to return to
work the river was on my mind.
I could not help myself, I had to try to get
out for a hour or two, time was ticking by
and by the time I was at the river only a
couple of hours of good lite was left.
Last time out the water had a little colour
and was carrying a few inch, this time low
clear water met me.

I made my way to the waters edge and
started too feed, my maggots were few, most
had turned to casters, but after last time from
the start I put a few pellets of different sizes into
the swim. I did not want to rush onto the pellet
knowing it would pick the better fish out.
So I set the rod up and went straight through
onto my main line, a four No 4 float and a 22's
Fox carp hook the shots were styll the small
hook is ideal for maggots and caster and one other
advantage with the strength of line I was using the
hook gives before the line!! the styll shots also
help in snaggy water, if a fish hits a snag the styll
will slide without damaging the line, any nick on
pre stretched mono reduces the strength and you
often get smashed.
I started on caster, a few Dace and pesky
Minnows and one hand sized Barbel followed
I kept the pellets going in and after hour or so
changed onto the Pellet.
Expecting bigger fish i put a size 16's Fox carp hook
on and one of the larger pellets. After building the
swim up I was hoping the fish would have settled
and I may take a few.
First put in and first fish a Chub a good 4lb.
A great start I fed again and no sooner had
the float settled than "BANG!" I was in again this
one was a good fish it surged away under the willows
but with the rod tip under the water out it came I
was thinking Barbel but a great Chub hit the surface.
It was worth the scales and they went round well over
the 5lb mark. The Dane always had a good head of
Chub but pre pellet days a 4lb fish was a good one
these are now common but a 5lb fish is still good.
My pictures don't do the fish credit(still not got a tripod)
but the fish kept coming every cast the float slid away
in what was a great few hours.
I had no big Barbel but even these 1lb fish put up
a good scrap on a float rod.
Another fish followed not quite as big but spot on
the fishing was magic.
Another babel not quite the normal size but getting
bigger my only problem the fading lite. Two problems
seeing both the float and my way back through the
jungle!
Lat cast I thought and for once it worked. The rod
arched into what was the best fish I could feel it going
into the roots and the line hitting things, I buried the
tip of the rod low into the river, I could not see the line
or the fish night was falling quick. This was surely a
Barbel it surged away again breaking water midstream
but this was its last lunge for the bushes and the fish was
mine........." Chub" now I may of lost the ability too see
but this fish went over 6lb on the scales it was very long
and in fantastic condition it was as long as the fish I caught
on the Ribble a few weeks back but not as deep or broad
(god knows how much that weighed) It was a shame that
both fish went without a decent photo, if only someone
had been with me.


I think this tactic may get some good fish over
the next few months . I plan too show Phil next
time out if I can get him away from the "Ladys"
Grayling that is by the way I know Mike and
Pete would have a great time with this kind
of fishing and I plan too show them.

Early Bird

It had been on my mind too visit the River Dane. My
last visit with Phil was a very damp squib, the river
carrying too much water and colour for a stick float
angler.
I arrived and was met by almost perfect conditions,
the river was at a good level and still had a little colour
in it. The morning was turning out quite nice "all I need
now is a few fish."
This small river can change, so even though disappointed
it was of no surprise too find one of my favourite higher
water swims with a newly fallen tree lay bang in the
middle of it. The swims very good in winter so I hope a
good flush will move it before the cold weather arrives.
"Not to worry many places on here to try" My mind
had been on taking a fish from a fast water swim and
even when the waters up you can normally squeeze
a Grayling or two out today was only a few inch above
normal summer level so no problem.
Phil will know this swim. I can almost tell what fish I'm
going to get just looking at the water and feeling with
my feet what the river beds like on the Dane, this little
river as taught me so much over the last 30 years or so .

My first runs through brought me a few Dace
which I was glad too see, the rivers had plenty
of these years back but they are on the decline
to get a few small fish was good. After playing
around with the depth and shots, I got the
presentation just right for holding back, the
result a couple of nice Grayling.
Time for a move. This part of the river is under fished
and it took me some time hacking through the jungle
like bank side undergrowth. The spot was my Dads old
Barbel swim and with that in mind I mixed some pellets
with my bait. This is mainly too avoid the Minnows
which can be a pest in any slower water. I started with
maggot and was soon into a few Chub a couple just over
a pound the biggest towards 4lb
The smaller fish is a good sign, all the fish in
very good condition.
I lost a good fish in a snag, so stepped up the line fishing
straight through on my main line. Next cast and another
good fish ploughed downstream, it put the rod and line
too the test but the stepped up tackle soon had a Barbel
in hand . The next one showed me no mercy and broke the
hook!! may be a fault but the first time it's happened.
With a few Barbel around I swapped to a banded pellet
on the hook, my plan too stick the rod tip into the snags
and hold the float back. Almost like stret pegging . As
you can see below the water is snaggy and the fish are
tucked in tight. I could see the shapes drifting over
the sandy bed of the river and after a short wait the
float drifted away, my strike was met by the solid thud
of a good fish. I learned some years ago that the best
way too play a fish in these swims is too pin the rod
tip low into the water keeping your line on
the bottom under the snags instead of high which
seems to almost pull the fish into trouble, the
next steps easy"hold on."
My time was running out I had promised Melanie
I would be home for 10.30 it was now 11.30 so one
last cast in another Grayling swim was all I could
afford too risk.
A swift response and another Grayling ended a
good morning.

Back Blogin

Im back ................ a mixture over the last few weeks
brought my blogin too a minimum .
The laptop broke and was away being fixed,
the day I got it back was also the day before
the family Holidays.
So a bit of belated updates of my angling over the last month.

Again if possible my time is around running water the rains have
both helped and stopped my fishing on occasions. A good night on
the Ribble brought me a mixed bag two good trout in very fast
water was very rewarding.
The Barbel have been a little patchy just the odd fish the one
below around 8lb the best. Mikes son is a dab hand with the
camera and took some good shots he's not shy on the one liners
either and I spent most of the night laughing at his jibes at me and
his dad.
I spent a very warm day with Pete in fact it was so hot
we came home early!!!
One decent Chub was all I could manage along with a few Dace.
Spent a few hours with Logan at Petes local pond
the little un got well into it at the end much too my
delight.
Rob invited me too the Hodder , we arrived too see the river in
a most perfect level and colour, It almost screamed that a few
SeaTrout may be around and so it turned out as within the first
hour we had landed three and lost a couple.
We also had some nice Browns in what was the best evening on the
Hodder for a few years.
Rob hit into a heavy fish it's dull fight made Rob think
it was foul hooked I waded out to net it and for a second in
the dark thought the large silver flank was of a good Sea Trout
alas it was a Sea Chub.
My attempts at a Bass on Holiday.... conditions
against me wild in the morning too say the least.
Last evening I got another few hours with Rob and the river looked
good again . The fishing was very hard just Three Browns.

So my Laptops back , a good break and a few fish,
Mikes been away too and Petes not been too well
I hope too get out on the Dane with Phil, our last
attempt was met with a river of "MUD" .

I end all this on a very sad note the day of my return
was met by the news of my Uncle John passing away.
I will always remember the days we spent fishing
both when I was a kid and later, the day we found
one of my favourite swims on the Ribble the look he gave
me as we both knew it must be stuffed with fish .
What more can you say a good man who will be missed
but remembered only with happiness.
"God Bless"

Chubtastic with Worzel

It's been nearly impossible over the last week to blog
the computer is playing up.
Anyway enough of the moaning, last night was good so
I spent most of the morning with my tech head on alas
to no avail. Logans little net book to the rescue and even
though I thought it would be a long process it's been
quite easy.
We fished some old water that I have fished a lot in the
past, it looks OK another foot of water would be needed
ideally, I managed a nice Trout though before we moved
on too faster glides.
Mike was in first a good Chub just short of 4lb,
I took four fish in quick fashion from a glide I
have wrote about before. Back then it was a
''white water Chub swim'' now even though very
fast it was a lot easier.
A bit of a difficult wade took me too some short narrow
glides, small they may have been but the fishing was great.
I landed a small Chub ''well 3lb'' before a nice Barbel and
a great Chub only problem I was in fast water and Mike was
on the other side of the river result no scales and not the best
photo's, The Chub ran close to 6lb I would say.

We had around a dozen good Chub between us very nice.

Mike with a good fish he had one at 5lb later.
Mike found a nice hat he looked like a cross between
Worzel Gummidge and Chris Yates (famed river angler)
I decided to nick a name from both and as you can see
Worzel the fisherman was not most impressed.
''Quality