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.