Finding somewhere to fish
I made my way over to the caravan park with the elusive monster perch. Once again I was there bright and early. "Have you finished that road yet?" I enquired hopefully. "No, they are still working on it." Came the reply. No bother, I'll head down to the river I thought and bought a pint of maggots from the park shop before heading off. When I got there it was as high as I have ever seen it and I knew instantly it was a no-go. Where to go now then? I know, a lake hidden behind a farm that has some monsters in that has been on my radar for some time. Ten minutes later I was driving through the farm gates. The owner came to greet me and he was a thoroughly nice chap. he informed me they weren't officially open yet but I was welcome to have a try. "I'm after a four pound perch.". "Oh yes, there's certainly some that size in there." the farmer replied.
I handed over my fiver and hurriedly drove around the cattle sheds to the lake side. With sunken trees all around it was difficult to know where to start. I decided to try and work my way around, flinging some soft rubber lures in while having a sleeper rod on the worm. Several spots and five hours later without a bite was enough punishment for me and I left bewildered and ever so slightly dejected. Blooming place......
A change of tack
With the caravan park and river still out of action I couldn't face another session at the mystery lake so I headed over to the coast. The venue? Chapel Boating lake. Now I'm pretty sure it doesn't contain any four pound Perch but I had been reliably informed it does hold some good fish and not just Perch so it seemed like a happy medium. I baulked slightly at the cost of the ticket (£9 for two rods), I guess it's the price you pay for fishing a lake that also contains big Carp. With the weather forecast not looking great I set up my brolly first and got comfy. I fished one rod on maggot and one on worm. It didn't take long for my bait to attract some interest.......
The fishing was slow and in the first couple of hours I had only a few small Roach to show for my efforts. Then the storm came. My word it was rough. Testament to my Korum brolly though, it held firm. As sods law dictates with the bad weather came an increase in action. I managed a nice Perch that spat a mouth full of maggots at me in the net and some bigger Roach, the best of which is here with the Perch....
The action then tailed off and I waited for the rain to subside before making my escape. On my way out I popped into the incredible on-site shop and bought a few bits and bobs. "You haven't had a full day have you, pop back anytime and have another go on us," said Steve. That was a really nice touch and very kind of him. Check out the tackle shop there sometime, it's as good as you'll find anywhere. Hopefully the following two pictures can convey how bad the weather was...
A week later I was back for my freebie. I just fished in the morning as I had some jobs to do at home and didn't want to take advantage of their hospitality. Unfortunately this time although the birds were bigger the fish were smaller........
Still a fine place though and the fish really were in great condition. It was also quite novel hearing the waves from the nearby North sea crashing on the beach when sat by the lake. I left the shop vowing to go back when it gets a little warmer in the hope of some more consistent sport.
I wasn't expecting that.....or that.....or that!
I looked at the clock on the dashboard of my car and had a double-check. It was just after seven am and already the sun was rising rapidly. The days are certainly getting longer I thought as I made my way to my favourite Chub river. A short journey later and I parked up expectantly. Taking advantage of the gap in atrocious weather I peered over the small field and was pleased to see it was at a reasonable level and a great colour. It was still very cold though and I wrapped up warm with some extra layers I always keep in the boot for such occasions. I set up my tip rods as normal with three swan links and baited up with some fresh Blue Stilton, moulding it around a size eight hook. Keen Chub anglers spend hours making special pastes and the like but I can't be bothered with all that nonsense. You know me, if there is a lazy way then that's the option I'll take. Plus I don't think it makes a blind bit of difference.
Settling in my first swim the high bank shielded me from the sun. Did I mention it was bloody freezing? Anyway after twenty or so minutes I moved downstream to another spot. Equally as shaded and no warmer I cast towards a tree, the branches of which were dragging in the flow. If there was going to be a Chub anywhere it would be here. There was......
As soon as I hooked it I knew it was a biggie. It held stubbornly in the flow as my rod absorbed its initial lunges. Five nerve racking minutes later I had it safely in the net. At 5lb 4oz it was a personal best and I was elated. I stopped for another half an hour before going back home to cook Mrs P a celebratory breakfast.
At noon I woke up annoyed. I had fallen asleep and had wanted to be at the second river of the day by that time. I quickly said my goodbyes to Mrs P and headed off again. By one pm I was bankside in the peg that had given me those big hybrids in the past. Sure enough it didn't take long for my tips to start dancing and although the wind had picked up the bites were fairly obvious. As ever they fought like tigers and as ever a bit of gear was lost by casting straight into the bush on the far bank. I lost what felt like a good fish followed by another. Scratching my head I cast out again hoping the loses hadn't spooked the rest of the shoal. They hadn't and after an almighty battle I had a beast that weighed 4lb 9oz! Here are the pics....
As the afternoon drew to a close I was reluctant to leave the Hybrids but I was keen to hedge my bets and try a little further downstream for a Perch. The wind was really howling by now and it was super difficult to keep my worms in position. A few tell-tale shivers on my far bank rod gave the game away though and I struck into something that wasn't at all happy. As the fight developed a big, spiky dorsal fin broke the surface and my heart was in my mouth. Luckily it stayed on and at 3lb 12oz it was an equal PB. 100% a different fish to my previous one from there too....
Was it the best days fishing I've ever had? I certainly can't think of a better one fish-wise so I guess it was. I'm still on a high from it now, a week later.
A repeat?
A few days after that amazing session I found myself back at the Chub river super early. Only one bite though and I missed it. Damn. It was bloody freezing again and I headed home deflated and cold. A couple of hours with Mrs P later and I was back, this time at another river after something special. Trouble was I wasn't exactly sure I was meant to be on this particular stretch despite assurances from a friend. My nerves weren't helped by a crop scarer nearly blasting me off my chair (probably further away than it sounded) and I gave up after about half an hour. Sorry I can't give you more details but I'll be back there soon and you'll be the first to know when I catch what I am after.
Where to go now then? It had to be my favourite river. The Hybrid peg had given up a massive Rudd to my friend Ken a few weeks back and the river is so dynamic you never really know what is going to turn up. In the end I did have one Hybrid of 2lb 10oz but I was more than surprised to catch these....
The biggest two went 2lb 6oz each and although I was happy to catch them I really don't want anybody to think I'm fishing for the same fish all the time because I'm not. I'm not certain I've caught these particular ones before but I have to admit I could well have. It was a hundred or so yards from where I normally catch them so who knows? More interestingly as the light faded the river came alive and I started catching Roach. I kicked myself for not having any bread but it has sown a seed in my mind and despite the high proportion of hybrids I haven't given up on my dream of a genuine two pounder from there.
Tackle Talk
How are those 4010 GTM's you bought Phil? Brilliant. The drags are the highlight, silky smooth and predictable. One of the reels wobbles a bit on the retrieve but I like that. A bit of character is endearing. I've also happened to come across the predecessor- a 4000 Carbomatic. That one is on eBay though. If you do have any old reels get them on there. I have sold a couple recently and they make good money. Admittedly the fees are quite high but why have something lying around when you can turn it into cash to buy something you really want.
Talking of eBay I have bought a couple of old tackle catalogues and my word they have brought back some memories. These used to lie around a tackle shop I worked in while at University and it is great to have a couple of copies for old times sake. Only a couple of quid too...
Once again if you want to contact me feel free, it is always nice to hear from you-
Email- the.power@tesco.net
Final Word
While on my travels I came across a scene that really made me stop and think. A chap was fishing near to me and someone had informed me he wasn't very well. As I passed we had a quick chat and although obviously very poorly he was in fine spirits. I made it to my chosen spot and looked across at him from time to time. Why isn't he abroad or doing something amazing I thought to myself. The thoughts kept milling about in the back of my mind until I sussed it. For most of us there is no happy retirement on a beach somewhere. Why? Because we'd rather be fishing. Even on a cold February day, in a gale. I think you call that a passion and those of us that have that passion should consider ourselves very fortunate.
Till next time.......
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