tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49973309099346747472024-03-19T11:12:35.795+00:00Pike BlogBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.comBlogger1511125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-73501103253906045672024-03-18T06:17:00.002+00:002024-03-18T06:17:00.144+00:00Barbel Challenge 2023/24<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFsy6uYhuYY3_kfE0sKbRGmrvhb6-_WifIY1yc2Mdg-mt4RiG_frkKrFdWIPiccmlLxXiF0dpj9uAZzw5VDcvAeRX7_W3zYNYE-n1QXzAWHPHz0bh5B7OFh2qBItHrk0ARePnlBfuR9lv-DL0ITdwIVdnFmUQLu-p3gp5j8KRUiDb8Fn-5TzofY6I/s2000/IMG_3105.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFsy6uYhuYY3_kfE0sKbRGmrvhb6-_WifIY1yc2Mdg-mt4RiG_frkKrFdWIPiccmlLxXiF0dpj9uAZzw5VDcvAeRX7_W3zYNYE-n1QXzAWHPHz0bh5B7OFh2qBItHrk0ARePnlBfuR9lv-DL0ITdwIVdnFmUQLu-p3gp5j8KRUiDb8Fn-5TzofY6I/s400/IMG_3105.jpeg"/></a><br />
Once again I set the target of 100 <i>Small River </i> barbel over the season. Cracked in September, I ended up with <b>185</b> barbel - including <b>4</b> doubles. Fantastic local fishing when I haven't got a lot of time!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMzvUbExSQMiHXr39kPCTTiiXL2wCrlvSY1-XrS8c_uGSGmcfQZOgeoz87GigEnfHk4f25pXv3KBw2mFmYcwG5SfrJyFqSo7LTwd5LIkDhaUjmIniYrjwKX5KBMPWiCiwd6S4M6VH3yD0mMYCaPpzOtIgd68d_Tk7xLks7I7VuRekGcTAuxjVDQV1Mnw/s2000/IMG_3186.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMzvUbExSQMiHXr39kPCTTiiXL2wCrlvSY1-XrS8c_uGSGmcfQZOgeoz87GigEnfHk4f25pXv3KBw2mFmYcwG5SfrJyFqSo7LTwd5LIkDhaUjmIniYrjwKX5KBMPWiCiwd6S4M6VH3yD0mMYCaPpzOtIgd68d_Tk7xLks7I7VuRekGcTAuxjVDQV1Mnw/s400/IMG_3186.jpeg"/></a>
<i>Opening morning <b>10lb 14oz</b> (top). Recaptured July, <b>10lb 7oz</b> (above).</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXeM_xUqODdH2KU1SfbG5PZSJ2yMGanuW2cXE0Y2XXgYvfVjpJJqXa7NeA9CNIWUOu5bZjw5xVFJWYTOUbWVdwVErFoV_-0Rn9fvp9pCl1k6xEekDXQix567KugsChmWDKjDy2vGFUt-2kqhVkfx2VT2vNoQZsXxckvAkyBal3TSuxh1qgfZkEEyLmY/s2000/IMG_4054.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXeM_xUqODdH2KU1SfbG5PZSJ2yMGanuW2cXE0Y2XXgYvfVjpJJqXa7NeA9CNIWUOu5bZjw5xVFJWYTOUbWVdwVErFoV_-0Rn9fvp9pCl1k6xEekDXQix567KugsChmWDKjDy2vGFUt-2kqhVkfx2VT2vNoQZsXxckvAkyBal3TSuxh1qgfZkEEyLmY/s400/IMG_4054.jpeg"/></a><br />
<i>October beauty, <b>10lb 12oz</b>.</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX547zxN-MdbUXHsD9KDaB4-3QVomzCQ3BT-A1h8iRDyeZlzh2YWCzBNm9GiObKEQtepqoDEOa_2Ed_PAfGnSAMnRcjXa2H92JXH7L-K42ajxCRrtUM0Qpo59lfa_Soj09nS4suj9qDD4wv1p0v2gd8gGf4tdUbjzWb-iuStN4znpQOz7pHGGqfkSyqQ/s2000/IMG_4994.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX547zxN-MdbUXHsD9KDaB4-3QVomzCQ3BT-A1h8iRDyeZlzh2YWCzBNm9GiObKEQtepqoDEOa_2Ed_PAfGnSAMnRcjXa2H92JXH7L-K42ajxCRrtUM0Qpo59lfa_Soj09nS4suj9qDD4wv1p0v2gd8gGf4tdUbjzWb-iuStN4znpQOz7pHGGqfkSyqQ/s400/IMG_4994.jpeg"/></a><br />
<i>A January <b>10lb 12oz</b> - my 30th double from the river.</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wK7Wbk4oum4d5EGxpoew9c9JIfFueaKXcE1Cc3Opx2n2V6Qt_bPq288yl0bDEeZ6w66DGbNl_8Go_xsMq-ZH01BGTPiSII3SrUW0cussfni2lFmekqCpRD0BrQZ_ZU_CY0SA1dJDHBiezLwW9HYOcFqnYVsvfM8HgNKhdA3NQCywaV0OWYvnA2QHJns/s2000/IMG_5554.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wK7Wbk4oum4d5EGxpoew9c9JIfFueaKXcE1Cc3Opx2n2V6Qt_bPq288yl0bDEeZ6w66DGbNl_8Go_xsMq-ZH01BGTPiSII3SrUW0cussfni2lFmekqCpRD0BrQZ_ZU_CY0SA1dJDHBiezLwW9HYOcFqnYVsvfM8HgNKhdA3NQCywaV0OWYvnA2QHJns/s400/IMG_5554.jpeg"/></a><br />
<i>March, <b>9lb 14oz</b> - so close to the magic mark.</i>
<br/><br />
<!-- START TABLE -->
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr bgcolor="#435667">
<td bgcolor="#435667">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong> Season</strong></font>
</td>
<td width="70">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong>No</strong></font>
</td>
<td width="55">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong>5+</strong></font>
</td>
<td width="55">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong>7+</strong></font>
</td>
<td width="55">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong>10+</strong></font>
</td>
<td width="80">
<font color="#CCDDCC"><strong>Best</strong></font>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2010/11</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>6lb 6oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2011/12</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>9lb 12oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2012/13</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>12lb 4oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2013/14</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7lb 13oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2014/15</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>10lb 1oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2015/16</td>
<td>127</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>9lb 4oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2016/17</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>11lb 15oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2017/18</td>
<td>132</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>10lb 9oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2018/19</td>
<td>101</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>10lb 3oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2019/20</td>
<td>164</td>
<td>69</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>12lb 1oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2020/21</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>14lb 2oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2021/22</td>
<td>180</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>11lb 1oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> 2022/23</td>
<td>228</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>10lb 9oz</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> 2023/24</td>
<td>185</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>10lb 14oz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <b>Total:</b></td>
<td><b>1,643</b></td>
<td><b>541</b></td>
<td><b>194</b></td>
<td><b>30</b></td>
<td>
<a
href="http://www.prawnsoda.co.uk/pikeblog/barbelstats/index.htm"
target="_blank"
>Breakdown</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<!-- END TABLE -->
<br />
<hr style="border:0; border-top:1px dotted #BBBBBB;"><br />
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr><td width="210" align="left"><a href="
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MBMEdb6vAIxgOmrDjHf6hcygrQvIyz5asmSjNA8j2NOVn5LyWwKZZNWggJOKlmWHriEu-XIY1prpJ5JcauMsv6rq1Jz0QbQEx3hpFmcI8mmwKtt9x4cEVgby6IwsBVjf_Q33XiSUB1SN5kM0eZFoiXZGycwPNTnkkduiKxjnNjfHwnykbAWNPLRHYlY/s2000/IMG_3834.jpeg
"><img src="
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zQ_lRRsxz4wwsqlWO9tMFWcDA7aAa9hf1BNBd8okW47Oh4l089LmqbiXMVm3CuNmZ8KWCAVkkPsr92axVbY6Z7XB7-42fZGHvZqICt1Dy-oW7zprasWYsBTATZriMFrg3ta76IbCXyntCr2ez1qjfvi_l8WRJxDeZLdGvzGFt2pdaIU5DhWSAvJOmtA/s1600/IMG_4022.jpeg
" width="189" height="142" border="0"></a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Plus I also targeted <i>The Wye</i> landing 19 barbel to 9lb 7oz, and two new rivers. An 8lb 0oz barbel from the <i>Blackwater</i> on a rain soaked afternoon and my first <i>Severn</i> barbel, a <b>12lb 2oz</b> beauty!
<br /><br />
Overall season total: <b>206</b> barbel</td></tr>
</table>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-42785537031730586662024-03-15T11:43:00.001+00:002024-03-15T11:43:49.718+00:00Wye Felina<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD_s0Fhpcbqj1QIjzLCmlfTZXES1neyAJENm-azZrKGcFQT5E57QDyvTzkRpUWtaUH2Y-2CjVy5Aw3fjlGV_Rg0_0J7Oosxx4DDXgVhfDeuESFxmzhhTp0cMSDzGLsbyGJPI_E7Lin90Sa0fP-vpVUD7lJY7LKMVkVzYXe0YmuKH1eRnEidM0YnNRMnA/s2000/IMG_5595.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD_s0Fhpcbqj1QIjzLCmlfTZXES1neyAJENm-azZrKGcFQT5E57QDyvTzkRpUWtaUH2Y-2CjVy5Aw3fjlGV_Rg0_0J7Oosxx4DDXgVhfDeuESFxmzhhTp0cMSDzGLsbyGJPI_E7Lin90Sa0fP-vpVUD7lJY7LKMVkVzYXe0YmuKH1eRnEidM0YnNRMnA/s400/IMG_5595.jpeg"/></a><br />
The end of the season, and to The Wye one last time with high hopes of one last pike before the break. But the river still hates me - floods and boiling red water - and even more cold water washing down...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Tcsn8BkIopnYr9MfEM4kZm8JjzbGIEmwjQHuJezTmpaxv449o6uGdgEq-JQSVSCZ3kTUakY8gfHJSTreuOyqtqxXa-g6tXl7AQSR4ucH5_BzoVqlYrtltcGJm1yQ4mEBgs4Gz7LcUsT-iOBng-rBV01rhfTYk7MZgM49jqxlvBGb3aBth1j6qSXMcg/s2000/IMG_5596.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Tcsn8BkIopnYr9MfEM4kZm8JjzbGIEmwjQHuJezTmpaxv449o6uGdgEq-JQSVSCZ3kTUakY8gfHJSTreuOyqtqxXa-g6tXl7AQSR4ucH5_BzoVqlYrtltcGJm1yQ4mEBgs4Gz7LcUsT-iOBng-rBV01rhfTYk7MZgM49jqxlvBGb3aBth1j6qSXMcg/s400/IMG_5596.jpeg"/></a><br />
Hopes improved when I found this side stream - almost clear water, the perfect sanctuary from the conditions for a big predator. A sardine was cast out and I was almost surprised when nothing snapped it up...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtooZAuYwZSJNphjhsNZD20yxjq_UmercnOIdtMFp31D0OHiDIWh4Zj-gUwDOMuhg8UUyvP-qrNRBeiGuaZuT1XUMGjee1LXQc7JeGy84g1ja-C_VmJ_8zLDJ7T3Pn_7GudXtS8HPpZVTEtP2uiZNfKfXzhGeMI42ar3P4plp0SMw9xnVZaILsmJ0p6Uo/s2000/IMG_5597.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtooZAuYwZSJNphjhsNZD20yxjq_UmercnOIdtMFp31D0OHiDIWh4Zj-gUwDOMuhg8UUyvP-qrNRBeiGuaZuT1XUMGjee1LXQc7JeGy84g1ja-C_VmJ_8zLDJ7T3Pn_7GudXtS8HPpZVTEtP2uiZNfKfXzhGeMI42ar3P4plp0SMw9xnVZaILsmJ0p6Uo/s400/IMG_5597.jpeg"/></a><br />
Time for a cup of tea and a bit of a rethink! I'd still chuck a pike bait in the limited slacks - slim chance was better than no chance. And put out a cube of meat on the second rod - see if anything fancied it...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXhAmRopKvyejRbUIXM8Zn9QnadkN1qAM7ESaoH1LivQ8N3B6hwxw4-pIRWcggN5_t6dobiLNpAv_5dLxUWatLkXAQPv29bdbdKlOSDntAxfIG4XDGK4L5SFgWglOC4an0njticf-6sTLrlkJIbs0tdBouxWHiKpCgAmfyZCn9-Dt2wStX7nQJwljeNg/s2000/IMG_5598.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXhAmRopKvyejRbUIXM8Zn9QnadkN1qAM7ESaoH1LivQ8N3B6hwxw4-pIRWcggN5_t6dobiLNpAv_5dLxUWatLkXAQPv29bdbdKlOSDntAxfIG4XDGK4L5SFgWglOC4an0njticf-6sTLrlkJIbs0tdBouxWHiKpCgAmfyZCn9-Dt2wStX7nQJwljeNg/s400/IMG_5598.jpeg"/></a><br />
The chub & barbel weren't really on the feed, it was a struggle to find feeding fish - but eventually 6 little barbel and 6 chub saved a blank. Not an epic close to the season - but think I made the best of it!
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-65611249713786243932024-03-08T05:42:00.009+00:002024-03-08T05:42:00.162+00:00End Of Season Double<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wK7Wbk4oum4d5EGxpoew9c9JIfFueaKXcE1Cc3Opx2n2V6Qt_bPq288yl0bDEeZ6w66DGbNl_8Go_xsMq-ZH01BGTPiSII3SrUW0cussfni2lFmekqCpRD0BrQZ_ZU_CY0SA1dJDHBiezLwW9HYOcFqnYVsvfM8HgNKhdA3NQCywaV0OWYvnA2QHJns/s2000/IMG_5554.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wK7Wbk4oum4d5EGxpoew9c9JIfFueaKXcE1Cc3Opx2n2V6Qt_bPq288yl0bDEeZ6w66DGbNl_8Go_xsMq-ZH01BGTPiSII3SrUW0cussfni2lFmekqCpRD0BrQZ_ZU_CY0SA1dJDHBiezLwW9HYOcFqnYVsvfM8HgNKhdA3NQCywaV0OWYvnA2QHJns/s400/IMG_5554.jpeg"/></a><br />
If I can't get out for another pike before the season ends I'd settle for another double figure barbel... And when this one found the net after a serious fight I was sure I'd done it! But at <b>9lb 14oz</b> she was 2oz short... Do I care? Nope - cracking barbel - more than happy!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsBkBWAeqUOAgZrsGLWJK_XiT8jPgV7m6Odmu0LrSkWXT1MBmSdlklmPtggy4-dfiUNtRP5kmaRabexLdF3L1lnxDkqh_E9c_Qbg8rtoZwtHsUvD3KJRLkIJYOVcCC9qsWs2gv8HLqIJgf4R8Rf3yYpENTH3qdN6mk8NR8y9QsiXRrWlVAEaaspF6yo/s770/IMG_5564.png"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsBkBWAeqUOAgZrsGLWJK_XiT8jPgV7m6Odmu0LrSkWXT1MBmSdlklmPtggy4-dfiUNtRP5kmaRabexLdF3L1lnxDkqh_E9c_Qbg8rtoZwtHsUvD3KJRLkIJYOVcCC9qsWs2gv8HLqIJgf4R8Rf3yYpENTH3qdN6mk8NR8y9QsiXRrWlVAEaaspF6yo/s400/IMG_5564.png"/></a><br/>
I think the problem with the landing net (top diagram) is the point of maximum stress (A) is really close to the weakest point, the drilled hole (B). Would doing away with this hole & screw fix this problem (bottom diagram)? An easy modification to make at home - I'm going to try it.
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-53010062298873516562024-03-06T06:53:00.050+00:002024-03-06T07:24:17.428+00:00Stormy Water<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiQeaFw4JVO_S3R-sDqEtfwGxA-k4jPFqBFYFbxxWefnNvxFVB69ld6aOZuKFo3kPNiqpirc3bkRdL2iUhjDnNMxLWd59B0ZHbCLWd8ozGo9ZWFZBhtnGMkDjyX9lGhE1-xeN_li_LV9iZRLn1cYh4-7L2vqz7Us1ZGPpBcSeWPw9jLyKaX8QQylKxtE/s2000/IMG_5551.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiQeaFw4JVO_S3R-sDqEtfwGxA-k4jPFqBFYFbxxWefnNvxFVB69ld6aOZuKFo3kPNiqpirc3bkRdL2iUhjDnNMxLWd59B0ZHbCLWd8ozGo9ZWFZBhtnGMkDjyX9lGhE1-xeN_li_LV9iZRLn1cYh4-7L2vqz7Us1ZGPpBcSeWPw9jLyKaX8QQylKxtE/s400/IMG_5551.jpeg"/></a><br />
Clear water when I arrived on the <i>Small River</i>, and three barbel in quick succession - best <b>7lb 2oz</b> (above). Then dirty water washed down - went from able to see the bottom to zero visability in about 2 minutes.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17CUo1-I-t6AaBxSM-DWoW3EIAABy_epP5wpqwGhz10kPG62ADLKZlej3QRgjLgtu8mpnNhgjjEYjmP3w0LvkaSHTKHBrBeZsvUDqaU-nkf11OKhtlNiIDd0Dh396FyuWsI8XXPjsbn02L1s1oFe0wwHVzAz_JypNvpAXGBuNvse5oSk-w310F_lnE50/s2000/IMG_5552.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17CUo1-I-t6AaBxSM-DWoW3EIAABy_epP5wpqwGhz10kPG62ADLKZlej3QRgjLgtu8mpnNhgjjEYjmP3w0LvkaSHTKHBrBeZsvUDqaU-nkf11OKhtlNiIDd0Dh396FyuWsI8XXPjsbn02L1s1oFe0wwHVzAz_JypNvpAXGBuNvse5oSk-w310F_lnE50/s400/IMG_5552.jpeg"/></a><br />
Barbel might like dirty water - but they don't like suddenly dirty water! Not a nibble for an hour or so until the colour started to wash out - then they came back on the feed - two more to <b>8lb 14oz</b>.
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Could have had more - but another landing net bites the dust! It's one I've fixed before - don't know why they drill the holes at the point of stress - might redesign it (and send them the new design?).
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-64951792479124550922024-02-29T07:19:00.069+00:002024-03-01T12:34:46.814+00:00Goldfinch, Barbel & Satan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjzu4Xwzz-HWl8thQh_L6CKWoRa-h4tooahc2kvtDsI4omEb1_zAC0AbU2XgVnbcw7GqaWfcZBtaTB7Ngejom87PLDqUWxururjuYYboxZdQwnk51ElMmFyWvAhHnEhX4JZ6RgBL8VH6R7AJy9w49FTFGkrAA2cCSy6YoFPLIs3GnPUR7-DbS4v7DYyQ/s1320/IMG_5416.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjzu4Xwzz-HWl8thQh_L6CKWoRa-h4tooahc2kvtDsI4omEb1_zAC0AbU2XgVnbcw7GqaWfcZBtaTB7Ngejom87PLDqUWxururjuYYboxZdQwnk51ElMmFyWvAhHnEhX4JZ6RgBL8VH6R7AJy9w49FTFGkrAA2cCSy6YoFPLIs3GnPUR7-DbS4v7DYyQ/s400/IMG_5416.jpeg"/></a><br />
I'd really like to get out for another pike before the season ends - two weeks left - I'm watching the water levels & hoping they're not spawning just yet. BTW the photo is of a goldfinch skull - pretty cool.
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Not enough time to go piking I shot down the <i>Small River</i> - and bagged 5 barbel to 6lb 9oz - plus a bonus chub at 3lb 10oz (can find the big ones). Great to get out before the rain starts again later!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMR8J9moZtectNJt44PDDuSZArlCMMunFG9Jj5Q4-W2RM8L4GACprcSl7xGsBRpiICQDRYiBkeATTmb7DkrqOfiuSq3-wRL-FlKh2EDERevvEI2wUUn0RbOUb6a-2kQVg3qA9qsFzRL2s2Q0ObcNk9ssBaTKAen_KT4IDGGoN8JippCriT1Tt9S6Ih5E/s1080/IMG_5498.jpeg" ><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMR8J9moZtectNJt44PDDuSZArlCMMunFG9Jj5Q4-W2RM8L4GACprcSl7xGsBRpiICQDRYiBkeATTmb7DkrqOfiuSq3-wRL-FlKh2EDERevvEI2wUUn0RbOUb6a-2kQVg3qA9qsFzRL2s2Q0ObcNk9ssBaTKAen_KT4IDGGoN8JippCriT1Tt9S6Ih5E/s400/IMG_5498.jpeg"/></a><br />
Oh, and spotted this advert on the way to the river - living in London we're bombarded with hundreds of adverts every day - but this one really did stand out - brilliant!
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-87738106078804034622024-02-22T05:33:00.010+00:002024-02-22T05:33:00.206+00:00Week On The Wye (Pt 2)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGsQmjPo02r2DuH5f2IpRRaGIOVbCN4jg2s-EGvegZG4z5ZwUiQsPtavsF7cbQf324DkEERpSduv7y9hEuogSDVDwt4RwfjUr3jlJeCN9hFEUrNHEkimjkF9ejvPKcPhWH7vecqbklMROYYyPu0yWX_HVBS4rc_9b1TazwJ5J3WhDDmNo5XFiQZDkgnk/s2000/IMG_5427.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGsQmjPo02r2DuH5f2IpRRaGIOVbCN4jg2s-EGvegZG4z5ZwUiQsPtavsF7cbQf324DkEERpSduv7y9hEuogSDVDwt4RwfjUr3jlJeCN9hFEUrNHEkimjkF9ejvPKcPhWH7vecqbklMROYYyPu0yWX_HVBS4rc_9b1TazwJ5J3WhDDmNo5XFiQZDkgnk/s400/IMG_5427.jpeg"/></a><br />
Three days gone, three to go and we hadn't even seen a pike, the water was still well above the <b>+1.4</b> we needed - and the frogs and toads had started spawning - pike spawn around the same time. The difficult pike mission was getting even harder - but you've got to be in it to win it...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33FD0TQvJ81V2bRBGlUfkO4JByJ-fupwLm-QpSc0MlJUPQPfpfAeV-VGTIOCveEf-yfLz5bb7QpoLcfuQsRT1EAz4scyZ1zBd-Drw6ZY1Qiw9CECzu7yvKOpA_4yxHo6DjfdNXXvLjspaw5DvqY6CvS-N3is9ANP7aZog-wkJPs01QjdcFLdKFJOURko/s2000/IMG_5428.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33FD0TQvJ81V2bRBGlUfkO4JByJ-fupwLm-QpSc0MlJUPQPfpfAeV-VGTIOCveEf-yfLz5bb7QpoLcfuQsRT1EAz4scyZ1zBd-Drw6ZY1Qiw9CECzu7yvKOpA_4yxHo6DjfdNXXvLjspaw5DvqY6CvS-N3is9ANP7aZog-wkJPs01QjdcFLdKFJOURko/s400/IMG_5428.jpeg"/></a><br />
<b>Day 4 / Saturday / Water level +2.1</b> - We were joined by our mate Steve, and we had permission to fish a tiny Wye tributary (we couldn't find pike in the main river). And it turned out to be a game changer. A run almost straight away - nervy, snaggy fight - a big pike in the net!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-ZHdWa9IuEB8yQqRIdUNchOAimKGEhVK25dnO-0tFgNHjp__bjQzBYjsTHltrTh3jWdoUSua3id4wfyC1_lPONZklTpvtmF99oX7EBV_Tq-0OFvUrOTdnJB6-BhE7-RRIi6tdKd-RcoBYQkOBqVeV2tYRen5emC_YqLSQjgymvxV1b4pin9Ef_X3QM4/s2000/IMG_5429.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-ZHdWa9IuEB8yQqRIdUNchOAimKGEhVK25dnO-0tFgNHjp__bjQzBYjsTHltrTh3jWdoUSua3id4wfyC1_lPONZklTpvtmF99oX7EBV_Tq-0OFvUrOTdnJB6-BhE7-RRIi6tdKd-RcoBYQkOBqVeV2tYRen5emC_YqLSQjgymvxV1b4pin9Ef_X3QM4/s400/IMG_5429.jpeg"/></a><br />
She went <b>20lb 0oz</b> - very glad she'd had breakfast!! Steve followed a few minutes later with a <b>13lb 0oz</b> beauty - we'd found fish! Then we fished on all day without another run. Absolutely brilliant to bag a Wye twenty - just needed Paulos to land a pike to make the trip...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDRSU1AUlR7LN2y_l3BdiJFj-_829eSPZVZhHyEkR95yI4c_2kRwRqoD16nD4_OLLqt4xR9dXiFV6Ccf-tHT7jBiyBqiiDpBXRp6x8k1FaoLtcY74Ansrvsjd8Ixac7BtW7C4KItldy2_InVycpCimSudDeEHG6-JgXALia9KrQO2AaFUrUC_oFUxKEQ/s2000/IMG_5430.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDRSU1AUlR7LN2y_l3BdiJFj-_829eSPZVZhHyEkR95yI4c_2kRwRqoD16nD4_OLLqt4xR9dXiFV6Ccf-tHT7jBiyBqiiDpBXRp6x8k1FaoLtcY74Ansrvsjd8Ixac7BtW7C4KItldy2_InVycpCimSudDeEHG6-JgXALia9KrQO2AaFUrUC_oFUxKEQ/s400/IMG_5430.jpeg"/></a><br />
<b>Day 5 / Sunday / Water level +1.9</b> - Early start, only 2 days left and back on the main river. A run to Paulos - and a bumped fish - crap! An hour or so later it hit the smelt again, great fight and a <b>17lb 4oz</b> pike was in the net. The only action - but - mission accomplished!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1Mpx-hVPxmtBtvr7M4JhdK0qXVBR8tQ1HiKc33mtBCDY-9lkzYkuDqK-31QTxkjwe_o6UXKEu9KXnWDv0ktLolzAd5elBHg3HWzC-fM2HaLUG8LVAsN17vWE1iXO0kIjTAn5FWbz4eD_C3xSI26sjKsq-OpNuRx907a0fy0xmeeRJvIUHPby0OwOffU/s1640/IMG_5431.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1Mpx-hVPxmtBtvr7M4JhdK0qXVBR8tQ1HiKc33mtBCDY-9lkzYkuDqK-31QTxkjwe_o6UXKEu9KXnWDv0ktLolzAd5elBHg3HWzC-fM2HaLUG8LVAsN17vWE1iXO0kIjTAn5FWbz4eD_C3xSI26sjKsq-OpNuRx907a0fy0xmeeRJvIUHPby0OwOffU/s400/IMG_5431.jpeg"/></a>
<b>Day 6 / Monday / Water level +3.4</b> - The river rose a meter and a half overnight. But we'd had a big pike each, that was going to be our lot. A bit of early season addering instead - no adders yet but we did find three common lizards. Tough trip - but a cracking couple of pike!
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-13913925343347548002024-02-20T05:28:00.001+00:002024-02-20T05:28:00.133+00:00Week On The Wye (Pt 1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5J-TRsAn5SaXPGRccFTVIGCifYZWlmcD2vnJp0cledXcG-yB28zgW-yNJrN6Pe_u7ENqhbIieT83iqRu3NQYmi90V8KIyqBPVQ1Ws5jzF-aZyXwdqRPyTWRw5rA8p9__O4Jivw_AuJF8ufoUmOD6bIb87q8yt0TseUNs2rCNHliEh8Mu0U3BDkuDkZU/s2000/IMG_5421.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5J-TRsAn5SaXPGRccFTVIGCifYZWlmcD2vnJp0cledXcG-yB28zgW-yNJrN6Pe_u7ENqhbIieT83iqRu3NQYmi90V8KIyqBPVQ1Ws5jzF-aZyXwdqRPyTWRw5rA8p9__O4Jivw_AuJF8ufoUmOD6bIb87q8yt0TseUNs2rCNHliEh8Mu0U3BDkuDkZU/s400/IMG_5421.jpeg"/></a><br \>
Paulos was over from the States for a week - and that could mean only one thing - Wye Pike! We really need the water levels at <b>+1.4 or below</b> to catch them - and it wasn't going to happen! Hopefully we could find flood water pike - if not I'd just photograph the friendly robins!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZn3CsgxezihweBe8nSGMadLubAjw4TUlRagbflhSTmeamXX7HL4HOKY3N1oFyowAt5Qqe8FRBZJ3VzKQKZHPp7Kz8lLWkmDKyzLpDZ3VuIFo4558Yu-r6bzubW02PVNqbJlPcyTBfkbeoYl2bJ0qUry5jbvtAxYoJhCIkv49w7tJyzrMM3d_UPlvJw/s2000/IMG_5422.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZn3CsgxezihweBe8nSGMadLubAjw4TUlRagbflhSTmeamXX7HL4HOKY3N1oFyowAt5Qqe8FRBZJ3VzKQKZHPp7Kz8lLWkmDKyzLpDZ3VuIFo4558Yu-r6bzubW02PVNqbJlPcyTBfkbeoYl2bJ0qUry5jbvtAxYoJhCIkv49w7tJyzrMM3d_UPlvJw/s400/IMG_5422.jpeg"/></a><br />
<b>Day 1 / Wednesday / Water level +2.4</b> - An early start & a meter more water than we wanted. Two rods each - we put deadbaits (and occasionally lures) through all the slacks. Only one run all day which turned out to be a new PB chub for Paulos - <b>5lb 4oz</b> on a whole smelt!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrXV_ZC-iYyHtBf9Oab318CS59r8sc0YMOUctdnzZFQYJVms4BukKXnbQVSPsNJkaztTEEltxxp9MYPPUAEqMkUSi2fC92B8PxY_tcNePBFYswRuffBhDXZKTq1a3ob9srQOafpgfDUnbn8VNHAJifTvJr9Z-OtPJuhv34svcfikVvl-r-H8-MWuvwbA/s2000/IMG_5423.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrXV_ZC-iYyHtBf9Oab318CS59r8sc0YMOUctdnzZFQYJVms4BukKXnbQVSPsNJkaztTEEltxxp9MYPPUAEqMkUSi2fC92B8PxY_tcNePBFYswRuffBhDXZKTq1a3ob9srQOafpgfDUnbn8VNHAJifTvJr9Z-OtPJuhv34svcfikVvl-r-H8-MWuvwbA/s400/IMG_5423.jpeg"/></a><br />
<b>Day 2 / Thursday / Water level +2.6</b> - Paulos couldn't fish today, but I headed out. Our dad, Roger, popped down to see me - decided it looked good for a barbel - so he walked home to get his kit. Walked back and had one in no time! At <b>6lb 7oz</b> it was the only fish we saw all day!
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<b>Day 3 / Friday / Water level +2.3</b> - Another long day, and a lot of water covered. We talked of <i>the good old days</i> and 10 or 15 pike in an afternoon. Only the eels were interested in the deadbaits - so as it was getting dark I put a piece of meat on the lure rod & bagged a barbel.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzdo_6i5gX0rgKnyZO5Q_GE2wNDjlYXFtyChF77I1GGOd0GHVdtg3Mhx5SY9a7FLqTX-GvU523UBl3j6-QXhq7I9uJsFY_N_M5K9ihTrVpvb8V_d-a_pLtUFccJSKIDOWRPDRnasXGx5X36arCRVKQ_Rm-g6UI6m_akgB15C8z5wwkpbwSFb8H-OUqDw/s2000/IMG_5425.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzdo_6i5gX0rgKnyZO5Q_GE2wNDjlYXFtyChF77I1GGOd0GHVdtg3Mhx5SY9a7FLqTX-GvU523UBl3j6-QXhq7I9uJsFY_N_M5K9ihTrVpvb8V_d-a_pLtUFccJSKIDOWRPDRnasXGx5X36arCRVKQ_Rm-g6UI6m_akgB15C8z5wwkpbwSFb8H-OUqDw/s400/IMG_5425.jpeg"/></a><br />
Half way through the trip - it wasn't going to plan at all...
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-50552256887818100342024-02-18T05:59:00.000+00:002024-02-18T05:59:42.464+00:00No Cuts, No Glory<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4jOglv4aBpOtVVVI8-xQPYRXgA3U5m_RslyoiGvTKdy9czveyYa7TTKd6GKQ44DGLA7bj1da7l3j65zWovg1Yv15ucjW2bgpOcTgjEU-faPfiM2smkX_X7fPyOIg4d5izChZb23bJ158gUsCaClTluxKpp4blIE2HgKzX2bVt5BfvWXp8kYBIMFExHY/s2000/IMG_5409.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMYmVeonnoPg2J_B6GJWejPkrlY7o_QvcisqM4CEjplpzpNHpJau1jelz5Eg8wjQGS8bu8lvt3QFU5FJdrOI4uhR8MYSclSDeweNx0vgjY1HDMXLG5d449IUbW7c2WDLqymS9bTTBpMZLdDpg-ms60aQxvRMvXlcAcvZDIkUYhaAvHuBoUDIheT-5SHc/s400/IMG_5404.jpeg"/></a><br />
Tough going on the flooded Wye, but eventually found one!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-82061881939389100842024-02-08T06:33:00.004+00:002024-02-08T06:33:00.260+00:00Gone Digital<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokNm7J-16M90iwsjSoyDFSM-2wfA1NNyEblXK0wLiPCMqfO5Uptnk1u7zjJ8sULY23FNpTia49j4xkxCSdK4NQWr7r3nx4Mkxj-aZF4tQUC_mEjY4bw1oiHHB7riQsNvY6NX7_3N6VGwUIi-nGYzpMQ0WhTHh367LbzzoGVDXss0LfD14RQjHepmCLgg/s2000/IMG_5303.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokNm7J-16M90iwsjSoyDFSM-2wfA1NNyEblXK0wLiPCMqfO5Uptnk1u7zjJ8sULY23FNpTia49j4xkxCSdK4NQWr7r3nx4Mkxj-aZF4tQUC_mEjY4bw1oiHHB7riQsNvY6NX7_3N6VGwUIi-nGYzpMQ0WhTHh367LbzzoGVDXss0LfD14RQjHepmCLgg/s400/IMG_5303.jpeg"/></a><br />
Having broken my scales on the last trip to The Wye I decided to replace them with their digital cousins. I'll miss watching the needle pull round, but they'll replace my 6/12lb and my 20/40lb scales - one less thing to carry - I've joined the digital age of fishing! Now what to test them on? I <i>couldn't</i> find anything suitable in the house or garden!?!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQjqxL4709BUjYvAWMheoBdg7NXWDvFgCosdo2-SwlsuTqrl8t7_26-Q1_vJ9ufF-KUccrh9YaI6QRQGLF4hh2VLtn9F5EXtBEQL16zFjzw8FGYLumT5PLIFlW8PuYB40rHTSc8ZST-W1IWkLvhmrh6mA_UjBvw4eFspo17QBNGLzbVNMd2qI-bdAFvw/s2000/IMG_5304.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQjqxL4709BUjYvAWMheoBdg7NXWDvFgCosdo2-SwlsuTqrl8t7_26-Q1_vJ9ufF-KUccrh9YaI6QRQGLF4hh2VLtn9F5EXtBEQL16zFjzw8FGYLumT5PLIFlW8PuYB40rHTSc8ZST-W1IWkLvhmrh6mA_UjBvw4eFspo17QBNGLzbVNMd2qI-bdAFvw/s400/IMG_5304.jpeg"/></a><br />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Sarpanch">
Any excuse to go fishing - and James phoned - he was driving past my house on the way to the <i>Small River</i> - perfect! Leapfrogging down the river we both found barbel - I landed seven - mostly 4 or 5 pounders - but then something to test the scales on. A cracking fight in the fast water, before this beauty was in the net - <span style="font-family:Sarpanch"><b>8lb 15oz</b></span>
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<a href="https://jamesthespecimenhunter.blogspot.com/2024/02/river-itchen-double-thats-wrap.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="83" width="110" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbU_AUKk7w16Qr3GJnwhc_9L2rpijAt0QRjPQNaFEbcI2ANfql43ERBhdC3eScIjoOyJeAGUv7JeAxEF85cljhhQlgcXQWTP1ORtQ0YrXe7-3XC1Cvsj8iFlzKoR28fb9djD3u9S8bFBBBdUdYTfevqwfPmvKACMMfEx5_s7hZyFWhmAvwlYnc2kfxw8/s1600/IMG_5300.jpeg"/></a>
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<td align="left" valign="top" border="0">And James' <i>40 River Challenge</i> is ticking along nicely, river number 24 in the bag with this hard earned, massive Itchen barbel. In case you missed it - the blog post is
<a href="https://jamesthespecimenhunter.blogspot.com/2024/02/river-itchen-double-thats-wrap.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</td>
</tr></table>
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-18655228532175602692024-02-04T07:41:00.028+00:002024-02-04T07:41:00.314+00:00Chasing Chub<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChjH-wVNvqf_qSq6PETR-SYhPusgH-Vd-_z6Q3B2y88vftO6KMU0qSNAXGYPeqxYnZREWrWqysHblUzQw7cGlGhtYWapAQ3M8vS4pTZMvfBxuyl864blqD0A_nQc3HnyuWmaiSKPD-lZYoKW9_ZovF31Ri7o3hwrTZ_36C4Iy8lFS8jh3B8OqAF4UK-c/s2000/IMG_5263.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChjH-wVNvqf_qSq6PETR-SYhPusgH-Vd-_z6Q3B2y88vftO6KMU0qSNAXGYPeqxYnZREWrWqysHblUzQw7cGlGhtYWapAQ3M8vS4pTZMvfBxuyl864blqD0A_nQc3HnyuWmaiSKPD-lZYoKW9_ZovF31Ri7o3hwrTZ_36C4Iy8lFS8jh3B8OqAF4UK-c/s400/IMG_5263.jpeg"/></a><br />
Right species, right shape, wrong size! With 3½ hours on the clock I shot down the river to see if I could tempt those chub I'd spotted last time - and I did talk one into taking a bait. Unfortunately the smallest one of the bunch - but if I can fool one hopefully I can fool his big brothers!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8Zonpmt9yEWhssFObB4tSsAO-G5XLymCqb9xCmnbeWnzgujoexuzCASNUfQAPw27Zwps9x3N2yjDmgSpAeR6OA9ztzWhThTPb-2MHJzGdEjpKgnoCFy_eV9kcYe4ZUO413lNaLmGQwZkDXmVVJ1_oq9Idy7H6GaYwxJ1c3UGnqnkcnamXJrzD62FVd4/s2000/IMG_5264.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8Zonpmt9yEWhssFObB4tSsAO-G5XLymCqb9xCmnbeWnzgujoexuzCASNUfQAPw27Zwps9x3N2yjDmgSpAeR6OA9ztzWhThTPb-2MHJzGdEjpKgnoCFy_eV9kcYe4ZUO413lNaLmGQwZkDXmVVJ1_oq9Idy7H6GaYwxJ1c3UGnqnkcnamXJrzD62FVd4/s400/IMG_5264.jpeg"/></a><br />
As they weren't playing I abandoned the chub and targeted the barbel. They had moved up into surprisingly shallow water and a cube of luncheon meat did the trick - landing five - <b>6lb 14oz</b>, 6lb 2oz, 6lb 0oz, 5lb 10oz & 5lb 9oz. A better average size so far this year...
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Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-90357269749164338732024-02-02T05:29:00.088+00:002024-02-02T05:29:00.173+00:00Meat & Mooching<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ6E3K2mFV_8oqVmTPk4YLZEYRpLfsRGTc3CI6RKB-LRMJy_3AtJpD6a7jaxDLzl8aHDnBs1gVhLw9lx8ZT7c2rCVqXR2WV6RxtseXDMw6ZnN86DCIlS8-GbArHgsCJhQlzLk-rbM3F0pRHR9hfxPG760VfCLPM1WA2WKPfR83Kemt6h_Kq3cAFMnPd4/s2000/IMG_5259.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ6E3K2mFV_8oqVmTPk4YLZEYRpLfsRGTc3CI6RKB-LRMJy_3AtJpD6a7jaxDLzl8aHDnBs1gVhLw9lx8ZT7c2rCVqXR2WV6RxtseXDMw6ZnN86DCIlS8-GbArHgsCJhQlzLk-rbM3F0pRHR9hfxPG760VfCLPM1WA2WKPfR83Kemt6h_Kq3cAFMnPd4/s400/IMG_5259.jpeg"/></a><br />
A grey afternoon, but warm for the time of year - a bit of mooching about on the <i>Small River</i> - and I needed to use up the remainder of the tin of luncheon meat I opened on The Wye.
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I was searching for chub, and I did spot a few in the clear water - but they were very spooky. The barbel wanted to play - six fish to <b>7lb 0oz</b> - great stuff. And I'll be back for those chub...Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-9313377504637966462024-01-27T12:21:00.002+00:002024-01-28T08:23:17.183+00:00Wonder Wye?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODxKaHmj7sVtyqeD-JbPaDNTYxWFkx2Mdz9QSS6SuinKwsQXXaJY8-eaKjmUFYCViv404pi2N-fByQUAIdvwuLxL53flO_T_veJOadLg3L-CauugBO3EuzLqhmqst-ihHbASmgeWiZjPmZAQBo0Bt39VuU8HA-SnBdBJymzThqUJX0Krv3s8FEm5SyLs/s2000/IMG_5211.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODxKaHmj7sVtyqeD-JbPaDNTYxWFkx2Mdz9QSS6SuinKwsQXXaJY8-eaKjmUFYCViv404pi2N-fByQUAIdvwuLxL53flO_T_veJOadLg3L-CauugBO3EuzLqhmqst-ihHbASmgeWiZjPmZAQBo0Bt39VuU8HA-SnBdBJymzThqUJX0Krv3s8FEm5SyLs/s400/IMG_5211.jpeg"/></a><br />
I think the River Wye doesn't like me; it's been low for a while (pretty perfect) and with a bit of warmer weather I journeyed down with James with high hopes of a few barbel & pike gracing the net...<br /><br />
A flood before we arrived but it was falling. Nowhere near as fast as we wanted (or expected) - then heavy rain, gale force winds and a cold frost (not forecast). And then the water started rising like mad again!<br /><br />
I did manage a beautiful barbel of <b>8lb 13oz</b>, no pike (not a run) and a few chub rounded off the trip. James did better, barbel in the dark before targeting the chub - but the river doesn't like him much either!<br /><br />
<b>Edit:</b> This is my 1,500th blog post!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-81486416726046440422024-01-21T07:34:00.023+00:002024-01-21T07:34:00.128+00:00Six Below<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYIOomteLxdmpNZsj_DcOGc6zfEcXHN0Nhdyraib_gqFzersNqiR96pcF4war6lDuyNVO2pA1c-wfm-SnvosNq9p1foYnXrjmMrANSreUn5qYkryC3qy_ywdIROoA-75ZJh1q-5HhNqbn-qinrP5SwmcgvMly0BIi4Jfn3i4sXcPTtV4XTnH5BiLDqAA/s2000/IMG_5119.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYIOomteLxdmpNZsj_DcOGc6zfEcXHN0Nhdyraib_gqFzersNqiR96pcF4war6lDuyNVO2pA1c-wfm-SnvosNq9p1foYnXrjmMrANSreUn5qYkryC3qy_ywdIROoA-75ZJh1q-5HhNqbn-qinrP5SwmcgvMly0BIi4Jfn3i4sXcPTtV4XTnH5BiLDqAA/s400/IMG_5119.jpeg"/></a><br />
Cold. Minus 6. Time to don the <i>sloth hat</i> and head back to the River Rother searching for my new river double pike. Dawn 'til dark, me & James chucked deadbaits and lures into every likely looking slack...
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Just one run between us. Not quite the monster that tempted us out into the cold. Still, when that pike float bobs it could signal a two or a twenty-two! This time it was the former - next time Mrs Pike...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxatE5VSi2lCTMW4we1RtMr4xC8VIIMqzCe1n5yUBNPHP_Hr6Yej_U58YdjX03cunnee2xkwYZIum0kJU9u1msfX9iJ9lJnScK86loykpeguLz27J5FXTZhqdZzC5kDzG9_7Nqba57HkrnCh0uWLv1g3y36NODzUi-lElU60jnxoWH7aouHzfoF9Xps/s2000/IMG_5120.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxatE5VSi2lCTMW4we1RtMr4xC8VIIMqzCe1n5yUBNPHP_Hr6Yej_U58YdjX03cunnee2xkwYZIum0kJU9u1msfX9iJ9lJnScK86loykpeguLz27J5FXTZhqdZzC5kDzG9_7Nqba57HkrnCh0uWLv1g3y36NODzUi-lElU60jnxoWH7aouHzfoF9Xps/s400/IMG_5120.jpeg"/></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-7573093909357651262024-01-15T07:27:00.013+00:002024-01-15T07:27:00.124+00:00Kennet Pike<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse70eXowZOlJsYmVCL_F0yMJdSPcBOB1MiGKuPd-iwXmvspHM_nTIUa951nNeQJ5pzVZHwy__gWyAMgfDWXoe9AgEbOIVCE-0LSVB5-1OPvPB5mJIiX-wrxOHJZ9UrGZUDYAI8iokR61iNluaHrN3973Pm8qgJE0d1fWjCkdMbNM1DX5McG9Z18_0bvo/s2000/IMG_5084.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse70eXowZOlJsYmVCL_F0yMJdSPcBOB1MiGKuPd-iwXmvspHM_nTIUa951nNeQJ5pzVZHwy__gWyAMgfDWXoe9AgEbOIVCE-0LSVB5-1OPvPB5mJIiX-wrxOHJZ9UrGZUDYAI8iokR61iNluaHrN3973Pm8qgJE0d1fWjCkdMbNM1DX5McG9Z18_0bvo/s400/IMG_5084.jpeg"/></a><br />
My quest for a new river double pike took me to the River Kennet - probably a week too early judging by the water levels. But it's a lovely stretch of river, and I hope to be back for roach & barbel next season. And two jacks on float fished sardines provided the excitement!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh308RspXtFKSJSbVGcabh2-bV15hgxZz9A1GAA7BosBnlNc9swQ4vAPitSnkuSiqmOrakalntE4R7Bo1JELRClAaWVYU70NM3o-6cIGOGHvgqQy3ads56FGeK4IvzSxDn91nvRjaWbHS-cnEzcFC0FbtJlkXOriLpq9b-jeICElNERp4apz03RaL3cuDc/s2000/IMG_5085.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh308RspXtFKSJSbVGcabh2-bV15hgxZz9A1GAA7BosBnlNc9swQ4vAPitSnkuSiqmOrakalntE4R7Bo1JELRClAaWVYU70NM3o-6cIGOGHvgqQy3ads56FGeK4IvzSxDn91nvRjaWbHS-cnEzcFC0FbtJlkXOriLpq9b-jeICElNERp4apz03RaL3cuDc/s400/IMG_5085.jpeg"/></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-50637638748200137002024-01-08T07:33:00.000+00:002024-01-08T07:33:00.226+00:00Chilly Seven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqdq7JttqKXn98kl8dZdiymssiwPapu8aMU1Rq_4ckW8a2-ZyfgFcIT0kacOBFX1rLGG5BjuMvHeLXrdfBBSFTSjnb9X5vFcfzUgOiGxcK4wWTbSr8BsCzgzgdgQnABCoD_JEjp4tc72ZgoAuWs8j2g7SFuj28KxpbWZlw-rOAuVWtc6qShPwKLyouiw/s2000/IMG_5011.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqdq7JttqKXn98kl8dZdiymssiwPapu8aMU1Rq_4ckW8a2-ZyfgFcIT0kacOBFX1rLGG5BjuMvHeLXrdfBBSFTSjnb9X5vFcfzUgOiGxcK4wWTbSr8BsCzgzgdgQnABCoD_JEjp4tc72ZgoAuWs8j2g7SFuj28KxpbWZlw-rOAuVWtc6qShPwKLyouiw/s400/IMG_5011.jpeg"/></a><br />
Water is still too high for pike and it's a bit cold for barbel. But using really small bits of luncheon meat I managed to tempt three into taking a bait - <b>7lb 5oz</b>, 6lb 14oz & about 5lb. The bank was much steeper than it looks in the photo - got a shot as I slid past!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-91436986419093409322024-01-04T05:27:00.030+00:002024-01-04T05:27:00.143+00:00Twenty Twenty-Four<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX547zxN-MdbUXHsD9KDaB4-3QVomzCQ3BT-A1h8iRDyeZlzh2YWCzBNm9GiObKEQtepqoDEOa_2Ed_PAfGnSAMnRcjXa2H92JXH7L-K42ajxCRrtUM0Qpo59lfa_Soj09nS4suj9qDD4wv1p0v2gd8gGf4tdUbjzWb-iuStN4znpQOz7pHGGqfkSyqQ/s2000/IMG_4994.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX547zxN-MdbUXHsD9KDaB4-3QVomzCQ3BT-A1h8iRDyeZlzh2YWCzBNm9GiObKEQtepqoDEOa_2Ed_PAfGnSAMnRcjXa2H92JXH7L-K42ajxCRrtUM0Qpo59lfa_Soj09nS4suj9qDD4wv1p0v2gd8gGf4tdUbjzWb-iuStN4znpQOz7pHGGqfkSyqQ/s400/IMG_4994.jpeg"/></a><br />
The rivers are far too high for pike fishing - The Wye currently looks like the sea. So I thought I'd spend a few hours chasing a barbel - get a bend in the rod and christen my new reel (Xmas present, thanks Mum & Dad).
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Mooching about on the <i>Small River</i> for the first time in nearly 6 weeks - and the barbel were on the feed! Eight barbel in just over 4 hours - including the <b>10lb 12oz</b> beauty above!! Cracking start to the year!!!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-54171338620094289552023-12-30T06:11:00.000+00:002023-12-30T06:11:00.132+00:00(Non) Frozen VI<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZumHupO4FOrsMYsnLvz5dpggWh5zv2zfBinNs3radafTw4_QLtVZSCpn3tEPOKLb2N0EswMAZj6ZhaeToYCXPc5Hj3I0tDYxgZ1-sjZrFpB3-22iiOAZWIVY13mhYkgjBVkEu4YOErPzMqZTrPaljtdMf473Np8ZHr7N2k_hM31glWwCwsBgxF-ik7Ic/s2000/IMG_4958.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZumHupO4FOrsMYsnLvz5dpggWh5zv2zfBinNs3radafTw4_QLtVZSCpn3tEPOKLb2N0EswMAZj6ZhaeToYCXPc5Hj3I0tDYxgZ1-sjZrFpB3-22iiOAZWIVY13mhYkgjBVkEu4YOErPzMqZTrPaljtdMf473Np8ZHr7N2k_hM31glWwCwsBgxF-ik7Ic/s400/IMG_4958.jpeg"/></a><br />
Our annual (or perhaps now biannual) trip to The North Pole for the <a href="https://www.pikeblog.com/search/label/Xmas%20Fish-Off">Christmas fish-off</a> - Me, Steve & Dylan - the sixth trip - could this be my year to win? Horrible conditions; windy, raining and worst of all - the trout weren't feeding. It was really hard work!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbcPlFzbnHoQNl8inou8KQnRtS3X75LqYkqaZl8XY2KVFuwGct2Ktp92hLNGOOrHyW3ItAV8cVDk8hyHyCVaN0wsOuDtx3NFAAVR7n2StQ5Ynb_l5V5yn1CCQ6ASGMR1UKQnW2KeX0KiaPeiZvrJa6YfIaI3XZKrstprQt2fY4MkwscEuqm9Abh5D9x4/s2000/IMG_4959.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbcPlFzbnHoQNl8inou8KQnRtS3X75LqYkqaZl8XY2KVFuwGct2Ktp92hLNGOOrHyW3ItAV8cVDk8hyHyCVaN0wsOuDtx3NFAAVR7n2StQ5Ynb_l5V5yn1CCQ6ASGMR1UKQnW2KeX0KiaPeiZvrJa6YfIaI3XZKrstprQt2fY4MkwscEuqm9Abh5D9x4/s400/IMG_4959.jpeg"/></a><br />
By midday we'd managed one each - wet through - next fish wins. By about 2pm it was time to quit. Steve & Dyl decided to have a coffee in the lodge before heading home - I thought I'd give it ten more minutes fishing - and a bonus second trout in extra time - finally won one!
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<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr bgcolor="#CCDDCC">
<td> <font color="#435667"><strong>Scorecard</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>16</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>17</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>18</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>19</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>20</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>21</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>22</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>23</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>--</strong></font></td>
<td width="30" align="center"><font color="#435667"><strong>--</strong></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> Brian</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center"><strong>2</strong></td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center"><span style="color: #CCDDCC">10</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> Dylan</td>
<td align="center"><strong>4</strong></td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center"><strong>2</strong></td>
<td align="center"><strong>1</strong></td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center"><strong>4</strong></td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center"><span style="color: #CCDDCC">13</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> Steve</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center"><strong>5</strong></td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center"><strong>1</strong></td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">--</td>
<td align="center"><span style="color: #CCDDCC">13</span></td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr style="border:0; border-top:1px dotted #BBBBBB;">Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-13825528665753579962023-12-29T05:37:00.001+00:002023-12-29T05:37:00.150+00:00Anyone For Golf?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uLteufstEjAivGuS-NIGibFOGEMaIIsgmL3DH6BIHZafjCEhhIXkACpGx1xeskRvbDkIVWQVOZIka5d2-tcUmMRYDv1iozMmDtkEsyp-B9yGM7WAjZE0qfoyaX-UOn5DSZj3FJ6fTPE-CNfU2rbglwOEzPyTp6rW1HnfyJptsdE4GeRoXuM187jtpl8/s2000/IMG_4940.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uLteufstEjAivGuS-NIGibFOGEMaIIsgmL3DH6BIHZafjCEhhIXkACpGx1xeskRvbDkIVWQVOZIka5d2-tcUmMRYDv1iozMmDtkEsyp-B9yGM7WAjZE0qfoyaX-UOn5DSZj3FJ6fTPE-CNfU2rbglwOEzPyTp6rW1HnfyJptsdE4GeRoXuM187jtpl8/s400/IMG_4940.jpeg"/></a><br />
A break in the rain, just enough time for a quick round...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN486Oz_q8PQOzIgf2peZi3LywC4o7cIYuYhhQYZ2lS1O1XhUS0oGp28TquLent6ha6ibulEEN75Fl6zJKxHl9ZA4OReMBB8q8QwNptsn2nbgNrWQUg8khGLf85__UkAuacTvnBW73JsUT2m8tbPonetcNN92hV6ks6-e4nuL879TmNS5K8Tu2U2rpSj0/s2000/IMG_4941.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN486Oz_q8PQOzIgf2peZi3LywC4o7cIYuYhhQYZ2lS1O1XhUS0oGp28TquLent6ha6ibulEEN75Fl6zJKxHl9ZA4OReMBB8q8QwNptsn2nbgNrWQUg8khGLf85__UkAuacTvnBW73JsUT2m8tbPonetcNN92hV6ks6-e4nuL879TmNS5K8Tu2U2rpSj0/s400/IMG_4941.jpeg"/></a><br />
Well look at that... A pond...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFT65oaIRqXY5Pdx-equ_0U1v8Li2o-Fv60E-LcBNnoSaszOVglKcxbOxIvt7aJ9K0E6IgZiL50cZBeWsILQhcQUi9aCnxVTAR2noCT-6OwSwJIVvQKfSkSGr75g5MUKrwZS6czoIjWiyX2W9b0L_sMiebKnWOfZnu_euP2VEnkdqWXjDTR3hDyrn77U/s2000/IMG_4942.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFT65oaIRqXY5Pdx-equ_0U1v8Li2o-Fv60E-LcBNnoSaszOVglKcxbOxIvt7aJ9K0E6IgZiL50cZBeWsILQhcQUi9aCnxVTAR2noCT-6OwSwJIVvQKfSkSGr75g5MUKrwZS6czoIjWiyX2W9b0L_sMiebKnWOfZnu_euP2VEnkdqWXjDTR3hDyrn77U/s400/IMG_4942.jpeg"/></a><br />
Fortunately my 7 iron is a fly rod...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGN7-nrbNke8k-67C-mLquFjVsKcSvmMMswmUYzHyO-svOJEt_UWFzrHXlc7zldnonJ5mLMWPGwwOt7BWvWvbJIcZxRLGMlYoGTwIYWAPbuKth81TlT1A7yo2sYn-VtoZVzTasvdveMuFKA2O15xrwQQ-e0KIivBf2IRGbeDJAYIAMYZ3JyCkwoS6BW0/s2000/IMG_4943.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGN7-nrbNke8k-67C-mLquFjVsKcSvmMMswmUYzHyO-svOJEt_UWFzrHXlc7zldnonJ5mLMWPGwwOt7BWvWvbJIcZxRLGMlYoGTwIYWAPbuKth81TlT1A7yo2sYn-VtoZVzTasvdveMuFKA2O15xrwQQ-e0KIivBf2IRGbeDJAYIAMYZ3JyCkwoS6BW0/s400/IMG_4943.jpeg"/></a><br />
Some beautiful little rudd...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i-VBf4zQ1GQxaZAbnyPjpoDsZ_ScHj76WD8Ij5eNDtmUeua6pHpD2Be5-xcTF_VP6deV_IP06o-LpWxLkHaFS6vQmzuVXXGbl-oaEh5ogdaxEX_VT3vTI7RM6M7DdIZcFKIblvkijL8jrzj148XfeooX5tu1tCC6FE_DiEurerrPed81D7UWjnMOPOk/s2000/IMG_4944.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i-VBf4zQ1GQxaZAbnyPjpoDsZ_ScHj76WD8Ij5eNDtmUeua6pHpD2Be5-xcTF_VP6deV_IP06o-LpWxLkHaFS6vQmzuVXXGbl-oaEh5ogdaxEX_VT3vTI7RM6M7DdIZcFKIblvkijL8jrzj148XfeooX5tu1tCC6FE_DiEurerrPed81D7UWjnMOPOk/s400/IMG_4944.jpeg"/></a><br />
And Steve even managed a couple of carp. Golf, yeah right!
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-28281429576783063942023-12-25T07:27:00.046+00:002023-12-25T07:27:00.133+00:00Xmas Blank-Saver<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOj1PCz6ej2p9MyExQl46rSyckLW74o1FQ77N6gD1IvyDflcYB2MY6LcvGmxbfVD7czLo-I4UEJeR8SWRzOxgvCQStqiEDSelumWKswkcuBDJJe7-Oi6S4LgZmq22dCfC1k_ppwLbKq7NVHN-ecWSyTDPuefh9dklpSSpVNYAkCzmMx8SbKfvengOOlqE/s2000/IMG_4834.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOj1PCz6ej2p9MyExQl46rSyckLW74o1FQ77N6gD1IvyDflcYB2MY6LcvGmxbfVD7czLo-I4UEJeR8SWRzOxgvCQStqiEDSelumWKswkcuBDJJe7-Oi6S4LgZmq22dCfC1k_ppwLbKq7NVHN-ecWSyTDPuefh9dklpSSpVNYAkCzmMx8SbKfvengOOlqE/s400/IMG_4834.jpeg"/></a><br />
All I wanted for Christmas was a Wye pike... and... AND... it didn't happen! Still, water and weather conditions tempted me to give it a go for the afternoon, and it's always lovely to be on The Wye.
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I also took some luncheon meat - a few quick bites - ridiculously difficult to hit but eventually I got one - probably the best barbel fight I've ever had (thought I'd foul hooked a big pike).
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Merry Christmas bloggers.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooFh4fGf4AQadR86e1U87NNUs-QA_sjo_sPH17kBc0Z6aj7H24AFote-8r6YgQl_Ek7LBjtzxRUiG1yGMzI2dM4TbWUZm4E2HZlbaZAWPIBPfAAWmXAAttqM2-_PrQS1J0HsIBt6efJjdJ6Lk5PjXurQkineqS7-IwFjIdIrWLpQiXJ6niHpDEUIRXDU/s2000/IMG_4835.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooFh4fGf4AQadR86e1U87NNUs-QA_sjo_sPH17kBc0Z6aj7H24AFote-8r6YgQl_Ek7LBjtzxRUiG1yGMzI2dM4TbWUZm4E2HZlbaZAWPIBPfAAWmXAAttqM2-_PrQS1J0HsIBt6efJjdJ6Lk5PjXurQkineqS7-IwFjIdIrWLpQiXJ6niHpDEUIRXDU/s400/IMG_4835.jpeg"/></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-26329111765891612822023-12-20T07:49:00.000+00:002023-12-20T07:49:50.272+00:00Chalk Stream Roach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4WVpOxqizx-_r7HcZBVJF3HaLtyrld8WnqLGImPBN4DfqE14glCOqE6ON_XfbQs-opMytXODpm9kGtPCNTPMgkT7_7oszN8xNAUDKjaNIFh3yD8LxdzZPkfVhgJUwFdn-ERnzXPagRbdY_4vT66Zz0GwMxDVZZ6DvTBPUYmcQri4QhMMVkcRhVg0ymY/s2000/IMG_4688.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4WVpOxqizx-_r7HcZBVJF3HaLtyrld8WnqLGImPBN4DfqE14glCOqE6ON_XfbQs-opMytXODpm9kGtPCNTPMgkT7_7oszN8xNAUDKjaNIFh3yD8LxdzZPkfVhgJUwFdn-ERnzXPagRbdY_4vT66Zz0GwMxDVZZ6DvTBPUYmcQri4QhMMVkcRhVg0ymY/s400/IMG_4688.jpeg"/></a><br />
Quick trip to the chalk stream - stick 'n' pin and half a loaf of bread - I could see roach, and chub, and dace...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCrxDeW4HdGuIQtJnaKRPvxPSCiHiutd3J0mh8FTzlXieA0ipzYXhjAxFbQDCshWYjMnaSSxZ4IHqxDJ75JuC7ca2DlmfxdXfwQx-ADVOA12PQumjYR2T2jCc9pb5IPTmBRdPOB9zJrUoi32ozJuHWEsRukatG6ysdiZwnb-tJ-SzOPta9_A1kbaj0Ts/s2000/IMG_4690.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCrxDeW4HdGuIQtJnaKRPvxPSCiHiutd3J0mh8FTzlXieA0ipzYXhjAxFbQDCshWYjMnaSSxZ4IHqxDJ75JuC7ca2DlmfxdXfwQx-ADVOA12PQumjYR2T2jCc9pb5IPTmBRdPOB9zJrUoi32ozJuHWEsRukatG6ysdiZwnb-tJ-SzOPta9_A1kbaj0Ts/s400/IMG_4690.jpeg"/></a><br />
But the only the trout wanted to play - even trying to avoid them I still managed over a dozen (including this one twice)...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmxEFzWSvij3D0eDLL2meaSL3S38RqtxypPI84XtJoNy6XgYVVn2vTr7HA-XDhGOSGtMmWZfbVCNFLSDmxK387aWJAqlNygNK4D_m0MVYVb0zHdCay2gFMIbcImmiVB69YdVFiDxtOIh8EGPG7dSEF_159JbtDeqL043lqNabf3qt5KLGmbSDuCjfA9U/s2000/IMG_4689.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmxEFzWSvij3D0eDLL2meaSL3S38RqtxypPI84XtJoNy6XgYVVn2vTr7HA-XDhGOSGtMmWZfbVCNFLSDmxK387aWJAqlNygNK4D_m0MVYVb0zHdCay2gFMIbcImmiVB69YdVFiDxtOIh8EGPG7dSEF_159JbtDeqL043lqNabf3qt5KLGmbSDuCjfA9U/s400/IMG_4689.jpeg"/></a><br />
The only non-trout species was this goldfish! Still it was great to be on the winter river - and great to get a bend in the rod!
Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-85416529281573170982023-12-16T05:19:00.000+00:002023-12-16T05:19:55.995+00:00RDAA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_bosetc2jQUhL1V2294GhoY0DMOWgvr_y555hEVcwyybCj6kx5w4QQ4aH9kC8hXGVqwATvoFqT1VEw4lt2FpISZUiOxvjTEh-0aGAqLNPW3X8RcAzy6yDtyEwX2a41PveIBrknZA047jAtLKIl_sHPmvVPanC3OGx41miaJGA5ye7EVtHFTvL8CgR_E/s770/IMG_4507.png"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_bosetc2jQUhL1V2294GhoY0DMOWgvr_y555hEVcwyybCj6kx5w4QQ4aH9kC8hXGVqwATvoFqT1VEw4lt2FpISZUiOxvjTEh-0aGAqLNPW3X8RcAzy6yDtyEwX2a41PveIBrknZA047jAtLKIl_sHPmvVPanC3OGx41miaJGA5ye7EVtHFTvL8CgR_E/s400/IMG_4507.png"/></a><br />
New logo designed for Reading & District Angling Association (plus a secondary logo for the RDAA Better Fishing Academy). Featuring a traditional(ish) <i>wood-cut</i> style barbel illustration.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-16481961127878945932023-12-03T09:12:00.011+00:002023-12-03T09:12:00.139+00:00Beaky Pike<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGwLLZ7YxY4zNksaMb_G6qQVO6gqg6ZnsHws1DgGofWc66O_iDzRPlXqpJsXwfayiVzsfk2Ut6JF-BzaRUQamckIHetS_lUQiizzlAoVxmRjngswDKSK9QYiBlCkihKCqITrrGdk5vyXtGoEOIbSonJcMPvMtQx9s21GiqWJKCSDJqwd85CBTBvh3hWw/s2000/IMG_4523.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGwLLZ7YxY4zNksaMb_G6qQVO6gqg6ZnsHws1DgGofWc66O_iDzRPlXqpJsXwfayiVzsfk2Ut6JF-BzaRUQamckIHetS_lUQiizzlAoVxmRjngswDKSK9QYiBlCkihKCqITrrGdk5vyXtGoEOIbSonJcMPvMtQx9s21GiqWJKCSDJqwd85CBTBvh3hWw/s400/IMG_4523.jpeg"/></a><br />
Cold, cold day on the River Rother trying to find my new river double figure pike - didn't crack it this trip, but I did open my account for the season with this freaky looking pike - always brilliant to land a pike!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwv2rFR6CjdmRjlUo2eIdH-aLpqWdoiXuMXdJfI1L8wfqhIBOQnydfF7BtcEf6FcwIDlGHGM4PlM_cWY4ynzR90DedB6hy577Tl34IEA_jisY0lzlbqJTSR810Y0rl3tC_nyZpMxnQZz8FMJpSiVNVCJTcnIT9dk6jIm-hfAXNCEDgBnxyxaUimTppUw/s1500/IMG_4524.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwv2rFR6CjdmRjlUo2eIdH-aLpqWdoiXuMXdJfI1L8wfqhIBOQnydfF7BtcEf6FcwIDlGHGM4PlM_cWY4ynzR90DedB6hy577Tl34IEA_jisY0lzlbqJTSR810Y0rl3tC_nyZpMxnQZz8FMJpSiVNVCJTcnIT9dk6jIm-hfAXNCEDgBnxyxaUimTppUw/s400/IMG_4524.jpeg"/></a><br />
Never caught one with a head/mouth like this before, although I have seen photos of them. And it did remind me that watching a pike float bob, then sail away is the most exciting thing in fishing!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-23399073093981755632023-11-16T05:21:00.040+00:002023-11-18T14:14:47.026+00:00TK Minn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxX7E9JV09gzfppTB_CxY7eRAeFIhzXwkOiQ5TxwH3QcfGHr0609NIOhyfR3ClH20L1bTnNZRskYjmtN3MRYSiTL1tSEWLnqtjEoll3flGShKPDuULdoH94_T37P7WdhdeLIj_YpFsiHp4hhRKhwynAYRsMwu2l5EoPfqFZvUwpkl_AMdEUF4KJdhA8c/s2000/IMG_4334.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxX7E9JV09gzfppTB_CxY7eRAeFIhzXwkOiQ5TxwH3QcfGHr0609NIOhyfR3ClH20L1bTnNZRskYjmtN3MRYSiTL1tSEWLnqtjEoll3flGShKPDuULdoH94_T37P7WdhdeLIj_YpFsiHp4hhRKhwynAYRsMwu2l5EoPfqFZvUwpkl_AMdEUF4KJdhA8c/s400/IMG_4334.jpeg"/></a><br />
TC was going shopping to the maxx and somehow I was roped in - but the river was a twenty minute walk away - could I leave her shopping and snag a barbel? So while she was off touching every item of clothing in the shop (twice) I raced to the riverbank...
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Aware that the phone call to stop fishing could come at any moment I had a quick roll in every likely looking spot (pausing briefly to photograph a November butterfly). Just one bite - but it was all I needed - an excellent shopping trip!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKO-17uRr6xKvolX_csr-mQF2DNVVHT3zUo7p8GIuHcZgD2UIySU8mKv6q4gUtMYpTMmu31RUEZTnCrvpFKaQOF4kl9ui3VjEZLG0QDJUWcHWBGrnLD_sgh7-zeR0MPkByDux7NfwQLz-dd_Z9nSkv9KJuqttellPGXlZTgHpI_1ZqP3ZtPbtsMuOLew/s2000/IMG_4377.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKO-17uRr6xKvolX_csr-mQF2DNVVHT3zUo7p8GIuHcZgD2UIySU8mKv6q4gUtMYpTMmu31RUEZTnCrvpFKaQOF4kl9ui3VjEZLG0QDJUWcHWBGrnLD_sgh7-zeR0MPkByDux7NfwQLz-dd_Z9nSkv9KJuqttellPGXlZTgHpI_1ZqP3ZtPbtsMuOLew/s400/IMG_4377.jpeg"/></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-80954899363325185672023-11-11T05:39:00.045+00:002023-11-11T07:54:47.611+00:00Fishing-Fix<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6EJ1_1a1SXzTq0kMQkjOyGdilMDjGgBYHfUpAhRT2u2qgdXvD4xIaAJFNoxSCwSwH7A2_r2DQgJRHw61t-hmIZkryHEk5nUgT3qx_C1GVcYysmKRCDzSN_8TSigcB8AowL-6x5b695ILMAxXUz7F_7TTpGu-9Ps94KWTK2hiHg7CEH8PTY4mAsrE6xw/s2000/IMG_4285.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6EJ1_1a1SXzTq0kMQkjOyGdilMDjGgBYHfUpAhRT2u2qgdXvD4xIaAJFNoxSCwSwH7A2_r2DQgJRHw61t-hmIZkryHEk5nUgT3qx_C1GVcYysmKRCDzSN_8TSigcB8AowL-6x5b695ILMAxXUz7F_7TTpGu-9Ps94KWTK2hiHg7CEH8PTY4mAsrE6xw/s400/IMG_4285.jpeg"/></a><br />
One thing or another has kept me off the riverbank for nearly three weeks - including missing a 3 day trip to <a href="https://jamesthespecimenhunter.blogspot.com/2023/11/rwye-return.html" target="_blank">The Wye & Severn</a> with James. Not enough time to go pike fishing, but I managed to squeeze a quick fishing-fix on the <i>Small River</i> in - a couple of hours, four barbel banked - a bend in the rod and a smile on my face!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997330909934674747.post-56372238802532532852023-10-24T05:42:00.096+01:002023-11-10T18:00:54.242+00:00Luncheon Meat & Sole<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXeM_xUqODdH2KU1SfbG5PZSJ2yMGanuW2cXE0Y2XXgYvfVjpJJqXa7NeA9CNIWUOu5bZjw5xVFJWYTOUbWVdwVErFoV_-0Rn9fvp9pCl1k6xEekDXQix567KugsChmWDKjDy2vGFUt-2kqhVkfx2VT2vNoQZsXxckvAkyBal3TSuxh1qgfZkEEyLmY/s2000/IMG_4054.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXeM_xUqODdH2KU1SfbG5PZSJ2yMGanuW2cXE0Y2XXgYvfVjpJJqXa7NeA9CNIWUOu5bZjw5xVFJWYTOUbWVdwVErFoV_-0Rn9fvp9pCl1k6xEekDXQix567KugsChmWDKjDy2vGFUt-2kqhVkfx2VT2vNoQZsXxckvAkyBal3TSuxh1qgfZkEEyLmY/s400/IMG_4054.jpeg"/></a><br />
A couple of very quick trips to the <i>Small River</i>, the second of which I spotted this beauty sat between two weedbeds - a proper fight - and a fantastic double at <b>10lb 12oz</b>! They are turning their noses up at bread now - only luncheon meat will do - autumn is offically here!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxeYOlzmzEbeqI7lyMccTNJQ2rh20CcwRl2gEV7ZzVTwZPKnoXWTStuufExTFeoN-gNyh4kHs03w9eBZZYap0Roxo0aRELuNvvPWQSOdp23DX2ntIj-iKIc7-Khbnqsqn6M7ukjeVgDbwvZqKdRejRORMv6OsOZJpaXgbiR4sXhVJqohGd7vn5Ak5R1c/s2000/IMG_4059.jpeg"><img border="0" width="400" height="300" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxeYOlzmzEbeqI7lyMccTNJQ2rh20CcwRl2gEV7ZzVTwZPKnoXWTStuufExTFeoN-gNyh4kHs03w9eBZZYap0Roxo0aRELuNvvPWQSOdp23DX2ntIj-iKIc7-Khbnqsqn6M7ukjeVgDbwvZqKdRejRORMv6OsOZJpaXgbiR4sXhVJqohGd7vn5Ak5R1c/s400/IMG_4059.jpeg"/></a><br />
And the sole... Not an 'eel... Guess I was in the right plaice...
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<hr style="border:0; border-top:1px dotted #BBBBBB;"><br />
With the weather finally turning and summer a distant memory I thought I'd look back on my <a href="https://www.pikeblog.com/2023/06/pre-season-202324.html">Pre-Season</a> targets:
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Take my <span style="background-color:#CCDDCC"><i>Small River</i> barbel total to over 1,500 fish</span> <span style="color: #CCDDCC">- 1,591</span></li>
<li>A new <span style="background-color:#CCDDCC"> PB rudd (2lb+)</span>, roach (2lb+) <b>or</b> perch (3lb+) <span style="color: #CCDDCC">- 2lb 10oz</span></li>
<li>A <span style="background-color:#CCDDCC">new river</span> (Thames?) <span style="background-color:#CCDDCC">double figure barbel</span> <span style="color: #CCDDCC">- Severn</span></li>
<li>And a double figure pike from a new water</li>
</ul>
Three of four checked off - I still fancy a crack at the roach & perch PBs - but that last target needs to be addressed!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10282379823630036037noreply@blogger.com6