Well that's it for the season, the reels have been washed, the rods wiped down and everything packed up until the summer. Time to have a look back at the season...
Pike
River Wye: I had a very poor season on the Wye, with only 6 pike landed. This was mostly due to poor weather conditions and bad timing, I always seemed to arrive as the river was flooding or freezing! Roger managed 7 fish including 4 doubles to 14lb 8oz, I did have a 14lb 6oz fish and a twenty of 20lb 2oz - the fish that saved my season. Chew Valley: I got to fish Chew after reading about it for years, I can't describe how exciting fishing there was, the thought of those thirties swimming about beneath my feet. It was a tough day but I did manage a jack and a new lure-caught PB of 17lb. River Thames: I put in a lot of hours for one lost fish, next season I'll get one!
Sharks
I spent a fantastic two weeks in October shark fishing with my brother in Georgia and Florida. Eleven sharks to 6' 11" as well as three red drum, 3 barracuda and a big stingray. That combined with deserted beaches, the wildlife, great weather and great company means I'll be back (plus I want to catch a seven footer).
Wandte
I have definitely fallen in love with this little river, it's such a contrast to the big rivers I'm used to. Myself and Dan have put a lot of hours in and we are starting to get a handle on it. We caught over 100lb of fish, including 35 barbel. I think we'll be spending a lot of time here in the summer. And we've got a fairly respectable river record list to better next year.
Barbel | 6lb 6oz | Eel | 2lb Approx |
Carp | 7lb 10oz | Koi | 3lb 15oz |
Chub | 5lb 2oz | Roach | 12oz |
Other
I also managed a new PB eel from the Thames of 2lb 11oz. And caught some new species, bream, ruffe and a brown goldfish... Never did find that zander, something for next season... 87 days to go...
...See you then.
PS. And as it's getting quieter here it's all about to kick off in the States, so I'll be keeping an eye on Shark Blog & Team X-Ta-Sea.