Bury Hill Zeds 2

Last session of the year and I decided to head to Bury Hill still in search of my first zander. There was a two for the price of one coupon in the angling paper last week, so I collared a fisherman in the car park and we had a half price trip each.

The guy in the shop told me the same story as last time; you should have been here last week, they were flying out... Haven't seen any for the past few days though - typical!

All day, mostly in the rain for one missed run. But if I hadn't gone I'd have been sat at home thinking I was missing out! And I think I've perfected my resistance-free zander rigs - so it wasn't an entirely wasted day.

Blogging a few blank zander trips will make it even better when I finally get one. And it's an excuse to wish everyone in blog-land a Happy New Year And Tight Lines In 2013.

Wye 3: Biscuit Tin

Well I'm back in London, the flood having prevented me from even wetting a line in The Wye this Christmas. I'll be back when the river returns to it's banks - got a date with a thirty!

While I sat inside by the patio doors watching the rain and the river getting ever closer I had a look through the biscuit tin. The gold biscuit tin is where we keep the photos of past glories...

I scanned in a few of the high nineteens, the ones that missed their spot on the twenty list by a few ounces... Can't wait to get back at them. This is just me and Paulos, I scanned in some Roger ones but I'm saving those for a future post.

Jack's Pike #109

Wye 2: Flood Continued...

Day 2: Couldn't get anywhere near it on day one...


Day 3: Heading in the right direction...


Day 4: Long way to go, this is gauge 4 (top one)...


Day 5: Rising like mad...

This week is going to be totally washed out without wetting a line, and I thought the last two Christmas campaigns were bad..!

Wye 1: Traditional Flood

Well couldn't get anywhere near the river today, a traditional start to my recent Wye pike fishing (for the past couple of years anyway).

Jack's Pike #108

Merry Christmas!

If it's flooded or frozen where you are, you can play Ice Frosty, one of the first computer games I ever made (back when I used to write the code as well as doing the graphics). Recently unachieved while I was looking for something else. Game is here.

I've been asked to write a fishing game for the iPhone, so if anyone has any ideas stick them in the comments. Something as simple and addictive as Stick Cricket or Stick Tennis... I'll make sure you're credited if we go with your idea.

The End

Well the world is set to end tomorrow just before 5pm, so me and Dan thought we'd better go fishing - any excuse! 6lb 10oz barbel, nice one Dan...

Typical, rain all week, tomorrow 9,000 degrees with a chance of meteorites - take your umbrella!

Barbel Challenge December 2012:
15lb 8oz | 2 barbel | 7lb 12oz average | 8lb 14oz best

Wild Tidal Zeds

Darren and I spent the day chasing wild Thames zander (we were after pike as well). Same result as our outing to Bury Hill, time to do some serious zander research I think!

Jack's Pike #107

December Barbel

My December barbel is in the bag! My barbel every month challenge is still go!

With less than 3 hours on the clock I raced down to the river, as my brother always says 'you can't catch them sat at home'. I decided to try some spots I've always fancied but never given much time.

Fishing was slow with only the odd knock here and there. Running out of time I hit my last chosen spot, the first cast sat out for about 20 minutes with the odd little knock, before the rod ripped round.

Strong fight against a tight drag, I'd hooked the fish in-between three nasty looking snags and trees overhead meant I couldn't hold the rod up high - making life very difficult!

It was a sigh of relief when the fish finally went in the net on the third attempt, a December barbel, 8lb 14oz. After making sure the fish swam away strongly I quickly packed up my kit and headed for the bus.

Right, that's sorted... Let's try and string some time together and go after a pike...

Jack's Pike #106

And there was a great second review on Bob Roberts Online.