I knew it was freezing last night and I awoke to beautiful white frost, the grass crunched under foot and the cold bit my hands, only one thing for it - pike!
I went barbel fishing. Mainly due to lack of time but as I'm on a
roll at the moment, excuse the pun, I thought I'd try and land a rare December barbel.
I spotted a couple of barbel and gave them some free samples, which they completely ignored. I did manage to get a cube of meat to bounce off one of their heads - this was not looking good. And it was made worse when James phoned to say he was pike fishing and the pike were feeding.
There was no point fishing for these two - but I gave it a couple of casts anyway. I move a short distance upstream where I spotted three more fish. These would eat the free samples as long as you got them right in front of their noses.
Targeting the biggest of the bunch I got a cube of meat right in front of him and he obliged, great fight on the light lure rod and my December prize was in the net. Scales fail again but it was about
8½lb. I've bought new scales and right after I've finished typing this I'm going to put them in my bag. In fact I'm going to do it now.
[Goes to get new scales, can't find new scales, blames cat who wakes up just long enough to not give a sh*t]
Barbel check, lets try and find a chub. I searched for over an hour and didn't even see a chub - where are they? I did have two more takes, both from barbel but both times I failed to get a hook-hold.
Enough time had passed, perhaps the barbel I got feeding earlier would like their photo taken. I crept back to the spot to find a man standing in the water with a net - f**king poacher!
Turns out he was a scientist doing a study of the insect life in rivers that are frequently polluted (the net was really small). We had a very interesting chat about bug life and some other trout studies he's involved with.
Anyway, that was the end of the fishing. December barbel - get in!
Considering the pike were feeding only the lost double of roughly 15-16lb provided action on their part, but did manage a Chub on a mepps spinner which I have to say is seldom done by myself.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the Barbus, not easy this time of year.
Cheers James.
DeleteI did mean to ask what lure you had the chub on, have had them on fly-spoons but mostly on hard bodies.
Was really jealous when I found out you were piking, shame you lost that fish - we'll get some more before Christmas.
* Same barbel as last week 8lb 6oz
ReplyDelete** 'Interesting chat' was for me, poor scientist is probably sick of talking to us dumb anglers. He was interested in (and aware of) the sea trout though.
*** Still can't find my new scales
well done brian-braver than me(i'm lumbered with one-species mentality and a fear of daylight!)whilst i've had them colder,even with the net frozen to the bank,i like to get the first few frosts out of the way.it cracked me up that you were jealous of james,but that you caught and he didn't(intended target anyway)! by the way,has the cat taken on a strange rectangular shape of late?
ReplyDeleteCheers Grant, jellousy vanished when I found a feeding fish! Haven't bothered with night fishing this season, like to spot them, great result considering the conditions. But it really is pike time...
DeleteAnd I think the cat has hidden the scales as revenge for me weighing her!
Deletehaha,i didn't know you had weighed her.maybe a bit more field testing will help apologise.i'm not sure using a yorkshire terrier is a good indication of a good flavour either though-mine scoffs anything!
Deletenot that i'm comparing my catches to anyone else,they're beyond my wildest expectations,,just sharing really so here goes.i'm a fair few behind you on 38 and though blanks are few and far between,more than 2 at night is a red letter 'day'.average size seems to be higher too.my fishing hours/days are usually dictated by work, or lack of it,travel(i live on the 'other' side)and an addiction to football. it seems that most methods work at most times-rolling,static,night/day,meat/pellets/boilies/maggots.if it ain't broke-don't fix it!good luck with your toothy critters-they're safe from me!
DeleteYeah work is a pain, I'm just fitting a few hours in here and there. Only managed 6 barbel last season, be lovely to get 60 this season, 13 to go, but I've probably left it a bit late...
DeleteThe Beard and the Barbel.
ReplyDeleteBetter get after that thirty then, eh………..
Got the beard, got the weather and water conditions, just need time on the water... And a bit of luck...
Deleteyou'll do it easily mate.there will be mild spells and the odd surprise,and we only need a slight rising temperature.might have a bash with maggots soon.
ReplyDelete