![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnZKLC1G8mSwlgR131TqfbF5lKLkowCPCMkXgsUBIDn6MXouElJ-dDDt7dHTdDWCfC5pXMZ5i2niz7AyEcVQG3h1w5PWRDJnUxzz0OKtnq4r0_jad7VCAHMqwGCl4eNy_ZMAIZqzb4CM/s400/a_chub_4-6.jpg)
Well the first session of the year was a blank, not the way I like to start, perhaps chasing a rare pike on a new canal wasn't the best way to start the year. And since my stickleback / dace trip I've been out with James a couple of times - but I was stuck in a slump.
Dace fishing, the first trip I was mostly and observer - exploring a fantastic new stretch of river - but I did have a few casts so it was officially a blank. Yesterday we went out for a few hours, again chasing dace.
I had stuff to do in the morning and by the time I got there James had landed two - both big, check his blog - but it was tough fishing. They were the only dace we saw all afternoon but a trout saved me from a blank. And James Snr had a
cracking trout - yeah, they're out of season but they spawned weeks ago.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd0mddYWBvnsKWWqlgWYpbQacIPlzpDZKh55t1D9OgdoXayBmyusYYHsnhJQWaK8edi6QG4T_jcJa5HHWiyfRK49HaH4YoaRHZqEuKszDg_ASfLX0hVmwLIAqsB48dkoqzLFy4bWbVqQ/s400/a_barbel_7-1.jpg)
Two thing occupy my time at the moment; the biggest game launch I've ever been involved with and watching The Wye
water levels - up and down like a bride's nighty! But I had set aside a few hours this afternoon. Time for my old favourite: chub.
And I'm glad I dragged myself to the river -
4lb 6oz (top) on rolled meat, on her way towards the net she was accompanied by several shoal mates - and she wasn't the biggest of the bunch - but they were spooked - I'll be back!
I also added three more barbel to the
100 challenge,
7lb 1oz, 5lb 10oz and
3¾lb - four more to go...