Friday 12 February 2016

One Hundred


Cracked it, number 100 above! Starting the afternoon on 98 small river barbel it was time to wrap up the challenge. I hit the river about 2pm for a couple of hours rolling (but let's face it I was going to stay as long as it took). It was over an hour before I hooked 99, a 5lb 2oz fish to put me one fish away.

Next up I hit one about 8lb but something was wrong with the fight, it was coming in tail-first, crap, hooked in the tail... Foul hooked doesn't count so I moved a short distance and hooked another about 8lb - hook pull! But the next fish cracked it, 5lb 8oz was safely (bullied) into the net - challenge cracked!!


I celebrated with a couple of chub and the 7lb 9oz barbel above. And after packing up I was even net-man to a cracking barbel for Stuart - brilliant!

Stats:
20 trips, 101 barbel for 395lb 15oz - an average of 5 barbel per trip - I'll take that!! Full breakdown is here.

There were a few recaptures, but not many - I fished virtually every square foot of the river. Now I'm going to hang the stats and try and find (and land) a double, even if it does mean static fishing and enduring a few blanks. There is still a month left.


PH: 09 Talking of challenges; I'm 2lb 5oz away from cracking the Predator Challenge - one fish. So I spent 4 hours on Bury Hill last night chasing zander, I wasn't going to fish it while it was cold but the hooks my brother sent me from the States were sat on my desk talking me into it...

Not a bite. And yes it is colder than Iceland.

8 comments:

  1. Was nice of you to return the favour. About bloody time!
    Well done btw.

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    1. You're right, it was about time - normally you're too well hidden! Cheers.

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  2. well done,and well done the phantom cyclist!you will crack your targets if you sit it out,maybe into dark.less fish but a much higher size!then you can go after them 'orrible toothy things!

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    1. Cheers. Phantom cyclist?

      Hopefully find some time for a big girl, but the main mission was getting something pulling my line with limited time on the river.

      Just need one more toothy thing and I can relax!

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    2. i've only ever seen him cycling,not fishing!(stu)

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    3. That's because when he's fishing he's so tucked away you can't spot him :)

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  3. Well done Brian, a real achievement from a very good angler.

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    1. Cheers Mark. Probably more of a persistent angler than a good one!

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