For the sake of the
species hunt I’m going to count common and mirror carp as two species - I have to, there’s not many more species in there. Perhaps there’s also a leather, but I haven’t seen one.
The problem with bait ‘n’ wait is the commons greatly outnumber the mirror carp, it would be a numbers game - besides, stalking individual fish on floating bread crust is much more fun!
First up I spotted a koi (another species I need) and freelined a bit of bread crust down to him, I didn’t however spot the little common with him that nailed the bait - still a carp on the bank is a great start!
I located the koi and it took about an hour to convince him to take a bait - cracking fight but as he went over the net the hook pulled - despite a desperate lunge my prize slipped back into the shadows.
Half an hour later I spotted my target, she hit the bread with a splash and tried to rip the rod out of my hand. Again the hook pulled at the net - but this time she was a second too late. Species 16!
A beautiful but slightly spawning damaged mirror carp - brilliant! The sun was too high for carp now, but I did manage a chub off the top before heading for home - I’ll be back for that koi...
Great results so far Brian, I’m trying for a roach tomorrow on my little small bit of river.
ReplyDeleteCheers, shame I lost the koi, it was literally over the net - can’t wait to get back and have another crack at one. Good luck with the roach, look forward to the report.
Deletei thought you had a black n white koi years ago,but maybe it was one of your mates.as for carp,i did see some lumps last season on a wide bend on that 'new' bit they opened up.
ReplyDeleteHad the black n white, a couple of orange ones and a ghost over the years - but trying to get one on this season’s list. Seen a few but they’re spooky...
Deletedidn't realise it was just this season.think pike is gonna be your hardest on the small river!
ReplyDeletePike and tench, have seen both in the past - but not for a long time, hope there are still some in there...
Deletestill one catfish in there too,well,two,cos i saw a pic of one before those 2 were put in..
ReplyDeleteI only knew of one catfish, but that’s gone now. But who knows what will end up in there? There was a giant gourami in there last year although it didn’t live long.
Deletei saw a picture of one cat 4 years ago,then 2 were filmed being released last year.one was caught and then taken away by the ea.a lot of cormorants about this year.
DeleteI think it was the older one that was removed, been in there at least 6 years. Saw the film of the two being released but pretty sure it’s not this river. But I bet there are still some mysteries lurking about...
DeleteSome great catches! I've never thought of trying out small river carp fishing, but it does look like something I should definitely do some time.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun, especially targeting individual fish with a bit of floating crust.
Deleteoh,it was.i've walked the whole river many times,and i know the exact spot.P.Park. to clue you up.the pic i saw could've been 5-10lb.the other 2 were much smaller.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know the spot - and I’ve taken my iPad with the video loaded - it looks very similar, I can see why people are convinced. As some fish get poached more are added, you never know what you might find...
Deleteespecially at the mouth.just checking out your t shirts and noticed the cloned fish.sadly the one i've seen on the river has been covered up with something boring.
DeleteThere were 10 cloned fish at one time but they've all gone now - but they have a habit of reappearing :-)
Deletelol..banksidesy!
ReplyDelete