Post by rushy on Sept 23, 2014 19:49:30 GMT
Had a tip from a friend - who shall remain anonymous - so set off to the river this morning.
Got there to find it very very low with the river bed almost visible all the way across ........ ah well , I'll give it a go !
Wading out to put a couple of bait droppers in and I spot this chappy laid behind a little clump of weed. Dangled a bit of luncheon meat on his nose - no response - bounced a pellet up and down on his nose - didn't even flinch
Click to view video
Couldn't resist seeing just how big he was so put my landing net in front of his nose and tapped him on the backside with a stick ..... bingo straight in the net !!!!
What a beauty - knocking on 3 pound !!
Decided I best crack on , so whacked the rod out and sat down thinking about plan B already
15 minutes later and the rod buckled - another first cast Barbel in the net - 5 pounder.
A couple more 45 minute casts around the same area and nothing. Decided to have a bit of a roam and tried 4 other pegs but just a short tap to show for it before the heavens opened. As I like to leave my waterproofs in the car I whipped out my faithful piece of plastic sheet and sat under that for the next hour with the baitrunner on and the rod between my legs
As the rain stopped I gathered my gear and headed for the car. Loading up I looked at my watch and realised I was going to be home earlier than planned and the vacuum cleaner would no doubt be winking at me .......... go on then , one last cast
Grabbed the basics and I set off back down the river hoping nobody would be in my peg. I finally arrived a little out of breath but relieved to find it empty. Bait on , few freebies in a PVA bag and whacked it out where I got the one first cast.
After 15 minutes the rod end started a Chub like bounce - it then turned into a Barbel like bounce so I hit it
Then all hell let loose - what a scrap !!!!
Steered her clear of the willows before she headed for the tree - then a vicious adrenalin run in the shallow mid water .... pheeweeee !!
Slid the net under her with a thumping heart and a beaming smile
Realised I only had my analogue scales in my pocket as I'd left most of my gear in the car on the road
She bounced them round to 9 and a half
Ive since weighed ten pound of budweiser and lets just say she could have been nearer ten and a half ....... but I will never know and to be quie honest I don't really care about the extra pound ...... what a girl
A BIG BIG thanks to my anonymous guide and I promise the location will not leave my lips
Got there to find it very very low with the river bed almost visible all the way across ........ ah well , I'll give it a go !
Wading out to put a couple of bait droppers in and I spot this chappy laid behind a little clump of weed. Dangled a bit of luncheon meat on his nose - no response - bounced a pellet up and down on his nose - didn't even flinch
Click to view video
Couldn't resist seeing just how big he was so put my landing net in front of his nose and tapped him on the backside with a stick ..... bingo straight in the net !!!!
What a beauty - knocking on 3 pound !!
Decided I best crack on , so whacked the rod out and sat down thinking about plan B already
15 minutes later and the rod buckled - another first cast Barbel in the net - 5 pounder.
A couple more 45 minute casts around the same area and nothing. Decided to have a bit of a roam and tried 4 other pegs but just a short tap to show for it before the heavens opened. As I like to leave my waterproofs in the car I whipped out my faithful piece of plastic sheet and sat under that for the next hour with the baitrunner on and the rod between my legs
As the rain stopped I gathered my gear and headed for the car. Loading up I looked at my watch and realised I was going to be home earlier than planned and the vacuum cleaner would no doubt be winking at me .......... go on then , one last cast
Grabbed the basics and I set off back down the river hoping nobody would be in my peg. I finally arrived a little out of breath but relieved to find it empty. Bait on , few freebies in a PVA bag and whacked it out where I got the one first cast.
After 15 minutes the rod end started a Chub like bounce - it then turned into a Barbel like bounce so I hit it
Then all hell let loose - what a scrap !!!!
Steered her clear of the willows before she headed for the tree - then a vicious adrenalin run in the shallow mid water .... pheeweeee !!
Slid the net under her with a thumping heart and a beaming smile
Realised I only had my analogue scales in my pocket as I'd left most of my gear in the car on the road
She bounced them round to 9 and a half
Ive since weighed ten pound of budweiser and lets just say she could have been nearer ten and a half ....... but I will never know and to be quie honest I don't really care about the extra pound ...... what a girl
A BIG BIG thanks to my anonymous guide and I promise the location will not leave my lips