Holt Fleet Weir

Fished Holt Fleet today, the first time for Barbel have fished at the end of the season for pike but that's a different story. Arrived at the island a little later than planned at 5.15am and the weir peg was gone so my son and I set up in the next 2 pegs downstream.

Set up with normal feeder tactics using a 18in 10lb IQ2 flourocarbon hooklink with hair rigged corn on a size 12 hook . Within minutes i was getting indications/bites so i recast to the same spot and within seconds I had a good pull on the tip and i was in. The fight was nothing spectacular and i thought it was a chub only to see it was a decent Bream bout 4lb, not my favourite fish due to the bucket loads of slime and the stinky net afterwards but its better than blanking. The guy on the weir said he'd had a few since he'd arrived which seemed odd as he was fishing in the wash which i would have thought would be too quick for them. Shows what i know!!!. My son Reece who hadn't caught a Bream before was pleased when it was his turn. He's welcome to them.

we didn't have anything else until bout 9am when i had another bream yippee.!!! Then we both had a couple of chub.

I called it a day at 11.30am as it was a bit of an anti climax after yesterday on the Teme but will have to return when there's a bit more water on

River Teme part 2

After my last blog i was going to get back on the Severn but couldn't resist another bash at stalking on the Teme near Worcester.

Its a long trek from the car park but hopefully it'll be worth it. No fancy gear or rigs with this approach just a size 6 hook and a big lump of cheese free lined then cast upstream and let it trundle down.

 Looks like it's going to be a good day when on the second cast i hook this chub. Not what Im after but not a bad start. 

Every swim i look at has loads of chub cruising about on top just like carp do but creeping down the bank without spooking them is a nightmare.

not the best photo but my 1st attempt at self photography.

I limit myself to 1 fish per swim but cant resist another cast and on this occasion it pays off and i get another bonus chub but still no sign of barbel.

Most the time if your lucky enough to connect though it usually kills a swim so on to the next one. Which is what makes this so effective rather than waiting for the fish to regain confidence just peg hop to the next fishy looking swim.

Getting better at the photo's on my own

 After 6 six chub a couple of chublets im getting a little bored and dying to get a proper fight off a barb on my new rod.
I spot a shoal of barbel in a shallow gravel run but guess what no peg there i can only view them from the steep bank above and wish i could drop in a line but there no chance of landing them so i just watch.

So i walk upsteam past the gravel run and have a cast and straight away im. Fingers crossed is this the barbel i've been waiting for??? No such luck another chub..

No peg!!! TORTURE

 after watching the shoal of barbel again i come up with a plan this time i go to the peg downstream and try to cast upstream to them but its too overgrown. As its only shallow i decide sod it im not going home without 1 so i get in,my new boots are soaked as the waters bout 3inch's over them lol

Good things come to those that wait as on 1st cast with my curried luncheon meat its finally taken by a barb

 I fully expect it to be over now as i've spooked the shoal but within a couple of mins there  are chub and barbel just swimming inches away from from my feet. it was an amazing experience one i'll never forget. its pretty exciting stuff watching a barbel take freelined meat in just 18in of water and then trying to stop them tearing off down stream. I manage a couple more before they finally retreat for good.

 

A great day one of my most memorable just for the the sheer excitement and the fact that i never saw another person all day. That's what i call getting away from it all..

Lee

River Teme

After a couple of poor sessions on the Severn i decided to switch my attention to the River Teme in Worcestershire. It's a new stretch for me as i haven't fished it before.

 After arriving at the river my spirits are lifted as i can see loads of fish on the top catching them however is a different matter.

 my son is the 1st to catch with a nice chub on double hair rigged sweetcorn and feeder tactics and in sweltering heat  i blank

 So back again the next day this time with my father in law Barry ,we hit the same stretch this time roving style and im given another lesson when he tempts this huge barbel on freelined cheese while trying to catch chub

I do catch however with this nice chub while barbel fishing on pellets typical looks like the fish fancied swapping dinners lol

 One things for sure this roving style of fishing is addictive and im definitely going back soon for another crack
will post results when i do