Season's Bests 2012-13
Plumby's Annual Round-up!
This time last year the word on everyone’s lips was drought. We’d had 3 dry winters on the trot – hosepipe bans were already being introduced and the chalkstreams of southern Britain were drying up. The springs feeding the Kennet didn’t ‘burst’ at all during the winter of 11/12, the river was looking very ‘threadbare’ and I feared for what conditions I’d find in June. What a difference a year makes!! April 2012 was one of the wettest on record – the summer was pretty much a wash out and the aquifers now can’t cope with the amount of rain! All in all it made for a challenging season.
The summer started promisingly enough with a brace of 9lb barbel and a cracking haul of tench from Marsh Farm in the opening week. But apart from a couple of 3lb+ crucians ‘bookmarking’ the season my summer fishing was a bit of a struggle.
Autumn wasn’t much better with the hunt for big perch constantly thwarted by conditions, my ticket for the Dorset Frome looking like money down the drain and the rivers in constant flood. Throughout it all however the chub have been very obliging – no real monsters this term – it’s been the first season since 07/08 when I haven’t had a 6lber (and I only missed out by an ounce that season) but they have shown up in some numbers especially on the middle river. I’ve had over 100 1+lb chub this season with over 90 of those caught since 1st Oct.
Winter and in fact the whole season was saved by the last month. A trio of 5lb + chub and a trio of 3lb+ perch – topped off of course by my 1st ever 4lber – my only PB of the season – but what a stripey!
Best Carp; 14lb 8oz, 20 June, NAA Stillwater – Thatcham, Freelined Breadflake.
Best Barbel; 9lb 11oz, 20 June, River Kennet – Padworth, Ledgered Halibut Pellet.
Best Pike; 7lb 4oz, 22 February, Middle Kennet Estate - Nr Newbury, Wobbled Deadbait. (No Picture)
Best Tench; 5lb 13oz, 11 August, Harris Lake - Marsh Farm Nr Godalming, Float-fished Prawn.
Best Chub; 5lb 10oz, 16 February, Kennet & Avon Canal – Thatcham, Float-fished Lobworm.
Best Bream; 5lb 2oz, 22 June, NAA Stillwater - Widmead, Float-fished maggot.
Best Brown Trout; 5lb 1oz, 19 January, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Maggot. (No Picture)
Best Rainbow Trout; 4lb 7oz, 9 February, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Red Sweetcorn. (No Picture)
Best Perch; 4lb 2oz (New PB), 16 February, Kennet & Avon Canal – Thatcham, Float-fished Lobworm.
And this was followed up 3 weeks later by my 2nd biggest ever perch – just a few wee drams (as Rusty would say!) shy of 4lb…
Best Crucian; 3lb 7oz, 31 August, NAA Stillwater – Thatcham, Float-fished bacon grill.
Best Grayling; 2lb 9oz, 24 February, River Frome – Wool, Trotted Rubber Wasp Grub.
Best Roach; 1lb 8oz, 18 June, Harris Lake – Marsh Farm Nr Godalming, Float-fished Bacon Grill. (No Picture!!!!!)
Best Dace; 14oz, 11 March, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Maggot.
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