Christchurch trip 13-15 July
Entry posted by The Flying Tench in general
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Despite much planning and useful advice from people on AN, tackle shop managers and anglers I met, my long awaited trip to the Bournemouth/Christchurch area yielded little in terms of fish.
Tuesday evening: Royalty Fishery on the Avon. Wow, what a lovely river! Trotting wasn't possible because the flow required being able to see the float further than my eyes will manage, but I tried double caster with a feeder. Several nice dace of about 5 oz, and then BANG! At first I thought it was a massive barbel, but on reflection it was clearly a pike. It was certainly a double, and could have been a high double. I had him on for about 10 minutes before inevitably he broke me. Still, an exciting start, though I didn't have any more dace after that.
Wednesday: Top end of tidal Stour. Went for a recce late morning/early afternoon. This was a stretch recommended by some anglers I met, and was supposed to be good for roach, but it didn't work out for me. Access was tricky for someone with a dicey back. Weed was a bigger problem. I went back to the tackle shop to get a ticket elsewhere for the evening, but alas it was his half day. Doh!
Thursday. Visited Mudeford Quay. Took the ferry across to the sandbanks for old times sake, which allowed the tidal flow to drop enough for a quick sea-fish with frozen sand eels. Bass were the target for all the anglers there, and I suppose that included me. Apparently the bacon used by the children crab fishing attracts the bass. But i didn't catch and nor did anyone else while I was there. In the afternoon and evening I fished Christchurch Quay, which is at the bottom end of the tidal Stour. Apparently there are good roach and bream as well as estuary fish such as sea trout and mullet. There are many boats moored, making it a kind of flowing marina. No-one else was fishing. On maggot or caster I just got tiny dace. When I switched to bread an a size 10 hook I got some 'nibbles.' Could these be some un-hittable mullet bites? In the end I decided small dace were more likely culprits.
Friday: I planned to pay another visit to the Royalty before driving back, but then the morning proved so hot and sunny I decided there was no point and headed home.
An enjoyable break, but if I try the Christchurch area again I think I'll leave it till autumn.
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