Chris Plumb's Blog

Bloomin' marvellous, Chris. That's a fab catch. I spent 8am til 11 centrepinning at Brimpton in the same mist as you. I spent 20 mins pre-feeding the two swims I fished, went for double maggot size 16 hook, 4AAA avon float. Varied the depth but concentrated mainly at the point that balanced tripping the bottom without continually being dragged under.  I shotted shirt button then bulk 2/3rd down. Fished mainly the central line, but did vary this. Held the float back (as much as the surprisingly gentle flow would allow) and also let it chug through. Continued the loose feed throughout. Result: 1 x 4oz roach, 1 x 2oz dace, 2 x minnows (unweighed!). It's last year all over again - I really don't know what I do wrong, but I just can't seem to find fish. Maybe I need to move swims more frequently?

Should have gone to Speen - it fished very well in low water last week for me. Brimpton needs some more water - its a bit peggy at the best of times so I'd have been a bit more mobile and would probably walked the length of the fishery dropping into every swim I could get into. I only use bait & wait where I have a reasonable expectation of a chub (based on previous catches) and I use it to try and winkle out more than one from a swim (will often loose feed whilst playing a fish!) At least you didn't get any nuisance trout!

What I wouldn't have given for a troot that morning, nuisance or not.