River Itchen, Lower Itchen Fishery, Monday 22nd February 2010

Well I had to tempt fate didn’t I, after predicting that I couldn’t blank at this venue that’s exactly what happened. To be fair the return from most anglers was pretty sparce with a few small roach to Will Wilkinson, a Chub to Budgie and a handful of Grayling distributed amongst the other members of the group.

After Sunday’s rain the river was very high and a sort of mud brown colour, we thought it would be difficult but as usual every fishing trip starts with optimism.

It was grim and tactics should really have been feeder fishing the slacks but I didn’t want to do that so I roamed everywhere trotting maggot with a size 18 hook and 3lb bottom, as fine as I dare. Nothing was tempted, I doubt that the fish ever saw the hook bait in the murky consitions.

The positive I guess is that first timers were able to familiarise themselves with the venue for next time. It really could do with some clear signs telling anglers where the various boundaries are. The day ticket stretch border has a sign which is supposed to say “No coarse fishing beyond this point” but the word “No” is missing, given that coarse fishing in the fly section is an offence likely to end in a ban they should sort this out. Beyond the fly stretch is the coarse syndicate stretch and whilst the boundary is obvious once you know it there’s no substitute for a large clear sign in my opinion. Not everybody reads the rules.

Apart from that it is a lovely venue and one which I fully intend to re-visit as soon as I’m able.

I still have some maggots left and a work free day today so I’m off to the Lambourn and/or maybe the Kennet.