A new Rusty PB

Entry posted by Rusty April 28, 2011

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Knotts Lake, Wednesday 27th April 2011

Same venue but a different bank this time (thanks Paul G), I said goodbye to the “cawt anyfink mister” calls from the K&A Canal walkers and pitched up on the other side of the lake quite close to the first swim I’d tried weeks earlier. I could’ve float fished into open water or ledgered close to the overhanging trees, casting was the problem. I could swing a small bomb to the trees but not a float, vegetation behind me prevented an overhead cast at that angle. I could overhead cast a float into open water but the feature was too tempting so again float fishing would have to wait;

As usual I’d arrived at my normal leisurely mid-morning time and having balled in some groundbait to the end tackle landing point I settled in and enjoyed the surroundings on a sunny day. Despite the sun there was a chilly NE wind and the air temp was only 57 degrees, water temp though was 61 degrees so the lake had retained some heat from the recent good weather we’ve had. This static fishing is quite relaxing you know, I think it might catch on;

I’d altered the rig to make it free running again, still a hair hook but without any form of stop to prick the fish. The reason for this was simple, I quite enjoyed watching the bobbin move about while the tench decided whether to really go for it or not and it gave them a bit of a chance. It could be argued that I should have hooked the bait straight onto the hook for a real purist approach, next time I’ll try that. Putting the traditionalist to one side for a moment the first bite was a real slam dunker, a couple of sqeezy bottle top wobbles and then off it went. It was difficult to simulate bite alarm sounds for what is known as a ‘screamer’. The culprit left the tree cover and made for open water straight away…deep joy for me and a big mistake for Mr Tench for once out in the open the game was up. After a while the largest tench I’ve ever caught was heaved onto the mat, 6lb 7oz;

Pics were taken, the fish was returned and the bait swung out to as close as I could get to the same spot, I then called Steve to brag. Alex, his partner, answered the call in a very entertaining fashion. Apparently ‘Steve’ had injured himself and had developed a squeaky high pitched voice, he’d also decided that he didn’t like fishing anymore and was going to donate all of his gear and the Portabote to me. I was about to seal the deal with her when order was restored and Steve took control of the phone, shame really I like the Portabote. It was during the catch of a lifetime account that the bobbin went again and the call was cut short with “gotta bite gotta go”. I’m not quite sure what happened next, the bait runner was going like the clappers and after winding to engage the reel the clutch took over with the rod pointing straight out to where the fish was headed. I had tried to lift the rod as I wound so it could take some strain but it got dragged back down and after a few seconds the hooklength parted at the knotless knot. Inexperience or slow reactions perhaps, it all happened very quickly.

On a more positive note the day ended with one of the nicest tench I’ve caught from here, a few body battle scars but at last a mouth that resembled the form that nature intended, 4lb 8oz. It’s very odd, most other anglers that I meet at this venue tell me how fit and well conditioned the tench are, they are certainly strong but as for good condition…well they must be fishing a different lake to me.

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Paulg 47

Posted April 29, 2011

Well done Rusty! Lovely fish although as you say your 4lb 8oz one is prettier! Good to know my recommendation paid off......they usually don't :thumbs: