richjones

Difficult one.. I'd love to say Grayling. The Grayling is a fish that I target 80% of the time when fishing rivers, due to their abundance in my area. They are hard fighting, good looking, and a 2lb specimen is a breathtaking sight. However, despite all of this I feel that it cannot be my favourite, partly because it is not a true coarse fish, and I am using coarse angling methods, and partly because (and this may seem a strange reason) grayling seem almost TOO abundant in my local river, almost a nuisance fish at times when trying to tempt a nice dace or roach. So for these reasons I will also choose the good old Chevin. Stalking them on a small river is the pinnacle of coarse angling for me, and the points Anderoo mentioned made up my mind 100% on this.

Without trying to go off topic.. Most of the stretches of river I fish are in Wales, and so, despite the petitions i have signed, it looks like the 'right to roam' is set to go ahead. A couple of questions that have crossed my mind have so far gone unanswered though.. Firstly, does the freedom for canoeists to have access to what was previously private land not raise security issues? Im not saying that there are alot of law breaking, theiving canoeists about, but i have seen many grand mansions with 9 foot walls around the front and sides of the house, only to have 150 feet of river frontage open to the river. It only takes one.. Secondly, just as the fishing closed season also applies to some lakes and canals and not others, is it not feasable for canoeists to accept extra access to some deeper and wider stretches of rivers, but not to the 6 inch deep upper chalk streams where damage to the river bed/vegetation in general, and not just spawning grounds is likely? maybe im missing the point on that one, but would a little negotiation not go a long way..? Lastly, I read somewhere that conoeists are allowed to paddle the river Severn between Welshpool (upper river) and Stourport (lower river) due to some old navigation rights. Can this river not therefore be taken as a good example for how much damage is currently being caused/ how many disputes are occuring between landowner/fisherman/canoiest if it has been open for all to use for many many years? (note that although the river severn is perceived by many as being a deep wide river, there are many shallow gravel beds even as far down as what could be considered the lower river)

J.K, http://www.flickr.com/photos/34924693@N05/ These are a couple of shots taken on my Nokia N95 which as has been said, is a great 5megapixel camera with carl zeiss lens. I was pleasantly suprised at how well they captured the light. There are a decent amount of exposure settings etc too mess around with, the only downside i have found is that the side of the phone (bottom of the camera) isn't flat which can be a pain if youd ever need to take a self timer shot of you and a fish. The phone comes with an 8GB memory card so memory really isn't an issue with this one.

Had a walk down the river with the polaroids on before, spotted looooads of chub, dace, trout, grayling, perch. I cant wait! Trip was spoiled by seeing 2 illegal anglers though. Would have reported them but it cost me £8 from my mobile last time! Shocking stuff

norfolkfisher, if you do head over to north east Wales, let me know if you would like some tips for fishing the Dee and tributaries or the llangollen canal. These are my local spots.

I went on a bike ride this evening down to a local river. When I got there the river looked spot on and I just wished it was 16th June! After walking half a mile or so i noticed 2 youths fishing with a quivertip rod and a tub of maggots, their car parked behind the peg. I got a bit angry and got straight on the phone to the EA. I spoke to a guy and asked if i could report an illegal river fishing incident, to which he replied "Im not sure its worth it at this time mate, bit late for anyone to come out". Good start i thought... I told him the obvious reasons as to why it should still be logged, surely if none were reported there would be more and more illegal fishing. After I had told him the location it took him a good 10 minutes to find it on his map, despite giving him the postcode. Eventually the spot was found and he gave me an incident number. I wasnt hopeful that much would happen. I didnt wait around to see if anyone did turn up as it was getting dark, but on my way home i got a phonecall off the local EA warden to say he was on his way down to have a word! I was very shocked. Too often i hear that people see no action taken after their reports, and this is why i was so shocked, but has anyone else actually had their out of season river fishing phonecalls followed up successfully?

I have swam a few times in my local river, not where I fish, but a good 10miles further upstream (upper welsh dee) I have always assumed that its pretty clean, having come straight from mountains without passing through anything other than villages. Who knows what could be in there though

Hi joe Theres the river aude just up the coast, i was there on holiday last year and i caught some nice roach trotting maggots. The problem with rivers around this area is that they are often very low and weedy making fishing difficult. There are certainly barbel in the more streamy areas of rivers around here though. I had a small one fishing in a stream no more than 12 inches deep and 6 feet wide. I watched some bigger ones from a bridge also. Im sure youll find loads of good fishing in the area. dont forget there is good mullet fishing also!

Ok thanks for the replies guys, i think this has cleared things up. So it seems that if a club decides that a water which has a good supply of trout can be fished using any method, including methods deemed suitable for catching coarse fish e.g maggot feeder, this overides any EA bylaws, even if coarse fish are evidently present... The baliff mentioned that members often take grayling for the pan, with the only restriction being that fish under a certain size should be put back, and this just seemed a little corrupt to me.. taking of coarse fish during the coarse closed season. He mentioned that he would be happy to see me join the club, but this now does not seem the type of club that I want to be a member of.

your right it is confusing! is there a good reason as to why there isnt just one set of rules for the whole country?! Im just thinking though, surely a club cant be breaking the law by allowing maggots for grayling in the coarse closed season?? can they?? I would assume they would have made sure of the rules before printing their rule book. the club baliff and another member who i spoke to today both assured me that fishing maggots was allowed right through to October and matched I didnt really question them about it but I stated that a stretch i fish further downstream owned by a different club is most definately fly only from now until June 16th. They didnt really look interested though...

Sorry to bring up the topic guys, il keep it brief. Went for a bike ride past a stretch of river that I fancied joining in the new season today. Its more of a stream and only contains Brown trout (Wild and stocked) and Grayling. A guy was ledgering maggots and I asked if he was enjoying the last day of the season... he looked at me confused, and said that the club only follow the trout season e.g march to september. Now, I thought that it was the method used that counted, and that using maggots, no matter what you may be fishing for, is not allowed in the coarse closed season. His club book did not mention the closed season for coarse fish. Is it possible that as the river only contains trout and grayling, that the use of maggots could be allowed through the coarse closed season? the local bylaws only state that maggots may not be used for targetting coarse fish, do grayling count as coarse fish? Im not going to fish the river even if i find out im allowed, but just wondering as it seemed a bit strange.. thanks

Went out after a last gasp barbel yesterday. River here also looked spot on. 2 hours without a tap and I decided to switch tactics and go for a big grayling (where has my patience gone?!) So I whacked on a maggot feeder, one red one white on the hook, and cast out into the flow. The feeder hit bottom, bounced twice along the bottom and BANG, a double wrap around, "this must be a good fish" i thought. What was it....................................?? 4LB Barbel haha So one more session left for me on saturday, haven't decided where it will be spent yet though..

Its only just hit me this weekend that theres only a week to go, arggh! Loads of places to fish and not much time to do it in. I want to get a barbel/chub session in as well as a grayling session if the river levels stay down. Ive spent all day researching local rivers today and found that there are some good small river chubbing spots within 50miles, why did I leave it too late to research?? Good luck wherever you go!

true that

Last week I was fishing my local small river, when I noticed a carrier bag full with what I assumed was 'rubbish' on the opposite bank. I was suprised to see the litter as the area is very quiet and there is rarely litter to be seen anywhere.. This afternoon I read this.. http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Rosset...aine.5032083.jp The area described is exactly where I was fishing. I wondered what I would have done had I have found it, then I wondered whether or not it would harm the fish had the chemicals fell into the river, or whether it would just get them high!

It could well be the river Dee Tigger.........! I could have been a bit more careful with hiding the swim in the picture, but then I thought, the river is famous for its grayling fishing with 4lb fish having been caught every year since god knows when.....and with a 2lb grayling possible from almost every swim throughout the eighty something miles of river, revieling the swim isn't that much of a big deal..

New PB Grayling for me. 1lb 15oz beats previous record by 4oz. Could not believe the size of it in the net, the pictures don't do it justice. Shame it was a cloudy day and the colours didnt come out, still, not too bad for self-timer pictures...

Dave, I read somewhere that near the tower (not sure where on the lake that is, maybe google earth will solve it), there are big perch. Might be worth rowing out and casting a few mepps spinners / twitching the odd lobworm. just a thought...

Thanks very much for the quick replies guys. Some great information for me there, and im happy that i would be able to get something for within my budget of £800-1000. JV44 thanks very much for the offer, i may well take you up on it once the weather gets warmer! I think il be leaving the purchase until the start of the summer anyway, and after buying one il be looking at using it on a couple of welsh lakes. I think a roof rack set up would be much easier for me space wise, are there special ones for boats or do standard bike roof racks work? Im sure there are a few more questions i need to ask before buying, and as mentioned, i will post links and pictures of any good looking ones i see, onto the forum.

Hello guys. I have been having a think recently about getting a little boat for fishing. I would just like something simple, just about big enough for me and my dad, and a minimal amount of tackle/equipment. Problem is i dont really know where to start! The foldable boat that i think i have seen in JV44's posts looks ideal but i've got an idea that these are not cheap... So how much would i be looking at for a 2nd/3rd/4th hand rowing style boat and a small 2hp engine to fit onto it, just to go at crawling speed around a lake, or on a slow moving river? thanks

here you go David, Llyn Tegid at 1,084 acres is Wales's largest natural lake and is arguebly the most beautiful. It is of glacial origin and used to extend to some 8 miles long. It is a lake steeped in legend. Llyn Tegid means Lake of Serenity and it is easy too see why after spending a day fishing there. The lake has been a fishery of importance from early times. It is said that on moonlit nights you can see towers and buildings under the waters, and that bells can be heard. These buildings, according to legend, was the palace of King Tegid, husband of Ceridwen, the mother of Taliesin. Llyn Tegid is also home to the rare and protected whitefish called the Gwyniad which roams the deeps. Species 14 species of fish in Llyn Tegid, the ones fished for are Pike,Roach,Perch,Trout,Grayling and Eels. Cost of fishing in 2004. Fishing Prices. Day ticket-£2.50 Week-£6.00 Season-£20.00. Launching your own boat. Day ticket-£3.50 Week-£10.00 Season-£30.00 All tickets available from Wardens office(main car park), pay and display machines or on bank. Access There are very few restrictions on the water. Paths or permissive paths give easy access to bank. (see Llyn Tegid pamphlet). If unsure please do not cross land, contact wardens for further information. Boat users be aware that marker buoys on lake are there for competition purposes. Keep well away from racing boats and courses. Safety All lake users are reminded that lifejackets or buoyancy aids are compulsory on the water. Warden has discretion to stop all boating in adverse weather conditions. No motors allowed on the water. Boat permits must be obtained before going on the water. Directions Llyn Tegid is within easy reach of the major North West cities, being under two hours drive from Manchester and Liverpool via the A5 and then the A494. It is also to reach from Shrewsbury and Birmingham via the A458, A470 and A494. For the family - Nearby towns Bala, Dolgellau, Corwen. Nearest Tourist information Penllyn, Pensarn Rd, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7SR Tel: 01678 521021. Lakeside beach and Leisure centre near Warden’s office. Miniature railway alongside east bank. Farm park - 3 miles. Many scenic lakeside and country walks. I have never fished it but have thought about it a few times. seems like a good spot is about the railway side, i'd just rove along that bank if i was you. good luck!

david, I've just discovered this.... http://www.fishing.visitwales.com/fisherie...ult.aspx?ID=975 It isn't Severn specific, but i use it for fishing the Dee, which drains from hills just a couple of miles away from where you fish so the graphs should be useful and the levels similar. Also if i remember, you said you may try the river Wye. This site has Wye levels at a few locations as well as levels for the game rivers near you. You have to register to view the levels, but it only takes a minute. let me know if its any use mate. p.s that might not be the exact link but somewhere there is a drop down list of rivers and their levels.

Yesterday was a good day to have a birthday Chris! it was also my 22nd! didnt get out for a birthday fish, but i tried a few hours for grayling today, spoiled by last nights rain and the river being a foot up and choco coloured good luck to anyone out this week

I would agree with wearing no gloves, and concentrating on keeping 1 hand warm at a time, with the use of a deep pocket on a big coat. when trotting i hold the rod in my right hand, and this, on the coldest of days can get very cold especially when touching an icy centrepin! I keep my left hand in my pocket for as long as possible, only taking it out for a couple of seconds to chuck in a few maggots from my bait apron. I try to minimise my right hand's contact with the centrepin to 1 finger which does keep things a bit warmer. When i move swims i carry my rod/net in my now warm left hand and warm up my right hand in my pocket. To increase the walk time i only fish every other swim on the stretch which gives my trotting hand longer to warm up, then on the return journey to the car i fish the other swims (this walk also helps warm my toes). I find all gloves impractical when trotting. i have tried neoprene fingerless and tried making my own fingerless and i have found that any exposed skin soon spreads the coldness to my other fingers.

first of all, before the season is out: - catch a 1lb+ chub from my local small tributary (not as easy as it sounds!!) - find out where the bigger chub hang out in the winter on the main river - Have a good grayling session on the tributary after March: - discover some new club stillwaters that i have previously ignored - get a basic fly outfit to keep me near to the rivers!