Tangledreel

I normally Hum Whale Fish by Mr Scruff. It is a hip hop sea shanty and includes the lines: Whale fish, whale fish, whale fish This is repeated lots so it is easy to remember if a little mental

Thanks for the advice on holding back etc. I will give it a go on the weekend, not the lady chasing. I am sure the missus would have something to say about that.

Hi watatoad You are correct in guessing that I was trotting. The advice of moving up from the bottom is really helpful, I spent the whole day trying to find the bottom. The flow was very fast and the only thing I managed to hook all day was debris. The snow had been melting for a couple of days then it rained all day Saturday. This caused the river (the free part of the Itchen) to rise a lot very quickly. I think I will take your other price of advice and take the lady out in the future if the weather is going to be the same!

Thanks Tigger, the river was strange green/brown colour that I had never seen before. We don't really get much snow normally on the South Coast...

On Sunday I went to my local river for a fish, looking for some elusive Graying and Roach but endured a biteless day. I spoke to the other Anglers on the river and they too had been unable to find any fish. Some put this down to snow melt or the heavy rain from the night before. Does anyone know which view is correct or have any tips for fishing these conditions?

Hi Chub Frenzy I always add garlic powder and cheese to my bread paste. This seems to bring in the Chub and the odd confused Brown Trout. Good luck!

Thanks for the post Chris. I really enjoy Chris Yates's books and articles. He always seems to balance the wonder and frustration of fishing really well. Hope the snow is melting round your house.

Hi tincatinca Thanks for the positive feedback on the blog it is really appreciated. I have found that river fishing is really fun and I am looking forward to learn how to use a centrepin. Wish me luck! Take care

Thanks weirwulf and everyone else who as offered advice. Everyone is really helpful. Looking at the good quality of the Okuma range I think I will save up for the beginning of next season and buy a fairly decent centre pin. In the meantime I will see if I can borrow a friends for some practice. My trotting skills are improving with my fixed spool reel but they can still be a lot better, so this should keep me busy for the rest of the season. The point regarding the line was really helpful, I had not even considered this!! All I need now is the snow to stop so I can go catch a Chub or two...

Thanks Viney it looks good, I will keep an eye out for your review before I make my mind up. Good luck dodging the snow

Thanks for the reply Tigger, I will give the range a look over, it is quite awkward to trot with my Shimano fixed spool reel!

Hi guys I have just started fishing again after a 15 year break and have been fishing with mixed results using a avon style rod and fixed spool reel for Chub, Roach etc on local small rivers. Anglers I have met mentioned my fishing could be improved with a centre pin reel. Does anyone have any reccomendations for a entry level reel for some one new to usign this style of reel? There seems to be lots on the market! Mark