[The Wanderer Returns]

Amazing fish, congratulations!

Thanks Tench

[The Wanderer Returns]

cracking fish and a very well written entertaining entry! well done mate and congrats on the marriage!

Thanks Viney

[The Wanderer Returns]

The fish is no less stunning in blogland ATS, welcome. Can't think of many swims on the Kennet where I might come across one of those but I'm looking forward to reading about more of your exploits.

Thanks Rusty. If you do come across any on the Kennet be sure to let me know via pm

[Saturday 2nd July. Very hot and bright.]

Sounds like a good days fishing! That ST looks really fresh, real bar of silver. Lovely Barbel too! N

Thanks Nicholas. Yes was a great day. I agree the seat trout did look in great condition.

[Saturday 2nd July. Very hot and bright.]

Some lovely photos. Which river is it?

Sorry tench. Somehow I havent seen any of the comments on my blog until the recent upgrade. It was the Ribble

[Saturday 9th July, Tiggers & Stripeys]

Cheers Tigger. lol yeah you would think so wouldnt you

[Sunday 17th of July, Trotting in the rain]

Lol only just seen your comment mate. Yeah your right. A good workman and all that. Will be in the market for another new pin soon. Been saving

[Sunday 16th October, Memory]

A great report ATS, puts things in perspective.

Many thanks Rusty

[Sunday 29 January, Nippy Pike]

Well done! It's sometimes said that pike won't chase a spinner in cold weather, but you have proved otherwise.

Thanks tench. I have to be honest and say that I do very little dead baiting for pike. I almost exclusively lure fish for them including in winter. I think a lot are put off lure fishing in winter as they have heard that they wont catch as much but I have consistently found the opposite to be true in the case of pike, perch are a different matter though. The perch seem to vanish up here when air temps dip below double figures. I always think of it like this, deadbaiting is very static whereas with lures you can move to the pike as they wont be moving much themselves. Put enough casts in and you will find them no trouble

[19th July 2012: Sergeants Ball]

Out of interest, how clouded was the canal? My local Kennet and Avon is great for perch, but the trouble in the summer for lure fishing is that it is very clouded as a result of the boats. I haven't tried lure fishing very often in those conditions, but the few times I have it hasn't been successful.

Apologies for the delayed response Tench. Only just seen your comments. The canal in summer is often clouded as a result of all the boats and visibility I would estimate to be around 1 foot deep before you would lose sight of the braid. In those conditions I often use a lure with a rattle or strong motion but in this case I could see the perch in the upper layers (1-2 foot max) so knew I could rely on a sight lure. In winter it is very cloudy due to rains and perch are a non started. I still catch pike there in winter even when cloudy but I usually go for a spinner in these conditions as the vibration is powerful with them and they can be fished close to the bottom easily where the pike are lying up without picking up to much debri which plugs can.

 

I actually prefer cloudy conditions as it doesnt allow the fish to see too much of the lure or line ahead of the lure. I certainly wouldnt be put off by it by any means. I have had a harder time in totally clear conditions (which are very rare up here lol). The only thing that stops me lure fishing is high wind with cloudy water conditions as it makes it hard to provide either sight or sound with the lure so you are relying on pulling it straight past the nose of the fish really. Feel free to pm me if you want to for anything.

[8th July 2012 - Club Match 3 - Grand Union Canal, Marsworth]

Cracking result there