Search the Community

Another season comes to a close - my first one since retiring and as a consequence I got out a lot more especially in the autumn/winter though plans were somewhat thwarted by the high water levels in the rivers. Since I left work in June we have had 9 consecutive months of significantly above average rainfall. The springs of the Kennet 'broke' unusually early in mid-October (they typically start flowing late December/early January) and as a consequence many venues have been inaccessible let alone fishable. This did at least nudge me to seek out some new swims - with some success! Best Carp 11lb 6oz. 25 September Free-lined bread flake - Willows Lake. As usual, I spent most of the summer trying NOT to catch carp in my pursuit of big tench. This was one of the few I caught deliberately on an evening the tincas didn't turn up. Best Tench 6lb 8oz. 20 June. Lift method, prawn sections - Willows Lake. A good summer on the tench front with 13 fish over 5lb and this was the best of 3, 6lbers. Rumours of an 8lber coming out of a club water had me putting in a lot of effort for the species! Best Chub 6lb 2oz. 9 February. Trotted maggot. River Kennet, Newbury -Whitehouse stretch. A venue I re-discovered as a result of trying to find bits of river I could actually get to in the floods! This particular swim became an instant favourite producing 3 chub over 5½lb in 3 of my first 4 visits to it. I wonder what it will fish like in normal levels! All in all though another great year for chub with 100 over 1lb for the 4th consecutive year, though average weights were down a little with 21 over 4lb of which 6 were over 5. Best Bream 5lb 2oz. 16 June. Trotted maggot. River Kennet - Marsh Benham. The majority of my Bream were river caught (same as 22/23 season) and this opening day catch was the only one over 5lb. Best Crucian 3lb 4oz. 10 August. Float fished prawn sections. Harris Lake, Marsh Farm Fishery, Milford. I only made 3 trips to Marsh Farm this summer - some quality tench fishing on club waters keeping me on 'home soil' - This super crucian however was a good reminder of why I make the effort - and was actually my biggest ever from Harris. Best Perch 3lb 1oz. 21 November. Trotted maggot. River Kennet, Hambridge. For the 2nd season running my season's best perch comes from the river as opposed to the canal though the K&A did throw up a number of big 2s this season. Best Grayling 2lb 6oz. 22 October. Trotted red sweetcorn. Lower Itchen. A feature this winter has been how well my local stretches of the River Lambourn have fished for Grayling. I've had over 70 1lb+ fish with quite a few 1½lb or better - including my first 2lber in 2 decades. My season's best however was this stroppy fish (twas a nightmare to try and photograph) from my only trip to the Itchen - my February trip being cancelled due to flooding. Best Barbel 2lb 2oz. 11 July. Trotted maggot. River Kennet, Hambridge. Always good to see barbel these days whatever the size and whilst there have been a smattering of half decent barbel coming out this season to other anglers, my only contribution, whilst float caught, was much more modest. Best Dace 1lb 1oz. 21 November. Trotted maggot. Kennet & Avon (flowing) canal, Thatcham. My best 'wow' moment of the season! A venue that has thrown up some big autumn dace in the past few years had me returning with the intention of trying to do just that again. Never expected anything of this calibre - my first 1lb+ dace since 04/05 season.

And so endeth another season. And a pretty pleasing one - with some of my favourite Kennet swims producing good fish (mainly chub) throughout the season. The summer started off with a bang - in the shape of my first ever 4lb+ crucian - the biggest of 5 X 3+lbers in an afternoon - any of which would have been season's bests in recent years - a real Red Letter Day! Best Carp 14lb 5oz. 10 August Free-lined bread flake - Willows. As usual I spent most of the summer trying to avoid carp in my quest for tench & crucians - this one was caught deliberately however, on an evening when the tincas weren't playing ball! Best Chub 6lb 5oz. 2 January Trotted maggot - River Kennet, Hambridge. Another super year for chub (I do luv em!) with over 100 X 1lb+ fish caught for the 3rd year running and whilst overall numbers were slightly down on last year - average sizes were up - I had 27 over 4lb - of which 7 were over 5lb - my best return on this front since 04/05. This rather washed out looking fish was caught when the Kennet was in full flood - hence its colouration I guess - and is a new venue best for me. Best Tench 5lb 14oz. 23 June. Float fished prawn section - Harris Lake, Milford. Had a few 5lb+ tench from Marsh Farm this summer and was rather pleased to hear my club had stocked one of our lakes with tench that are even bigger. This fat looking tinca looked like it should have been well over 6 - but the needle never lies! Best Bream 5lb 2oz. 21 September. Float fished maggot - Alders. The majority of my bream this season were river caught - occasionally turning up in some of my chub swims - and none of them left as much slime in the net as this specimen! Best Crucian 4lb 2oz (New PB) 20 June. Float fished prawn section - Johnsons Lake - Milford. This is my 9th season fishing this lake - with pretty much the sole intention of trying to catch a really big crucian - though now its been achieved it won't stop me from returning! When I started the quest my pb was 3-13 - from a club water in 2011. I added an ounce to this 4 years ago with a fish from here - and eventually hit the jackpot this summer. Best Perch 3lb 6oz 2 January. Float fished maggot - River Kennet, Hambridge. For the last couple of decades the majority of my big perch have come from the canal - not this season. All my 2lb+ stripeys came from the Kennet proper - this was my only 3lber - my first from this venue (next cast I caught the 6-5 chub - above!) Best Grayling 2lb 2oz 5 February Trotted maggot - River Frome, Wool. Still chasing that 3lb lady - though this was actually my first 2lber from the Frome since 2019. Best Barbel 2lb 1oz 31 August. Trotted maggot - River Kennet, Hambridge. Always pleased to catch a barbel these days - though might be putting in a bit more effort next season to find a bigger one than this! Biggest Roach 1lb 0oz. 20 June Float fished prawn section - Johnsons Lake, Milford. With all the excitement of big crucians I'd forgotten I'd started the session with a nice roach - which I never bettered all season! Best Dace 13oz 23 July. Trotted maggot - River Kennet, Marsh Benham. Had quite a few 'nice' dace this season and, as ever, was hopeful that the back end would produce a real biggy - alas nothing beat this summer caught fish from my syndicate stretch of the middle Kennet.

And so another seasons draws to a close - quite a good one on the numbers front with over 400 fish over a lb landed and 12 (14 including trout - which I'd rather not!) different species over a lb caught. The best returns since 14/15 season. Few fish came close to a PB however - so quantity not quality probably sums it up! Best Carp 12lb 14oz. 9 July Freelined Bread flake - Willows. I rarely have carp as my primary quarry - but they are often a by-catch (usually unwelcome!) when I'm after tench etc. However if things are slow I sometimes I will resort to targetting them - if only to put a bend in the rod - this was just such a capture on an evening when the tincas were conspicuous by their absence! Best Bream 5lb 7oz 1 September Float fished maggot - Alders Lake, Thatcham. I caught quite a few river bream this year - and they all fought a lot harder than this slab - which, by an ounce, is a new lake best for me. Best Chub 5lb 6oz. 8 March Trotted red sweetcorn - River Kennet, Kintbury. Another good year on the chub front - numbers-wise at least, with 133 over 1lb, 2 up on last season and only 3 shy of my all time best return (14/15). Started the season with a 5lber in the first week - A fish I'd loved to have recaptured at its winter weight - but it eluded all efforts! Best Tench 4lb 9oz. 27 August Float fished prawn sections - Marsh Farm, Harris Lake. A VERY mediocre summer on the tench front - my first season since 97/98 when I didn't get a Tinca over 5lb! Best Pike 4lb 8oz. 4 September. Floating plug - River Kennet, Hambridge. Unusually I didn't get many pike on lobs this year though was plagued with them on my last day - Pike love lobs and are often a common by-catch when I'm perching! This one however was worrying the dace I was bringing in and grabbed the plug pretty much first run through. Best Barbel 3lb 15oz. 29 August Trotted maggot - River Kennet, Thatcham. A most welcome sight! Best Crucian 3lb 2oz. 27 August. Float fished prawn sections - Marsh Farm, Harris Lake. The reason I make the trip over to Godalming every summer! Best Perch 3lb 2oz. 16 October Float fished lobworm - Kennet & Avon Canal - Enborne. Autumn perching campaign got off to a great start with this, my second 3lb+ fish from this stretch following my 3-10 fish from last February. Alas this proved to be the highlight of the season on the perch front! Best Grayling 1lb 11oz. 5 November & 26 November. Trotted maggot - Dorset Frome - Wool & River Lambourn - Shaw. A slightly disappointing season on the grayling front with trips to the Itchen & Frome failing to produce specimens. This weight is modest for the Frome - but exceptional for this stretch of the Lambourn! Best Rudd 1lb 10oz. 23 June. Float Fished Maggot - Johnsons Lake. Highlight of an otherwise disappointing trip - I don't catch many big Rudd and this one was the closest I came all season of getting a PB - being just an ounce shy of a fish I caught from the same lake four years ago. Best Roach 1lb 5oz. 8 March. Trotted Maggot - Kennet carrier, Kintbury. A very welcome follow-up to my 1lb dace (see below). Biggest roach for 5 years. Best Dace 1lb 0oz. 8 March. Trotted maggot - Kennet carrier, Kintbury. A dace a foot long - what's not to love! This was my 8th career 'pounder' but my first since 23 Jan 2005.

Plumby’s Annual Round-up. And so another season comes to a close – and I’m just thankful that I had a season at all. The Angling Trust somewhat came of age this year and showed itself to be an effective voice for anglers with its successful lobbying of government for angling during the pandemic. Fishing local did curtail my usual winter jaunts south in search of big ladies – but it was a small price to pay. Best Carp: 13lb 14oz. 9th September. Float fished maggot – Willows. I rarely carp fish and usually try and avoid the blighters – this was a ‘by-catch’ on light-ish tackle meant for tench and crucians – and needed a helping hand to land! Best Pike: 9lb 6oz. 17th June. Floating plug – River Kennet, Hambridge. Most of my pike in any given season are caught accidentally while perching (Pike love lobs). This one was bothering dace in a favourite Kennet swim and couldn’t resist the lure of a floating plug wobbled past its lair! Best Barbel: 7lb 7oz. 14th September. Ledgered pellet – River Wye, Llanthomas. Not having had a barbel from the Kennet in 5 seasons – this was a sneaky trip to Geoff’s (with borrowed tackle) whilst holidaying in Hay. Ironically within a couple of weeks return I was catching small barbel from the Kennet! Best Tench: 6lb 5oz. 23rd June. Prawn sections, lift method - Harris Lake, Milford. As usual my summer consisted of a few trips across to Godalming to fish the wonderful Marsh Farm complex. Johnsons was always too busy – but thankfully Harris next door saved the day! Best Brown Trout: 6lb 1oz. 8th August. Ledgered bacon grill – Kennet weirpool, Marsh Benham. I rarely weigh trout let alone take their picture but this was one impressive spottie – even if I was a little disappointed it wasn’t a barbel! Best Bream: 5lb 10oz. 14th July. Float fished maggot – Alders. My biggest ever bream from this venue (by an ounce!) Best Chub: 5lb 9oz. 8th March. Trotted red sweetcorn – River Kennet, Kintbury. In terms of numbers my 2nd best ever season on the chub front with 131 over a pound caught (I had 136 in 14/15). I had to wait until the last week of the season, however, to find the big ones- this was the best of 5, 5lbers caught in a morning from the same swim. Best Perch: 3lb 10oz. 20th February. Float fished lobworm – Kennet & Avon Canal, Enborne. Biggest perch for 5 years and first 3lber in that time –also my first 3 from this venue. Probably rate it as my best fish of the season. Best Crucian: 3lb 1oz. 14th August. Prawn sections, lift method – Harris Lake, Milford. Harris, again coming to the rescue after a poor evening on Johnsons. Continues my run of 6 consecutive seasons with a 3lb+ crucian. Best Grayling: 2lb 2oz. 19th October. Trotted maggot - Lower Itchen Fishery. Due to Covid this turned out to be my only trip to the Itchen or Frome this season – so in hindsight really pleased it resulted in a 2lber. Best Roach: 1lb 0oz. 21st July. Trotted maggot - River Kennet, Padworth. Had quite a few roach over 12oz this season but this was the only one that nudged the needle to the 1lb mark – from a surprise venue as well. Best Dace: 15oz. 21st November. Trotted maggot – River Kennet (flowing canal), Thatcham. Another big surprise from an unexpected part of the river – my biggest dace for over a decade.

And so another season comes to a close - not a bad one despite the wet weather disrupting several plans over the autumn and winter (including the annual Itchen IAC fish-in). I did at least get a PB this year. Still no barbel,though there is a planned trip to the Wye to try and rectify that in 2020 - and the season finished strongly with 3 SB's in the last 4 days. Biggest Carp. 15lb 8oz, 28th June. Ledgered pellet - Method Feeder. Jubilee Lake - Thatcham. My now annual trip to try and get a half decent carp! Biggest Tench. 7lb 7oz. 19th June. Float fished prawn section. Johnsons Lake - Milford. Only 3 oz off my PB. Biggest Chub. 6lb 3oz. 12th March. Trotted red sweetcorn. Middle Kennet. 2nd season in succession I've had a 6lb chub - after a 7 year spell without one. Biggest Bream. 4lb 3oz. 16th June. Trotted maggot. River Kennet - Marsh Benham. Turned up in a favoured chub swim on the first day of the season. Biggest Crucian. 3lb 14oz. 19th June. Floated fished prawn section. Johnsons Lake - Milford. Only PB of the season - though I was actually slightly disappointed - as I was convinced it would go 4lb! Biggest Pike. 3lb 9oz. 30th December. Float fished lob. Kennet & Avon canal - Woolhampton. Common 'by-catch' when perching! Biggest Perch. 2lb 13oz. 11th March. Float fished lob. Kennet & Avon canal - Woolhampton. The search for new perch hotspots continues! Biggest Grayling. 1lb 15oz. 14th October. Trotted maggot - Lower Itchen Fishery. Dreadful season for grayling - rivers were out of sorts due to flooding from early autumn onwards - meant this was the first season since 2000/01 that I didn't get a 2lber! Biggest Dace. 14oz. 12th March. Trotted maggot. Middle Kennet. Usual dace hotspot produced the goods again! Biggest Roach. 14oz. 27th October. Trotted maggot. Northcroft Stream - Newbury

Right that's it for another season. 07/08 was a pretty good one - despite only 1PB for Brown Trout - though this was more than double what it was at the beginning of the season! Best BARBEL, 11lb 6oz, 1/10/07, Ledgered 14mm Halibut Pellet, River Kennet nr Thatcham Best CARP, 9lb 6oz, 29/6/07, Ledgered 14mm Halibut Pellet, River Kennet at Woolhampton Best BROWN TROUT, 8lb 12oz, 14/3/08, Trotted single white maggot, River Kennet nr Newbury Best BREAM, 7lb 9oz, 18/6/07, Ledgered 14mm Halibut Pellet, Horseshoe Lake Yateley Best TENCH, 6lb 11oz, 3/9/07, Lift method bacon grill, Summer Pit Yateley Best CHUB, 5lb 15oz, 15/12/07, Trotted double red maggot, River Kennet Nr Newbury Best RAINBOW TROUT, 4lb 8oz, 14/3/08, Trotted single red maggot, River Kennet Nr Newbury Best CRUCIAN, 3lb 3oz, 20/6/07, Lift Method 4mm S-Pellet, Marsh Farm Godalming Best PERCH, 3lb 3oz, 1/12/07, Float fished lobworm, Kennet & Avon Canal Thatcham Best GRAYLING, 2lb 9oz, 8/10/07, Trotted single red maggot & 29/2/08, Trotted Sweetcorn, Both Lower Itchen Fishery Best ROACH, 2lb 1oz, 29/12/07, Trotted double red maggot, River Kennet nr Newbury Best DACE, 12oz, 14/1/08 & 14/3/08, Both Trotted red maggot, Middle Kennet and Kennet nr Newbury Pretty pleased with that little lot, lets hope 08/09 is as good - be back on the 16th June.

Well that's it for another season and a pretty indifferent summer was more than compensated by an excellent autumn/winter campaign! Weights in red were new PB's set this season. Best Carp: 27lb 6oz, 15/8/08. Hemp bogey/Method feeder, Cemex Blue Pool, Burghfield. Best Pike: 10lb 14oz, 18/10/08. Float fished lob worm, River Kennet, Speen Moors. Best Barbel: 8lb 11oz, 2/7/08. Ledgered 14mm Halibut Pellet, River Kennet, Newbury. Best Chub: 6lb 6oz, 8/3/09. Trotted single red maggot. River Kennet, Nr Newbury. Best Bream: 5lb 13oz, 20/6/08. Float fished double red maggot, NAA lake, Widmead. Best Salmon*: 5lb 10oz, 13/10/08. Trotted single red maggot. River Itchen, nr Eastleigh. Best Tench: 5lb 6oz, 29/8/08. 14mm Halibut Pellet/Method feeder, NAA lake, Widmead. Best Brown Trout: 4lb 14oz, 9/11/08 Trotted double red maggot, River Kennet, Nr Newbury. Best Rainbow: 3lb 12oz, 9/11/08 Trotted double red maggot, River Kennet, Nr Newbury. Best Perch: 3lb 5oz, 24/1/09, Float fished lobworm, K&A Canal, Thatcham. Best Grayling: 2lb 13oz** 13/10/08, Trotted red maggot, River Itchen, Nr Eastleigh. Best Crucian: 1lb 13oz, 16/6/08, Float fished 6mm S-Pellet, Marsh Farm, Godalming. Best Roach: 1lb 6oz, 20/2/09, Float fished white maggot, River Kennet, Nr Hungerford. Best Dace: 15oz, 20/2/09, Float fished single white maggot, River Kennet, Nr Hungerford. * First ever 'proper' salmon (ie not a smolt or a parr) ** 2nd biggest ever (also caught 3rd biggest ever on 27/2/09)

Well that's it until the 16th June - a 3 month break for me - and after my personal 'Vomit Fest' last spring, I can't see meself making the annual trip to the South Coast for the IAC Black Bream trip. A very slow summer was more than compensated by a fine autumn's perch fishing. 2 PB's and 4 fish over my old PB of 3lb 9oz. That 4lber will have to wait another year though. No other PB's though it was nice to get another 6lb chub - especially as it was caught trotting. The coldest winter for over 30 years curtailed sport somewhat though the last month of the season saw some fantastic sport - definitely my favourite time of the whole season. Pike: 14lb 2oz, 22/01/10. Trotted Lobworm, Middle Kennet. Barbel: 9lb 11oz, 31/07/09. Ledgered 14mm Halibut Pellet, River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Carp: 8lb 10oz, 18/06/09. Method Feeder/Magic Bread, NAA Lake, Thatcham. Bream: 6lb 15oz, 25/07/09. Float Fished Maggot, Pumphouse Lake, Yateley. Tench: 6lb 4oz, 05/08/09. Float Fished Meat, Summer Pit, Yateley. Chub: 6lb 0oz, 07/03/10. Trotted Maggot, River Kennet, Nr Newbury. Rainbow Trout: 4lb 6oz, 14/03/10. Trotted Corn, Middle Kennet. Brown Trout: 4lb 0oz, 28/02/10. Trotted Corn, Middle Kennet. Perch: 3lb 14oz, 17/10/09. Float Fished Lobworm, Kennet & Avon Canal, Thatcham. Grayling: 2lb 6oz, 12/10/09. Trotted Maggot, River Itchen. Crucian: 1lb 5oz, 15/08/09. Float Fished Maggot, Bucklebury Ponds. Roach: 1lb 5oz, 16/06/09, Float Fished Bread, Marsh Farm, Godalming. Dace: 13oz, 12/11/09. Trotted Maggot, Middle Kennet.

And so endeth another season. No PB's this season - though a few fish got close (6lb 5oz chub the closest). A much better summer than in the past few years with some really nice crucians (from a variety of waters too) and quite a few 6lb+ tench - all caught float fishing. Winter started with a long cold snap form mid-Novemeber - rather curtailing the perennial 4lb+ perch hunt - though a morning when I brought 4, 3lbers to the net will live long in the memory! Best Carp; 14lb 10oz, 21/8/10, Float fished maggot, Newbury AA lake - Thatcham Best Barbel; 10lb 7oz, 1/11/10, Ledgered halibut pellet, River Kennet - Nr Thatcham Best Tench; 7lb 2oz, Float fished meat, 2/8/10, Summer Pit - CEMEX Yateley Best Brown Trout; 7lb 2oz, 14/3/11, Trotted white maggot, Middle Kennet (no photo). Best Pike; 6lb 15oz, 25/9/10, Float fished lob worm, Speen Moors (no photo) Best Chub; 6lb 5oz, 23/6/10, Ledgered halibut pellet, River Kennet - Padworth Best Bream; 5lb 3oz, 16/7/10, Ledgered Pellet, NAA lake - Widmead & 3/9/10, Float fished meat, Pumphouse Lake - CEMEX Yateley (no photos of either) Best Rainbow Trout; 4lb 1oz, 14/3/11, Trotted maggot, Middle Kennet (no photo) Best Perch; 3lb 9oz, 23/10/10, Float fished lob worm, K&A Canal - Thatcham Best Crucian; 3lb 2oz, 3/7/10, Float fished meat, Newbury AA lake - Widmead Best Grayling; 2lb 7oz, 25/2/11, Trotted red corn, River Itchen Best Roach; 1lb 3oz, 14/3/11, Trotted maggot, Middle Kennet (no photo) Best Dace; 14oz, 20/2/11, Trotted maggot, Middle Kennet

And another season comes to a close. And a rather good one it was too - with 3 PB's, an equalling PB and a couple of near misses. A rather indifferent summer, despite a PB Bream and a PB Crucian in the same week - was compensated by some great post September angling. The autumn perch campaign got off to a real flyer. A session which produced 18 fish for nearly 40lb including 5X3lbers and a PB equalling 3lb 14oz fish was a real red letter day (see 13 October entry). This winter I was eagerly looking forward to fishing the River Frome in Dorset for the 1st time - and it didn't disappoint. It proved to be quite a hard water, not at all as prolific as the Itchen but the rewards were worth it - producing 3 Grayling that are now in my all time top 10 - with a 2lb 14oz lady on my last trip only an ounce shy of my PB. I also had the vicarious enjoyment of seeing my good mate Paul get his PB from the river at 2lb 15oz. So no 3lber (yet!) - but we both got mighty close! Roll on November! Best Carp: 15lb 9oz, 31 Oct 2011, River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Ledgered Halibut pellet. This fish turned up in one of my favourite barbel swims - and had me convinced I was into a huge barbel - my only carp from this stretch of river in over 30 years of fishing it. Best Pike: 15lb 3oz, 2 Jan 2012, River Kennet, Speen Moors. Float fished lobworm. A rather fortuitous capture but more than adequate compensation for a lack of perch that day!! Biggest pike I've ever caught on my float rod! And my best pike from this venue though I last seriously pike fished it over a decade ago - around 2000BC - Before Crayfish! Best Bream: 12lb 2oz , 2 Jul 2011, Summer Pit. Float fished maggot, lift method. My first ever double figure bream - and the biggest of 5 fish in excess of 8lb from this venue last summer - all caught float fishing. Best Barbel: 9lb 7oz, 29 June 2011, River Kennet, Padworth. And 9lb 7oz, 24 August 2011, River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Both fish caught on ledgered Halibut pellet. A rather 'scratchy' barbel campaign - not helped, I suspect by repeated otter sightings throughout the summer. On 4 separate occasions I had an otter in my swim whilst having an evening barbel session - different swims & venues too! Best Tench: 7lb 7oz, 16 June 2011, Summer Pit. Float fished meat - lift method. The season got off to a great start with my 3rd biggest ever tinca and my best from this venue - alas - on the tench front at least it was all down hill from then on... Best Chub: 6lb 7oz, 19 Feb 2012, River Kennet, Nr Kintbury. Trotted red sweetcorn. A swim that I've had a hunch over for a couple of seasons finally produces - a new PB by an ounce. Also had a 6lb 6oz equalling my previous PB fish whilst barbelling in June. Best Perch: 3lb 14oz, 13 Oct 2011, Kennet & Avon Canal, Thatcham. Float fished lobs. I managed 7 perch over 3lb this season - 5 on the same day I snaffled this beauty to equal by PB caught not far downstream in 2009. Best Crucian: 3lb 13oz, 26 June 2011, Newbury AA lake, Widmead. My longest standing PB was broken by this stonking slab of gold - as usual I invested a lot of energy into crucians last summer and this is the reason why! Best Grayling: 2lb 14oz, 26 Feb 2012, River Frome, Wool. Trotted red maggot. Not a great pic as the fish just wouldn't pose for the camera! So below is a pic of Paul's 2lb 15oz fish from the same venue a month earlier! Best Roach: 1lb 4oz, 18 Nov 2011 & 9 Mar 2012. Both from 'Middle Kennet Estates' (different ones) and both on trotted maggot. One gratifying aspect of this winter on the middle Kennet was the good numbers of roach that we found - no real biggies but quite a few over 8oz augurs well for the future. Best Dace: 13oz, a weight equalled 4 times this winter - on 15 Jan, twice on 19 Feb & 9 Mar - from various Middle Kennet venues - all on trotted maggot. Similar to the 'mini' roach revival Paul and I found a lot of good sized dace in large numbers this winter. The really big ones eluded us - though I did find some VERY big dace on one occasion - I just couldn't catch one! I thinks Paul's best was a 14oz fish caught quite early in the winter before it would have been at maximum weight. My best trout went unphotographed - in fact I'm not even sure what weight they were - they're a bit of an occupational hazard in the winter and I usually try to avoid them at all costs. I did also get only my 2nd ever proper salmon a 4lb+ grilse from the Frome which was also slipped back sans picture!

Plumby's Annual Round-up! This time last year the word on everyone’s lips was drought. We’d had 3 dry winters on the trot – hosepipe bans were already being introduced and the chalkstreams of southern Britain were drying up. The springs feeding the Kennet didn’t ‘burst’ at all during the winter of 11/12, the river was looking very ‘threadbare’ and I feared for what conditions I’d find in June. What a difference a year makes!! April 2012 was one of the wettest on record – the summer was pretty much a wash out and the aquifers now can’t cope with the amount of rain! All in all it made for a challenging season. The summer started promisingly enough with a brace of 9lb barbel and a cracking haul of tench from Marsh Farm in the opening week. But apart from a couple of 3lb+ crucians ‘bookmarking’ the season my summer fishing was a bit of a struggle. Autumn wasn’t much better with the hunt for big perch constantly thwarted by conditions, my ticket for the Dorset Frome looking like money down the drain and the rivers in constant flood. Throughout it all however the chub have been very obliging – no real monsters this term – it’s been the first season since 07/08 when I haven’t had a 6lber (and I only missed out by an ounce that season) but they have shown up in some numbers especially on the middle river. I’ve had over 100 1+lb chub this season with over 90 of those caught since 1st Oct. Winter and in fact the whole season was saved by the last month. A trio of 5lb + chub and a trio of 3lb+ perch – topped off of course by my 1st ever 4lber – my only PB of the season – but what a stripey! Best Carp; 14lb 8oz, 20 June, NAA Stillwater – Thatcham, Freelined Breadflake. Best Barbel; 9lb 11oz, 20 June, River Kennet – Padworth, Ledgered Halibut Pellet. Best Pike; 7lb 4oz, 22 February, Middle Kennet Estate - Nr Newbury, Wobbled Deadbait. (No Picture) Best Tench; 5lb 13oz, 11 August, Harris Lake - Marsh Farm Nr Godalming, Float-fished Prawn. Best Chub; 5lb 10oz, 16 February, Kennet & Avon Canal – Thatcham, Float-fished Lobworm. Best Bream; 5lb 2oz, 22 June, NAA Stillwater - Widmead, Float-fished maggot. Best Brown Trout; 5lb 1oz, 19 January, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Maggot. (No Picture) Best Rainbow Trout; 4lb 7oz, 9 February, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Red Sweetcorn. (No Picture) Best Perch; 4lb 2oz (New PB), 16 February, Kennet & Avon Canal – Thatcham, Float-fished Lobworm. And this was followed up 3 weeks later by my 2nd biggest ever perch – just a few wee drams (as Rusty would say!) shy of 4lb… Best Crucian; 3lb 7oz, 31 August, NAA Stillwater – Thatcham, Float-fished bacon grill. Best Grayling; 2lb 9oz, 24 February, River Frome – Wool, Trotted Rubber Wasp Grub. Best Roach; 1lb 8oz, 18 June, Harris Lake – Marsh Farm Nr Godalming, Float-fished Bacon Grill. (No Picture!!!!!) Best Dace; 14oz, 11 March, Middle Kennet Estate – Nr Newbury, Trotted Maggot.

A satisfactory season despite (yet again) not a barbel on the bank. Best Carp: 23lb 10oz. 21 June Ledgered Pellet - method feeder Jubilee Lake - Thatcham. Biggest carp for 10 years and my biggest ever Common. Best Bream; 7lb 14oz. 17 Nov, Trotted corn, River Frome - Wool. Something of a surprise capture as I was after Grayling - my biggest ever river Bream. Best Chub; 6lb 4oz. 9 Dec, Trotted maggot, River Kennet - Brimpton. First 6lb+ chub for 7 seasons (since 11/12) and first ever from this venue in 37 years of fishing it! Best Tench; 5lb 15oz. 19 June. Float fished prawn sections, Johnsons Lake - Milford. Best Pike; 3lb 13oz. 28July. Ledgered meat, River Kennet - Marsh Benham. Had quite a few jacks this winter on lobs - perch fishing. This one was caught fishing a fast gravelly run at the tail of a weirpool - allegedly for barbel! Best Crucian; 3lb 11oz. 19 June. Float fished prawn sections, Johnsons Lake - Milford. VERY fat fish which is my 2nd biggest ever Crucian (2 oz off my pb). Best Perch; 2lb 15oz. 31 Dec. Float fished lob, Kennet & Avon Canal - Woolhampton. 2 years 'prospecting' for new perch swims finally pays off! Best Grayling; 2lb 5oz. 17 Nov, Trotted corn, River Frome - Wool. Nearly didn't renew my DDAS ticket this year - this fish will ensure I renew for next year! Best Rudd; 1lb 11oz. (New PB). 18 June. Float fished prawn sections, Johnsons Lake - Milford. My longest standing PB (1991) gets broken twice in a couple of hours this lovely rudd was preceded by a 1lb 8oz fish - both beating my previous best of 1lb 6oz. URL=http://s964.photobucket.com/user/Chris_Plumb/media/Rudd1-11_zpsqbshaogl.jpg.html][/url] Best Roach; 1lb 2oz. 22 Dec. Trotted maggot, River Lambourn - Newbury. This water has a habit of occasionally throwing up a surprise roach amongst the numerous grayling. Best Dace; 10oz. 4 August, Trotted maggot, River Kennet - Brimpton. Not a great year on the Dace front!

Rather a modest season - quantity especially on the chub front being order of the day. 2lb 10oz grayling - my biggest from the Itchen in nearly a decade and a Crucian just 4oz shy of a pb being my stand-out fish of the year. Best Carp: 8lb 5oz - 5 August, Jubilee Lake, Thatcham. Method feeder - pellet. Blog entry. Best Tench: 6lb 13oz - 20 June, Johnsons Lake, Milford. Float fished prawn segment. Blog entry. Best Bream: 6lb 8oz - 31 July, Jubilee Lake, Thatcham. Method feeder - pellet. Blog entry. Best Chub: 5lb 10oz - 21 June, River Kennet, Brimpton. Trotted maggot. Blog entry. Best Pike: 4lb 6oz - 28 January, Kennet & Avon Canal, Woolhampton. Float fished lobworm. Blog entry. Best Crucian: 3lb 9oz - 19 June, Johnsons Lake, Milford. Float fished prawn segment. Blog entry. Best Grayling: 2lb 10oz - 10 February, Lower Itchen Fishery. Trotted maggot. Blog entry. Best Perch: 2lb 0oz - 5 November, Kennet & Avon Canal, Woolhampton. Float fished lobworm. Blog entry. Best Roach: 1lb 10oz - 19 June, Johnsons Lake, Milford. Float fished maggot. Blog entry. Best Dace: 10oz - 23 July, River Kennet, Brimpton. Trotted Maggot. Blog entry.

Plumby’s Annual Season Round-up! Bit of a strange season – summer was somewhat slow – saved by a three trips to Marsh Farm on the still water front and eventually finding some Barbel at a haunt of old, late summer, after some very poor river trips. Hard to remember now that the autumn was actually pretty dry – in fact on my only 2 trips to the Dorset Frome the river was actually fairly threadbare and in need of some water. Of course we then got biblical proportions of rain and the last 3 months of the season have been somewhat challenging. However the chub have been ever obliging and like last year I had over 100, 1lb+ fish. In fact I had even more than last year with a ton up since October. A new swim rewarded patience and application (just ask Rusty!) – and fished well throughout the flooding once the colour had dropped out and looks like it might be worth paying a visit to in the summer… Best Carp, 12lb 14oz. 16 June, NAA Stillwater, Thatcham. Float Fished Prawn. Caught on light tackle meant for crucians – took an age to land! http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1070-1617-june/ Best Barbel, 11lb 2oz. 23 September, River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Ledgered Halibut pellet. A really slow summer on the barbel front – loss of fishing rights at Padworth Park didn’t help plus my nailed on banker barbel venue produced not one fish to float or lead for the 1st time since I joined Newbury AA in 1982. Thankfully I eventually found a few fish further downstream – and this biggie (my 3rd best) came at what was going to be the start of a concerted effort to get a double – achieved first cast! http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1128-23-september/ Best Pike, 10lb 11oz. 24 January, Middle Kennet Estate. Float Fished Lobworm Most of my pike these days are a ‘bye-catch’ when after perch – this one was no exception! http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1164-24-january/ Best Tench, 6lb 2oz. 21 June, Harris Lake – Marsh Farm, Nr Godalming. Float Fished Maggot (lift method). 1st of 3 great trips to Marsh Farm last summer. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1079-2021-june/ Best Chub, 5lb 14oz. 22 February, River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Trotted maggot. New swim which fished well during the floods and pretty much saved my winter. Never hugely productive but threw up a number of good fish – this was the biggest of a dozen chub. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1171-22-february/ Best Perch, 4lb 5oz (new PB). 28 October, River Kennet, Thatcham. Float Fished Lobworm. Wait years for a 4lb perch and get 2 in a season – this one was a pure fluke! http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1140-28-october/ Whereas this one, just 3oz lighter, turned up in the ‘new’ chub swim! http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1175-2-march/ Best Crucian, 3lb 1oz. 21 June, Harris Lake – Marsh Farm, Nr Godalming. Float Fished Maggot (lift method). In terms of numbers my best season on the crucian front for 6 years. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1079-2021-june/ Best Grayling, 2lb 13oz. 10 November, River Frome, Wool. Trotted Maggot. Yet again my annual quest for a 3lber was pretty much wiped out by the weather. Managed 2 trips to Dorset before the rains came… This was caught on the first of those and is my 3rd= best lady. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1144-10-november/ Best Roach, 1lb 6oz. 20 June, Harris Lake – Marsh Farm, Nr Godalming. Float Fished Maggot (lift method). Marsh Farm has a very pleasant habit of throwing up the odd decent roach so wasn’t unduly surprised by this. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1079-2021-june/

End of Season Round-up. So endeth another season – quantity not quality rather sums it up. Best ever season for fish over lb, yet few ‘stand-out’ captures and no PBs. Summer and autumn was a real grueller on the barbel front and I had my worst return (5 fish) since the 78/79 season despite putting in quite a few rod hours. The news that there’s been a modest barbel stocking into one of my club’s section of the Kennet was thus very welcome. Summer was punctuated with monthly trips over to Godalming for tench and crucians though the need for this may diminish in future seasons with the development of a crucian only water by one of my clubs. The winter was mainly benign and for the 3rd year running I had over 100, lb+ chub. Best Carp, 9lb 7oz. 15 August. NAA Still water, Widmead. Method feeder, Snailz Boilie (no picture). I do very little deliberate carp fishing – and usually try and avoid them in the summer in favour of other species. The ploy worked rather too well this season – my first for 5 years without a double. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1221-1516-august/ Best Barbel, 8lb 14oz. 1 October. River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. Ledgered 14mm Halibuts. At last! Biggest of 3 that evening (60% of my season’s total) from a swim I last fished in 2010. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1237-1-october/ Best Pike, 6lb 13oz. 26 January. River Kennet, Nr Newbury (no picture). http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1275-26-january/ Best Tench, 5lb 14oz. 4 August. Johnson’s Lake, Godalming. Ledgered Cockle. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1215-45-august/ Best Chub, 5lb 11oz. 12 March. K&A Canal(flowing), Thatcham. Trotted Maggot. Probably my most ‘satisfying’ fish of the entire season. New swim on a rarely fished venue and just after I’d scaled down to a size 18 (I was expecting to catch dace!) http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1285-12-march/ Best Perch, 3lb 10oz. 1 November. River Kennet, Thatcham. Trotted Maggot. In 13/14 season this swim produced a string of good chub and perch (chub to nearly 6lb and perch over 4lb). Last November when I caught this fantastic stripey it looked like producing the goods again. Alas, this was the last decent fish I had from it (apart from a rather bizarre 1lb 10oz grayling) until a 4lb 14oz chub in the last week of the season. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1245-1-november/ Best Crucian, 2lb 15oz. 28 July. Harris Lake, Godalming. Float fished chopped prawn. Last summer Paul and I decided we’d target Johnson’s a bit more for a really big crucian and whilst it paid off for Paul with a number of 3lbers my best from there was ‘only’ 2lb 13oz – bettered by 2oz with this Harris fish. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1213-2728-july/ Best Grayling, 2lb 6oz. 10 October. Southern Chalkstream . Trotted red maggot. Whilst the Dorset Frome was fishable most of the winter – for the first time in 3 seasons, it didn’t produce any really impressive lady’s (to me at least – the beat did do a couple of 3lbers). I did have a smattering of low 2lbers from the Frome but my best of the season was this fish – from a venue that has to remain anonymous!http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1240-10-october/ Best Roach, 1lb 2oz. 11 March. River Kennet, Nr Newbury. Trotted maggot. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1284-11-march/ Best Rudd, 1lb 1oz. 4 August. Johnson’s Lake, Godalming. Ledgered Cockle. (Biggest Rudd in 18 years and I don’t take its portrait – doh!) http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1215-45-august/ Best Dace, 14oz. 18 January. Kennet Carrier, Nr Kintbury. Trotted maggot. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1273-18-january/

Best Carp; 17lb 14oz, 11/07/15. Free-lined bread. NAA Still water, Thatcham. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1311-1011-july/ Best Barbel; 11lb 7oz, 30/07/15. Ledgered halibut pellet. River Kennet, Nr Thatcham. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1321-30-july-part-2/ Best Tench; 7lb 6oz, 19/6/15. Float fished prawn section. Johnsons Lake, Milford. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1303-1819-june/ Best Brown Trout; 6lb 2oz, 11/3/16. Float fished roach deadbait, K&A Canal, Thatcham. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1385-11-march/ Best Chub; 5lb 13oz, 1/8/15. Trotted maggot, River Kennet, Newbury. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1322-1-august/ Best Pike; 4lb 3oz, 10/12/15. Float fished lob worm. K&A Canal, Thatcham. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1357-10-december/ (No Pic!) Best Perch; 3lb 12oz, 29/1/16. Float fished lob worm. K&A Canal, Thatcham. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1374-29-january/ Best Crucian; 3lb 1oz, 19/6/15. Float fished meat. Johnsons Lake, Milford. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1303-1819-june/ Best Grayling; 2lb 5oz, 13/2/16. Trotted red corn. Lower Itchen Fishery. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1377-13-february/ Best Eel; 2lb 1oz (new PB), 12/6/15. Ledgered prawn, Mill Farm. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1299-12-june/ Best Roach; 1lb 2oz, 24/10/15. Float fished maggot, K&A Canal, Avington. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1344-24-october/ Best Dace; 13oz , 31/12/15. Trotted maggot, Kennet Carrier, Kintbury. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/blog/82/entry-1366-31-december/