Only three weeks

[Rusty]

It’s not long before we can once again fish as God intended so lube your ‘pins and post your plans here. I bought some breathable waders earlier in the year which makes June paddling a distinct possibility (not so with neoprenes) so I think I’ll kick off the new season at this swim on the Saturday;

 

 

Target species will be barbel, I think they’ll be there because I’ve encountered them on most occasions that I’ve fished this swim but they’re definitely winning the hooked versus landed battle.

[Dick Dastardly]

Looks great Chris,Im very envious.

[Chris Plumb]

Only caught grayling the one time I fished it last year - hope they're still around should be well over 1lb by now....

 

 

C.

[Anthony78]

It’s not long before we can once again fish as God intended so lube your ‘pins and post your plans here. I bought some breathable waders earlier in the year which makes June paddling a distinct possibility (not so with neoprenes) so I think I’ll kick off the new season at this swim on the Saturday;

 

 

Target species will be barbel, I think they’ll be there because I’ve encountered them on most occasions that I’ve fished this swim but they’re definitely winning the hooked versus landed battle.

 

Looks great but this year I've decided to resist temptation! I've made the decision that I'm going to ignore the rivers for the first couple of weeks mainly due to the dissapointing opening day sessions we've had in recent years. Instead I've decided to book myself and my fishing partner a punt down at Blenheim Palace. I've never fished there before and as they still have the traditional close season in place I'm hoping that we'll still get that opening day buzz.

 

Can't wait!!!

 

Ant

[Ken L]

I'm looking forward to finally getting out on a proper river this weekend as the Severn fines down to a fishable level. Probably still to high for the fly rod though.

Once the coarse season opens up, I have a couple of bait fishing sessions planned but they'll be one offs as June and July are mainly about spin and fly fishing for me - albeit with a wider range of methods and species from the 16th.

I'll start using the trotting gear as the season rolls on and the fish are a little more attuned to bait.

[Rusty]

Looks great but this year I've decided to resist temptation! I've made the decision that I'm going to ignore the rivers for the first couple of weeks mainly due to the dissapointing opening day sessions we've had in recent years. Instead I've decided to book myself and my fishing partner a punt down at Blenheim Palace. I've never fished there before and as they still have the traditional close season in place I'm hoping that we'll still get that opening day buzz.

 

Can't wait!!!

 

Ant

 

I know what you mean about the anti climax of the opening day Ant, my expectation is that I'll be fishing running water so I'll leave it at that.

 

You'll enjoy Blenheim, Steve (JV44) and I blanked there a couple of years ago and it was a great day out. The punts are very good and are plenty big enough for two, do make sure that you check the storage compartments before you launch your chosen vessel, we found that some of them were full of water and you don't really want bailing out to be the first task of the day. I think you can hire lifejackets, that would be a sensible thing to do.

[Mark87]

I'm going drop-shotting on the River Thames. Hopefully there's a big Perch with my name on it.

 

As you said, June 16th falls on a saturday this year, so I expect to see plenty of people out on the bank.

[Dick Dastardly]

Looks great but this year I've decided to resist temptation! I've made the decision that I'm going to ignore the rivers for the first couple of weeks mainly due to the dissapointing opening day sessions we've had in recent years. Instead I've decided to book myself and my fishing partner a punt down at Blenheim Palace. I've never fished there before and as they still have the traditional close season in place I'm hoping that we'll still get that opening day buzz.

 

Can't wait!!!

 

Ant

 

 

Sounds good as well! Is it expensive Ant?

[BoldBear]

That looks a smashing stretch of river Rusty; just crying out 'Barbel' I bet you will be straining at the bit waiting for open day.

 

I will be starting off on this river/stream (see photo below) but a slightly wider stretch less than 500 yards downstream.

 

 

My target will be Barbel and Chub, and I want to catch a Barbel on my new 15ft Hardy Marksman specialist float rod that I received for my early retirement gift; partnering the rod with a Sheffield centrepin and a stick or Avon float.

 

Then just before dusk I will be moving up to the place where the picture above was taken and fishing into the late evening on the link leger hoping for some slightly larger Barbel which are usually there.

Edited May 24, 2012 by BoldBear

[JV44]

I'm going drop-shotting on the River Thames. Hopefully there's a big Perch with my name on it.

 

As you said, June 16th falls on a saturday this year, so I expect to see plenty of people out on the bank.

 

 

Which section mark?? may be able to give you a wave as we cruise by Steve.