Chubbing

[Anderoo]

I had one! Such a long time coming, I can't tell you how pleased I am.

 

I had a bite in swim no. 2, which was a little gap between hawthorns, with some pretty nasty near-bank snags. The fish got stuck immediately but I eventually dislodged it with a lot of pulling a bit of luck, and was quite surprised to net a little one, about 2lb. Still, it was a bite, and more action I've had there in a couple of years!

 

I thought it probably wasn't worth another cast after all the disturbance but decided to have a quick one anyway, just in case. Amazingly I had another bite quite quickly, surprising as I was only fishing a rod-length out. I was expecting another little one but actually it went all solid and something much bigger started pulling back. I kept it on a very short line and held on to keep it out of the hawthorns, but even so it still managed to get stuck under my feet in some vegetation. Luckily I managed to heave it out and into the net. Phew...!

 

This was a big looking chub - definitely 6+ despite it being pretty empty. It had such a big frame. On the scales it went 6lb 9oz, and with a full belly I really wouldn't like to guess what it could weigh.

 

After that I thought I should stay on after dark and keep trying, but normal service soon resumed and nothing else happened.

 

So after all this time I finally got to meet one of these elusive residents! Even though the fish last week from the other stretch was a bit bigger, this one means so much more to me. I don't think I've ever deserved a fish as much as this one.

 

Makes me wonder what else is mooching around in all that empty water...

 

[Steve Burke]

Well done, and well deserved! Congratrulations, Andrew!

[JV44]

Look at the tail on that cracking fish ,gonna have a go tomorrow after rounding up some bread first inspired now face

[Anderoo]

Thanks Steve and Steve

 

The solution to baiting up with bread in deep flowing water was embarrassingly simple in the end - just use a big gripmesh feeder instead of balling it in. D'oh!

[JV44]

Thanks Steve and Steve

 

The solution to baiting up with bread in deep flowing water was embarrassingly simple in the end - just use a big gripmesh feeder instead of balling it in. D'oh!

Anderoo I made some of my own just for that ....not that successfully as it happens for that purpose but that is what I had in mind for my bread attack....what sort of weight out of interest?? have a bit of the Thames same as you mention deep water that has just come onto the horizon so will hopefully be trying there soon

[Anderoo]

I think they're 30g Steve.

[Matthew Simmons]

Nice work Anderoo - beautiful Thames chub! I would definitely say you've earned it! M

[Anderoo]

Thanks Matthew, I'm still smiling about it today

[robtherake]

Wow and double wow. If I'd caught a chub that big I'd do a little dance every time it came to mind! Congratulations - it looks like your persistence is finally paying off.

[Anderoo]

Thanks rob, I have to keep stopping myself!

 

That one is 6cm longer than the heavier one and despite its big frame was really empty. I don't think the heavier one could weigh much more (although a couple of oz would be nice ) but this one has serious potential, and I think finally proves the potential of this hard stretch to throw up a possible monster. In the pic the tail is folded up towards the camera so it's hard to see its extra length. I bet it's not the biggest one there... I just hope I don't have to wait another 3 years for the next one!