This week has seen the weather change to a Mediterranean climate so I planned for an early start. I was out the house and at Lymmvale by 5.20am. I arrived to find 4 cars in the car park and the swim by the hut taken! I chose to fish the next peg round the corner.
I set up the usual two rods:
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, 2oz inline maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Drennan specialist barbel hook
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, inline finned method feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S10 Korum S3 hook
I spombed out some maggots to my left and away we went, maggot/corn cocktail one one rod and double fake corn on the other with a scalded pellet mix on the method feeder.
I settled back and enjoyed an early morning cuppa, occasionally disturbed by the odd bleep! But by about 7.00 all went quiet. Changed baits, tried pop up boilies, casters....still all quiet....8.30.....no change.....the sun is trying hard to put in an appearance but no action on the rods yet!!!
At 10.00am I decided to move to the hut swim and see if the fish were there....then I waited...... & waited.......1st run at 10.45.....struck....nothing there!!!!!...then waited.....until....another run...
First fish of the day at 11.00am just as the sun is burning off the clouds, a male tench of 4-03 on the maggot feeder rod falling to a corn/maggot cocktail.
I had no further bites over the next couple of hours. As the sun broke through the day really warmed up and lots of Carp were cruising, some looking to mate others just cruising. I threw a few pop ups in and after a while got the odd fish feeding, so I cobbled up a floater rig:
1.75 T/C, 12lb main, crystal waggler, 8lb gamma hooklink, S12 Guru QM1 hook
I spent 25mins whilst packing up with no luck so I moved further round the corner and after a further 20 mins hooked into a Carp, after a long fight, I landed a beautiful Mirror Carp.
After regaining my breath I weighed he fish only for the scales to bottom out easily at 15lb, very frustrating as I have been thinking of getting some digital scales. So I thought I better take a photo, I set the camera up on top of my ruckbag only for me to loose the fish when picking it out of the net, bugger! I am estimating the weight at 17lb, but it could have been more!!
Packed up after this and headed for home after an interesting session. This was the first time I have used Guru QM1 hooks and they performed very well. I will definitely keep using them.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Lymmvale - May 17th - Finally more than one fish!
The usual start to the day....slept in past my alam and woke up at 7.15....raining again...rolled over in bed to contemplate...decided to go fishing.
Arrived about 8.15 am, one other angler on the water fishing the Steps swim, I chose the swim by the hut again, very confident in the maggot/corn combo after last time.
I set up the usual two rods:
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, 2oz inline maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 specialist barbel hook
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, inline method feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S10 Gamakatsu wide gape hook
I spombed out some maggots to my left and away we went, maggot/corn cocktail one one rod and double fake corn on the other with a scalded pellet mix on the method feeder.
Today I had decided to bring a camping stove and kettle so that I could make a nice cuppa, only problem was that I forgot to bring any milk so I had to make do with coffee. The kettle came in handy to make up scalded pellets though.
I had a little time to watch the swans
The first fish came at 10.00am on the fake corn, a nice male tench of 4-15 then there was a period of calm.
Then I somehow managed to miss a screamer on corn, pulling out of the fish, again! A second fish came to corn, a female of 4-01, quickly followed by another pull out!! I changed to a Korum S3 S14 hook.
I also re spombed with maggots to my left at 12.00.
A third fish again fell to the corn, a smaller 3lb female and finally a fourth fell to corn again, 3-08 male fish
I switched the other rod over to corn & method feeder for the last 45 minutes after having no bites with the maggot feeder, with no further action I packed up in time to get back to Holmes Chapel to pick Tristan up.
I finally seem to be making progree at Lymmvale, that's probably given it the kiss off death!!
The weather forecast looks like it will warm up next week which should improve the fishing.
Arrived about 8.15 am, one other angler on the water fishing the Steps swim, I chose the swim by the hut again, very confident in the maggot/corn combo after last time.
I set up the usual two rods:
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, 2oz inline maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 specialist barbel hook
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, inline method feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S10 Gamakatsu wide gape hook
I spombed out some maggots to my left and away we went, maggot/corn cocktail one one rod and double fake corn on the other with a scalded pellet mix on the method feeder.
Today I had decided to bring a camping stove and kettle so that I could make a nice cuppa, only problem was that I forgot to bring any milk so I had to make do with coffee. The kettle came in handy to make up scalded pellets though.
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| The family out for a swim |
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| Come on lets go for a swim. |
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| There food down there!! |
The first fish came at 10.00am on the fake corn, a nice male tench of 4-15 then there was a period of calm.
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| 4-14 Male Tench, nice way to start the day. |
Then I somehow managed to miss a screamer on corn, pulling out of the fish, again! A second fish came to corn, a female of 4-01, quickly followed by another pull out!! I changed to a Korum S3 S14 hook.
I also re spombed with maggots to my left at 12.00.
A third fish again fell to the corn, a smaller 3lb female and finally a fourth fell to corn again, 3-08 male fish
I switched the other rod over to corn & method feeder for the last 45 minutes after having no bites with the maggot feeder, with no further action I packed up in time to get back to Holmes Chapel to pick Tristan up.
I finally seem to be making progree at Lymmvale, that's probably given it the kiss off death!!
The weather forecast looks like it will warm up next week which should improve the fishing.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Lymmvale - May 15th - A new PB Tench
What a frustrating day, but a successful outing in the end!
I keep focusing on Lymmvale because of the head of fish that is in it, with my target this spring being to catch some larger Tench, the few fish I have had so far keep me striving to be more successful.
I set off at about 7.00 am in a light drizzle, which got worse as I neared Lymmvale. I was the only person there so I had the choice of any swim, I chose the peg in front of the Hut as I know this swim has produced plenty of fish this season.
I had prepared a scalded pellet mix the night before to use on the method feeder and this was fished on my RHS rod just past the overhanging tree, on the other rod I used a maggot feeder with a heli rig and a corn and maggot cocktail bait, per the latest edition of IYCF, this was fished about 15m out.
I set up two rods, I am starting to like the Gamma co polymer main line, seems to be very smooth!
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, Heli rig & 2oz maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S12 super specialist
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, inline stonz, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
When I was setting up the lake was flat calm but the wind picked up and the showers and squalls started to pass through. I was really struggling to get any action on either rod. I swapped bits around with no luck.
John Stubbs turned up at about 11.00am, I baited up both swims, using the mini spomb for the first time, and headed up to the hut for a cup of tea and a chat with John.
After settling back in the weather deteriorated further with a thunderstorm, lightening and a hailstorm all passing through before the wind shifted round to be in my face.
At around 13.30 I had a take on the maggots feeder which I unfortunately pulled out of!, I decided to switch over to an inline rig rather than the helicopter rig. I had two further takes on the maggot feeder which I somehow managed to pull out of.....very frustrating!!!
I re rigged the method feeder rod with an inline large 2.75oz maggot feeder and corn/maggot cocktail and cast into the same area as the other rod.
Just as I was packing up I had another take on the second maggot feeder rod, this time after a good scrap and managing to get my landing net out of my rod bag, I landed a lovely 5-12 female tench...a new PB!
After weighing and a photo I packed up and headed for home, in more rain, contemplating how I managed to pull out of three fish!
The rig that caused the pull outs was using a Drennan Super Specialist S12 hook with hair rigged corn/maggot, the other rig used a similar rig but with a Drennan Barbel Specialist S14 hook. My feeling is that the super specialist hooks have too narrow a gape for use with a hair. Next time out I will use the barbel hooks and try out some Korum S3's and maybe some QM1's.
I keep focusing on Lymmvale because of the head of fish that is in it, with my target this spring being to catch some larger Tench, the few fish I have had so far keep me striving to be more successful.
I set off at about 7.00 am in a light drizzle, which got worse as I neared Lymmvale. I was the only person there so I had the choice of any swim, I chose the peg in front of the Hut as I know this swim has produced plenty of fish this season.
I had prepared a scalded pellet mix the night before to use on the method feeder and this was fished on my RHS rod just past the overhanging tree, on the other rod I used a maggot feeder with a heli rig and a corn and maggot cocktail bait, per the latest edition of IYCF, this was fished about 15m out.
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| Fake corn mounted on a S16 hook |
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| Maggots added to hook |
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, Heli rig & 2oz maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S12 super specialist
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, inline stonz, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
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| Even the ducks were looking for shelter!! |
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| Mother and her 5 cygnets |
John Stubbs turned up at about 11.00am, I baited up both swims, using the mini spomb for the first time, and headed up to the hut for a cup of tea and a chat with John.
After settling back in the weather deteriorated further with a thunderstorm, lightening and a hailstorm all passing through before the wind shifted round to be in my face.
At around 13.30 I had a take on the maggots feeder which I unfortunately pulled out of!, I decided to switch over to an inline rig rather than the helicopter rig. I had two further takes on the maggot feeder which I somehow managed to pull out of.....very frustrating!!!
I re rigged the method feeder rod with an inline large 2.75oz maggot feeder and corn/maggot cocktail and cast into the same area as the other rod.
Just as I was packing up I had another take on the second maggot feeder rod, this time after a good scrap and managing to get my landing net out of my rod bag, I landed a lovely 5-12 female tench...a new PB!
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| A new PB - 5lb 12oz |
After weighing and a photo I packed up and headed for home, in more rain, contemplating how I managed to pull out of three fish!
The rig that caused the pull outs was using a Drennan Super Specialist S12 hook with hair rigged corn/maggot, the other rig used a similar rig but with a Drennan Barbel Specialist S14 hook. My feeling is that the super specialist hooks have too narrow a gape for use with a hair. Next time out I will use the barbel hooks and try out some Korum S3's and maybe some QM1's.
Lymmvale - April 10th
Lymmvale - 10th May
Back to Lymmvale in pursuit of a pb Tench.
Usual start to the day, slept in again, so I arrived at 7.30 am to find the Car Park and Corner swim occupied, but no fish caught. I decided to fish on the west bank opposite the Steps and into the face of the southerly wind. Hopefully the fish will follow the wind!!
I set up two rods, with reels freshly spooled up with Gamma Copolymer line:
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, inline maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, finned method feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
I cast around to find a clear area, at about 35m, in line with the steps, and used a Spomb to bait up with a mix of hemp, maggots & s-pellets.
I fished fake maggots and casters on the maggot feeder rod and corn and pop up boilies on the method feeder rod.
I had no bites between 8.30 and 12.30, so I went for a mooch round, the chap in the corner pegs was landing a nice tench as I passed by, his second of the day, on luncheon meat fished on a flat bed method feeder very close in. The two chaps in the Car Park swim had not caught anything.
I decided to move into a peg in the corner, which was more sheltered. I switched to a flat bed method feeder on one rod with two pieces of fake corn, the other stayed on maggot both fished much closer in.
I had one fish, on corn, which put up a good scrap and weighed in at 5-0lb.
No more bites over the next hour so I packed up and went home.
Lymmvale - 3rd May
Back to Lymmvale in pursuit of a pb Tench.
Usual start to the day, slept in again, so I arrived at 7.30 am to find the Car Park and Corner swim occupied, but no fish caught. I decided to fish on the west bank opposite the Steps and into the face of the southerly wind. Hopefully the fish will follow the wind!!
I set up two rods, with reels freshly spooled up with Gamma Copolymer line:
1.25 T/C, 8lb main, inline maggot feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
1.50 T/C, 8lb main, finned method feeder, 10lb braid hooklink, S14 Specialist Barbel Hook
I cast around to find a clear area, at about 35m, in line with the steps, and used a Spomb to bait up with a mix of hemp, maggots & s-pellets.
I fished fake maggots and casters on the maggot feeder rod and corn and pop up boilies on the method feeder rod.
I had no bites between 8.30 and 12.30, so I went for a mooch round, the chap in the corner pegs was landing a nice tench as I passed by, his second of the day, on luncheon meat fished on a flat bed method feeder very close in. The two chaps in the Car Park swim had not caught anything.
I decided to move into a peg in the corner, which was more sheltered. I switched to a flat bed method feeder on one rod with two pieces of fake corn, the other stayed on maggot both fished much closer in.
I had one fish, on corn, which put up a good scrap and weighed in at 5-0lb.
No more bites over the next hour so I packed up and went home.
Lymmvale - 3rd May
Woodside Pool - May 1st - A windy dreary day
I thought that I would give Woodside Pool a try after reading some positive reports.
I arrived at 7.30am on a very windy and blustery day, I chose the last peg at the far end of the pool were it was very sheltered.
It is a very pretty pool, but a little bit too close to the main road:
I set up a float rod, with insert waggler and fished close to an overhanging bush in about 4' of water.
Clearly this was the hot spot as there were about half a dozen floats hanging in the tree. It would have been ideal for a pole, especially given the lightening bites, however the peg was cut into the bank so there was no room behind for a pole.
Fishing with maggot and caster brought a bite a chuck, very hard to hit, from roach & rudd. Switching to corn or pellets did not bring any bites.
I had some very noisey companions for the day who also liked my loose feed.
I ended up with a load of roach, rudd and the odd skimmer and left at 14.00 to go home and warm up.
I arrived at 7.30am on a very windy and blustery day, I chose the last peg at the far end of the pool were it was very sheltered.
It is a very pretty pool, but a little bit too close to the main road:
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| Looking right |
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| Looking left |
I set up a float rod, with insert waggler and fished close to an overhanging bush in about 4' of water.
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| Spot the floats |
Clearly this was the hot spot as there were about half a dozen floats hanging in the tree. It would have been ideal for a pole, especially given the lightening bites, however the peg was cut into the bank so there was no room behind for a pole.
Fishing with maggot and caster brought a bite a chuck, very hard to hit, from roach & rudd. Switching to corn or pellets did not bring any bites.
I had some very noisey companions for the day who also liked my loose feed.
I ended up with a load of roach, rudd and the odd skimmer and left at 14.00 to go home and warm up.
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