March 13th - R Arun - Pulborough

I was determined to start early today and at " half past Sparrow fart " I was up and about getting to the river at dawn , and a spectacular one it was too.

I quickly made my way to the downstream end of the stretch , and the paternostered deadbait was swimming in the tide , and I treated myself to breakfast .

After a move , I had the first run of the day and a decent fish graced the net . Another falls to the 'pin !

Getting a bit bigger !

Jeff joined me and immediately was in on the action :

It was nice to be there for a feeding spree , which unfortunately ended pretty quickly . But we managed 6 Pike between us .

And so ends another river season for me . The next step is a few sessions after Perch on the club lakes then maybe a Tench on the pits . Plus of course some boat trips if Jeff will have me aboard .

I'm watching you !

March 12th 2015 - River Arun

I used to fish this particular section of the Arun a lot and had some great catches of Pike , mostly using a wobbled deadbait approach . Its strange but I rarely fish using the wobbled bait method anymore , yet it really worked well . Perhaps another thing to put on the " must do " fishing list ? Oh to have the time !

I arrived late today as I had to continue the posting programme for my E Bay sales .

On walking downstream I met up Jon who had joined us on the venue , and eventually found Jeff further down river  , who was taking it easy , reading a fishing magazine , relaxed on his chair , with buzzers and leger rigs in place ! May be retirement isn't such a bad thing !

I continued with the centrepin approach . Much to PAC colleague and fishing friend Jon's amusement , especially as I was only fishing with one rod !

I soon had a take but the run pulled line form the ratchet and the Pike dropped the bait ....lesson learned !

We soon made our way to the old weir and fished there .

Jeff soon had some fishy activity and a string of Pike turned up to his baits , but ignored mine !

The last view of many a Roach !

March 11 2015 - The " Terrier" gets a break...... Split Cane by name and nature !

After the beautiful day on the Rother , we decided that a day after Esox Lucius on the upper non tidal Arun would be the order of the day . The river here has produced some big Pike in the past and its a great place to "just be " . Following the late start yesterday I was there bright and early with the light of expectation shining brightly as it was to be the first attempt at catching a Pike on my new cane rod and centerpin combo. I had even dug out one of my favourite Fishing gazette type pike bungs for the trip .

All went well until on testing the depth on the first cast the trace snagged on an obstruction . I lifted the rod , and heard a "wooden" splintering noise . My honest first thought was " where is the tree I haven't hit a branch !" , however the truth soon dawned as the splintering sound was not a branch but the top section of the Terrier . Best laid plans ....
The damage was a split in the bamboo just above the ferrule , and appeared to be fixable . However with no rod , a trip home to collect a new rod was the next hurdle to overcome .
When I eventually returned to the river , Jeff had arrived and I met up with him to explain my predicament .
The new set up of a favourite Carbon Pike rod and centerpin handled well , and I was soon looking forward to catching . Amazing what a quick sit down and cherry bakewell in good company and fine surroundings can do to your mood !

 To keep the cake theme moving the Cherry was soon a top of the cake with a nice Pike falling to my centrepin approach . I do like using a 'pin and the G and Y Ejecta 2 was behaving well . I think I will soon have the cast off the drum mastered .

Jeff soon joined in the fun with a couple of small Pike too.
Time to consult the Traditional Fishing Forum for some fixing advice for the Terrier !

March 10th 2015 - River Rother

I was a bit late joining Jeff on the river today . I have been having a tackle clear out . In part to clear some space , but also to pay for the "new/old" tackle that seems to be taking over the fishing shed ! So I spent the first part of the morning wrapping up parcels and rod tubes then waiting in the queue at the Post Office . I was not very popular , with my 20 plus parcels and rod tubes I can tell you !

The Rother looked fantastic when I finally got there . A long walk upstream found Jeff , Pike fishing a likely looking bend and slack , where he had just had a 9lb Pike . Things were looking good .

 Trotting for Pike .

 

I moved a few times and eventually the cane tip of my MkVI pulled round to the tune of a 4 lb Chub .

The day ended with no more fish to either of us . But what a lovely day !

 

March 9th 2015 - River Arun

We decided to try out some sections of rivers that we don't normally fish and today was a non tidal section of the Arun .

Lots of overhanging trees and flood rafts to whet the appetite . Shame it was mine , and not the Chub !

Not the easiest of rivers to access due to the steep banks .

We walked the banks and tried hard but I blanked ! Jeff dropped a small chub and caught a small roach or two .

But I was happy to use the cane rod and try out the Abu . Ideal !

Is a Vintage Tackle Fayre , Fair ?

Well it had to happen . A trip to the Romsey Tackle Fair seemed a good idea until the number of items I wanted to buy seemed to rise exponentially with the more tackle sellers I met !

The first thing to leap into my hand was a Mk VI Avon . I have always wanted one and ended up with two ! One in glass and one in cane .

The next was an Abu 40 . A bargain in really good nick too .

 

 And here they are in action together .

On riffling through one of the bargain bins I found this :

It again was a bargain , and initially was not in a good working order . However Jeff the " pin meister " quickly had it sprayed with WD40 , cleaned oiled and adjusted and it was running like new ! Thanks Jeff !

So the plan for the coming end of season  week was to fish with the cane and pin and catch Chub and Pike . Well the best laid plans .....

New Old Stuff

I always try and take the last few days of the old coarse fishing season and get out and fish my favourite places . The weather usually defeats me with the past few season's end being either cold and snowing or the river in raging flood . However the forecast is looking good for the next few days .

So I have spent the last few hours getting things ready for the marathon session next week will bring !

The new Rapidex has fresh line on it :

Also re spooled with line is the ABU 54 , all ready for a go at the Chub on the Rother

 

 Also this is a recent e bay purchase . I loved the " Fishing Step  by Step " series when I was a kid . So it was great to get this to complete the series , a bargain in my view for a couple of quid . This book was still in the era of potato baits . Now there is a thing catching a fish on a spud ! However have you ever tried to eat those tinned spuds , maybe the best use for them I as fish food ! I really fancy having a go for a Carp with the " Old School " set up of a freelined bait , and silent approach . roll on the summer ! No hair rigs and bolt rigs for me then !

A New Purchase

 I always wanted one of these when I was a kid . So I couldn't resist the offer on E bay .

I like the Efgeeco stuff , and looking through my shed I have a few bits to complement the bag . It will get used next week , could be perfect for a roving Chub river trip !

X or hex marks the Spot ! The Terrier is let out for the first time .

I have been on the look out for a photo opportunity of crossed plane trails for a while . This occurred directly above where I was fishing . A lucky charm or a hex ? Then it happened again later in the day !

 

 Well one of the cane rods I had ordered arrived in time for my end of season holiday . Apparently the courier has lost the contents of the tube containing my other two lovely cane rods ! But the seller is being very helpful so hopefully all will be well soon .

However the one rod that did arrive is a Carp rod of questionable vintage and origin . So its been christened the"  Terrier "  , in line with the questionable parentage of some of the dogs I have met in the past of that ilk !

Its a " pokey " beast the Terrier and it sits nicely in the hand with my favourite Arnold Kingpin . So the next step is to Christen it properly with a fish or two  . Next week it will be put out to chase down a few Pike as well .

Unfortunately the fish didn't come to play for me but Jeff managed two , of which this is the best at 12Lbs.

However I went back the next day and tried again .

 Everything looked good , and the float looked great reflected in the surface . " pleasing in appearance etc etc "

Again unfortunately the fish didn't want to play . But the birdlife was out in force .

I think he developed a taste for the maggots !
These club lakes have a flock of noisy Canada geese. I must admit I have never seen one swim upside down before !