Category Archives: Fishing 2015

Fishing 2015

The One That Got Away

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Fishing at my favourite local lake today for my first Tench of the season.

Arriving late, I found not a sole there, and so I had a choice of my favourite swims.

The day started very sunny, however in the shade it was quite cold. The tips of the reeds and grasses are just turning brown. It is clear autumn is close.

Fishing a rod length out, in the margins, very close to a small patch of lilies that I remember decimating last season when I got a carp lodged in them. It looks like they have recovered well.

Bite after bite I missed until I saw the float quiver, then dip, raising the rod and I was ‘into’ a fish. It moved nonchalantly too the left, not sure what was happening, I raised it too the surface to reveal a HUGE mirror carp, well over 15lb. I am sure it did not know at this stage that it was hooked. I put on a little pressure, turning the fish towards me. It was then when it realised what was happening. It turned again to the left and bolted off like an exorcet missile. The fish continued on its path to the left while the float sprang past me to the right. The line had not broken, but on inspection, my hook had bent, totally.

I am very pleased, in a way, that I did not have to do battle with this leviathan. My vintage Edgar Sealey has done battle with too many large Carp in its time, and is designed for a far gentler lifestyle.

 

Fishing 2015, Mirror Carp, Tench

First one this season

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Due to work commitments I really haven’t had any opportunity to get too my local lake this season.

I have only managed two trips, blanking on the first attempt, and loosing a fish right at the net last time I was here.

Picture of a double figure Mirror Carp in landing net along side and Edgar Sealey split cane fishing rod and vintage Allcocks Aerial Popular reel

Arriving around 06:00 I found the lake deserted. A perfect Carp Fishers dawn (Although I was really fishing for a good Tench). Fishing a single grain of corn, around one rod length from the bank. I’m not sure if my line was sitting properly, because after a short period it seemed to spook two fish that were in the swim. This is easily identifiable by a sudden underwater earthquake, followed by huge concentric ripples on the surface and more often than not, your float sitting motionless.

Non-the-less I persevered, and after about an hour the lake seemed to lift once more, but this time the Aerial reel ‘sang’. I teased the fish down the lake a little into open water as there were many snags near to where I was, steering it away from a huge reed bed where I was fishing. The fish made open water and battled well. run after run it made and when it rolled on the surface, turned out to be a good mirror carp. This was to be the only view I would get.  As it powered down again it snapped the line. Darn it!

I re-tackled with a grain of corn. re-cast, poured some tea and settled back down.

After some time the reel once again sprang into life, and the vintage rod bent over. Again after an arm-wrenching , rod creaking scrap, I eventually won the day.

What a cracking morning. The only thing to better it would have been if the Carp had been a Tench. Never mind, there is always next time.

Fishing 2015

Down On The Derwent

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Spent a cracking afternoon on the river Derwent today fishing for its famous Brown Trout.

I also wanted to try out the Edgar Sealey ‘Mayfly’ rod that I had in my collection. Very easy to use and cast, even with a set in it like a dogs hind leg.

Although I got a couple of vicious takes, I didn’t land either one, both times the fish falling off the hook. Not to worry, that’s fishing I guess.

Fishing 2015, Roach

The last day

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Well, after weeks and weeks of anticipation it is finally here, the last day of the course fishing season.

Picture of a Roach in a landing net with an Edgar Sealey Floatcaster rod with Allcocks Aerial Popular reel
Picture of a Kelly Kettle and a mug

Meeting up with friends for a river session targeting its beautiful Roach. A great variety of fish were caught and everyone had a good time. The weather was quite cold though and the wind was pushing through somewhat which made the old ‘Wallis’ cast somewhat hazardous ending in numerous tangles.