UKCF Anglers.

[Simon Bolivar]

Simon's Fishy Hols2: Day 4 So finally on the Friday things started to pick up. I'd like to say my financial outlay on sardine on half a dozen kilos was bringing rewards but to be honest I only caught one fish that was spewing chunks these up; they just weren't on the areas they usually are at this time of year. They had left the spawning areas & were more generally spread out over at least 2/3 of the Logh. Had 9 fish today no dbles but had the best days total so far - 57lb. Making the most of the glaring sunlight I had a ERDM NL 2011, these have some along, wasn't impressed on release. Followed by a Party SdConNo3, as fine & dependable as ever. I had to go into town to get extra supplies & beer! Took the pic of Andy in the boat as I disappeared over the hill. The bivvies were from a Glaswegian bunch who stayed for 4 nights & fished the same swim all the time, must have carp'ers blood ;o)
The last pics are of a wee jack, caught whilst smoking, rarely did I manage to finish a cigar without getting a run or two.

[Johnny Thunder]

Fantastic report Simon. It sounds like conditions were seriously against you.
You adapted to the situation though. And them smokes look great.
I would love to get hold of a gold band Fundadores.
Looking forward to the next instalment.

[Simon Bolivar]

Simon's Fishy Hols1: I promised earlier today to post some pics from my hols to the Isle of Bute at the beginning of June. Hadn't been able to post at home as I haven't figured out how to compress the photos there, as for some reason I can't post uncompressed photos any more (used too!).
So he's the first few. 1 &2, Hoyo PR 2007 on the first afternoon on the water. The weather was unseasonable warm, with cloudless skies, that remained for nearly the whole week. Not great for pike fishing but whatcha gonna do? Spent most of the afternoon, rowing around, putting in pre-bait (chopped up sardines ) & checking out my old swims. The weed was up more than last year so casting from the bank was very difficult but using the boat was the answer then I could cast to the weed. A modest start, 6lb, 7lb & a 4lb'er all on deadbaits. Next day things picked up with with an early start & I had 7 Pike, again all on DB including 7, 8, 9 & my first dble @ 10lb.Had a Party Short 2007. Day 3 & my friend Andy from the Isle joined me for a 3 day session, he camped out on the Loch. Obviously because he's a real fisherman, who's not bothered by the midges & has a fine strong back, that can cope with rowing all day & sleeping on a bed chair for 2 nights in a row. Me, I had paid for a self catering flat & used it. Well he is 20yrs younger than me! That's him with the decent fish. We went out in a boat together & I had a real scrapper, took me under the boat three times & had my 3lb test curve rod bent dble; we were convinced it was an upper dble but the scales only said 10lbs. Just a really hard post spawn fighting Scottish 10dble. Andy was sure it should have been 13/14lb but we went with the scales. However a day or so later my scales started making even more obvious errors so I paid for a new P3 battery (had to buy a pair) & 24hrs later it died completely. So maybe they were wrong on the day but I kept my records at 10lbs. Glad it wasn't a borderline 20lb'er though!!! To celebrate that evening I smoked a Gold Label Fundy from young Tommy, many thanks again - wonderful smoke, tragic they changed the blend with the new label. Kept putting the pre-bait in & hoping the action will pickup on Day 4, as I am well behind on previous years in number & weight.

[Johnny Thunder]

[Simon Bolivar]

My latest session in France proved to be somewhat more difficult.
This was not just for pleasure, but was also a working party to carry out some major improvements on the lake.
Catch reports leading up to the trip basically told us where the majority of the fish were.
My mate (the lake owner) and myself decided to give the other lads the pegs at that end of the lake as a reward for the work to be done.
A couple of them had a decent week with a few nice fish caught.
I managed four fish for the week but fortunately managed to land a decent sized fish, a Common, of 45lb 4oz.
This was backed up with a Mirror of 30lb 12oz and another Common of 30lb 14oz. I also landed a 28lb Mirror that I did not photograph.


45lb 4oz Common.





The brace of 30lb'ers







And a nice sunset too

Great Pics, sounds a wonderful stay, reminds me to sort out my fishy hols photos & get compressing them so I can post them for you.
P.S. Yeah, I never bother photographing any carp under 30lb either mate

[Johnny Thunder]

I love sea bass.

[Simon G]

Cracking fish JT... Can't wait to post a few catch of my own on here. Had a few blanks lately, although due sea bass soon!!!

[Johnny Thunder]

My latest session in France proved to be somewhat more difficult.
This was not just for pleasure, but was also a working party to carry out some major improvements on the lake.
Catch reports leading up to the trip basically told us where the majority of the fish were.
My mate (the lake owner) and myself decided to give the other lads the pegs at that end of the lake as a reward for the work to be done.
A couple of them had a decent week with a few nice fish caught.
I managed four fish for the week but fortunately managed to land a decent sized fish, a Common, of 45lb 4oz.
This was backed up with a Mirror of 30lb 12oz and another Common of 30lb 14oz. I also landed a 28lb Mirror that I did not photograph.


45lb 4oz Common.





The brace of 30lb'ers







And a nice sunset too

[SHAMZ84]

Not really into fishing...but that looks huge

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Johnny Thunder]

Really looking forward to your report Simon. Well done on the fish.

[Simon Bolivar]

Congrat's Johnny! Nice brace & a 26lb'er is certainly something worth celebrating. I got back from my fishy hols on the Isle of Bute last Tues but then have been rushed of my feet since & away in England for the long weekend. I can't post pics from home so will do so when back on the rig. Suffice to say I broke many PB's but biggest pike was 12lb08. Bright sunny weather @ 22-23oC every day made it a real struggle in clear water conditions. Managed a few nice smokes & will post about them too in due course.

[TonyN]

Nice carp johnny worth getting wet for.

[Johnny Thunder]

Another decent session last week. Weather was all over the place but luckily falling pressure started one or two fish feeding.
Managed to get a little sunburned on Thursday because it was that hot and sunny. Pissed down most of Friday and Saturday
morning while packing away. Finished with two mirrors of 26lb 12oz and 17lb 6oz.

[Johnny Thunder]

Have a good week Simon.

[Simon Bolivar]

Ok, crew change day is here but getting off is far from certain. Had the fog horn on last night for over two hrs & only 0.5oC difference be Dew Point & Humidity :O( But they are flying out of Aberdeen this morning & we are clear at present. Should be off at 13:15 & hitting the beach an hour later. Can't get to the magic fishing Isle with that later flight but am hoping to get at least as far a Glasgow & then I can still make the first ferry across in the morning. I am signing off now, will be back on line Next Wednesday, to give you a day by day diary of my catches & of course some fine Havana's smoked.