UKCF Anglers.

[Simon Bolivar]

Update: Today's the 'traditional' start of the Pike season & I was at the gate by 06:30, for a 07:30 start. Big queue to get in & a scramble to get a decent swim. A couple of our Eastern European members jumped the official start & grabbed the swim I wanted (as members, they do put the fish back but will cast into your swim - from both sides). I bided my time in the next swim, knowing these guys would soon be on the move. 20mins later, they indeed moved on, having thrashed te swim with lures & flies. Undaunted, I moved in & cast my own lures.

I always carry 2 rods, one a light spinning rod, the other a med heavy jerkbait rod. The water is still very low for this time of yr but better than just a fortnight ago. And the recent rain has tinged it slightly. I tried a wee plastic jerkbait with a rattle, one I found with rusted hooks, changed them yesterday for a fresh set & thought the lucky find might lead to my first fish. Frankly, as the first guy in the queue said to me this morning, I just need one to make the opening day a success, I agreed.

Despite its wicked action, no joy. I tried a small spinner, thinking even though some were chucking 120gm rubber lures, a smaller, lighter approach should pay off on such a narrow beat. Ha! Nope, only when I switched to an 8" + rubber tail jerkbait did I get a hit! And a great take it was too; took line off my multipier, which has a firmly tightened clutch. A lean, strong fish weighing in just under the double figure. Chuffed, success by 08:00.

I moved on & 50mins later, had another on an inline spinnerbait, approx 5lb jack. Both fish fell to lures I hadn't caught on before - which is always nice, after carrying them around for several yrs.

Went back to the carp park to pick up my & coffee, when to my disappointment, I found I'd left my cigars at home! Will have to celebrate this afternoon.

Had a further take, stole the rubber tail of my jointed lure, didn't even feel it. There be monsters!
Anyone out there today?

[Simon Bolivar]

The Hants Avon & the Dorest Stour both hold decent numbers of barbel from a couple of pounds to 17lb+. Both avail on day ticket. I'll give you a shout if I actually catch one & water levels & weed are good.

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[gav_sw20]

Sounds like a cra king good time. Looking for my first Barbel this season.

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I’ll definitely return later in the season when the weathers more suited for fishing.

Not long until the rivers open up, does your local river have many Barbel in do you know ?

I’ve got a River Wye book this year with HDAA as I’m bored of only catching two fish a season on my local stretch of the Warks Avon. I’m allowed x4 guests a season and you’d be more than welcome to join me if you’d like.

[Simon Bolivar]

Another Carp day for me today. Took only 10mins to catch this 14lb 05!

Had a couple of Tench & 5 smaller Carp. Celebrated with a wee Party, which I thought was a Short, when I grabbed it this morning. Turned out it was a 80's Royales!

What a superb smoke. So much so stopped fishing for the hour, I smoked it.

Post luncheon, I smoked another vintage smoke, an RGCX 2007. My fav RG, very underrated IMHO. Well worth trying if you ever get the chance.

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[Simon Bolivar]

A weekends fishing on the River Meuse for me and the better half.

Had a carp earlier today and a decent sized Barbel (target species).

Beautiful little town (Fumay) but literally everything shuts at 9pm. Came out for a few beers earlier with plan to have a D4 at home with some wine and a pizza but there's bugger-all open. Bread and cheese it is then.

Sounds like a cra king good time. Looking for my first Barbel this season.

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[Simon Bolivar]

Is that an open invite 🤔

Sure, anyone who drops by to New Milton (near Christchurch), to visit the Boli Lounge can smoke a No3, maybe a du Gourmet first! And be fed & watered according to BOTL protocols!

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[gav_sw20]

A weekends fishing on the River Meuse for me and the better half.

Had a carp earlier today and a decent sized Barbel (target species).

Beautiful little town (Fumay) but literally everything shuts at 9pm. Came out for a few beers earlier with plan to have a D4 at home with some wine and a pizza but there's bugger-all open. Bread and cheese it is then.

[liles]

When you visit the Boli Lounge 😉

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Is that an open invite 🤔

[Simon Bolivar]

Well done Simon Bolivar
PS looks like you have loads of LGC3 left - come on, box split!

When you visit the Boli Lounge 😉

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[mcdee]

Well done Simon Bolivar
PS looks like you have loads of LGC3 left - come on, box split!

[Simon Bolivar]

Went Carp fishing later expected to be 20oC.

I fished the same swim as last time (where I caught 13lb'er) & used the same method feeder, with 8mm pellets. Only had to wait half an hour for the first fish, an 11lb'er.

Couple more followed until I got too hot & moved swims, to a shaded one.

Enjoyed a JLPatricia 2002, with a Waitrose 1% cider.

After lunch I noted an orange looking carpet cruise by. A lucky cast & I managed to get between trees on the opposite island.

An hr later & take. Managed to haul it away from the snags easy enough, but then it seemed to wake up & fought well, it's large tail slapping the line & surface.

It weighed 17lb 02, no one I have spoken too has caught 18 or above for several yrs. Historically, there were a couple of 20lb'ers & even 8lb Tench, sadly, also long gone.

Got home & felt a celebration was required, one of my few remaining LCG No3 was duly sacrificed, allow with a fine Negroni.

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[Simon Bolivar]

Went for a Lure session & managed a couple of jacks on an Atom spoon. A gifted lure, which has caught my benefactor Salmon & Sea Trout. One lives in hope!

[Simon Bolivar]

I don't do much carp fishing but popped down to a local lake this evening armed with some dog biscuits.

Had a good wander around with the polarised glasses on until I could spot some fish cruising around.

Saw a couple and got them feeding on the floating dog biscuits pretty quickly.

I let them build their confidence up for 90-minutes (perfect time for a cold can and a Robusto) and finally dropped my float in.

Hooked x7 fish but lost a couple as we using small hooks to balance the bait.

Great fun on light tackle and proof you don't need to spend £££'s on the latest and greatest bait.

Great fun, I only really enjoy surface feeding for Carp & dog biscuits work as well as any bait. Trouble with the water above (my last entry) was too many wild fowl to risk it. Glad you had a good session, 7 takes is pretty good session IMHO.

[gav_sw20]

I don't do much carp fishing but popped down to a local lake this evening armed with some dog biscuits.

Had a good wander around with the polarised glasses on until I could spot some fish cruising around.

Saw a couple and got them feeding on the floating dog biscuits pretty quickly.

I let them build their confidence up for 90-minutes (perfect time for a cold can and a Robusto) and finally dropped my float in.

Hooked x7 fish but lost a couple as we using small hooks to balance the bait.

Great fun on light tackle and proof you don't need to spend £££'s on the latest and greatest bait.

[Simon Bolivar]

Five months since I caught anything worth reporting here. Ended last season with just 2dbles & 8 Pike.

Was going to wait to start my new season on 1st Nay but a mate wanted to go today & he goes Offshore next week.

A new water for us, it's near Lymington. 9acres, just Carp & Tench. Looked good when I walked around last week.

Last minute, my mate bailed but having got a 'leave pass' I went anyway. Showers to start but cleared up by 09:00. I fished the Merhod, for the first time & used my new Barbel rod. Worked well, I had my first Carp in 25yrs, smoked a Hemmingway Story Story, to be fair my best N.C. of late. An N.C. version of the Divinos.

Then had my first Tench in 30yrs! A fee more Carp & after Luncheon, PLPC.

Just after 16:00, had a real runner take an 8mm pellet & took some patience to get it.in the net -13lb 14oz
Well chuffed. No doubt I'll be back!


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