19/07/08 - River Yare - Chub

Right accross the street of my rental property, there is a walking path for evening leisure. Nothing fancy, there are few horses grazing about and river yare flow through the park.

Two days ago, I had a short session after a few minute walking into the bush through the river side up a 90 degrees bend with least weed on the river bed. It look promising. My short 1 1/2 hours fishing producing mostly perch at 1 lb plus scale. The swim look very promising for chub and a guy before me there told me he spotted big chub swimming around.

Weather today is quite chaotic. With a minute sunshine and follows by heavy showers the next. It has been this way since morning.

I just acquire a 13 foot Ron Thompson surf rod, so I had plenty of urge to go for sea fishing. With this weather, plus may mid flood seaweed and new moon, I decided not to take up the chance and waste an hour worth of driving with bait money to spare.

Thus, I decided to retun to the same spot on the river yare with a bit of tactical change. Late evening, after reading the day weather pattern I was sure that I had 1 hour gap before the rain pouring in and before it got dark. With a big slide of bread for yesterday's grocery and quiver tip rod, there I was trying my luck.

Fishing for chub I know that I have to be quite. Chances to get it to feed would much dependant on how you set up for the fishing, especially on the shallor and narrow swim. If you can't get it within a few cast, there would be no point of hanging around as the fish already spooked.

My first cast, with running small ledged before my 1 foot leader on size 12 barbless hook land hit the water without even a 'plop'. I got a bite, maybe it was only small fish about. Second cast, with bigger lump pinch tightly on the leader before the hook, I manage to cast it at the very spot with least water disturbance and noise.

I see the tip responding and after a two jerk it started to give a persistence bend. One gentle return and I hooked the fish. I was quite nerveous when I saw the fish pulling my line as I remember that I only have 4 lb worth of breaking strain leader.

So the chub scaled at 3 lb 14 oz. The biggest one so for silver scale freshwater fish for me. After that, it was only typical silver fish, daze and roach. No pike about, sky darken and colder wind blowing, I packed up and went home annd thank my wife for the bread.

I am hoping that 'summer' will return soon before it would really running out of time.

Salmon - River Eden (Cumbria) 19/05/08

River Eden - 19/05/08
This probably the only time in my life that I will have a chance to catch a wild salmon. The planned trip almost went to drain when I was told the the venue were fully book on my entire week stay in Lake District. Driving there itself (from Norwich) took me 6 hours with 2 small kids strapped on the child seat. It wasn't pleasant.
I was down to no guide salmon fishing session at the last available venue (I am sure this venue is at the bottom of the ideal venue list). Not having the right gear was another challenge.
Driving from Ullswater (where we stayed) to the river eden took about 35 minutes. I decided to start the session early at 8 am. Arriving there wasn't difficult. The river looks good. Unfortunately, the deep water side was on the side of the bank throughout. Can't really understand why I was on the side of the river.
My guide, Mr. Edwind only managed to stick around for about half an hour worth where we went through the gear and a bit of overview of the technique. I brought all kind of lures, Rapala, Sebaki, Storm, a bit of left over spinners, a travel rod, 12lb Rapala tough line matched to Shimano 4000 series spinning reel. What I did not have were fly rod, salmon flies and wader suit. Mr Edwind there kept pointing out that we were handicapped and I truly belief that what he was saying was that our chance to catch a Salmon is close to none.
Consistency however paid-off. I got my first bite on orange Rapala floaters. Did not manage to land that one but it does give me a bit of hope that we were not totally hopeless afterall. Given 2 mile strecth to fish, I was sure that I will eventually get the salmon. After pool after pool and changing lure to spinners to lures and back to spinners, finally a true bite. The take was good, the hook felt firmed. After about five minutes worth of fight, an 8 pounder were landed. I could swear that it looks much heavier. Got pike before about that size and it was measured 12lb on the scale. That was pretty much the salmon of my life. Really wish that it could be served on dinner-plate. Don't really understand why catch and release applies for this fish (before mid June).

These are what I have learnt: 1. Wader suit is friend, or else the feet got too cold. 2. Learn to fly fish. 3. Salmon does not like sunlight 4. Salmon does not eat while going up river for spawning. Bright and shiny lures and spinners work the best. 5. 12lb line is good enough. 6. Day licence (£7), fishing permit (£35)
By the way, I do think the river have a very good potential. If there is a chance for me to go back there, I would. Properly geared of course. Mr. Edwin was great. I would recommend his service to anyone. 01228560122

Trimingham, Cromer,East Anglia

8 March 2008
Fishing on ebb. Only the usual. Bunch of coddling close to 1 lb weight range. Had three good bite but the line broke just above the hook. Possibly the line has gotten too old and need replacement. Lug work best especially the black one. Condition were very very windy, really choppy water and quite a lot of weeds around. Size 6 oz lead can't hold the bait down in place.