August

"My Fishy Tales August 2003"

by Malcolm Clarke

'This is part 3 of my diary that I kept of my fishing season 2003/2004'

August That's a bit fresher

05/08/03
Having just spent 2 weeks in the heat of Grand Canaria where once again I failed in my attempt to catch a Marlin, but was fortunate enough to be onboard a boat where one was caught, and boy does that fish run Boris close for sheer power and beauty.
It was somewhat disappointing that my first session back on the Taff was in similar conditions to what I had left behind in Grand Canaria, this being bright sunshine and intense heat. Still was informed by Ray that whilst I was away we had more than our fare share of rain so the river was a bit fresher than before I left.

These conditions did not affect the fishing whatsoever as I had my best session of the season so far, within 5 minutes of starting I was into what felt a right old lump of a fish, and after a tremendous battle I brought what looked a good chance of being a new PB to the waiting net.
Could not wait to get this fish to the weigh sling and on the scales as it seemed as big as any Barbel I have seen before, however upon weighing, it did not quite go to the size I had hope for, with the scales stopping at 12lb dead, this being 6oz short of my PB.
Still a beautiful sight none the less and coming so soon gave me great confidence for the rest of the session.

Did go on to have 4 more Barbel another of which made double figures and a decent size Chub, amongst this catch was the smallest Barbel I have caught to date, this being a fish of no more than three quarters of a pound. Found catching this fish to be as pleasing as the one of 12lb, as a lot is made of the breeding habits of the Taff Barbel and this proved beyond doubt that the future Taff Barbel population looks healthy.

06/08/03
Did think after yesterdays session that I was pushing my luck to return again today, and even go remotely near having as good a session. But as I was accompanied by my 14 year old son who for all the usual reasons has gone off the fishing of late, did hope to get at least a fish or two on the bank to show him what he's missing. Was not to be disappointed on that score as once again ended up with 4 good size Boris on the bank, with my lad catching one at 9lb plus a new PB for him.

Dad however could not let him get the better of me, as life would be unbearable with him having caught a bigger fish than myself, would like to think that was the reasoning behind the catching of what was to be my best fish of the season so far.
But somehow, for whatever reason I don't know, the Barbel gods are on my side at the moment as 5 minutes before packing up time was upon us, I had a tremendous bite from what only could be a decent size Boris,

This fish led me a merry dance as it powered off downstream on more than one occasion, but after what seemed an eternity my lad slipped the net under another monster of a Barbel, for the second night running I found myself with a Barbel to weigh that's going to go close to being a PB.
It's a strange feeling when you've just caught you're second 12lb Barbel in successive days and you feel somewhat disappointed that it's not quite the size you want, Try as I did, just could not get the scales to go pass the 12lb 2oz mark this being just the 4oz short of my best to date.

On leaving the river found myself thinking of just how good a winter season might be had this year, as if true to form these fish put on the weight that they can do, then there are going to be one or two monsters coming from the river Taff this year.

Should really include a picture of my lads fish at this point but somehow I managed to delete it off the camera, not before I had caught the 12lb 2oz I may add, so will have to make do with mine.

10/08/03
With the dawn now breaking just that bit later find it's not such an early start needed to be first on the river, or so I thought. Had a shock today though as I made my way to the bank at 5.30 am, noticed someone moving behind a large tree, so I made my way towards them, so as to let them know I knew they were there.
With that a bloke heads off up the footpath closely followed by a women in a state of undress they were obviously not there for the fishing.

Having got over the shock of disturbing the breeding wildlife I made my way to my chosen swim, bloody hell what's going on not more cavorting couples, nope not this time, only Chris and his mate who well lets just say had forgotten the no night fishing rule. Was amused to find that they had no idea of what was going on behind them, both thought this was a shame as they could have done with something to liven up there evening. This done my confidence no good at all as neither of them had so much as a knock all night, did pass a comment to Chris about the fact this time of the year they don't feed until 9 am on a Sunday, then made my way to my next choice of swim.

When you're lucks in like mine is at the moment then you get the feeling you can't fail even when others are not catching, and sure enough just half hour out from my 9 o'clock prediction I find myself doing battle with Boris, this proved to be a lovely fish of 9lb and most welcome as the conditions are not great.

Was joined on the bank by Ian who was taking a walk before deciding whether or not to fish later that day, this meant he got to know of my secret bait that was being used at the time.
As it had gone dead and did not expect to catch anymore that day I decided to try a chunk of a pork pie I had taken for a mid morning snack, sure enough a fish first cast not a Barbel as I'd have hoped for but a nice Chub of around 4 lb.
Seems at the moment I can't go wrong, guess I'm going to have some blanks later in the season when pay back time comes around.

11/08/03
Never gave it much thought that fishing can be dangerous to you're health, but the pain I'm in at the moment means I will do in the future, somehow I've managed to get myself bitten by some unknown insect. This led to a trip to the hospital and a course of antibiotics, not to mention a arm the size of which a sumo wrestler would be proud of.

So this gave me the perfect excuse for my blank this evening as it would have been uncomfortable doing battle with a decent size Barbel. The river is now in desperate need of some rain to freshen it up a bit and levels are as low as I can remember.

13/08/03
With the arm now a bit more comfortable decided to have a few hours this afternoon/eve although didn't have any great hopes of catching as the rain has still not put in an appearance.
Was joined on the river by Chris and Kevin who were fishing lower down to myself and into darkness which may be a better option in these conditions.

Did manage the one Boris of 9lb which in the circumstances was more than welcome, also spent most of the day in the company of minky again, he seems to be getting more daring as today on more than one occasion he ran over my feet.

17/08/03
Well don't know when I'll ever learn, with conditions as bad as they are I was asking for a blank, yet still dragged myself out of bed at 4 am. This seen me on the river before first light and as expected had the river to myself. Could not get a bite from anything, even moved swims on a number of occasions, would be interesting to know if in these low level conditions that we have at the moment, just how good a response fishing after dark would produce.
Maybe it's time to get onto the club regarding the no night fishing situation, as I know it's not just me who would like the rule changed.

18/08/03
What is it they say "a fool never learns" or something like that, either way, against my better judgment, decided to have a few hours today. Once again did not get a single bite, no matter what bait was used or what tactics were put into play, still could not get a touch.
Things are looking bad when even the Taff Grayling and Trout refuse to play, still left Chris and company on the river who were fishing into darkness, so hopefully some good news from them to be had.

20/08/03
Had made arrangements today to meet up with Ray for an afternoon session, on arriving found Ray had been fishing for a few hours but had not caught anything. Must have brought him some good luck, as I sat there chatting (well scrounging some plasticine and a pellet or two actually) Ray connected with what can only be described as a manic Barbel, who must had thought it was a lot bigger than the 3 or so pounds that it was. This fish did it's utmost to make his way out to sea but was eventually brought to the net.

Not wishing to be outdone and pellets secured, move just up from Ray and got myself sorted, was joined by Kevin and he pointed out a number of Barbel flashing out in front of both Ray and myself. This was to continue for the rest of the day, Barbel flashing all over the place but not showing much interest in feeding, did fortunately manage the one of around 8lb on one of Ray's pellets I may add.

Decided to stay on for an hour or so after Ray left, that was until I was joined by one of those know it all fishermen, whom you just never seem to see fishing.
He proceeded to tell me how I was fishing the swim wrong also with the wrong bait, then went on to say how he had caught 7 double figure Barbel and 2 Chub over 6lb in the same swim last week, maybe I should have told him I just happened to be fishing the same swim the day he had his remarkable catch.

24/08/03
What was it I said just a few weeks back, something along the lines of "find the early start the best of all" well not so sure about that at the moment. Once again I found myself up out of bed before 4.30 am and walking the banks before 6am.
On arriving found the Taff mindless crew had been at work once again, this being in the form of a white Transit van that had been dumped in the river, this coming just 3 days after a car had been removed from the very same spot (shame the B******* weren't in it at the time).

Go's without saying did not get a touch in the 6 hours that I fished, the river is now at what must be an all time low, it's possible to walk across in a number of places, probably without getting wet.

27/08/03
With conditions as bad as they are on the Taff decided today to make the journey up to the Bibs, although it's only an hours drive away find it can be a pain on the return journey after a 2 am start in work.
Still was looking forward to it as it was a chance to meet up with Bob (Bgit) and a good chance of a Boris or two.

Arrived to find Ray and Bob already set up and sat in the sunshine, but only to be informed that things were a bit slow, oh well can't think of anywhere better to be if you're going to blank thinks I.
Although the fishing was not as good as it can be we all did manage to catch and as it was me that had both the biggest and the most Barbel, made the day a little bit better.
Somehow I can see me putting up with missing out on my sleep and getting up there more often, as everything about the place is perfect, the fishing, the company, the surroundings and even the canoeist if today's ladies are anything to go by.

by Malcolm Clarke

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