"My Fishy Tales February 2004"
by Malcolm Clarke
'This is part 9 of my diary that I kept of my fishing season 2003/2004'
February fMonster Hunting with Ray
01/02/04
Also caught or foul-hooked I think, as I had great difficulty telling which
was his head and which was his arse, a beautifully marked sea slug which looked
more alien like then aquatic.
That's not a Barbel.
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And that's definitely not
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Had hoped
on my return from Hol's to continue where I had left off before going away,
especially now that Feb had arrived.
With Ray having had a great deal of success last February with a number of doubles,
he had convinced me this was going to be our month (not that I took a lot of
convincing that is).
In fact he went a bit further than that, in that he even told me what day this monster was to be caught, apparently he had this vivid dream that he had to go fishing on Feb 27th as on this day a monster fish was to be caught
"Oh well Ray hope it's me".
Still no harm in getting in some practice before the event, so this seen me on a raging torrent of a river today after the Taff was at it's highest level it has been for many a year, over the last couple of days.So took with me just the one rod and a small
bag and decided the roving approach would be the best option, just dropping
in swims as I go and if able to hold bottom give each swim 20 to 30 minutes
each.
This really did prove one thing to me, that other than the odd swim which I
know about already this stretch of the Taff really is un-fishable when carrying
a large amount of extra water.
Found it impossible to hold bottom virtually anywhere even with 6 oz's of lead on, still more than outstayed my welcome as usual, as what should have been a 4 hour session lasted 6 hours, but having told the wife the vision is nigh knew she would understand.
03/02/04
With work taking me just a couple of hundred feet away from the
river, or more precise from the weir, five days a week for the last 15 years
or so.
Have found I can more or less judge the levels of the river just by the noise
of the water falling over the weir.
"Wish today wasn't one of those days I don't go near the river whilst in work"
As getting to the river at 9 o-clock this morning to meet up with Ray, was greeted by that thunderous roar that could only mean one thing this was going to be a short session.
Along with
the river being almost un-fishable we also had to contend with some of the heaviest
rain I've seen for a long time. Think if Ray hadn't had to travel up from Swansea
to fish the Taff then the gear would have stayed in the car.
Having told each other just how mad we were, we still made our way over to the
river, she was not a pretty site, as all manner of things went floating by us,
fortunately this was out in the main flow and as neither of us had an anchor
with us we would not be fishing out there.
The rain
eased a bit while we were setting up so this did make it a bit easier for us,
only to return just after with a vengeance, in fact so bad that Ray shot off
to his car for his brolly, would have done likewise but mine was at home in
the garage.
Within less than an hour of fishing I found my feet to be under water which
wasn't the case when we started, so I moved back as much as possible in the
little space that we had between us.
Wasn't long
before I was on the move again as the river was now rising at an alarming rate,
just as I did Ray noticed a slight knock on his rod, with me thinking this was
no more than the usual rubbish hitting the line I continued to move further
back.
With that whack and Ray's into a Barbel no more than 2 feet away from us, think
even Boris did not expect anyone to be mad enough to be out today in these conditions,
as she definitely took exception to being hooked so close to the bank.
With no
choice but to hold on with all his might, Ray done his utmost to try to gain
some kind of control over this fish, knowing that if she got out just another
foot or so from the bank then that would be the end of her, as this would have
taken her into the main flow.
A huge swirl on the surface proved that this was quite a good size fish who
now made a dart for a tree just downstream from us.
This tree under normal levels would be part of the bank side undergrowth but
today just the tops of it was showing, so Ray applied as much pressure as he
dared to stop her making the tree. This seemed to work as she now made a dive
down into the deeper water, then just when I, he, thought somehow he was winning
this battle, up sprang his rod as Boris said goodbye.
On inspection
of his hook-length it seems the inevitable happened, that being it had brushed
against one of the many rocks that would normally form part of the bank.
With all this happening only a couple of feet off the rod tip, it did lead to
great excitement just a shame he could not land this fish.
We stayed for a little while longer but eventually the river won as we ran out of bank space, did reflect on the drive home, how sometimes you catch without much effort or commitment,
however if you did catch because of effort and commitment,
then that fish would have been Ray's today.
07/02/04
After Tuesdays excitement was hoping for a bit more of the same today,
but this time maybe between us we could bag a fish or two, I say between us
as once again I'm on the banks with Ray.
The river had dropped off quite a bit from earlier in the week but the temperature
is going the same way, so with this in mind we stayed a bit longer than we should
have, this might have had something to do with the fact we did have the new
Eurotec bait to try out today.
Having read some good reports on it hoping it might just be what is needed to
catch that end of season monster.
However that will have to wait until another day as we could not manage a touch
between us today, with the temperature dropping looks like it's going to get
harder for the next couple of days.
Was joined on the bank for a while by Chris and Kevin seems like ourselves they are finding it difficult also, but it does seem that Chris has the right approach at the moment that being short afternoon into early evening sessions, but that might change as I did tell them about Ray's vision so they are on the trail now also.
Did manage to break the avon section of my Greys rod today, so all in all not a great day by any means.
08/02/04
Being a Sunday could not resist having a few hours again today even though
conditions had not improved upon yesterdays, adopted a more mobile approach
today as there was no one else fishing.
Having tried a number of likely looking swims was disappointed to not get a
single touch, with not a great deal of time left before the end of the season
is upon us we really do need to see an improvement in the weather, if Ray's
vision is to be fulfilled.
Another point of interest with this being my first real serious attempt at fishing the winter period, as by now normally, the painting would have taken over from the fishing, must admit the blanks are a lot easier to accept than they are in summer.
09/02/04
Knowing that Ray was already on the river today, decided to join him and
get a few hours in myself, somehow think this was the wrong decision as once
again we could not get a touch between us.
Was though a slight improvement in both temps that being the river and air temp,
so maybe it might just start to improve.
With Ray going on so much about his bloody dream did tell him today, would it not be better if we just wait until Feb 27th and have a 24 hour session, would save all these blanking hours that I'm putting in at the moment.
10/02/04
Seems this is now getting to be the norm me sat here writing about my blanks,
as try as we might again today just could not get us a Barbel, wish the Barbel
would take a liking to this Eurotec bait as much as the Taff Trout have, as
Ray did manage a number of them today all on the Eurotec paste some of these
were a decent size.
What was it Ray said "can't wait till Feb" the way it's going he must have meant to get it out of the way.
On a more serious note once again today the banks of the river are in a disgusting state, with the recent high levels the amount of crap deposited on the banks really does spoil the fishing. Just having to sit amongst this rubbish makes you wonder if it's worth while, have just sent mail off to both the EA and the City Council and I know Ray is doing likewise but what if any response we get makes you wonder.
11/02/04
This is becoming something off an obsession as once again I'm making my
way to the river, with the rest of the boys getting together up the Bib's today
along with Dick, was somewhat disappointed that I could not join them.
So decided to have a few hours before Uni tonight on the Taff, little did
I know what lay in store for me, having sat here in front of the PC writing
a post for BFW on today's
"well lets just say a day I won't be allowed to forget in a hurry"
I've no intention of including it here, but for those who are interested then an account of it can be found Here.All I can add to this is, that from the moment that the rod wrapped round right up to when Paul mentioned "You've caught a ******* log no a bag" I was convinced that this was a return visit from a lost friend on Christmas Eve.
Having just fished 5 days on the trot think I will have some work to do if I'm to convince the wife that I really should get out fishing tomorrow.
14/02/04
Just had to happen, never got to convince the wife so the one day I can't
get out and Ray has a new PB this being last Thursday, was even more frustrating
as he tried to get hold of me so he could get a picture, after spending most
of the season together would have been good to share his joy.
Still makes me wonder now about his dream and if there is something init, so
with that in mind just had to have a few hours today before the rugby.
Was in for
another shock on getting to the river, when another angler approached me and
ask me would I do the honors for him and take a picture of what was a new PB
for himself.
This being a beautiful Barbel of 12lb 2oz, 2 PB's off the river in the same
week, so you never know maybe just maybe I could become number 3 this week.
Well as this chap just happened to be fishing in my intended swim this seen me moving down river to my next choice, only to find someone in this one also. So decided to fish just up above him in one of those swims I keep telling myself to try.
After some 4 hours without a touch had more or less accepted the inevitable and yet another blank, when I was joined on the bank by Chris, who just happened to be taking his dog for a walk before heading home to watch the game. Whilst sat there chatting had the slightest of trembles on the one rod, this happened again a minute or so later, then yes! at last I'm in contact with a Boris again, having hooked this fish just over mid-river it came across to the waiting net rather easily, which suggested it was going to be on the small side but who said size counts. Then when brought up to the surface and on the near bank Boris woke up and sped of across river to seek shelter in a snag on the far bank, after a right old tussle Chris slipped the net under what proved to be a right lump at 11lb 3oz, not a PB but being my first for quite a while this meant I went home with a smile on my face for a change.
Now that's definitely a Barbel.
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16/02/04
When Ray and myself talked about giving it a good go for the last 6
weeks of the season, did hope that as long as the weather held up, then the
chances of a monster to end the season with, would have been good.
Well the weather for February is mild and the river looks good although it could
do with a bit of colour in it, but with a few fish starting to show just lately,
it does seem there's a good chance of dreams coming true.
So looks
like I'll be catching up with all those things I should be doing, at a later
date, as once again I'm sitting on the banks of the Taff, waiting for Boris
to come calling.
Ray had started fishing when I arrived and Paul (proponepaul) had been fishing
for a few hours but neither had seen any sight of Barbel and with the river
as low as it is then you would hope to see the odd sign of movement.
Did have a go with the maggot feeder today but interest in this only came from the Grayling, who like the Trout have also taken a fancy to this Eurotec bait, maybe they ought to re-launch it next season but aim it at the game fishing market.
17/02/04
Sometimes you look at the river and think today's going to be my day,
that was how I felt today, don't know why but just expected something good today.
Well after another 7 hours fishing without so much as a knock for Ray or myself
seems I got that one wrong.
Know one thing if I'm to continue to use this Eurotec bait then my bait keeping habits need to change a bit, as both the paste and bollies start to turn in no time unless they are kept in the fridge, and not as per usual at the bottom of my bag.
23/02/04
Never thought I'd be writing this, due a session today up at the Bibs with
Tommo and Ray and I wasn't looking forward to it one little bit.
This was nothing to do with the company, but the fact that after the best part
of 30 years being a smoker, today was the day I had chosen to pack them in.
How would
I cope after putting the rods out, with that first cup of coffee without a fag,
what will I do after the capture of a Boris without a celebratory fag, once
returning her to her watery home.
Or more of a worry would I find myself still up there tomorrow morning, as how
will I get to pack away the gear, without that just have one last fag then I'll
pack away ritual.
All these thoughts and a few more were racing through my head as I headed up to Tesco's car park to pick up Ray. (yeh we learned, no more £6 parking fees at the service stations)
Was helped by the fact that Ray had also packed in the cigs a few days back so was not on my own so to speak, however did find the talk on the journey up to the Bibs, tended to revolve around cigarettes a little though.
On getting
to the river we caught up with Tommo, who had been fishing for an hour or so
but had nothing good to report.
This was not surprising as the temperature had dropped right down and with the
river running low and clear prospects didn't look good. Not long after starting
to fish Ray did have a nice Chub around the 4lb size, this lifted spirits a
bit but this did prove to be the only fish of the day.
So got over that first cup of coffee without a fag, but never did get to find out how it would feel to not have one after catching, and as for packing away, well by the time we did, think the cold had made the decision for us.
24/02/04
Even though the conditions are everything but good for Barbel fishing,
still could not resist having a few hours today. After yesterdays session up
the Bibs did expect the Taff to be a bit better on the temperature front, was
a slight improvement but still not enough to get Boris interested in feeding.
With the weather forecast pointing to no great change in conditions, or if anything conditions worsening over the next couple of days, then Ray's dream looks like it's going to remain just that a dream.
by Malcolm Clarke
© Barbel Fishing World 2004