March

"My Fishy Tales March 2004"

by Malcolm Clarke

'This is part 10 of my diary that I kept of my fishing season 2003/2004'

March Last Chance

04/03/04
With February not producing anywhere near the return I'd have hoped for, just the 1 fish out of 12 outings, hopefully the next couple of weeks will see some improvement and the season can still finish on a high.
So after the recent snow and cold spell was nice to have quite a decent bit of weather today, this did mean that there was a large number of anglers on the river when I arrived, amongst these was Ian whom it was nice to see again, after him spending most of the season working away.

But was not pleased to hear that none of those fishing had caught, although Ian had lost one earlier on, what was it he said "think I've forgotten what to do".
Did make a passing comment to Ian about the fish being lower down the stretch this time of year, well I had to say that, as with the number of anglers fishing had no choice but to go lower down to find a swim myself.

Wish there was this number of anglers out every time I go fishing, as within 5 minutes of starting to fish the rod whips round and I have my first fish of the session on the end of the line. this happened to be a decent Chub of about 4 lb's and not as I'd hoped a Boris, still was nice to catch as at the time I was using the Eurotec bait.

Wasn't long before my second rod was called into play, only this time it was Boris who came knocking, not a big one at around 4lb but nice all the same at this stage of the season.
Just as this fish was released another bite comes to the rod with the Eurotec bait on again this proved to be a Chub of a similar size to the first one.
Can't believe my luck, as that is 3 out of 3 cast into the river resulting in fish being caught, for the first time since starting to fish I get chance to pour myself a cup of coffee, but not to drink it!

This time I'm into a much better fish which gave me a great fight before coming to the net, this one looked as if it would make double figures, but this was not to be as the scales stopped at 9lb 9oz's still was more than happy with that as this was the first Barbel I've caught on the Eurotec bait.

With a number of fish moving in front of me and lower down from myself, decided to pop up and tell Ian that although I was only joking about the fish being lower down this time of year, this was certainly the case today.
After returning to my swim the obvious happened, that being could not get me another touch, Ian did come and fish just below me but he also had no joy. Still was nice to get a Barbel on the Eurotec bait even though I did miss that celebratory fag.

06/03/04
Once again today the river is busier than it has been for most of the season, Ray had been fishing for a few hours before I got there along with Nick and a few others. Was hoping to hear of a few being caught but this was not the case as none of them had managed a touch.

Ray was about to pack away when I got there to get home to watch the football, but whilst we stood chatting I noticed a large Barbel flash out in front of us, think this got him to change his mind as he stayed until 5.00 pm.
But we still had not had a bite between us, Nick joined us mid-afternoon and he likewise had nothing good to report, as the weather was quite mild and after Ray had left I had the river to myself, I decided to have an hour or so into darkness.

Suddenly the river came alive with fish moving all over the swim I was fishing and quite a considerable way above and below me, unfortunately these fish were Chub and not Barbel, as within 15 minutes of darkness falling I had caught 3 Chub one after the other.
As much fun as catching decent size Chub can be, as I was now once again fishing an hour or so pass my going home time, decided that it was time to call it a day and hope for better luck up the Wye on Monday.

08/03/04
Today was going to be my last chance this season of a Barbel from up the Bibs, not that this was that important, as today was going to be more of a social gathering than being there for the fishing.
As once again today, Ray and myself were to be joined by Jim and Rich, along with Silk and Tommo, so all in all we had quite a nice little get together, only Bob failed to make it as he was having his own get together on the Avon with the BFW team.

After a nice drive up on a beautiful early spring morning, we stopped at Ray's watering hole or bacon butty hole to be more precise, before arriving at the Bibs gate to find Jim and Rich waiting for us, seems Tommo had locked them out, wanted the place to himself again no doubt.

Everything about the day was good, that is if you don't mind not catching, as although the conditions weren't ideal for Barbel fishing, did/would have expected the odd one to put in an appearance, but then this is the norm when Jim/Rich and myself get together (unless you count Ray's cardboard cutout on the Teme that is).
Was good to see them again though and they recon we will put this not catching thing behind us next season, as a trip up to the middle Severn is likely come Autumn.

Seemed strange on leaving the place knowing that as bare and barren as it looked today, come my next journey up there the place will be alive with everything that a summer up the Biblins brings.

09/03/04
After failing to catch up the Bibs yesterday did hope for better luck today down on the Taff, well it was a bit better as I did manage the one Barbel around the 4lb, once again this was on the Eurotec bait, seems now the season is over it's starting to work a bit, so maybe next year might see me using it.

Was joined by Chris for a while today and made plans to get out for the final week-end, but it does seem as if conditions are going to get worst for the final couple of days as the forecast is not great.

13/03/04
Being the last week-end did expect a few more anglers to be on the river today, but after the snow and cold weather of the last couple of days seems not everyone is as nuts as myself.
But as it seemed conditions were not going to improve for tomorrow with quite heavy rain forecast overnight, then thought I'd make the best of what was likely to be my last session of the season.

Sat there for some 4 hours without so much as a knock, with the river slowly rising all this time, just when I had made up my mind that maybe it wasn't going to happen today, Chris came along and sat with me for a chat.
Once again he brought the luck that was needed with him, as no sooner than he sat down had what could only be a Barbel calling, as the rod flew round and I'm into what felt quite a decent fish.
With the extra water in the river this fish gave a great account of itself and felt a lot bigger than the 6lb or so that on netting it proved to be. Still at this stage of the season it was nice to have a Boris on the bank.

As per usual this fish led to me staying a good bit longer than I intended and not long after saying goodbye to Chris, had another cracking bite, this came from a rather large Brown Trout that went the better side of 4lb.
This really upset a chap opposite me who was fishing the fly, especially when I referred to the fish as a bit of a nuisance and even more so when I mentioned that the Trout are partial to a lump of paste these days.

Should give it a miss tomorrow as the rain was falling heavy when I left today and already the river is getting difficult to fish.

14/03/04
Well not for one minute was I going to miss today, even knowing the river was nowhere near fishable, but maybe the Barbel gods would be a bit forgiving and allow a couple of hours fishing for those of us mad enough to try.

As I made my way to the river 3 lads were just about to pack away, not before leaving me with the words I didn't want to hear "Don't bother mate".
Looking at the river I could see there words were justified, as a raging torrent of brown water was flowing down what only yesterday was the river Taff.
Making my way up river to where I may just be able to fish for a few hours I came across John and his son Joe, they were just setting up but they were not confident of lasting long.

Once settled in my swim I knew there was not much chance of catching as not only was it difficult holding bottom but there was also a non-stop flow of rubbish coming down river.
Not long after I started Chris turned up and made his way down river to try and find somewhere to fish, about this time Joe and Dad came by having decided today was not going to be there day.

Having tried to fish for about an hour found I had to move back on 2 occasions as the river was still rising rapidly. Chris returned not long after having gave up on any hope of fishing lower down, he did try in the swim next to me for an hour or so, before we both admitted defeat some 4 hours earlier than we had intended packing in.

Disappointed was the only way to put it, disappointed for today that is, but for the season not one bit of it.
Having made the regular phone call to the wife to let her know I'm on my way home, knew I'd arrive to the usual hot bath and glass of claret waiting, yep guess I'm one of the lucky buggers as I have one of those wives most of us only wish for.

So lying in the bath reflecting on My Fishy Tales can only say what a wonderful time was had by myself.

Never did catch that PB, but then that was down to myself.
Never did catch that Wye double.
Never did catch that 15lb'er, again maybe down to myself.

But did have a, great fun\time trying and formed some great friendships along the way,
so will I being doing the same next year?

With beauty like this in the river YOU BET

by Malcolm Clarke

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