October

"My Fishy Tales October 2003"

by Malcolm Clarke

'This is part 5 of my diary that I kept of my fishing season 2003/2004'

October Who's A Blanker

06/10/03
Having had a long break, well it seemed like it was to me was looking forward to today's session as this was going to be on a river I had not fished before, namely the Teme, but what was even more important was an opportunity to get together again with Jim and Rich.

Arranged to meet Ray at the motorway services as he was going to do the driving today as I'd been to work earlier this morning, last time we do that, bloody £6 to park the car for the day.
Was a bit worried that Ray would turn up in the Barbel Bus, as it's a few hours in the car up to the Teme, so it would be somewhat difficult to avoid them nasty things lurking in the Bus.
Was relieved that this wasn't the case, that was until I knew how fast his other car go's, glad Tommo wasn't with us.

The journey up to Bransford didn't take as long as I'd expected and in no time at all we were being greeted by Jim & Rich, along with Andrew (Andrew Thomas) who had decided to join us today.
First impressions of the Teme were what a wonderful looking river and in such beautiful surroundings, Once Ray could drag himself away from the bacon butty van we were given a guided tour of the stretch by Jim and Rich, who pointed out a number of hotspots, but obviously the choice was ours as to where we fished.
I myself decided to take the advice of local knowledge as the swim recommended by the lads had everything you would want in a Barbel swim, that was it did have everything until another angler turned up on the opposite bank.
That was bad enough but the fact was that this bloke was a total pain in the neck, out of the 3 hours or so he was there, I'd say 2 were spent on the mobile, which with the Teme being quite narrow I could hear what the guy on the other end of the phone was saying, the other hour was spent wandering the banks, made it just a little worst.

Was joined on and off during the day by all 3 of the lads who were more than willing to offer advice on where, how to fish the swim, but alas this still could not stop me from blanking in this swim, so when Ray joined me later in the day and told me he was making his way back up stream decided to do likewise and follow him in a little while.

Before I had time to move Rich stopped off to say his goodbyes as he had been a bit off colour lately so he was leaving a bit earlier than us, no sooner than he'd gone had that phone call to say he'd just landed a nice Barbel of around 6lb for Ray.
Now it was going to be a long journey home, if I could not get one of my own that was, did try one or two other swims as I made my way up river but all to no avail.

Around 6 o-clock was time for us to call it a day, having decided that a return visit was a must as Ray had already told me a dozen times just how good those Teme Barbel fight. So made our way back to the car and having said our goodbyes and thanks to Jim and Andrew set off for the drive home, after what had been a great day out.

Knew I should have checked the boot of Ray's car for this one as I'm sure it's one he cut out of a magazine somewhere.

10/10/03
Knew once I started back to Uni that my fishing wings would be clipped somewhat, so with this in mind decided to join Ray this morning for a few hours on the Taff, before going back to work, hope the wife don't read my diary as she thinks I was tucked up in bed at the time.

Well maybe you get your just rewards as no way could I get me a Barbel, whereas on the other hand Ray was having some great sport, having already caught a couple before I'd arrived one of which was a cracker at 11lb 8oz, he then had another one whilst I was there.

Can understand now why he's going on about this bait of Bob's, not only does it work but seems as if it's one that works instantly. Think it's time for a cap in hand approach somehow.

13/10/03
Back on the river again today with Ray, don't think he's that impressed with my attempt at making some bollies, can't say I blame him there though, will have to get some advice for making your own be it from a book the web or one of the lads.

Plenty of fish moving around once again today but at the moment they just don't seem interested in whatever bait we try, apart from Ray's session on Friday that is.
This looks like it's going to go very much the same as last season, as I can recall around this time it went very slow for a number of weeks. Would imagine this has something to do with them getting used to the lower temps so therefore no doubt a change in feeding habits.

Still will stick out this mid-day approach for the time being as sure this is the best option in the circumstances. Was nice not to be interrupted today by the diggers.

14/10/03
Having great difficulty at the moment, trying to convince the wife that I'm not fishing too much, instead of getting on with other things, they never understand what was it she said.

"I could understand if you were catching every time you go out, but you haven't caught for ages"

Thanks love like I need reminding, as I said some things women never understand.

That's better I don't feel so guilty now about being on the river again today, but it does look like a return will be quicker than I'd have hoped for as once again did not get a touch.
Was not alone on that score though, as a number of other anglers were also blanking at the same time today. Did have a slight bit of interest in this new bait of mine, bloody shame I wouldn't know how to make it again.

One other point of interest, just can't help wondering how much this work that the EA are still carrying out, is affecting the fishing at the moment.

20/10/03
Strange that up until now have not gave the painting much thought, however that did change slightly today. Having sat there for what was another 6 hours or so with Ray, without so much as a touch, did have thoughts of maybe I should divide my time up a bit better which would enable me to pursue both my hobbies.

This was in no doubt due to the most beautiful day we had today and even for the Taff the colours looked brilliant, have always found Autumn to be one of the best times of the year.
What with the golden leaves in all there various shade of red, yellow and brown can't help thinking maybe a brush in my hand would be more appropriate than a rod at the moment.

Still if the fishing don't pick up some, maybe I'll find some time for painting come the winter especially if we have a harsh one which I somehow think we may this year.
Bloody hell tell the fishing is crap just now can we.

Once again today we had the company of Kevin and Chris for a good few hours, was somewhat glad of this having parked down at the other end of the stretch, was nice to have some help carrying the gear back to the car.
Don't think Ray was over the moon about this though as his backs playing him up quite a bit lately.

25/10/03
Blank.
Well that is about all I've got to write about today, or at least that's the way I feel, seems whatever bait, tactics, time I'm out fishing just can't get me a bite let alone a fish.
Suppose this is made all the worst by keeping this stupid diary, as I now know have not caught a Barbel since 22nd Sept, think this is what i meant back in the summer when things were going so well, when payback time comes it comes with a vengeance.

Glad to see that the EA have now finished the restoration work that they were carrying out on the banks, glad that is that they are no longer present on the river.
But it does seem my/our worst fears were not unfounded, as to just how much they would change the river in the area they were working.

Seems they must have had some of the rock they were using to build up the banks left over. so it was obviously awkward for them to decide what to do with this rock, after all there was only a team of about 8 working there.

"I know lets just dump it in the middle of the river"

"Yeh that's a good idea"

Thanks Lads.

27/10/03
Once again I'm going to be missing out on my sleep again today, as a trip up to the Bibs has been arranged, this should be a good one as it's a chance to meet up with a number of lads from BFW.
Howard, Liam, Darren and Ian are down for a couple of days so along with Bob and Ray we had ourselves quite a nice little gathering.
Got to the river around 8 am to find the temperature a lot colder than what it was on leaving Cardiff, was shocked to find myself first there but wasn't long before the others started arriving, can't believe it was back in July last time I was chatting to some of these guys, boy don't the time go.

Found I just could not make up my mind as to where to fish, choice was down the deeps where Darren and Howard were settling in or up in the lower meadow along with Ray and Bob.
Not for the first time here at the Bibs seems I made the wrong choice, as having decided to fish down low, Ray and Bob got amongst the fish up in the meadow.

Having chose what swim I was going to fish wasn't long before both rods were out and I settled myself down to what I expected to be a long wait.
Was correct on this one though as no interest was shown in either rod for a good few hours, then just as I was pouring a cup of coffee had what proved to be my only run of the day from Boris.
Bloody gutted to say the least that I missed it, this being the one and only bite I have had from a Barbel in the whole of October.

Fortunately now, the sun had put in an appearance, so this took the edge off the coldness of the day, did have a shock though as having checked that no one was around decided to take a leak, only to hear someone shouting "Yoo'oo" looking round could not see anyone at first, then I spotted a person high up on the rocks on the opposite bank.

Need a long landing net handle from there mate

Made my way up to Darren and Howard to check if they had any better luck than myself, but unfortunately nothing doing there either, but Howard did have a bit of interest in the one rod, this though was out for Pike not Barbel.

Went back down to see if maybe I could get me just the one Barbel as this was going to be my last chance in October, but this wasn't to be, although did manage the one Chub which on landing showed distinct signs of having recently been attacked by a Pike, as it had a number of lacerations along both flanks, should have popped up and told Howard.

Think I chose the time of packing away my gear just right, as arriving back up the meadow was unfortunate to have just missed Ray catching a cracking Boris the other side of 9lb.
Bloody hell will get some ear bashing next week down the Taff "so you never did catch in October did you Malc".
Still have acquired some of Bob's bait today so look out next month Boris.

Oh well of to the Saracens to heal the wombs and warm the cockles a bit, would have been great to have stayed a while longer with the boys, but that was not an option as all 3 of us had the drive home to make.
Still hopefully will get some good news on BFW in the next day or so reading about the boys catches tomorrow.

by Malcolm Clarke

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Think I timed the packing away just right