My Season

"My Fishy Tales July 2003"

by Malcolm Clarke

'This is part 2 of my diary that I kept of my fishing season 2003/2004'

July Hot or What

01/07/03

After the opening I've just had to the season, know my lucks got to run out soon, so with this in mind decide to try a new location all together today. As it would be great to find some Boris in better surroundings than the usual place.
So this sees me heading up river, where the surroundings are much better and the kids are nowhere to be seen, all that was needed was a fish or two, did not get a single touch or see any sign of Barbel what so ever.

Still it was a most enjoyable afternoon spent watching the wildlife amongst which were a family of mink being dived bombed by a rather large herring gull, did not know mink could scream so loud. Also got to watch a dipper searching the riverbed for his dinner along with a kingfisher who had more luck than me at catching fish, as he easily plucked up minnows in the shallow clear water.
With surroundings like this, think you can put up with blanking.

02/07/03

Finally got together today for a session with Ray, was a shame that the Barbel were not that interested in putting in an appearance, apart from a small one around the 5lb mark which just happened to be caught by me that was.
Once again the session was spoilt by the kids who seem to get great pleasure in chucking stones at anglers, this time however they went a bit further by rolling a rather large boulder down through the undergrowth, which just missed Ray's head by a whisker and this was young girls no more than 12 years of age.

Still the session did have an amusing side to it, that is for Ray it did anyway, as I managed to insert a baiting needle into my finger. Being the good Samaritan that he is, he reached into his bag to get what I thought was going to be something to help me with.
WRONG !
This just happened to be his camera, mind you he did get a good shot though.

05/07/03

Well after spending the day decorating decided to have a few hours on the river which for me is unusual being a Saturday eve. On arriving at my chosen swim was joined by a new chap to the river by the name of Pete one of the lurkers as they are known on BFW, as he said he knew me from BFW although he does not post himself.
Wasn't long before Pete was into his first river Taff Boris a decent fish around the 6lb mark, was strange that not long after this he packed away, not sure if it was the excitement of catching his first Boris or the mindless kids who decided to pay us a visit, still this left the river to myself and the now increasing number of bats who were coming out from there hideaways in search of there supper.

Soon found that once the kids had left and peace returned to the river, it wasn't long before I was doing battle with what felt a decent Barbel, was not disappointed on this score as the fish was the better side of 8lb.
Did manage a couple of nice chub but unfortunately no more Barbel, decided to call it a day after having the rod knocked of the rest for the umpteenth time by the bats, seems the warm weather of late has led to an explosion of insects and along with this an increase in the number of bats.

09/07/03

Spent a most enjoyable day today up at a new location with Ray for company, the area we were fishing looks just about perfect for Boris and contains a number of likely looking swims.
Although we put in a good 6 hours fishing, a bit longer than that for Ray, did not get a touch from Barbel, Ray did manage a couple of Grayling and the odd Trout. Think while the weather is like it is at the moment, that being bloody hot and dry, and the river running as low and clear as it is, then these new areas are difficult to judge.

Did however have some encouragement just as we were packing away, as no more than five feet from the bank in less than a foot of water was a Barbel. It was totally oblivious to Ray and myself and was quite happy munching away at the bits of feed that had fallen out of Ray's feeder on casting.
Try as he might Ray could not get this Barbel to respond to his bait which was placed in front of him, and on the path this fish was patrolling.
Still this was a great sight and did make us more determined to return, and hopefully catch both this Barbel and one or two of his/her brothers/sisters.

13/07/03

Sometimes we never seem to learn, got myself up out of bed again this morning before 4 am this knowing that conditions on the river are not great. In fact if we don't have some rain before long to freshen up the river then it won't be worth fishing let alone getting up at 4 am.

Tried a number of different baits but could not get a bite from anything, even the Trout and Grayling don't want to know at the moment, would imagine the oxygen levels in the river must be at an all time low.

14/07/03

After yesterdays session going the way it did decided to have a go later in the day today and fish into dark or there about. Making my way to my chosen swim I came across a large shoal of Chub basking on the surface of the river, a good few of these fish would have went the better side of 5lb.
Every now and then one of the Chub would move out into the flow and take a passing insect from the surface before returning to the shoal.
As this was in the swim next to where I intended fishing for Boris, made a quick phone call to the wife asking her to bring over a loaf of bread, as I felt sure I could tempt one or two of these Chub to take a floating crust.

Sat in the next swim down waiting for the wife to turn up with requested loaf, when all of a sudden SPLOOSH! and a great big dog dived into the river to chase a stick that his thoughtful owner had chucked amongst this shoal of Chub.
Yep the shoal disperse not to be seen again, then had the awkward job of explaining to the wife why I now needed the bread.

Would have hoped that things could only get better after that little episode, but not to be as once again some 6 hours of fishing resulted in nothing caught whatsoever. Soon be time for Hols.

18/19/07/03

What should have been the highlight of the season this weekend namely the Wye fish-in, had already started to go wrong for me, when I could not get out of a Holiday date that clashed with the fish-in.
Then on getting up for work on the Friday morning it just got worse, as I awoke to the most dreadful toothache imaginable, as I was due away on the Saturday had a decision to make do I go to the fish-in as arranged after work on the Friday morning or do I go to the dentist.
Oh well just hope it don't get any worst whilst away on Holidays as the fish-in won, on the drive up to the Biblins did on more than one occasion think I had made the wrong choice as the toothache seemed to be getting worst, still a couple of pints of cider in the Saracens would soon sort it out.

Was great to get to meet so many of the anglers from BFW and one or two old friends whom I had met the season before, did not get to wet a line on the Friday as the toothache meant I was not in the mood for fishing. Did however have a most enjoyable evening spent outside the Saracens in great company, chatting to the likes of Tommo, JW and one or two others and think we did manage to put the world to right.

Woke early on the Saturday morning and although I was still being bothered by this dreaded toothache did have a few hours fishing and managed to catch a small Chub for my efforts, before the lure of a cup of coffee with Jim (Bewdley) & Rich (Ten Bellies) got the better of me. Stayed long enough for the mid-day photo shoot and would loved to have stayed for Liam's BBQ that evening as great fun was had by all so I heard. But it was time for me to get myself home and sorted, for the journey to Bristol Airport, that's providing I can stay awake long enough that is.

by Malcolm Clarke

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