2017: A Testing Day in search of a Chub!

Our little friend that came to visit!

After a a poor session after pike the other day,  I was very much looking forward to getting back out. The original plan for this weekend was to fish on both days, but due to the weather plans were changed. As a result of this, the trip my good friend Mark Lindsay and I scheduled was rearranged for the Saturday. We considered various options and felt that we were due a visit to a particular southern river Mark had fished a few times.

I got up bright and early and arranged to meet Mark just after first light. We soon made our way down to the river and were shocked to see it so low. It was promising though, that the river was carrying a tinge of colour which does often go down well when targeting chub in particular. I started the day off on the link leger, trying to opportunistically tempt a few fish out of some likely looking areas, whilst Mark set up some trotting gear and had a few runs through. Both of us didn't receive any enquiries in these swims, so we headed up river to see if we could find some new areas. I always think that finding new areas on a river is always refreshing as it broadens your horizons on future visits, especially when the conditions are challenging. We both agreed that the various spots we did fish had very good potential to throw up some good fish and despite being unsuccessful on this occasion, we will be back to have a look in the warmer months when you can spot the fish. It was amazing that even on delicate float tackle, we could not buy a bite and as a result we were both beginning to lose confidence in our plan. Now I think about it, I think that the salt coming off the roads could have contributed to this, but, more so, the river desperately needed some more water.

We returned to a couple areas that Mark had caught from previously and decided to eat a spot of lunch, in the hope that it would reassert our confidence in getting a bite. After Mark had a run through on the float in one particular spot, with no joy, he pointed where he had managed bites on a few occasions. We both agreed that it was definitely worth chucking a small maggot feeder tight to the snags and wait for any potential inhabitant to trip up. It was certainly reassuring, that once I had cast out, I was getting indications on the tip. The bites were very finicky so I decided to lengthen my hooklength so the fish did not spook off the feeder. On the next cast, I decided to go a little way downstream, managing to get the cast tight to the far bank. After a few minutes, the line tightened, before the tip slowly pulled round. I connected with a dead weight which took line instantly and thumped in a very odd way. 'This weirdly feels like a bream' I said to Mark, as I kept the rod low and started to guide the fish upstream. Mark remarked how ridiculous the amount of silt the culprit I had hooked was kicking up, as the fish continued to hang low. Once it came close in, I was shocked to see the white mouth of a chub and the convex dorsal come into view. We both knew this could be our only chance of the day so were desperate to land it. After a few scary final surges for the near bank cover, Mark hastily scooped this chunky culprit into the net and we both gave a huge sigh of relief.

One Chubby Chub, the gut is ridiculous!

We were absolutely amazed by the gut on this fish and knew it could weigh considerably more than we initially thought. When Mark flipped round the scales, I was amazed to see them settling at dead on 6lbs. Mark kindly did the honours with the camera and took some lovely shots of this portly specimen. What I really love about this capture was that it was a true team effort and we certainly we felt that the rotation of tactics and baits is what made it feel like we had earned the capture between us.

Not a bad way to start 2017 at all, a cracking chub (6lb)

It was great to see the fish charge off towards the depths as its large back disappeared back into the shadows. I was hoping this change of tactic would trigger a response for Mark, but unfortunately the bangs he had on the tip were not quite strikable. Also time had drawn to a close, meaning it was time for us both to head home-bound...

Thanks goes to Mark for the invite and for being great company throughout the course of the day. Look forward to next time,

Tight Lines,

Tom