Just Like Old Times...

When I started making YouTube videos, they originally captured the enjoyable sessions I had with my friend Henry Howells. We used to get into the habit of filming every session trying to enscapsulate our highs and lows, coupled with the laughs along the way. This produced many hours of enjoyment, and it was a shame that, due to the stress of exams and various 'hiccups' along the way, we had lost touch in recent years. Recently though, we had gotten back in contact, and Henry was keen as ever to get back on the bank. We decided on this occasion to go for a day's roving on one of our favourite rivers, in search of a chub or two.

The river was certainly looking promising as the water was carrying some extra water, but fining down to the extent that the chub could well be on the prowl for an easy meal. Moreover, with the cold temperature I was also confident that a bite was on the cards. What was slightly against us though, was the bright sunshine, which I knew from previous experience was likely to put the chub in a finicky mood. With Henry having not been on the bank for a while, the plan was to start on a few banker swims in the hope that one of them would produce a bite. Our attack was fishing breadflake on the link leger to try and trigger quick responses in the swims. We both parked ourselves in a nice swim where we could both flick a line in and await a response. Within a few minutes, I was surprised to be getting a response lower down the swim where the flow was a bit more turbulent. After a few finicky taps, the rod pulled round steadily and I struck. The fish dug down deep and tried on multiple occasions to try and snag me up, but after keeping the rod low, I managed to guide the fish towards the net with Henry kindly doing the honours.

A nice way to start the day!

A 4 pounder was a great way to kickstart the day and it definitely got the juices flowing for potentially more action. After releasing the fish back to its home, we ventured downstream. I decided, that I'd bait up a few likely looking areas, as I had a feeling the fish would be a bit on edge. On the first swim we had given time after baiting up, Henry was soon getting indications on his rod tip. Following some rather vigorous taps from the culprit, Henry's tip whacked over and he struck. He hooked a decent fish which dived straight back towards its sanctuary. As soon as Henry started to guide the fish out of the snag, a gasp of disappointment followed as the hook 'pinged' out. We were both rather disappointed, but we knew there were potentially more chances ahead. A few minutes later, in a swim where I had never had a bite before, I also momentarily hooked something which pulled back. It seemed though, that luck wasn't on our side on this few metres of stretch we had in front of us.

We were pretty shocked how time was getting on, so decided to have a spot of lunch in a zone where I know a static approach can often lead to rewards. I was half way through my dessert and was shocked to see my motionless quivertip had been brought to life and was whacking over. I lifted into another fish. This chub certainly knew where the snags were and put up a very exciting battle indeed. At 4lbs 2oz, it was another nice result considering conditions not being perfect with the beaming sunlight.

A nice hard-fighting 4lbs 2oz Chub

We rotated a few more swims as the light started to fade. Henry parked himself in a swim which looked absolutely spot on. As soon as he casted out, taps on his rodtip were instant. When the rod did eventually go, Henry struck again into a decent fish. I don't know whether it was something to do with someone above frowning upon us on the given day, as yet again another hookpull ensued...  We rotated a few more swims before we went home, and it was nice that on the final bite of the day, Henry managed a healthy looking young chub to show for his efforts!

Despite it being a long while since we had caught up last, it felt as if we were picking up where we had left off last time with plenty of funny stories to relay. That's what made the session so enjoyable and we will certainly be pencilling in more trips yet before the season is out!

Tight Lines,

Tom