This is the view from the bridge that marks the start of the middle Dove stretch

I succeeded in my task and reached the far end by 9.15 as I had not hurried, but stopped to assess several swims on the way!
The water was warm at 59 degs and very low, ideal for locating features and swims for the future.

This is a typical ,shallow ,fast running swim that I found and liked the look of.
I started to fish my way back, using a medium feeder rod, bomb and worm on a 16-spade end barbless Kamasan animal, hoping to find the chub that so made my day last Wednesday!

Alas, it was not to be, the 1st seven or eight swims, whilst looking the part, producing absolutely nothing!

Now when I foul hooked the chub last Wednesday, the pressure on the rod tip, split my light Daiwa, which I have just returned to them as it is less than 5 months old.

Thus it was no surprise to me to discover at about 12.30, that the handle retaining screw had fallen off my reel (Browning 720) as the Zippy curse, usually means 1 piece of kit gets broken, lost or becomes defective every trip!
The reel still functioned OK (although the handle dropped out a couple of times) so I persevered., and at about 1.00 was rewarded by a quiver quiver (that’s all) reeled in and found this!

Well at least I was not “Water-Licked” Ahem!

3 swims later, and a better indication produced this chap, although as I posted under another topic, his tail fin caused me to return him as at that stage I was unsure if he were healthy!
My son and John’s confirmation, have reassured me that this is normal in stocked fish.

2940 yds x2 = 5880 yds or more than 3 and 1/3rd miles!
In a straight line!
Taking many detours ,as I did, found me approaching the ½ way point of return in a very tired state.
Watching the river as I walked, I failed to spot a low wire fence and proceeded to scrape all down my left shin, fall and to save myself drop everything and extend my hands! Straight into a nettle bed!
Thus, (as I still fished every swim) by 7.00 pm , when I finally reached the car, I was sore, weary, disappointed in only 2 fish and culminating in what I found on the forum on my return, now you know why this report is overdue!
In a nutshell, just as Geoff found Sunday, results do not always live up to expectations!

However, the river is extremely low, the swims are now better known and I have high hopes for this for the future, time permitting!

And so on to my amazing Wednesday 24th!
BUT before I continue, let me lay down some facts that are to play a huge role in the peculiar events!
Firstly, as I posted to Danzalio, I have just obtained from Askari, a telescopic 10ft spinning rod (Silverman Red River) a Reel (Silverman 520 % ball bearing spinner) and a Carry all for 3 made up rods, for the princely total of £21.85.
The carry all contained the rod and reel as well as my feeder rod and reel and a bank stick and landing net handle.
I did not use the spinner on Monday, as I have only ever caught 1 fish (a 1lb Pike in Ireland, 1985) and have no real faith in spinning, although John ESOX has shown me how, lent me a rod and assures me it works!.

Secondly, I have unashamedly E-Mailed a very nice chap, who’s name I will reveal when it happens, for help and advice on Barbel catching.
He it was who put me on to my new club ticket and he has E-mailed me again to say that he hopes to meet me mid week to show me the barbel swims on the centre section of the Dove., so I hope to see him today.

Thirdly, I have always posted that I am an all round Angler, but John ESOX again has introduced me to the web-site of a truly fascinating Specialist Angler and Bait Flavour manufacturer called Archie Braddock.
I find this mans single minded pursuit of quality fish incredibly interesting and his theories sound, So much so that I introduced Dave, Wayne and others to his website.
Dave was so impressed that he awarded him the Maggot Drowners Top Site award and Archie was proud enough of this fact to incorporate it in his March 2002 Diary and put the award on his home page for all to see. www.braddocksbaits.co.uk

Please look at his Diary Section ,
If you are interested in the bait flavours he sells, fine, I have certainly bought some, but if I tell you that , as a Specimen Angler, he has taken 34 perch of over 3lbs weight last season, on stretches of the river I fish! Then you will understand my enthusiasm.


Fourth and lastly LOL (I promise I will get on soon) On E-Mailing Archie for advice, It was he as President that recommended me for the 24th place out of 25 in the PAD club, which is the Practical Angling for the Disabled. Club.
In his Diaries, Little Lake and Upper Trent are the waters of the PAD and friend Mark, is Mark Alderson the PAD Head Bailiff.
To get into the PAD, you have to be voted in by the members, and my 1st meeting with them is on the 7th May for a match.
You can imagine I am keen to impress!

Wednesday 24th April, 8.00 am, I arrive at the lower Dove, with high hopes of emulating last Wednesdays Chub day.
But this time, copying Monday, I am to walk the whole of the stretch and fish back!
About 1 mile, it is not as daunting a task as Mondays and the first nice feature I pass is a weir

I reach the far end and start to fish back. 
On the way to the end of the stretch, I see for the 1st time in over 25 years from memory, a snipe rise and dart away

This Swan also proves of interest as the Pen must have pinched a haystack to nest on

No bites for the 1st few swims do not worry me as surely the weir will always produce?
Looking across the fields at the weir, (the river bends sharply back on itself here) I see that Wayne, Dai , Nick and PJ, not to forget Ray and his son, have all sent their families to say hello!

I eventually reach the weir, and despite trying three swims, fail to get a bite here.

Moving on into the swim that was so successful last week, I notice that the water is much lower, the swim smoother, the fast water further away and even here I cannot buy a bite!
Incidentally, I pictured the old ruined church on that post!
I have since found out it is MUCH grander and is the Ruin of a Castle, twice the prison of Mary Queen of Scots!
By 2.00 O’clock I pack up, facing being Water Licked Ahem, for the 1st time since Piking!
Not having heard yet of my intended tour of the Centre section, I decided to go and suss out a small section of the Derby Railways club that borders the PAD waters!
I can also look at theirs and kill 2 birds with one stone and be back in 20 minutes, if the call arrives!

I reach Barrow, the village in question, quite quickly and try and find the way to the Derby’s river!
The lane is closed by a locked gate and my club key doesn’t fit!
I go back to the road and further down see a PAD sign, quite clearly marked, at another lane, which I turn down.
At the bottom, I pull into a meadow, having just passed two old guys, who look searchingly at me.
As I pull up, one of them with a dog, follows me into the meadow.
I have all the PAD correspondence with me, so I briefly explain why I’m there and ask his assistance.
“Oh” I used to fish this, before PAD bought it ! he said !But I don’t fish any more, Keep up my associate membership, so as I can walk the dog here”
On asking how to get to the pegs, he said “Just drive round the edge of the meadow and you come to the 1st at the toilet” pointing to the only building to be seen!

Thinking to myself that in winter rains, I would have some fun with my car in a meadow! I did as he instructed and arrived soon at the river!
Parking behind peg 6 I was delighted to find Strong wooden platforms built out into the Trent, even with 3 Octoplus brackets fitted to every peg, plus corner rod rest posts!
Parking is literally behind every peg apart from 1,2 and 3, which are a very short walk!

Fascinated I visited a few and then arrived at the far right peg, No.20

To the right of this peg is a small fence and behind that is the start of Derby Railways stretch.
Whilst I’m here I thought, I’d hop over the fence and see what that’s like.
This I did and because the Trent also is extremely low, spent nearly an hour happily wandering the bank of an exciting stretch of river!
Returning to the car, I drove around the margin of the other side of the meadow, with the intention of returning to the planned section of the Dove.
I would walk it alone if I got no call and at least have some idea of the geography.
The Curse, not content with the blank it had handed me after my excited anticipation this morning, PUT the boot in!

When I reached the top of the Meadow I was faced with a Gate, chained, bolted and LOCKED!!!
I was stuck in a meadow, way down from the road, in a club area that I was hoping to impress and be allowed to join by majority vote of the members and the only phone contacts I had were all disabled and were all living in Derby or Shardlow, facing a 20 mile round trip to release a Plonker!!!!!
I had visions of not being allowed to join this Anglers paradise, of never being able to ask Archie for his tips on the swims that produced for him! And of course missing all the planned matches and exciting new venues!
All I needed now, was the other helpful friend to ring and say he was on his way!
Now do you believe in the Zip Curse.
Do you know anyone else this could happen to!

Well read on and then say “You lucky B----d”, ‘cos that’s how the curse works, for and against!

On a brainwave, I went to the gate and YES, a small notice board, with club rules, Committee members names and addresses AND the name and phone No. of a local village Bailiff!
At least the journey wouldn’t be far!
Perhaps I could buy him a pint, explain about the Curse, KISS HIM anything!!!

I dialled up, the curse turned the screw, “ This is a BT announcement 1571, the person you are calling is on the phone!
7 tries 15 agonizing minutes and then! “Hello”

I stutteringly explained (as best I could, even I didn’t believe it)
I’ll come down he said, curtly I thought.

In less than 4 minutes he was there, parked at the top of the road and came down the lane, 

Limping badly!

My heart sank, as I stood, with the PAD letters, The Derby Railway ticket, and my heart in my mouth and my stomach in my boots!

There was no need at all, but I didn’t know that then, 
Chris turned out to be able to exceed my wildest imaginings!

He brushed aside my explanations and said, “Well what do you think”
“Fantastic” I replied, “I would love to join”
He then spent half an hour describing every peg, depths methods and finally at my growing excitement he said, “And of course there is the Lake”
Well as we stood beside it, I couldn’t help but agree.

“2 platforms here” he said “But I usually fish from that flat bit over there”
“Isn’t this the small Lake Archie Braddock describes “ I said

“Yes” but he doesn’t spin for Pike Like I do “ he said
“Catch any? “ I said
“Loads “ he said” They get in with the floods and as the Lake is stuffed with Fish, I catch them and chuck them back in the river”
“I’ve only ever caught 1 Pike on the spinner ! I said “And that was in Ireland”

His next reply nearly made me have an orgasm!

“Got any kit with you ?” he said!
As I stutteringly explained about my new rod and Trout spinning, “Go and get it” he said “I’ll leave the outer gate on the latch, lock it when you go and if you don’t catch a pike within 4 casts, I’ll eat my hat”
He then proceeded to show me where to stand at each area, where to aim for and left with “Look forward to seeing you on May 7th” ringing in my ears.

Driving out onto the lane, I could not believe my luck and grabbing my kit, I quickly pulled out my new telescopic, ready reeled and simply needing the Mepps spinner.
Clipping it on, I cast out where he said and as mentioned before, with very little faith in catching, but relieved to have got out of a really crappy situation as well as I did!
He was wrong about the 4th cast though!
To my utter amazement, on the second, exactly where he advised, a huge swirl showed in the water and my rod appeared to be yanked round by a train!
I’d loaded the new reel with 14lb fireline, direct to the Mepps and the backwind nearly broke my hand as the fish powered off.
With no real weight in the end tackle, the fish was almost in direct contact and fought with no weight restriction, not even a bomb.
After a few runs however, it was under control, when the curse had its final, goof the day!
I only had the trout spoon landing net with me!
The bloody fish, better than 10lbs was too damn big!

Twice I tried to lift the net up and twice the fish straddled it!
On a stupid inspiration, I lassoed its head!
That’s all it needed!
Transferring the treble to the net, it jerked its head and there I was with a hooked landing net!
I could have cried, I have never caught an English Pike on a spinner and now surely that would frighten them all off.
Also, I had to CUT the landing net to free the Mepps treble, as the fish had made such a good job of it!

Disconsolately, I moved round to 1 of the platforms and started casting again.
I did not believe I would catch as my chance seemed gone
Therefore, I was really pleased that despite only being ½ the size, this 5lbr took the spinner almost as quickly as the 1st one had!

As promised to Chris, (how could I let him down now?) I returned the fish to the river and not back to the lake, where he happily swam away.

This 3lbr went in exactly the same river swim, as he came to the net shortly afterwards!


Then it must have been ½ an hour, before the smallest yet, this must be just about a pound, took the same spinner as the bigger ones

Having never had faith and having never caught a Pike on a spinner, I had now caught 4 and all within about 80 minutes.
John ESOX had taught me to “work the lure right out”, which means keeping it in the water to the very rod tip, because John claimed that some fish get desperate when they think the prey escaping and almost follow it out of the water!
Experience has taught me that John doesn’t lie, but again I did not have much faith, so was somewhat startled when the 5th fish did exactly that!
Just as I was about to lift and recast, a swirl, a thonk! And this head came up to the top and grabbed the Mepps!

Last chance for the curse!
Late and tired and with the same problem of netting, this fish I tried to bring in to the shallows and hand lift out.
Wading in over my boots, I reached for her, but she was having none of it!
A mighty shake of her head to avoid my hand caused the Mepps to part from the line!
I tied a Palomar honestly NEWT!

With a 2nd lost fish, wet feet and 15 hours since I awoke, I decided that the day had turned out far better than I could have hoped for, packed and left.
On the way home I phoned Chris to report and thank him and was pleased to hear that he was overjoyed for me!

As I arrived home at 9.30 pm, I thought to myself of the new friend I had made, of the exciting new club I was joining, of the wonderful new 1st experience I had just undergone, how disaster turned into excitement and how the Curse moves in mysterious ways!

I hope I haven’t bored you too much, BUT can anyone tell me!

Why do these things happen to me!

Cheers


Trev