- Joined
- Dec 2, 2001
- Messages
- 15,478
I left Swansea at 1.25pm for a gentle drive to Loughborough. All was going well until I hit the M42. From Junction 1 is was a crawl, and the signs said it would be the same up until Junction 7 so I pulled off onto the M40, then went down to Warwick then up the A46 to Coventry then onto the M69. About 25 miles further but a lot quicker.
I arrived at Loughborough about 5.45pm, to be welcomed by a phone call from Trev to say he couldnt make it until the Saturday morning. Some excuse about all his gear getting wet the previous night, or some other ridiculous story. (Joking Trev).
After getting a meal in Tescos and filling the car up with much needed go-go juice I followed the directions I was given and made my way to TJs water. A lovely stretch of the River Soar. There I was met my Scott and Dave. The Friday evening was spent mainly getting to know my hosts plus a couple of hours fishing. Of course a couple of beers didnt go amiss.
I woke up at six in the morning, and set up three rods. One was my 11 foot medium feeder, the second a float with a waggler set up and also my carp rod.
Trev arrived about 7am, and we had a natter until he moved off to a barbell swim. I will let Trev tell the story of his weekend. Suffice to say at times I hate him with a passion, especially when he catches all the decent fish. Here is Trev in his swim.
I had some success with the float rod, catching dace, bleak, gudgeon and minnows, plus a small chub. I had one cracking bite and as I was playing the fish I slipped down the bank and landed in the water, up to my knees. I lost the fish unfortunately.
Scott came down and gave me a few hints, which helped improve my catch rate. Thanks Scott.
Later in the day I used the ledger and the carp rod. I had three bream, the biggest weighing 2lb10oz, on the ledger rod and a chub of about half a pound on the carp rod.
I then had a good bream on the carp rod but it took me into the rushes and even with Daves help I lost it, but not to mind because within 10 minutes I had this, my biggest bream off the ledger rod a fish of 2lb 12. Not big my most peoples standards but as I havent caught bream on a river before I was well chuffed. Thanks Scott for taking the photographs.
Of course as is the hosts perks Scott and Dave set up in two good swims and Scott had a nice bag of bream. 22lb 12 oz in total.
Day two was a big learning curve for me, using a stick float for the first time. Again Scott spent time helping me get set up and showing me the way to fish the stick float. I had some success but I did keep missing bites, but then practice will make perfect. I wont be an absolute duffer when I go on the Trent, I just might appear so.
At half past one I started packing up my gear, I had to be home by 6pm for a previous engagement. After a good natter with Dave and Scott and saying cheerio to Trev I made my way home, once more to be met with holdups on the M42.
I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Thank you Dave and Scott for your welcome and the excellent fishing. I am only sorry that others who promised to be there let you down. I know Dai would have enjoyed it if he hadnt been ill. Still at least Trev and myself know what they missed. I apologise for the quality of the photographs but I am using a cheap Lidls digital camera.
I hope to be there again on the first Saturday in September, and I assure you if I lived closer I would buy a season ticket. Once again thanks lads, and catch up with you again soon.
Geoff
RSSG member - are you?
Clean Banks Campaign member
I arrived at Loughborough about 5.45pm, to be welcomed by a phone call from Trev to say he couldnt make it until the Saturday morning. Some excuse about all his gear getting wet the previous night, or some other ridiculous story. (Joking Trev).
After getting a meal in Tescos and filling the car up with much needed go-go juice I followed the directions I was given and made my way to TJs water. A lovely stretch of the River Soar. There I was met my Scott and Dave. The Friday evening was spent mainly getting to know my hosts plus a couple of hours fishing. Of course a couple of beers didnt go amiss.
I woke up at six in the morning, and set up three rods. One was my 11 foot medium feeder, the second a float with a waggler set up and also my carp rod.
Trev arrived about 7am, and we had a natter until he moved off to a barbell swim. I will let Trev tell the story of his weekend. Suffice to say at times I hate him with a passion, especially when he catches all the decent fish. Here is Trev in his swim.
I had some success with the float rod, catching dace, bleak, gudgeon and minnows, plus a small chub. I had one cracking bite and as I was playing the fish I slipped down the bank and landed in the water, up to my knees. I lost the fish unfortunately.
Scott came down and gave me a few hints, which helped improve my catch rate. Thanks Scott.
Later in the day I used the ledger and the carp rod. I had three bream, the biggest weighing 2lb10oz, on the ledger rod and a chub of about half a pound on the carp rod.
I then had a good bream on the carp rod but it took me into the rushes and even with Daves help I lost it, but not to mind because within 10 minutes I had this, my biggest bream off the ledger rod a fish of 2lb 12. Not big my most peoples standards but as I havent caught bream on a river before I was well chuffed. Thanks Scott for taking the photographs.
Of course as is the hosts perks Scott and Dave set up in two good swims and Scott had a nice bag of bream. 22lb 12 oz in total.
Day two was a big learning curve for me, using a stick float for the first time. Again Scott spent time helping me get set up and showing me the way to fish the stick float. I had some success but I did keep missing bites, but then practice will make perfect. I wont be an absolute duffer when I go on the Trent, I just might appear so.
At half past one I started packing up my gear, I had to be home by 6pm for a previous engagement. After a good natter with Dave and Scott and saying cheerio to Trev I made my way home, once more to be met with holdups on the M42.
I had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Thank you Dave and Scott for your welcome and the excellent fishing. I am only sorry that others who promised to be there let you down. I know Dai would have enjoyed it if he hadnt been ill. Still at least Trev and myself know what they missed. I apologise for the quality of the photographs but I am using a cheap Lidls digital camera.
I hope to be there again on the first Saturday in September, and I assure you if I lived closer I would buy a season ticket. Once again thanks lads, and catch up with you again soon.
Geoff
RSSG member - are you?
Clean Banks Campaign member
