Mepps made for Chub

 Biggest Chub of season at estimated over 4lb on the Mepps again on Somerset Frome. Plenty of small Perch and smaller Chub all willing to take the lure. Thought I’d spooked a shoal of big Chub but cast ahead and drew the spinner through the group. Bang and a big scrap ensued. Beast of a chevin.

Crazy Perch fest on the Mepps

Yet another red letter day for Perch on Somerset Frome. Absolute stunning Perch on large Salmon Mepps gracing the net. Later in the year this fish would be going well over 3lb. Lots of other smaller Perch, Pike and Chub making a cracking day on the river.

 

Some beautiful Cornish Wrasse

 My son James and I have been loving the Wrasse fishing over the summer in Cornwall. Soft plastic Black Minnows all the way held close to the rocks both of kayak and shore. James has almost a sixth sense for tempting them out. Bass at the time of writing not abundant.

What’s this not more spinning on the Mepps

The Mepps didn’t disappoint again today with Chub, Perch and Brown Trout taking the spinner. Again out on Somerset Frome downstream of the previous weekends exploits. Big surprise today wasn’t the Perch but an absolute beast of a Brownie. It launched around the river like a Salmon and in the net I could see was my biggest Brown Trout for some years. Conservatively over 17 inches and 2.5lb of muscle with full on kype jaw.

Plenty of action after the trout from Chub and Perch but just not in the same league. Another cracking days lure fishing. Kind of feel odd I didn’t catch the trout on fly but I would have never fly fished that section of river for trout so it would have never come to pass!

Something different getting to grips with the Mepps

Well whilst enjoying the trout fly fishing I was really looking to to tap into some coarse fishing now the season had opened if not on fly then lure fishing. I wanted to catch primarily Chub but both Perch and Pike would not disappoint me. My favourite spot on Somerset Frome was the location and met up with Red who I had also sounded out for a change to the usual fly gear. Within a couple of casts with the Mepps XD I’d had a knock but lost the Perch close to the net. After moving upstream I found a hollow around a submerged tree and dropped the spinner in after a powerful riffle. As I retrieved from the willow branches a large fished launched at the lure and gave one hell of scrap. In the net it was a lovely Chub getting on for 4lbs.

Red had caught a number of smaller Chub in a small fast run. As we worked upstream next fish was a fine Perch netted by Red followed by another by me, both fish nearing if not 2lb. The action was non stop with both Perch and Chub taking the Mepps with abandonment.

We then drove a mile or so downstream to try another section of the Somerset Frome where we knew both Chub and Perch were abundant. After a couple of nice 1/2 lb Perch I hooked an absolute monster that took me all over the pool I was fishing. In the net I could see it was over 3lb easily my PB. As I stared in awe at the fish it buried itself in the net and found a hole in the seam I was just not aware of so no photo unfortunately but I have the memory! As the day wore on my final fish was a nice jack Pike in a shallow run. Epic days lure fishing, the Mepps is king!

Bristol Frome urban beauties

First session on Bristol Frome did not disappoint with two fantastic fish on the dry. I actually had rises from what I thought were bigger fish perhaps lucky on a 3lb leader!

The Mayfly hatch on sections of the river has also been quite spectacular.

First trip to River Chew 2020

Back to my roots and favourite section of the River Chew. I have to say the river is now is wild as ever and I was actually really impressed with the gravels and number of wild trout. Course species like Dace and also Grayling conspicuously absent. Water level low with no real difference from last season. Whether it was the Mayfly but the trout were abundant and evident with rising fish all over the place. Loved it catching a good number of fish in all sizes purely on the dry.

Second Season Session Post Lockdown on Cam

Fished Cam lots of fish rising and mayfly increasing in numbers. Lovely section of riffle and glides but whilst fish were there narrow channel made casting difficult. Managed to net a half a dozen wild brownies on the dry fly at targeted fish.

Season Opener - Wellow post lockdown

Well long time coming but the day had come when fishing had been released from lockdown. One thing for it day off work and off to the river in the hope of some isolating indulgence. It had been a while so I relied on a list to remember my kit. The temps had dropped but there was still some warmth in the sunshine. Anyway here is how I got on:

It’s been a while - high rivers, loss of mojo but finally back on the Pike

I’ve finally got back in the fishing habit. As the first glimpse of spring is shedding light on the Snowdrops and the water is falling I have found my way back to the river. The Pike have been clinging the bottom so deep sinking lines have been required. A couple of nice fish have been in the net both taking a weighted fly. It’s nice to be back!

Summer of Bass and Wrasse

This year for me was a bumper year for Bass. Not big and all returned but glorious mid range fish from the Cornish coast. Some days on the kayak at certain states of tide my catch rate was into double figures. The best of fishing on Black Minnows but other lures did the trick as well. It was the first summer I caught a Bass on the fly from a South Cornish cove. As well as the Bass my son and I caught some cracking Wrasse. Deeply fished lures that had to be weedless to cope with the kelp.

Summer day at Ringstead Bay

Beach day with family at Ringstead Bay. Managed to get a few hours in searching for Bass. Just one Bass and a Wrasse  after covering a lot of ground. Nice paddle though with light winds.

My unsung special place that gets me through the week..

How lucky am I? On my doorstep I have an urban river that fills my summer evenings with joy. It’s so easy to tap into something like this but the world of North Bristol spins around it. A beautiful Roach and glorious wild Brownie on the fly all in one evening..

Evening sessions on the local rivers - River Chew and Bristol Frome

Had some lovely late afternoon/evening sessions on River Chew and Bristol Frome. The Chew was incredibly low in level. I wonder whether Bristol Water are managing the flow in this way but question the impact on the fish who are struggling hard to find deeper pools. Nevertheless I found some good spirited mid sized Brownies falling to the dry as Mayfly were steady in coming off. No big fish though but lots of parr which is a good sign.

Meanwhile the Bristol Frome babbles away beneath the busiest of Bristol roads harbouring some wonderful fish. So far on the dry I have netted Dace getting on for a 1lb and some really solid Browns still managing to sustain a reasonable population.