Well my traces were good

[Gandalf]

Remember we discussed making traces and I made some, well I had one tested
today. Not on a fish unfortunately buy on a snag and I managed to pull it
free but when I got it in the treble hook had one arm bent so my crimping
has proven good which was something I was wondering about.

However my son snagged up a few times and lost two of my traces and my new
"chubby shad"

Not a single bite all day and we tried everything, smelt and bluies ledgerd,
bunged and even sink and drawn. Spinners, plugs and soft lures galore but
nothing. The only fish had out of about 10 anglers was a foul hooked perch
on a spinner, right through the tail.

Best of all was that I was given two cheep little lures by three kids, they
set up near me and my son and had typical cheep kits that are useless
really. They asked for a little help so, being a dutiful grandfather and
angler I helped them and used my kit to set them up and at the end of the
day they gave me these lure to say thank you which I think is so unusual
these days unfortunately.

So it is not necessary to catch fish to have a good day me thinks. However I
would have like to have caught one and not lost a lure I was really looking
forward to using some day.<VBG>

[Derek Moody]

Post by Gandalf
However my son snagged up a few times and lost two of my traces and my new
"chubby shad"

Something we tend to forget is how those new to them lose so many lures.
Most of us buy half a dozen new ones before a *special* trip, say the week
away or the trip to the expensive, renowned water - but then we keep using
the same lures until the next such trip a year later...

Beware lending your gear to a friend for their first attempt with lures.

With experience it's usually possible to extract even a well armed lure
from a far-bank branch or a surf-lashed rock - but the "I've never caught a
fish on a spinner before" guest promptly loses lures to the value of 50 quid
before you even notice how he's getting hung up :-(

Lure fishing is actually very cheap when you get past the losing one lure in
ten trips level...

Post by Gandalf
Not a single bite all day and we tried everything, smelt and bluies ledgerd,
bunged and even sink and drawn. Spinners, plugs and soft lures galore but
nothing. The only fish had out of about 10 anglers was a foul hooked perch
on a spinner, right through the tail.

The big weather change will have put them down. We needed it and it will
have done the rivers no end of good but it'll be a week before I'd expect
the pike to feed again.

Post by Gandalf
Best of all was that I was given two cheep little lures by three kids, they
day they gave me these lure to say thank you which I think is so unusual
these days unfortunately.

Aw, there are a few decent kids around then. Well done them.

Post by Gandalf
So it is not necessary to catch fish to have a good day me thinks. However I
would have like to have caught one and not lost a lure I was really looking
forward to using some day.<VBG>

<g> Console yourself: the lure -we- think looks really good is rarely the
one the fish think looks really good.

Cheerio,

[Gandalf]

"Beware lending your gear to a friend for their first attempt with lures."

I know what you mean but telling my son to sod off when I was supposed to be
teaching him would be a bit harsh and I did have the thought he may well be
the one with the power of attorney not so far off in my life.<VBG>

Sunday did see a dramatic change in the weather which I did wonder would be
a factor.

I thought we would loose some tackle but not so much to trees as we were
fishing open water. It was basically a dam wall we were fishing from and
always has been snaggy with boulders and rocks. I got it out a few times and
actually had the nose of the weighted head show the scratches that only
stone could have put on it.

Seems I did catch something though as this morning I have the worst head
cold ever, final victory to the lake me thinks.
--
Gandalf

Post by Derek Moody

Post by Gandalf
However my son snagged up a few times and lost two of my traces and my new
"chubby shad"

Something we tend to forget is how those new to them lose so many lures.
Most of us buy half a dozen new ones before a *special* trip, say the week
away or the trip to the expensive, renowned water - but then we keep using
the same lures until the next such trip a year later...
Beware lending your gear to a friend for their first attempt with lures.
With experience it's usually possible to extract even a well armed lure
from a far-bank branch or a surf-lashed rock - but the "I've never caught a
fish on a spinner before" guest promptly loses lures to the value of 50 quid
before you even notice how he's getting hung up :-(
Lure fishing is actually very cheap when you get past the losing one lure in
ten trips level...

Post by Gandalf
Not a single bite all day and we tried everything, smelt and bluies ledgerd,
bunged and even sink and drawn. Spinners, plugs and soft lures galore but
nothing. The only fish had out of about 10 anglers was a foul hooked perch
on a spinner, right through the tail.

The big weather change will have put them down. We needed it and it will
have done the rivers no end of good but it'll be a week before I'd expect
the pike to feed again.

Post by Gandalf
Best of all was that I was given two cheep little lures by three kids, they
day they gave me these lure to say thank you which I think is so unusual
these days unfortunately.

Aw, there are a few decent kids around then. Well done them.

Post by Gandalf
So it is not necessary to catch fish to have a good day me thinks. However I
would have like to have caught one and not lost a lure I was really looking
forward to using some day.<VBG>

<g> Console yourself: the lure -we- think looks really good is rarely the
one the fish think looks really good.
Cheerio,
--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/

[Derek Moody]

Post by Gandalf
fishing open water. It was basically a dam wall we were fishing from and
always has been snaggy with boulders and rocks. I got it out a few times and
actually had the nose of the weighted head show the scratches that only
stone could have put on it.

A place to try floating plugs - as soon as you feel a rock stop winding and
it floats out of trouble.

Cheerio,

[Gandalf]

Oddly enough I did that but did not have a deep diving one which was needed
so we went back to sink and draw using a smelt. In his defence it was only
his second time pike and lure fishing. He is going to buy me some lures for
Christmas.

What is the general consensus on bream fishing tomorrow. I want a nice quiet
day sitting and pulling some fish out so thought as it was mild and not too
wet I would try and go back to my known method but some locals in the tackle
shop are saying that bream fishing is dead due to the weather. In the old
days this sort of weather was good for bream if I remember right.
--
Gandalf

Post by Derek Moody

Post by Gandalf
fishing open water. It was basically a dam wall we were fishing from and
always has been snaggy with boulders and rocks. I got it out a few times and
actually had the nose of the weighted head show the scratches that only
stone could have put on it.

A place to try floating plugs - as soon as you feel a rock stop winding and
it floats out of trouble.
Cheerio,
--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/

[Derek Moody]

Post by Gandalf
What is the general consensus on bream fishing tomorrow. I want a nice quiet
day sitting and pulling some fish out so thought as it was mild and not too
wet I would try and go back to my known method but some locals in the tackle
shop are saying that bream fishing is dead due to the weather. In the old
days this sort of weather was good for bream if I remember right.

These are the same locals you've been outfishing these months past?
How much do you rate their opinion?

I've never been much of a bream fisher - location mostly. I always assume
that the water temperature is the most important factor as the lower it is
the slower the fish's digestion and so the less they are able to eat.

If the water is warming then, yes, it could be good. If -clear- then your
lures might be worth using. If there's a (relatively) warm wind then I'd
fish the drop off facing into the teeth of it.

Though I'd rather head for the river.

Cheerio,

[Gandalf]

Cheers Derek,

Unfortunately the guys are not the old codgers at the lake but I am not sure
of their credentials never having seen them do the deed so to speak. They
talked the talk but you never know until you have listened for a while.

The weather looks a little warmer and the water temp should be as good as my
last catching session I think so it may be good. I am taking both outfits so
I can choose and if there is light rain in the morning I will lure fish
until the promised break comes making the best of the situation.

I also would rather head for the river but transport stuffs me so I will
make do with the good old lake for now. Next summer I will fish the Thames
at Lechlade. I will get there by bus and stay in a B&B over night so I can
get out at the crack of dawn. Looking forward to that.
--
Gandalf

Post by Derek Moody

Post by Gandalf
What is the general consensus on bream fishing tomorrow. I want a nice quiet
day sitting and pulling some fish out so thought as it was mild and not too
wet I would try and go back to my known method but some locals in the tackle
shop are saying that bream fishing is dead due to the weather. In the old
days this sort of weather was good for bream if I remember right.

These are the same locals you've been outfishing these months past?
How much do you rate their opinion?
I've never been much of a bream fisher - location mostly. I always assume
that the water temperature is the most important factor as the lower it is
the slower the fish's digestion and so the less they are able to eat.
If the water is warming then, yes, it could be good. If -clear- then your
lures might be worth using. If there's a (relatively) warm wind then I'd
fish the drop off facing into the teeth of it.
Though I'd rather head for the river.
Cheerio,
--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/

[Derek Moody]

Post by Gandalf
make do with the good old lake for now. Next summer I will fish the Thames
at Lechlade. I will get there by bus and stay in a B&B over night so I can
get out at the crack of dawn. Looking forward to that.

" ...an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room,
  lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall..."

:-)

Cheerio,

[Gandalf]

A fun day with 4 bream, largest was 4 lb plus. Which is not a lot really but
enough to keep me happy for a days fun fishing.

There was, what I think was, pike activity as I saw a few swirls as
something move fast near the surface but not a lot of interest in any of my
lures. Had to explain tot he guy fishing with me that pike really do not
climb trees as he lost two up the tree and caught no bream.

Off to bed now as I is tired.
--
Gandalf

Post by Derek Moody

Post by Gandalf
make do with the good old lake for now. Next summer I will fish the Thames
at Lechlade. I will get there by bus and stay in a B&B over night so I can
get out at the crack of dawn. Looking forward to that.

" ...an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room,
lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall..."
:-)
Cheerio,
--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/