The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

PershoreHarrier wrote: ↑Sun Oct 21, 2018 8:19 pm Today would be my last outing with Leszeks reel before I hand it over to the next tester and the intention was to try and find a Tench or two if that could be achieved.

The weather started beautifully with clear blue skies, a warm sun and only a very light breeze - ideal conditions for me personally anyway. Sadly those conditions did not last and around 3.00pm the sky clouded over with heavy grey clouds becoming dominant, the temperature dropping to the degree where I needed to put my coat on and the wind getting up.



I would be fishing a pool where I have never blanked (unbelievable but true in the 15 years I have fished it generally 5 or 6 times a year) It contains a fine head of tench - rumour said a 6lber came out earlier this year, bream in the 3lb - 4lb range, roach to maybe half a pound and of course Carp which run to just shy of 30lb.



Tackle for the day would be a Chapmans F.J.Taylor Roach rod - Lezeks reel still loaded with 4lb Maxima, a 3BB waggler all terminating in a No. 10 Barbless hook. For bait I had prawns, luncheon meat and sweetcorn with some mashed bread and hemp.



The tench are generally caught close to the bank and my swim was just around 5 feet deep so I would be fishing pretty close in maybe 10 feet from the bank. I stuck with prawns for 2 hours with no result so switched to meat fishing only 6 feet from the bank - the float shot away and with hand clamped over the drum the fish was hooked and at the same time the drum on ratchet sang a high pitched scream as the fish took 20 yards of line before I applied more hand pressure to the drum - the fish stopped then gave an almighty tug and the ratchet sang out again with a 15 yard run before I stopped it for the second time - another almighty tug and a 10 yard run whereupon it turned towards me at speed - the line went slack as I could not recover it quickly enough and the fish blew the hook out. I was somewhat devastated and knew it was a very good fish as the rod and my own Aerial Match with 4lb line has accounted for several mid doubles with relative ease.

I settled down with a mug of coffee and cast out again putting the rod on two rodrests and noted there were quite a few carp moving about just below the surface with several 20 plussers in evidence. However, my attention was taken by a white scaled carp with yellow / golden flashes towards the tail - most unusual I thought as the reel sang out with line poring off the drum in a straight line with the rod. I clamped my hand over the drum but the fish had acquired substantial speed and the line parted just above the bottom shot. This was not going to plan and as time drew on I came to the last cast of the day in what were now cold and miserable darkening conditions.

The float cocked maybe 10 feet from the bank carrying its final piece of luncheon meat and the disappearance of the float engaged with a decent Carp. It did not take too long to win the battle as the tackle was in control but imagine my surprise when I netted a white scaled carp with yellow / golden flashes. The Avon scales recorded the fish at a gnats over 11lbs. With the fish being somewhat frisky and camera shy I kept part of the landing net over its tail to discourage flapping about. An absolutely splendid carp in perfect condition and not a scale missing.



Sorry to miss out on the Tench but what a fish to make up for the disappointment.

As for the reel - supreme top quality in my opinion - good line lay - no line trapping problems - no over-run issues and as smooth as silk. My only criticism is that the ratchet is on the light side for my preference but really that is insignificant when compared to its overall quality and performance.

I feel very privileged to have been chosen by Leszek as a tester of his work and the first to take this role on and the first of the experts will now take up the joy of having the use of this magical piece of fishing tackle. Thanks Leszek Sir you are indeed a man of great engineering skill

PershoreHarrier wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:28 pm Today I met Steve Preston aka LuckyLuca at Tadpole Bridge whereupon the Aerial Match was handed over to tester no. 2 - the first of the experts.

The event was recorded with this fine photograph (of the reel ).