The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Vole wrote:Jag-jag, jag-jag, swirl at the surface and the hook falls out...

As close as I can get to Mister Voley. Trout will go for moving corn- silver tourists??

Last trout I caught from the Thames was just around the bend from where I am now, and I caught that on legered corn??

I describe the fight as rocking and sawing, a little to the left and a little to the right. A fish of 1lb does this in a lively manner. I've only caught a couple two pound roach and neither seemed quite so strong in the fight as the 1lb class fish. May be there is an optimum fish size for sport, I've heard similar said about the fight of pike and carp.

I caught a good eel on corn.i was too distraught to be amazed as I thought it was my first black tench from that water,ha

Gord wrote:just a thought but could it have been a small catfish as they are in the thames but i dont know how far up they have reached but i know they are breeding as i have seen a few in the 2-3lbs range caught at walton

I've caught small catfish - they don't fight. Even the biggest so far - 8lb - didn't really fight.

Greetings from Bamberg

Martin

Could have been a burbot even, you'll never know.

Big roach can and often do put up real scrap if they are fished for with suitable tackle and not hauled in using an Avon rod and 4/5lb line.

Chris Bettis wrote:Big roach can and often do put up real scrap if they are fished for with suitable tackle and not hauled in using an Avon rod and 4/5lb line.

Amplified if you know it's a big roach and accompanied by knocking knees.

Roach dont fight lik a fish that makes runs but they can still pull hard in small bursts.
The depth plays a factor,shallow water means they cant go down so pull back more and they feel heavier.
On light tackle they can still hold the rod in an arch for a few heart stopping seconds now and then during the fight.
I would say a big roach and grayling fight similarly but the grayling has the sail fin and current to help it hold the rod in an arch longer.

It could possibly have been a hybrid, maybe roach/bream. They tend to punch well above their weight.