To my surprise there was only one other angler. It would have been rude not to join him. I chose my swim and sat down to set my rod and reel up. Last trip I forgot the bait. This time I had left the reel at home. It only took five minutes to pop home and get it.
I decided to use the same method as last week, free-lined luncheon meat in the lilies with a sight bob about 3 feet up the line. It didn’t work because a swan zeroed in on the sight bob every cast.
I didn’t want to risk hooking a swan so I had to think of another approach. The other angler had caught a couple of tench on ledgered maggots so I thought I would try a bait on the bottom. I was using a Bruce and Walker Mk IV G, a Mitchell 300 and new Drennan sinking 5.6lb bs line straight through to a size 8 barbless hook. I put some sinking putty on the line about 12” away from the bait and cast to the edge of the lilies.
Nothing happened for an hour and then out of the blue, the indicator shot up to the rod and a tench was hooked. It fought hard and weighed about 4lb 8oz.
After that I added a piece of crust to the luncheon meat paste to balance it and the bites became more regular and I got into a routine, landing another five tench all about 3-4lb.
I put some mashed bread and crumbed luncheon meat (flavoured with Tutti Frutti) into the swim next to the lilies. A couple of casts later I hooked into a much bigger fish. It fought well and I was glad of the power in the rod. The tench weighed 6lb 8oz and as it was exhausted, I returned it without a photo.
As the sun went down the swim went quiet, the breeze had a bit of a chill and I decided to pack up. Seven tench, sunshine, peace and quiet; just the job.
and great photos as usual !
, they made a packet today I reckon, especially from me !!
