Well at last, the river season is back!
I had to work on this glorious day, but made up for it in the evening by going straight after work.
I didn’t get a chance to stock up with bait, so just grabbed a tin of luncheon meat from my carp box and drove to a little river ten minutes from where I work. The species I was after was a specimen chub.
I have seen these chub in this river for a few years, but never seemed to get a chance to give them a go, so thought it was about time.
I arrived at the first swim. It was like looking into an aquarium. There were shoals of good sized roach, rudd and even some nice perch, but didn’t see any chub. I then rigged up the simplest of rigs which was a bog standard sliding ledger rig, and threw some free offerings in. As soon as the meat hit the water, a lovely sized chub grabbed it on the drop. I threw in a second bit but it picked it up and spat it out and moved on. I spent a few hours trying for them, but they were just teasing me. Eventually they outwitted me and I moved to the second swim.
I moved to the second swim around 8pm. This was slightly different, it was wider and deeper. I arrived and could could see big chub topping everywhere. Probably feeding on the insects that were buzzing around. I rigged up the basic ledger rig again and cast it to the opposite bank. When it hit the surface, it disturbed something big. Within minutes before I had a chance to put the rod down, it just flew round. First chub on the bank. Didn’t weigh but in the upper 4ib mark at least.
I missed a large second fish, which snapped the hook length, but ended the evening with a succession of three more specimen chub. Biggest of the three was 4ib 2oz. Smallest 3.5ib
Great start for me this season. Going back on this little river this weekend to try for the other species, but definitely one to watch through the summer and the winter. I am hoping to get out after the fenland Bream and Tench, the weekend after next if everything goes to plan.
As it’s the start of the new season, keep sending me any photos of catches from the fenland area and any fenland tales you would like to share.
Tight Lines!