Wednesday 19 February 2014

Catching chub by design

Catching chub by design...Final review of 2013

The greedy chub, a species I've neglected and found very irritating when my focus has been on catching big barbel.  Picture this...

It's a warm summer evening on the Loddon chasing the few big barbel that frequent this beautiful stretch of river. I check my watch which shows the witching hour is approaching.  My wariness is overcome by nervous energy, excited by what the night might bring; hoping, praying for any movement on those tiny balls of light.  Nothing happens during the hour, and tiredness takes hold as I start to drift...... then out of nowhere, my down stream rod violently arches round and springs back in a blink of an eye! I jump and remain alert ready to intercept, as it could be a big barbel brushing against the line,  still there is a chance I convince myself! Nothing happens for 20 minutes or so as I start to relax and drift again. Then I get a jab followed by few more.  The jabs don't stop, so I strike and I know instantly I've hooked a swim wrecker.  Chub landed, and soon after I pack up and leave for home, a little dejected. 




If there was a barbel close by, and that's a big IF, it would have been spooked and I'd still be waiting for it to take my bait by the morning.  This doesn't always ring true on other rivers I'm sure, but from my experience where I fish an awful lot, catching a chub is the kiss of death.  This swim wrecking was a common occurrence 3/4 years ago, but the river has changed.  I very rarely get those tell tale jabs during the night, which would suggest the chub have become very cute, or more likely are just not there in numbers, which is a real shame.

Anyway less of this negativity towards chub.  I actually quite like them really if fishing for them by design.
I made a decision a couple of seasons back, that I'd not waste my valuable fishing time chasing barbel during the winter months, when conditions were not favourable and concentrate on chub instead, during my short evening sessions.  Knowing numbers were low on my local Loddon stretches, I would fish another Thames tributary I know very well and where I caught my best, but modest chub by accident at 6.2 back in 2006.

There's something quite refreshing about chub fishing.  The fact you can travel with very little amount of tackle appeals. Light quiver tip, net, matt with a pocket full of bits and bait, means you can roam the river and not feel bogged down by heavy luggage and start feeling lazy.

Tactics couldn't be simpler, with a two to four swan shot running leger link, stopped by a couple of float stops and a bead so I can adjust the length.  Size 8 fine wire hook, tipped with some home made cake (Martin Bowler style) and that great winter bait 'cheese paste' mixed with a top secret ingredient. This tactic saw a few nice chub caught during freezing temperatures the end of last season, with a nice clean new personal best by a whopping 1oz.  However the wally holding the chub looks a bit stupid in my eyes and needs to ditch the silly hat!

  
This season due to mild weather and having my barbel head on, my chub fishing didn't start in earnest until mid November.  When I did eventually visit the tributary again, conditions were perfect as we were just seeing the back end of a short cold snap, moving into low pressure and therefore milder temperatures.  Bait wise, instead of baking cake I opted for the lazy approach and counter balanced my hook with a small piece of ethafoam, glued to the shank with a cheesepaste wrapper.
A few short roving sessions produced some good sport during the month, including a lovely brace both a couple of ounces over six. 



With my personal best again being threatened I was quietly confident a larger chub, that I suspected might still be in residence, could make a mistake one evening as we headed into December.  My approach remained the same, travelling light and roving, but over a smaller area so I could revisit already fished swims that has seen a few baits.  Something I've learnt through the frustration of many missed bites is that chub do not like resistance, and will mouth the bait and drop it before you can say "Mono have a shave".  I'd considered bobbins and touch ledgering, but find it's more pleasurable for me watching the light quiver tip, but fished with a slightly slack line down the inside or a big bow if fishing mid to far bank.
Well December started with a bang, and this lovely chunk of a chub left it to the second visit to the swim and within five minutes of heading home.  That's better and probably one of the largest on this little tributary weighing in at 6lb 13oz. 


Well unfortunately my chub fishing came to a premature end soon after, as severe flooding affected many areas in the south east and unfortunately still is as we approach March.  I feel for all those families affected by the flooding and sincerely hope that they can rebuild and return to their homes soon.

      


Monday 3 February 2014

Rutland Zander

Away days


I just love them as I get to book the whole day fishing...yippee!!  I usually need at least a months notice though with my better half .  Once I get the green light I'm like an excited child counting down the days before that special occasion.  To be honest I get far too obsessed leading up to the big event, especially if it's a method or species I'm not familiar with.  I must be a pain in the arse to live with as my focus isn't on doing those long ignored jobs around the house or planning our next family excursion.  Its what rod? what reel? what braid? what lures?!?....Then it's how, where and why?  Research, research, research.  Armchair angling I call it, and there's a few out there that do it I'm sure, especially in the age of social media.  All this research gives you a start at least, but it's nothing compared with actual time spent on the water doing it.

My club have done a splendid job over the past few seasons organising such events.  It's a great opportunity to meet fellow members, enjoy some friendly banter and catch a few fish.  On this day I would be returning to Rutland water.  I have fond memories of Rutland during my youth.  Most memorable was fly fishing with the then England youth coach and the late Mike Childs the day before the England youth eliminator.  I owe Mike a great deal as he helped my fly fishing reach another level that day.  Unfortunately conditions were totally different during the completion and I got found out and never made the cut. I still use that waistcoat some 25 years later by the way. It's a little tight now.



No casting a fly this time though, but learning the fine art of vertical jigging for zander.  With the rod and reel sorted along with a new drogue and selection of jig-heads and assorted shads I was ready to catch my first zander.







After an early start we arrived at Rutland at 7am and were out on the water an hour later ready to fish. Vertical jigging requires a light weight, short but fast action rod with a sensitive tip. So my cheap light TronixPro Rockfish seemed up to scratch. Thin braid is essential so we can fish a light/medium weight jig on a drifting boat to get the best presentation.
It wasn't long before my boat partner Ian was into his first zander of the day. I recall he had caught seven before I even had my first touch. Anyway while he put the kettle on to make a brew I borrowed his rod. The first drop I hooked and landed my first zander.  Not the largest but typical of the size found in this vast water.
...next drop the second fish followed before he had finished making coffee. Reluctantly I handed his rod back and swapped to a similar lure. Fishing was still slow for me while Ian carried on catching some nice zander to over 5lb, though most were in the 2/3lb bracket.
Drastic action was required as I suspect my glass tip was too light, so action was poor with the jig.  Out came the penknife and a few minutes of careful sawing saw my tip reduced by six inches. 
                                          
Sure enough the next drift I started hitting into fish and before long my catch rate was making the big northern lad next to me a little nervous.
Then along came an armada of 10 boats who decided to anchor in 50ft of water in the middle of our drift. Now that's not very gentlemanly is it? and it isn't allowed on Rutland either where we were at least.  The next four hours were interesting whilst we muscled our way through the boats, ducking flying jigs to get to the shoal.  In the end my boat partner and I survived and were dually rewarded with approaching 50 zander between us.  What a memorable day in great company even if he did catch more than me.
Until the next time Rutland...missing you already.