kevtaylor

Absolutely right the Pike go first then Perch so their offspring can predate on the later arrivals - very clever isn't it. 😎 Fished a few waters through the Nene valley and they all seem to spawn Late June maybe into early July, not sure if it's a depth/temp thing, the small stockies may well go for it early but the better fish seem to wait longer. On these particular fisheries closing for a few weeks once they actually start spawning works OK but not if they choose to start when the tiddlers go first. If it were my choice I'd ignore the tiddlers and close for 3-4 weeks once the proper fish start. Tough to get it spot on every time, I saw one of the big girls spawning early Aug, just that spawn bound fish and a few males - mad sight.

Well done mate - great stuff 😎👍

Welcome back and tight lines! 😎👍

Yep the regrowth is always a different colour, you can see the original curved bite mark there, we've looked at 1000s of fish pics - sometimes you point it out and the denial is unreal, makes you laugh! 🤷‍♂️

Been watching the vids from Fenesmere (something like that), guy has had them on his proper lake and more so the stock ponds last 2 winters so I gather. My mate also spots tail damage from otters like his specialist skill, he points out damage or where it's grown back on many catch pics. Pretty sure Samir pointed out the urgency of catching certain fish in Spain due to otters too very recently.

Seeing it more and more in France now too

We went to Ashmire Fishery Cambs last year, place was fenced, main gate looked very low on arrival like 2.6 - 3ft max - I started in peg one by the gate, 2nd night my dog went out to something that scuttled past the back of my bivvy and vanished. Hour later we've got an otter swimming around chasing the swans all night - poor things were so stressed. Before leaving 2 of us went to see the owner, I told him the gate was too low and that was the entry route but he wouldn't have it, it must be a badger hole in the out of bounds he says, very little we can do about badgers. Guy had his head in the sand - crazy man will lose them all over time, was nowhere near bothered enough. My last syndicate was fenced but the initial/emergency fence was chicken wire, over time the wire weakened in the wet areas and a small hole was forced and one got in. Killed my target fish (two tone), nothing was said and I wasted 5 years chasing a ghost! Owner there is well on it, fencing is all improved and has additional electric wires yet he reliably informs that they (otters) still check for weaknesses every night (trail cam) - it never stops - any storm damage and they will be straight back in!

Was greeted at my swim by this: Adult male, body right of path, head left, been chewed off, no signs of actually eating anything. This is one of 3 I've spotted around the lake this spring. The more of this I see the less I understand and have sympathy for our MR O. Looking more and more like a senseless killing machine to me! Oh and the female was looking around for her mate - heartbreaking. 😪

I agree totally, blanking but learning is progress, knowing what you did wrong is as important as getting it right I guess - the bigger picture of understanding. I think the pressure of catching spoils it for many or they allow it to, but I'm doing this for me no one else, so I set the bar!

I'm like Ian in this respect, if it's easy what's the point? Blanking is a natural part of the process and even if I were top rod on the venue there would still be lots of blanks going on. The only people bothered by me blanking are friends and family who think it matters, I'm perfectly happy learning in my own time and enjoying the experience. Looking back now I'd have hated to catch my target early, almost a fluke, not understanding what it means to be so fortunate - if and when my time comes it will mean more to me than 10,000 fish from easy waters. Back in my 20s we fished a fairly large water, choked with weed and only 37 Leneys stocked in the 70s, we blanked for over a year but loved the lake, learning and social elements. It took away any pressure to catch coz everyone knew the size of the challenge, we didn't really think about that or understand what we'd signed up to - we just enjoyed it. We didn't know how lucky we were looking back was a great early experience that I still draw on now.

Torture! 🙃

IMO the fishery manager was weak letting them get away with that, vacate the swim or you're banned would be my take on it.

Friend of mine was getting mouth damage in Italy, problem seemed to be the 15lb supple braid cutting the corners of the mouth. Think he just upped the BS, it was odd and out the blue - no previous issues. 🤷‍♂️

Oh I'd be so angry, I'd have gone home absolutely raging after giving them what for - so bad!!! So those guys just moved the sign and got away with it. 🤬

I like this, when the fish have seen it all I find myself tying a standard hair with a bottom bait and tiny funnel web of crumb- simple as it gets, and works 👍 No baiting just a trap in the zone.

She doesnt look too impressed by Nick tbf Earned a treat yeah - where is it? Hmmm 🤣 George had a thing about mice in the garage, was like a kid jumping up and down at the door to have a sniff round and check the traps every night. Brilliant ❤️

It wasn't until I encountered rats all over the swim, on the bivvy, everywhere - on a day ticket complex that I decided I needed a new dog if I was to enjoy fishing again. I didn't feel ready for a new dog (6 months) but my daughter found one and put a deposit down in the hope I'd like it too - it was a great move looking back. Still think of George daily but a new dog does help, we are supposed to have them at the end of the day being dog people - there's one out there waiting for you to give it a great life, that's how I see it anyway. ❤️👍

I feel for you mate, such a gut wrenching loss for anyone. Jack is my 2nd cocker, food obsessed, silly as anything but I wouldn't choose anything else now - maybe a staffy as his companion in the future. I look forward to seeing the pics, Casper sounded like a cracker ❤️

Yes mate they are very easy to get in, the boots thick and low so stays in shape, the fabric is 3 different layers of lightweight stuff so they fold down and pull up easily. They go right upto my arm pits so will be able to wade out further with more confidence, adjustable at the waist so not overly baggy it you don't want that. Comes with repair kit and wader bag with mesh sides. I'm not using that obvs. Said to be breathable so may be able to keep them on without getting too hot.

Fortis waders arrived last week - look good 😎👍

Thin it right down and be clever and carpy OR buy a power barrow and take more 🤣🙃

What heavier than the Ridgemonkey Std 1 Man bivvy - never lol Just put my back out thinking about it 😂

You could buy a jar of prepared maize just for hook baits as you can see how big it is through the jar or use a plastic version 👍

Braid is savage for spodding. I've had to change to the Wolf spod. Was doing 3 times the amount of casts to get the baiting done 👎 Spod always opened with mono, hit clip, line stretches, spod opens every time 💥