Gazlaaar

Yesterday's session Well what can I say I found a group of fish after hours of looking, got everything done really quietly, so quietly the fish were milling over my 2 margin spots. Of course I was rubbing my hands together. I watched them for an hour or so when from nowhere appeared several fishermen. Right behind my bivvy, baring in mind I was the only one fishing. 3 old boys and the rest around the same age as me I suppose. They thought nothing of laughing and joking calling eachother this and that in raised voices, in full view of the very fish I was fishing for. I actually watched all of the fish slope off, and then stepped out of my bivvy. Not one for confrontation plus I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I explained to them all that these fish were very finicky plus I was only fishing a couple of yards out, at which point they all looked very apologetic and moved on. I waited another hour but nothing returned, so I went for a walk, found a couple of fish, set up, in the usual manner and sat back with all the days events a distant memory. Then the nasty little critters moved in, all night long, bleep, bleep, bleep, I didn't get a wink of sleep. So to sum up yesterday's session, not the best but at least I was out trying and as for crayfish, hate them lol

There you are

Hindsight is a lovely thing, you can never be too sure,

It's just one of those things Jon

Cheers Cloud

I've started keeping a diary on my phone and it very quickly turned into a little account of my session, so I thought I'd share it on here. I went for a walk up and down the Green Mile, I quite fancied a swim half way along, as I had caught from the swim before and to the left lay about 50 yards of unfishable tree lined margin, but I really didn't want to fish a swim just for the sake of it, I wanted to see fish first. I did see fish up in the top corner, nothing to big and they looked like they were just sunning themselves. I know these fish weren't really up for a feed so I kept looking, but the area was noted. It wasn't until I'd gotten down into the car park swim on magoo bank that I saw a good group of fish milling around down the right hand side under the scum and floating weed that had gathered into that corner. The group were 14 strong, mainly doubles with a handful of twenties and two very big dark fish. A foot across the back, one was a heavily plated mirror the other a common. I held back any thoughts of getting a rod in place while they were there, and just kept watch. After what seemed like an eternity of watching them move in and out of the area I ceased my chance and quickly got a baited rig onto the route they were using down to my right. My left hand rod was spooned in with a good helping of chops and pellet right under a branch. Within an hour, the group were back, totally oblivious to my presence, I had set the rods right back and very low, I'd positioned my brolly and kit behind the bankside vegetation, I knew I had done everything I could and all I had to do was wait. I felt sure the right hand rod would go and waited full of anticipation. The wind had been pushing into this corner for a couple of days and it's also the area the sun first hits in the morning so even if I didn't get a fish during the day it was still game on for the morning. It was a very hot day, there was a constant breeze pushing into the corner, I couldn't feel it being set up behind the long grass. It just seemed to get hotter and hotter, I gotten through a gallon of water that day, I don't do well in the heat of the sun, I even had to take a couple of ibuprofen as the heat had just started to kick off a headache, but still I remained and waited. Nothing happened all night long apart from the constant buzzing of mosquitos that kept me awake for quite some time. Eventually I did fall asleep and awoke to a lovely calm morning, overcast but still warm, the water was still. As I gathered myself and put the stove on for the first coffee of the day I noticed something out of the corner if my eye. A movement over my left hand spot, nothing too visual but water displacement. It's difficult to explain this kind of movement, it's not a definite sign of a fish but more the aftermath of something moving water, a bit like when you get a take off a big fish close in, the water almost drops as the fish charges off. Anyway I kept watch and saw a tail, the very tip silently broke the surface. I couldn't see the fish as it was still pretty dark, my heart skipped a beat and I knew a bite was immanent. I quickly slipped on my boots and kept watch, something was definitely moving and the clock was ticking as I had to start packing up in an hour. That hour passed so quickly and I didn't receive any kind of indication, I knew something must of been wrong. It wasn't until I wound in, that I knew what had happened. The pop up was missing, damn crayfish I thought, or words to that affect, and although absolutely gutted at the thought of missing a bite, it was comforted by the fact I knew I had done everything right, it was just one of those unlucky moments.

I did my first session back down the Cotswolds on Wednesday, and despite finding a group of fish and sneaking in as quietly as possible nothing materialised. It did give me a good chance to see a number of the fish up close and personal, and boy are there some crackers to be had. Nonetheless I absolutely loved being back, the peace and quiet definitely suits me.

One night a week and I live in the heart of match fishing country. There's not a lot around unless you travel. Then you have to take cost into consideration and time travelling, I just want to fish in peace and quiet and be left alone. There's other places I'd rather be blanking

I've done the off mate, too much noise, it' like a cross in between Total Wipeout and a Rave. I can't be dealing with all the noise and disturbance. A million tufties and coots that sit there waiting for bait to go in, that's providing the 15 million gulls haven't had it first lol I've joined a quiet little syndi local with the aim of getting back onto the Cotswolds later on this year. Between August and September time.

Funnily enough chilly I'm just about to purchase a couple of Aerlex XTB''s, I did have a play around with the Ultegra''s and they felt very light and very smooth, if I had the money, Ultegras would be my choice, but budget doesn't stretch that far. I've had my mitchell's a few years now and it's time to go with something that' built to last

It fits snugly in the back of my car, no fold up no fold down, it carries more than I need and it's easy to push around.

Wickes Barrow, £30 job done

I've just gotten rid of my supa to get a lo pro, to be honest, I thought I'd made a mistake when I first purchased it, but it's grown on me and I like it, it's not the biggest brolly in the world but suits me fine, especially with the addition of storm poles to raise and lower the front. It''s perfect as I never use a ground sheet or front even through winter. ESP are releasing a wrap and mozzi front next month, I might be tempted for the mozzi front but it depends how much the bugs get on my nerves this year.

Steve I do share your thoughts to some degree, nature will find an equilibrium, but at the cost of many a fish. You say, maybe fishing will return to the way it was, maybe it will, I'll certainly still be fishing but as Kev suggests, I want a chance of breaking my PB, or at least replicating it. Plus, I don't want to feel imprisoned inside a fenced fishery. Other animals depend on water and fences will stop this. I think the only way forward to to get Fishery Owners, Managers the right to deal with what ever threatens their livelihood. Many don't want to see the word CULL, but let' face it. Simply moving an Otter somewhere else doesn't solve the problem. Maybe the word CONTROL, would be a better phrase. I'm not being funny, a fence is only as secure as the anglers who fish, I've seen many an angler leave gates wide open. I've heard of fenced fisheries been wiped out by animal rights cutting holes in fences. The PAG are doing what they can but fighting any governing body takes years and it could well be to late. Carp fishing now feels like a battle against time, it's something I really don't like but that's just the way it is. Some of the waters in the Cotswolds will never be fenced because their nature reserves, these waters are some of the best around but for how long?

Do both, keep a smattering of bait going into the spots you know but keep an open mind. Don't count your chicks and all that That's what I'm doing, I've picked a central swim on each bank, so depending on what the weather is doing, or what I see, will dictate where I go.

Half the battle is keeping out of the wind or breeze at this time of year, I'll always try to get the back of my brolly facing any wind. Those trakker mattress toppers are good fella's, Yonny How are you finding the low pro? Any better than the fox supa?

Good luck fella's I drew a blank but never mind, I'll be back out Wednesday. I did move on to a couple of shows but nothing materialised, I did get soaked packing up but 20 minutes later I was back home warming up in front of the fire It doesnt matter how hard it gets or how dreadful the weather is, time on the bank is a medication I'm quite willing to take I'll be back out Monday afternoon getting some more bait in then fishung Wednesday. As I said, good luck fella's

Fishing at last, and tucking into a Cornish pastie

After the week I've had I can not wait, im still like a kid at Christmas

Yes mate, I've already stuck in a load of bait over a few spots, I've just spent the evening getting all of my gear ready to go

I'm still up too excited to sleep at the moment. Laying on the sofa watching River Cottage at Christmas, I love this time of year. Fully recovered now, and raring for my first session tomorrow

Cheers Yonny, ideally I would of liked 6 weeks of baiting the same area twice a week, but time is of the essence at this time of year. Having the water so close is great for driving down and getting in some bait, regardless of fish, I shall enjoy it

I did my final baiting up this afternoon ready for Wednesdays session. Another 2.5kg of mix gone out over 3 spots, the best day weather wise is Thursday but Wednesday is looking good with highs of 9 and lows of 6. I'm absolutely gagging to get out

That's the problem with this time of year, with temperatures being up and down as they are and like a lot of anglers, you have your days to go and just deal with what ever your faced with. The temperature has already gone up this morning a few degree's, I'm fishing on Wednesday and every extremity on my body is firmly crossed, in the hope nothing changes.

Finally managed to get down to the water this morning. All that bait has now been put over 3 spots, I'll be back on Monday afternoon to top the spots up then fish it on Wednesday. The weather seems to be warming up a little for next week, I'm gagging to get out now I'm fully recovered