Review of 2008 (part one)

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Inspired by PINGU's saltwater review, here's a little review of my exploits for the first six months of 2008:

January:
A tough cold month on the rivers and lakes, didn't catch too much but did manage a couple of big chub:





February:
I managed to get used to the cold, frost, gales and snow but more importantly, the fish did as well. Highlight was a superb catch of chub from the Dorset Stour topped by three 6lbers!



Also had several good days out with friends including Mithrandir, Twiddler and the Severn Master, Dicky:

Remember this one Mithrandir?




March:
The end of the river season was nigh! But I managed a very good finale with the Stour chub and barbel:



April:
Found myself at Gold Valley one rainy/hail stony day but did get a superb carp just short of 20lb (on the pole!) plus a load of other "commercial carp":



Mid April saw the start of a love affair with Marsh Farm and it's resident crucian carp and tench. Visit after visit saw me slowly working out how to best tackle the venue and eventually produced some superb results.







May:
Still addicted to Marsh Farm, I started to really understand the venue and what it would take to hopefully reap the rewards. With the considerable help of some of the regulars/locals, I managed to find the really big crucians:



This one at exactly 4lbs was just 9oz below the national record, a stunner of a fish:


June:
A "mixed bag" for me. The 16th saw the rivers open up again and I was down on the Stour for a midnight start full of hope and expectation. Just a bream and chub followed but it was good to back on the moving stuff again.

I must have had a "breakdown" of sorts as the middle of June saw me on a very gravely swim in very unfamiliar territory. Did get a few bream but more importantly the Ginger Wine and company were excellent:



Fortunately, normality soon resumed as I managed a superb brace of chub weighing 6-10 and a pb 7-02:



Looking back, I had a superb first six months!

[pingu]

nice one neil
you had a great start to season

dave

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Youve had a crack year mate and thanks for all the fab reports

[gullyworm]

Some absolutly stonking fish there mate, well done.
Looks like youve had a good year , now all you need to do is get down to the coast and catch some proper fish

[Norfolkboy]

Nice one Neil

[fishypaul]

some super fish there neil

[Twiddler]

I have taught you well Neil, indeed you had a superb 2008, let's hope 2009 will be even better

[blackwater]

There was some excellent fish for you this year, i hope 2009 will be as productive for you,

BW