The great Ruffe hunt report...

[Greenheart]

Continuing my two year quest to catch a Ruffe for the species hunt, I decided to give the Kennet & Avon canal near Alton Barnes yet another try. Bannana Steve & Mithrandir (Mike) came along to offer me some moral support & advice. We met up in Devizes market place near the Tackle shop & stocked up on day tickets, bait etc. I also nipped over to the local Farmers market for some lunch. Bought a Pork, leek, stilton & lemon pie. Interesting mixture, but very tasty... We arrived at the canal side car park, to find that the local water board had recently installed a parking ticket machine. £4 per day ... However the local vandals (Or irate anglers) had also been there recently & ripped the ticket machine out of the ground. So problem solved... We walked along the canal for a few hundred yards to a nice length with some overhanging trees on the far bank. Steve set up his pole...

I set up a light quiver tip & a Pike outfit (Another species that I need)....

& Mike set up a float rod.....

Conditions looked perfect. No wind, clear sky & warm autumn sunshine...

Even the odd passing balloon to wave at....
The only problems appeared to be, very coloured water & a lot of fallen leaves. Sadly the fish just did not want to play. We tried everything. Fishing the far bank, middle of the canal, maggots, pinkies & even a little groundbait. All we could manage was a few small roach & Perch. Steve did lose one good fish on the pole. And I had two good runs on my pike rod, that i'd baited with a dead roach. Unfortunately I failed to connect with either. There was not a sign of the usual skimmer Bream, big Perch & Gudgeon that generally frequent this stretch of canal & definately none of the elusive Ruffe.. (I think Twiddler told em we were comming)
Oh well, if at first you don't succeed, etc etc.....
THE HUNT CONTINUES........

[Twiddler]

[Norfolkboy]

Unlucky Ian, you will get one soon........probably.

[fishypaul]

never mind ian, keep trying mate,why not get some advice from claudia,she's the expert on ruffe !

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Originally Posted by Greenheart

& Mike set up a float rod.....

......(I think Twiddler told em we were coming)

No, that can't be right! I don't think I've seen Mike with a float road!

And I'm pretty certain Claudia had several dozen Ruffe on the Itchen on Saturday

[pingu]

unlucky ian but bet was a good day out all the same

dynamites my sugestion

dave

[mithrandir]

Originally Posted by Catfish Virgin (Still!)

No, that can't be right! I don't think I've seen Mike with a float road!

A crystal waggler, shirtbuttoned shot, fished 3 inches over depth ( I even plumbed up ) only thing was I had it a bit high in the water for the weather conditions, was reasonably sensitive but I was trying for the ruffe and when the get on a float you normally see them drag it away, and they like it over depth.

It was a slow fishing day, I have had better days there when it is freezing cold and windy, not even the bream showed this time, I think we need some rain to freshen up the canals.

Well better luck next time Ian, still nearly 2 months to try again and it looks like rain is on the way.

Thanks to Ian and Steve for a good day out with some good company, and a very nice pint of Hobgoblin on the way home.

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

I think we need some rain to freshen up the canals.

Similar story on my local Basingstoke Canal. It looks superb, very "fishy" but is hard going for most at the moment. Definately needs some rain to freshen it up!

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great read mate and them ruffle seem very elusive