Hants Avon - A good day trotting for some "proper dace"

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Had intended to go down to Throop but changed my mind at the last minute and went to the Avon at Ringwood. The Environment Agency are due to send the weed cutting boats through next week so I thought I'd get in there before they (temporarily) ruined the fishery. Also fancied some trotting rather than sitting and waiting for barbel (which are currently avoiding me with a passion - unlike some on this forum!)

So I spent nearly two hours wandering around the upper Severals Fishery trying to find likely spots - shallow, gravel and weed. This fishery is very underfished and as a result "swims" are very few and far between. A bit of watercraft and experience is very useful in these circumstances as the well worn banks of some other fisheries are not what this area is about. The other advantage is that I only saw just two other anglers all day!

I eventually settled in a good looking "typical" Avon glide, the wind was a bit of a problem as it was slightly into me and downstream but nothing a big bodied float and centrepin couldn't cope with:





Using three red maggots or double caster on a #14 hook (no need for too much finesse!) I was soon into a succession of dace and chublets with the occassional "proper" dace:



Just for a change, I wasn't "bothered" by any pike and continued to get a bite a cast. Although I wasn't using a keepnet I reckoned I probably ended up with 18lb - 20lb of dace, chub and a single roach. For one short 15 minute spell I kept the fish in the large landing net - this was the result, they were feeding very well:



On what felt like the hottest day of the summer so far, I really enjoyed the session and must remind myself to do this more often!

[blackwater]

That is fishing likeit should be, well done.

Great report

BW

[Banana Steve]

Nice one Neil, where did you you get your crow quill from? the ones around here aren't that great they are mass produced ones, but the one in the photo looks nice, and i am on look fior some good quality ones.

[blackwater]

That is fishing like it should be, well done.

Great report

BW

(sorry double posted )

[pingu]

nice one neil, I must get up our river soon

dave

[Twiddler]

WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT???? You gave up on the barbel at Throop?
Surely not!!!!

Looks like you had a cracking day at the Avon though, some nice Dace and chublets, well done

[Norfolkboy]

Nice one Neil

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Originally Posted by Banana Steve

...where did you you get your crow quill from?

From Ringwood Tackle, but that was last year and I know they didn't have any in stock last weekend! Maybe Avon Angling (almost next door) may have some. They're excellent and I think hand made locally.

[BoldBear]

Lovely days fishing on a great river.

I fancied a change from Barbeling last night which resulted in my first ever Wels Catfish. but I would have loved to be trotting with a Pin on the Avon.
BB