My first trip to the river

[fullcreel]

I had planned to let the river rest for about two weeks, as it turned out it was two days.
JP, (Jolly Piscator) and I crept upthe other eve, nigt before Banana Steve's and Twiddlers session. I prebaited for them in the weirpool, one day all this kndness will come back to me in the form of a monter fish.
I was aware of the weedyness, (is that a word? It is now) and tried to plan for it. I started off oin what is know as the 'Beach', but a large growth of blanket weed made it hard to fish, a pole would be perfect, and I'll try to remember to bring it next time. I chose to rove for a while with worm, and fished uncer the railway bridge from the parapet, I missed one bite, and no others were forcomming. The sky began to loose the light and I decided to try the weirpool, now vacant, it had been occupied by a new member. I was also aware that the pool had been fished since dawn on opening day.
JP and I headed up to the weirpool, scattering hand fuls of trout pellets into likely looking spots as we went.
Any advice on how to fiush weedy riovers greatly apprciated.
I chose to fish a spot about 60metres downstream of the pool, I had seen it in the winter, when the water was gin clear and had seen what appeared to be a block of concrete, on the river bed. Just beyond that was somefast and clear water, with reeds eitherside. I opted to fish that. I missed one bit touch ledgering, a technique I'm not very familiar with. I had read an article sometime ago, suggesting that it is best done with as fairly stiff tip, as a quiver will soften the sensation. Any I got the next fish, a scrappy little chub. I think about 1.8.0. It was a nice way to christen the new landing net, which I bought for the river, with the feeling it would be fine for big chub, barbel and the occasional pike.

As the light faded a bit more, I had another bite on worm, this fought harder and I'm sorry to say that abeautiful perch, a tad larger than the chub rolled on the surface as I tried to ease it away from some cabbages, spitting the hook as it rolled. I rebaited and a few moments later, had one of his smaller friends. Still no complaints. Lovely markings.

Here is a shot of the river, a bit downstream of where I was fishing. I feel that when autumn is apon us it will really come into its own. I also think that a bit of weed cutting will work wonders. I think that two of us can do it, and a few gaps in the weed just below the weir pool, where the water is fast and the barbel lurk would be in order. One of us cutting, one of use catching the weed. Also shaking out any creatures that might be in it.

[Twiddler]

Lovely perch there Matt....didn't get around to fish under the bridge but will have to try next time

[nightriderm]

Lovely looking river,nice fish too,hope the Chub and Barbel come good for you.

[blackwater]

well done,

That perch is beutifully marked, its been along time since i managed one like that.

BW

[pingu]

cracking perch well done
and nice session

dave

[Banana Steve]

Nice one Matt, cracking perch

[pompy.bass.man]

nice one matt, lovely fish, and post

[geejayy]

Originally Posted by fullcreel

I I also think that a bit of weed cutting will work wonders. I think that two of us can do it, and a few gaps in the weed just below the weir pool, where the water is fast and the barbel lurk would be in order. One of us cutting, one of use catching the weed. Also shaking out any creatures that might be in it.

have scythe , can travel, lost me chestys though,
loads of weed cut experience .
if ya need a hand let me know

[fullcreel]

Would be delighted to have any help. The river is very shallow where I'm thinking of doing some cutting. I also need to check out a few things, does anyone know if EA permission is needed? All I plan to do is cut some channels so we can have a few spots to fish into.

[geejayy]

Originally Posted by fullcreel

Would be delighted to have any help. The river is very shallow where I'm thinking of doing some cutting. I also need to check out a few things, does anyone know if EA permission is needed? All I plan to do is cut some channels so we can have a few spots to fish into.

not sure ,about this water as some areas no set weed cut dates apply best contact local EA,
on the test while i worked there cutting dates were agreed between ea, hrka (hampshire riverkeepers association) & riparian owners in general and were usually the same set dates every year with the upper reaches cutting start/finishing a couple o days b4 the middle & lower.

mainly because these waters are almost exclusively fly fisherys & weed cuts disrupt the angling somewhat so its best if the whole river cuts at the same time + its easier for the EA to sort out the removal of cut weed at various weed trapps,

( must have been one recently as there is a big raft on the bararge above Romsey i saw s'morning )