Dudmaston Hall for roach.

[barbelblanker]

I got it in my head that I was going to have a go to see what was lurking down the deep end of Dudmason.

So I grabbed my gear, loaded up the car (with a very definate "I've left something behind", sensation.

Got to the car park to see a van and a vectra already parked. So I guess I was going to have some company for a change.

Walked down to the lake and became aware of at least two people plugging away so took the first swim past the old dam wall.

Got two rods out.

One is my old favourite winkle picker. Really sensitive bit of kit. Combined that with 6lb main line, 1.7 hooklength and 20, block end feeder. Baited with maggot, groundbait was roach with some river too. This one went about 30 yards out.

Second rod was my new (ish) barbel rod with the quiver in. 6LB Braid and a black block end feeder with 1.7 and 20 there two. This one went out more like 45 yards.

It's while setting up that I realised that those helicopter rig beads I bought were in the box with my barbel gear (and I don't even use them for barbel). Ah well at least I could do a spot of slider float fisihing later . Well I could if I hadn't left the power gum in with my sea gear .

As it was I got to what I call the "golden hour" in winter roach fishing, 3 o'clock when the bloody phone went . Work. Jammed leccy bills. So I had to pack up just at the point when my confidence goes through the roof.

Blanked.

So was it the works phone or was it the 5.8 degrees cold water ?

It could be that I am just rubbish at fishing (probably is) .

Despite that I am grateful to have the problem of getting called to work (many don't have that right now, I am not complaining). I also got to watch two of the pikers actually catch some crocs too. Nice one!

So what did I learn?

barbel rod is a little overgunning it and the tip is not sensitive enough. Will swap for my PMS Avon rod with a more sensitive screw in tip.

Stop knots in 4 or 6 pound line are useless.

Standby phones only ever seem to ring at inconvenient moments, never when you are talking to the the worlds most boring person at the bar (rather than work).

I need checklists, my brain is getting old.

:) Still it was better than staying in.

[northern eye]

Amusing. I occasionaly get the terrible job of taking home the 'out of hours' works mobile. This thing never bloody rings until you are either:
On the bank
On the bog
On the job
On the drink
And it is always the calls from the boss I seem to miss!! Annoying...