stevetheangler

Today, Friday 19th July 2013, was an early morning session on the Staffs-Worcs canal near Wombourne.

I fished a new stretch today – one I’ve never fished before in my life – as a change from my usual canal destination – but not that far apart really, maybe a mile or so.

Weather the usual warm start of the day and bright sunshine as has been the norm for the past few weeks. The latter part of the session was a bit difficult as the sun’s reflection off the water was straight into my eyes – and nothing much I could do about it other than shield with the hand as I needed to watch my quivertip and I was unable to place it in a more sheltered position.

Anyway, arrived on the water around 0515 – later than expected as I got a little lost and went rather round a circular route to get there and wandered along until I located a nice looking swim. Before setting up the usual Des Taylor Avon quiver tip setup I fed around the overhanging vegetation on the far bank a few balls of mixed breadcrumb, chocolate and red silver-fish groundbait laced with dead maggots, and also laid a few down along the near bank too… was nice to see a good bit of growth there for the wildlife to exist in rather than the usual golf-green shorn stuff that the councils are so fond of creating!!

The fishing itself was conducted with aforesaid rod, 6lb line straight through to a size 16 hook baited with double live maggot and I fished through to 0930, mainly to the far bank swim but did try the nearside too – especially as the water was frothing like a glass of Alka Seltzer with gudgeon bubbles – very reminiscient of the 70’s! :D

Results of the day – just 2 fish – a nice chub of around 12oz and another which, in a pugilistic match with a minnow, I would have bet against! :D I did have some good pulls – those missable-unmissable types when the tip swings over and you strike while its still moving but there’s nothing there…

After packing up I wandered along the canal for a bit and found a super swim for next week’s canal trip – a great ‘feature’ plus really really sheltered from the sun – it was begging me to stay today but I had to leave as I need to get a few jobs, etc sorted here at home.

Pics of the day: