A dear friend rang me last night to talk about a photograph that I had sent to him (a barbel taking a mayfly, but that's another story) and it quickly became apparent to him that I was rather highly strung (he's a good barometer for my stress levels), "You need a river!" were his wise words of advice.
So, this afternoon, I heeded them and took off to a little stretch that I have gained access to after nearly thirty years of absence. A couple of quick sessions at the very end of last season proved promising (chub to just under five) but I figured a sunny day like today might just show a few more of its secrets (as well as 'grounding' me, the primary purpose).
The winter floods had left a combination of tree-fall and 21st century junk. I will clear that another time when I have the chesties:
I quickly found these two, tucked into a nearside bank:
Fortunately a pit stop on the way had added a bag of liquorice allsorts, so I had a few of those, along with some bread that I had tucked in my bag as well and I soon had the chub nosing around:
That was a very pleasant hour, feeling a little calmer now - let's hope it lasts. Here's the image of my little river that I have locked in my mind for the week ahead for when things get tough:
Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
- Tengisgol
- Barbel
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Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Where the willows meet the water...
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- Crucian
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Wonderful photo's
- Santiago
- Wild Carp
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Great photos. But of course the chub will be hiding come the 16th June. I'm sure they have a built in calender.
"....he felt the gentle touch on the line and he was happy"
Hemingway
Hemingway
- Paul F
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
looks a divine stretch of water, very wild fishing, i like that
Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
What lovely photographs, I do hope you have a less stressful week ahead
- Dave Burr
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Looks like a little gem of a river Phil. Close your eyes and plot your first cast when the stress monster comes a stalking
- Scott
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Superb photographs those Phil, well done! Do you use a zoom lens? Thanks for showing us, wonderful stuff...
Now what about this barbel and the mayfly?
Now what about this barbel and the mayfly?
- Chubman
- Crucian Carp
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
i too have been doing a bit of chub spotting on the itchen,and saw 2 chub close to 7lb munching on roach spawn just as it was laid on the streamer weed by the redfins
- Tengisgol
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Re: Chub spotting, a fine recreation on a sunny afternoon!
Yes Scott, Nikon D90 with a big lense and a polarizing filter.Scott wrote:Superb photographs those Phil, well done! Do you use a zoom lens? Thanks for showing us, wonderful stuff...
Now what about this barbel and the mayfly?
As for the barbel, I think it will be in the next edition of Classic Angler so I won't steal Keith's thunder but in a while, and when I get the chance, I will post the story, cheers.
Where the willows meet the water...
https://sites.google.com/site/tengisgol/
https://sites.google.com/site/tengisgol/