My first decent Bream.
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:41 pm
As a small boy - 11 years old - I had caught very small Bream from the pond on Tooting Bec Common, probably Silver Bream, at least that is what I was told they were. Quarter pounders tops!
Shortly after I saw a three pounder in a keepnet on the River Wey near Ripley. I was impressed! So big!
At twelve I was allowed to cycle, with two older schoolmates, to fish the Thames at Kingston's Canbury Gardens, by the power station outfall.
I lost my end tackle - I did not have much - so I scrounged a hook and freelined the biggest worm in my bait tin in the warm water of the outfall, hoping for a Perch.
I hooked and landed a Bream, it seemed as big as the Ripley one, to my eyes anyway.
When I think now about how I just swung it in using my two piece whole cane/solid glass pike rod, no landing net or finesse, I am amazed I got away with it.
It was my biggest fish by miles, I cycled home through the air, the wheels never touched the tarmac.................................
Shortly after I saw a three pounder in a keepnet on the River Wey near Ripley. I was impressed! So big!
At twelve I was allowed to cycle, with two older schoolmates, to fish the Thames at Kingston's Canbury Gardens, by the power station outfall.
I lost my end tackle - I did not have much - so I scrounged a hook and freelined the biggest worm in my bait tin in the warm water of the outfall, hoping for a Perch.
I hooked and landed a Bream, it seemed as big as the Ripley one, to my eyes anyway.
When I think now about how I just swung it in using my two piece whole cane/solid glass pike rod, no landing net or finesse, I am amazed I got away with it.
It was my biggest fish by miles, I cycled home through the air, the wheels never touched the tarmac.................................