Bluemoon Angling Thread

[Saddleworth2]

I remember when Rutland first opened, used to be Empingham reservoir. My Dad worked for the Anglian water authority, I remember going out there and seeing it before it opened. Stamford is a really nice small town

Its now the most successful breeding ground in England for Ospreys. There are 22 breeding pairs this year. Not bad for a bird that was introduced less than 20 years ago. It must have been amazing seeing it built. Anglian Water have done a fantastic job in building the water into a world class public amenity. Their fishery staff are very knowledgable and helpful too. It is very naturalised now. The Hambleton peninsula is covered in bluebells at this time of year. Stunning.

 

[fulabeer]

I used to be fishing mad.
From about the age of 11 onwards it was my whole life. Skipping school to go fishing got me into a bit of trouble, but i didn't care.
Getting up at "silly o'clock" with the anticipation of the days catch was addictive. Started off at Gorton reservoir, then the local canals. I had absolutely no money, so helped out in Chris's tackle shop on Hyde road. I joined a few fishing clubs including the Bullshead Reddish. Went on one of the Bobby Charlton's sport school fishing courses. Met Alan/Chris Mayer and was soon match fishing. I was doing ok and was being talked to about England juniors. Trouble was i was nearly 16 by then, so had to start working.
I still fished whenever possible. Me and Cockney Bob the landlord of the Royal Oak (Gorton) started touring the country. I started fly fishing and really enjoyed it. But the one thing i really wanted to do was sea fishing. I had done some shore fishing, but it really wasn't for me. Either was Carp fishing. Like golfers, i find Carp fisherman to be a bit odd!
So i came up with a daft idea to how to get sea fishing and earn some extra money. I bought a big red mini bus. Had it sign written "Sea fishing trips", and drove it around Manchester. Well it worked, because people started phoning me, but were asking if it was a joke. But soon i had dozens of pubs on my books and a lot of the train crews, even the lads at BJ car spares(Gorton) were up for it!
The first few trips were a steep learning curve. But i eventually got the hang of it. I would book trips on my weekends off. Pick a dozen lads up from their local pub, and bus them to the boats. It was mainly Whitby, Ryhl and Anglesey, but we did venture further afield. I think i charged about £35 per head. That included the transport/boat fee. The boat cost me about £150-£180, so i was on £200 to go fishing!
You can imagine a dozen lads, a mountain of beer, and a rocking boat. There are a few stories i could tell, but most trips were hilarious.
Then suddenly when i was about 30, the fishing seemed to stop overnight. I think i just fell out of the habit. I'm 47 now and really want to get started again. None of my mates fish, so i'm out of touch with the whole scene.

 

[mcfc64]

I'm going to Greenbooth reservoir 2moro at first light.
Spinning for pike.
Had a couple of 20s last spring.
It holds bigger as I've had them on and seen them turn away from my lures at the last second.
Talking to a fella up there last year and he was saying that he landed a 36 a couple of years ago.

Is this water day ticket or a club water ?

 

[Andy Dale]

Is this water day ticket or a club water ?

It's owned by United utilities.
Totally free.
It's a huge water to the north of rochdale.
You can pretty much drive up to it.
Never even been asked for my rod licence on it and I've fished it for 40 years.
It can get pretty cold if the wind is blowing so take a flask.

 

[middlewichblue]

How you get on Andy?

 

[Andy Dale]

How you get on Andy?

Had one about 8lb.
One other take but never hooked it.
Only did 3 hours.
I'll have another bash at the place in the summer when the water is lower.
You get a fair few lads up there then , fishing dead baits 8 -10 feet deep.
I just spin around them.
Bit cheeky but fuck em.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

I used to be fishing mad.
From about the age of 11 onwards it was my whole life. Skipping school to go fishing got me into a bit of trouble, but i didn't care.
Getting up at "silly o'clock" with the anticipation of the days catch was addictive. Started off at Gorton reservoir, then the local canals. I had absolutely no money, so helped out in Chris's tackle shop on Hyde road. I joined a few fishing clubs including the Bullshead Reddish. Went on one of the Bobby Charlton's sport school fishing courses. Met Alan/Chris Mayer and was soon match fishing. I was doing ok and was being talked to about England juniors. Trouble was i was nearly 16 by then, so had to start working.
I still fished whenever possible. Me and Cockney Bob the landlord of the Royal Oak (Gorton) started touring the country. I started fly fishing and really enjoyed it. But the one thing i really wanted to do was sea fishing. I had done some shore fishing, but it really wasn't for me. Either was Carp fishing. Like golfers, i find Carp fisherman to be a bit odd!
So i came up with a daft idea to how to get sea fishing and earn some extra money. I bought a big red mini bus. Had it sign written "Sea fishing trips", and drove it around Manchester. Well it worked, because people started phoning me, but were asking if it was a joke. But soon i had dozens of pubs on my books and a lot of the train crews, even the lads at BJ car spares(Gorton) were up for it!
The first few trips were a steep learning curve. But i eventually got the hang of it. I would book trips on my weekends off. Pick a dozen lads up from their local pub, and bus them to the boats. It was mainly Whitby, Ryhl and Anglesey, but we did venture further afield. I think i charged about £35 per head. That included the transport/boat fee. The boat cost me about £150-£180, so i was on £200 to go fishing!
You can imagine a dozen lads, a mountain of beer, and a rocking boat. There are a few stories i could tell, but most trips were hilarious.
Then suddenly when i was about 30, the fishing seemed to stop overnight. I think i just fell out of the habit. I'm 47 now and really want to get started again. None of my mates fish, so i'm out of touch with the whole scene.

Good post.

I used to organise sea fishing trips from a place I worked about 20 years ago. We had a minibus funded by our sports and social club, and there was about a dozen each trip to Whitby or Bridlington. I had my own perk gear for cod, reel loaded with 30lb braid. Rest of the lads would hire the crap tackle of the skipper using line as stretchy as bungee chord. No good for perking as you hardly get a tap on the rod tip at 100ft deep. We had a sweepstake every trip and I'd win most of them, mainly through experience and using braid. Still got my gear but not been sea fishing in years.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I fished the Lake of Menteith on Monday. True to say it was not the most successful outing of the season so far. I was very expert though at locating where the trout weren’t and fishing for them with methods that didn’t work. Still, it was a beautiful day to be out and a bad days fishing is still better than a good days work.

 

[Andy Dale]

I'm trying Ladywood lakes in Huddersfield this weekend.
Had word that it's fishing it's head off.
Don't know how to post the link.
Computer halfwit.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I'm trying Ladywood lakes in Huddersfield this weekend.
Had word that it's fishing it's head off.
Don't know how to post the link.
Computer halfwit.

Near my house this one. Loads of fish coming out, on a post-spawning binge.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Has anyone got any plans for the Glorious 16th June? I'm going to hold back until the Monday and do an overnighter on The Trent at Winthorpe for the barbel. For my summer barbel fishing I've moved my attentions from The Ribble to The Trent this year due to declining catches on The Ribble.

Also got a week booked on The Wye in September to include a day's shark fishing.

 

[Newman Noggs]

Has anyone got any plans for the Glorious 16th June? I'm going to hold back until the Monday and do an overnighter on The Trent at Winthorpe for the barbel. For my summer barbel fishing I've moved my attentions from The Ribble to The Trent this year due to declining catches on The Ribble.

Also got a week booked on The Wye in September to include a day's shark fishing.

Funny you should mention that. Can't get away on 16th but heading for the Wye, near Ross, on 17th through to 20th.

6 of us, old fogies, too old for roughing it we rent an old Cider Mill which is too luxurious for fishermen really.

This year, we've booked the stretch next to the accomodation for all 4 days and a couple of rods on different venues each day for variety.

The thing about the Wye is that, generally, you can fish civilised hours so it's fish all day then home for dinner, a glass of wine and world cup football. I cannot wait.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Funny you should mention that. Can't get away on 16th but heading for the Wye, near Ross, on 17th through to 20th.

6 of us, old fogies, too old for roughing it we rent an old Cider Mill which is too luxurious for fishermen really.

This year, we've booked the stretch next to the accomodation for all 4 days and a couple of rods on different venues each day for variety.

The thing about the Wye is that, generally, you can fish civilised hours so it's fish all day then home for dinner, a glass of wine and world cup football. I cannot wait.

Sounds great, mate. The Wye is the only major barbel river I've not fished yet. 2 of us have a cottage in Ross on Wye for the week and we are going to get out and explore every day. Let us know how you get on.

 

[wantinittodropitdoes]

Gonna give bobs island on the trent a try, I think next week after the opening day madness has died down,heard good things and the trent is now the number 1 barbel river I believe.Any of you fellas fished it?

 

[Newman Noggs]

Sounds great, mate. The Wye is the only major barbel river I've not fished yet. 2 of us have a cottage in Ross on Wye for the week and we are going to get out and explore every day. Let us know how you get on.

You'll find the Wye the easiest river to catch barbel on. There's a reason most instructional videos are filmed there. Light years from the Ribble, the Dane and Severn all of which I fish regularly. Let us know how you go on on the Trent, not been for years.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Gonna give bobs island on the trent a try, I think next week after the opening day madness has died down,heard good things and the trent is now the number 1 barbel river I believe.Any of you fellas fished it?

Yes, fished it plenty in the past. You need to beef everything up to fish the Trent, especially after rain. Where do you normally do your barbel fishing?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

You'll find the Wye the easiest river to catch barbel on. There's a reason most instructional videos are filmed there. Light years from the Ribble, the Dane and Severn all of which I fish regularly. Let us know how you go on on the Trent, not been for years.

After about 10 happy years I've taken the plunge to move my focus from The Ribble this season. I've still got my PAAS card but have let my RADAC one go. I feel that the numbers and sizes of the barbel are in serious decline. I haven't had a Ribble double in two seasons and I must have fished it 25 times in that period. 10 years ago I'd get several doubles each season.

Caught my first barbel and also first double on The Dane near Middlewich, and still fish it for grayling in winter. I also used to enjoy fishing The Severn and Atcham but haven't been there for a good few years either.

I'm very excited about The Wye. I like to fish the stick float and also for predators too, so am looking forward to some variety.

 

[wantinittodropitdoes]

Yes, fished it plenty in the past. You need to beef everything up to fish the Trent, especially after rain. Where do you normally do your barbel fishing?

I've not fished for barble for over 20 years pal,used to fish the Severn on the Isle stretch when I was in the Albert and had some great fish,I'm not in any clubs now with rivers so limited to day ticket stretches.I'm dieing to get back on the river and a quick look on Google through up the Newark stretch on the trent.It's got good reviews and at two hours away isn't too bad.A pal of mine fishes the tidal and has had great success but it's a syndicate and closed shop.Gonna go with my old method of hemp and caster and see if I can tempt a few beauties!

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I've not fished for barble for over 20 years pal,used to fish the Severn on the Isle stretch when I was in the Albert and had some great fish,I'm not in any clubs now with rivers so limited to day ticket stretches.I'm dieing to get back on the river and a quick look on Google through up the Newark stretch on the trent.It's got good reviews and at two hours away isn't too bad.A pal of mine fishes the tidal and has had great success but it's a syndicate and closed shop.Gonna go with my old method of hemp and caster and see if I can tempt a few beauties!

I wouldn't turn up on The Trent with a feeder rod, or a light barbel rod like you could on The Severn. You really need a minimum test curve of 1.75lb and if there's been any rain even heavier. I tend to use a couple of 2.25lb rods. Also, don't make the mistake I made on my first ever Trent trip and turn up with some bog standard feeders. They'll be winging their way towards the North sea within 2 seconds of casting out. You need 3-8oz minimum weight, an I wouldn't fish with line lighter than 10lb.

Hemp and caster will always catch fish, and you might bag some nice roach if that interests you. Halibut pellet is pretty much THE barbel bait these days, though. Your danger with hemp and caster is your bait might be whittled away by tiddlers every cast.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I wouldn't turn up on The Trent with a feeder rod, or a light barbel rod like you could on The Severn. You really need a minimum test curve of 1.75lb and if there's been any rain even heavier. I tend to use a couple of 2.25lb rods. Also, don't make the mistake I made on my first ever Trent trip and turn up with some bog standard feeders. They'll be winging their way towards the North sea within 2 seconds of casting out. You need 3-8oz minimum weight, an I wouldn't fish with line lighter than 10lb.

Hemp and caster will always catch fish, and you might bag some nice roach if that interests you. Halibut pellet is pretty much THE barbel bait these days, though. Your danger with hemp and caster is your bait might be whittled away by tiddlers every cast.

I haven’t fished for Barbel in nearly 50 years. When I did, as a lad, it was on the Yorkshire Swale near Easby Abbey. There was a bend in the river where a fallen tree had lodged on the edge of a ledge. You could wade out comfortably to this tree, sit in its branches just a couple of feet above the water and look down over the edge of the ledge into about 15 feet of crystal clear water. Shoals of Barbel used to hold in that pool and you could just sit and watch them, admiring their huge red fins and flashes of light bronze as they rolled. They ranged from quite small specimens up to 6 or 7lb in weight. Then you could lob in an arlsey bomb with a chunk of luncheon meat as bait and sit and watch. Sometimes they would take an hour to go to the bait but finally one would nose towards it, sometimes passing over it a couple of times but then engulfing it. Then the trick was to keep the first run out of the roots of the tree you were sitting in. Usually they would run away from you but occasionally they would get into the roots and that was that. Bloody hell they could fight. I have fly fished for trout for the last 20 years, but nothing comes close to the thrill of those Barbel when I was a young un. It’s on my bucket list but sadly the river bend at Easby looks different, the tree is long gone and I understand Barbel are a lot harder to come by.