Only wasps on the lures this weekend. Took Timur for an evening stalking carp and ended up with a swim fizzing like a jacuzzi with (presumably) bream because he didn’t get a run.
A moonlit session on The Ribble last night was much better. Hiked a long way through farmland to find some oxygenated water below a natural weir. There was a lame cormorant on the bank which ran away. Two rods, pellet on one and boilie on the other. Baited up with large PVA bags and settled back to enjoy the evening. A rustle on the far bank and a massive otter slipped into the river right next to the baited area. Half an hour later I had a run which resulted in a small barbel, maybe around 3-4lb.
View attachment 52332The low water meant I had to wade right out to land it. What sounded like a Tawny owl war broke out in the far bank woods which entertained me until the next screamer. Good scrap this time resulted in a nice, hollow barbel of 9-13.
View attachment 52333This one needed a good nursing in the current to recover and the other rod, ten yards back on the bank. went as I was doing it. With a double take it is best not to panic. The fish often doesn’t bolt until you put pressure on it so finish what you are doing then get the rod. That’s what I did and it was a pesky chub.
The swim was full of fish but I was on the clock as you have to be off this stretch by 11pm and it was a good half hour walk to the car. 10.25 and another run and it was another shoal sized barbel which I unhooked in the net and released then dashed off under the light of a full moon.
Lovely little session. I’d have had a load of fish if I could have stayed.