I’VE always liked fishing for all kinds of species, though once Great Ouse barbel started to come out at seriously big weights, my winter river fishing tended to be much more biased towards targeting them.
When otters reduced the Great Ouse big barbel population, chub become my main target.
I try to fish as often as I can. I’m chairman of the Predation Action Group, which takes up a fair amount of my time, along with various sponsorship duties that I’m involved in.
Being a consultant for Dynamite, Carp Spirit and Enterprise Tackle also takes up time that would otherwise be spent fishing. However, I am semi-retired from my job, working in IT, so I have more opportunities to go fishing now than I did when I was working every day.
River chub can be targeted with a wide variety of methods, and you can always rely on them to feed at some point in a 24-hour period, regardless of conditions and time of year. Believe me, fishing for them never gets boring.
Cautious chevins
Chub can be greedy at times, feeding boldly, but at other times they display an amount of caution bordering on paranoia, so they’re always an intriguing challenge.
I like fishing stretches that have plenty of character and intimacy, usually the upper and middle reaches of a river, always looking for a spot that may offer a personal best fish.
My favoured stretches contain very few really big chub, so the fishing is a real challenge.
My chub and barbel fishing tends to take place in autumn and winter, when the fish are in their best condition, as I prefer to switch to other species in summer.
The amount of colour in the water in the colder months often means that I’m not able to spot individual fish. I will still walk along the riverbank though, baiting any swims that I like the look of.
Bu hikaye Angler's Mail dergisinin November 26, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Angler's Mail dergisinin November 26, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub
It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.
Venues on the menu
Dave regularly switches between different types of venue, as he is convinced that it helps him become a better and far more versatile angler. Here is his guide on what to expect and how to tackle them.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
In our new mini series, the physiotherapist will put you in the right frame of mind to help you achieve your angling dreams.
Search for a super stripy
They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.
Pole position carping
The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.
My best catch!
This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.
Huge zed after run of disasters
19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities
Christmas stocking
The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.
Alien aquatic plants
In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.
A guide's guide to guides
Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.