Trotting for Ladies

Last night my son was camping with the Scouts for their 'Chilly Challenge' and as I had to collect him late morning there was to be no fishing through the morning. Also a good enough excuse for me to skive the working party at Triangle which I'll probably get some stick about from the lads!! Anyway, by the time we had walked Barney, collected be-draggled scouts, and had some lunch the day was nearly gone. I decided to have a drive over to the Dove just in case it was fishable for the last couple of hours. I knew from the EA gauge at 0.39m this morning that it would be pushing through a bit much for bugging so I broke out the float rod. The lower stretch at Eaton was carrying a bit too much colour from the Churnet I suspect so I pushed on to Ellastone, here the conditions looked just about OK to wet a line.
My Bruce and Walker was paired with an ABU501 and a 5BB Avon float. Initially I had a few bites in the riffles at the top but could not get the fish to stick so moved further downstream.

Fish then started to come and they put up a great fight in the current, no real lunker grayling but the one above was a lovely fish. I really enjoy this method but it does attract a few too many trout at Ellastone, perhaps 3 or 4 to 1 grayling. (Where were they in the season!). Afterwards I spoke to some gents who had been fishing the Norbury water on the fly and they had found it all going but had persevered all day. There did seem to be some spring in the air today so lets see what the next few weeks brings.

Barton & Walton

This morning I exchanged a few texts with Phil about the aftenoon prospects at Barton and Walton Pool the result being that we both decided to give it a go. The afternoon was quite mild and I was quite hopeful of a perch or perhaps even a hungry pike on one of my new lures.
Upon arrival I worked my way round quite quickly to where Phil had set up to find that he was giving it a go on the float. Although it was mild the pool looked barren and still in the grip of winter. It did seem like spring though when in late afternoon the sun broke through briefly and we hoped that the fish would liven up in pursuit of our lures. Phil had also switched to spinning by now and even had a follow from a perch. Dusk was falling as I left so a blank for me but hopefully Phil's perseverance paid off.
The local rivers are still quite high and hopefully I will get out soon for some grayling fishing when conditions improve.