River Dove Tutbury

Today I signed off for the coarse season on the river but my hopes of a late barbel were dashed. I fished through probably the thinnest part of the day but with other pulls on my time it was either that or wish the season goodbye!

What a beautiful spring day it was though at times feeling more like opening day than last knockings. Plenty of anglers were out for their last cast but all I spoke to had suffered the same fate as me, perhaps the fish had gone on their hols early.

I met Rob walking upstream in the last swim I fished and he buoyed my spirits by commenting that the run has produced plenty of doubles. Not for me today though. My thoughts will now turn to some trout fishing through the spring and perhaps the odd tench session.

Eaton Dovedale

Last night we had been in Repton for a curry at Jaipur with an old rugby pal and his wife so this morning found me a little jaded. What better way to freshen up than a couple of hours standing in the River Dove. I had some maggots but wanted to fish on the fly rod with some nymphs if conditions allowed. I had done some trotting a couple of weeks back and found I was getting a few too many trout so was pleased to see the river running at a good height.
I thought I was in for a bumper day when after only ten minutes the grayling above attached itself to a pink shrimp pattern and really put up a great account of itself. What a shame I could not do it justice with the photo!

I really enjoy the short line method with bugs and have made up some good indicators using fluro orange braid with a loop fashioned at each end. Before fishing I had greased it well with Mucilin and it showed my one take quite nicely. I explored quite a few swims today keeping on the move but just ended with the one fish. This is a method which to be honest I should be practising more it is a great way to take fish right under the rod tip.

Prince

Barney's best pal is Prince, one of the biggest Weimaraners I've ever clapped eyes on. He lives just round the corner and there is nothing they like more than a good thrash round the fields.

Prince is pretty handy round the house and if the door is not locked he will let himself out for a wander round. More often than not he just comes straight round to ours to call for his friend. He just sits at our door until someone opens it or he is missed and retrieved.

This morning he came out with us on the morning walk and what a time they had. A joy to watch them giving each other some stick without a hint of malice.





After about 30 mins they were well and truly tired out and so it was back home for some breakfast and a sleep. What a dogs life!

A few more pics of the snow

These photos were taken this moring whilst taking Barney for his walk. The thaw appears to be coming pretty quick now fingers crossed it will be gone in the morning.

Snow in Egginton

It was -7deg.C when I took Barney out this morning and a lovely crisp sunny morning. Then back home for tea and toast which was spot on. The day was spent painting the bathroom and the snow arrived about 1400ish.
An hour later it was out again with Barnold this time with his coat on.
This weather is great unless you have to travel or work and unfortunately my wife is doing both tonight.
Not much activity on the airfield this afternoon.





Back to painting another coat in the morning, quite glad I've not been kidding myself that fishing is on!

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.