Eaton Dovedale

Summer is fading fast, and as I didn't leave work until late knew I would barely catch a couple of hours. So after throwing my tackle in the car it was off to Eaton Dovedale where I would just fish the top of the beat.

Some members have complained about the banks being overgrown here, it is not too much of a problem though. I was soon through it and into the river rewarded by a nice brownie third cast.

 Some nice grayling are also starting to appear. Hopefully they will provide good sport over the autumn and winter. It feels like the former is approaching rapidly now.

River Dove

A welcome return to the middle Dove for a session with the fly rod.

Good company.

French leader and small nymphs.

Kelly on the go.

A rising river that was starting to colour.

Managed to winkle out a few.

The grayling are now coming into condition and will hopefully feature over the autumn and winter.

I've not fished this stretch much over the last couple of years. 

That needs sorting.

Ellastone is a beautiful spot.

The improver

Sam is getting to grips now with his Lightning XL, the rifle has settled down from it's boingy start now we have had a good 500+ pellets through it. I also replaced the naff standard breech seal with a HW80 one which also improved the rifles consistency. I'd love to get it to bits and at least get some decent lube on the spring but am reluctant to whilst we still have a warranty. Yesterday we were at Rough Wedge and after an hour or so on the plinking range went for a dabble round the wood. The pesky blighter only went and pinched my HW97 and showed his dad a thing or two getting three out of four knockdowns in the first lane!!

Testing for gas

 This magnificent sculpture is on the site of what was the Silverhill Colliery as a memorial to the miners of Nottinghamshire. The old pit which closed in 1992 is now landscaped and is worth a trip if you are in the area, it takes about threequarters of an hour to walk the main circular path. The miner sits aloft on the highest point in the county.
It is a sobering thought that in virtually any other country in the world there would still be a thriving coal industry.

A tough start

River Dove

It has seemed to be a very slow start on our local rivers, not only for me but from the other anglers I have spoke to on the bank plus the talk on the forums.

Typical Dove Chub

My blank has been saved a few times by my friend the chub. The standard Dove stamp is about 4lb ish these days and some of them even pull back! Chub of this size were fish of my dreams as a schoolboy on the Derwent at Borrowash.

River Trent

I've also had a session on the upper Trent but this was through the middle of the day. Again a spritely chub ensured that I didn't go home with the dreaded dry net. On that day I had the dogs in the car and one of the club stretches is ideal as you can park right behind your swim with the windows open.
Then last Friday on my fourth trip of the season I was lucky enough to land the magnificent fish below. This was a cracking Dove barbel at 9lb 14oz, it went like a train making my my drag hiss like a scolded moggy!
I've not been out since and now have some domestic chores to complete, the dreaded painting! It is nice to get the first bertie of the season under my belt though.

Dove barbel 9lb 14oz

Bread Flake

 I'd been getting some ribbing from Phil about getting down to it with bread flake rather than my usual tench baits so on Saturday evening he booked me in for a masterclass at our club pond. He was straight out of the blocks netting two fish including a 5lb'er before I had a bite.

 My confidence in the bait was not that high although I do recollect that I had had my best haul of tench in terms of numbers on bread. That was 35 years ago and ironically I was in the same swim as that evening! I was off the mark with a lively youngster which shows the pond is in fine form. After that activity picked up in my swim and the fish in the first photo weighed in at 4lb 4oz. I missed a few bites before connecting again with the fish below which was a beautiful specimen about the same size as the first. So confidence restored and I'll hope to get in another session for the tincas before the river season starts.

Classic Tench on the float

My first tench of 2013

 Word has been getting about that a local club pond well known for it's tench fishing has been showing a bit of form. I'd not yet had a session after the tinca this year so decided to have a couple of hours after work.
On arrival I found Steve already established and the tench were showing some interest. At this pond the tench are not of specimen size but they are a good stamp and provide excellent sport for the float fisher.

The tranquil pond

 I tackled up with 6lb line straight through as this pond is so snaggy that you really have to hold on to a hooked fish. A couple of rod lengths out is all that is required and this is one of those waters where they are either havin' it or it is a blank.

Steve nets another in the legendary gorse bush peg

 I was really pleased to take a brace on my first outing and this may have re-kindled my love for this classic tench water.

Typical stamp - not massive but go like stink