Tidal Triumphs and Mishaps

I love rivers they feel so alive compared to the many commercial puddles. Fishing on the local tidal river Exe certainly always proves this, with Bream being the main target fish that never materialised, a couple of other welcome scaly characters graced my net instead.

Bogged down with tackle i waded out through the sludge at low tide to greet the waters edge, this itself a challenge with every step sinking deeper and suction on with drawl threatening to strip me of my waders (not a pretty sight). All tackle on dry land a short distance away the plan was to start with trotting a float on the rising tide then at high tide to lob the feeders out with bread, maggots or corn the chosen hookbaits. The weather was overcast and the waters surface dimpling with little fish rising, i think a Dace fest was definitely on. A constant feed of maggots and the float was sent on its merry dance only to disappear in a flash as these bars of silver came thick and fast. There is certainly a different delightful eliment actually being in the water fishing with it running round your waist and drawing fish to hand and seeing mullet and even darker shapes pass your ankles as you stand there poised like a heron. I can watch fish for hours and having them pass you by so close is certainly a distraction.

High tide arrived and gradually forced me back pedalling to the bank, a quick slurp of tea was had and then feeders full of crumb launched into mid river. I was distracted by some over friendly swans that had clocked me loaf and so took my eye off the quiver tips for a moment, upon refocusing a tip was missing and the rods butt just and only just caught on the back rest, getting my hands on it the clutch went off screaming... an obvious tidal carp was on and was not hanging about. This fish was trucking but unfortunately as soon as pressure was added escape she did....... bugger! After a small time between watching a pair of cormorants devour the dace and glaring at the tips another superb bite was hit and again screaming reels only this fish liked to work its way back to me and pelt of with such power and speed this could only be a Mullet and not a bad one at that. Strange fish Mullet hours can be spent chasing these frustrating fish so i was well pleased with the one that just graced my net. She weighed 6lb 8oz.

Changing to corn on the hook brought some good sized Dace and then a bite of such ferocity had me leaping from my seat, a fish was definitely on, self hooked it took so violently, didn 't feel like a carp but was very lively, not like a Mullet either? A spiky fin broke the surface that puzzled me briefly....... it was a Bass, a sweet corn munching Bass, not huge but certainly a nice surprise, and no i didn 't eat it.

Still the Bream remained elusive and rumour was that most were likely up at Salmon Pool Weir
in the more well oxygenated water, unfortunately a private stretch that Salmon anglers control yet if your discreet you can grab an early session there. As the light began to fade a few small Chublets were added to the tally as the tide approached its lowest. My peace was interrupted by my mobile phone, the wife requesting if i could move my van, of course i can me being forever the peace keeper! The camera gear and my other quiver was packed away in a grump and on sealing the bait tubs i noticed my last rod was doing a very merry dance on the rests. Squelching through the mud almost going arse over tit to get to it i managed a hook hold on what could only be a Carp, a real tug of war began as the fish used the out going tide to its advantage, some superb runs with a little grating on the line too due no doubt a snag being out there. Wading out to try and get control of this fish i remembered the wife's call, shit! going to be a bit late, i scrambled for my phone somewhere under my waders whilst the left arm hung on to this frantic Carp. How my phone wasn't dropped i don't know, with the almighty informed time to get this fish to the net. On finally netting this fish i was a little disappointed as i thought it was much bigger but on examining it what a stunning looking Mirror Carp with these huge plated scales and crisp yellows and brown colouring, despite weighing 16lb still worthy of a shot i think.
The fish was sacked and staked out in the river as i re-rigged the camera gear i had only just packed up, all systems ready i waded out to collect the fish, on lifting the fish via the sack handles she was not happy thrashing around like bugger the reason for this was soon to be obvious.... she'd seen her escape route. When lifting the fish out it was like Houdini had escaped, one huge thrash and she was out kiting across the shallow mud covering me in the process...... i only bloody forgot to ensure the sack was zipped right up! one lift she was gone, what a muppet!
I was a bit gutted as it was a stunning looking fish but who knows perhaps she'll cross my line in the future and be a touch bigger?

Glimmering Dace

The humble dwelling that is soon to be home is almost complete and leaves me with visions of all that extra time for waterside ventures, unfortunately there is still a bit to do so to stop myself going crazy i had to down tools and wet a line and what better way to do it than on glorious June 16th by the river. Love it or hate it the close season for me can only be good for our rivers, it will be a sad day should it ever be abolished.

A bright sunny evening session on the local river Exe was where i ended up with Dace in mind on trotted maggots controlled by a pin, very traditional indeed but great fun.

The session was pure delight! stacks of hand size Dace shimmering in the sunshine and loads and i mean loads of stunning greedy Brown Trout topped by a few that were certainly big enough for the table but that's not what its about for me so all were returned non the worse after capture. I did find it unusual not to have any Chub, they are normally very abundant here and certainly compete with the trout with their greed. I'm sure they are about somewhere?

The passion is back with force and i am chomping at the bit to do battle by the waterside again soon, role on that house completion date!!!!