On The Munch

Isn't that what the carpies say when the fish are feeding ? Well,they are.

Yesterday was cool and windy. I drove over the bridge and pulled over, "just for a look".

Ahh, I'll just give it twenty minutes I thought, as I grabbed the lure rod, already made up, from the van.

Four top water hits and every one missed.

On went a small, slow sinking plug. First cast, WHACK, a bass was on.

Another bass of a similar size followed quickly.

Today I had another go. Mullet were feeding in the mud pit. I toppled over and broke my fall by flinging out an arm and went up to my elbow in mud. Oh well, that's part and parcel of mullet fishing here.

I was due to meet Waaaak a bit further down river, so jumped in the van and moved to the next mark. The tide was already pushing in and after having two half decent bass on a small surface lure I went on the hunt for a mullet.

I found a group that looked like they were feeding and put the fly in the right place. A minute or two later the indicator slid away and a fish was on. It thrashed around a bit as I hustled it in, I couldn't hang around as the tide had begun to flood a couple of small creeks and I was in danger of being cut off.

Waaaak arrived and we tried for a bass. We failed, but had two hits on the surface lure and saw a sea trout strike twice, so an interesting session.

Plenty of fish about at the moment,  it's a great time of year.

Sticky Business

After a few days work it was time to get the fly rod out for a go for the mullet. I'd no idea what to expect, as I'd not tried for five or six weeks and these fish change their habits regularly. 

As soon as I got to the water I noticed a few fish feeding. Creeping up to them, I stopped ten yards from the edge, any closer and I'd probably spook them.

The cast was spot on, just a foot out in inches of water. Within a minute or so I had a take and as I struck the fish thrashed on the surface and beached itself. A bit unsatisfactory !

I went to walk through the mud to unhook it but found myself stuck ! Properly stuck. A few minutes of wriggling and I was free. As was the fish, it had got itself back in the water and shed the hook. Just needed the circus clown music.

I did have some bass on surface lures, mostly smallish but one decent one.

Back again this early this morning. Curiously quiet, but after moving a few minutes down river I nabbed an absolutely mint fish on a sub surface plug. Sorry, "crankbait".

I've a feeling there's going to be some good fishing on the mullet and bass this autumn locally. Fingers crossed. 

End of the Summer

Back home after four and a half weeks, another great trip with a few ups and downs.

Three van tyres replaced ( long story ), six hundred quid please. 

Stuck down a lane in Denmark, wedged in between two big tree branches. Ended up with a burning clutch and a smoke filled van. 

1300 miles

One rod broken, two quiver tips snapped.

Fished the rivers/canals Ijssel, Waal, Princess Magriet, Leeuwarden city canal, Niewe Graffe of Holland, the river Susa in Denmark, the Baltic in two places in southern Denmark.

Caught a perch from a canal side restaurant whilst waiting for our food. I didn't know whether to feel proud or ashamed when others diners stared.

Some clonking perch in the Baltic, plus a couple of small sea trout. A few goby species too.

5lb plus ide from three different rivers, topped with one of 5lb 13oz from the Susa. An absolute monster.

Ten roach over two pounds and one of 3lb 4.5oz.

Lots of bluenose to 2lb 13oz.  And bream.

Two asp to 8lb.

One asp/ide hybrid, interesting fish.

Lure fished for over a week ( very short sessions ) without having a single sizeable fish until I got those asp. 

Some cracking free park ups in Denmark and plenty of harbourside Camperplatz.

Three hundred plus miles on the bikes. Might not seem much, but S only leant how to ride a bike a few years ago. Enjoyed the cycling as much as the fishing. Well, almost.

Some lovely seafood on the island of Falster in Denmark. 

Incredible bird life. Saw a pair of white tailed sea eagles in Naestved, Denmark, another WTSE on the Waal, along with a pair of peregrines, an osprey,  loads of storks, herons, greater and cattle egrets, absolutely fantastic. 

A beaver too.

Back home now, waiting for the tides to be right for local bass and mullet.

A great trip once again, I'm missing it already. 

Autumn fishing coming up, plenty to look forward too.