Blenheim Palace

My largest perch.

Boat House

http://www.blenheimpalace.mobi/theestate/coarse-fishing.html

My friend Neal organised a trip to Blenheim Palace this autumn.

We struggled till late afternoon then I caught a nice pike on my ultralight lure rod.

It was just about a double on a 3" banjo lure. A 4" kopyto was next line of attack.

My biggest ever, 3lb 5oz. Very happy.

The lure bug has bitten hard, even joined the Lure Anglers Society. 

We were the only anglers there, such a beautiful place. Don't understand why?

Watch "How to Rig Soft Plastic Baits and Lures for Fishing" on YouTube

Like the look of those doa chug heads, makes the soft plastics more versatile.
Not sure if you can get them in UK but going to look.

Did this Carp not realise I was perch fishing?

Not been fishing much, however decided to try for a big perch in a local lake.
Big juicy lobworm under a float using my old speedia centerpin. This Carp had designs on the worm, no doubt shoved every perch in the area out of the way!
Too many Carp about these days, did make my reel sing though!
Went Grafham water last week, cold east wind. Not very condusive to good fishing. Caught three rainbows and lost three. Dragging the bottom on a di 7 I'm afraid. At least the trout knew I was fishing for them! Perch are obviously not as intelligent as trout.

Mackeral

Caught 3 miles off padstow. A full house and then no action for ages. Did not see any caught inshore.
Only saw a couple of cormarants, must all be inland!
Brilliant holiday, the body boarding bug has bitten....

Drought

Taken on Pitsford opening day, hope the rivers will be able to stand all the drought order pumping?

First time fly fisher

Took Adam a friends son fishing for Barbel just before the rivers closed. I have said I will take him trout fishing so I thought I would put some fly kit in for him to practice with.
Now for someone who's never cast a fly before he was soon getting the hang of it. He only hooked the bank behind once and it was a few feet above our heads!
I turned my back for a few seconds and he caught this jack pike. Think he might be hooked on fluff chucking now. I have given him an old fibatube rod and a speedex reel to get him started. Love the speedex reel why are they not still made?
We were using German made Authanic wire which is more like a braid. Brilliant stuff, soft supple and won't kink. Also knots very well.
I think if every angler encouraged one youngster a year the future of our sport would be much safer....

Stealth Perch

Here's my perch version. Probably used too much material, it still works though.
Dave