So I was back on the roach hunt this time on a stretch of canal I've fished plenty of time but never for the smaller species. I've only fished it for Zander but it has the 'Hallowed' green tinge to the water and I fancied trying to see if I was missing anything. Naturally I'd have a deadbait rod out as well it would be rude not to wouldn't it !! Again another early start to hopefully avoid the boats because I switched the float again to a 3BB Drennan Antenna float where I'd over shotted it by 1BB where I'd bulk all those shot a inch and a bit before the fine wire size 12 hook. On route to the ..read more

With such a disappointing session yesterday I was back for some more of the same !! this time however I was back to an area of canal that did plenty of bites recently on maggots over groundbait. A lovely morning it was too, albeit a little chilly when I got bankside for 6.00am. I don't tend to set an alarm because I naturally wake around that time anyway. The day only got better and better and actually led to the first BBQ of the year.  Let's hope things improve because the weather has been pretty terrible hasn't it. Anyway it took a while to get the first bite but then after that ..read more

Rigid rules have little application to any kind of angling, but experience does indicate that the angler who adopts certain procedures will catch more big roach than the angler who fishes haphazardly for anything that might come along. The guides to catching big canal roach from my limited experience ? can be summarised thus: Find a secluded spot in which you can fish quietly and alone. Stay alert for any visible evidence of big roach. Refrain from using fine groundbait, which only serves to attract too many small fish. Prebait your chosen swim with the bait you intend to use. Persist in the ..read more

I've seen plenty of drained pounds over the years as a gongoozler but this one on the South Stratford was a bit of an eye-opener I must admit. Firstly where the heck were the fish and secondly you can see why the canal is coloured 99% of the time. The fish must have been stranded at either lock entrance I'd imagine and I did think about going home to get the deeper fish finder and see if my suspicions were correct. I had some fishing to do though, I wanted a decent roach.  Thankfully the pound I was fishing was a good 10 minute walk from here where there was actual water. It was a nip ..read more

Well the grass need mowing, spring is definitely here, it's just a shame it's not a bit warmer. I really do hate gardening, it's just not for me.  Thankfully I've not got a great deal to look after, although saying that having landscaped it when we moved in back in 2008 (I think) and replacing the deck sice, the sleepers could do with replacing. Now, for a start gardening has got nothing to do with looking after the bit of mud and grass and trees outside your back door. That's just such a narrow view of what a garden is. So you can just forget it. And it's got nothing to do with those ..read more

Canal angling (was) synonymous with fine-line fishing. The average angler would shudder at any suggestion that he could use a line of greater breaking-strain than two pounds. For many, a one-pound to one-and-a-half-pound breaking-strain line is regarded as a necessity. My own experience has taught me otherwise.  Fine lines may be essential for certain styles of fishing, but they are not always indispensable. In fact, in some cases the use of a fine line could be disastrous. Nevertheless, strongly held opinions about the necessity for fine lines cannot be dismissed lightly. I think there ..read more

Now match angling in canals is a specialized form of angling. The matchman's aim is quite different from that of ordinary anglers. His object is to catch a higher weight of fish than his opponents within a limited time. He cannot prebait his swim, nor will he usually risk angling for big fish. He angles for the kind of fish which will enable him to build up a winning catch quickly.  Time wasted may mean fish missed. Consequently, everything has to be speeded up. Casting, striking, retrieving the fish, groundbaiting all must be done quickly and efficiently. A few ounces, or even drams, can ..read more

I was back at Wild Garlic Way to see if I could pick up a roach from these moody turbid waters, and to also forage some more leaves for some pesto I'm going to make. The mushroom and wild garlic cream sauce with some vermouth went down rather well I must admit so I needed to replenish the reserves whilst the leaves were still young and pungent.  The wind was due to drop a little verses the last few days which is why I decided to head down for a couple of hours early doors, where hopefully after the overactive tiller twisters would be way off from having their fun. So fingers crossed t ..read more

To be honest I was lacking in motivation for this post work afternoon session but it would keep me out the pub where they have a decent selection on at the minute, and I'd not managed to get out sadly this week with the weather being pants and obviously work and life getting in the way.  So it was needs must really, I only had a few hours though but the diary makers would get involved but more than enough to try and winkle out a canal Zander. It wasn't the best conditions for fishing really as it was very windy and with blue skies and often some warming suns rays, however because of the ..read more

With the bread not doing the business yesterday morning I decided to venture over to a stretch of the Grand Union a short drive away to see what I could catch using simple tactics. So groundbait to kick it off and maggots or bread on the size 16 KKH Preston hook. A nippy morning around 7 degrees where I rocked up a little later than usual. I was fishing by 6.00am though and the walk down to the swim there were plenty of fish topping and fishy activity so I was hoping for a bite or two.  The groundbait consisted of Supercrush Green from Sonubaits with a few micro pellets and a handful of ..read more