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Post by gary on Sept 8, 2012 10:38:48 GMT
Thanks Cust and Paul Friday 7th September, lunchtime: A beautiful day in Northampton, at 26 degrees with clear skies Stopped off at lunchtime for half an hour to check out another stretch of the Nene, this time at Earls Barton, on the Grendon Road (Which is controlled by the Earls Barton AC, and only £20/year for membership! Which I'll be sorting out next week after seeing how clear the water was, with hundreds of Chub clearly visible, and many good sized perch). There is ample parking just over the bridge, on the left hand side just after the traffic lights. Took a few photos to give you an idea: And the trib running alongside: And same, but downstream: And some of the reasons why I had a big smile on my face: And then I spotted this fine example, from the Main Bridge: Panoramic view of the same spot: A fine way to travel: Will definitely be back to the Earls Barton/Grendon stretch of the Nene - it's really pretty and loaded with fish! ;D Tight lines Gary
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Post by paul1966 on Sept 8, 2012 11:43:58 GMT
Well done Gary great fishing reports, I love seeing different species of fish caught on the fly.
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Post by custheyder on Sept 8, 2012 14:45:52 GMT
Seeing fish in the water.... it's just too much for me. I just have to be casting a line to them! Good luck with trying to catch them. I'm looking forward to reading how you get on.
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Post by gary on Sept 9, 2012 9:01:12 GMT
Saturday 8th September, 5 to 7pm: Really bright sunny day again today, so called by my closest stretch again at Kislingbury for a quick look/cast. Water levels have dropped down a fair amount, and river running very clear indeed. Walked upstream from The Mill, looking for a likely spot that I could easily fish from the bank... a few hundred yards upstream from the pedestiran bridge at The Mill lies a really nice weir pool - didn't spot any fish there this time, so had a few casts and then continued walking up stream. a further few hundred yards up stream and there is this fine looking pool: Not many places to gain access from the bank though, but will be back when I have a little more time, and have the chest waders on as it also looks really good - and a local chap tells me he has caught WBT there too! ;D : After a couple of casts I headed back downstream, to the place where I caught the couple of 5lb Chub the other night. With the water level even lower, a most of this stretch (from the island at The Mill down stream) was far too weed filled to fish, so I kept walking down to the bottom of that field. The sun was at my back, which made 'stalking' very difficult as the fish could easily see my silhouette on the bank. Spotted a fine group of fairly large Chub on the other side of the river, had a couple of casts at them but they spotted me a moved away My friendly local Swan arrived again shortly after, and did a fine job of guarding his pool - preventing any further fishing on this visit. Wasn't bothered, and enjoyed watching him wait for his mate to join him... He is a handsome fellow: Tight lines Gary
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Post by leckie on Sept 9, 2012 16:13:15 GMT
Gary,
A very nice report and great photos as well...can't wait until the next instalment and maybe even the elusive wbt
Alex
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Post by custheyder on Sept 10, 2012 8:31:13 GMT
Another great report Gary. Like Alex I can't wait to see one of those elusive trout. With your determination I'm sure you'll catch one soon.
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Post by gary on Sept 10, 2012 12:44:15 GMT
Thanks Alex and Cust Sunday 9th September Far too windy for the fly yesterday (as it is today too ), so had a wander about with my dog, searching for some more likely spots. Given the Nene was so clear and full of fish at Earls Barton (see previous photos), I thought I'd go further up the A45 to the next junction at Great Doddington. The Nene looked good at the road bridge on Hardwater Road, with plenty chub visible... although, I think I prefer the Earls Barton stretch slightly further south. Stopped off at Summer Leys Nature Reserve as had never been before. No fishing allowed there, but really nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Took a few photos for interest: He paused for just long enough to pose for his photo: And hiding in the reeds: Tight lines Gary
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Post by gary on Sept 19, 2012 7:59:20 GMT
Wednesday 19th September, 7 to 8am: Getting withdrawal symptoms, so had a quick hour before work this morning in Kislingbury... wind has not dropped down, frustratingly, but had a go down stream from the Mill again. River running beautifully clear, but very low now as have had very little rain over the last couple of weeks. Spotted a few decent sized Chub on the other side - annoyingly just out of reach for my 12' ST360 T rod (have the new 13' 6" Eso rod on order now from cust which will definately help cover these lovely specimens when it arrives ) Had a couple of tugs on the Sakasa. and landed one little chub around 6" long (never took my camera). Hopefully the wind will drop (it's been too windy for over two weeks) and I'll get a decent session soon! Tight lines Gary
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Post by gary on Sept 19, 2012 23:21:53 GMT
Wednesday 19th September, 5.30 to 7.30pm: At last! The wind has dropped a little and I can take a couple of hours out to explore some more of the Nene... ;D A lovely, but slightly cooler evening in Northampton, so I head to my usual local spot at Kislingbury (The Mill), only to be joined by my feathered friends again (think they're following me! lol). Mr Swan and a couple of ducks at The Mill island: And his mate below the foot bridge: On the hunt for his supper: And success: McDonalds equivalent for swans : They must be tasty weeds as he goes for more: ] Distracted me from fishing for some time, but was lovely watching them feed: Panoramic view of both at their dining table: After about half an hour of watching the pair fill their bellies I head upstream from The Mill, stopping off for a few casts at each likely spot on the way up to the weir pool: And a down stream view of the pool tail: Only a couple of fish rising, but didn't connect with anything here, so before moving further up stream I pause to take another photo of the pool from above the weir: Light was beginning to fade quickly now, but I did manage to get about another half hours fishing, with a few more fish rising at the next large pool upstream (don't know it's name, but has a farmers bridge crossing at it's head). Was too dark for photo's here, I'm afraid, but a lovely pool with several fish showing. After hooking a tree I decided it was time to go... Will be back here when I have a bit more time... Tight lines Gary
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2012 7:45:03 GMT
Lovely report Gary.
Looks like you've found yourself a little piece of heaven. Just you and your swan buddies, bliss!!
Stevie.
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Post by gary on Sept 20, 2012 8:48:27 GMT
Thanks Stevie All that's missing is a few more fish The 'icing on the cake', so to speak... ;D Cheers Gary
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Post by gary on Oct 10, 2012 20:35:07 GMT
Had a quick hour on the river tonight, upstream of Kislingbury. River running a little high, and slightly coloured, although still fishable...
My first go with the lovely new Eso 410 6:4 rod, which has shamefully taken two weeks to fit in...
A beautifully soft presentation had, compared to my ST360 7:3. Really enjoyed playing with the new rod, up and downstream casting... Had a couple of tugs at the fly, most likely from a Chub.
Had the rod set up with a 10' furled leader, 6' 3lb tippet, and a Sakasa Kebari (I have been using a 10'6" furled leader and 4' tippet with my shorter, stiffer rod). Found the Eso rod handled the longer tippet with ease, although will take me a few more attempts to master it.
All in a lovely hour on the Nene, with the extra length the Eso 410 gave me was able to cover much more water. Delighted with the rod and would happily recommend it to anyone. Many thanks Cust ;D
Will hopefully get a full day out and about on Sunday...
Tight lines
Gary
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Post by custheyder on Oct 11, 2012 8:28:54 GMT
More than welcome Gary. Great to hear it's working well for you. It is tricky to switch from a stiffer to a softer action, but their are bonuses like better tippet protection.
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Post by gary on Oct 18, 2012 0:31:37 GMT
Wednesday 17th, 6pm'ish
Hmmmmm took a walk down the river at Kislingbury to see if it was worth a cast but, sad to say, it is even higher and far too coloured to fish successfully. I tried a very heavy weighted taddy fly to see how it faired and the current was too strong for even it to fish properly. Packed up and headed home...
Heavy rain again tonight, and forecast for tomorrow, so it may well be a few days before the river is fishable again. Will keep you updated.
Tight lines
Gary
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Post by gary on Oct 18, 2012 21:37:06 GMT
Thursday 18th: Boo! Rained heavily again last night, so river up even higher with even more colour... Hopefully things will improve for my session with Peter on Saturday. Anyhoo, while trolling through youtube I happened across this quite entertaining video of the Great British Summer on the River Nene: Tight lines Gary
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