Monday, October 01, 2007
Pleasure Fish - Kennett & Avon Canal - Devizes - 28th/29th September 2007
Friday 28th September
As always a Visit to my Sister (Nikki) & Husband (Adrian) means a different Fishing opportunity as I never know as to where they are moored until I Get there. This time they were Moored up opposite Devizes Wharf opposite the watering/ Service mooring. However the plan was to travel down 3 locks to the Black Horse Pound on the Saturday for a end of season 'wind down'. (Devizes Boat Group Social get together), so had two different opportunities.
Arriving at 1315 hrs - Coffee in the Wharf cafe and lunch on the boat meant a short 5 minute walk down to Devizes Tackle Shop for Day ticket, Top up on canal Ground bait and tips.
I decide to fish off the stern of Nikki and Adrian's barge Unity (replica Kennett & Avon barge) and also our home for the next 30 hours. N.B. Under Devizes AA rules fishing form the boat is not allowed for insurance purposes but I don't know that if the bailiff comes along.
The light Rain we had we we left home had followed us down and by the time I had set up it at to rain of the heavier variety keeping dry by improvising a ornamental Well Pump as an umbrella stand.
Simplicity was the order of the day - using the top match section of the Middy Hot Spot Pole and light Rig / Size 18 to 2lb line 2" over depth with Single Red maggot in the middle of the cut. One advantage of fishing from the boat especially on this wide beam - Only need the short top section.
Instant success - Straight into small Roach, added a little of the Supercup Ground bait and reaction straight away from the Bream. Several Skimmers to 1 1/2 lb grace my landing net. Then the 8 elastic really starts to pull out - feels like a big Perch, but don't get to see it as the hook pulls. However the next drop get another tug and this time the elastic does pull as much but this time a 2lb perch is the prize.
Steady bites and fish for the next 3 hours capped by a Bream of 4lb. Time to pack up and get ready for an Indian with 4 of Niki's and Adrian's boating friends. What a good meal that was - Reference if you are ever In Devizes - Balti Bite - See map
Saturday 29th September
Up Early - well I thought it was 6.30 am but an hour later it still was 6.30 - Battery Gone in my watch - A swift walk with Suzy (our Jack Russell) - I set up on the Stern again - a little less room as Eric & Jude had moored up their boat alongside Unity. Added a couple of sections to go further out in the cut.
A slow start just a few small Roach, so added in some SuperCup ground bait and and some good skimmers came to the bait. Then to my surprise Eric came out of his boat with a bait box in his hand and was surprised to see me fishing there. A short conversation ensue that he fishes using a Rod he found floating the canal earlier in the year and does it to pass the time in a relaxing manner.
I had more than enough maggot and shared mine with him. We fished within two feet of each other sharing my Ground bait - We both had nice Perch - Eric's being the best. then i had a pull felt like a Nice Tench but got snagged up with Eric line and that was that.
Nikki and Ann went off shopping and we continued to fish landing regular Perch, Skimmers and Quality Roach - The ground bait was really working.
Well time came to move Unity over to the other side of the Wharf to pick up the Barbecue from K&A Trust building for the afternoons' Social down at the Black Horse.
Ann awaiting with Suzy,& the 'boys' Rollo and Charlie whilst the men load the barbeque onto Unity at the Wharf.
Had a nice short trip down the canal to the Black Horse and reacquainted myself with lock operation.
Unity which is Eletric powered supplied via Solar panels in the roof.
Once moored up alongside the Black Horse - set up on the Match Rod / Light 2BB Waggler as the canal must be 25 metres wide here and there were fishing rolling in the centre. Eric had already taken his boat down and was already fishing. I had a nice skimmer 1st chuck, then a few more roach, I then alternated between catching good quality fishing and taking part in a Boules match alongside which I got through to one Semi-Final and one Final - loosing both but good fun all the same.
I capped off a good weekend by landing a 3lb perch as dusk fell. Then a good barbecue and a clean up and a Pint of alcohol free beer in the Pub and was time to leave.
Always a pleasure and have learnt a great deal more about canal fishing - Heres to the next time
As always a Visit to my Sister (Nikki) & Husband (Adrian) means a different Fishing opportunity as I never know as to where they are moored until I Get there. This time they were Moored up opposite Devizes Wharf opposite the watering/ Service mooring. However the plan was to travel down 3 locks to the Black Horse Pound on the Saturday for a end of season 'wind down'. (Devizes Boat Group Social get together), so had two different opportunities.
Arriving at 1315 hrs - Coffee in the Wharf cafe and lunch on the boat meant a short 5 minute walk down to Devizes Tackle Shop for Day ticket, Top up on canal Ground bait and tips.
I decide to fish off the stern of Nikki and Adrian's barge Unity (replica Kennett & Avon barge) and also our home for the next 30 hours. N.B. Under Devizes AA rules fishing form the boat is not allowed for insurance purposes but I don't know that if the bailiff comes along.
The light Rain we had we we left home had followed us down and by the time I had set up it at to rain of the heavier variety keeping dry by improvising a ornamental Well Pump as an umbrella stand.
Simplicity was the order of the day - using the top match section of the Middy Hot Spot Pole and light Rig / Size 18 to 2lb line 2" over depth with Single Red maggot in the middle of the cut. One advantage of fishing from the boat especially on this wide beam - Only need the short top section.
Instant success - Straight into small Roach, added a little of the Supercup Ground bait and reaction straight away from the Bream. Several Skimmers to 1 1/2 lb grace my landing net. Then the 8 elastic really starts to pull out - feels like a big Perch, but don't get to see it as the hook pulls. However the next drop get another tug and this time the elastic does pull as much but this time a 2lb perch is the prize.
Steady bites and fish for the next 3 hours capped by a Bream of 4lb. Time to pack up and get ready for an Indian with 4 of Niki's and Adrian's boating friends. What a good meal that was - Reference if you are ever In Devizes - Balti Bite - See map
Saturday 29th September
Up Early - well I thought it was 6.30 am but an hour later it still was 6.30 - Battery Gone in my watch - A swift walk with Suzy (our Jack Russell) - I set up on the Stern again - a little less room as Eric & Jude had moored up their boat alongside Unity. Added a couple of sections to go further out in the cut.
A slow start just a few small Roach, so added in some SuperCup ground bait and and some good skimmers came to the bait. Then to my surprise Eric came out of his boat with a bait box in his hand and was surprised to see me fishing there. A short conversation ensue that he fishes using a Rod he found floating the canal earlier in the year and does it to pass the time in a relaxing manner.
I had more than enough maggot and shared mine with him. We fished within two feet of each other sharing my Ground bait - We both had nice Perch - Eric's being the best. then i had a pull felt like a Nice Tench but got snagged up with Eric line and that was that.
Nikki and Ann went off shopping and we continued to fish landing regular Perch, Skimmers and Quality Roach - The ground bait was really working.
Well time came to move Unity over to the other side of the Wharf to pick up the Barbecue from K&A Trust building for the afternoons' Social down at the Black Horse.
Ann awaiting with Suzy,& the 'boys' Rollo and Charlie whilst the men load the barbeque onto Unity at the Wharf.
Had a nice short trip down the canal to the Black Horse and reacquainted myself with lock operation.
At the 1st lock down from the Wharf as Adrian guides Unity in.
Unity which is Eletric powered supplied via Solar panels in the roof.
Once moored up alongside the Black Horse - set up on the Match Rod / Light 2BB Waggler as the canal must be 25 metres wide here and there were fishing rolling in the centre. Eric had already taken his boat down and was already fishing. I had a nice skimmer 1st chuck, then a few more roach, I then alternated between catching good quality fishing and taking part in a Boules match alongside which I got through to one Semi-Final and one Final - loosing both but good fun all the same.
I capped off a good weekend by landing a 3lb perch as dusk fell. Then a good barbecue and a clean up and a Pint of alcohol free beer in the Pub and was time to leave.
Always a pleasure and have learnt a great deal more about canal fishing - Heres to the next time
Labels: Pleasure Fish
