Well, here is a coarse update from my favourite little local brook. Anyone who follows my updates in the small streams thread will know of the little river I fish, which contains a great array of species if you look hard enough!

On Sunday, I found myself back from a ski holiday and in need of a fishing afternoon break. Being so cold, I decided to give the chub a go, they can be relied upon to feed consistently in the deeper stretches of this small river. Rig of choice was very simple, I use a light rod and fixed spool with 4lb mono mainline. To this I attach a size 12 hook. About 10 inches up from the hook, I attach a small weight, ideally as light as you can get away with to hold the bait in any current/allow you to flick a cast out. If you want to to use heavier mainline/lighter hooklength, join the two at this weight:



Bait: I take a small block of blue cheese, plus 5-6 slices of brown packet bread, put in a blender, and pulp to a crumb. This then makes a great paste that you can mold onto the hook as above. Tres simple.

Location: Chub love features that they can glide under. Tree roots, logs, surface debri, undercut banks; if the chub feels that it can disappear from view as soon as it feels threatened, it will hold up in a particular spot. Low water, polaroids and fishing experiences will help you to identify these areas in your river. If you are fishing a new water, looking for chub, try the slack water just downstream either side of a weir. Don't be afraid to try tucked into the margins when bait fishing for chub.

Once you've chosen your location, lightly flick cast out (upstream and downstream work equally well), set up a rod rest, and tighten up your line so that it is just going taught to the weight. Sit and wait. You are looking for minor taps in the line/rod tip. Depending on the type of bite, the line will either be getting more taught as the fish carries the bait away from you, or less taught, in which case the line will become more slack. Don't be afraid to lift strike into both forms of bite indication. Many fisherman are resistant to striking into a slackening line - losing 50% of bites in the process!



When you do see the line move, gently pull into the fish. Be careful not to strike late. Usually, the chub will have the bait in the middle of its mouth when you see the line move. To avoid deep hooking when freelining, strike into most knocks and bumps on the line. You'll be surprised how often you hook up.

Here are some pics of fantastic condition winter chub. I lost one that was a fair bit bigger, estimated at 3-4lb. Had a few smaller ones too:




Thanks,

N

Nice report SFG thanks for that. I'll defo give that bait a go!!

I did a bit of winter chubbing on the Thames on Sunday. Started off trotting flake and feeding mashed bread and prawns. As the light faded I switched to quivertipped flake - 3/8oz bomb on a running link leger, size 6 hook. Started getting little knocks and rattles and my bait taken off the hook, so switched to two prawns. Managed one fish of 3-4lb and missed another big pull round before deciding I was too cold and had to go home!

Thanks - def give the bait a try, for £3 you have enough bait for a whole days session! It certainly smells strong and lures them straight to the bait in muddy water.

---------- Post added at 09:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

Nice fish! How far up the Thames is that? Did you have any luck on the float? I fished another river for a short while before this, had nothing on float, as soon as I switched to light ledger I was picking up small chub!

I fish for chub a lot, I have a soft spot for them as they have been a constant "companion" through my fishing life before fly fishing and still now, albeit that the rivers have changed (nowadays the Dove, the Trent and a tiny tributory of a tributory of the Trent). I've never used a multiplier though! Nice retro rod rest and is that an old Argos rod I spy, thats class, there's something sweet about catching on retro gear

If you like cheesepaste, try Danish Blue soft cheese mixed up with ready made pastry. If you're feeling brave you can even add a couple of drops of flavouring like monster crab or cheese elite, but your missus may ban you from the house if you do, they absolutely reek like the bowels of hell I mainly use luncheon meat or bread these days though.

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SFG, your tactics are clearly doing the biz, but below a suggestion for you that might allow a softer bait presentation, and less chance of the fish feeling the lead;

Tie the hook to the end of the line. 2ft, back from the hook pinch line with a thumb and finger. 10" from that, up the line, pinch line with other thumb and finger.

Bring Thumbs together, and where they meet tie a double overhand loop. Pull nice and tight.

Open the loop by cutting the line by the knot. Tie the lead to this end.


You will see the finished job leaves the lead sat straight on the run through of the knot, with the hook length coming back up and away.

The bit of line you now have down to the lead when it's in the water sort of triangulates the rig, and allows good contact with the rod tip, but takes some tension away between the hook and the lead.

Haha, not sure why I wrote multiplier there, late morning quick post writing at work! I have no idea how to use a multiplier for a river setup! Meant standard fixed spool (little old shimano, ex1000 or something, lovely little reel). I believe it is. My first rod was the DAM exact equivalent of that rod, which I broke after many years of use (talk of fish on retro gear, i took a 20lb carp on that float rod )Saw that kingfisher one in a carboot last year so got it for a few £s. Mint nick and perfect free lining rod!

That's a good idea, I've got some crayfish glug that I'm sure they'd love, river is full of the buggers.[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ----------

carpflier - Thanks for the rig suggestion, I can picture exactly what you mean and can imagine that it allows for even more subtle bite detection, as the bite will not be going through a lead to be registered. I shall give it a try on my next outing and let you know the results.

I think this weekend is pike fly fishing, but I'll see!

Good luck!

Also look at the korum quick change bead. The lead runs on a short stiffer link running along the mainline with a swivel, the bead holds it clear of the line when casting, and the quick change bit allows you to change length of hook length easily.

Be carefully though, all this gadgetary, you might swap sides

To be honest on a tiny stream like that I wouldn't even bother with a lead most times, just a swan shot on the line, or a couple on a link.

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yep, similar rig with three or four SSG just enough to hold bottom. Smashing report wasn't it?