Well i had a go on the douglas today, it's the first time i've ever fished a river never mind trotting. Any way i fished a size 18 hook, 6lb line and four No. 4 shots on the line with two maggots.



After around 40 minutes of watching the float going up and down the river and getting snagged a few times I thought I was going to catch nothing. Then my float disappeared and rod bent round, I thought I was snagged again but it started pulling. Anyway it was a nice chub of about a 1lb, and my first ever chub.



Then after about an hour of nothing I had another one but it came off. Also there was around 3 adults with some kids who only had a dace I think

I had a nice couple of hours on the Monnow last week in less than good conditions and on a river that was a bit too high. Nonetheless I had 16 grayling, 3 chub (to 4lbs), 3 trout and a dace. I really enjoy getting the centre pin out and doing a bit of maggot drowning.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Well done
That looks similar to the River Mole,down here in surrey.
Just remember to keep loose feed trickling in on a regular basis,if there is a good head of chub you should be able to get them lining up for it

Looks a nice little river.

I like trotting for chub with breadflake. Not had much opportunity in the last couple of years as the river has been in the fields for much of that time.

TF

Lovely looking bit of river that. Try a roving approach with light leger gear and breadflake, it might sort out some bigger chub. That raft downstream on the right screams chub!

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I've been out today on the Tees with a roving technique and breadflake/meat. One chu of 3/4lb to show for it. Oh well, a lovely afternoon though...

Can't help thinking I may have done better trotting!

Lovely looking stretch of river. Can't help thinking that 6lb is too heavy for trotting (I use 3 or 4lb myself - usually Drennan FloatFish).

Keep the feed trickling in (about 6 maggots or so each cast) ... changing the depth of the float and the shotting pattern occasionally can help as well. Not that there's anything hard and fast about it ... more of an experience thing.

Keep plugging away ... that does look a nice little stream

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Cheers,
Lawrence

looking back it does seem quite heavy, i'll probably use a hooklength of about 4lb next time, also if i get snagged i won't loose everything. I'll be going back soon hopefully so i'll use some of the advice in the replies

It does depend on your rod as well. If you're using a normal match-type rod then 6lb is way too heavy for the rod. I use a Daiwa 14 foot Aqualite with 3.2lb mainline and have landed chub to nearly 5lb (4.14 ... dammit ) from quite snaggy swims.

You just can't bully the fish with tackle like this ... you have to persuade them to the net. These rods do have a surprising amount of power as long as the tackle is balanced.

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Cheers,
Lawrence

When i was trotting i used a 13 foot rod, also what are the disadvantages of using too strong a line? does it affect the presentation of the bait?