The Mini conclave happened today.

So mini that it was only me because no one else could make it :lol:

I arrived at around 11am to be greeted with a wind that was blowing from left to right but very strongly.

I was going to fish my TCR 6# as the Drain i was fishing is not very wide and the pick predator fly sheads all its water on the back cast so is light to fish with but i decided to get the 8# out as the wind was so strong.

I decided to start near the carpark and work my way down the drain and see what happened.

30 minutes without a take above the weir and freezing cold i was close to giving up and going home and tying a few flies but i'm glad i did not.

I changed flies to my Pink predator attached to 39lb orvis mirage with a rapala knot and went below the weir.

First cast i was into a fish and after a brief fight managed to get this fish in to the net.



The fish went back nice and quickly helped by the fact i had crushed the barbs down on my fly.

Two casts later and bang another fish on.

This one did not want to get landed as it fought like a tiger.

After a great tussle i landed it and took a quick snap.


A better fish that was very broad.

Around 40 yards from where i was fishing a few fish were topping and then a big swirl happened.

I walked down and cast where the swirl had been as quite often you will hook up.

Bang fish on




The fishing only got better with another 4 fish coming to the pink predator very quickly.

The fish were all in tip top condition but a couple did have leeches on them.

The cold water must suit them as the fought very well and put quite a hoop in the rod.





I tried a different fly to but had no luck so went back to my pink one.

i hooked a couple more smaller pike before hooking in to a couple of slightly larger ones.





I walked my way along a stretch of water around 150 yards long and in around 3 hours landed 14 fish hooking a couple more that dropped the fly and had a couple of pulls also.

Last cast of the day i hooked in to this croc




A superb few hours fishing and i'm glad i got out to give it a go.

I also caught a skimmer bream through the back so assume that the pike were all there because the silver fish were all shoaled up.

Just as a little side thought i fished with 39lb fluro and did not have a problem once with fish braking or biting through the line.

WCB

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What a fantastic day you had.
My day - at work.
Well done.

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New barbless hooks are here

Well done mate, that`s a good session in anyone`s book. Your photo`s may have got a little mixed up though, the second and third ones look like the same fish (unless you meant to post them like that). As a wire man (and in no way wishing to resurrect the for and against discussion), I would be interested to know how much your trace suffered from abrasion and how many times you had to change it given the number of fish you took. Also where in the jaw / mouth the fish were hooked. I am starting to waver a bit on the wire / other trace material subject and since I know you mainly use non wire traces I would be grateful for your input.
All the best and good fishing Toby,
Andy.

Had to many pictures in Photobucket

With regards to the trace.

I used one length of 39lb fluro for the 3 hours and used a rapala knot.

Only once did i cop a couple of inches off and that was near the end of the day.

I hooked fish from back near there gills to lip hooking a couple.

Like i have said before i always check that the leader has no marks on it before casting again and even if it has the slightest nick then i change it.

WCB

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Nice fish WCB

i have often thought about fly fishing the somerset levels for pike, the brue, king sedgemoor drain and the huntspill all looking like good pike waters, what clubs in this area hold the fishing rights to these waters ?, reckon that now would be the best time to get a pike or two with the colder weather on the way, have you ever tried the taunton bridgewater canal ?, its supposed to be a good pike water, had a wlk along it a few years back at this time of year and every angler i came across was fishing for pike

cheers

Morty

Thanks mate,
All the best,
Andy.

Superb fish and an excellent report, WCB.

Now was it because you were using mono or because you were in the right place at the right time? I don't think we will ever be able to answer that one!

Like Jozef, I returned to work today so I missed out on a superb session.

The Somerset Levels can offer superb pike sport for the fly rodder especially if you are prepared to walk.

Bridgwater Angling Association have the rights to most of the fishing although check other local clubs too.
http://www.bridgwaterangling.co.uk/Index.htm

I think Bridgwater AA Day tickets are £6 but remember to take your rod licence! I bought a season ticket this year but my first attempt to do so failed as the shop was not allowed to sell me a permit without my EA rod license number.

I actually agree with this rule but it was frustrating having a wasted a journey.

Don't make my mistake!

Allrounder

Congrats on catching!
And not getting bitten off!

Nice expensive reel and rod, shame you didn't buy a cheap unhooking mat to photograph your fish on, instead of the muddy stony bank. Photos 5 & 6.
But hey, sod the fish it's the resulting bragging rights that matter.

Colin

Was that an Orvis Battenkill reel?

Seriously, well done what a cracking day you had.

Some real good fish and nice snaps.

Dead envious!

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Yes a mat should be used but i forgot mind today very sorry Jimmy Cricket.

I do not care what you think about the mono verses wire issue so keep it to yourself and don't try to hijack my thread.

WCB

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