We left Bedfordshire having decided against a return to the Ivel for several reasons and headed instead for a small stream in Hertfordshire. Firstly the weather forecast today was looking a bit grim, to say the least. Secondly it was closer to home and lastly the weed wouldn’t be a problem here.
So we arrived early morning, hoping to beat the rain. Geoff headed upstream and Kevin and I settled for exploring the downstream section. The river looked a tad up on recent levels. The rainfall in the south has been woefully little this year and the rivers are desperately low. The water was clear and we could see the leaves beginning to build up on the bottom, which always makes for tricky fishing.
We checked out numerous swims but only spotted a handful that looked deep enough to produce. I opted to float fish for a while in a reasonable, deepish run. There was a little weed here but not enough to be a major hindrance. All I could muster were small gudgeon, roach and minnows. Pretty much an identical copy of yesterday on the Ivel. So I had picked out an alternative, deeper looking swim to ledger a bait into. I intended to use lob worms, bread crust and flake. I was really looking to catch anything, be it chub, barbel or roach. Just as I was about to move, an older chap moved into the swim in question with his tackle barrow. Bloody typical I thought. I called him a few colourful names (under my breath of course!) but nothing too harsh you understand and moved on elsewhere. It seemed to be the way things were going for me over these two days.
I found a deep, pacey swim with some overhanging trees and a nice thick reed bed on the opposite bank. I started off ledgering a big lob worm. After a bite-less hour I found myself dozing off. So I held the rod and flicked the bait runner on. Yes, you’ve guessed it….the rod tip whacked round, I struck and I hadn’t re-engaged the bait runner. Result: missed bite! I might add that was the only decent bite I had all day. Despite attempts at several swims with an array of different baits, it was not to be my day.
Fortunately Kevin eventually found a swim that produced some decent action. He ended up with 8-10 nice chub but sadly lost 3 barbel. Geoff had struggled for most of the day but had managed a couple of barbel, a good chub and a few roach and bits. By about 2.30pm Kevin and I had just about had enough and so called it a day. Geoff’s fishing had just picked up, so he was a little disappointed to call it a day so early. However, I didn’t want him catching too much and crowing all the way home!!
Next week I’m hoping to head off to the Hampshire Avon in search of grayling with Kevin. Geoff’s having a week off getting his old boiler fixed and no, I don’t mean his missus! So here’s hoping for a more fruitful days fishing.
The River Angler 