Purplepeanut007 PP007 FLOAT MAKING & FISHING ADVENTURES - THE RIVER IRWELL AND BEYOND.

A planed trip with John Derbyshire to the Rivers Douglas & Yarrow did not happen due to “ John The Pussy Derbyshire “ Having been bitten by a fly while working on his landscaping business. John was quoting for a job in Middleton first thing in the morning and as soon as he fished he asked if I fancied a few hours on the River Irwell. “ Anything is better than nothing “ I thought...... Within 30 minutes we where at a local stretch of mine. I put John on a peg I new fished well last week and I headed further upstream hoping for some big chub. The river was very low and clear, so low I could wade out to the run I wanted to fish. Maggots and hemp were the baits plus a small amount of ground bait to tempt any small silver fish, if present. A 4 no8's “ Irk Stick “ was my float of choice.  These are great for trotting under the rod tip fishing with a pin on the drop. I had a few exploritoritory trots down without bait on my hook to get a feel for the run. I was

Well . .  . Its here again. . . Boys and girls . . . . .  The opening day of the river season has arrived. I had decided on visiting my local club stretch “ Little Britain Anglers “ on the River Irwell in Radcliffe to see if I could winkle out a barbel or a chub. I quickly loaded myself up with my trotting kit and ambled over to peg one on my club stretch. There was an umbrella already stationed there and with a quick shout of  “ Hello “ A well know voice answered back “ Alright Cootesie. How you doing “ This is a sight as rare as a River Irwell barbel . . . . It was the Little Britain Anglers Chairman . . . Eric Owen . . . To see Eric here is not unusual at all . . . . . But . . . . To see him fishing was a rare sight indeed. . . . Lol. He was also after an Irwell Unicorn. . .  . Without any luck so far. A few tentative plucks but no proper bites. We had a quick chat and decided I should try “ Barbel Bend “ the place of my only river Irwell barbel capt

A while ago I was given an old " Youngs Trudex " centerpin reel by Derek Kenyon. ( AKA Casterman ) It was in very poor condition when I initially received it and would not spin one full revolution but with a little time and research I have managed to turn it into MORE than a decent runner, in fact, with a little more work I think it will be my "  go to " reel for short Irwell sessions this summer  ( If I can get away from work ....lol ). I placed it on my state of the art Drennen Acolyte Plus. They felt made for each other. The balance was REALLY good but I will hold judgement until I can test drive the pair on the opening day of the river season. If I do not get chance to go to Bridgenorth on the River Severn then the pair will get their first date on the River Ribble or if staying local the River Irwell ....... ( Little Britain Anglers ) Here is the Trudex. Spins well enough for a test drive I think....😊 Here is a quick video to

The Last Day Of The Season  - 2016 Well, it’s come full circle again and it is the last day of the river season. I was at Salford Pets for 7.30 to make a few floats. One pike pencil for Kaden McCarthy who is a 14 year old prodigy, a member of Salford Friendly Anglers and is showing the adults how the catch pike in the Mancunian canals and a pair of Perch Bobbers for a competition in one of the groups I am a member of. By the time the floats were ready for lacquering it was 10.30. I had yet to sort out my river kit. It was a right mess from my last blank on the Douglas. (Something terrible has happened to that lovely little river) By 11.30 I was in the “ Mighty Megan “and off to a quite stretch of the Irwell, hopefully to bag a few chub…….may be even a barbel. Here’s hopping …. lol I wanted to christen my new Avon float which I had rigged up the night before. Knowing the run I introduced some freebies as I tackle up. The river looked spot on with a ting

With a spare couple of hours and the rivers out of sorts in Manchester I opted for a “  Smash & Grab “ session on a small pondto give my Sneaky Lifter " floats a sterner test. I originally called them Tinca Stick MKIII 's but they are that thin and sensitive you cannot suspend large baits with them. So, they are a different float really. They are perfect for fishing suspended partical baits or fishing on the bottom. So I came up with the name " Sneaky Lifters " as they are perfect for catching shy bitting fish using a variation of the lift method. Here are the originals........  I have recently been told about this pond and its all a bit " Secret Squirral " and its not to far from my home so, thanks for the info pal. ( Many thanks Mr Anonymous)   The weather was not inspiring me but as you all know I don’t get out to fish very often so with very little preparation I threw my kit in the mighty Megan & gave it a bl

DOUGY DANCING WITH JOHN DERBYSHIRE. I recieved a message from John Derbyshire letting me know that the stretch of River Douglas that we  have previously fished together was in perfect condition and would I fancy a quick Irwell Stick session on her. It wasn't long before I was flying up the M61 to meet John Irwell Stick at the ready.....lol. Midway to John’s house the heavens opened an it rained heavily, non-stop for about fifteen minutes. "This doesn't look very clever" I thought to my self as I pulled off the motorway in the direction of the " Derbyshire Residence ". The rain then suddenly stopped...." Fantastic " I thought at least we be dry when we blank.....lmao. I belled John to let him know I was outside and within 5 minutes we were off to the River Douglas for another session using my Irwell Stick Floats. My Pearlescent, Feather Inlayed,Irwell Stick. Johns Irwell Sticks are the two smaller floats on the left.  The oth