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

Work has been getting me down lately so a chance call from Derek Kenyon was most welcome and saw us meeting up at some new pegs " The boys " . . . .  Derek Casterman Kenyon & Dave Hovis  have cut out on the Middle Irwell which gave me the motivation I needed. Arriving first I had the pick one of the pegs. I picked one that visually looked the best but after two or three trots down I realised that the run was a little shallow and moved up one to try it out. The new swim was much deeper and I was more comfortable with it. By this time a deep thoated  “ Aye up lad “  echoes through the undergrowth and a head popped out of the foliage It was  . . .  “ The Casterman “  He was buzzin as was I.  We haven’t been out together for a VERY long time and very fitting it should be on the Irwell. We both new I had the best peg. Casterman was talking me through his last Irwell session when his phone sings into life . . . .. . It was Phil Clayton returning Dereks call.  (

Tony Peet very kindly took my " Inserted Stick Float " For a testing session.  Below are the results of his findings. 😊 " I decided to have a quick go on the River Ribble this morning. The sun was just rising and with a clearish sky,  I knew I would need to make the most of the first few hours of the day. The swim I picked was quite deep and the flow about half walking pace. I had decided to fish two lines, one a rod length or so out about 6ft deep, the other would be mid river  11ft.  Before I set up in a swim I know I normally feed it. I was loose feeding hemp corn and maggot. Straight way I had a problem. I had took my best catapult out last week and not replaced it 😣. The only one I had was my winter maggot one for short range feeding. Not the best start!!  I managed twenty or so mini pouches of  bait and BANG the elastic broke!! Well,  I had got some corn across and I could feed the near line by hand, but it didn't stop me bemoa

I had a few hours spare after work this week and fancied a dangle on a river somewhere. Andre Boyne had kindly invited me up to a stretch of river he knows very well. So with the “ Mighty Megan " all loaded up I high tailed it up to the Ribble where I hoped to catch a barbel or big chub. . . . . on the float of course . . . . . 😉 My new Lofa which is now Andrews new Loafer. LOL The weather forecast wasn’t good . . . . RAIN . . . but the river was not too high and was nicely coloured so things were looking good. Andrew was coming down a little later so I headed over to a fast, shallow stretch of the river the barbel liked to hold in at the moment.  Andrew had already pointed this run out and I had tried it a few days before on a "Barbel Stick" snd a "Lofa".  I had some lovely silvers and a few trout but bumped a brace of barbel which probably killed the swim. Silvers from a previous session ona barbel stick. I was more prepared this

Both John and I finally got round to our River Yarrow trip. We have both been looking forward to this for a long time as next to nothing is known  ( by us ) about this little river. We were hoping for chub roach and dace but any fish from a new river would be most welcome. We tackled up next to the van as it would be easier to do so. Once ready we walked over to the field which the river flowed though. As we approached the river John stopped dead in his tracks . . . . . “ Is that Hogweed Mike “ ? “ Unfortunately yes it is mate “ I replied. Hogweed is a horrible invasive species which gives u a very nasty burn . If it gets into your eyes it can actually blind you . . . . . Horrid stuff ! ! ! ! Hogweed Hogweed Burns Click the link for more information on Hogweed http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/problem-solving/giant-hogweed-everything-you-need-to-know/ A little down hearted we fought through the Japanese Knot weed down to a VERY small wild river.