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

I kicked of my river season yesterday on the Ribble trying out a new waggler plus a few sticks floats. Traffic was good for a change as I made way up the M61. I couldn't wait to see the river again. . . that wait seamed like years.... !!!!!! When I arrived the river was one her bones !!!!! I had never seen the Ribble this low before !!!!!! Most of the pegs were unfishable for me with the floats I wanted to use.  There was either no flow or too much pace. I opted for a gravel run at the end of a deep,  virtually still pool.  There was more pace on my peg as it shallowed up to about three feet . . . at least it would move the sticks along. As I was running a new stick float through the swim there was a massive CRASH !!!!!!!  I nearly jumped out of my waders !!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯 A fish had leaped clean out of the water and crashed back into the deeper part of the pool to my left. I got a clean visual of it as crashed down the second time. It was a salmon of aro

As you all know I am a float angler through and through, however, even I recognised there is a time a place to dispense with the float due to river conditions. Basically,  it boils down to the fact that I don't want to drive thirty miles to the ribble and have to drive home because the river is five foot up, looks like chocolate milkshake and is unfishable on the float. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also wanted a nice piece  kit for  " Salford Pete " to use when we manage to get out together. ( Trotting for five hours is hard work in your forties . . . . . .never mind your seventies ) He is always talking about our old trips to Bridgenorth fishing for barbel, which was mainly tip fishing in the ealy days so I thought this would be a nice joint present between us. When I approached Andy about the build we had a long chat regarding mine and my dads requirements. I wanted a spliced tipped barbel rod that I could use on the Irwell as well as the Ribble. I also

I have just acquired a new club card for myself and Salford Pete. . . . Wigan DAA I have fancied this card for a while as it has good waters for my favourite species. Barbel Grayling Crucian Carp Tench Its not a bad deal either.  £30.00 for me £16.00 for Salford Pete Check it out via the link. http://wigandistrictangling.co.uk/ Salford had a lot on his plate this week and therefore was unable to join me on this session  ( which is a shame and something I will elaborate on at the end of the piece ) This was an out and out Barbel hunt ad I haven’t caught one for over two years which is far too long a wait. I took minimal tackle, kit bag, bait, net &  ”Creature Reacher “. I really wanted to put a good bend in the C.R. Them 7 lb bream Pb river bream I caught on the Irwell was a lovely capture but hardly a big test for the C.R. I arrived in good time and beat all the traffic. The M60 at Whitefield can be  . . . HORRENDOUS !!!!!! The

The Summer Solstice Thursday 21st June, the hottest day ever recorded in Great Britain, 38°C and I had chosen this day to meet up with the ..... “ Casterman and seriously try for a big River Irwell Bream on . . . .” “ The Creature Reacher “ I wasn't that confidant let me tell you !!!!!!!!!!! We had arranged to meet at the pegs as Casterman  finished work earlier than I. He was bringing one of his pals along, “ Pete The Fireman “ who had never fished the Lower Irwell before and was also looking forward, hopefully, to a nice, big, lump. The two friends where already fishing when I rocked up. “ How do Derek, you had out yet pal “ “ Noooor maaate. I haven't been in long Mike “ came the deep Lancastrian reply. I was set up and fishing within fifteen minutes. Creature Reacher, pin & a heavy, alloy stemed, inserted stick float were the tools for my first plan of attack. Four small balls of feed and a constant trickle of hemp. I have 6lb Drennan Floa