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

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

Here are some pictures of my hand crafted floats & Fishing Equipment. For 2017 floats please click the link below https://purplepeanut007.blogspot.com/2017/01/handcrafted-floats-and-fishing.html?m=1 A pair of Barbel Sticks with the addition of golden thread for an Irwell run I still have not attempted to fish yet !!!!! Here is a little something for Andrew and Catherine Boyne for making me such a beautiful big fish rod. " The Creature Reacher " http://purplepeanut007.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/creature-reacher-custom-made-hand-built.html?m=1 A pair of Pike Pencils Both sporting Pearlescent Jay Feather Inlays and double golden tipets. Lets hope you both get a few big crocs on these. 😉 A variety pack. Two Irwell Sticks. Two Loafers and a Tinca Stick. For someone who has fell in love with fishing once more. Enjoy my friend . 😊 I have wanted to make a traditional stepped waggler for quite some time and have r