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

BLACK OPS MISSON - CHUB ON THE STICK. I had a three hour window on Sunday morning to extract an Irwell chub. Got to a " Deep Cover " out of the way peg that I have only seen in the winter. Casterman & myself trimmed the branches on the opposite side so you could trot under them. When I got there it was like the Amazon.........Hogweed, nettles and brambles were the enemy ....I had to fight my way through  100 meters of this shite being extremely careful not to get stung off the Hogweed. For those of you who do not know about Giant Hogweed it is an invasive species that grows all along the river Irwell making some sections of the river almost impossible to fish in the summer time. When stung by this plant it can produce huge blisters that can re-occur for seven years, is light sensitive so it comes back when the sun shines upon the infected area …….as I said…..NASTY STUFF INDEED………I could go on but I will leave it for know as this is a topic on its own. I

River Irwell Chub - Waggler Fishing. I have been itching to have a dangle on this peg for a few weeks. Its situated on  on the middle river and is a section of the River Irwell that is feed by another body of water that is rich in natural food and also, oxygenates that part of the river.These are the two main reasons I wish to have a dangle in this area. It may be possible to fish it with a stickfloat but as I am " waggler rich " lol I will be using this method to try and extract a chub or may be an elusive mid river roach. Casterman has fished it from the other side many moons ago but to do that now would involve a LOT of strimming and cutting out, so, I will take the lazy boy route and fish it with a waggler.......this one to be precise. A home made beauty. Lets hope it doesn't sink.....LMAO Casterman informs me it was only shallow in 1892. That was when he first fished the peg......pmsl. ( But ignore the Irwell Master at your peril :-) I have a

BIGGEST IRWELL FISH TO DATE.  12.03.14 Had a couple of hours on the Irwell in (Little Britain Anglers Stretch on Wednesday 12th March. In typical "Peanut" style all best laid plans fell apart. I was planning on fishing from 10.00 - 12.30 just a quick season to see if I could winkle out a chub. Firstly, I was late, which I hate being & had to be back at................... " The Place Where Smiles go to dye" Formally known as work for 13.45....:( I arrive at the Elton Tackle shop bang on 09.00 and the bugger was shut !!!!!!...Bo##ocks...... So, after a few shall we say " Choice words " I sped off to Fisherman Way which Thank The Lord was open for business. With a pint of grubs and some bits and bobs I high tailed it off back to Radcliffe where I had planed my short river session. By the time I got there it was 10.45 and my plans were falling apart rappido . I was not a happy little Peanut at this stage............. :( A quick natte