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

Today I had another session on the Littleton Road section of the River Irwell In Salford. The sun was bright and baring down on me so I wasn't too hopeful of a good catch but as Mike Duddy says " You have got to be in it to win it " !!!!!!!!!! Rod and reel for the session was a 14 foot Acolyte and an Okuma Centerpin My end tackle was a hand made 10 No6 stick float, 16s hook and 4 lb main line. I was feeding straight from the moment I arrived and on my first trot down hooked into a nice dace of around 3 ounces. I had nothing then for around 10 minutes so used the time to alter my shot pattern and depth, fine tuning my set up for when they arrived. ( Here's hoping ) The continuous feeding of maggot and hemp was slowly starting to work and bites started to materialise. 😁 Small, sharp bobs at first but as I increased the feed more positive bites started to show, then a fish. A nicely conditioned roach.  😁 I was getting into my rhythm

I have been a “ Bad Lad "   on Ebay again .  😈 An Abu 506M Closed Face Real has been on my hit list for a while now for silver fishing on rivers in the winter months. Today I took delivery of one. It is in good condition and ready to use even though it is over 30 years old . . . . 😲 I decided to change the line of course, so,  I took a trip to  “ Elton Tackle “ in Radcliffe  and purchased  two spools of Prestons Reflow Line. One spool for the mainline on the real and another, lighter spool for hook lengths. I prefer pre-stretched lines on closed face reels. They do not have the longevity of some of the standard lines but presentation it vastly improved when the pre-stretched are used as mainlines. I currently have an Abu704, but, from now on it will use this with heavier pre-stretched lines on the Irwell for the big chub and monster brown trout. May be the ribble if I am feeling brave. . . Lol To aid in presentation I apply some silico

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. 

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

River Ribble,  Caught More Friends Than Fish !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got a fishing pass off the Mrs so a quick tinckle to the Casterman and a trip out to Church Deeps on the River Ribble was formulated and put into action. Arrived in good time with Casterman five minutes behind me. We parked up behind the Shaws Arms Pub at Walton- Le-Dale and walked up to the sand bank pegs. Unfortunately there were already a couple of anglers on the best sand bank pegs and I don't like fishing shoulder to shoulder. Casterman managed to get on the fence peg but I chose to fish in the shallows further down stream. Armed with my own personal wagglers I was set up and fishing in good time. I new it was shallow down this end but I didn' realise how shallow. It was about 2.5 foot deep ...... :( ....... however, I was already set up so .........in for a penny in for a pound and I gave it a bash. The idea of moving away from the sand bank pegs was not one of my brightes