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

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...

With a spare couple of hours and the rivers out of sorts in Manchester I opted for a “  Smash & Grab “ session on a small pondto give my Sneaky Lifter " floats a sterner test. I originally called them Tinca Stick MKIII 's but they are that thin and sensitive you cannot suspend large baits with them. So, they are a different float really. They are perfect for fishing suspended partical baits or fishing on the bottom. So I came up with the name " Sneaky Lifters " as they are perfect for catching shy bitting fish using a variation of the lift method. Here are the originals........  I have recently been told about this pond and its all a bit " Secret Squirral " and its not to far from my home so, thanks for the info pal. ( Many thanks Mr Anonymous)   The weather was not inspiring me but as you all know I don’t get out to fish very often so with very little preparation I threw my kit in the mighty Megan & gave it a bl...

Wishing all my readers and fellow bloggers ...... A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS INDEED. MAY SANTA BRING YOU ALL THE FISHING GOODS YOU DESIRE.... Thank you for your continued support. We have over 15, 000 views now. Onwards and upwards as they say. 

Best roach net I have had so far on my hand crafted floats. When I got up on Sunday morning I was hardly inspired to try the River Irwell. The river had been at its highest level all year the previous night and was still very high this morning so, I opted for a local still water, but which one ????????? I fancied a bit of roach fishing but its not that easy in Manchester to find a good roach fishery with clean fish with sharp colours, very different frim their washed out commercial cousins !!!!!!!!!! I have found a rough diamond of a water with a good head of stamp roach but to get to them you have to wade through the hordes of 3oz perch. So, with my water chosen I popped into Elton Tackle in Radcliffe for a few bits. A mate if mine was there, ( Craig who, last week had a massive net of roach from a North West river. Some of his roach were over 2lb !!!! ) as well as Phil Greggory ( Shop Manager )) Who kindly offered me a brew while Craig got his biscuits out. Craig looked a...

Irwell Sticks On The Irk !!!!!!!!!!!! With a spare couple of hours this morning I headed of to the River Irk for the first time. I new it was going to be a VERY difficult couple of hours as the fish population density is minute, a lot less than the Irwell and would benefit from some stocking.......If you are listening........ E.A. .........!!!!!!!! A few brave pioneering souls like Phil Clayton , Michael Duddy, Adam Mack , Richard O'Riely & Paul James to mention but a few have lead the way regarding this little River so with big shoes to fill I headed off for my first session. I had looked at the river the day before and it was virtually un-fishable 4ft up,  batting through and deep chocolate in colour. Today, however, she was still carrying extra water but had dropped to about 1.5 feet above normal levels and just had a bit of colour. She looked pretty good to be honest so I grabbed my gear from the mighty Megan and made my way to the first run hoping for a chub...

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...