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

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

RIVER IRWELL. ACOLYTE THE CHRISTENING. Well, two weeks ago I had a quick session on the Irwell in Salford trying out my new Barbel Stick Float. All DID NOT go as planed. The float performed great,  just as describe in his independent review by Andrew Boyne.  On my Fifth trot down the Barbel Stick banged under and I was into my first fish on a new section of river. After a spirited battle a brownie of about 10 oz graced my net…….A good start I thought………………. I put my rod down behind me an un-hooked the little beasty. My gear was behind me so I turned round to grab my disgorger when I felt something out of place under my feet…………………. IT WAS MY ROD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know when you get that sinking feeling ………….. like just after you have banged your car …………. and its YOUR FAULT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, that’s how I felt inside. This rod was my pride and joy and I would not swap it in a million years. I picked it

River Mersey. Loaded Inserted Stick - Testing Session - One. G ot up late but all my gear was sorted the night before and rigged up a special float I had made specifically for this day. Loaded Whipped Inserted Stick Float   I loaded up the  " Mighty Megan " and hot footed it down the M62. Craig and Casterman were already watching their floats sailling down the River Mersey when I rocked up with all my gear. All the good pegs where still avaliable so I asked Castermans advice as to where I should  have a dangle as I had never fished this stretch before or indeed the river for that  matter. I opted for the next peg down from Craig and quickley set up as light  as possible for the resident roach and perch that frequent the stretch we were fishing. It didn' t start well as I boshed my carfully prepared rig on my fith cast. I set up again using stotts instead of split shot to minimize any false bites while feeding hemp amd fishing maggot on t