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

I have met lots of friendly blokes and good fishermen at Salford Friendly Anglers meetings in the past. One of these fine anglers being John or JAYS as he is known on facebook. On Tuesday I received a message from John asking if I had finished a batch of floats.  I have been making for him. " The Tinca Sticks and Irwell Sticks are done pal but the pike and perch floats still need sorting “  I replied. “ GREAT . I am desperate for the Tinca Sticks as my tench season is well underway. Can we meet up soon “ ? John lives in Stockport, I live in Whitefield so we arranged to meet about half way in Chadderton at a pub called The Boat & Horses right on the Rochdale Canal , an SFA stretch.  I landed at the allotted time,16.15, and text John of my arrival. I was rummaging around in my boot looking for some floats when I heard a voice I have not heard for well over two months  “ Hellow Mike “........ It was John. I hadn’t seen him in ages. We said our hellows a

I would just like to thank all my readers for taking the time out to read my stories and look a my floats. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this popular. I only started it as a diary really, so, many thanks to you all for participating. Me and my son Joe below, alas he had never been bitten by the angling bug....😞😢😪 The picture was on our first night out in the pubs in Manchester last year. A good night. One of the pubs I took him to was the Mark Addy. A good job to as it was flood out two days later. We are due a night out together. It could get messy.....lmao....🍺🍺🍺 TTFN Peanut. 

" Salford Pete " has just treated himself to a new camera. It is a Cannon EOS 1200D So,  of  course,  we straight in there taking pictures of Pearlescent Inlays.......lol I am trying to get across how the appear in direct sunlight. The pearlescent particles really jump out at you. I will periodically be adding photos to this page to , hopefully show you all cose ups of Pearlescent Inlays. A JAY FEATHER WITH A COBALT PEARLESCENT. 😊 Not a feathered pearlescrnt but the body of the Barbel Stick Floats has the pearlescent instead. I was worried it may look a little blingy but it is quite subtle. I like it. 😉 This is a Fully loaded Pellet Waggler with a Perlescent Blue effect. I took this with my phone camera. Can yoy dee a difference in picture quality ?

A while ago I was given an old " Youngs Trudex " centerpin reel by Derek Kenyon. ( AKA Casterman ) It was in very poor condition when I initially received it and would not spin one full revolution but with a little time and research I have managed to turn it into MORE than a decent runner, in fact, with a little more work I think it will be my "  go to " reel for short Irwell sessions this summer  ( If I can get away from work ....lol ). I placed it on my state of the art Drennen Acolyte Plus. They felt made for each other. The balance was REALLY good but I will hold judgement until I can test drive the pair on the opening day of the river season. If I do not get chance to go to Bridgenorth on the River Severn then the pair will get their first date on the River Ribble or if staying local the River Irwell ....... ( Little Britain Anglers ) Here is the Trudex. Spins well enough for a test drive I think....😊 Here is a quick video to