Chubb and barbel make appearance

ALTHOUGH conditions deteriorated slightly last week the run of excellent river results continued and, with increasing numbers of anglers starting to get out and enjoy the last couple of weeks of the river season, it looks like being both a busy and productive finish.
Dipping temperatures turned down the heat on the fishing a little last week but not enough to switch the fish off completely and chub were quick to get on the feed with barbel putting in a renewed appearance.
Pike and perch anglers enjoyed good fishing too, bream were beginning to show in numbers and I even witnessed a couple of tench being caught, remarkable for the end of February. On the rivers, water temperatures slipped off their peak of the previous week but a saturated water table has kept levels and flows buoyant despite the lack of rainfall and with a little colour still being retained the flowing waters were still in fine fettle.
Chub dominated the early returns from most local venues with the occasional perch putting in an appearance, including a terrific Thames fish of 3lb 8oz to Tim Kelly who fished a worm and red maggot cocktail at Bourne End to tempt the big fish along with numbers of smaller specimens in the 12oz to 2lb range.  
In addition to the excellent haul of stripeys Tim also netted a couple of bream to 5lb and a solitary chub of 3lb. Tim presented his bait on a size 10 hook to 4lb hook length to 6lb main line in conjunction with a feeder packed with chopped worm and maggot and caught steadily throughout the day.
To report catches phone 07780 755138 or e-mail ian@bigfishtrail.com