Start of the 2009 season

Its been a fairly slow start to the season on the River Thames, from what I have read alot of people are putting the lack of fish being caught down to the Algae that has coloured the river into a browny tea colour, it certainly seems to have played its part in putting the fish off. To date I have only heard of a handful of carp to 26lb, and a 10lb barbel, thats from 3 different forums catch reports (cemex, BFW and Maggotdrowning) so people are either not reporting their captures, or more likely are not actually catching anything!!

I have managed a couple of very short sessions with the jigging rod in search or predators, but to no avail, Im sure it was not helped by the guy who asked to set up in the swim I was fishing in last night, its only a small swim and I was casting the lures around it, what could I say really!! So he proceeded to set up next to me, hindering my casting and standing right near the edge (I have found that most lure takes come within feet from the bank) so that probably didnt help, but ill be back in the swim soon enough, it looks like it had some very good potential, quite deep close in with over hanging trees left right and opposite. So im sure there will be at least some carp present, maybe some big perch or chub, and hopefully some Barbel. So im hoping that before long Ill be able to get the barbel rods out and have a proper go.

I also found a spot that is frequented by some large carp, so thats got to be worth a try very soon, I think I should try and trickle some bait in there to get them going.

I really want Claire to catch some perch on her set up this year, they are her favourite fish, so it would be nice for her to catch some. Lets just hope that she doesnt scream again when a pike takes her lure close in, like she did the first time she lure fished, I thought she was gonna throw the rod in!!!!

My aims for this year are -
Firstly to fish more than I did last season (I think I managed 6 sessions last year!!)
To catch more barbel
To catch a river carp
To help Claire catch a PB perch (her PB is 1lb6oz)
I also want to up my river pike pb which currently stands at 13.04, although my lure best stands at 11.08

Thames PB 13.04

















Lure caught PB 11.08
















I also have several items of tackle that I have acquired, but not used yet, so hopefully through the new season Ill be able to put them through their paces and offer a review on them.
These items of tackle / bait are -
Delkim plus alarms, nash hooligan 2 rod pod, Enterprise quick strike butt grips and Fresh prawn, spicy shellfish boilies.


Good luck to everyone who is getting out and doing a bit, I hope you land the monsters you dream of, hopefully my time will come soon

tight lines

Tony