Friday 4 September 2015

The bloggers challenger’s dilemma ………..?

Cast my net wider....?

I’ve been thinking of late whether I should cast my net wider so to speak as I’m sure I’m limiting the size of the fish I catch, I generally fish within a 20 mile drive from my house, in-fact the majority of my fishing is less than 10 minutes by car so more like 5 or 6 miles I suppose. With a young family my available fishing time is precious so to maximise my banktime obviously local venues are beneficial. During my double figure Zander challenge a couple of places I fished were 17 miles away and It felt odd driving that far especially when my PB came from a stretch of the cut less than 10 minutes away. Maybe I’m not as dedicated as some specialist anglers are despite really enjoying my fishing.



A 5lb Chub for example, I know the Avon contain them as I’ve seen them but at the moment it’s the monkey on my back, I’ve literally caught hundreds of the buggers but yet to reach that milestone, hopefully this winter maybe but I’m sure there are easier ways to cross it off my list. I know they are there top be caught, Baz Peck doesn't seem to have an issue and our paths have crossed from time to time. But then I think to myself maybe it’s more of a challenge catching specimens from local waters, Crucians for example, there are limited places in Warwickshire to fish for them but having spent hours and hours fishing for a decent one I eventually caught a 2lber and actually punched the air in jubilation. In the Marsh farm scheme of things a 2lber is a bit pathetic, but then Marsh farm is 120 miles away.

I think what keeps my interest in localised fishing is the angling press and social media, In February this year for example an article cropped up about Mark Mole who had been fishing the River Blythe in Meriden and had Chub to over 5lb. I’d fished the Blythe a few times, albeit not this stretch and it was my sort of venue, small, diminutive and ideal for me as a roving angler. The problem is I tend to fish the same areas and I suspect I need to start visiting new places and to be honest after catching the same Chub 5 or 6 times I’m not sure why I haven’t.

Baz Peck's 5lb 9oz Chub, which has been caught at 6lb 4oz in late winter.
When I started blogging I did reveal probably more than I should about the areas I fish but of late I’ve tended to keep people guessing, why should I do all the hardwork for someone to capitalise on my limited success. The fellow bloggers I’ve met I’ve shared information and they have returned the favour, but I scratch your back, and you scratch mine. I get a least a couple of emails a week from the lazy asking probing questions, I ignore them in the main, just get out there and do what I do.

Mark Moles 5lb 7oz Blythe Chub
Fishing for me is a pastime and a hobby; I’m obviously not cut out as a big fish chaser, more someone who enjoys catching a variety of fish and happy with relative mediocrity, but then I’ve caught double figure Barbel, near 3lb Perch, half decent Canal Zander, so maybe Warwickshire isn’t that bad after all. I’m sure there is a 2lb Roach in the Stour and Jesus what was that I hooked in to and lost, I need to find out. I'm still puzzled why there are so many bloggers in the midlands, maybe it's in the water, who knows, but more the merrier.

After all that and the more I think about it I’m here to stay….here's to mediocrity 


8 comments:

  1. The Midlands is a blogger's paradise, Mick, because we are strictly limited in our local scope but totally unlimited in our breadth of opportunity, I'm sure. 2 hours travel puts us in touch of just about everything worth catching. But within your radius I don't reckon you, me, or any other of us will easily find rudd passing 1lb 8oz!

    Blythe for your 5lb chub is a good bet. I had a five there some years ago.

    Upper Avon around Bretford/Wolston/Brandon is likely too. Had two fives in those parts with a very high average stamp backing them up. Small rivers with few fish but all on the large size, I've found. Winter only though. Too weedy by far till then.

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    1. I've seen >5lb Chub Jeff but none have graced my hook sadly, I'm hoping this winter. We are pretty spoilt I guess, lots of water to go at, at some decent fish to be had. I've never even fished the Severn for instance, maybe the draw of the Avon is too much

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  2. I just hope to achieve mediocrity one day!

    I also gave a lot away in my early blogging days when openness seemed more common. I'm still quite open now, but only on club waters that are trying to recruit members to stay afloat. I'm much cagier with other waters though and I don't blame anyone who wants to keep quiet.

    I won't be changing my habits in a hurry. Warwickshire has enough to keep me occupied. Just got to get better at finding those specimens - although that's secondary to just being on the bank. Give me a natural venue with peace and quiet over a circus style environment every time. Each to their own though - that's the beauty of it I guess.

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  3. The last sentence is so true for me, I like the quieter areas, I don't do busy.

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  4. I like the quieter areas, I don't do busy=BANG ON MICK BANG ON=LIFE IS BUSY AND FULL OF WEAKENING WEAKENERS AS IT IS AND TIME ON THE BANK NEEDS TO BE QUALITY TIME AWAY FROM ALL.THAT'S HOW THE ARROW ONCE WAS MICK AND WITH LOOSING THE MEADOW ME AND MY WIFE SO MUCH LOVED TO FISH AS YOU NEVER SAW ANYONE WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE AND WE WEREN'T TOLD ANYTHING PRIOR TO RENEWING OUR PERMITS=HENCE I HAVEN'T FISHED THIS SEASON.I DON'T HAVE MUCH SPARE TIME AS IT IS AND I FOR SURE DON'T WANT TO SPEND THAT TIME ON THE BANK WITH ANYONE ELSE ABOUT WHICH I DON'T SEE AS SELFISH.....................................TL MATE I SHALL KEEP READING YOUR GREAT POSTS AND THE WIFE LIKES YOUR PICTURES..................................................................................

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  5. Hi Mick,
    Love your blog, read it weekly. Can you post a link to Mark Moles blog or social media page please. I'd love to read about his 5lb Blythe chub.
    Thanks
    JP

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    1. It was from the angling times.

      http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/News--Catches/General-News/Chub-from-small-river-scales-at-5lb-7oz/

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  6. Awesome read mate, always find time to read your blog buddy, it was me who had the WA chub at 6-02, then again at 6-04 :)

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