Hampshire Avon Chub

So once back in the UK it was time to visit the H.Avon again to see what was happening. The weather had changed to a cold Artic blast which had temperature plunging to -11c around the country, however it had changed again. This time back to a very respectable 13c.

I met Andy a couple of times fishing. It had been very difficult chub fishing however saying that a 7lber had been out at least 4 times between 7lbs 2oz and a few ounces heavier.

I fished one stretch where I had a 6lb plus chub. The run was one where which would be very good in high water conditions. Having said that we have had no winter storms or rain that has properly flushed the river through. I’m writing this in the last couple of days of the year and still no substantial rain has arrived.

I fished this swim like my life depended on it. The only chub that graced the net was one of 5lbs 12oz. I tried a few more swims on the stretch but other than a few grayling it was tough going. I was not alone Andy was struggling too.

5lbs-12oz

I moved to another spot but nothing much came along.

One more visit had me fishing a swim that I’m confident in  landing a few chub. Sure enough after spying a few chub swimming amongst the trees I had two quick bites that resulted in a small 4lber and another really fat 5lbs 12oz chub.

Andy took the photo’s for me.

Dec-16-5lbs-12oz

All of this was during the first couple of hours. Then nothing until dusk when I caught another small chub. Boy oh boy it was getting difficult and did we need that rain. Andy hadn’t done much better.

Although having said that he had recently caught a couple of 6lber plus some high 5’s. Also with the mild weather a beautiful barbel of 12lbs 1oz. So the river has been kind to him to say the least.

12lbs 1oz Dec 16 barbel’

One last visit was again a one fish wonder of another 5lbs 12oz chub and a big bream of about 7lbs, horrible! I snapped up on one chub where the bite was so vicious that it snapped the hook link.

dec-16-5lbs-8oz

I had one more very short session with cheese paste rather than trotting and feeder fishing. It was in a swim that is not normally accessible in the winter however with the river so low it was possible to put a bait right under my own bank. I had seen a few chub darting around chasing some maggots over a golden gravel bed. One chance was all I was going to get.

Now I use a very light 2 swan shot link ledger with a couple of float stops allowing me to adjust the length of the tail. I have a half of a cork ball hair rigged on the size 10 hook. Around this I moulded the cheese paste that slowly sinks to the river bed. I have been using this for a couple of years now and it seems to work well.

Combined with this was a cheese paste bobbin lowered down about 18 inches and the reel in free spool mode. After a second cast the rod top twitched a couple of times the bobbin started to rise and then the rod nearly took off into the river. The chub raced off down the pool on some powerful runs. The 6lb line though would hold it in mid river tiring the thing out. It didn’t look huge in the river however it must have been a 5lb plus. I didn’t weigh it as I was on a very tight schedule and had to be home on time and I was running late.

I did walk to say good bye to friend John who was fishing close by and wish him a Happy new year before heading off home.