Last day on the river season for me and a 6lb 2oz chub.

Well “time waits for no man” and that saying is very true. Where did that river season go?

I had a brief chat to Andy (you should have been here yesterday) Cowley on the Thursday night deciding on the tactic for tomorrows last day on the river for the both of us. I wanted to head to a stretch I had not fished before however we had seen some good chub there during the summer. Andy was keeping his options open.

The forecast was for rain and strong winds. Not ideal for the float fishing which we both planned. However needs must in these last ditched efforts in trying to get a 7lb chub from the H.Avon.

I woke early enough in the morning at 4.30am to just beat the alarm from going off. A quick peep outside showed that it was just very light drizzle falling with little wind. After some breakfast and getting the gallon of red maggots from the fridge in the garage I was off on the long journey down to Salisbury then on wards towards Ringwood.

It was just light when I arrived and the rain had stopped. I quickly changed into my waterproof clothing and gathered the tackle and set off on a very long walk to the swim I had in mind. The wind wasn’t so bad and the rain didn’t get much above drizzle in the wind.

I arrived at the swim and found plenty of red maggots trampled into the ground from an angler fishing it yesterday by the look of things. My spirits lowered as I don’t normally like to fish swims the next day if they had been caught the previous day. However I was here to do a job and so up went a float rod 5lb main line and 3lb hooklink and size 20 hook. Much my standard tackle these day’s. I was firing maggots via a pult to the other side where a few branches from the trees dangled in the water.

It looked like chub city. The rain increased as did the wind however I was still determined to have a go. I really worked that swim changing shoting pattern, float depth and most other things. Nothing not a single dip from the float.

Defeated I moved to another swim way back upstream towards where I parked up. Bloody hell I was plenty warm enough when I got there. I started with the normal routine of pulting out maggots. Again it looked perfect but nothing. Was I losing my touch. Some would say I never had it.

So by 9.30am I was a beaten man, I need to come up with plan C. Now I had in the past few weeks had a thought on one swim which does produce the odd big fish but it’s a waiting game. I phoned Andy to tell him about my plan. He had caught a few on the float so at least they were feeding.

I gave Andy a wave as I traveled down in my car on the opposite side of the river from him.

Arriving at the swim which is a slack which normally holds one or two big fish so it was a case of waiting this out. Out went about half a pint of maggots via a dropper into the crease where I though the chub would be. I set up with the normal short hooklink black cap feeder.

The wind was getting stronger and I didn’t envy Andy controlling the line and float during the day. I sat with me staring at the rod tip with the wind blowing directly into my face.

After about one hour the rod banged over a couple of times however there was no hookup. A chub for sure so I felt confidence return to me. Then 30 mins later the rod really went this time and again nothing except this time the maggots were gone a sure sign if ever that the big chub were around. My thoughts and confidence were really high now.

After constant feeding and optimistic thinking it got to 4pm and I hadn’t had a touch. If it wasn’t  going to be last visit on the river then I would stay until the end dreaming of that big chub.

Self doubt started to set in. Did I want a season end blank to reflect on during the close season. My mind was churning this over when I thought nope it’s got to end with a fish or two.

Even the stalkers didn’t help me in my decision making.

So again a quick call to Andy and me explaining the situation and the fact he was still catching had me on the move. I wanted to try a little trotting swim I had discovered earlier in the week. It had produced 3 chub within about an hour so at least I had a realistic chance of a fish. Another benefit was that the wind wouldn’t be any trouble.

So another wave to Andy as I passed by. Right last move of the season and last chance saloon. It’s a bit awkward fishing the swim with a 15ft rod as there branches overhead however there is just one spot where the length isn’t a problem. The swim was one where you could throw the maggots out as it was a near side slack. I was doing this while setting up the rod.

Eventually I was ready. The first few trotts down didn’t produce much at all. However I continued putting in a few each trot. The sky’s were clearing and the sun peeped out a few times which made for a very good evening for trotting. I only had a short window of opportunity so I kept my fingers crossed that something would happen. Well they weren’t crossed but you know I had a refueling of optimism.

Then it happened the float shot under and a chub was on. The fight from the fish wasn’t spectacular as there wasn’t much flow and I had it on a shortish line. It was dogged and much better than the 4lbers caught earlier in the week.

Eventually it slid into the net and when you see it’s broad back and deep sides you know it’s a good fish.

Out came the scales and I couldn’t believe it the pointer went around to 6lbs 2oz  on the dial. The chub gods were with me after all.

Confidence was still very high however that was the only bite I had.

Andy came around and commented on what a beauty she was, and took the photo’s. Andy though had caught 13 chub for the day however none as large as this one. I was surprised as normally with such a large number there is a 6lber among them.

So that was it for the season. The sunset was just perfect for the last day of the season. Still no 7lbers from me yet on the H.Avon.