Mike and a 3lb perch

Mike wanted to catch a few perch for a day. I had guided him several times before and we normally have a great time. Arrangements were made to visit a fishery renown for it’s good perch. Previously on a guided session he caught a 2lbs 13oz perch first cast. So the target this session was for a 3lber.

We arrived to fish finding the weather terrible with strong winds and rain. Luckily I had bought along a good shelter which kept us warm and dry.

We were using prawns on a simple ledger rig. Spraying maggots over them every 5 mins or so.

We were fishing two rods in open water and one under a tree branch.

Rods out

We had a few twitches and pulls but no bites. I mentioned perhaps we should have a brew and the left hand rod registered a take and Mike was soon playing a lovely perch only for it to come off near the net. We got a good look at it and decided it was a good fish but not a 3lber.

After our brew the same rod was off again and this time Mike made no mistake and landed a perch of 2lbs exactly.

2lbs on the nose

On his rod and tackle. Mike is so lucky he lives only 30mins away from the fishery so he will be able to return and try the technique for himself.

Thrilled with this fish out went the rig again. Mike also setup a float rod and as the rain softened he float fished just off the platform. His first cast bought a perch of just over 1lb then a few bream up to about 3lbs all on red maggots. Interspersed with these he lost a good size perch and landed a few more smaller perch.

As the day moved to the afternoon we moved the rods so that all 3 ledgered ones were close to other tree branches. Mark another perch angler came along for a chat and Mike struck into a nice perch of 2lbs 5oz.

2lbs 5oz perch

More small roach and rudd came to the float rod together with the odd perch.

The ledger rods were still getting the odd liner. Mark came along with a good looking 3lbs 2oz perch which we photographed for him.

Mike was saying I want one of those!

As it got to the last hour or so we became stuck on 9 perch for the day. We were getting all sorts of action that we thought were perch however the last fish landed was a roach/bream hybrid of about 2lbs 8oz.

So we were beaten by the 3lbers on the day however 9 perch and a couple of lost fish was not a bad return.

Mike was ecstatic with the day and the outcome of learning so much and stuff he can practice when he returns to the fishery again.

I had a wonderful day with Mike and enjoyed the change from river fishing and it was such a joy to see Mike being like a little kid with the perch such was his excitement.

I’m pleased Mike met Mark the other perch angler. For me it was brilliant to catch up with Mark as we have not met for about 2 years. We do fish similar waters but have not bumped into each other.

Happy days!!!!!!