River Itchen and loads of grayling, big roach and a salmon.

I’ve been looking forward to this trip for sometime. I had arranged for 5 other anglers if that what you want to call them to fish the Lower Itchen Fishery. I have fished with these guy’s for more years than I like to say, Colin, Alan, Steve, John and Tony thanks for  very special two days.

As you do for this occasion there are two cups awarded.

One for the best fish caught during the two days and another which is called the Omni-shambles for the biggest cock up.

We decided to fish for two days and stay in a local Travel Lodge overnight so we could have a bit of a social in the nearby Harvester and pub..

I’m not going to review in detail the whole couple of days as it was great fun for all.

Steve “The Roach” Coles caught the fish of the day a beautiful roach of 1lbs 14oz. Every one caught their fair share of grayling including the John “The Vet” who caught his very first.

John and his 1lb plus grayling

So with the first day gone we gave Steve the trophy for the best fish the roach of 1lbs 14oz.

Steve and his 1lb 14oz roach

Alan I think had a grayling of 1lbs 5oz which was a nice fish.

The second day we gathered again on the banks at 7.15am for bacon butties and a hot drink cooked by everyone. Great laugh and lots of fun, thanks to Alan who brought along the brown sauce.

The Gang

The fishing started well but then stopped. I went down to 2lb line and size 22 hook and kept catching. During the afternoon it picked up again. I took one Salmon of 4lbs 7oz.

Me and a 4lb salmon

Plus another grayling of 1lbs 6oz

1lb 6oz

I think I took the cup for the Omni-shambles. The story goes like this. I walked to the top of the fishery in the fast flowing water where few had fished. I stopped to talk to Tony. As I sat down to view what he was doing I noticed a few maggots crawling from my maggot pouch on my waist. On closer inspection the whole thing was swimming with water. Now I looked quizzical at the problem and thought I’ve not been near the water. Then it all dawned on me I had a pee and whilst looking at the river and a salmon moving through, had topped the baiting pouch up with pee. How embarrassing! An omni-shambles moment!!!!!!!!

So in the end it was very enjoyable with both Tony and Colin catching chub of about 4lbs loads of trout and grayling. Alan catching plenty of grayling and a salmon. John who caught lots of grayling and trout. Steve “the roach” caught a good few roach and plenty of trout and grayling.

So great time for all. Soon I’ll be organising a trip for us all on the Wye in July barbel fishing.

Thanks to all of the guy’s for a great couple of days.