On with the thermals!
Last updated: 23rd November 2007
I mentioned to Nige that I'd never been pike fishing with a genuine expert that didn't wind up with bloody fingers and, almost dead on cue, Nige's thumb slipped on to a long, sharp tooth and blood was everywhere!
Keith Arthur
Quotes of the week
So now it really is here! Snow was in evidence in many parts of the north and midlands last weekend and I suspect that we will be seeing plenty of frost and ice over the coming months. With modern clothing and especially footwear there are not that many reasons to stay away from the waterside as long is the chance of some sport.
I was reminded this week of how much fun pike fishing can be, spending a day on the bank with Nige Williams, next week's studio guest. Of course we had a crew with us and you can see the results on the programme. I'll tell you one thing: we were busy!
Pike were in evidence as soon as I rolled up, disrespectfully late, courtesy of an accident on the northbound M40 which in turn made me catch the traffic on the Oxford Ring Road. The outstanding feature of that facet of the journey was the flooded fields next to the road: the rain in the earlier part of the week had been heavy and persistent and once again we had rivers over their banks.
Nige had patiently waited for me while in front of him pike were cavorting across the surface chasing the massive shoals of fry that had grouped about twenty metres from the bank.
If ever a clue were needed about where to fish for predators, this was it! The water dropped off quite quickly and as soon as the bottom was out of sight there were small roach and roach/bream hybrids 'plimping' on the top. Gulls swooped from above and pike attacked from below.
The most staggering thing about this display of nature in the raw was just how many pike a lake can support. We were fishing St Johns on the Richworth Linear complex between Witney and Oxford, a mature gravel pit well known for carp and pike. Despite the numbers of predators there were obviously more than enough silver fish to provide them all with food.
Even when I was a young lad the gravel pits of the Lea Valley had plenty of pike and I spent many an hour suspending a gudgeon below the traditional 'Fishing Gazette' pike bung. Things have changed since then and now livebaits are more often held under a submerged float on a rotating paternoster, almost a longer version of the carp angler's 'helicopter' rig, with a weight on the bottom heavy enough to anchor everything in position.
It was also tradition to allow the pike plenty of time to gorge the bait. The advice of the time was to allow the float to disappear - a smaller sliding ball of painted cork known as a 'pilot float' remained on the surface so we could follow the path of the bung.
When the float re-appeared it was a case of waiting for it to start moving again before striking. The pike would by then usually have completely swallowed the snap tackle (invented and named for Alfred Jardine, ancestor of Charles Jardine, one of our Tight Lines fly fishing experts) and been gut hooked. Removing the hooks was out of the question but as every pike caught back then was killed, either for the pot or, if large enough, a glass case.
These days it's a case of striking as soon as a bite is signified, especially when livebaiting. Using big sea-deadbaits it's a good idea to tighten up until resistance is felt and then draw the rod back to set the hooks. Most anglers now use semi-barbed trebles too: one of the hooks has a barb to hold the bait, the other two are barbless and can be removed very easily.
Nige had brought along a decent selection of frozen deadbaits, the most interesting being 'blueys', best described as a beak-less garfish. They have a distinct blue tinge, hence the name, but the most noticeable thing about the fish is their oil content. Nige was breaking off the head of the bait before hooking, releasing as much scent as possible and once cast a big slick set up over the bait. This drifted off with the wind and it was easy to imagine a scent trail underwater drawing fish to the spot.
I know that Friday's guest, Steve Souter, has had plenty of success using blueys on his sea fishing trips and I'm looking forward to giving them a go for some particularly difficult chub after Christmas. I can imagine a 3cm chunk being irresistible to big old, chub; the trouble is I'll be trying it on the Lower Thames so it may be irresistible to the hordes of resident Chinese mitten crabs.
I mentioned to Nige as the first fish was landed (oh yes, we caught a few!) that I'd never been pike fishing with a genuine expert that didn't wind up with bloody fingers and, almost dead on cue, Nige's thumb slipped on to a long, sharp tooth and blood was everywhere! I usually carry some antiseptic hand wash for just such an eventuality and it makes perfect sense to have one of those Anglers' Hands sprays that I showed on Tight Lines a couple of weeks ago.
This weekend, with cold, northerly winds and relatively high pressure forecast is going to be an ideal one for predator fishing. Pike especially relish the chance to ambush fry, just as they were at St Johns, and finding them is the key to good sport. Look for plenty of cover, a spot on the east bank will be a start as it will be sheltered from the coldest winds and also in shade for most, if not all, of the day.
Now to your e-mail...
Keith, can you recommend any product that will help stop insects from biting when I'm fishing? Someone told me of a product produced by Avon cosmetics. Peter Walter
KEITH REPLIES: Hi Peter, After months of research I tracked a product down that had been a sort of urban myth for several years. I have subsequently tried the stuff and confirm that it works. Despite many suppliers of 'genuine' insect repellent saying that it doesn't work, or only DEET products can provide the necessary protection, I am prepared to say that Avon Skin So Soft Moisturising Body Spray, Soft and Fresh really works for most people that I know have used it. I have also found a product that, should I forget to spray-up and be munched upon, removes the itch immediately. It was supplied to me as a trial sample but I don't know if it is yet either licensed or available. I've deleted the original e-mail correspondence but the address of the parent company is: STEPHEN MABBOTT ASSOCIATES, 14 MITCHELL LANE, GLASGOW, G1 3NU
Hello Keith, Berkley have just brought out a new braided line - can you tell me if it's worth buying this new invisible line. Is it any good, or are there better alternatives and tips you can give me about suitable lines. Thanks, Mark.
KEITH REPLIES: I have it on a reel but have yet to use it. I take it you are referring to Whiplash Crystal, which appears white on the spool but is definitely translucent. Whiplash is a proven material and if you are happier and more confident using a much less visible product than standard braids, then this is probably the one for you. I had some Fireline Crystal on trial but found it very stiff: Whiplash is a marked improvement.
