My 7-Day Search For A 7-Pounder
Angler's Mail|October 01, 2019
You’ll always learn loads and be inspired by this vastly experienced traditional angler, who also relishes exploring the latest coarse techniques…
John Bailey
My 7-Day Search For A 7-Pounder

WHEN I’m guiding, one of the most asked questions that I receive is: do I ever fish for myself? There are lots of answers to this question, one being that my guiding often leads me onto a campaign of my own, just as it did last week.

My real joy these days is helping others realise their dreams, but I still have targets of my own, and a 7 lb chub is high on my list. Autumn is a great season for a great fish, so that target was at the forefront of my mind.

There are two ways to catch a 7. One is luck, something that you rely heavily on when winter comes. Once the water rises and colours, you have to be ‘the ambusher’. You are forced to sit it out in a ‘going’ swim on a river with a track record of producing chub. There’s no way that you can tell if the next bite is going to be from a midget or a monster, so you just have to hit them all and hope for the best.

Autumn offers you a different approach. While there is still low water, clarity and a reasonably high sun on all of our smaller rivers, from the Avon to the Yare, you can be ‘the hunter’. You can see, stalk and catch a 7 by judgment, instead of relying on luck.

Three days out with Ian and Andy set the scene. They both wanted to fish a river, and we all wanted to see big chub.

“Wouldn’t a 7 be nice,” said Andy. My question was: which river? Big mate Robbie Northman seems to be capable of catching them off every river in Norfolk, but in the end I settled on a four-mile, largely day ticket stretch of the Wensum, where I knew there would be some monsters lurking. Exciting stuff!

These are guys after my own heart, both happy to wander, travel light and play the hunting game all day long.

The sunny weather was a vital part of our quest, and the river was still at a low, summer level, as I guess it will be well into October. The question is: what did we see, learn and catch?

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 01, 2019 من Angler's Mail.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 01, 2019 من Angler's Mail.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من ANGLER'S MAIL مشاهدة الكل
Angler's Mail

Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub

It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Venues on the menu
Angler's Mail

Venues on the menu

Dave regularly switches between different types of venue, as he is convinced that it helps him become a better and far more versatile angler. Here is his guide on what to expect and how to tackle them.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 14, 2020
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Angler's Mail

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

In our new mini series, the physiotherapist will put you in the right frame of mind to help you achieve your angling dreams.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Search for a super stripy

They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

Pole position carping

The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020
My best catch!
Angler's Mail

My best catch!

This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Huge zed after run of disasters
Angler's Mail

Huge zed after run of disasters

19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities

time-read
2 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Christmas stocking
Angler's Mail

Christmas stocking

The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Alien aquatic plants
Angler's Mail

Alien aquatic plants

In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 14, 2020
Angler's Mail

A guide's guide to guides

Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 14, 2020