THE BEST FISH YOU’VE LANDED THIS WEEK
“RECENT trips to a Scottish river in search of grayling have proved difficult. There have been vast numbers of trout fry present, which I think the fish are preoccupied with.
“On my latest visit I waded into the water and was immediately encircled by fry, and soon received very quick, hard-to-hit bites. At lunch, I decided on a plan of action that’d hopefully change the status quo. “After re-entering the river, I started to feed maggots on an inside line that I wouldn’t fish. I hoped this would ‘contain’ the small fish as well as stimulating the bigger ones to take my bait, which would be a single trotted worm.
“Just over an hour later the float buried and I hooked a heavy fish that moved away slowly but powerfully. I realised it was a special grayling and, once it was landed, it became obvious that the fish was huge. “At 3lb 7oz, it was of such enormity that I had no interest in continuing to fish that afternoon.”
David’s top tip: While maggots are the typical bait for grayling, worms are well-worth trying too.
“PLENTY of rain has been keeping the river on the rise recently so, the night before going on a recent session I checked the levels online. They didn’t seem all that bad, so I prepared to use lobworms for bait.
“However, when I arrived, the river had crept up and taken on a tea-like colour. I ditched the worms and tore off a piece of luncheon meat, which I used instead.
“In my first swim I managed a few chub before moving further downstream to where a big tree overlooks the river. “A steady underarm cast towards it had the bait in place, and after receiving a finicky bite, I hooked and landed this very clean 11lb 7oz barbel.”
Liam’s top tip: Keep an eye on the river levels before heading out, but still take a few back-up baits in case it turns out to be different to what you’re expecting!
“ON a cold and rainy winter’s day I headed down to my favourite river, the Ribble. “It was up and coloured – perfect for a stripey. Someone was in a spot I usually try so I moved upstream and found a beautiful slack where I fished a shad on a 7g jig head. “Casting halfway across and letting it fall to the deck, I slowly twitched it back. After four turns of the reel I felt a ‘smash’ down the rod and knew I’d hooked a giant from its head shakes and lunges.
“When I finally landed a fish that came in at 4lb on the nose, I was one happy man.”
Mark’s top tip: Large slack areas can be a favourite haunt of predators. Be sure to explore them in high water.
