Test in form for magical roach
A flurry of big roach have been caught from the crystal clear waters of the River Test in the past few weeks Angling Times can reveal…
One of the best hauls came from match angler Aidan Bordiuk, who swapped his pole for a float rod during a recent session on the Hampshire river and took three roach over the 2lb barrier, topped by a fish of 2lb 3oz.
After spotting a group of big roach, Aidan spent over an hour feeding maggots to gain their confidence, and on his first run through connected with ‘the fish of a lifetime’.
“The float dipped straight away, and I was into a roach of over 2lb – I couldn’t believe it,” said Aidan.
“Over the next few hours I caught fish of 2lb 3oz, 2lb 2oz, 2lb and 1lb 14oz, as well as lots of other fish over the 1lb mark.
Aidan used 3lb line and a size 18 hook below an Avon-style float to fool the crafty specimens.
Angling Dreams boss Adam Fisher also struck silver recently when he swapped the beauty of the Wye Valley for the equally scenic River Test and was rewarded with this fine roach of 2lb 5oz.
Fishing with Fisherman’s Blues radio host Nigel Botherway, the pair shared a swim which required them to trot baits through a deep run for both roach and chub.
Adam told Angling Times: “There was a hard and hacking upstream wind blowing, which made life tough even if it did help with our presentation. All the more reward to hook a fish like this!”
Adam fooled the fish on a single white maggot, ran through the swim under a float. The tactic also took a dozen other redfins over 1lb.
First grayling trip results in stunning lady
On his very first grayling trip, Alfie Naylor banked this stunning 2lb 11oz fish from the iconic River Itchen in Hampshire.
Using classic trotting tactics with a modern twist – braided mainline – the fish was one of over 50 fish that the Newark rod banked over the course of a weekend session.
Get on the bread for a big Avon roach
Alan Storey was left speechless when he banked this sublime 2lb 11oz 8dr roach.
Targeting Christchurch AC’s stretch of the Hampshire Avon at Winkton, the 65-year-old had struggled to fish the float in harsh conditions and was forced to switch tactics to find a result.
He said: “I’d caught small roach and dace but thought there would be a chance of a bigger fish on the bread feeder.
“After making a few casts I soon found the sweet spot and watched as the quiver tip signalled a positive take – I knew straight away it was a big roach from the classic nod, nod, glide during the fight.
“My heart was in my mouth as the roach went into the main flow near to where a big pike had surfaced previously, but thankfully I was able to net it first time.
“Whilst I would love to have caught it on the float a switch to the bread feeder made all the difference – it’s important to have a couple of options with you on the day.”
Alan’s successful set-up included 4lb mainline to a 2lb hooklink and a size 12 hook mounted with breadflake.
Dream dace falls from Hampshire stream
WINCHESTER-based angler Aidan Bordiuk was left shaking with excitement when he netted this dream 1lb 1oz dace during a trip to a Hampshire chalk stream.
After spotting a shoal of silverfish in clear water Aidan fed his chosen swim for half an hour to gain their confidence and received a strong take on the very first cast.
He said: “Amazingly a pike lunged as I brought it to the surface, so it was a lucky escape for this very special dace.
“Once I got it in and realised its size the feeling was great – it was something I’ve not had for a long time whilst fishing.”
Aidan’s dream dace fell to maggots fished on a size 18 hook, 3lb line and an Avon style float.
Is this the new British Record dace?
A RIVER angler thought he’d hit the jackpot when he slipped his net under a suspected 1lb 10oz British Record dace, but EA scientists have now confirmed his catch is in fact…an ide.
The pristine silverfish fell to the rod of 47-year-old John Stembridge who hooked into something entirely different whilst trotting maggots for roach on a stretch of the River Itchen.
He said: “I thought it was one of the big roach but when I netted it I instantly thought it was a record dace!
“It had all the characteristics although I must admit the head looked unusual.”
After John reported his catch to Angling Times a picture of the fish was sent to Nigel Hewlett and Alan Henshaw of the Environment Agency for confirmation.
Alan said: “Unfortunately the lateral line scale count of this fish is between 60 and 61, which puts it firmly in the ide camp. Dace typically have between 48 and 51 (Bagenal system) or between 45 and 55 scales (Maitland and Campbell system), depending on your source.”
John Stenbridge’s giant ‘dace’ sadly turned out to be an ide