🎣 The conditions aren’t ideal but a specimen three-spined stickleback to start the working week and talking angling on Bayside Radio
I enjoyed my first brook angling session of the new river year (well, nine months anyway) last week, and so a return was definitely on the cards.
Hence, with other things in my diary for later in the day, an early Monday morning slot was perfect.
It was the same brook that I fished and, due to the lack of rainfall recently, it’s very low and the flow is noticeably reduced.
That obviously has an effect on fishing and it doesn’t matter whether it’s barbel in a big river or three-spined sticklebacks from a tiny brook, they’re all affected by their environment.
Dropping a maggot close to an undercut bank, where the fish are to be found, I saw sticklebacks but they weren’t as responsive as I would have liked, due to the conditions.
However, I caught, and that’s the important thing, with the biggest hitting 3.8g on the scales.
That’s almost (0.2g off) 50% of the British record, so I think that deserves specimen status, especially when you consider the venue.
Once home, I did my weekly recording for Bayside Radio, so was able to talk about the session. Hot off the press and all that.
Tackle: Poachers Pocket mini-rod and reel. Reel line was 4lb Maxima Chameleon straight through. A small shot was nipped on the line, four inches from the Drennan Super Specialist size 16 hook. Bait was a single maggot, which I nipped with scissors.
Nature notes: Three muntjac in the wider area, all heard but just the one seen. Stock dove calling from tree alongside the brook.