River Severn

Worked like fury this week to get a bonus session in on my favourite swim on the Upper Severn before seasons end. Arrived around 3 ish on Thursday to find the water level really low, the lowest I have seen in 4 years in fact, and quite a few 'new' washed up trees from the last winter flood,,,perfect chub cover! I set my gear down behind my swim and liberally baited up with handfuls of 3-B boiles and pieces of 3-B paste as well then walked about a mile upstream to another favourite haunt and baited this up as well then started fishing. I gave it two hours but no bites forthcoming from the barbel which were probably patrolling another beat upstream in the wilds, typical of the Severn, you got to track them down. It was getting on now so I walked back to my favourite swim and flicked the bait out under the washed up tree and threw in a handful of 3-B pellets then sat down to take in the atmosphere. A sudden roar shook me from my tranquility and I looked up to see a pair of our finest lads peforming all sorts of manouvres in their fighter planes, shortly followed by a drone plane which I guessed was tracking them. After 10 minutes or so normality was restored and I concentrated on rod top. A gentle wallop signalled a fish and soon I was coaxing a nice chub over the net, and at 4lb 13oz was a nice start. I flicked the bait back out under the tree and sat back again as the light started to fade behind those Welsh hills. At about 6.45pm the bats started hitting the line so I sat on my hands to stop temptation and to keep them warm as the temperature was starting to drop and the wind had picked up. A short while later the rod slammed to the ground as a powerful fish made a beeline for the nearside cover but I piled on pressure and almost lifted it straight out of the water. The chub charged downstream and I had to backwind quickly to stop the hook from pulling but it tired and I thumped the air when its nose hit the spreader block. I parted the net and marvelled at the bright orange blotches scattered around its head and gill plates giving it a 'ghostie' look, which I recognised as a fish I had caught a couple of years previously and this time weighed it in at 5lb 15oz, luvvly chubbly! I slipped it back in the next swim down then rebaited and cast out again but midstream this time as all the commotion under the tree would have scared anything else away.
Just like someone turning on the light - the moon appeared from behind the clouds and everything was a golden glow and several pairs of orange eyes peered at me from the opposite bank betraying the scatty mink. I thought this was the kiss of death but the rod top wobbled then swung round as I made contact with another chub. This one did absolutely nothing to stop me bringing it in and without so much as a flick of the tail it was in the net and lying on the grass. I was a bit bemused as the chub looked pretty decent in the net so I weighed it and it went 4lb 15oz, nice. I packed up for the night and kipped in the back of the van. This morning I was up at 8.00 and made my way back to my swim and again threw in a handful of bait under the tree then baited my hook and flicked it under the branches. The jet fighters made another appearance and I just sat back and marvelled at there skillful moves, twists and turns. The area I fish is in the middle of a valley so the sounds from the jets hung around for several minutes after they disappeared from sight, so it was rather a noisy start to my day. Nonetheless it didnt deter the fish as a positive wham was met with solid resistance as a good fish charged up and down for a good few minutes before gracing my net. At 5lb 2oz it proved once again what a superb river the Severn can be when you get to know it. The morning session was to be a short one as I needed to pick Millie up from school so I quickly cast out again and put the fish back with the net. I suppose half an hour or so had passed when I felt a tremour down the rod and looked up just as the tip pulled round. The fish had hooked itself so I leant into it and just let it dart around the swim until it tired itself out and drew it over the net. Another five and at 5lb 4oz it capped a very memorable session, and as I packed up I threw in a 20 pence coin as payment and walked back to the van with a big smile. Happy Days
Youv'e been Tangoed

Blinding session Darren, great average size of chub too, the Severn is an often overlooked chub venue but glad to see you making the most of it.

The ever brilliant 3B doing the business as expected.

After a 9 day chub blank on the Thames, I gave up and went to the Kennet yesterday, 9 chub to 5lb15oz and 2 barbel to 8lb14oz and at least I now know my baits and rigs weren`t at fault for the Thames blanks.

Mic

Good stuff Darren. Good to see you're getting out and finding a few.
Tight lines, Martin

Nice brace of 9's from the Upper Severn for Jerry Gleeson using Natural Crave pellets. Nice bit of pioneering on a new stretch of water Jerry!

Well done Gerry you are on a hot streak.....Good fishing..

How about this for a cracking chub...surely one of the shining jewels of the Upper Severn. This 6lb 2oz beauty took a liking to 3-B boilie wrapped in matching paste. Obviously it has extremely good taste!

Lovely fish Darren well done Matey..Once again the 3-B does the trick

That is a fine looking fish Darren, well done mate!
My chubbing has been pretty poor lately, although I did manage my first Welland 'five' in ages last week. Hopefully the rivers will settle down a bit soon and I can find a fish or two.

Martin

Im sure you will be hammering them again in no-time Martin

Well done mate, can`t keep a good man (and his bait) down.

top angling buddy. Going to give the bait a go tomorrow for the first time :-) looking forward to it.

Welcome to the forum Bobby. I hope the river is kind to you tomorrow...its the birth place of River Secret. ATB mate

Good luck Roberto

had an afternoon on the upper trying this new bait malarky. Not a sniff all day! Last peg, done the bait and wait. After 2.5 miles I was ready for a pint. Bang! The rod wallops over!!!!! yes? No, the hook didnt set! What a tit! Nice to know the one of the two fatties may still be there that I thought had moved :-) The long wait for the next bit of decent weather. 'Monstro' is coming

It certainly is on the hit list Bobby, you will do battle with her soon.:-) Good to know the 'Secret' got you a bit of interest on yyour first time of using it. I wait to hear the next installment!

it was the last peg I chose so went all in on it. Heavy baiting still seems to be drawing them in. Was a bit wary but figured it'll get them used to it if I'm doing the long haul there. Will bait it up regularly over coming weeks and wait for the next decent spell of weather. If all else fails then at least those hefty chub should make an appearance :-)

Thats exactly what I used to do Bobby, feed every few days and get them used to it. After a couple of weeks feed once or twice a week, regular feed once a week will keep them interested.