Finally a break in the weather and the Bass are back on the top..
Fresh From The Salt
The imminent rain last week got the Sea Trout active and when they are this close to the salt they can be angry, this one being no exception.
The savage take, the airborne antics followed by the crashes back into the water then the sound of the line tearing through the surface film as it ran up stream... They can be few and far between but this is why we do it...
Christchurch Harbour Mullet
I've been rough all week and that great big orange thing in the sky hasn't been helping my recovery. So when the heavens opened last night and that glorious smell of fresh rain on hot tarmac came through the window I decided it was cool enough to head out. The Mullet were feeding hard, just a foot or two from the shore, in only inches of water. You have to keep low for these fish, be able to 'crawl under the belly of a snake while wearing a top hat' as they say... Luckily there is no photo evidence of me doing this. Great fighting fish, lots of fun.
Mudeford Beach Hut and Boiling Bass
A 4.45am start is bad enough but even worse when you haven't had a wink due to the relentless snores of a certain river keeper....
It was soon all forgotten though as the sun crept up to reveal the surface boiling with feeding Bass. Not the biggest but catching these fish in salt water, on top water fly ticks all the right boxs for us.
Bass Smashing The Surface
A beautiful sunrise, glassy seas and Bass smashing the surface... When it's like this there is nowhere I would rather be.
Mudeford Beach Hut For Rent
New guests in this weekend so on my bike with bucket and mop to make sure everything is ready for their arrival. Looks like they have picked a scorcher!!!
Sea Trout In Coloured Water
Some of the rivers I frequent have been suffering with a lot of algae bloom of late, making conditions a little tricky due to the colour of the water at night. I tied up these tandems with some luminous beads to make them a little more visable. First time out the kingfisher blue one here brought one of the most savage takes I have ever had, sadly it didn't stay on. Next time...
Bass Gate Crasher
The Mullet were driving me crazy last night. Losing one at the net was almost the final straw until this greedy Bass showed up and snatched my fly in inches of water. Not what I was after but most welcome and a first on a bloodworm. Light tackle and shallow water is a blast...
Night Bass
Ed Chappell with a nice Bass from late last night.
Bass Under Moonlit Skies
We had a rocky start with the weather this year but May has certainly made up for it. Last few nights chasing Bass under moonlit skies has been fantastic. Did I say how beautiful this place is??
You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat.....
A very last minute decision to head out meant for two's up intimate fishing in the tender last night. We only got an hour on dusk and a few Bass but fantastic fun on the six weight rods. Mr Blow very lucky to land this lightly hooked fella...
March Bass
We spent a couple of hours in Christchurch Harbour this morning looking for an early Bass. The fish didn't show but the bacon & egg did.....
Blessing The Waters at Mudeford
A great little clip showing the 'blessing of the waters' at Mudeford back in 1935. I believe this year it will take place on the 6th May 3.15pm sharp, bring your rod!!!
Harbour Patrol
Out on harbour patrol today and it's finally looking more like Spring. Roll on warmer days.
Beginner's Luck?
Is it throwback Tuesday or Thursday??? Anyway... it was last summer and the fella in the photo may look like he's holding a 'Hattori Hanzo' Samurai sword but it is in fact his first ever fly caught Sea Trout. It was his first night out and was caught in the first five minutes.... beginner's luck eh?
Super Blue Moon
This 'Super Moon' has almost sucked every last drop of water out of the harbour!!! Still, only a few hours until its brimming with the flood. Salmon fishing kicks off tomorrow on the Avon so lets hope it brings up a few big Springers.
Even when its 'orrible it's nice
Twenty mph winds and horizontal stair rods is enough to keep you in by the fire but you can always find a bit of shelter on Mudeford Sandbank. And when the sun breaks through...
Last Orders
My friend Charlie came down for a crack at the Sea Trout just before the season ended here at Christchurch and managed to tempt this cracker on a silver and black snake fly, well done!
Bass In The Black
Bass on light fly gear at night are a LOT of fun. These eating machines move fast so you have to be quick to make contact with them. I first encountered them while chasing the Sea Trout which I did find frustrating at first but soon grew to love catching them and learnt a lot about their feeding patterns and how they like to intercept a fly.
Catch & Release
Its a lot of fun catching but returning has also been a big part of fishing for me. This was a good size early Sea Trout that didn't hang around..
