Uptiding at Minehead

Our recent boat trip in the Bristol Channel at Minehead delivered slow but steady sport. We were fishing an 8 Hour trip over low water and were blessed with great conditions: Sunny and hot, starting off windy but with the wind dying away to leave us with flat calm conditions by the end. Time for the sun-screen then!

Uptiding with two rods I had a steady stream of fish even if I wasn’t rushed off my feet: 1 small smoothhound a couple of nice sized small-eyed rays, a spotted ray, strap conger and numerous doggies.

In amongst all the dogfish, my father had 3 smoothhounds, and a small-eyed ray whilst my brother, not to be outdone also caught a smoothhound and finished off with 2 congers so generally we had a satisfyingly productive if not amazing session.

At the start the easterly wind meant we motored down to seek shelter in Porlock bay which fishwise wasn’t that productive a spot today. As the wind dropped off we moved back to Selworthy Sands and then the rough ground near Greenleigh Sands. Despite the slow fishing it proved enjoyable.

Start of the Fishing Season on the River Brue

It’s that time of the year again – the start of another coarse fishing season. As has become a bit of a tradition for Jason and myself we headed up to the river Brue on the Somerset Levels near Glastonbury. I love the fishing in this part of the world and as usual had really high hopes for the start of the season. I’d really been hoping for some still and sunny conditions so that I could stalk some chub with the fly rod.

The weather unfortunately wasn’t quite as good as we’d have hoped for and we had to make the best of the conditions. The weather was cloudy and breezy with a short spell of heavy rain.

Caught a couple of gudgeon, numerous minnows, chub and roach. All on float fished maggots.

Jason had a nice chub amongst his steady procession of chub and roach. Probably the highlight of the trip, not for size, but due to it being a first was that Jason caught a Ruffe. Quite a pretty little fish and very similar in appearance to a baby perch. Now there’s something for me to aim for in the future!

Whilst we had fun, the fishing was undeniably difficult all day – possibly not helped by the long spell of dry weather we’ve had and the amazingly low water levels. Don’t think I’ve ever seen the water level as low on the Brue as it was. It also didn’t help that despite the hot weather of late, the temperature did drop in the evening and it actually got a little cold – first time we’ve felt that sensation for a while!