Freelining For Chub

At a glance it appears horrific, strewn with dumped household items, prams, bikes, mirco-waves, umbrellas; but slip the polaroids on and it's probably the healthiest and abundant stretch of waterway I know.

The stretch progresses through 3 very distinct areas that hold an array of species. Initially fast flowing and shallow it narrows but becomes deeper with beds of streamer weed before widening again and slowing down.

Throughout these areas one species that seems to thrive year on year is the chub. Although not classed as a predator they seem to eat anything that passes; and having watched them at length they almost have a involuntary reaction to charge at anything the drops into the water column.

Having caught a decent chub a couple of nights previous it was a bitter sweet capture as the fish had a large wound on its dorsal fin. Although it may not have realised it, it's misfortune at being decived by a large piece of floating crust may have just give it a fighting chance after a good treatment of propolis.

Returning to the stretch with Aaron a few night later I fancied having another crack at a decent chub. After walking the whole stretch I manage to pick one up from under a bridge that went 4-06, with a classic snub face it was a good bruser of a fish that gave a good account of itself.

However it was another group of 5-6 fish that we located that really got the adrenaline pumping and hands shaking. And who else would be sat in the middle of them, but the chub with the large wound.

Using simple freelining tactics of 4.4lb Drennan float line and a size 4 Drennan Specialist Barbel hook I guided down large pieces of bread. Similar to the previous session bow waves would roll against the current as chub moved upstream to intercept the bread. The chub I had caught previously certainly hadn't lost its appetite as I had to abort several runs through the swim as this distinctive fish glided out into the flow with intent on beating the rest of the shoal to the bait. Eventually I managed to get a cast past the fish and fluffed my first chance at one of the other fish, undeterred I gave it another cast. With luck on my side I managed to entice another take as the chub rose in the water, thick white lips parting the surface and inhaling the lump of bread, as the fish turned I taught the line and the rod hooped around. Initially I had full control of the fish guiding it up stream as Aaron chucked the net to me over the nettles and overgrown bank side. At the first pass of the net I guided the fish up stream and tried to use the flow to bring it back over the net but at the last second the fish darted towards the near bank and ended up behind and under the net. With the banks lined with boulders to eradicate erosion having this happen once was lucky enough but the fish erupted to the near bank on the second and third attempt of netting as well! Finally I attained the upper hand and guided it in to the spoon, I could see it was a good fish and this was further confirmed when lifting the net from the water and climbing back up the bank. It turned out to be the best chub I have caught off the stretch at 5-05 and it was in fantastic condition. There may be another opportunity this week to see if I can pick up another one of the shoal.