Oh what a fishing year full of ups and downs but without doubt a memorable season.
Hopefully my monthly review of 2013 will provoke some your own fond memories of last years season; Happy New year - enjoy!
Hopefully my monthly review of 2013 will provoke some your own fond memories of last years season; Happy New year - enjoy!
January 2013
The year started where the previous had ended, targeting Perch & Pike using Drop Shot techniques upon my angling kayak on the Greater Manchester canal waterways. I used artificial plastic worm lures along with live Lobworm baits during this milder Winter spell of UK weather. It proved effective to very slowly twitch baits close to the bottom; casting into the deep centre channel and working a drop shot rig back towards the canal's far shelf ledge.
The year started where the previous had ended, targeting Perch & Pike using Drop Shot techniques upon my angling kayak on the Greater Manchester canal waterways. I used artificial plastic worm lures along with live Lobworm baits during this milder Winter spell of UK weather. It proved effective to very slowly twitch baits close to the bottom; casting into the deep centre channel and working a drop shot rig back towards the canal's far shelf ledge.
I even managed a few Pike on drop shot fished plastic worm lures.
It's mid January and Winter has returned with vengeance, with bitter east winds blowing across the UK.
February 2013
The first weekend in February brought a sudden thaw with ice water melting and lowering water temperatures. This is when I reach for a 3 metre fishing pole and use bread as bait. By introducing small quantities of liquidised Warburton's white bread and fishing a small pellet of bread on the hook, sport can almost be guaranteed from small Roach under 20cm in length. I didn't expect Bream to feed, a pleasant surprise.
The first weekend in February brought a sudden thaw with ice water melting and lowering water temperatures. This is when I reach for a 3 metre fishing pole and use bread as bait. By introducing small quantities of liquidised Warburton's white bread and fishing a small pellet of bread on the hook, sport can almost be guaranteed from small Roach under 20cm in length. I didn't expect Bream to feed, a pleasant surprise.
I managed to catch 6 x Bream similar to the fish pictured above. These fish combined with over 40 x Roach provided hectic sport to keep a freshwater kayak angler like me warm on cold February day afloat!
Usually at some point during a bread pole fishing session the swim is usually disturbed by a predator striking at the prey fish feeding. Not so on this session! I'm sure you have noticed like me that fish seem to have a sixth sense in Winter with regards to weather changes. Prey fish seem to become active during the milder spells of weather, spreading out of their previous tight shoals whilst searching for food. Meanwhile predators seem to sit it out, saving energy and waiting for the prey fish to shoal up tight again just before the cold snap returns!
March 2013
The first weekend in March, Glasgow Angling Centre's 'Big Weekend' event. I persuaded the C.E.O. to allow me to promote myself and freshwater kayak angling at his event. I'm sure he along with most of the fishing tackle representatives in attendance thought I was raving mad to attend a sales event to promote a concept and not to be actually selling anything! For me, it was all about developing new skills and pushing myself beyond my usual comfort zone; the kind of experience you just can't learn on a training course. It doesn't get much more nerve racking visiting a new city promoting a discipline like freshwater kayak angling that most of the angling public have never even heard of! Oh, I forgot to mention that it is one of the largest fishing tackle sales event in the UK attended by 1000's of people from all over Scotland & Ireland. Celebrity anglers like Matt Hayes, John Wilson, Ian Gordon and of course this guy in my photo, Ant Glascoe Jnr. are on hand throughout the weekend for the angling public to chat with. All I can say is 'In for a penny, in for a pound'.
The first weekend in March, Glasgow Angling Centre's 'Big Weekend' event. I persuaded the C.E.O. to allow me to promote myself and freshwater kayak angling at his event. I'm sure he along with most of the fishing tackle representatives in attendance thought I was raving mad to attend a sales event to promote a concept and not to be actually selling anything! For me, it was all about developing new skills and pushing myself beyond my usual comfort zone; the kind of experience you just can't learn on a training course. It doesn't get much more nerve racking visiting a new city promoting a discipline like freshwater kayak angling that most of the angling public have never even heard of! Oh, I forgot to mention that it is one of the largest fishing tackle sales event in the UK attended by 1000's of people from all over Scotland & Ireland. Celebrity anglers like Matt Hayes, John Wilson, Ian Gordon and of course this guy in my photo, Ant Glascoe Jnr. are on hand throughout the weekend for the angling public to chat with. All I can say is 'In for a penny, in for a pound'.
A total baptism of fire; would I sink or swim - actually a bit of both. All of the guys within the G.A.C. team made me very welcome, for this I'm extremely grateful. My voice was almost worn out by the end of the weekend. I had enjoyed every minute talking with lots of inquisitive anglers as they passed by my freshwater Native angling kayak display. I definitely made a splash at the event! Prior to this photo I had just executed a flawless dive into the lure pool. The lure pool demo was intended to illustrate how stable sit on top kayaks really are; I know the Native Manta is not designed for an angler to stand up and it would be irresponsible to replicate this photo on a fishery. So please don't misuse a sit on top kayak in this way unless it has been designed for an angler to fish in a standing position. Yes is was a memorable weekend and I hope to be granted permission to attend again. I have a great new fishing kayak to show you all in March 2014 that uses pedal propulsion and not paddle. It also has been designed to enable an angler to fish in a standing position.
Later in the month I traveled down to SystemX in Reading to collect a niche freshwater kayak they kindly imported for me from the U.S.A. I had ordered it blind having never seen or touched the kayak before. All I had to go off were Youtube clips and reviews; yes very risky and yes I was very nervous on the day of collection.
The Native Ultimate Propel kayak / canoe hybrid looked so different from my existing kayak with its tunnel hull and pedal propulsion unit. I wasn't disappointed on my first impressions in the warehouse as I handed over my hard earned money. But the million dollar question would be; how would the kayak perform on the water whilst fishing?
The Native Ultimate Propel kayak / canoe hybrid looked so different from my existing kayak with its tunnel hull and pedal propulsion unit. I wasn't disappointed on my first impressions in the warehouse as I handed over my hard earned money. But the million dollar question would be; how would the kayak perform on the water whilst fishing?
April 2013
A cold, wet April day at Esthwaite trout Fishery, the Native Ultimate's maiden launch and my first opportunity to become familiar with this new fishing platform. The kayak couldn't have had a better christening. A personal best Brown Trout at 59 cm, caught on a size 0, Mepps spinner. I was already beginning to appreciate the benefits of being able to hold my fishing rod whilst trolling.
The Propel unit provides pedal propulsion so I was able to feel the fishes initial delicate inquiry on the fishing rod in my hand. To induce a bite I jerked the rod tip forward, thus increasing the speed of the spinner to provoke a strike at my lure. The rest is history - FISH ON!
The Propel unit provides pedal propulsion so I was able to feel the fishes initial delicate inquiry on the fishing rod in my hand. To induce a bite I jerked the rod tip forward, thus increasing the speed of the spinner to provoke a strike at my lure. The rest is history - FISH ON!
This is typical Spring weather in the English Lake District, strong winds blowing in heavy showers of cold rain. I didn't find the sport easy at Esthwaite Trout Fishery during my first season. Back in February I entered an online kayak fishing competition called 'Kayak Wars'. Basically competitors have to register photos of fish caught alongside a fish measure to accumulate points on a league table. My start was poor and I was already trailing the top kayak anglers by several hundred points. Not a good start to my competitive kayak angling season and my goal of becoming the UK's No 1 ranked angler in the competition looked like a tall order.
May 2013
As I reflect back upon this month I was like a marathon runner hitting a metaphoric brick wall. Esthwaite Water's resident Brown Trout, my target species to accumulate Kayak Wars competition points were proving very difficult to catch.
Sure I had the odd rod bending moment but not enough of them!
As I reflect back upon this month I was like a marathon runner hitting a metaphoric brick wall. Esthwaite Water's resident Brown Trout, my target species to accumulate Kayak Wars competition points were proving very difficult to catch.
Sure I had the odd rod bending moment but not enough of them!
Odd Jack Pike scored me a few points but my competitive season was going from bad to worse.
I am a firm believer that an angler has to understand the personality of a water if they are to learn the fish behavior that live within it.
Esthwaite and I were like strangers, we were at that stage of small talk and uncomfortable conversation. She was like an ice maiden to me, unlike her big sister Ullswater whom I greeted like an old friend when I fished upon her for the first time in 2012. Ullswater and I clicked instantly, her golden brown treasures seemed easy for me to catch and her green and black striped gems just glimmered on the end of my fishing line. I longed for those productive Ullswater fishing sessions and resented the time I spent with Esthwaite.
I am a firm believer that an angler has to understand the personality of a water if they are to learn the fish behavior that live within it.
Esthwaite and I were like strangers, we were at that stage of small talk and uncomfortable conversation. She was like an ice maiden to me, unlike her big sister Ullswater whom I greeted like an old friend when I fished upon her for the first time in 2012. Ullswater and I clicked instantly, her golden brown treasures seemed easy for me to catch and her green and black striped gems just glimmered on the end of my fishing line. I longed for those productive Ullswater fishing sessions and resented the time I spent with Esthwaite.
I had to save my fishing season, all of a sudden it was not an enjoyable experience. Yes, my head was turned by the beauty of Esthwaite but we needed some time apart.
June 2013
I took a chance and paid for a kayak angling permit on a local council operated lake in Greater Manchester. This venue is an extremely busy venue both on and off the water and is badly effected by cormorants; so much so that local anglers don't fish the lake due to poor catches. You need a little bit of luck in angling and I was in the right place at the right time on my very first visit to the lake as the photo above shows - superb Pike action on swim bait and jerk bait lures.
Just the sort of lift my angling confidence needed; a personal best Pike measuring 96 cm. This was one of three double figure fish caught in a magical two hour period along with two other small Pike. If Calsberg made introductory fishing sessions on a venue then this would most certainly be one!
Next a long awaited return to my beloved Ullswater in the English Lake District. The fishing conditions were terrible, flat calm and bright sunshine. My confidence was so high, I could catch fish out of a puddle. Therefore this session didn't faze me as I dug deep into the dark, dusty corners of my mind to plunder knowledge earned on previous sessions in such conditions.
I caught fish like this Perch, between 21 cm and 28 cm on a mixture of drop shot and ultra light jig fishing techniques. This session produced over forty fish, needless to say my competitive kayak angling season was back on track!
It's amazing how you suddenly become attached to a lump of plastic. Oh, yes! The Native Ultimate Propel and I had become one; a fish catching machine!
The UK river season had opened and the rivers around Greater Manchester were in perfect condition. It wasn't long before I was attached to an aggressive summer Pike - exhilarating and adrenaline pumping action! Kids but down those soul sapping gaming consoles and get where the real action is, priceless life experiences that will stay with you for life!
Some rod bending action whilst vertical lure fishing with a plastic shad.
This is one of the 6 x Pike I caught during a memorable opening day river session. Suddenly, all was well within my little angling world! :) LOL.
July 2013
The Lure Grand Slam weekend was hosted on Esthwaite Water at the beginning of July. The fishery manager, Dave Coleman signals the start of the competition with our traditional shotgun blast!
The Lure Grand Slam weekend was hosted on Esthwaite Water at the beginning of July. The fishery manager, Dave Coleman signals the start of the competition with our traditional shotgun blast!
The weather was glorious creating very difficult fishing conditions. I couldn't compete in the Lure Grand Slam due to me organizing the competition. However this didn't stop me from fishing with the competitors in each of the three weekend sessions.
The 1st session proved very challenging with the majority of the teams failing to catch any fish in the bright, hot sunshine. Team Esthwaite used their local knowledge to storm into a commanding lead with 3 x Pike after the 10:00 to 14:30, Saturday session.
Tom Belshaw with a 102cm, Team Esthwaite Pike.
Tom Belshaw with a 102cm, Team Esthwaite Pike.
The 16:30 to 21:30 Saturday evening 2nd session produced plenty of action for all of the teams. The photo opposite is of me playing a Brown Trout hooked whilst ultra light lure fishing in a standing position from a Native Ultimate angling kayak.
One of Esthwaite's fighting fit Brown Trout as it makes a bid for freedom at my landing net; beautiful fish in majestic settings.
The final 06:30 to 13:30 Sunday session was the most productive session as anglers had learnt from previous sessions and adapted their techniques as plenty of fish were caught and the final team positions were decided upon team performances during Sunday.
The final 06:30 to 13:30 Sunday session was the most productive session as anglers had learnt from previous sessions and adapted their techniques as plenty of fish were caught and the final team positions were decided upon team performances during Sunday.
July 2013
The Lure grand Slam was a wonderful weekend but it was back to the business of trying to score kayak Wars points for me. Although improving my individual ranking in the competition. I was still outside of the top ten in 11th position. The top UK angler (5th position) was Cornish saltwater kayak angler, Liam Faisey. Liam was having an outstanding Summer scoring points weekly and was a daunting 1200 points in front of my tally. I had to change my tactics and conquer the challenge of catching Bream & Roach in twenty foot plus swims from a static kayak angling platform. I had tried in the past to master feeder fishing in such lake swims but stuggled to register bites and present a terminal rig as my kayak swayed from left to right. With a fresh approach I was gradually achieving some success but still missing far to many bites as I discovered my grub baits were being munched by fish upon retrieving my terminal tackle.
The Lure grand Slam was a wonderful weekend but it was back to the business of trying to score kayak Wars points for me. Although improving my individual ranking in the competition. I was still outside of the top ten in 11th position. The top UK angler (5th position) was Cornish saltwater kayak angler, Liam Faisey. Liam was having an outstanding Summer scoring points weekly and was a daunting 1200 points in front of my tally. I had to change my tactics and conquer the challenge of catching Bream & Roach in twenty foot plus swims from a static kayak angling platform. I had tried in the past to master feeder fishing in such lake swims but stuggled to register bites and present a terminal rig as my kayak swayed from left to right. With a fresh approach I was gradually achieving some success but still missing far to many bites as I discovered my grub baits were being munched by fish upon retrieving my terminal tackle.
I also explored my local lakes Perch fishing potential catching a few fish like this one pictured opposite. I used a mixture of drop shot and ultra light jig lure fishing techniques.
This Greater Manchester cormorant ravished water is turning out to be a hidden gem as bank anglers turn their backs on this venue.
This Greater Manchester cormorant ravished water is turning out to be a hidden gem as bank anglers turn their backs on this venue.
August 2013
A break from kayak angling and a holiday with my wife Karen on the Norfolk Broads. I was a good boy and didn't break my promise of only going fishing three times. :) LOL. This photo typifies what the Norfolk Broads is all about in August - Bream fishing!
A break from kayak angling and a holiday with my wife Karen on the Norfolk Broads. I was a good boy and didn't break my promise of only going fishing three times. :) LOL. This photo typifies what the Norfolk Broads is all about in August - Bream fishing!
I dedicated the fishing time to coaching Karen as she had never caught a Bream or used feeder fishing tackle.
She soon got the hang of it and loved every Bream slim moment of it. :) LOL.
She soon got the hang of it and loved every Bream slim moment of it. :) LOL.
We had a cracking first session on our small 10 foot fishing dingy. Bream, Roach and a few cracking Perch - perfect!
Another Bream caught during an early morning session on the river frontage outside the holiday cottage with rented for the week.
By the end of the third session Karen was a Bream bagging machine. :) LOL
The coaching went well and I thoroughly enjoyed myself practicing a new skill before attending the Angling Trust's 1st4Sport Angling Coaching courses scheduled to start at the end of the month.
By the end of the third session Karen was a Bream bagging machine. :) LOL
The coaching went well and I thoroughly enjoyed myself practicing a new skill before attending the Angling Trust's 1st4Sport Angling Coaching courses scheduled to start at the end of the month.
Upon returning from my holiday I continued to work at improving my kayak feeder fishing technique on Hollingworth Lake in Greater Manchester. It was with mixed success; Bream fishing OK but I continued to miss far to many bites from Roach taking my bait on the drop. I had a rush of blood to the head and my two brain cells connected for a moment and came up with the idea of fishing the slider float upon my kayak. An internet search was now on, to source the right floats for my requirements.
September 2013
A true eureka moment!
A Bulgarian float making company supplied me with their Rizov RF 22 sliding floats; they were absolutely perfect for my slider float requirements.
Everything just clicked as I started to bag up on quality Roach. With every new kayak angling session I seemed to climb up the Kayak Wars rankings as I amassed many points with trophy sized fish like this one pictured below.
A Bulgarian float making company supplied me with their Rizov RF 22 sliding floats; they were absolutely perfect for my slider float requirements.
Everything just clicked as I started to bag up on quality Roach. With every new kayak angling session I seemed to climb up the Kayak Wars rankings as I amassed many points with trophy sized fish like this one pictured below.
Another new personal best, this Roach measured 37 cm. An unbelievable fish from a venue written off by local bank anglers due to the cormorant presence and lack of sport.
I couldn't resist having a fish for those large shapes sitting two feet off the bottom in twenty plus foot of water. A vertically fished jig shad managed to tempt two Jack Pike in a short two hour session the next day.
It wasn't all fishing fun in September, I also completed the Level 1 angling coach course - a busy month!
October 2013
The start of a new era on Esthwaite Water for me as the fishery opened up for coarse fishing a month early.
All of my uncertainties and frustrations with the Brown Trout fishing on the water seemed insignificant as I was immediately tuned into the Roach feeding habits. My kayak slider float technique suited the venue as I began to unlock Esthwaite's Roach fishing potential.
I was in Lake District Roach wonderland, fish after fish graced my landing net as I lost track of how many Kayak Wars point scoring Roach were caught.
Esthwaite Water; she had given a personal best then ruthlessly shattered my angling confidence within the space of two months. Now the water would be permanently etched within my mind delivering a memorable Roach fishing session. I have a feeling this love affair will continue to torture me for years to come. One thing for sure; she certainly isn't a lady to be taken for granted!
A late Autumn holiday to the tranquil Cripps Farm holiday cottages presented an opportunity I just couldn't resist. My good lady wife, Karen granted me three fishing sessions during our weeks holiday and the owner allowed me to trial kayak carp fishing on his fishery.
I have to admit I'm not the most skilled commercial carp angler; however via trial and error my float fishing techniques were adapted to catch over 30 x Common & Mirror Carp from 34 cm to 58 cm. A question I often get asked when kayak angling upon narrow fisheries like canal waterways or commercial carp venues is; why fish in a kayak when you can fish a 14 or 16 metre pole from the bank. It's all down to personal choice; I prefer to spend my £1600 on a top of the range freshwater kayak fishing platform that allows me to fish venues as diverse as large, deep glacial Lake District waters to Greater Manchester canal waterways rather than invest it in £1600 worth of carbon!
The kayak carp fishing trial was a resounding success. I had managed to score a few more invaluable Kayak Wars points and I was now ranked 6th in Europe; just a few hundred points adrift from the competitions UK No 1 ranked angler, ranked 5th in Europe - Game on!
November 2013
A glorious, frosty and bright November morning greeted me as I launched onto a sublime Esthwaite Water. Occasionally during the many years of my angling career I get that weird feeling before a particular session that something special might happen. I had that very same feeling at the moment I took this photo.
Only minutes after I had taken the above photo; no more than 600 metre's or so from the launch this large shoal of Roach shown up on my sounder. I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth and a swim marker was swiftly dispatched.
It was like an out of body experience as one trophy sized fish followed by another. This was a masterclass of kayak slider float Roach fishing and I was on cloud nine.
The action got so hot that I had to take the old sheepskin hat off :) LOL.
The sheer value of the goodness to your soul whilst fishing venues like this; in my mind is priceless and essential to my personal well being.
I struggle for adjectives to describe my elation and sheer humbleness of just experiencing the very best wild Roach fishing of my life. An unbelievable session, catching over 34 fish between 26cm and 32cm scoring a maximum 1000 Kayak Wars points and lifting me to the competitions UK No 1 ranked angler.
My schedule during November & December was very congested with Angling Trust 1st4Sport Level 2 Angling Coach course commitments. I had not fished with a lure since the end of September; therefore a long over due canal kayak lure fishing session was squeezed in at the end of the month.
A really tough canal drop shot lure fishing session but with endeavor the rewards are there to be had! I achieved a canal drop shot 'Grand Slam' with a Perch, Bream (a first for me on the drop shot) and a Pike. The best was yet to come!
I couldn't think of a better way to end my kayak angling season, yet another personal best Perch measuring 42 cm. My favorite species on one of my last casts of 2013.
December 2013
Sunday, 15th December;
The day after completing a six day Angling Trust, 1st4Sport Level 2 Angling Coach course. It was also the day that I was officially the Kayak Wars No 1 UK ranked angler. After a ten month competitive season from 17th February to 14th December; amassing a total of 3330 points I achieved my angling goal for 2013. A final European ranking of 5th in the competition leaves plenty of room for improvement, maybe something I can work on during 2014!
Finally but certainly by no means last, I shook hands with the Quantum Specialist Team member David Smith on a twelve month agreement to link up with Quantum Specialist fishing tackle. I'm not a sponsored angler, 2014 will serve as a trial period for me using fishing tackle I have selected and purchased at a subsidized cost from their catalogue. This opportunity excites me due to the sheer diversity within the Quantum Specialist range. Their fishing tackle should be perfect for my angling coaching and freshwater kayak angling requirements.
So there you have it, my angling year review. I hope you enjoy my future blogs during 2014 as I try to keep it real and focused upon the ethos of our sport; the enjoyment of trying to catch fish and the natural beauty of the great outdoors!
Happy New Year
The day after completing a six day Angling Trust, 1st4Sport Level 2 Angling Coach course. It was also the day that I was officially the Kayak Wars No 1 UK ranked angler. After a ten month competitive season from 17th February to 14th December; amassing a total of 3330 points I achieved my angling goal for 2013. A final European ranking of 5th in the competition leaves plenty of room for improvement, maybe something I can work on during 2014!
Finally but certainly by no means last, I shook hands with the Quantum Specialist Team member David Smith on a twelve month agreement to link up with Quantum Specialist fishing tackle. I'm not a sponsored angler, 2014 will serve as a trial period for me using fishing tackle I have selected and purchased at a subsidized cost from their catalogue. This opportunity excites me due to the sheer diversity within the Quantum Specialist range. Their fishing tackle should be perfect for my angling coaching and freshwater kayak angling requirements.
So there you have it, my angling year review. I hope you enjoy my future blogs during 2014 as I try to keep it real and focused upon the ethos of our sport; the enjoyment of trying to catch fish and the natural beauty of the great outdoors!
Happy New Year