Tags
Dace, Fishing, Float Fishing, Friday, pike, River Ash. Roach, Trotting
At the end of this first week of January it was a oportune time to pack a tackle box, rod and boots and head to the river for a spot of fishing.
Mr Pike as features in Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing.
Today we decided to head to the River Ash in search of chub, dace and roach. With a small box of maggots from Chapman’s in Twickenham we had a couple of hours before sunset to fish this small river that runs from Stains to the Thames.
Silver fish from the River Ash
The river cuts through 11km of the suburbs no more than 20ft wide but in the majority of its course 12-15ft and with pools no more than a meter deep.
The Ash cuts through some recreational grounds were access to several swims allows trotting between the bankside vegetation and hedgerows made up of bramble and Hawthorne. Fish can be heard breaking the surface of the water and we soon found out why.
Roach with visible Pike damage
After a few fish had taken the maggots trotted 18ins below the surface one good-sized fish took the maggot and ran hard and deep. Once the fish had turned I could start to reel it in only to notice that one of its flanks showed a redness and open wound. Having then landed the fish I noticed it had been attacked by a pike as the teeth marks were clearly visible, several other fish caught also showed signs of attack so could there have been a big pike chasing the fish and causing them to break the surface…
Caught by the River Ash, dace and roach
Nice reading of your exploits on the Ash / Creeek. Have you seen any pike in the Ash.
Hi Jeff, thanks for your message. In the swims I was fishing a lot of the roach and dace had scars and visible bite marks so I would put it down to a good head of ‘jacks’ in some of the slower pools, the only other thing could be possible damage from mink.
Having fished The Creek a few times I had several pike follow small perch or dace to the bank when hooked and then snatch at them just before lifting them from the water. On one occasion a good 8lb pike took a 3in perch and put up a good tug of war before it bit through the line. So to answer your question they are there, will be easier to see them once the water looses some colour.
Tight lines for 20133