It was one of those days for me, I don't usually name venues but after two years thinking should I, shouldn't I, I fished Gailey Reservoir in Staffordshire.
not the prettiest of places, or quietest being next to the M6 and A5. but there's the potential to do a decent Pike.
A quick scan of the web-page http://www.gaileytrout.co.uk/pikefishing.htm told of a 28lber visiting the banks in the last month, so with bit between teeth I took the short journey up the M6. I got to Gailey Reservoir just after 07:00, and sat waiting for the gates to open, which they did finally at 08:00. I'd heard that one of the productive areas is next to the trout pen. but as this was surrounded by boats I walked a few metres to the right of the stages and the first piece of real bank. two 'purchased on site' rainbow trout where attached to size 4 trebles on a Sunk Float Paternoster rig (SFP) one cast left towards the stagging hopefully getting in the way of any pike visiting the "pens" the other cast right obstructing Pike travelling along the margins to the trout pens.
Tea poured I sat back waiting, any moment now the drop arm will fall and I'll be tussling with a huge trout guzzling Esox! yeah right!
The drop arm did fall, it fell twice through the day both times when the trout livies got a little excited and managed to pull the line from the clip. I saw a pike just underneath a platform to my left, it was only small (6/7lbs) but I offered it a bait anyway, it wasn't interested, neither was it interested in all the small fish that where easily within striking distance around the legs of the platform. maybe these Pike where just not hungry today?
Either way I blanked as did everyone else fishing.
I left thinking I'm not going back, but there's definitely some big fish in there, they just need finding.... maybe a day in a boat is on the cards?
A little health and safety...
They might look as hard as nails but most of the predatory fish we have swimming in our waters are very delicate creatures, and they need treating correctly. five guys on the banks today one unhooking mat, mine. it's great that you can see your float from 100 yards away, but that doesn't mean you can be 100yards down the bank away from your rods. it's a recipe for disaster, if you want to throw some lures great wind in the float rods and throw a few lures. don't leave the float rods out and go wandering hopping that they'll look after themselves. the same with ledger set ups I've got an ATTx system too, yes it means I can be 150 yards down the bank and it will bleep to tell me I've got a run. but I'm sure that's not what they're for, I use mine so I can turn the volume right down on my alarms, and even when the wind is blowing really hard I can still hear a take developing, should it happen while I'm pouring a brew.
Basic stuff you should have no matter where you're fishing if your after predators...
- Landing net - get it set up, there are occasions when chinning is better but if you can't see the hooks it's got to go in the net.
- Unhooking mat - whether it's a great big catfish mat or a small roll up one use it, I know the grass might be soft, but what's it hiding even a daft little twig can cause substantial damage to that Pike, Zander, Catfish, Eel or perch you've put in many hours to catch.
- Tools - you need forceps, and a pair of wire cutters, it's better to snip the hooks and tie a new trace than faff about trying to remove awkward placed hooks. a set of long needle nose pliers come in handy too.
