Day 7 : River Ijssel - Copse

Fri 28th August

We had to fish the Ijssel

One of the main things that led us to this area was the Ijssel so we had to wet a line in it before leaving. Our expectations were very low as we had not heard of any good catches other than night fishing.

What do you know

I cast out three casters on a size 14 hook to 50m (trying to find an almost non-existent flow). It had only been in for about a minute when it started rattling and resulted in a Roach of about 5oz. This was already more than I expected - especially coming so soon. Garry caught a couple of Bullheads/Loach early on.

They're getting bigger

I then had a very positive bite that resulted in an Ide of 2lb 4oz. Bertie turned up shortly afterward and was pleased/surprised that we were catching. Garry had caught a few small Roach and then had a nice one of 10oz. Garry then had a Perch over a pound before I had a pound Roach. I don't know if that Roach was being hunted because it nearly tore the rod from my hands as I hit the bite. It also stripped line for a few seconds. Bertie saw and it said "what is that". I thought I had lost the "big" fish that I thought I'd hooked before I realised I was still connected to a smaller fish - the 1lb Roach.

This was turning into a much better session that we'd hoped. Garry then had the first Bream of the day (a fish of about 2-3lb). Shortly after I had one of the same size (weighed at 2lb 8oz). By this time Bertie still hadn't had a fish but that was to change.

I then had an Ide of 2lb 9oz and 2lb 14oz along with another Bream of 4lb 8oz. Garry ended up with 5 Bream, all of a similar size on top of the Roach and Loache he'd caught earlier. My total for the morning was 16lb (I weighed each fish before releasing them).

We had planned to stop fishing at 11am but decided to push it to 11:15. Then Garry called me and said he thought we'd be OK fishing until 12. He knew full well that I wouldn't object.

A final farewell

Once we had re-packed our cars and got changed into clothes free of Bream-slime, we went and sat with Bertie whilst we ate our pack-up before departure. We also had some left over bait to give him. He had started catching Bream and managed one close to 7lb while Garry was sat with him. He also had an Ide just as we were leaving.

This session far exceeded our expectations and I just hope that it indicates a change in fortunes for the river before the imminent festival.

Honours board

We ended up with 3 wins each.

Garry had the highest combined weight of 347lb, I had 328lb

I had the highest session weight of 170lb

Thanks Big Zalk - without you it would have been a different story. Considering the long hot summer, I am quite pleased that we managed to catch plenty of fish. I just wish the Ijssel had been on-form. Never mind, there is always next time. On that note - I am back for a month from mid-April to mid-May and Garry will be joining me at some point too.