Just A ‘Normal’ Day On The River

Another struggle for me on the Thames today. This time I drew at Folly. First time I’ve seen this bit… and hopefully the last! I was immediately above a footbridge and apparently a dodgy peg that’s not normally in. Can’t say it was my idea of ‘peaceful river fishing’ being in the middle of the city on a blazing hot day with a million joggers, cyclists, toffs, students and foreigners zooming past just a metre behind me all day, a distinct aroma from gangs of rude bwoys and a peg full of boulders and shopping trolleys to contend with. Oh, and the fire brigade chose to do their life saving manoeuvres in the river in front of us too!

No flow close in and got bleaked out at 9m, even on double caster and half a worm. When I finally got a bait through the tiny bleak I then got amongst the crayfish. Big mistake leaving one of the critters behind me as 100 tourists all stopped to look at it in amazement and I was suddenly expected to be a crayfish/crab/lobster expert!

Found a new use for my half extension when the call of nature arrived as there was literally nowhere to hide and people everywhere.

Then as I was packing up a very attractive oriental girl took a shining to me and wouldn’t leave us alone. She definitely wanted me and, no, she hadn’t lost her guide dog and, no, there was no hint of an Adam’s apple! She loved me loooong time! Not sure my wife was too amused when I told her…

Anyways, I weighed 6lb 12oz. Mostly perch to 1lb, plus a 1lb skimmer, a few hybrids, five roach and 50-odd bleak. Just beaten by a few 7lbs, while the first peg in the section had 12lb and the last two pegs had 19lb and 25lb of bream. Came away frustrated and a bit gutted to let the team down once again.

Now I’ve spent years fishing urban canals smack in the middle of Coventry and Birmingham and never experienced anything quite like this. It was about as far removed from what I consider ‘natural fishing’ as you can get. Certainly gives me an even greater appreciation of the beautiful River Avon I’ve grown up fishing! Certainly one to chalk up to experience…

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