Sunday Morning Call

Sunday. Early doors. Still got the itch, so I had to scratch it. Saddled up the bike, and headed off down the Mersey trail, in search of somewhere I hadn't fished before. 

Talking of the bike, here's my set up if anyone is interested. I am certainly no bike nut. My dad gave me that thing about 10 years ago. It must be 20 years old, and cost about 80 quid back then, so hardly top of the range. But, it's got wheels, gears, brakes and mudguards (very handy). I also carry onboard a puncture repair kit, a mini-pump, a lock and a bottle of juice. Bought some extra seat padding from Lidl to compensate for the dreadful ride quality. Next bike will definitely have shock-forks. 

The telescopic rod and a handy foldaway trout landing net attach to the frame using neoprene velcro straps (ebay - £1 each, always handy when fishing).
 

 
Anyway, enough of that, onto the fishing. 

First stop was the River Mersey at Woolston. The margins of this river seem full of perch, especially where there is some streamer weed.

A few casts around here soon produced a brace of micro-perch. Both taken on a grass minnow with 2 AAAs as the sinker, a few inches up the line. I didnt stay on the river for long, but managed to see 3 separate kingfishers (I think it was a family), a sparrowhawk and a hare on the track.

Next stop was a stilwater, Grey Mist Mere. Like the quarry yesterday, the Mist is normally a carp / tench water, but at the moment it is festooned with weed. Still, there were a few holes to fish to, so I made my way around and dropped in where I could.

The sun was coming out, and using my polarised sunglasses, I could see the perch chasing my lure right into the edge. Sometimes several fish would all surround the lure together.
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I caught half a dozen or so, and they were all the usual size, around an ounce, nothing bigger. In one swim a tiny pikelet had several goes at my jelly lure, but I couldnt entice him enough to set the hook.

With the limited options at the Mist, I decided to head back along the river. 

Now, I have received some comments that all my photos look like the same fish - insinuating that I am merely photographing the same perch and changing the background. Well, I cant actually confirm whether they are all different fish, but if it is the same one, he must be fairly knackered by now. Here he is again in a new swim...

I took a few more perch as I made my way back home. Then, last cast and I got lucky with another chub. They really do fight well, and I am glad I am on delicate gear, because it makes it so much more fun. Again, a grass minnow was the successful lure, with just one AAA shot this time.

Another enjoyable short session. In fact, it probably takes me longer to uploads the photos and write the blog than it does to catch the fish!