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An individual, of no great importance, who is unable to see the natural world as a place for competition. I catch fish, watch birds, derive immense pleasure from simply looking at butterflies, moths, bumble-bees, etc - without the need for rules! I am Dylan and this is my blog - if my opinions offend? Don't bother logging on again - simple!

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Wednesday 30 December 2015

It might just work?

As I write, this post, the latest in a procession of storms (this one's called Frank!) is blasting in from the south/south-west. Thankfully, in our little corner of the UK, the chaotic amounts of associated rainfall has missed us for the most part. Air temperatures remain between 8 - 12C, day and night, but are forecast to take a sharp dip tomorrow night. So, with all this going on, my plan is to get out for an eel session this afternoon/evening - packing up around 19.00 hrs when a belt of heavy rain is predicted to arrive. I pre-baited my chosen swim on Monday - this will be my final session of 2015; can I end the year with a fish?


Adult Fulmar photographed from the cliff-top path between Winterstoke Steps
and The Granville Cinema
I had a stroll down to Ramsgate Harbour, yesterday, to check the gulls and have a scan around for a Great Northern Diver that has been reported a couple of times this week. Failed with the diver, good numbers of Great Black-backs on the pontoons, but couldn't locate any C-R's, a couple of Rock Pipits, 4 Dark-bellied Brents (W) and several Fulmars, prospecting their nesting ledges, were as good as it got. It isn't an issue, I just fancied a walk which didn't involve thick mud - something Newland's has in abundance at present.

My kit is sorted, rigs prepared, bait defrosting. I am travelling light, with minimal clutter, and if the weather proves to be a major problem, I'll pack up early - no great shakes; there's always another day.
Whatever the outcome - I will post again when I get home.

Part Two

I'm back and I've caught an eel, so a success! I got on site before 14.30 hrs and was fishing within 15 minutes. Straight away I experienced a series of short pulls, none of which developed into anything more. Then I got bitten off by a pike - didn't feel any resistance at all, my mono cut as clean if I'd used a Stanley blade. I missed a couple of absolute screamers before nailing a small eel, on a bluey section. There is so much more I have to learn about these fish and the finer details of rigs and bait presentation.
 
 
I have a real problem with the Albright Knot; I love the concept of the combi-rig, but have lost all faith in this particular knot. I've bench tested it, in my study, and had it break over 14 lbs - then used the same rig, same materials, and had the knot unravel once it had been in the water for a few minutes. It hasn't yet cost me a fish, but I can't risk that outcome now I am aware of this issue. I am going to experiment with a similar hook link tied using the four-turn water knot. I'll have a play around tomorrow with the hope of getting out again on New Year's Day. I have a number of ideas to try out as this project moves forward. January and February were always going to be the problem months; what I experienced this evening has really aided my thought processes as I look to the future.

4 comments:

  1. Dyl, Even though I tend to use a type of blood knot, I find a dab of good old 'super glue' insures against any problems.
    Happy new year as well, hope all is well with you and family.
    Best wishes, Ric.

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    1. Rich, now I've lost faith in this particular knot all the super glue in the world won't change my mind. My initial experiments with the four-turn water knot appear quite encouraging and there is no noticeable reduction in breaking strain of the two materials. I've got a rig soaking to see if the water acts as a lubricant and allows the braid to slip on the mono - which I suspect to be my issue with the Albright knot. Enjoy your New Year celebrations down under - all the best Dyl

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  2. Braid tied to mono, crikey! That's a challenge. I'd probably make loop in the mono and half blood the braid to it. I'd still go for the glue. Once that stuff gets involved, I find even sloppy loose knots become welded into an immovable mass.
    One of the mysteries of angling is how putting a bend into a rod; which technically speaking may only exert a pound or two of force at the end rig end, can still result in a breakage while using a stronger line. A 2lb test curve rod shouldn't be able to break 3lb test line.

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    1. Richie - you're obviously a long way off the pace. Kent is carp city central - the combi rig just another demonstration of angling advancement. Tying a braided hook-link to a mono line is purely to assist the anti-tangle properties of the presentation, a real problem that I've had to overcome in the past twelve months. The use of a four-turn water knot, as used on Wilstone in 1982, seems to deliver all the answers. Braid and mono - without slipping. Happy New Year - Dyl

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