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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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Friday 28 December 2018

Pieces of a puzzle

The perch search continues and I have to admit that I'm really enjoying this voyage of discovery that is unfolding as my quest evolves. Time wasted at Black Dyke is but a memory, a glitch, in a very steep learning curve. I will be the first one to hold my hands up, I know very little about the finer aspects of catching "big" perch and, therefore, am having to adapt my tactics as I go. Today was a prime example of what I mean. Time off for good behaviour, plus Bev had to visit her parents, so I managed another session at the club fishery over at Marshside.
With nine two's already landed, I felt sure that my tactics were pretty much as good as I could manage. The first two bites resulted in lost fish, one a good lump, and meant it was time to have a rethink. My bait choice isn't up for discussion, but my hook pattern certainly is. I also had a tinker with my hook link, reducing it from 20 to about 8 inches and what would you know. All the subsequent bites were converted into fish in the net. I even netted my tenth two, of the campaign, and feel sure that things are moving in the right direction.


I had a conversation with another club member, who told me that his best perch from the venue weighed 3 lbs 10 oz. Bloody great news, then he spoiled it by telling me that he'd taken it on sweetcorn whilst reeling in, the fish, therefore, a freak capture and nothing to shout about, in my opinion. The only positive from the exchange being that I'm at a venue which contains perch of a size that I seek. I have ten more weeks in which to complete this challenge before I set my stall out for a new project. It won't matter if I fail to catch a three, as there's always next year? What's most important is the fact that I continue to learn as a result of my experiences on the bank and continually tweak my tactics to adapt to the conundrum posed by these wonderful fish.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Dyl

    Great to see you're "on the meat" – RESULT!

    Re. hooks: Have a look at the Kamasan B983 – that's where I finally ended-up after experimenting with several patterns in search for the ideal "Perch hook" (in sizes 8/6/4). Super sharp, wide gape and very strong, without being a heavy gauge "meat hook".. perfect for presenting king prawn and lobs (and small lively’s). Having a slightly out-turned eye, I prefer to snell this hook pattern (using the "easy snell knot") to my chosen hook-length material (usually 4.5lb fluorocarbon). Also, the out-turned eye has the advantage of presenting a hair-rigged bait should I wish, without reducing the gape associated with straight-eyed hooks.

    Hope you and yours had a great Xmas; Best wished for the New Year!

    Andy

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