The Danery - 7th March 2015

A good forecast was finally due on Saturday, and with time fast running out before the seasons end, I opted on the Danery, a venue I haven't fished since the summer months,  but I've had some decent sessions there in the past. I was joined on the bank by a couple of mates, who had their own hopes for a few back end barbel.

The only fish of a tough day

I've fished most of the pegs on this stretch, the top pegs are faster and shallow, and this is where the other lads headed, but I fished a few pegs into the second field, steadier water, between six and eight feet deep. The river was about 18 inches up, fining off following the previous week's heavy rain, with the colour beginning to drop out. It looked good though, although a water temperature of 6.4c was a little on the low side.

Two pellet setups started the session, maybe just a couple of rodlengths out, both with double elips.
Twenty minutes into the session, and a bite materialised, a bit unexpectedly if I'm honest, and a fish tore off into mid-river. It was soon under control though, and after maneuvering the fish through a snag, it was netted. Not massive, about 4lb, but very welcome indeed! I was concerned about the 'curse of the first cast fish' being a problem though, and the next few hours produced nothing. The weather brightened up too, and by 11am I was sat in glorious sunshine. The water temp was rising slowly, and by midday was 6.8c, and would in fact rise to 7.0c by the end of the session.

Just after midday I had another bite, and lifted into what felt a half decent fish, which annoying was lost a few seconds later. Closer examination revealed the hooklength had parted, presumably damaged by the snagging up of the first fish. It's something I should have spotted earlier, and it cost me.

That proved to be the only action of the day, although all three of us caught, only one fish each, but at least none of us blanked.

See the video to this session here:-