The Taunton to Bridgwater Canal is over 14 miles long, and I can fish any part of it that I like, as I hold tickets for both of the controlling clubs. The canal is very lightly fished indeed, with the exception of the stretch near the Boat & Anchor Inn, near Bridgwater, which sees a steady stream of anglers throughout the year. That being the case, information is very thin on the ground concerning the rest of it.
This morning I decided to give the stretch above Upper Maunsel Lock a try. I have often seen the odd tench swimming around here on clear summer days, so assumed there would likely be the chance of one or two. The great thing about trying a new bit of cut is that your expectations are not warped by past successes; the enjoyment comes from the unexpected and trying somewhere new. Therefore, I wasn't looking for a catch to topple that red-letter morning of last weekend, just any bonus fish that might come my way during a 3 hour jaunt at the crack of dawn.
With my thoughts occupied by tench at present, I took bait with only them in mind. This consisted today of a sack of worms, plus a little hemp and groundbait. On arrival, a cormorant was flying overhead - the first one I have seen on this canal or any of the surrounding fisheries. Nevertheless, there were what looked like roach and rudd topping everywhere. I had a plumb up and found the best depth less than halfway across the canal. In fact, beyond this, it got shallow very quickly. As it was early, and I wouldn't be fishing that long, I plumped for the track only and a positive approach. In went some choppy, a pinch of hemp and a fistful of groundbait at six metres.
There were indications right away, and I swung in a small silver bream first cast. The little digs on the float continued throughout without ever becoming an issue. I did manage two tench; one of around 2lb and one that looked about three and a half. I thought I'd hooked another on three more occasions, but the culprits were rudd of 14oz and 1lb 1oz, and a jack pike of perhaps 4lb, which did the usual pike trick of pretending to be ready for the net and then making for the reeds on the inside at a hundred miles an hour. So I only got the six fish in; a brace each of tench, rudd and silver bream, for a combined weight of 7lb 12oz. Good fishing, I'd say.
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This morning I decided to give the stretch above Upper Maunsel Lock a try. I have often seen the odd tench swimming around here on clear summer days, so assumed there would likely be the chance of one or two. The great thing about trying a new bit of cut is that your expectations are not warped by past successes; the enjoyment comes from the unexpected and trying somewhere new. Therefore, I wasn't looking for a catch to topple that red-letter morning of last weekend, just any bonus fish that might come my way during a 3 hour jaunt at the crack of dawn.
With my thoughts occupied by tench at present, I took bait with only them in mind. This consisted today of a sack of worms, plus a little hemp and groundbait. On arrival, a cormorant was flying overhead - the first one I have seen on this canal or any of the surrounding fisheries. Nevertheless, there were what looked like roach and rudd topping everywhere. I had a plumb up and found the best depth less than halfway across the canal. In fact, beyond this, it got shallow very quickly. As it was early, and I wouldn't be fishing that long, I plumped for the track only and a positive approach. In went some choppy, a pinch of hemp and a fistful of groundbait at six metres.
There were indications right away, and I swung in a small silver bream first cast. The little digs on the float continued throughout without ever becoming an issue. I did manage two tench; one of around 2lb and one that looked about three and a half. I thought I'd hooked another on three more occasions, but the culprits were rudd of 14oz and 1lb 1oz, and a jack pike of perhaps 4lb, which did the usual pike trick of pretending to be ready for the net and then making for the reeds on the inside at a hundred miles an hour. So I only got the six fish in; a brace each of tench, rudd and silver bream, for a combined weight of 7lb 12oz. Good fishing, I'd say.
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