social barbel fish in,10th dec.

Well done .Not bad for a first zed
I'm glad it was deadbait (thought it was caught on pellet )

Well done Steve, lovely fish.
With the amount of those critters coming out, i reckon we need to get a Zander social together.
james

ps. so the comp was a fix Ed

pukka night had laugh good to see everyone well done again steve what a fish mate:D

That waz a great night out, can we do it again,

Well in Steve, what a superb vampire, congratualtions mate!!!


Richard

Thanks all for the kind words. Some of you might associate with this...

After fishing the Thames these last few months, I've gone home many times utterly dejected. Every time the wife's said "All your mates seem to catch fish - you must be doing something wrong". Have tried so hard with choosing locations, sourcing top bait, varying presentation, not being lazy, trying many different swims.

Have fished according to the weather and river conditions. Have read forums and books avidly for edges and tips.

Quite often, I'd choose location and tactics and one of the lads alongside would catch....so maybe a decent fish wasn't a million miles away.

I've ignored my work mates who fish commercials and bag up most weeks and stayed with the Thames - for its wild fish and the mystery. Although tempted, Bury Hill wasn't an option for a zander, it would have to come from the Thames one day.

Maybe if we accept our punishment and the gruel, the blanks and the bad weather with good grace the Thames takes pity and throws you a morsel of encouragement. The river let me fluke that one a bit.

It's not a whopper and it won't win any beauty contest but it's my first zander. It's like when you lose your virginity, you're not bothered how big she is or what the bird looks like.

I'm now ready to accept the next 10 blanks the Thames dishes out

Great one, Steve - we'll have to call you "the Prisoner of Zander".

I'm sorry I didn't make it now - would only have been able to make it for a couple of hours on the bank anyway so I'd have missed the capture, but it would be nice to have some feeling, even in the most tiny way, of having had some involvement.

Steve Holmes wrote:

It's not a whopper and it won't win any beauty contest but it's my first zander.

I don't know - I wouldn't mind sloppy seconds!

It's amazing how much encouragement it can provide when one of your number catches - even if it's after you've left.

I'm now fired up to bunk off early this afternoon, even though I won't be after preds.

Well done again Steve, just read your words and totally agree, I lost my virginity with the lights out
Syndicates/commercials will almost guarantee you fish,
but none of them have the mystery of the Thames or the satisfaction that the fish you,ve just caught is wild and not called Bert, Fred, Doris or Harry Three Scales.
james

really gutted i wasnt on top form for this 1. got to saturday morning and still felt a bit ropey so decided not to risk it, wish i had.

nice 1 on that zander steve.

Steve Holmes wrote:

Thanks all for the kind words. Some of you might associate with this...

After fishing the Thames these last few months, I've gone home many times utterly dejected. Every time the wife's said "All your mates seem to catch fish - you must be doing something wrong". Have tried so hard with choosing locations, sourcing top bait, varying presentation, not being lazy, trying many different swims.

have met you a couple of times steve and that is a well deserved fish to a nice bloke.
would take a 10lb zander swimming free in the mighty thames over 50 bigger ones from bury hill.
if it was easy it wouldn't be the challenge that many of us secretly relish, the harder the battle the sweeter the victory.
doubt wether it was a fluke either, dont know who said it but true "the harder i try the luckier i get"
and iknow you've been trying hard of late.
nice one!

Colin Darlow wrote:

if it was easy it wouldn't be the challenge that many of us secretly relish

Very true mate. We're mad, we must be.

See you very soon hopefully Col.

Colin Darlow wrote:

Steve Holmes wrote:

Thanks all for the kind words. Some of you might associate with this...

After fishing the Thames these last few months, I've gone home many times utterly dejected. Every time the wife's said "All your mates seem to catch fish - you must be doing something wrong". Have tried so hard with choosing locations, sourcing top bait, varying presentation, not being lazy, trying many different swims.

have met you a couple of times steve and that is a well deserved fish to a nice bloke.
would take a 10lb zander swimming free in the mighty thames over 50 bigger ones from bury hill.
if it was easy it wouldn't be the challenge that many of us secretly relish, the harder the battle the sweeter the victory.
doubt wether it was a fluke either, dont know who said it but true "the harder i try the luckier i get"
and iknow you've been trying hard of late.
nice one!

Yep i concur top fish to a top bloke and if it`s to easy it aint worth havin or we would all be fishing overstocked comercials ,On the subject of Zander i am thinking of having a go at Grafham or Rutland next season when the boat fishing opens....jigging for them whilst on the drift ..big water...2 in a boat anyone else fancy a bash Steve.

Congrats on your zed Steve.The Thames has been quite a hard task master this season for sure,and the endless blanks are very depressing,I know.I wouldn't worry too much about Old Bury Hill.Think of the money you've saved.I've had 9 visits there this season,all for one miniscule zed,3 jacks and 3 bream.I got a predator season ticket as a birthday present,otherwise I'd have given up after the third visit.
Again,well done.
Regards
Pete.

Well done Steve, good angling.
Agree wholeheartedly with what you said Colin.

Steve Holmes wrote:

Colin Darlow wrote:

if it was easy it wouldn't be the challenge that many of us secretly relish

Very true mate. We're mad, we must be.

well done steve.. top rod that night what a fish.. not sure about the virginity thing...

well done steve. if your in a group its nice to see at least one good fish. me and a friend may venture down to the thames on sunday however the weather dont look too good