Discover how a tiny rig change led to a huge chub for one clever reader
“HIGH temperatures and heavy angling pressure are a recipe for tricky fishing, but by targeting a secluded and shady spot on a recent trip to the Dorset Stour, I landed my PB chub.
“My girlfriend and I had booked the week off work and organised a road trip where we’d include plenty of fishing. The first two days were spent stalking fish on the Stour, where I’ve had good results with chub and barbel in the past.
“The fishing was tough, with high temperatures as well as lots of anglers on the bank – a common occurrence at lots of rivers now. The first day was fruitless, with the fish elusive. For most of the second day the story was the same, but as evening came I moved downstream to a spot that I had a good feeling about.
“Here, the river runs deep under overhanging trees on the far bank, providing great cover for the fish. The swim was also 50 yards below where I’d been the day before, and I hoped any fish in the area would’ve got a taste for my chosen feed of krill groundbait and hemp.
“Knowing that the chub and barbel were likely to be tucked right under the cover, I lengthened my hooklink to around 3ft 6ins. This allowed me to cast a few inches upstream of the trees, so that my chopped-down boilie hookbait would drift right under them.
“On my second cast I had a tentative indication on the tip, with it bending round ever so slightly. As I hadn’t had any bites so far, I had a feeling the fish were a little cagey and I hit into what was clearly something decent that had me backwinding moments later!
“After steering it away from the far bank and easing it towards the net I realised that I was into a quality chub with incredibly deep flanks. I was so scared it would ping off, but fortunately it ended up safely in the waiting net. On the scales, it was a new PB of 6lb 10oz and a huge-framed fish that’ll no doubt weigh a lot more come the end of the season.
“It was a great start to our trip, and we spent the rest of the week travelling around the country, visiting the Bristol Avon, the Wye and even the Lake District, where I caught some perch on the fly.
“If you’re on a busy river and struggling in the usual spots, I’d urge you to find somewhere shady and out the way. By doing that and making a few tweaks to your rig, your session could be transformed.”
“I knew that the chub and barbel were likely to be tucked right under the cover”