The joy of ‘Tommy’ ruffe
Whether on bait or lures, ruffe are elusive fish to catch. Dom Garnett meets up with species expert Andy Wedgbury for a canal mini-session
YOU have to feel a bit sorry for the ruffe these days. With new rivals and dwindling numbers things are, well… rough! While old heads get nostalgic, many younger anglers have never even seen one.
“They’re quite poor at competing with other fish,” says Andy, as we make our way along the Birmingham and Worcester Canal. “Slower sessions and iffy conditions can be good, because when other species are less active they get more of a look-in.”
I have a soft spot for these forgotten fish. They may be small, but are such fascinating characters that Andy and I set up with the excitement others might have for carp or barbel.
We start right by the bank, and Andy’s local watercraft is invaluable. Indeed, while the far
bank looks tempting, the near side is surprisingly deep and undercut, thanks to a narrowing of the canal and the scouring effect of passing barges. Shunning bright light, ruffe thrive in shady spots, closer in than many anglers dare to fish.
While I try the pole, Andy’s approach is an eye-opening combination of a tiny ice fishing rod and a box of colourful little jig heads. Baiting these with pieces of worm, he will try for ruffe just inches out.
Plentiful bites provide delightful sport early on, with roach, perch, gudgeon and silver bream all eager to snaffle worms or pinkies. Like me, Andy is serious about pleasure fishing and size isn’t always king. Besides handling regional social media for the Angling Trust, he is producing a PhD study on the history and social importance of fishing at Worcester University.
Just as the bites slow, we finally get our reward. The little jig rod bucks and the spiky fish to emerge creates a real hubbub of excitement. Pepper-spotted and greenish-gold, these delightful creatures have comically large heads, with huge eyes that help them thrive in the murky waters of canals.
I’m just about to release it when Andy stops me. “Walk a few yards first!” he warns. Apparently, these fish release strong pheromones when in danger, that quickly spook shoal-mates.
In some American lakes, where the ruffe is an invasive menace, they actually use pheromones to keep them away from the spawning sites of native fish.
The next ruffe is mine, while Andy adds a rare canal bullhead to bring our species count to seven, and all on a hot, sultry day.
“And people think the canals are empty!” he chuckles.