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Shaun Harrison Another 'Catch Up' Blog.

Well, after a winter on a rather busy water, where I was reluctant to admit to catching much, I must say it is nice to be back on my other waters, where morals are higher and there is less problem with actually admitting to catching the odd one.

Fortunately, most of the winter fish were feeding in the dark, at quite unsocial times, so it was easier to keep quiet about the few captures I had. I showed a mid-30 common as I had been seen playing that one at first light and indeed, it’s difficult to convince people you are never catching anything. Don’t get me wrong, I did struggle a little more than previous winters and felt I was rather unfortunate with the average size of the fish I was catching, but even those, I felt best to simply not mention. This particular venue had backed up my theories I have had for many years. The more bait going in, the worse most lakes fish during the winter. When I practically had it to myself in the colder months, it was much easier to keep them feeding with just a trickle of bait. But, one person feeding the wrong type of winter food and it makes it difficult for all. Unfortunately, carp will eat most things, but with most anglers presuming their bait will be easily digested in cold water, rather than actually knowing. This can lead to long periods with the carp not needing to feed, as their intestine which is much longer than them (they don’t have a stomach), becomes clogged. I make no apologies for writing similar every single year. If just a few more took note, the fishing would be better for all, simply because the carp would be needing to feed more.

Lyme's Disease - An Up-date - PLEASE READ

All anglers and outdoor folk – PLEASE BE AWARE!

At some time, toward the end of July, I was bit by a tick. I’m not sure where it happened as I am out and about every day as I walk in the wild fields and woods on my none angling days, so it may have been during a walk, or it may have been whilst angling.

November 2022 Diary Catch Up

October 2022 moved into November and my first weekend of the month I only had the one night to fish as work party duties were calling. I attend a lot of work parties because I’m a member of quite a few waters, some of which it is compulsory to do them, others it is voluntary, but I try and do them whenever possible. Sadly, as always though, it is usually the same old faces and rarely those who do the most moaning about what should or should not be done ever turn up to do their bit.

Anyway, that single night was kind to me with a couple of carp slipping up to my methods which I start tweaking a little more as the water cools and the visibility becomes clearer, but more of which later.

Autumn Baiting

I have said so often before how much I absolutely love this time of the year, my favourite season by a country mile. The cooling weather for me makes me feel much more comfortable. It suits my grabbed moments of outdoor life between my mostly indoor working life. The fresh feel and smell of the often-damp early morning air, the biting insects are almost none-existent, and my pre-work walks more comfortable with an extra layer on that can be removed if required. As for the fishing, well, so long as I can get on them, I know I can really catch them.  

Shaun Harrison's July 2022 Diary Blog

What a month that one was, here in the U.K. Temperatures hit record levels and our ladies football team did so incredibly well in the football. I am sure the whole nation must be so proud of our amazing Lioness’s. I even packed up fishing early to be able to get home to watch them win the final on a proper screen, rather than the telephone screen on the bank. Oh yes, I also caught a load of carp!

Shaun Harrison's October 2021 Diary

Storm Barra is kicking off as I sit in my oak clad retreat, tapping these words out whilst reflecting upon my angling leading into this winter. The wind is roaring through the weeping willow that surrounds my hideaway, it is now mostly stripped of leaves, a few succulent ones still hold in there, but the wind is now able to funnel through so much easier than a few weeks back. Storm Arwen removed most of them and what a storm that was. I was out in it under my umbrella for the two days it battered the U.K. I enjoy the forces of nature, it helps to point home just how ferocious mother nature can be and the respect we need to give it. I chose my pitch carefully for Storm Arwen; knowing it was coming I made sure I was out of reach of any potential widow makers. For those of you not familiar with that phrase, it is a name given to trees that are likely to blow down – thus making another widow if some poor soul is unfortunate enough to have a large tree come down on them. Trees are a tad heavy!

I had a close call in the early to mid-80’s when one came down at the side of me one winter night. Since then, I have tried to be extra careful. As it happens, I had a large branch crash down just behind me during Storm Arwen. Had I set up taking advantage of the extra shelter from the mini copse, then it would have hit me. Instead, I had weighed the situation up and set up in the open but as close to the copse of trees for a little protection from the gusts as I dared. It turned out to be one of my better decisions.

As always, I have started off rambling on about things other than I had meant to start off with. Last month’s blog was a catch up of a few months where I had been very much out of action health wise. I ended it at the beginning of October, so that is where this one is going to continue from.

Diary Catch Up Time

Although I have written blogs and done some magazine work these past few months, I was reminded that I hadn’t looked back through my diary since May. So, I guess time for a catch up and the reason why I have let it slip.

My Post Spawning Method's

Back in the 90's I found a way of catching some difficult carp which were pre-occupied on fish spawn. To this day I have continued to turn back to it at this time of the year simply because it still works and works well.

Shaun Harrison's April 2021 Diary

With more waters becoming available after being trapped in lockdown I found myself chomping at the bit to make the most of the seemingly new found freedom.
Here is how I got on through April.

What is Rock Pool Rahja