2016 Review
Updated: Sep 8
The first session this month was on 2 December at Findern. Temperatures were around 6 degrees after a few frosty nights. I caught a few Perch during a short session on worms.
I blanked on the River Derwent at Darley Abbey on 8 December using cheese paste for Chub and worms. Cheese isn't a method I've used before, and although the weather was really mild, I didn't see any signs of fish. It was a really nice, peaceful afternoon.
On 18 December I was at Stenson Bubble on a very dark, dank day and only managed a few Bream and Perch during a short session.
Looking back at my fishing 'To Do' list for 2016, I haven't done all the things I'd planned, which included more Carp fishing. I only went once and blanked. Pike fishing was on my list, but I haven't done it yet. However, I have fished Allestree Lake a few times this year, and I've started fishing the River Derwent again - which I haven't done since I was a teenager - and had several river sessions with some success, which I'm sure will improve with practice. Also, I've bought a centre-pin reel, as planned and used it with positive results.
I've not fished day ticket fisheries as much this year. I've concentrated on fishing the season-ticket venues of the Earl and on the cut, with a few more sessions on the canal this year than with the Earl. This was due to the work done near Mill Dam, a venue I really enjoy fishing and usually fish a lot throughout the year, and also because I haven't fished Woodrows as much as I'd planned. 2016 did include some other firsts. I fished a few charity matches with the Earl, including one fancy dress match where I went as Mr Crabtree. I've really enjoyed fishing the Derwent again for the first time in about 30 years. As a teenager, I fished the Derwent further upstream at Belper. The river has made me think more about where the fish are and methods and baits.
Plans for 2017 include more Carp fishing and fishing for Pike, fishing the River Derwent more and honing my watercraft. I'll mostly fish Earl Waters and the Trent & Mersey again, with some visits to my favourite day-ticket venues. Also in 2017, I want to film sessions and create videos, but for now here's a video I've created to review 2016.
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