The Malteser Method Proves a Winner

Wayne McKenna who designed the Rigmaster tool and myself have just had a tough few days on a low gin clear River Kennet which was full of leaves and decaying weed, its been many years since I have seen the river looking so out of condition. Rain is badly needed on the Southern and Midland rivers, not just a day of rain but two weeks or more. We certainly need some bank high rivers to get rid of the decaying weed, leaves and all the rubbish thrown away by summer time walkers’ boaters etc.

On the first day Sunday, I blanked, Wayne had a chub about 2lbs and missed a couple of good bites. For me it wasn’t just a blank session also a bite less one. We fished from Sunday afternoon to just after midnight. Monday fishing another beat it was the same result for me, even Wayne didn’t catch, and in fact we never had a bite. I reckon I had to clear rubbish from my line, floating leaves and decaying weed about every ten minutes. After about three hours we packed in for the day.

Visit to Anglers Mail

Tuesday was my 72nd birthday, but before going fishing, I started the day with a visit to Anglers Mail headquarters in the IPC offices in Blue Fin building on the banks of the River Thames. To record some interviews for my programme At the Waters Edge on BBC Radio Lancashire every Thursday evening at 19-05 hrs which can be heard for 7 days on the internet www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire click on listen again then At the Waters Edge. My mate Will Carter who really knows the area, kindly offered to do the driving. Getting us there on time.

We were warmly welcomed by editor Tim Knight, after some breakfast I was ready to interview Anglers Mail editor who has been with the magazine for 18 years. Other members of the magazine who bring us our weekly angling news features and campaigns are Art Editor Keith Chambers, Ben Weir and Gary Newman on the news desk. Tackle reviews are very popular in this biggest selling weekly fishing magazine are done by Richard Howard, who also catches some stunning fish including a new Sussex Ouse barbel record.

Paul Dennis assistant editor is also editor of Matchmail sponsored by Garbolino who told me about the match fishing scene including the Kamasan championships. My last guest on my programme was Trevor Cooper who puts together the ever popular where to fish section. It was a delightful visit, and nice to meet all the people who work to make sure we get the best news in our favourite weekly angling magazine Remember the Anglers Mail is on sale every Tuesday.

Another 6lb Chub

Back in Berkshire we stopped for lunch where Wayne and I enjoyed a home made Cottage pie. After a mug of tea we loaded our gear in the car for a trip to the Wasing estate Woolhampton beat on the River Kennet, choosing this beat thinking we wouldn’t have some many leaves and decaying weed. It was a good choice we didn’t have a problem. I made up two Avon action rod, 6lb line 3LG shot and a size 8 Pallatrax hook, choosing to fish the Malteser method with sausage meat, on a short hair so the bait is tight to the shank of the hook.

As I was talking to Will Carter the rod tip pulled round slightly, not sure if it was weed leaves or a fish, I gently lifted the rod moving the weight a couple of inches. A minute later the rod tip again slightly pulled round, I said to Will “That’s a fish” the strike connected with a good fish.

A chub was soon netted; lifting the net I thought this is a good five. Parting the mesh I could see it was even bigger, it might just go six. Out with the scales and weigh bag, I got a reading of 6-7-0, weighing the fish on my other scales I got a reading of just over 6-7-0. I settled on that weight. This was my 6th chub over 6lbs since September. Four from the River Ribble and two from the River Kennet. After Wayne shot some pictures I moved downstream twenty yards before releasing the fish. (See picture)

On our lat day of the trip we planned to fish the Hampshire Avon on the London Anglers Association water at Britford for the roach and perch. After breakfast, having loaded all the gear into the van we were ready to drive down to Salisbury. Stopping at Aldermaston village store I purchased some bread, magazines and newspapers, as we went to drive off the car park, the van shuddered to a halt. The clutch had gone. An hour later the AA turned up and soon we were on the first leg of our trip back to Lancashire. I was certainly very impressed with the service and good manners from the AA drivers. By six o’clock I was back home.