Predator updates and bankside tales

No, not another episode of Game of Thrones, but yes, indeed, the weather has taken a very autumnal turn, and the storms are taking their toll already. With crazy changes in air pressure and strong winds, it has hardly been the right time for perch fishing. Nevertheless, we tried. With a couple of quick trips to Melksham and the Devizes/Pewsey stretches of the Kennet and Avon Canal. A planned trip to Kellaways for both of us ended with just me making the trip. 

It's been a while since Gav, and I tried a new spot. This one was definitely Gavin Lofty Hughes idea. We had visited Melksham earlier in the year with minimal success. Gav was interested in trying a new section from the weir down past the Sainsbury's. The stretch looked at first glance to be reed-choked and very shallow. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It's been a couple of weeks since Gav and I hit the banks together. What with the Big Fish n Show and real life getting in the way recently. I personally have had a few decent trips, and I was keen to share some of that success with Gav. We had planned another trip to Avoncliff, and I picked Gav up at 5:40am; it was pitch black and felt rather cold. Gav was waiting, and soon we were loaded up and on the road.

Another weekend that went off script, with family visiting and The Big Fish n Show last week, it seems to be the time of year for some solo sessions. Gav was hoping to make the most of the chance at a rare chill-out, so I decided another river session was on the cards. The initial plan was to head down to the River Frome at Rode and have a go for the chub and perch, but a quick change of heart on the journey there saw me diverting to Avoncliff in the car at 5:30.

With The Big Fish n Show done and dusted and the journey home complete, I thought I might round up what I thought about it all. I have never been to the Baden Hall complex, so I had no idea what to expect. Fortunately for me, my mum lives literally 20 minutes away. So it was a no-brainer to go visit her and see the show.

Over the last month or two, Gav and I have travelled around North Wiltshire in search of predators. It seems like such a long time since we actually spent any time on the water on our doorsteps. In addition to that fact,  we seem to have had more than our fair share of early starts, so we decided to stay more local and go for an afternoon session this weekend. With that decided, I met Gav up at The Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes. At 3 pm, I pulled into the parking space, and the first thing I noticed after emptying the car was the level of the water. I have seen the levels low, but the Catholic pound was a couple of feet down from where it should be. Thankfully, this seemed to be an issue affecting that pound alone. 

The Big Fish N Show 2026 will be happening 12th and 13th of September at Baden Hall Fishery in Staffordshire. There is a glut of big names and all those familiar companies on the exhibitors list. There will be stands covering all disciplines from coarse, carp and predator fishing. Of course the draw for myself is most definitely going to be the Predator Tackle stand. Having visited them at the Big One Show back in 2025, i just know they will be pulling out all the stops to bring as many big names along to demonstrate and educate the myriad of options for todays predator angler. As luck would have it this year the show is literally a 15 minute drive from my Mothers home. I get to visit them in the lovely village of Gnosall, fish the Shropshire Union Canal and visit the show. With my hard earned (and saved) cash burning a hole in my pocket i will be looking for those bargains. 

For the first time, I decided to throw my hat into the ring and see how I stacked up against a lot of other anglers. Pro Fishing UK, besides being an online store, also runs a variety of lure fishing competitions. After some demand, the Summer Perch League was announced. 

Halcyon days always seem so warm and comfortable. I remember going fishing with my brother Steven and our mate Michael. We did not have a clue but Michael had all the gear, even back then. Half a pint of maggots between the three of us and 3 perch floats with a pot of shot again shared out. On the bus up to Catchgate mucking about all the way. We probably had no idea what was in there and to be honest I still don't. It seems such a lifetime away, three young lads off over the fields like characters in a comic with their fishing rods over their shoulders and a head full of hope.The pond was small and we never paid a penny to fish it (don't even know if we were supposed to). we caught a perch a chuck on those setups. It didn't matter that my brother and I had a couple of woolies specials and Michael was fishing with Normark and Abu. We probably outdid him in all honesty. The sun was shining and of course not a screen in sight to spoil the memory. Thinking back at how innocent it all was and the lack of the bivvy brigade and unhooking mat police, it is surreal. A couple of hours and half a pint of maggots spent, arguing over who got to chuck in the last one. Michael always won because his dad would buy them lol.I would love to be able to go back and look at the three of us, mates mucking about together. not a care in the world the only thing binding us to anything was the last bus home. Although none of us had a watch, so that was on a wing and a prayer at the best of times. Simple days and simple times. We never knew how good we had it.