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Hi Joe, thanks for watching. I fished very simply, 10lb line tied to a size 8 hook and a bit of spam on the hook, I added shit if need to get to the bottom, just cast around and feel for bites! It's so simple and fun. Tight lines.

@@PaulVicaryfishing cheers

@@PaulVicaryfishing any technique or tactic to hooking the spam?

The high pressure and drop in water temperature (5.3c here) means fish such as Chub and Roach are tightly shoaled, but once located you could bag up. Thankfully this style of fishing isn't fashionable so we often get small rivers to ourselves. With regard to shotting, it is down to personal preference and of course depth of the water. I usually bulk shot 12" from the hook with a swivel below to a lighter hook length fished around two or three inches over depth. When holding back the float, the bait will rise anyway. PV likes to feed a lot of maggots whilst I prefer pinkies and some small balls of ground bait. Both of us have favourable results at times.

@@THEINSANESOCIETY Thank you, I really appreciate the reply. My canal and local lakes have been frozen over recently so its safe to say it's been pretty cold here too. I've been out a few times so far and have only had one swim along miles of river produce so much as a small roach but of course when I found this swim of course it produced several fish. I'm wary of over pressuring the spot and causing the fish to shy away. Is it something I'd need to worry about? I usually shot close to the hook to keep the bait at the bottom but I'm sure you can imagine the issues I've run into doing this. With hindsight it's probably not a very natural presentation either. I should probably get into the practise of tying a lighter hook length to a swivel too. I've seen it recommended generally for trotting so many times now. Out of curiosity what size swivels do you generally like to use? I also had no idea about holding back the float but thank you for telling me about that because I'm sure it'll help with a few issues I've been running into. Also I know everyone says to cut back on feed generally during winter but it seems like he throws in quite a lot. It's possible I've been too stingy with the feeding but a lot of my river seems pretty dead so I'm wary of wasting bait. I also reckon after seeing this I might need a shorter rod so I'm not snagging trees all the time walking around lol.

@@ElfinNutria The amount of feed you pile in is a delicate art in itself. It's so easy to get it wrong one way or another. Personally, I don't put any shot on the hook length as I believe that might hamper the natural presentation. Others may beg to differ? I would not worry about putting pressure on a swim. On the 24th January, you'll see PV bagging on a tiny swim on our local river, and chances are no one has fished the same swim since.

@ Thank you and thanks to PV for sharing your knowledge. I have one last question, back in early autumn/late summer I was regularly catching 20+ fish a session pretty easily. Is the fact I've blanked twice this year fishing the same areas something you'd expect this time of year? I'm not sure if it's down to technique or if it's genuinely just tough fishing this time of year as I am new to it. Thank you again

@ I don't think you are doing anything wrong, it's simply location. In the video, PV mentions staying mobile. If you don't catch many (or any) in the first 10 minutes or so, move on. Cover more area, you know the fish must be somewhere!

Ha ha ha, I do own a pin but dont use very often, probably at its best on small streams, rather than larger rivers.

@@PaulVicaryfishing Which is what, you do a lot of. I've 5 or 6 (Grice & Young, Speedia and Leeds reels) A lovely way of Fishing.

Hi james. Lots of it! Loads of bream in there need to make sure there some left for when the Carp turn up. Dean on the Ebas FB group has had the best success @hever PM him he's a much better carp angler than me.

@ thanks 🙏 👍🏻

As they said in the life of Brian "you lucky bastard" I heard there are a few Barbel, never caught one but had lots of Ide, I presume the Barbel came from the same source as the Ide? May see you down there at some point.

Thanks for watching Mrwakey. What little river streams have you got near you?

@PaulVicaryfishing I live in Nottinghamshire so have plenty of Trent tributaries and surrounding streams 👍 I've found a few that hold trout so that's great fun in season 😊

@@mrwakey lucky man to live so close to the Trent. tight lines.

Your a lucky man Karl. Got a 8ft quiver but don't like to use for trotting. Tight lines.

@ the DV rod works really well for small stream trotting with the Stubba’s plus I’ve used it for LRF, light lure, dropshotting, ledger and stillwater float fishing. Amazing rod at under £55. Handles 1oz roach to 8lb carp without ever feeling like it will let you down but if it went bang they have a lifetime warranty.

Thanks for watching and sharing a great tip.

That is a brilliant tip about rod carrying! Never thought of it in 40+ years of fishing?! Nice one

@@themagicoffishingI learnt that the hard way . I only damaged the one rod ! Never again!

Thanks for watching Lewis. I know exactly what you mean about 1 rod but you get so few bites you become desperate to increase your odds. It's definitely less hassle with one rod and more pleasurable. Where's your local river for Barbel?

@ i fish the river severn bewdley but I mainly fish the river stour its only a small river

@lewispoulton9033 never fished the Severn, maybe next year. I've heard there some good Roach in the Stour.

Hi Dec, thanks for watching, now that is a good question, you can definitely sneak up on fish going upstream but it's harder to fish a float upstream. I've definitely pushed fish in open water away when wading downstream, but if there's cover they just tuck in. I generally don't overthink it to much and just fish it however the land lays. Ive seen fish move upstream out of a swim and downstream if you see them go I'll follow if possible. Tight lines.

I prefer walking as far as I plan to go and make my way back, that way I can see any changes to the river and never have a long, tiring walk back to my car.

@THEINSANESOCIETY I couldn't walk past without a fish! Plus walking away and fishing give you the chance at a swim on the way back.

Hiya Paul, thank you for your speedy reply. Sorry for my late response, but I went fishing this morning, just after watching your vid & I’m only just back. Picked up some nice Perch & Chub floating a worm, so happy times. Thank you for your thoughts on my question. Over the years I’ve asked many river anglers this question & obviously had mixed replies. I do both, move swims going upstream & another day make my way downstream. I’ve been fishing since 1968 & I reckon it really doesn’t matter which way you go, there can be benefits in both, as you pointed out Paul. Just get out there and enjoy. Keep up your quality work Paul, your videos are much appreciated.

@Deco61 glad your getting out and catching in this cold weather, I've grabbed a couple of hours on the Pike but nothing yet.

Thanks for watching. I do own a Darent valley 8ft quiver tip and they are great rods. I was very chuffed when I broke the tip and asked the tackle box for a replacement and they sent one out for free! Tight lines.

Thanks for watching Tony. What stream was that in Surry Tony?

​@PaulVicaryfishing Don't know it's name but it was near Chiddingfold. It flowed under the A283 at Northbridge. It was a lovely little stream back then with plenty of water in it. Even as a 10 year old in 1952 I managed to catch trout from it and took them home for tea, there were also plenty of roach and godgeon there. Was common practice back then to eat what you caught! Suspect that due to abstraction it's just a trickle now. Don't forget I'm talking about over 70 years ago!! Thanks for your interest.

@tonycamplin8607 I've found it and put it in my want to fish folder. I love chasing a lead to a bit of fishing, I have around 40 such spots in my Google maps folder and it's surprising how often I have to visit a area and I manage to fit a quick fish in.

​@PaulVicaryfishing Don't forget that it was in 1950-52 that I was last there. It may have virtually dried up by now like no end of other streams have. Good luck.

Really liked your interaction with Tony mate, little things like that can make the viewers day. Good content, top man.

I need to check that out. Thanks for watching.

I think I'd be interested in one as well?

Thanks for watching. Yes they are great waters and give a real sense intimacy and connection to the water, especially when wading. Tight lines.

What a great idea, I've been using the korum stubba floats alot they tackle a lot less. Not sure why a mainstream tackle company hasn't launched a brand of loaded stick floats.

@@PaulVicaryfishing I sometimes "Crimp"/Squeeze one round the very bottom with a bit of Epoxy. The float rubber holds very nice round the "Waist". Drilling to adjust the weight - or Not !

Thanks for watching. I will have to check them out. The ready to go approach definitely suits my lifestyle. Tight lines.

Seems that there're the perfect solution.

@@tonycamplin8607 I have 2, other 8 Foot Tele's - "Shakespeare Firebird" for £15 apiece, and are also very decent ! If you can't get the "LEEDA" one.

are we playing 'Blankety Blank' ?

Thanks for watching Alan. Good spots never die. I would glady still walk down the lane for great fishing like this Tight lines

@ some good pike there too !!

​@alangreenwood9638 it's funny you mentioned the Pike, I had a rather large one try to grab a big Chub at one point and my friend caught a 16lber that day on meat. Definitely has a lot of Pike potential.

Hi Ray, thanks for watching. I think if memory serves me correctly it was 10mm cubed spam. Tight lines.

Thanks for watching Andy. I was advised it was free fishing, I stand to be corrected. Tight lines.

@@PaulVicaryfishing comptonshawford-pc.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/fishing/

Thanks for watching Tony and happy new year to you. Quite fancy a Rudd campaign on the Fenland rivers. I'm also quite surprised about the numbers of Trout found in a free but if river. Tight lines

Thanks Brian, they can be tricky and I shall rest them routinely going forward. Lucky man to live on such a nice bit of the river. I would love to track down the big Roach, numerous anglers have spoke about them.

@PaulVicaryfishing I would try the Test oround Romsey. £25 for a day ticket maggots allowed. November to Feb. I would fish bread flake, punch and corn. My best 2lb 14oz. Nice video my friend but a little more planning. Tight Lines

@brianreed1451 thanks for the tip off, I have been looking at the Test around Romsey, somewhere behind a school I heard. To many places not enough time.

Yes, I can't give any street names as I was guided by a friend who knows the area. Thanks for watching and tight lines.

@@PaulVicaryfishing yes please, haven’t been down the itchen for a while. Last time I went down to twyford

Thanks for watching Matt. It's the plus, the ultra just wasn't man enough to deal with any bigger fish like Chub or any degree of Flow. Have landed Barbel to 8lb on it. Tights lines.

Thanks for watching. Yes, there are loads of good spots to explore, keen to spend more time down there . Tight lines.

What alovely bit of river, looking forward to getting back down there again.

I'm afraid I don't have it any more. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching. I don't know it that well but I'm sure there's a few in there.

Happy Christmas Tony

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy Christmas.

Have a great Christmas @victor1

Merry Christmas to you too.

Thanks for all your support during the year. Have a great Xmas

Winfield, Woolworth's own brand made and sold good tackle back in the 1970s.

@@tonycamplin8607 I collect Winfield rod n reels. I have about 26 reels, just about everything except the Nautilus deep sea boat reels.

Love it

Thanks Maxinesmyth3183. It was great fun to make that video. Thanks for watching all year.

It may be hard to believe, but I only came up with the idea driving out to PV's house the day before we filmed it on 22nd Dec. I wrote a brief script to which we ad-libd and then put it altogether in the same day.

There ain't no Sanity Clause

Hope you have a great festive period. Thanks for your support during the year.

And a merry Christmas to you.

Thanks for watching Karl. Have a great festive period.

g.co/kgs/9yYvkQJ This is the link to the fishery. It's available on a day ticket in advance. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching, it's a very picturesque bit of river, I did actually catch lots more Grayling than Trout but it didn't show on the video. Tight lines and happy Christmas.

Thanks for all your support during the year, wishing you a very merry Christmas.

@michaelkemp8895 Happy Christmas to you. no worries about the Culm video it was a pleasure to be taken out for a day by someone so knowledgeable. Tight lines.

Hi Tony, I can assure you I do not receive a single penny from Drennan, i just really like their stuff. Have a great Christmas

​@@PaulVicaryfishingSorry, I assumed that they sponsored you, thanks for correcting me.

If Drennan did G-Strings, would you wear one?

Thanks watching, i have tried the float fish line but just didn't get on with it, i found it crinkled far to easily. Iv used Maxima for over 25 years now and as mainline i wouldn't use anything else, hook lengths are a whole other subject. Have a great Christmas. PS A bit different video out Christmas day where im back on the Roach.

@THEINSANESOCIETY I find they are uncomfortable when playing a big fish (squeaky bum time )😂😂

@PaulVicaryfishing if they caught me a dozen more grayling per session then yes 😂 but all they will probably do is get wedged in my arse and do the opposite 👍 tight lines lady's n don't get your knickers ina.. I mean line ina twist.

Those Maple leaves are deadly!

Thanks for watching, its Free fishing.

@PaulVicaryfishing ah that's amazing.. can you share location?

@snappyfish Winchester, loads of free bits all around the city.