Upper Welland @ Stamford.England LOL
Sept 14, 2010 20:04:21 GMT -1
Post by izzetafox on Sept 14, 2010 20:04:21 GMT -1
Over 40 years ago I used to cycle from Oakham across the the River Welland as it was the only river within reach. In the 'olden' days of my youth it was a great ( by my standards) fishery. Quality roach, perch and eels in summer and great stalking for chub with bread and worms in Winter. Oh and best fun of all minnows on a size 6 , lip hooked and float fished for dozens of pike in the 1-2lbs region.
Well the weather forecast said a chance of rain early turning to sun later. Great I thought!!
Looking at Google launch spots are few and far between, so I headed for Stamford town centre.
Stamford is a lovely old stone town, all from the Cotswolds. It has 14 churches and was one of the coaching towns on the Great North Road. It is worth a walk around.
I digress, my parking place was just south of the river and a short walk into the meadow.
The river was coloured but looking good.
The stretch is about 2.5 miles with a sluice at the top and bottom. Launch spot is about equidistance between the two so I planned upstream to explore and downstream to fish a bit. All I had was spinning rod and a few lures.
Upstream I had my first problem...Launching, The banks are quite high and the margins were about 3ft deep.
After about 1/2 mile drag I find a spot at last.
And so the exploration began. The Welland here is very overgrown, the depth was varying between 3ft and 6". The shallow bits had loads of streamer weed so combined with the stiff downstream wind it was hard work, but rewarding.
The shallows played havoc with the FF I don't think it is fair to expect them to work in 12" of weedy water .
There were a few swims which although small did drop to 7-8 ft and will be worth revisiting with a float or feeder.
Before long I came to the sluice which is used to back up water for an extraction plant. I got out to see what launching would be like above the sluice....no joy for about 1/2 mile at the A1 bridge. The bank was just too overgrown.
I did not fancy having the local Fire Brigade laughing at me as I struggled.
They were busy sorting out a hay fire started by local dickheads!!!
So back downstream it was...although this looks nice it was only 12" deep....
Back through the town...it does look nice from the river.
When you get below the town bridge the river deepens and widens. This is all down to the fact it used to be a trade route for barges in and out of the town. Only problem was that the weed almost choked it despite it being a constant 7-8ft....Bloody annoying, I was dying to get fishing.
Just out of town it cleared a bit, weed only covering the left hand bank all clogged with duck weed. But looked like pulling a lure along the edge may pay dividends.
Well I started with the poppers to hopefully find a late Summer pike in the mood for chasing....NOTHING...then the jointed plugs bright and shiney....NOTHING....even tried a long time favourite bar spinner Ondex 5, that always scores.....NOTHING. I was getting concerned.
So I scaled doen and used a small Reflex spinner...bang first cast this baby...small but welcome...
I just drifted gently downstream and before long I had this small perch. He really wanted it all three hooks inside the mouth...DOH this was a new spinner and I had not debarbed it..forceps job!!!
As I reached the bottome sluice I look upriver and saw the weatherman had done well again....the milky sunshine of the morning had changed to black clouds and the rain was heading my way...But its 2:30 it is supposed to be getting nicer. Doh!!! Why do we believe them. Oh well if you kayak you get wet...so what!!
Then just before the end of the stretch this minnow...oh no it really is a pike... came in.
Just a couple of pics as I paddle back to my launch point.
Well only three fish, but really it was more about sussing the river out. It is definitely worth another visit.
Upstream I think could reveal a few chub and roach, downstream like wise and I would like to try for bigger pike with a dead bait or two. Although there is a nice flow and a waggler and maggot/caster might be interesting.
I enjoyed the trip, only about 4.5 miles but I love paddling the upper reaches of rivers, just a bit more interesting.
Terry
Well the weather forecast said a chance of rain early turning to sun later. Great I thought!!
Looking at Google launch spots are few and far between, so I headed for Stamford town centre.
Stamford is a lovely old stone town, all from the Cotswolds. It has 14 churches and was one of the coaching towns on the Great North Road. It is worth a walk around.
I digress, my parking place was just south of the river and a short walk into the meadow.
The river was coloured but looking good.
The stretch is about 2.5 miles with a sluice at the top and bottom. Launch spot is about equidistance between the two so I planned upstream to explore and downstream to fish a bit. All I had was spinning rod and a few lures.
Upstream I had my first problem...Launching, The banks are quite high and the margins were about 3ft deep.
After about 1/2 mile drag I find a spot at last.
And so the exploration began. The Welland here is very overgrown, the depth was varying between 3ft and 6". The shallow bits had loads of streamer weed so combined with the stiff downstream wind it was hard work, but rewarding.
The shallows played havoc with the FF I don't think it is fair to expect them to work in 12" of weedy water .
There were a few swims which although small did drop to 7-8 ft and will be worth revisiting with a float or feeder.
Before long I came to the sluice which is used to back up water for an extraction plant. I got out to see what launching would be like above the sluice....no joy for about 1/2 mile at the A1 bridge. The bank was just too overgrown.
I did not fancy having the local Fire Brigade laughing at me as I struggled.
They were busy sorting out a hay fire started by local dickheads!!!
So back downstream it was...although this looks nice it was only 12" deep....
Back through the town...it does look nice from the river.
When you get below the town bridge the river deepens and widens. This is all down to the fact it used to be a trade route for barges in and out of the town. Only problem was that the weed almost choked it despite it being a constant 7-8ft....Bloody annoying, I was dying to get fishing.
Just out of town it cleared a bit, weed only covering the left hand bank all clogged with duck weed. But looked like pulling a lure along the edge may pay dividends.
Well I started with the poppers to hopefully find a late Summer pike in the mood for chasing....NOTHING...then the jointed plugs bright and shiney....NOTHING....even tried a long time favourite bar spinner Ondex 5, that always scores.....NOTHING. I was getting concerned.
So I scaled doen and used a small Reflex spinner...bang first cast this baby...small but welcome...
I just drifted gently downstream and before long I had this small perch. He really wanted it all three hooks inside the mouth...DOH this was a new spinner and I had not debarbed it..forceps job!!!
As I reached the bottome sluice I look upriver and saw the weatherman had done well again....the milky sunshine of the morning had changed to black clouds and the rain was heading my way...But its 2:30 it is supposed to be getting nicer. Doh!!! Why do we believe them. Oh well if you kayak you get wet...so what!!
Then just before the end of the stretch this minnow...oh no it really is a pike... came in.
Just a couple of pics as I paddle back to my launch point.
Well only three fish, but really it was more about sussing the river out. It is definitely worth another visit.
Upstream I think could reveal a few chub and roach, downstream like wise and I would like to try for bigger pike with a dead bait or two. Although there is a nice flow and a waggler and maggot/caster might be interesting.
I enjoyed the trip, only about 4.5 miles but I love paddling the upper reaches of rivers, just a bit more interesting.
Terry
