| Norman went on to explain his strategy for attack. " I will start off on the worm to see what's happening on the 6 metre line. I will stay with that if I'm catching, but if not, I will switch to the joker after 10-15 minutes. I will fish 3"-6" under depth at first because the feed will still be settling and not all will be on the bottom. I will eventually catch on the deck as the session goes on. The 6 metre line will be my main line until it dries up. Then it will be time to take a look at the 10 metre line."
The canal maestro then began to prepare his joker. Firstly he placed a small amount in water to use as hook bait. The remainder he placed in a round nylon groundbait bowl and added two squirts of Sensas grey leam. "This will help the joker stay together until it reaches bottom." " How are you going to feed? " I asked." Feeding is very important," came the reply, " and probably the crucial part of worm and joker fishing. I am going to place two tangerine sized balls of joker on the 6 metre line and one on the 10."
It was now 3.25pm and he was ready to go. Out went the feed and out went a bloodworm on the hook. Five minutes later a barge was cruising through his 6 metre line. " Oh dear " said Norman (roughly translated) "We shall have to start again!"
" Would you normally re feed after the disturbance of a boat?" "No not normally, I don't believe the feed will wash very far after just an isolated boat passing, but today I will because we have limited time and I will try to make the fish feed. I will put another ball of joker in and then leave it whilst I have a look on the 10 metre line giving it time to settle." This he did and in doing so went out with double joker on the further line. Shortly after the float disappeared and a small roach was in the net. The trend was set and he continued to catch steadily.
"As you said earlier this is not a standard draw, so how would you approach a canal say 12 metres wide?" "A lot differently," came the reply. " I would fish 6 lines! One at 6 metres and 10 metres in front, one at 13 metres to my left, one at 11.5 metres to my right, both the bottom of the far shelf at the same depth. Two lines at 12 metres on top of the shelf."
Far Bank
Float .1 - .2grm.........12 Metre X.....................................X 12 Metre
Float .3grm.... 13 Metre X..........................X 10 Metre................X 11.5 Metre
Float .5grm.............................................X 6 Metre
Fishing Position
Normans Match Lines on a typical peg.
Feeding pattern:
10 metre line = 2 x Tangerine sized balls of joker
11.5 and 13.5 metre lines = 1 golf ball size joker on each
12 metre lines = 1 golf ball size joker.
It rained constantly throughout the session but it was a pleasure to watch Norman fish. He was showing technique and speed developed over his match career, hooking the bait with ease. " Place some on the back of your hand, especially if it is cold. You don't want to be dipping your fingers in ice-cold water more than you have to. The joker is easier to pick off the hand." Hooking joker? "If the fish are eager to feed, then speed will be a key factor in picking up a brown envelope. Hook it anywhere; remember your bait has to be in the water to catch fish! If they are being fussy, then hook it through the end."
Norman continued to catch steadily for two hours, until I called time at 5.30pm. Darkness was closing in and I needed a picture of his catch. He would have stayed all night!
About 3 lb. for Norman
"We will do another one over the Christmas period, when the blood and joker are really taking the place by STORM." I will look forward to that was my reply.
If you are struggling for bites try fishing a metre or so away from your feed, the fish may well have backed off it.
Gary. |
