Marsh chub

Been thinking a lot about a stretch of my 'new' river.  Bang between a sprawling estate, a massive health and science park and a busy trunk road. It's free for a start.  I selected a parking spot where I'd have at least a chance of watching the local populace jack the charabanc up on bricks. A grey overcast day, perfect for wily old chub but not for leaving the big coat in the boot. Which of course I did 

High flood bank and  extensive marginal growth, finding waderless spots a premium. Settled on a pair of bends as far up as I could walk and  fed some white gold in a few likely spots. Flake on a size 6 wide gape, first swim only one tremor. Second swim missed 2 bites in quick succession. Third, lost a chub as I was contemplating where to net it. Annoying but at least hardly a barren fish less desert. Dropped down a bend on to this longer straight and  after a good scrap the chub did what chub do best, transferred the hook to a reed stem. I did swear a lot.

Next cast  and bingo, No way was I going to loose this one and in the onion bag it went. Lovely thick set fish and well received by passers by. I was so chuffed  I even forgave their dog for trying to snaffle my cheese roll.

The big coat and thoughts of a stripped down charabanc had me hurrying back with plans to warm up and drive the short distance to the park stretch  for some short rod trotting but I had a urge to drive back to the village stretch below the next mill. Someone was in my intended spot so I set down a respectful distance above and set about some stick and pin work with the usual pair of red grubs in a size 16 wide  gape spade end. Gudgeon, roach, chublets and a minnow were the rewards for finding the sweet spot, dace too including this very gravid fish.

Last trot and much sturdier resistance in the strong pull and I would of sworn it was a chub if I lost it unseen. Once I saw it was a roach I was determined to net it. A battled scared warrior with cormorant and or otter damage. I  had wondered if my lost chub from the previous session here was a roach as I'd seen vivid red fins as the hook pulled and that was bigger than this.

Oh and I found another bodged rod chucked in a bush. This time a rather gaudy NGT drop shot rod.