Bob Goes Fishing | Welcome

Please rotate your device

This page is best viewed in Landscape orientation
(or tap anywhere to view in Portrait orientation)

Diary of an average angler

Who favours traditional methods & baits

fisherman

This diary dates back to a holiday in 2003 when I think the urge to get back into fishing took off. From around 2007 the trips became more frequent with 2010/11 probably being the peak of activity.
Things again pick up in 2020 - a sort of rebirth!

QR code

YouTube channel

Venues
& topics
Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

The Chubb Stream (19)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 09.00.
Weather: Cloudy start and brightening later. Very warm and humid.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 8 hook.
Baits: bread flake.
Fish: 2 chub - best 3½lbs.

I had been deliberating as to whether to go out on the Opening Day but as I had other things planned during the week it was then or not at all. I worried about the fact that so many anglers would be out so, having decided to go, I headed for the St Ives Chubb Stream as I knew it was lightly fished. In fact the bankside vegetation had not been disturbed in the swims I fished, so I was the first to try to tempt the chub. And I succeeded but it was very challenging.

The Chubb Stream (18)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 9.00 am
Weather: Warm start and becoming hot with only a light breeze and little cloud cover.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & spam.
Fish: One chub

I had blanked on my last two trips to the Chubb Stream but decided to give it try having renewed my club membership this season. On arrival there was a good healthy flow but the water was crystal clear and the weed growth even more prolific than last year. With the bright sunny weather the conditions weren't therefore that great. I decided to head first to a swim that in the past was very reliable, although more recently it has disappointed. On getting there it was more difficult to fish than I had previously experienced.

The Chubb Stream (17)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.00 am
Weather: Warm for early March with a strengthening breeze
Tackle: Ryan Burns 'Arrow' 10' split cane rod, Trudex centrepin, 2xSSG link leger, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & worm.
Fish: Blank

The Chubb Stream hasn't been that kind to me of late, with only one chub from my previous two visits this season. But with the end of the season approaching and the reported water level being the most favourable of my local venues, I decided to give it one more go. I took my cane rod and centrepin hoping for a memorable session but it wasn't to be.

The Chubb Stream (16)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 9.30 am
Weather: Overcast but quite mild for late October. No wind.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 6 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & worm.
Fish: Blank

I had walked the first two meadows of the Chubb Stream a few days earlier and with some extra water flowing it looked really inviting. I was, therefore, feeling quite positive when I arrived but the water level had dropped somewhat and the stream was running very clear, neither being good omens for chubbing. My confidence was then dampened further when another angler turned up shortly after I arrived and walked off before me. Following somebody into a swim in such conditions would almost certainly kill any chance of a chub.

The Chubb Stream (15)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 9.00 am
Weather: Warm and humid becoming very hot by midday.
Tackle: Korum 10ft 'All Rounder' 1.1lb TC, Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, single SSG link, 6lb line to 6 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake, luncheon meat & cheese paste.
Fish: One chub

I had stated in my sign off at the Mill Stream the previous week that I wouldn't be going to the Chubb Stream because of the dense vegetation on the banks. But having viewed a video on a channel I follow, subtitled ''Jungle Warfare" because of the challenge getting to the stream, I decided that perhaps I should give the Chubb Stream a go. As it turned out there were spots that were just fishable but it was still a challenge, not helped by clear water and bright sunshine.

The Chubb Stream (14)

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.15 am
Weather: Cold but bright with a freshening to strong wind.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, small Arlesey weight, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 6 eyed hook.
Baits: Luncheon meat & cheese paste.
Fish: One chub

I was in St Ives the previous day and I checked out the Chubb Stream to see if it had fined down after recent heavy rain. It looked pretty good, with some extra water and colour, but nothing to worry about. So I returned with a fairly positive feeling. I stopped at the first fishable swim, basically to cut down on walking too far in one go, my ailing left hip limiting me. I noticed the new flow deflectors just upstream from the swim, installed recently by the EA to promote the formation of a deeper pool and cleaner gravel.

Page 1 / 4 Next Page >

© 2025 Robert Bassett

Report bugs to webmaster

Built in RapidWeaver
with Shaking The Habitual's
Source micro framework

Your privacy
Cookies are only used for the correct functioning of this site and to prevent you seeing this message every time you visit.

Read more about third party cookies ☞

Note that links to third party sites can result in cookies being loaded. For example, there are links to YouTube to display the embedded videos from my channel.