LDASA 2022 Debut

 It’s been 2017 since I was a member of Leeds & District Amalgamated Society of Anglers (slightly easier to write than to say) and although I don’t have much time to fish at the moment, I have a yearning for some barbel action. It has been 5 years since I last had a ‘chap’ and it was this very stretch where it happened, being Asenby, just downstream from Topcliffe.

Due to the lack of rain and recent balmy days, I thought it best to start mid afternoon and fish until dusk. When I arrived there were another half a dozen cars and with not many pegs to go at so I had my fingers crossed that I would get a decent swim. As it turns out, the peg I had set my heart on was thankfully vacant.

My two Korum 12ft 2lb test curve barbel rods remained tackled up since the last time I was Chap hunting so my bait was in the water within 10 mins which was a bonus. Added to the Korum fleet is a new Korum ‘back saving’ lightweight roving chair and bag that attach to each other. Very impressed so far with them.

Although it was a windy day, the steep bank and large trees afforded decent shelter and it was a mixture of bright sunshine and periods of light cloud cover.

Bait consisted of a pre-diced tin of spam, 20mm krill boilies, mixed sizes of halibut pellets and some Sonusbaits Barbel dumbells. 

Terminal tackle was a simple affair consisting of size 10 hooks to 10lb hook lengths and only 2oz leads that were as heavy as needed due to the lack of water and flow.

Alas, the highlight of the session was a single wrap around bite on meat on the opposite bank close to the overhanging willows and the thought of a takeaway and a couple of beers meant an early bath at 7:15pm. Will try again one night this week. Still, nice to get out.