Chris Tarrant

Sky TV next!

During the recent Chew Valley Pike Trials, I filmed two sessions for Sky TV's Tight Lines program.  My fishing partner for the day was Bristol Water's Assistant Fishery Manager Tony Donnelly.  We fished using deadbaits on one day and lures the next.

The bait session is being shown on Friday 20th December and the Lure session on Friday 10th January 2014.

We managed to get some great footage on each session and the shows go out on Sky Sports.

Tarrant back on Chew

Following our recent TV Series on C5 - Chris Tarrant Goes Fishing, both CT and I were back together again on Chew fishing for pike at the end of November.
This time Chris was accompanied by long time friend Howard Mann and they managed a very creditable 7 pike to the boat over the two days - and all on lures.

The biggest fish weighed a fraction under 20lbs and CT caught it - with his very first cast - on the first day!  He really is a fishy bloke!!!!

Howard hooked a monster as well but sadly lost it during the fight.  Next time Howard.

Chris Tarrant and Howard Mann on Chew

Tarrant gets a double on Chew

On Tuesday I fished with Chris Tarrant and Martin Founds for pike on Chew in the 3rd session of Autumn Pike Trials.
We had decent weather for the time of year and managed 8 runs, but only 4 pike in the boat, the biggest of which weighed 14lbs and was caught by Martin - see photo below.

CT also managed a low double and another smaller fish.  The day was full of laughs and stories as usual.  CT was on good form but sadly not able to add to his 30lb+ PB from Chew several years ago!

I am out again on Saturday and am hoping that the winds stay low and even drop away altogether - in my experience, this is when the biggest fish come out to play!  Anglers in general don't like flat calms - either fly or coarse - but there is no doubt in my mind that fish love these conditions.  The way I look at things; if fish are feeding and we aren't good enough to catch them, then that is our fault - not the fish and certainly not the weather!

I fished for pike last Saturday using flies and managed 2 fish - the biggest weighing 15lbs.  However, I lost bigger fish earlier in the day and thought at one stage that my fingers would drop off following a storm of rain that chilled me to the bone!

Thankfully the sun came out later in the morning and warmed things up again and got the pike active for short periods.

Martin Founds and Chris Tarrant on Chew
Me looking freezing on Saturday with my 15lb Pike

Catch John and Chris Tarrant's fishing adventures on Youtube

Last year I spent many weeks filming a new fishing series for TV with my good friend Chris Tarrant.  I'm sure that most people realise Chris is a fanatical fisherman and we set out to film some great action from home and abroad.

We flew to the exotic Maldives where we caught Sailfish, GT's, Wahou, Tuna, and many more species.  Chew Valley Lake was our English location, with masses of pike action, while Salmon and Trout stole the limelight in Northern Ireland.

The rugged wilderness beauty of the Yukon in Northern Canada formed the backdrop to some of the best freshwater fishing I have ever experienced. 

Attached are a couple of clips of Chris Tarrant and I catching magnificent lake trout from Wellesley Lake in Kluane national Park... enjoy!

 

Chris Tarrant fishing on the Yukon
See video

Let the 2011 Chew Valley pike trials commence!

Two weeks in and the pike trials are well underway! Here's a brief catchup on an eventful start:

I've been out twice in the 1st session with clients.  Day 1 was cancelled due to high winds which really ripped the water into a muddy mess.  I was out on Day 2 with Daryl Hunter who landed his first pike of the day within 10 minutes.  The fish took a deep fished soft plastic lure.  Daryl also landed another couple of fish but alas, no biggies!

The next trip was with Chris Tarrant and his good friend Sean - they both had several small pike, but nothing over 10lbs.  However, the highlight of the day was another personal best fish for CT from Chew - a cracking 3lb 8oz Perch taken on a 5 inch Silver Spoon fished ultra slowly along the bottom.

I am out with clients again this week and will report back - already there have been pike of 38lbs, 34lbs and at least 4 others over 30lbs have been landed.  It's looking good for a 40 pounder at this rate and who knows, maybe my boat will get it.

More soon

Chris Tarrant and a 3lb 8oz Perch taken on a 5 inch Silver Spoon Fly

Blog Archive

December 2016

January 2016

December 2015

April 2015

August 2014

December 2013

September 2013

February 2012