After packing away my kit from a four night session targeting bream from my tricky southern pit I drove straight to the River Loddon.  I hadn’t visited my big fish stretch of the river this season and from past experience I knew that around this time some of the big fish could make an appearance. 

The river was very weedy but using a plumbing rod I soon found an area I was happy with and deposited a bag of 6mm Sonubaits Elliptical pellets onto the far bank run along with a tin of Hemp N Corn.  I planned to return the next evening to see if anything had found the bait. 

Arriving at the river a couple of hours before dark I baited with half a dozen bait droppers of Sonubaits Hemp N Corn and a couple of handful of Elliptical pellets.  An hour after dark I started to get line bites and it want long before the rod tip pulled over.  After a brief tussle I netted my first fish of the campaign weighing 7lb 2oz., which took a liking to a 12mm Elliptical pellets covered in Hemp and Spicy Sausage paste.  An hour later I hooked and lost another fish before deciding to head home.  I baited the spot before leaving with some more Elliptical pellets hoping it would be prime for my return in a couple of days. 

Two days later and I returned for a short evening session.  Half a dozen bait droppers of hemp and Elliptical pellets were introduced into the far bank run and two hook baits soon followed.  I had to wait until 11pm before the downstream pulled over and after a very good fight I was soon netting what looked like a good fish.  On the scales it weighed 13lb 7oz and took a liking for two 12mm Elliptical pellets covered in Hemp and Spicy Sausage paste.  After returning the fish I decided to bait again and return in the week.

After looking at the weather heavy rain was forecast for Wednesday and I made sure I had my kit in the van that day.  It rained for most of the day and the combination of heavy rain and rush hour traffic made the journey to the river a nightmare.  I eventually arrived at the river on dark and made the mile walk in the pouring rain.  Once at the intended swim I was soaked but I soon had two rods positioned on the far bank run.  An hour after casting I knew the effort had been worthwhile as the rod pulled over and I was attached to a good fish.  After a good fight I was soon holding a barbel weighing 11lb 12oz for the camera. 

After returning the fish to the water I recast the rods and half an hour later I had another bite.  From the off this fish felt a lot bigger and I took my time as I didn’t want to loose this fish.  It was soon netted and on placing her on the mat I knew I had just landed another good fish.  The scales read 15lb 8oz and made for a great brace.  Elliptical pellets doing the business yet again!