The Sessions - June 2026
A difficult Tench spring
May was a mixed month targeting various waters for different species where I caught good fish on all of them but no special ones, so return trips will be planned throughout the year.
The highlights of the month had to be my fourth place in the Drennan Cup, and the Arsenal trophy parade in North London which was an epic day.
My plans for June were Tench and maybe be a river trip to see in the new season.
5-8 June 2026 – Rosewater
My first two Tench trips in May had been tricky with a 48-hour blank on Rosewater, and I did a little better on the Beds lake with quite a few fish to high 7’s in a 48-hour session.
Both lakes were closed for two weeks due to the hot weather and the Carp spawning, now this is becoming quite a contentious issue as late May and early June are the best times for a big Tench and fisheries keep prioritizing Carp and closing the lakes when they spawn. Without wanting to be controversial I think this practice needs a rethink by the fishery owners and instead of closing put rules in place that state you can’t fish for Carp whilst they spawn allowing Tench and other species anglers access to fish. The other thing to consider is Carp are not interested in feeding when they are spawning any way, but we all have our own opinions on the matter so the debate could go on forever…..
I got the nod the lake was re-opening so went down for a 72 hour session hoping the Tench would be up for a good feed, I got there early and was first through the gate and got the swim I wanted, but that was the best thing that happened for three days!
The temp had cooled right down from the 35 degrees in May to 17 degrees and very cool nights, with the lake being so open to the wind it felt even cooler and I had my winter coat and hat on for most of the session which seemed crazy.
I had a mid-double Mirror and lost a Tench on the first evening and then did not see a fish for two days and nights, they were just not there or passing through the area. I decided to move to the opposite side on the lake into a deeper area for the last 24 hours and as I was setting up I saw a large Tench roll close in, so my confidence was up.
Unfortunately, the only take I had was another mid-double Carp. I had been fishing my usually reliable method feeder and fake casters but they did not work this time, one of my pals had caught a few on worms so I planned to come back and bring some worms on the next trip.
15 June 2026 – Rosewater
I didn’t get on the two places I would have fished on the rivers for Barbel so planned another trip to Rosewater and I would see the magical 16th in there.
The weather had warmed up during the weekend and there had been no rain for a few days when I arrived early on the Monday morning, I was first at the gate again and got the swim I wanted. It’s always tough on day ticket lakes when you know where you want to be and arrive to find someone already there, I dread that moment as I drive down the track hoping it’s free and you see a bivvy…
This time it worked out ok 😊
I got the leading rod out and checked the swim, the area I wanted to target was clear of weed so I clipped the rods up and put out some bait, 1 pint of casters, some hemp and 2mm pellet and then set the rods up.
One went out on method feeder and fake caster and the other two were set up with 70g inline blockend feeders, 10lb Mirage hooklinks to a size 10 Gardner barbel hooks, both on worm kebabs. I started at 10:00 and planned to recast every 1-2 hours. It felt very mild and was cloudy with light showers and an easterly wind.
I’ve never had an issue with Tufties on Rosewater, in fact I don’t remember seeing any until this spring but they were relentless, there were six of them and they would not give up, as soon as I sat down they would slowly drift back over the spot, it’s like a slow torture and I was willing some Carp anglers to turn up and start firing out boilies.
I did start to see Tench rolling and had a 7-11 in the afternoon, baited up again at 16:30 and had a 7-10 in the evening for a nice start.
7-11
7-10
16 June 2026
I wanted to see in midnight, but the small Eels started hammering the worms so I reeled in and went to sleep at 22:30.
I got up at 04:00, recast the rods and put some more bait in. The regular recasts and baiting had done its job and 40 minutes later I had a lovely fish at 9-07.
9-07
The ducks soon moved in and were driving me crazy, but in between them diving down on the bait I was getting takes with another six Tench before 09:00 to 9-06.
9-06
I had another two to 7-09 and a 2-09 Eel before luchtime and the swim went quiet. I topped up the spot at lunchtime and again at 18:00 but that was it for the day.
7-09
17 June 2026
I got up again at 04:00 and gave the swim another hit of bait knowing I had to be off by 09:00, I had one more take at 7-01 to finish a great session.
19-21 June 2026 – Rosewater
I wanted to return and try to get back in the swim as the fish were clearly there and I still felt I had chance for a big one.
I got to the gate an hour before opening thinking I’d be fine as I’d only been away two days but I was wrong, as I parked up I could see a shelter in the swim. I’d bought the bait and was committed now so I waited until 08:00 and drove in for a look.
Long story short I spent the day in another swim after spending a hour clearing it from weed and would stay if I caught but ended up moving into my first choice swim later that evening.
The fish had moved away, I had two 3 pound Eels and one Tench at 6-03 to finish a disappointing trip. I’d been kept company most of the session, I’m not sure if they were looking and learning or laughing at me blanking 🤣
26 June 2026 – River Trent (middle)
The temp during the week had gone up to 36 degrees for the hottest June on record, it was ridiculous and very uncomfortable at work. It was forecast to cool down over the weekend and I felt that was a window to drive up and do a short session to see in the new river season.
After a lot of messing about I got to the river at 17:15 and set the swim up and had a bite to eat and drink. I put fresh rigs on the rods and took my time getting ready, there was no rush.
I trickled a few boilies through the swim and at 19:45 I walked up to the swim where I like to roll meat, the river was at summer level at .38m and the flow looked perfect. I set the rolling rod up with 3 SSG and a blob of plastercine, and a size 6 Gardner Barbel hook, and it was just the right weight to roll perfectly through the swim.
The first three casts produced fish of 11-00, 10-07 and 10-06.
11-00
I missed a chance on the next cast, and then had a big summer Chub at 5 pound plus. I had two more rolls through before the third produced another double at 10-00 and I then rested the swim for 30 minutes.
As I walked back up with the rod in my hand a large Barbel rolled close in and along the line I roll the bait so I flicked the rig upstream, played out some line to get a nice bow and let it roll down, it didn’t take long and I felt the fish pick up the bait and struck and was into a heavy fish and strong fight, I soon had it on the surface and could see it was big and I wasn’t wrong with a great fish for June at 16-00 exactly 😊
16-00
I put her back as it was getting dark and walked back to the first swim and lowered in the boilie rigs baited with BBB. I was really tired after a tough week at work and I’d had some lovely fish, so decided one bite on each rod would be enough and I’d reel in. By 02:00 I’d had a single and a 10-02 and was asleep.
After some breakfast and a brew I went back to the rolling swim for the morning, the level was the same but it was pushing through faster making it harder to control the rig, I had two 9’s and a Chub and decided to pack up early and go home after a great start to my river season.
Until next, tight lines and be lucky 😊
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