The weather was pretty terrible, with steady drizzle and mist... But I managed a pike from a new swim which is always great!

I bumped into several other pike anglers out on the bank and it was great to have a chat with them and get some feedback, both on the river and some of the videos I've been uploading recently. If you're watching, thanks for saying hello!

I've also put together my targets for 2017 which is something I've never done before. I'd set myself the mini challenge last year of getting a 20 pounder from the Avon and accomplishing that has made me want to aim higher this year.

Lets see how I do!

It's been a long time since I blogged but one of my new years targets is to write a post for each session with a video so here we go. I've decided to keep them shorter as I think one of the reasons I'd not been writing them is they tend to get a bit war a piece... Short and snappy is the aim from now on.

I've been doing loads of piking on the River Avon between Swineford and Keynsham over the winter months and had some fantastic sessions. It's really helped me learn the water, find the best spots and hone my piking skills.

The 'tree swim' has been very kind to me and this session was no different, with the 1st (and only!) bite coming within 3 minutes of casting out! Unfortunately the rest of the day went without a bite... but hey, that's fishing!

Ten minutes into the session and the ledger rod baited with 1/2 a herring ripped off and after a tense fight this monster of a pike slipped into the landing net...

Unusually for me, I had some scales on me and gave it a weigh all be it in oz rather than lbs! You'll notice me breathlessly proclaim a 36 pounder in the video! Got a bit carried away...

But a bit of maths later and I've settled on 22lb - which is such a result ;)

One very happy pike angler!

The banks have been ripped to shreds, with most swims turning into a quagmire of mud... The flood water has completely changed the entire river...

But I did manage a couple of pike! A small jack and then a larger double literally within 5 minutes of each other.

The action was very slow.... but I did manage to put one fantastic pike on the bank which looks amazing in the light.

Also the 1st time I've used my DSLR for video. I think there's a lot to learn, especially with regard to focusing and sound!