This Blog is a record of my love of the countryside, all things in it, especially old tractors, growing good food, drinking good tea and taking time out to enjoy life.
I have not written any posts recently about the allotment, and this one is about something that I have never attempted to grow or plant – fruit trees.
With this in mind, I did a bit or reseach on what varieties would do best in the spot I chose at the allotment. Not many allotments actually allow trees as they can quite quickly become very large and create shading in neighbouring allotments, also taking a lot of nutrients out of the soil at the same time. However, many fruits are now grown on dwarf root stocks, which is what I have chosen. Non of which will every grow beyond 2 Metres high. Arriving yesterday they went straight into buckets of water and have been planted out today.
I have purchased 3 Apple Trees, two Pears, a Plum and a Greengage. I still need to prune these yet, and am reseaching what I need to prune before I make any cuts. These all will receive a mulch of horse manure shorlty which should go toward adding extra nutritian and keep the weeds down.
On My final day of this fishing trip I had intended to check out of my accommodation, fish during the day, and head home later when the roads had quietened down. However, the forecast was not good at all. Opening the curtains this morning I was met with rain and thick fog. Nope, ill just head straight home I thought. Having a great breakfast and numerous cups of tea before I checked out I made my way home. Driving up the main road towards the direction of my intended pond today the weather suddenly cleared and immediately I changed tack. I would now fish as planned during the day and drive home tonight.
I managed to setup in the dry, but the rain did start again. Oh and the wind picked up somewhat. Luckily I did have an umbrella in the car and had to make a retreat to fetch it as the rain began to pound down and the start of a storm began to brew. Speaking to an angling friend of mine, he said that he would send me an omen from Izaak with either a big Crucian or a Tench, both of which are not normally seen in the Month of October. However, I raise my hat to Isaak as indeed I did catch a Tench in October, which is a first for me.
I always carry extra clothes on my trips and they were indeed very welcome today having to change in the car before my long drive home; calling a t a local hostelry first to enjoy a large supper.
When will the next trip be? I really don’t know, but I do look forward to the next opportunity to get away to river or lake.
I cannot believe but it has been over one year since I have added to my blog – very lazy indeed. However, due to work commitments it really has been that long since I have managed to cast a line.
A break in work contracts sees me making a dash to a river – the Dorset Stour. I have made many trips to the Stour over the years to find it always in flood, and at times actually in the surrounding fields; but not this trip.
I’d arranged to met a friend at one of the mills that align the Stour, but like an idiot, I was actually at the wrong one. Non-the-less I fished on. Trying my luck at first in the actual mill pool, but plagued by ignorant dog walkers leaving their dogs off the lead and trampling all over my bait and tackle made me move on. Around one mile walk up stream I found a barbed wire fence with relative easy access over to the river bank. Here I would not find any intrusion. I was still in earshot of the numerous idiots shouting of their beloved animals with some of the most weirdest names. Anyway, those now did not bother me.
Setting up a twelve foot float rod, I struggled to find the depth of the swim and concluded it was far deeper than twelve foot. Setting the float around ten foot produced no action. shortening the float changed the situation somewhat. I found that fish were lying around eight foot (although I am positive the big ones would have been deeper).
Finding numerous Roach, Dace and a couple of decent sized Perch was sublime especially in this October weather. I don’t ever recall, but I could hear the grass hoppers chirping away in the long grass, but this is October, what a day!
The damn weathermen forecast Thunder & Lightning today, but following yesterday’s “lies” I ignored them completely. I was going to fish today anyway whatever the weather.
While consuming breakfast there was quite a downpour, but by the time I had ate, the rain cleared up and a bit of warmth began to break through the clouds. Perfect fishing weather I thought – overcast, warm with very light winds.
Meandering down the narrow lanes again was a joy. I parked up in my usual spot and introduced myself to the owner of the house on the corner. I Apologised for taking a parking space from him over the years, he was very pleasant and we chatted for some time before I made my way once again, but for the final time, down that stone track.
For my final cast I chose the swim which I refer to as “Duncan’s”, this might not be the case, but you all know where I mean.
I thought that I had heard thunder the day previously, but nothing came of it, and today was exactly the same. However, today the sky did darken quite dramatically and the rumbles drew closer. The rain began!
In holiday mode, all I had on were shorts and a t-shirt “not traditional wear I know”, I am pleased an associate of mine did not in the end come down to say ‘hello’, as I’m sure he’d have a laugh and I’d take a ribbing.
I moved my creel under some trees and in fact myself for shelter and hardly a drop of rain made it through, I was safe. However, I could hear the rain was getting heavier so made a dash round the pond to the barn where I enjoyed a lovely storm with lightning. Thinking back, although I only get to Wessex a few times each year, I have been in a few storms when I have been fishing at these ponds, always sheltering in the barn, great days.
Anyway, I forgot about the meteorological inaccuracies of Fleetwood Mac’s song “Dreams”“Thunder only happens when it’s raining” this is NOT the case. There is no rain in the middle of a thunder storm. I made the error and thought our storm had just glanced by and had just caught the edge of it, but no, it had been directly overhead. The rain stopped entirely and I went back round to my swim and re-cast. Perhaps 5 minutes passed when I can only describe hearing the sort of clapping sound you would expect to hear when Andy Murray won at Wimbledon. It started on the dam, oh dear, there was no way I’d make it round to the barn this time, it was coming from that direction. I was about to get very, very wet indeed. I knew that the trees were already wet from the front of the storm, so they would be little shelter now in the tail. I could do nothing but shelter as best as possible. I did indeed get very, very wet. I did though manage to make sure my baits had their lids on so all was fine there with them.
It didn’t take that long for me to dry off. Never-the-less I was going home today straight from the ponds and had clean, dry clothes in the car which I would change into before embarking upon the long journey home.
I did manage a handful of fish today, but it was nothing like the previous days with small Roach jabbing at the bait all the time and nothing of any size being caught.
Wow what a trip! It was one of the most memorable I have made – Starting with a stunning sun set over the henge (quite symbolic for this last trip), and a thunder storm on the last day to make a final close on this amazing angling journey (I love thunder storms by the way). I didn’t put the key in the front door until 02:30 Monday morning, but it was all worth it.
The weathermen had forecast 21° and all-day sunshine. However, I woke to cloud. Again, I had a very slow morning with tea and breakfast then made my way to the ponds.
Walking to the bottom pond to angle there for the first time in many years, I set down in the swim ‘Cole’ had been and had action from recently.
It was windy, with the wind billowing down from the dam. It was cold, I was cold, no in fact, I was b….y freezing! I cast non-the-less. What planet were these weather men on?
I was prepared by the manager, but surprised at just how deep it was now. I did mange to get a number of bites, but missed every single one. I stayed perhaps three hours then had enough, I was cold and uncomfortable. I made my way to the top pond to get out of the cold wind.
I was going to ignore, but just had to have one last cast in “Lands End”. I immediately hooked a Roach and stayed there for a good hour. With nobody else there, I baited up “Jim’s” and after a short period I moved there, where again I had immediate action. Baited up “Lands End” and swapped between the two for the rest of the day. Again, No Crucian, but lot’s of Roach and the odd Perch, but no Tench today.
I left the house slightly later than intended yesterday, having to take care of one or two items before my departure which meant that I turned the ignition on the car around 13:00.
The journey to Wessex is long; I always forget just how long it is every time I make it. Leaving the A34 onto the A303 always gives me a feeling of warmth and a feeling of arriving ‘home’. Approaching the henge, a feint mist was in the air and the sun was a blood orange ball of fire just about to set for the day. As I drove past the henge, the sun was going down behind it; how appropriate for this particular trip I thought, I could not have timed it better. Amazing, and what a sight it was. Quite clearly an omen!
Following this journey, which took in all seven hours! I had a very lazy morning, consuming at leisure numerous cups of tea, and a light breakfast of poached eggs on toast. Around lunchtime I felt back in the world and ready to head off to the pond. Meandering down the tiny lanes once again to angle for one of the final times at this very special place.
Before heading south this time, I was faced with a bit of a dilemma. I am certainly not a collector by any means, but over time I have accumulated a number of lovely thiings. I found myself thinking about what rod and reel to bring with me for this final trip? The reel was quite an easy choice. Although I own a number of lovely expensive ventilated aerials, as well as some lovely fixed spool reels, my choice was a very unassuming 3” Aerial Popular that I had Garry Mills from “The Mill Tackle Company, Redditch” carry out a light repair for me many years ago. It is never used and Garry had said to look after it as it was a particular special one. It also has a great sounding check.
I would be able to fish for three days. The Friday 30th August, Saturday 31st August, and on my way home on the Sunday 1st September, so three rods were to be chosen, one for each day. Again, I have some lovely rods but ignored my normal choices. Instead, I picked the first cane rod I owned which was purchased for me by my wife from one of our previous members; a un-restored original B. James Mark IV. The second rod chosen was a Wallis Wizard (the basic one, not the “Super”) and finally perhaps one of the cheapest rods I own, an Edgar Sealey “Floatcaster”. I actually own a number of Floatcaster’s, including the “Deluxe” but this is a rod which I learnt to Wallis Cast correctly with, it has a lovely action and I have managed to land everything from Perch to Pike.
I put this dilemma to one of our former members. He immediately replied, do not think about the fact it is the final time you will fish there. I will try and get down to say hello, but just go, and enjoy. Well, the car was already packed by then, but I did attend the pond with this frame of mind.
Parking on the main road and walking down the stone track, I approached the pond which looked as glorious as ever. I walked round to my favourite swim, which I think is “Duncan’s”? It is the one immediately opposite “Lands End”. The Lilly beds really have developed in recent years, and it is possible to get my creel sat perfectly and a rod out between a number of reeds. Sitting quietly, this is where I had the Kingfisher land on the rod while I was holding it.
Roach were immediately obliging. Nothing of any size, but the float rarely sat still for more than a few minutes at a time and great sport was had. I even managed a small Tench. I took a break near tea time and made a brew from the Kelly on the opposite bank. No sooner had the kettle boiled and the manager turned up, must have seen my smoke signals. Great to meet up again after so long.
I have never dared to look at the bottom pond for maybe three years, not wanting to know what it was turning into. However, on this trip I had requested permission to angle at this place which I was to do on the Saturday. As I had never been in so many years, the manager took me round and showed where we can fish from now. We discussed the works to the pond and although I was shocked at the changes, I was not offended at what has been done there. It is clear nature is coming returning, and although it is different to what I remember, it is still a very lovely place and I actually was pleasantly surprised. I bade farewell to the manager and fished-on until dusk landing numerous Roach and the odd Perch, but no Crucian at all. As soon as the light faded “so called witching hour” the pond seemed to die. No bites were had what-so-ever. As soon as the first Owl call was heard, I packed up and said farewell for this grand day. I did not count how many fish I managed to catch in the end, but it would be fair to say it was in excess of 30!
Just realised that it has been a while since I wrote anything on my Blog, it’s been badly neglected.
Lifted the first batch of potatoes today which were “Nadene“. Also lifted perhaps the last batch of Rhubarb for this year. All the onions were lifted and stored on the benches in the greenhouse to dry-off.
Brussel sprouts, which I have never grown before, seem to be coming along well but are susceptible to the high winds at the allotment. I am having to keep staking these.
I think I installed these raised beds at the allotment maybe 8 years ago. The timber used was treated, and I have kept on top of the woodwork with creosote every other year. Time is slowly taking it’s toll around the place, and a number of sections have given way to rot. I had to bite the bullet and start shifting quite a bit of soil out of the raised beds in order to access the wood to replace these rotted sections..
I will wait until there is a good dry spell in the weather forecast, paint everything again in creosote which will bring everything back up nice again. So these are the ‘before’ pictures so-to-speak.
I almost forgot completely about planting Garlic this year. I know I meant to get some planted in November. I guess the ground must have been frozen, then I must have simply forgotten about it? Never-the-less, Garlic is still on sale and there is still a little time to get some in the ground. Ideally, Garlic needs a bit of frost to do well. I have planted 24, in 4 rows of the variety ‘Flavor’ again this year. Planted in trowel-depth compost with lots of plant food.
With the un-seasonal February warmth, the Rhubarb is sprouting quickly this year. I am sure though that there will be a number of frosts, and even a little snow before spring.
It seems ages since I have manged to angle at my most favourite of locations in Wessex; time seems to pass more quickly the older I get. I usually manage to fish on midsummer’s day, but not this year unfortunately.
Non-the-less, I managed to escape the normal high-pressured life that I seem to currently lead, and was able to stop at a juncture and relax for a time at this ancient pool.
I arrived late afternoon on the 28th to warm overcast weather. I avoided a couple of the more popular swims and made my way to one of the farthest. I hooked a Tench the moment my first cast landed, but missed it. I then slowly began to catch Roach after Roach, with no signs of the Crucian’s, nor my favoured Tench. I then hooked a small Tench which was great to see. The swim was awash at times with bubbles and was really exciting fishing. Soon after small Crucian’s began to appear; no two-handed fish, they were all palm-sized. Sport continued, and in fact increased from about 19:00 to 21:00.
The 29th saw me back at this lovely pool and back in the exact same swim. Weather again was warm and overcast, but today there was rain in the forecast. Today, just as yesterday, the action seemed immediate but this time all the Crucian’s were a size larger. The largest I’m sure thought it was a Tench as the fight was incredible from such a small fish. Again, I managed to encounter a number of small Tench. It was not long before the forecast rain appeared, first as a light mist which didn’t affect anything and I hardly got wet at all and the fishing continued quite successfully. However, when the rain did appear in earnest, the catching immediately stopped as if being turned off by a light switch. I persevered and the rain did ease to give a dry spell when the fish began to bite again. Towards 19:00 I had one monster of a bite that broke me immediately; that was a sign that I had had more than my fair share of luck over the two days and the pond told me to leave.
It was superb to be able to catch quite a number of Crucian Carp (I stopped counting), but even nicer to be able to connect with quite a number of new brood of Tench. I do not think I caught anything over three quarters of a pound, which is super encouraging for the continuation of this my most favourite of fishes.
It has been a number of years now since I have managed to fish on the final day of the course fishing season.
Watching the water level on my favourite river in Wessex over the past few weeks looked really promising. It is a spate river you see and reacts to the slightest bit of rainfall. In fact, this river at this time of year is often in the fields.
The forecast was not great with rain the few days prior to the last day and on the 14th. However, the gods smiled and although the 13th proved rain all day, the 14th was met with a piercing blue sky.
The river was still quite high and coloured but it was falling. The fishing was tough, but a few fishing buddies did get together and we toasted the end of the season both on the bank with tea and at the end of the day round a log fire and a pint and a local inn.
It is indeed the 4th, a day early, but there’s nothing like a good firework display before the actual main day and tonight was no exception. With absolutely perfect clear skies and no wind, it quite literally went off with a bang!
Today was my travel day home. However, my journey takes me past this little pool in Wessex and I often drop in for a few hours before getting back on the long road home.
I fished in the same place as yesterday, I knew I had already ground baited it.
I setup in the dry and cast out. It was not long before the rod was bent over. Roach after Roach were caught often “on-the-drop” from around the baited area.
The weather was somewhat different to the 17th. Today showers were forecast and actually quite welcome. However, the wind was blowing directly at me. I am not very proficient with the ‘Wallis’ cast to begin with and my first cast landed back at my feet. The wind was so strong at times that I had to employ a kind of “Nottingham” style cast with an overhead chuck as hard as possible and the float and bait landed managed just about in the right spot.
After about one hour catching lots of Roach I suddenly began to catch Crucian’s. Very tentative at first.
The heavens opened, I got very wet.
I then did something I do not normally, I changed my hook and down and to 2lb line which had an instant effect.
The swim simply bubbled as if id tipped a box of washing powder into it.
Luckily the rain was a warm rain and the fish were not put off at all. If it were a cold rain, that would certainly have been different.
I fished from around 14:00 until 20:00. I spoke to a friend on the phone who told me to wait for the seventh chime of the church bells and I would land a 2lb Crucian. This did not happen. The church bells did ring seven and the rod did indeed double over, it was not a Crucian. A tremendous battle ensued and I was convinced I had hooked Moby (the one and only Carp in the pool). I could not get the fish to the surface to see what it was. I then remembered that I was now also fishing with 2lb line so was super cautious. I eventually won the day and heaved up a tremendous Tench which was slightly longer than my 18” inch landing net. I reached for my disgorger to see that the line had snapped the second I had landed the fish. This was truly a miracle.
It would be fair to say I photographed over 30 Crucian’s and two Tench. No Perch today and the Roach outnumbered the Crucian by 2:1.
Around 20:00 I saluted the pond and said a thank you, as I placed the final items into my car the heavens opened again. I smiled all the way home.
I don’t normally get to fish the opening days of the course fishing season, but have been very lucky this year.
I had a lovely 16th at a nearby pond yesterday, and today was eager to get to this, my favourite little pool in deepest darkest Wessex.
It was hot, very hot. I did not fancy my chances at all of catching anything. I waited until the afternoon, had a spot of lunch at a local inn and made my way to the pond around 14:00.
I did not particularly wish to fish this particular swim but my own comfort was paramount on a day like today. Shade was the overriding necessity.
After ground baiting an area, I setup an old Mark IV with one of my usual Aerials’ and sat down in total comfort out of the sun.
It was not long before the little red-tipped quill bobbed and went under. Finally, christening this float to a little Roach. (It did not move at all yesterday).
As the afternoon went on I saw a number of Roach and infact a couple of Perch and a Tench; all small and all in the heat of the afternoon.
Around 19:00 I hooked into something substantial and landed one of the finest Tench that I have ever caught at this pool.
The Tench was gently lowered back to its home. I re-baited and re-cast. Again it was not long before my float dipped. I lightly struck and missed, my float lodging itself onto a lilly stem. Managing to free the float and hook from the lilies which then “pinged” to my left and straight into the braches of an overhanging sapling. A sharp pull on the rod only to free the float and hook from the branches which then wrapped themselves around the rod tip many, many times resulting in one awful tangle.
I normally would have cursed, but I sat down calmly and began to unravel the tangled mess. Around 10-15 minutes later the tangle was free, I re-baited and re-cast. Again it was not long before the little red-tipped float began to move. I struck – nothing! I reeling in to find my hook had been bitten off. This was surely the pond now telling me to go home. I had too much good fortune for one day.
Although Christmas just seems like last week, we are now in the middle of March. Not so long ago I would be found on a riverbank in search of a final Roach or Dace at the end of the course fishing season at this time, but not this year. My fishing days are on hold, and will be for some time.
It is great to get the first seeds planted, and for me Tomato’s are the first of the year. This season I am growing varieties Sweet Aperitif, Sweet Million, Sungold, Orange Beauty, Golden Sunrise, Rainbow Blend and the good old Moneymaker. Such evocative names of hot summer days eating colourful salads; let us hope.
I will only pot on about 21 tomato plants, any more than this in my greenhouse I find the plants often get problems and certainly crop less. Any spare, of which there will be many, I will give away.
I don’t normally manage to get fishing around this time of the year, but I did today.
I found a lovely day ticket water not too far from where I live. Taking with me a rod that I don’t often get to use, a J.B Walker Mark IV and my usual pin, an Aerial 3.5″.
It was a cold day, and quite windy too, but with the wind behind me I did not have much trouble with my ailing Wallis casts.
With the temperature as it was, I was not confident of any Crucians. Roach were the order of today. It was a really nice being at a new lake. The thin sunshine grazed through the baron branches of the surrounding trees, and a full November supermoon moon signalled the end of my day at this lake . I will certainly be returning here in the future.
It has been a great year for tomato’s . I think all will actually ripen on the vine, and I won’t even get enough for a chutney. The chillies however, are quite the opposite. It is just as well that I still have loads left over from last season in the freezer and they are all still good.
As usual I do like to plant one or two tomatoes that I am familiar with that I know should give a half decant crop and then plant others that I have not tried before. This year I planted the good old “Moneymaker”, a tomato that always does well, maybe not the tastiest, but will still produce. “Sweet Success” which failed miserably last year, has done well for me this.
Other varieties were “Sungold”, “Sweet Aperitif”, “Rainbow Blend”, “Crimson Crush”, and “Orange Beauty”. The finest of them all this year was Sweet Success, with a taste that was out-of-this-world!
After the day I had at this lovely lake yesterday, I just had to return today.
I setup in exactly the same swim as yesterday, this time bringing the camera. It was warmer and the sun shone more intently than yesterday. As I looked out onto the water, I could clearly see that yesterday I had been casting my first rod into what looked like thin silk weed. The edges of the weed beds shone clearly in full sun.
A lot of people avoid at all costs fishing in weed, but it has certainly worked for me in the past and it did so yesterday.
I setup both rods exactly the same as previously and settled in the warm sun.
I hadn’t caught anything yesterday from under the over-hanging bush, but today out of the corner of my eye I saw the float zip away and the reel screamed. I thought that I had hooked one of the lakes small Carp but no, as soon as the fish came to the surface it was clear I had hooked one of the Golden Tench. It fought well, but nowhere near the strength of it’s green colleagues. In fact, it fought on the unhooking mat and I struggled to get a quick picture before returning as quickly as I could to the Lake.
I did catch a couple of small Carp later in the afternoon, all around 4-5 lbs. However, later that afternoon the rod on my left sprang into life and I was into an absolute rocket. A fight with a 5lb Tench that was greater than any Carp three times it’s size, what a battle! Although I was using 6lb line it tested all the tackle to the limits. Nearly loosing the fish in lily beds, I simply put the rod down and let out a little slack line. After a minute the fish had freed itself and was off again out into the Lake. I eventually got it under control and landed what was easily the best Tench I have ever caught, not the biggest, but certainly the most memorable.
What a day. The season is well on now, and although it is possible to catch Tench all year, I for one will be packing the Tench gear away now looking forward to next year and even greater battles with the Tinca.
Today I visited a lake that I had not fished in quite some time, I was as usual at this time of year searching for a Tench.
I chose a fantastic double swim enabling me to set-out one rod to my left, and the second float-fished under an overhanging bush to my right.
I cast the first rod to my left out into the middle of the lake and began setting up my second rod. However, no sooner had I started threading the line through the rod rings, my first rod had a solid “knock” resulting in a decent Roach. I re-cast and continued setting up. Again, within a short time the first rod bent over and the reel screamed again landing another nice Roach. I reeled this rod in so I could get the second rod in place under the bush to the right. Eventually the float was in place and I then re-cast the first rod on my left into the Lake. After around half an hour the first rod hooped over and I had a great battle with a good Tench. Unfortunately, I had left my camera in my van so I brought both rods in and walked back to my car to retrieve the camera and a flask of tea.
After the tea and a sandwich were consumed I re-cast both rods and settled down relaxing in the warm afternoon sunshine. I could not believe it when again the rod on my left screamed off, and again I battled with one of the lakes Tench, a good four-pounder at least.
What a cracking day topped-off with a good meal at a local inn followed by a pint to celebrate. I might come back tomorrow if the weather stays fair.
Weather-wise it had been really disappointing this week. High pressure lingered, but so did the cloud and a cool breeze to match.
Today I was due to travel home for the weekend, a journey that I do not relish and after checking the state of the traffic there was a crash going one way, and the infamous road into Wessex was at a standstill as usual. I had already packed my fishing gear in my van and at around 13:00 the sun shone through. The temperature rose really quickly until my van dashboard read 24 degrees – time for some Tench fishing!!! I decided to fish for a few hours to let the traffic settle before I made my arduous journey home.
Arriving at this little pond I was immediately disappointed to see three cars there and one van. I do like to fish this pond by myself. Thankfully, these vehicles belonged to a renovation company refurbishing a local house, so I did have the ponds to myself after all.
It was around five o’clock and fishing what is now my favourite swim; sport was quiet. I began casting around towards the back of the baited area and found what was obviously a shoal of fish. Piranha-like, I seemed to have a bite every cast of which 99% were missed.
I fished on until around eight o’clock when the owls now start their calls. A lovely warm evening spent at this lovely little pool.
I don’t like being on the roads on a Bank Holiday, never mind fishing, it is always so busy, but I have got to take every opportunity that I can at the moment, so today I travelled to my favourite little pond in Wessex.
I fished again in my favourite swim having a big lilly bed to the right, and a smaller lilly bed to the left. The boss has put some bark chippings here too which is great keeping things un-muddy. I baited up heavily and as neatly as I could to the right, and only very lightly to my left with the intention of alternately fishing them both. The weather had cooled a lot since the Sunday and I was not that hopeful for a Tench, but it was still nice being here. I had a good Roach really quickly from the right hand swim and I thought, here we go it’s going to be Roach all day now, but no. Everything went quiet. I had arrived about two-ish, and now at three o’clock with overcast skies I thought even I should be catching by now, but nothing. Time went on and I cast around looking for a bite. There were not many signs of feeding either. There’s a little weed to the left but this can be seen when the sun comes out. Here I cast and slowly reeled my float in as close as I dare the the left hand lilies. Boom!!!! the float zipped away resulting in a little Crucian which I was enthralled at. The wind whipped round from all directions and the rod remained straight for some time. I retired to the van and collected my kettle.
After my tea things changed. fishing in the right hand swim as close as I dare to the lilies I started to catch. Oddly enough, I never caught a single fish from the centre heavily baited spot, but as I cast just beyond it, or to the sides of it, I began to catch. After catching in the right hand swim I would leave it alone and cast to the left, returning after 20-30 minutes. Later I found a sweet spot just beyond my baited area, it was a little far for my poor Wallis casting skills, but I got there in the end and missed most bites but caught a number of Crucians (maybe 10+) until the Owls were heard and the bats emerged.
Due to my work, I find myself a temporary resident of Wessex. This does mean that I am almost in casting distance of my favourite pool.
As I arrived this warm overcast evening I met the manager who was there in preparation of a friendly get-together he had planned for the following day.
After a chat, I aimed for a swim that I had not fished in absolutely ages, and watched fish roll as I was tackling up.
I hastily cast out and tried to relax with a cup of tea as my float kept being knocked all the time. Line bites I thought, or something small having-a-go as I was using a larger hook and a good sized bait aiming for a Tench.
Nothing happened! I let the situation carry on for about two hours, I then reeled in and dropped a hook size which led to almost instant action.
Firstly, I landed a small Roach and then the Crucian’s appeared. Although I was hoping for a Tench, it was lovely to see Crucian after Crucian. I missed most bites. There were definitely Tench in my swim as now and then I would get a clonking bite and the pin sang for a brief second. These bites never materialised as I’d dropped to a smallish hook. Not to mind, I had a cracking evening. One note, I didn’t land a single Perch, which was the total opposite of my previous visit to this pool.
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. – "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
The Wonder of the World, The Beauty and the Power, The Shapes of Things, Their Colours Lights and Shades, These I Saw, Look Ye Also While Life Lasts. - "Denys Watkins-Pitchford".
look ye also 
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