I had to think back to the last time that I was able to cast a line. My initial thoughts were the final days of the course fishing season back in mid-March. After looking through my own blog, I remember that I did manage a short fishing trip at the end of June – what a poor fishing year!
This particular local pond used to be full of Roach, which is what I was fishing for today. Waiting for a bite, sipping tea, I cast my mind back to the last time that I was out fishing on my birthday? I deduced that it was actually eleven years ago. At the time, I had purchased my very first split cane fishing rod, and have never opened the rod bag full of my carp fishing “carbons” since. I have added a few lovely split cane rods to the collection over the years too. One of my favourites I was using today, an old Mark IV, with one of my favourite ‘pins’, an Allcocks Aerial.
With the black death (Cormorant) circling above every hour or so, it was clear that this lovely pond had been targeted. This was confirmed when speaking with another angler there. A lot of the small fish are no longer. So I did not catch on my birthday. The wind was storm-force at times, float fishing wasn’t the best idea, making casting somewhat tricky (fishing excuses out of the way). I had a great day non-the-less. I am sure I used to class November as Winter, but today was overcast, dry and warm on this pleasantly mild Autumn day.
Today, I managed to break away and get a few hours at this little pond. The weather has been just too warm to contemplate fishing, and today the forecast was for thunder and rain.
I arrived at the pond to a cloud-filled sky, and it was still very warm. I chose the same swim that I had fished previously as I was sure that there would be fish taking shelter, (and better oxygen levels) in the bed of lillies. The pond has also a lot of weed growth now aided by the hot weather we have had.
My first cast was met with a lovely little Rudd. There was a lot of fish activity all over the pond and it was difficult to decide where to cast initially, but I stuck to my guns and baited up a small area just beyond the bed of lillies in front of me.
I managed to catch the first Tench of this year’s course fishing season and it was the gentlest of bites, as was the second Tench; both times the float simply slowly dipping. I did miss a few, but a light strike set the hook twice for me today. I also had a slab of a Bream that did not like the camera one little bit and would not sit still for a snap shot; ending upside down in this.
The start of this year’s course fishing season is somewhat different. Due to this Covid 19 pandemic, travel and certainly accommodation are still very much affected; meaning that I was not starting the season as I normally do on the banks of the lovely hidden pools of Wessex.
However, I have found a lovely little pool not too far from where I live, and this is where I resided today. This pond is tiny and some of the fish I have seen here you would really not expect with sizable Carp and Tench cruising the shallows.
I did not land my first Tench of the season today, loosing two great runs being broken each time. Although I did land a nice Perch and a lovely little Rudd.
I’ll be back here again one day for that elusive Tench.
Well, yet again the rain gods frowned upon the last day of this course fishing season. Again, I spent the final days in Wessex. After a couple of days without rain, the river had fallen back into it’s banks and although still flowing quite fast, I ventured forth to give it a try.
What a fool! As I strode from the car in brilliant warm sunshine I wondered why no other anglers were to be seen? It was not long until I found out. I first setup with a float but the current was just too fast, so I re-tackled the rod with a feeder. As I was re-baiting the hook I heard what I thought was the wind really getting stronger through the trees. However, as I looked up I was met with quite literally a wall of white! sleet, and it was really heavy. This was accompanied by a couple of loud rumbles of thunder. It did not take long before I was soaked – no I had not brought a coat or umbrella as the weather was so nice at the start of the day. The only thing I caught today was the beginning of a bad cold.
The next day was spent at a pond, and although I was treated to the first real Blackbird song of the day (full verse and chorus) I did not catch a thing.
As my cold developed on final day of the course fishing season I just had to drive home, sneezing all the way.
Never mind, there is always June 16th to look forward to.
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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