...preferably something that rhymes with blanker. Suggestion on a postcard to...
I am amazed at how often I dream about fishing. I reckon my thoughts have drifted to the unknown waters of my imagination during nearly every night since my last trip, and a good many before. The obsession with all things fishing is a powerful curse. Incidentally, I didn't once catch a dream fish. Torture even during my most peaceful hours.
A break in the awful weather and yet another chest infection, and I sneaked onto one of the lakes I have available. I blanked. I retreated into another impatient abstinence and planned. Then I had yet another chest infection. My last visit to the pharmacy saw me carry my month's supply home in a carrier bag. A Carrier Bag! Good grief. Then Nicky caught the local virus that was doing the rounds, and another two weeks plus were spent being nursemaid whilst taking more debilitating antibiotics.
At last, the wind changed back to a westerly, and my mood lightened. I visited a pool with perch potential with my lad, Neil. He fluked a 2.2 perch on a prawn tail. I relieved him of many prawns and fished sections tipped with worm, confident of putting him to shame. I had an eel and a perch - see picture.
Next on the list was a small tench lake I had rejoined after a couple of tortured seasons a few years ago. Just over an acre in size, weedy, lots of lilies, and apparently, plenty of tench. I have previously taken just one of the inhabitants that weighed less than the amount of tooth enamel I ground off.
I walked around it, sat and watched it, talked to some new members, sharp, good anglers all, each one biteless. The most steadfast of which had already notched up over 100 hours of thoughtful angling all for nowt.
I first fished it just before the sky caught fire. I blanked - let's get that out of the way. But I had tench bubbling in my swim, and that's encouraging. No need to become suicidal after one visit. This morning I returned. The lake felt full of that spring atmosphere, with plenty of birds, butterflies and something that bit my leg, most likely a horse fly. I have noticed a lot of painted lady butterflies; they must have hitched a lift on the Southerly winds. Anyway, back to the blanking.
This pool has been stocked - twice - with crucians. I've seen them turning in the water, heard them flipping in the lilies as they spawn, and have been frustrated as you like with their bubbling and flaunting around your float that remains motionless. It's an enigma wrapped in a quandary. The tench won't eat bread or maggots, unless they are red, yet have been caught on boilies and pellets. No crucian has ever been landed, and the first stocking was 7 years ago.
I'll be honest, as much as I want some tench action, I am really getting an itch from the crucians. I've ordered various baits, feeds and may even buy a pole to get my presentation just so. All this despite already offering a 4mm pellet that's been critically balanced with a bit of 6mm pop-up. I can tell you that was not without incident, what with stiff fingers, glue and all.
Whilst talking about the weather, why do those simpering idiots who report the weather on our TV sets constantly apologise about rain, then announce a new record temperature like we've won an Olympic Gold. Never mind claiming kudos for our scary climate disruption or the odd shower that may ruin a picnic in the home counties, this stuff is threatening our planet and the lives of everything on it. Bloody tossers.
Where was I?
Oh yes. Be patient, I may be away again for a while, but I may just unlock an incredibly challenging little pool.
