Bit of a blow for me personally as the chosen date fell today; when I would much rather have been fishing my original fishing stomping ground. That of the River Nadder and Avon in Salisbury, in an open match. There are times though when we (Pewsey) need to think of the future of the club and put something back - and encourage the youngsters.
The day was not a huge success and a bit of a damp squib the fog was thick, cold and immovable both on the journey there and at the canal itself. The thick ice of recent days had gone and left a pretty good colour considering. Many of those that had asked for some "education" never showed. Some of those that did book in with some enthusiasm to help educate the up and comers had also found preferable or unavoidable places or family commitments to be.
Thanks however to Chas Short who did turn out, couldn't fish due to bad back, but nevertheless listened and learnt and found it useful. Thanks to too Si Irwin, Marc Kay and Kev "the bread" Chubb for the hints and tips to Chas and Morgan Plank.
Also to Si Burden, Leo, Bri Shutler and Danny Jones who put an appearance as well and sat with those who wanted help and past on years of experience. Whilst Many had to go and not fish the match or at least stay to the end. I can assure you the look on Morgans face (at the end) when he was telling me about his near pound of fish on this tough day. Made it all worth it. Morgan went away with a little bundle of goodies as well including elastics, spools of line and rigs. If I was honest I would have liked Kev "the Bread" to divulge some of his mystical knowledge of mothers pride in my hairy ears. Not to be though.
Martin Aris drew end peg 7 and Si Burden sat with him, and wonders will never cease. After a year (2014) when I drew no end pegs I start this year with Peg bloody one. I nearly fell over, couldn't believe it! I called the all in for the start and we tried to forget about the invasive zero temperatures that clouded us all in an attempt to get to your very bones.
Thick clothing and hoodies shrouded the anglers as they hunkered down to what was a hope of a good 4 hours or more likely a grind to scratch out the squat small embryo fish. Canal boats spouted the carbon monoxide laden smoke from their chimney spouts, and the fog pressed it down on the surrounding anglers allowing no ventilation to a blue sunlit sky, which we knew was above our blanket for the day.
Families, boaters and cyclists made the most of what was the last day of the holiday period for most by filling the tow path; and whilst the Kayaks were few, the back and forth of the floating canal "shop" boat. Came back and forth ringing its bloody school bell and selling coal, diesel and timber to the canal community. Shame it insisted on cutting along the most productive fishy line of the day. The far shelf surface water bulged wildly and fish took to the air as a large pike moved between Paul Giddings - peg 2- and I. The inside whip line would produce a couple of fish before they backed off into the deeper track.
So it was day of rotating through the swims building slowly on the small fish total. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't tempt a big fish up to my peg from the open space to my right. But it seemed that only small fish would grace my keep net today. Chat was coming down the bank as those "educators" that stayed to see their imparted knowledge put in place, slowly left us to it. It appeared Martin had busted his cupping kit so was baiting by hand; and those who were near by griped at the tsunamis ( exaggeration I am sure) that came from him throwing in balls of ground bait. By the end of the day he had inevitably received his new nick name Martin "Bomber" Aris.
I called an end at quarter past 2 and most were glad to get up and get the blood circulating. Chris was convinced we should have had another hour, and if we had he would have gone on to win. Tales of big Pike abound and confusion from some that their particular swim had done well for half the match then died. It wasn't a surprise to me the up and down temps, the thick ice and cold night of only a few days ago were bound to stop us all bagging. Even on Milk house which has fished its head of through October, November and December.
The weigh in:
The inevitable Lucky Bri Shutler again disproving he can catch fish anywhere, and surely he should be known as skillful Bri and not Lucky Bri. That said luck does play a part and whilst he didn't draw and end peg today he does get more than his share, some think. I take second place ahead of Chris and the other weights are of the 2 lb bracket. Young Morgan was cold but delighted with his catch and very grateful to all who had offered advice etc. Like I say his happy face made my day.
My net and I look forward to next Sunday on what hopefully will be a defrosted lake and another good or brilliant draw.
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