Its hard to please all, especially when you are coming from all points of the compass and have differing work end times. To that end numbers have been low on occasion, but unlike me Kev has never moaned hes just got on with it. Top bloke.
Last to arrive, complete with indigestion at eating a bag of takeaway sausage and chips bought on the way and washed down by necking a couple of tins of Rio. Quickly paid my money, then realised my mistake as I looked around at the quality of anglers on the bank. In the nicest possible way I didn't think there was room for me the standard of angler was high. Still fight the best to be the best. Local legends James Carty and Gary the Fish Etheridge drew as did Spanners (becoming a legend) Paul MATRIX Talisman Giddings the ever excellent Devizes ace Mike Marsden I could go on, but it left Kev the Bread and myself to draw 16 and 12 left in the bag. Fancied 16 James won of that peg in the last Open.
But I had 12 and Kev had 16. So here we were the rain had stopped the banks were muddy but it was a pleasant evening. After a testing day at work, the perfect remedy/ meditation of staring at a float, well, hopefully a disappearing float. Soon lost in the world of fishing the worries of work washed out of my boots as the float dipped and the first of two lost hybrids disappeared into the brambly bush opposite.
No tantrums no bad language, just a smile and a re-tackle and as I accepted the joys of an evenings summer angling. Gently, gently with the bait. Didn't have much, didn't need much for the short 2 and half hour match. Plus I had given Nic Worters some as he hadn't the time to get some during the day.
The float dipped again and this time I turned the hybrid away from the bush and successfully landed. Ten roach and 3 minuscule perch (what is it about a tiny Perch that will take a dendrobena longer than the fish itself then another tangle. Swung the 4 meter whip out into the track whilst I untangled. Engrossed in the puzzle that was a tangled rig I caught a glimpse of the whip sliding toward the water and realised fish on.
Great fun trying to lay down a almost untangled rig without tangling it up again, whilst grabbing the whip and playing another 10 oz fish on the flick tip. Expert juggler that I am I got it in just as Chas my mate came along for a chat. We shot the breeze about our loss at Gold Valley (last weekend) as he watched me bag a few more tiddlers. Marc (Northern boy) Kay came along for a chat too and the two of them kept a low respectful profile rather than sky lining me.
Marc couldn't understand why I wasn't hitting every dip and as I was explaining it was tiny stuff pulling the worm around the float disappeared and another hybrid came to the net. And so it was small fish after small fish interspersed with trying to stop bigger stuff heading for the brambles. I did have my obligatory fight with a Pike but for a change won it by dragging a bloody scarred and ripped roach from the jaws of death. See center top of pic below.
The all out was called at 8.45 pm as the light was making it difficult for me to see the bristle needle float, and the weigh in came down the bank. Nearly every angler had lost a hybrid or two, testament to the quality fishing at Pewseys milk house stretch. I had gone a pound with Spanners before he draw and he of course had drawn the end peg so I didn't hold out much hope. With Matrix PG on the other end peg - again - It would be tough to frame tonight, but who cares just enjoy.
My turn at the famous midsectioblues peg and a respectable net was pulled clear of the water.
Spanners realised he owed me a quid, but wasn't phased as he had taken one from JC so thanks James. The final pegs were weighed Nic thanked me for the bait and we both agreed it must have been the bait from Reids tackle that had made the difference; but neither of us had managed to beat the crafty old master Gary The Fish Etheridge.
I was pleased to play second fiddle to the legend that is Gary the fish. So long as I framed; and so it was.
Not going to crow, but inside I was happy. After a run of bad luck maybe this is the turning point, at the very least I relaxed and enjoyed it and actually when its like that things rarely go wrong. Push it and it will bite back.
The wife moaned at my getting home time of 10 pm, then went quiet as I passed over the winnings, odd that.
Not sure where to go this weekend, Ladies Bridge? Shearwater? or practice Horcott Lake for the next round of the summer league. See you Sunday
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