The Secret River, Lincs
With the river in top form I was soon back there. It looked in fine condition as I peered into the clear, chalk filtered water and I eagerly unloaded the car. Two hours later I still hadn't had a bite. I just couldn't understand it, the peg had been solid with fish the week before. Dejected I went for a wander. About three pegs away I saw a shoal of small fish on the surface and as I looked up towards the bridge I began to realise I was witnessing something special. The shoal must have been close to fifty yards long, maybe more. You can just make out the fish from this picture I took from the bridge.....
The water on the left is slightly coloured because some Bream were feeding vigorously and stirring up the bottom. Occasionally the Roach and Dace would grab at foodstuffs the Bream were sending up but they were mostly happy just to hold station in the flow. It really was incredible. Quite why they were in such a massive shoal is something I've pondered since. Maybe its just the old adage of 'safety in numbers'. There are certainly many predators in the river and I was just content to watch as the daylight faded and all too soon it was time to head back home.
A couple of weeks passed before I went back and this time I had company, my match rival and friend, Tony. I was pleased to have him along, he would maybe have a different approach or find some other way of cracking this most fickle of venues. As soon as we got there we both walked the stretch looking for any signs of fish. Neither of us spotted anything. Although the water wasn't heavily coloured it did have a brownish tinge to it. Usually a fining-down river fishes well. Previous visits to the river left me with some doubts. Three hours and a couple of peg moves later and all we had to show for our efforts was a solitary Sea Trout that fell to Tony. Although very welcome it wasn't quite what we were after. Having suggesting it I felt bad that it had fished so badly. Still Tony didn't mind too much. The weather had been great and we had a few laughs along the way. I'm not sure about him but one thing you can guarantee is I'll be back for some more punishment.......
Partney Pit, Lincs
Two short visits after Pike and Perch with no success.
Woodlands Lakes, Spilsby, Lincs
With nothing to show you from my visits to the river or Partney I popped down to Woodlands. King Prawn would be the bait with maggots showered over the top in the hope of a big Perch or two. I set up two link legers and sat well back from the lake as I wanted to fish close in......
It didn't take too long to get a bite and for once it was a Perch although only a pound or so it was satisfying just for one of my plans to come to fruition.....
Another Perch of a similar size came along soon after and I sat back waiting for a monster to appear. Unfortunately the Carp had other ideas and although fine looking fish they became a bit of a nuisance.....
A big Perch was what I was really after and I sat it out until I could no longer see my quiver tips in the diminishing light. It wasn't to be though and I trudged back to the car wondering when my luck would turn.
Bain Valley Fisheries, Lincs
Some of you may remember the virgin Lake Tony and I fished earlier in the season. An article on the very same lake in the Angling times brought it back onto my radar. Seemed they had opened it up and were now doing day tickets. A quick drive around the Wolds and I was at the entrance to the fishery. Pulling up I followed the instructions and put six pounds in an envelope with my name and car reg number on and posted it in the box. What Angling Times (or Improve Your Coarse Fishing) didn't tell you that if you haven't been before you will never find what they call 'The Bream Lake'. I had been twice but I still struggled to come across it in the maze of roadways and other lakes. Eventually I did find it although it wasn't signposted or apparent in any way. If you fancy a crack at it then give one of the numbers on the box at the entrance.
I didn't have much time and remembering how tough it was before I decided to throw a few rubber lures around for any predators that might be lurking in the crystal clear depths. First cast and the single hook of the lure snagged on some weed. I heaved it free and almost instantly it was snagged again. Or was it? A slight nod on the tip suggested otherwise and a rather lean but very angry Pike came to the net....
A few casts later and I decided to move. I drove round to the other side of the Lake and tried to make my way to the waters edge. It was tough going. A pile of recently cut down trees gave a clue to two pegs that had been cut out (for the magazine article) but they were still hard to reach through thick undergrowth. In fact there were only six fishable pegs on the whole lake. A great shame as it really is an enchanting place. I added two more Pike and it was great fun seeing them strike in the super-clear water. I'm not the worlds greatest Pike angler and to be honest they sometimes give me the creeps a bit but I want to persevere and get more used to catching them. It's the thought of an unknown monster that will see back there before long. They do say that Pike thrive on neglect.
Afterword
I have mentioned a couple of tackle shops before and I use two mainly- Spilsby Angling Centre and Tackle4you in Skegness. Like many of you I also buy gear online but I think it's important to support your local shops as much as you can. Two of my favourite brands are Shimano and Shakespeare and before Spilsby changed hands there was only one shop that stocked both- Castaline in Louth. Trouble was I had buggered up two of my Shimano reels from there by using them for sea fishing. In April I took them in to Castaline to be left for repair. It wasn't until I decided to do a bit of Piking that I suddenly thought- where are my bloody reels? On my next day off I shot over to the shop but would he still have them? The owner dug around behind the counter for a while before appearing with my reels which were working as well as the day I bought them. Remarkable service really and that is why you should support your local shops. Pike beware.........
Till next time...........
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