A couple of proper hard frosts signify that autumn is at an end. Even though I'm a lifelong Piker I hate the winter! It's not the cold that does for me it's the short days and endless darkness. The leafless skeletal trees, instead of vibrant greens everything is dull grey or muddy brown. I'm forever having customers tell me that the crisp frosty frosty mornings are "Pike weather", I try to remain patient and explain it isn't that clear cut...
I've really enjoyed the fishing this autumn. Early on the challenge of the special place was exhilarating and a welcome respite from a world going to shit around me. I knew it would be tough and it didn't surprise me. I've said it many times before, it's not the fish its the fishing and when that float slides away...
More recently I've enjoyed more prolific fishing at another wild, out of the way water. On one occasion the wind blew a hoolie causing chaos and carnage while Mr N and I fished in peace and isolation. With the boat position in the lee of the gale we were confident and comfortable. We don't fish together often but when we do a big bag of fish usually appears, as was the case this time. The final weight would have been well into three figures and as usual Mr N caught the lions share of them. That morning I'd opened the freezer and was knocked back by the stink! At some point over the last couple of days it had packed in and my bait was unappetising at best. Could Mr N's fresher bait have made the difference or was it down to his greater experience? Then again it could just be the way it was on the day and on another things will even out. It didn't matter to me at all, both of us boated good fish and as usual it was a thoroughly enjoyable day in great company.
A few days later the nephew joined me for a day on the water. We'd both been socialising the evening before so an early start was never on the cards but still I had to wake Josh up! For once the rain stayed away (mostly) and the wind hardly blew. Circumstances saw us exploring water I'd rarely fished before and I really didn't know what to expect. It all looked Pikey and interesting but nothing bothered our baits until we dropped weights in the third spot of the day when at long last a Pike showed an interest in one of Josh's baits. Unfortunately a combination of inexperience and a small Pike saw the fish come adrift. We had a couple more takes on the same spot but just couldn't put a fish in the boat, would it be one of those days?
Another move changed our luck or mine at least. I was looking in the direction of a float above a smelt deadbait when it seemed to tremor, was that a take? As I was wondering I noticed a patch of bubbles rise to the surface and then yes the float was definitely on the move! After a short, sharp fight a nice, plump double figure fish was secured in the net. We moved a short while later and this time it happened, Josh's float slid away and the strike connected. The bend in the rod indicated a decent weight but the fish had managed to snag a branch and wasn't as big as we'd hoped. The fish may not have been a monster but it had lovely colours and markings and most importantly the duck had been broken. Josh had his first Pike for a few years was held up for the camera and he was made up. He could have added another shortly after if he'd remembered to put the baitrunner on!
After that we had a quiet couple of hours before dropping weights for the final time that day. As dusk deepened my bait cast to an overhanging tree was taken three times in quick succession and three nice Pike brought to the boat before the feeding spell finished. It was properly dark by the time we made it back to the boatyard. The day had been a success, Josh's fish was not the biggest of the day but it was definitely the one that we both enjoyed the most. He's up and running now, the next target is to catch a bigger one.
I've really enjoyed the fishing this autumn. Early on the challenge of the special place was exhilarating and a welcome respite from a world going to shit around me. I knew it would be tough and it didn't surprise me. I've said it many times before, it's not the fish its the fishing and when that float slides away...
More recently I've enjoyed more prolific fishing at another wild, out of the way water. On one occasion the wind blew a hoolie causing chaos and carnage while Mr N and I fished in peace and isolation. With the boat position in the lee of the gale we were confident and comfortable. We don't fish together often but when we do a big bag of fish usually appears, as was the case this time. The final weight would have been well into three figures and as usual Mr N caught the lions share of them. That morning I'd opened the freezer and was knocked back by the stink! At some point over the last couple of days it had packed in and my bait was unappetising at best. Could Mr N's fresher bait have made the difference or was it down to his greater experience? Then again it could just be the way it was on the day and on another things will even out. It didn't matter to me at all, both of us boated good fish and as usual it was a thoroughly enjoyable day in great company.
A few days later the nephew joined me for a day on the water. We'd both been socialising the evening before so an early start was never on the cards but still I had to wake Josh up! For once the rain stayed away (mostly) and the wind hardly blew. Circumstances saw us exploring water I'd rarely fished before and I really didn't know what to expect. It all looked Pikey and interesting but nothing bothered our baits until we dropped weights in the third spot of the day when at long last a Pike showed an interest in one of Josh's baits. Unfortunately a combination of inexperience and a small Pike saw the fish come adrift. We had a couple more takes on the same spot but just couldn't put a fish in the boat, would it be one of those days?
Another move changed our luck or mine at least. I was looking in the direction of a float above a smelt deadbait when it seemed to tremor, was that a take? As I was wondering I noticed a patch of bubbles rise to the surface and then yes the float was definitely on the move! After a short, sharp fight a nice, plump double figure fish was secured in the net. We moved a short while later and this time it happened, Josh's float slid away and the strike connected. The bend in the rod indicated a decent weight but the fish had managed to snag a branch and wasn't as big as we'd hoped. The fish may not have been a monster but it had lovely colours and markings and most importantly the duck had been broken. Josh had his first Pike for a few years was held up for the camera and he was made up. He could have added another shortly after if he'd remembered to put the baitrunner on!
After that we had a quiet couple of hours before dropping weights for the final time that day. As dusk deepened my bait cast to an overhanging tree was taken three times in quick succession and three nice Pike brought to the boat before the feeding spell finished. It was properly dark by the time we made it back to the boatyard. The day had been a success, Josh's fish was not the biggest of the day but it was definitely the one that we both enjoyed the most. He's up and running now, the next target is to catch a bigger one.
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