Where has the month gone? Not much of it has been spent on the riverbank that's for sure! Early in the month I had neither the time for an over-nighter or motivation to fish a short session. When I looked at the calendar I realised my summer fishing was practically over and I really needed to spend a day reorganising the shed. Stuff that won't now be used till spring goes to the back, bags unpacked then packed again. Rods rigged, knots tied, hooks sharpened. The Pike gear is now ready.
Saturday 17th was the unofficial start to the pike season, the annual PAC Convention, held at Kettering conference centre. As ever it was great to catch up with people I only see once or twice a year and good to make a few new friends. I've bought a bit of kit recently, a new bag for the boat for one and today picked up a few more bits and pieces. Boat rests from Neville, boat biters from ET. I fancied buying a book and had a chat with Mr Harper but forgot to have a proper look. Mr Lumb was in good form as ever. The evening saw a steak, a few beers and some good Pikey chat with old friends and new.
Thankfully I survived the Saturday night unscathed and arrived home in plenty of time for a trip to Norfolk. I had a plan to revisit a spot I'd caught Bream earlier in the year and put a bit of bait out to try and hold them. Once anchored up I fished brown crumb and crushed hemp in a feeder with corn and maggots on the hook. Bites were regular so the feeder was recast often, meanwhile I was catapulting pellets over the top. The Bream didn't show, the bites were hard to hit and I only managed a few Roach and Rudd.
The other reason for going was to have a look around and get an idea of how things look for the season ahead. It's Pike time and for the next few weeks I'll just be doing my thing in a place I love, come what may.
Saturday 17th was the unofficial start to the pike season, the annual PAC Convention, held at Kettering conference centre. As ever it was great to catch up with people I only see once or twice a year and good to make a few new friends. I've bought a bit of kit recently, a new bag for the boat for one and today picked up a few more bits and pieces. Boat rests from Neville, boat biters from ET. I fancied buying a book and had a chat with Mr Harper but forgot to have a proper look. Mr Lumb was in good form as ever. The evening saw a steak, a few beers and some good Pikey chat with old friends and new.
Thankfully I survived the Saturday night unscathed and arrived home in plenty of time for a trip to Norfolk. I had a plan to revisit a spot I'd caught Bream earlier in the year and put a bit of bait out to try and hold them. Once anchored up I fished brown crumb and crushed hemp in a feeder with corn and maggots on the hook. Bites were regular so the feeder was recast often, meanwhile I was catapulting pellets over the top. The Bream didn't show, the bites were hard to hit and I only managed a few Roach and Rudd.
The other reason for going was to have a look around and get an idea of how things look for the season ahead. It's Pike time and for the next few weeks I'll just be doing my thing in a place I love, come what may.
