A Week in the Life.

" A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do "

Bob Dylan

His Bobness yet again hits the nail right on the head.

Monday I was back perching on two small waters, the first produced a re capture ( from last week ). I hate recaptures, so immediately headed off to the other lake, where I spend the afternoon casting livebaits in trees, hooking size 18 barbed hooks in my arse and generally fishing like a knob.

Next day the van was headed in to deepest Suffolk, trundling down tiny lanes to a lake best described as a throwback to a lost world. 

A maze of tiny bays, sunken trees, decaying lilly beds and the banks strewn with beds of water mint. Silent apart from the wildlife, it really has the feel of a place from a bygone age.

I'd gone along to catch up with The Chubmeister General, who had been on a mission to catch an eel, or failing that a carp, from this mysterious lake. Catch up we did, chatting shite all day until the autumn darkness descended and I sloped off back to the comfort of the van, leaving TCG holed up in his bivvy

The lake refused to give up any of its residents and after a morning coffee I headed off an hour north, for a recce on a new section of river, where whispers of big chub and perch had piqued my interest.

What a beautiful river it is, overgrown banks, patches of gravel and ranunculous writhing lazily in the strong flow. As an added bonus, it looked practically unfished.

I walked the banks all afternoon trying in umpteen swims, with just a single bite to show for my efforts. No matter, I'm confident it's worth a proper go this coming winter.

I parked up overnight at a riverside pub, free if you eat in the restaurant. 

Why, I don't mind if I do. £11.00 for a roast beef dinner, bloody beautiful. Perfect.

Back home the following morning, I did a quick gardening job for a neighbour, watched a pair of ravens soaring on a thermal way above the house, made some double hooks for perching and then farted about painting some floats.

Friday morning I made the dreaded trip in to town for a birthday present for S. As usual, I'd left it until the last possible moment.

I was ruthlessly efficient, in and out like Flynn, clutching my prize that ensures my bollocks remain in tact for another year.

Brilliant end to the week with a great gig at the Steamboat watching the mighty East Town Pirates and Attila The Stockbroker with his band Barnstormer 1649. A rowdy, beery ocassion as usual at this fantastic venue.

Paddle your own canoe folks.

 

Perching

I'd unfinished business with the estate lake, early spring had produced some nice roach and perch to probably a pound and a half, but I decided a "proper" go with livebaits was in order.

Catching livebaits, it's almost always a pain in the arse. Not enough, too small, too big, you know the drill. 

There's not that many prey fish in the lake from what I've seen, but the perch look in good nick.

One thing that is a mistake in my experience, is to use lives too small. All you do is end up catching smaller and smaller perch.

Of course, there's always exceptions, but a roach or a perch of 2 to 3oz is about spot on. Anything bigger and you tend to miss runs.

Whilst catching the livebaits I'd had a big bleak, probably six or seven inches long. A monster and how it got in the lake is anyone's guess. 

Two CD/ Bellers rigs were assembled and an unfortunate fish attached and swung out close to cover. The ancient home made drop offs were attached and I was fishing.

After about an hour the line pulled out from the clip with a satisfying click and a second later I saw a big swirl on the surface as a perch hit the roach.

Hustled in to the net quickly it proved to be a cracking fish of 2lb 4oz in absolutely pristine condition. A good start.

A couple of perch around the 1.5lb mark followed and then a very greedy small fish with eyes far bigger than its mouth.....actually that's not true....

The following day I was back. Slightly less activity but another beauty of 2lb 6oz made it worthwhile. 

It's always a pleasure to fish here, tucked away in the valley surrounded by a big wood and away from the madding crowds.

This coming week I may be off in search of barbel and zander. On the other hand it may be more perching.

We'll see.