Summer Days

Well, the bass and mullet on my metaphorical doorstep have disappeared.  Where there were hundreds of flashing, rolling, jumping fish, now there is nothing. Another mystery.

I've been poking about, watching, cycling and baiting. Ive been pre baiting two interesting areas, one in a section where I've never, ever had a decent fish. I've seen nothing either, but the bait had disappeared on a couple of occasions.  Whether it's wildfowl, small chub or something decent who knows. I'll find out.

I've also been farting around doodling. Sitting in the garden in the shade, coffee on, listening to the back catalogue of the mighty Fall, is a damn fine way to spend a morning. 

I reckon in the last few months almost all my fishing has been done on, or more accurately, accessed, by bike. Obviously that means it's all pretty close to home, but it ensures that the gear is kept to a minimum and cycling tiny lanes and riverside footpaths in summer is a lovely thing.

I had a look along a tiny feeder stream yesterday, heaving with life. Small fish, dragon and damselflies, a kingfisher. The water was crystal clear, as you'd expect after months without significant rainfall.

A beautiful place to spend a bit of time.

You can never be unhappy catching a gudgeon.

I've finally got round to (very, very loosely) planning the camper trip for late July and August, just over four weeks of fishing, cycling and generally poking about somewhere in Europe.

As Eisenhower said, "Its a bad plan that can't be altered", so we'll see where we end up.