We'd been in Holland, ooooh.... about an hour and I felt the steering wheel slightly vibrating. A few miles on it was worse. I slowed down and crept along the motorway and staggered into the harbour, which mercifully had a free space for the night.
Next day I cycled to a local garage and the bloke said they could have a look, but not for a few days. No problem, we'd a place to stay and it was right by the river Ijssel.
Never mind, "worse things happen at sea".
The river was rising quickly. A week previous, heavy rain had hit the alps and Germany and now it was affecting the levels here and quickly.
The usual brown crumb, seed and corn mix was prepped and ready to go. First couple of short sessions produced some big two pound plus silver bream and some absolutely clonking ide, the biggest of which weighed 5lb 6oz.
That's a decent start in my book.
The fishing was quite tough, but with enough activity to keep me interested.
A few nice roach showed one afternoon, the best went 1lb 9oz.
The lure fishing has so far been dire. I had one micro asp and a small perch but that's it. And I've not seen anyone else catch anything either.
S wanted a go and asked what lure to try. I said I hadn't a clue. And I hadn't.
First cast she had a small zander. This happens. Often.
She also had lots if litluns on the pole in front of the van, mostly roach and the dreaded round gobies, a rapidly spreading invasive species. The zander love 'em though.
The van is fixed and we're moving north tomorrow, I'm hoping the weather will improve it's been pretty poor so far.
I'm hoping to fish one of the big canals near Groningen, I've no idea what it's like or what's in there but I'll try and find out.
