Wriggles Junior

My thoughts of sneaking away to one of my favourite Suffolk watersfor a quiet session during the Easter break held a few problems, themost obvious being this idea could also be in a lot of other angler’sminds. The second was, being the father of three boys who all lovefishing, the pleas to join me would come thick and fast.

Terry has joined me on one other visit to the Breakaway Pits atMelton Nr Woodbridge. A water that has fast become a favourite ofmine for three reasons, the first being the water itself, the secondbeing the selection of fine species available to the angler and thethird the friendliness that is always in abundance at the venue.

At 14 years of age Terry possesses a level of patience anddetermination for fishing that deserves admiration.

On the previous occasion that Terry joined me at Melton the waterhad been particularly difficult to predict for its fishing potentialdue to it being the middle of winter. I was a bit concerned that dueto the low temperatures it would prove too much of a challenge forhim as it was to be an overnighter.

But I gave into his relentless pleas and we set off on a coldwinter’s morning, the daylight hours proved fruitless with only acouple of liners during constant heavy, cold rain. As the eveningdrew in the temperature plummeted and ice formed hard on anything andeverything. We went well prepared but I had serious doubts aboutTerry sticking it out after the slow day. But the weather forecasttold of freezing roads all round the area so we stayed put.

As dawn came I re-cast the pike rod and started to collect itemstogether ready for an early departure as I was sure that if this didnot happen Terry’s spirit would be destroyed.

How wrong I was, in the end we packed up around 1pm after metelling him numerous times it was time to call it a day, only toreceive the reply “just a bit longer, you never know what mayhappen.”

Melton had thrown down the challenge, Terry accepted and had fullyearned his right to a place on the bank for the future.

The weather bode far more friendly this time as we set off justbefore the Easter weekend. This was only to be a day session and asusual the miles were quickly eaten away with fishing talk. On arrivalwe were pleased to see that our hoped for swim was empty.

The news on the fishing wasn’t too good. Due to the totallyunpredictable weather we have been experiencing this spring theprevious couple of days had seen very low temperatures, especially atnight, and this had taken its toll.

As we set up a massive splash to Terry’s right had us both uprightas one of Melton’s resident carp bade us a good morning.

We mixed up the groundbait, chose our baits and cast out, thensettled into the chairs to survey the beauty that is Melton and toenjoy our first cuppa of the day.

Despite searching out different areas with a few liners toindicate that we had found the fish all rods on the lake stayedsilent. That was until exactly 1.20pm (I know this off by heart now)when Terry’s rod screamed into action.

I quickly became net and unhooking mat man as I readied things forthe fish, Terry played the fish with that almost insane smile thatcomes when you are fairly sure you have a new personal best. With afew words of encouragement from me and a quick tussle near the reedsTerry drew the fish to the net and as I watched the mighty paddleslip over the opening I felt my year had truly begun as a fine tenchgraced my net, the first for 2001.

The photo’s show both the fish and the victorious angler suitablyattired in regulation FISHINGmagic hat of course. Then Terry made acomment that made me even more proud of this young angler and hisachievement when he said to take the trophy shot in the sling as hewas still shaking and didn’t want to risk any damage to the fish.

My part in this achievement? Knowing I have introduced yet anotherangler to this fine sport of ours and the knowledge that he will showrespect to the many fish that will no doubt come to his rods in thefuture. And finally that I had made the baits for my son to catch hisfirst specimen, as the only fish of the day from around the lake fellto a Mr Wriggles bait, and yes, as he is family, I even let him havethem at trade price ;-).

Dave heads the Suffolk based bait company Mr Wriggles where he constantly strives to devise effective new baits andflavours and improve on the well known ones.