My luck hasn’t changed much yet, at least not as far as catching one of the big mirrors that inhabit this water is concerned. I netted a 14lb grass carp this morning, about an hour ago, but both Ed and I missed two blinding runs in the night that should have been fish on the bank.
Since then I’ve changed the hooks on all three of my rods, for I was using a make and pattern I haven’t used before, and which I shall never use again. Serves me right for going away from the hooks that have served me well in recent years, the Hutchinson Vice Rig hooks, which are now on my rods and held the 14lb grassie firmly, the first run I’ve hit and held since being here.
Last night Terry caught a 26lb mirror and young Mattie had a ’30’. Otherwise it’s been pretty quiet.
We’re desperate for the wind to change and blow with some force into the bay we’re fishing, for until that happens we’re going to struggle. Since we’ve been here the wind has been pushing into the dam and that’s where most of the action is taking place. There are occasionally signs of it happening. In fact as I write a breeze has sprung up and I’ve had a single bleep on my right hand bite alarm, then another as I’ve sat down again to write this report. Probably line bites, but enough to get the adrenalin going and make us pay attention.
What a wonderful place this Domaine Des Iles is though. The weather is warm and sunny and yesterday we were watching a kingfisher diving for fry and then last night we watched fascinated as a mole made a tunnel just under the surface, through the grass roots, audibly ripping them as it’s powerful front paws cleared a path. Every so often its long snout and a shovel-like paw would poke through. Later, in the pitch blackness of the night we went to investigate a loud rustling noise at the back of the cabin and found a big hedgehog enjoying a meal in our rubbish bag.
Anyhow, let’s see what the next day or two brings.
PS. Sorry there are no pictures. I’ve only left the cable to the digital camera at home, haven’t I – what a plonker! You can see a selection when I get back though.
