Getting up this morning and opening the fridge door to warm my kitchen up convinced me that I should fix a pot of coffee, climb back under the duvet and stress myself over whether Planet Rock or Classic FM would win my loyalty.
The thought of another whole week of getting up and home in the dark was too much and I snapped into action. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Admiral Yamamoto said "All we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." That was exactly how I felt. I had to get out and wet a line and nothing was going to stop me.
Most everything I needed was easily accessible and I was packed in no time, I'd found some 1mm feed pellets that I dampened, 4mm cubed some Spam and removed a remaindered most of a pint of reds from the aforementioned fridge.
The most important three packs though were a large flask of coffee, a woolen Diem bobble hat (crazy stripy design) and the trusty ipod. I also thought I'd try out a recently purchased Daiwa XR pole I'd bought for small fish fishing.
I really miss catching up with Tim at the commercial where we used to talk about, literally, anything and everything. Still, life goes on and there we go.
I had a swim in mind that, like most, normally sees a bag of carp the most likely outcome but in these cold conditions the silvers are first to the bait as, unlike me, the carp stay in bed.
Arriving at the fishery, I gladly noted that my chosen swim was free so I plonked my gear into it and renewed my season ticket.
The mud was more Passchendaele than Poole so I hopped into Skee Tex and bib-brace kecks.
Putting the pole together, I felt happy with it given it was not massively expensive and felt just right for a "second gun". The rig was a tiny bodied float, taking 3 no 10 shot down to a size 22 to 1.1lb bottom hooped to a 2lb main line and a single red. If anything bigger moved in, I had a spare top with a tad heavier set up ready.
I pushed the pot out to the island edge in front of me at around 9m, potting in a mix of the pellets and a sprinkle of Spam and just a very few maggots, then out went the rig. I'd like to say it dived in an instant but, er no, it didn't.
The ipod was given the strict military order, Credence Clearwater - nothing else and started its job under the wool. A mug of coffee and I felt warmish and comfortable.
After a few minutes, the float suddenly shot under and lifting the pole brought back a much welcomed gudgeon, how much do I love these little guys? A sprinkling of them followed with tiny roach, a single tiny skimmer and some equally tiny perch. I was really to beginning to enjoy things even though it would have to rain these fish in biblical amounts to threaten double figures.
After a hour or so on the maggot, I changed up to an 18 and put a tiny cube of Spam on and quickly snared a couple of perch and, of all things, a small rudd. Smiling now.
It must have been about a dozen put ins on the Spam that I had a really beautiful little jewel come my way. A totally black carp of some 6oz or so that looked to have been carved from jet, only its eye giving way to any kind of light. A small but stunning little jewel, truly.
Back on the first rig and maggot brought more roach and the odd gudgeon and I was really enjoying the session.
Eventually, having totally lost track of (if not abandoned) time, I found I'd worked my way through the coffee and made the decision to exit stage left before the light started to fade.
A couple of months back, friend Pete on here showed me a hand tally counter that he uses and, as they were almost free on Amazon, I'd bought one which I started using after the first gudgeon, for gudgeon only. The total stood at 14, I'd estimate at least double that for roach for a guess at somewhere near 50 fish in total. Weight? Three pounds, if that, at a guess. Enjoyment? Priceless.
I packed up and drove home, my day and smile only slightly marred by The Chimp having scored with United's only shot of any description. The Met Police have done more shooting than United since August but, hey, if it keeps Van Gaga there all the better. Their fans won't have half as much enjoyment as I've had today.
To finish off a really enjoyable day, I'm just about to make enquiries about a holiday to California, have just rung Pizza Hut so that, after a luxurious, hot bath I'm going to crash in front of Endeavour with a fave pizza.
With a bit of effort, I've turned a cold, windy Sunday into something a bit better. I really must do this more often.
Best to all
---------- Post added at 18:00 ---------- Previous post was at 17:54 ----------
He is D n C, he stuck his head on a big bag of redfins I had on hemp n tare last october. -- this last incursion on my integrity I just took with a pinch of salt!.
It really is a bonus when you can have a nice day's fishing, listen to some good music and with a smartphone you can also tease the Binkmeister......
