Pilgrim’s Progress – read it every Thursday! Come Hell Or High Water
Come hell or high water. And I suppose we could add to that – frost, gales, snow and rain! Yes, we certainly have experienced a menagerie of weather types recently. Still, as the implication in the title of this week’s PP suggests, it will take more than the weather to stop me going out on my fishing trips.
I’ve already written in recent PP’s about the rain we have had, and its effect upon my angling. But do let me say one thing. Don’t necessarily be put off by a flooded river. To many anglers (and I used to be like this) the thought of a river up to its banks, or even flowing over them, is a definite no-go as far as angling is concerned. However, I’ve had fish from the Lower Severn when it’s been 10 feet high and advancing up the meadow.
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Fishing a flooded River Mease
But be careful says Stewart |
Having said that about the Lower Severn, there are other rivers where even a slight rise in water level is the kiss of death. We need to get to know which rivers fish well at which time. That way, we can maximise our chances of catching. Although important at all times, in the winter that is crucial. A recent overnight trip with Mike Fidler produced a surprise, weather wise. Fishing a lake in Northants, we both settled down for the night in our respective bivvies. Opening the zipper door in the morning, I was greeted with a sight that would not be out of place on a Christmas card. During the night we had had a real heavy dumping of snow. The lake had also frozen overnight. Needless to say, we both blanked, without even as much as a line bite! It was so cold, packing up was a difficult task with frozen fingers. I am not exaggerating if I say it took an hour of driving, with the heater on full, to even begin to thaw out.
I’ve also been experiencing some bitter winds recently, making fishing extremely difficult. One trip I made to the River Sow in Staffordshire the temperature was already minus. But with the wind chill factor, it was seriously cold. Sitting there, frozen solid, just like some people wonder about life and ask the question ‘what am I doing here?’, so too did that very same thought enter my own head.
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Whiteout in Northants
Stewart? – Somewhere in the igloo! |
I must admit, the one type of weather form I don’t like is wind. Not only is it unpleasant, particularly if it’s from the northeast, but a strong gale makes bite detection very difficult. Tucked into a bivvie or a Brotel, I can live with rain, the cold, even snow. But a strong wind is not something I relish. Mind, having said that, it doesn’t stop me from going! One way of combating the cold is to rove a river. I have had a number of recent sessions on the Mease in Leicestershire where I have done just that.
Although the temperatures have been no higher than zero, a walk along the river, spending no more than 10 minutes in a peg, has ensured that I’ve kept warm. I’ve had some nice chub from the Mease when most people have been curled up in front of the TV and the fire on full.
It is important though, to dress suitably for the winter. In last week’s PP I wrote about fishing on a budget, and how we can economise to cut costs. However, when it comes to fishing clothing, that’s one area that I haven’t been prepared to take second best as far as quality is concerned. I wrap up well, with several layers of clothes and finally put on a Sundridge all-in-one thermal suit, which really does do the job for which it was intended.
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Mease chub caught in a minus
temperature when roving |
The one area that I always suffered with was cold feet. On a work-related trip I made to Canada a couple of years ago I picked up a pair of neoprene socks from a tackle shop in Calgary. I figured if they could do the business in Canada (it was up to minus 80 or something ridiculous like that with the wind chill factor when I was there), then they would certainly be suitable for anything the British weather could throw at me. Coupled with a pair of thick hiking type socks and the Sundridge boots that I use for winter fishing, I have never had cold feet since. It’s also well known that we lose most of our body heat from our heads. Whilst I’m always proud to wear my FISHINGmagic cap, I’m afraid recently I’ve been wearing a fleece hat that covers the ears as well. Someone bought it me as a Christmas present, and while it’s not exactly a fashion accessory, who cares about how you look when you’re out on the bank. Keeping warm is a priority.
So there you have it, an article based on how I’ve coped with the recent weather. Fishing wise it hasn’t been tremendously productive. I’ve struggled to catch, and I know many of you reading this have also found the going tough. But, as the saying goes – When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
Enjoy the rest of the winter – and keep warm !!!
Next Thursday, read why I believe that variety is the spice of life, as far as fishing is concerned.
The Reverend Stewart R Bloor
Sedgley International Christian Ministries
PO Box 1216, Dudley. DY3 1GW.
Telephone : 01384 – 828033
Web site : www.sicm.org
e-mail : missionscentre@sicm.org
