Pilgrim’s Progress

He is also a very keen angler, having come back to the sport in 1995 following a break of several years. In this regular column he will tell us about his progress as an angler – his thoughts about the sport, what he learns, the fishing trips he makes, the anguish, the humour, in fact everything he experiences as his angling career develops.

Pilgrim’s Progress – read it every Thursday!

You Can’t Keep A Dove Man Down!

LEVEL MARKER Marker stick The water temperature was 7 deg C and the river looked good. After baiting up I then did my usual trick of finding a large twig and sticking it in the bank at the water’s edge. It might not be very technological or sophisticated in any way, but it works! I’m talking, of course, about checking the river level. Some rivers fish better on a rising level, others when it’s falling, and others still when it’s steady. So an idea of what is happening to the water that you’re fishing is useful.

Would Lady Luck Still Be With Me?
My previous visit, as detailed in last week’s Pilgrim’s Progress had been a real success. With four barbel, the two biggest being 9lb 2 oz and 10lb 7oz, I had certainly enjoyed the trip. But how would I fare a week later? Would Lady Luck still be shining down on me? Would my visit be a bit of an anti-climax? Well, I guess the title of this week’s offering gives it away really, doesn’t it?

By 1.00 p.m. I had cast out and was sitting comfortably awaiting some action. I didn’t have long to wait, because forty-five minutes later my rod lurched over, indicating that a barbel had taken the bait. The moment I struck I knew immediately that I was into yet another big Dove fish. For those who have never had such a pleasure, if I describe the experience as being connected with a log that moves, you’ll get an idea of what it’s like!

This fish was unusual in that it didn’t power off towards the small cluster of far bank trees, as one would expect it to. Instead it raced off downstream. Fortunately I was fishing a stretch of the river that was clear in as much as near side vegetation was concerned. That was a good thing because by the time I finally landed the fish, some minutes later, I was about forty metres away from my peg. It made sense to follow the fish, of course. Rather than bring it against the current for that distance, it is much easier (and quicker) to draw it the few metres to the bank by following it.

But as I’ve already stated, this one was arrested and detained. (I’m sounding like a barbel policeman here, aren’t I?) The moment I saw the fish, as it made its way towards the landing net, I knew that I had once again connected with another double. Hurrying back to the unhooking mat, the weighing process revealed that I had caught my fifth Dove double of the season. At 10lb 5oz it wasn’t the biggest fish I’ve caught, but still five ounces over the magical barrier that all barbel anglers dream of surpassing.

It’s interesting to note that with the five doubles caught, they were all tempted by different baits, or at least variations. I’m an angler that likes to experiment with flavours and other options regarding bait, but also I have the confidence to stick with something when I have the feeling that it will work. Both of these approaches had combined to produce the fish landed so far this season. I do feel with tackle in general, but bait in particular, that confidence is a big factor in the success of our fishing.

On the subject of tackle, for some time now I’ve been using Drennan Double Strength for hooklength. Although I have found the lower breaking strains to be unsatisfactory, the 10lb that I’ve used for barbel fishing has not let me down. Sticking with Drennan, I’ve been using boilie hooks. Again, I’ve found them to be reliable. I invariably fish with a hair-rig presented bait, using the very effective knotless-knot to complete the terminal tackle set up.

The Level Began To Drop
Re-casting, I again settled down, hoping that another fish would grace my net. But I’ve got to be honest and say that I felt pretty good after that first barbel. Anything else would really be a bonus. As the afternoon wore on, the winds increased and I was doing my best to keep the Brotel from taking off into the Derbyshire sky. Still, it wasn’t raining and that was something to be thankful for. In fact, a regular glance at my stick at the water’s edge revealed that it was gradually increasing in distance from the river itself, as the river level began to drop from mid-afternoon.

By 5.00 p.m. the daylight began to diminish as darkness started to draw in. In the trees opposite I heard the most unusual bird sound, a very distinctive songbird, but unfortunately, no matter how hard I looked I couldn’t even see the bird, never mind identify it. For sure, the reason I go fishing is to catch fish. But I also appreciate the by-products of angling such as bird and wild life. Not to mention the glorious sunsets and sunrises that I would never get to see if I wasn’t out in the open countryside.

Thank Goodness For Baitrunners
Not that all barbel bites are the same of course. Some are slight taps on the rod tip. But this was one of those bites that threatens to drag the rod into the river. Thank goodness for baitrunners, or at least the ability to set the clutch on reels, is all I can say. Otherwise, one distraction and we’d be looking for new rods and reels in the tackle shop the next day on a regular basis.

Again, I knew from the moment I connected with the fish, that I had a specimen on the other end. And as with the first fish caught during the session, it too took off downstream rather than making a beeline for the far bank trees.

The Net Enfolded A Very Special Fish
I don’t know what sort of thoughts go through your mind when you have a really good fish on the end of your line. Particularly as you draw it to the landing net and you see it for the first time, and realise that you have a very special fish about to be caught. But I can tell you, quite unashamedly that my prayer life goes into new dimensions, both of quality and quantity when I am in such situations! And on this occasion, my prayers were answered, as the net lifted upwards to enfold one very special fish.

Carrying it back to the unhooking mat I was definitely shaking. This wasn’t the quiver that’s associated with being frightened, cold or tense, though. No, this was brought on by nothing other than excitement. As the scales registered 11lb 6oz, it was easy to see why I felt the way I did. Not only was it my sixth double from the river, but my first ’11’ and therefore a new personal best. A few photographs later and I’m releasing a fish back into the river that will hopefully make another angler’s day, as it had indeed made mine.

At this I decided to call it a day. Only two fish caught, but what fish they were! I took a detour on the way home and headed through Burton-on-Trent so that I could celebrate in style. Pulling into the car park of a McDonalds, a Big Mac and a Super size vanilla milkshake saw me drive home satisfied and fulfilled in more ways than one.

Next week’s PP is slightly longer than the usual offering, so get the kettle on, switch on the computer and put your feet up. I tried to break it into two parts, but it just didn’t do the article justice. It needs to be read in one go. Oh, nearly forgot to tell you what it’s all about! ‘Exaggerations, Fabrications…And Downright Lies’ is the title of the article, by the way. Have a read and see what you think.

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