ABU christening

"I've got the, newly acquired, ABU Carbon Specimen rods set up and ready to go for my second outing (as a member) to the syndicate lake. Sadly Benno can't join me as, being self-employed, his work must take priority over such folly as a day's Pike fishing."         

Well that's what I'd written, yesterday evening, prior to my visit. I had plans to explore a new area of the lake but hadn't factored in the possibility of someone else beating me there! So, guess what? My fellow Canterbury/Thanet PAC region member, Andy L., had similar ideas and was already on site when I rolled up. My fall back, plan B, saw me return to the swim where I'd enjoyed the success last Thursday. Sub-zero temps and a lack of wind meant that there were huge rafts of "cat ice" covering massive areas of the lake's surface just adding to the challenge posed by the venue. I eventually managed to get three baits into the fishery by 08.15 hrs, only to discover that, within minutes, the braided mainline was frozen in the rings, thus negating the ability of my alarms to signal a bite! Fortunately, temps rose steadily and before 09.00 hrs that problem had passed, although the cat ice remained an issue until mid-day.. 

I actually managed to christen one of the ABU rods, landing a Pike of 8 lbs 2 oz just after 09.15 hrs. That was my lot, fish wise. I packed up at 15.30 hrs without hearing another peep from the alarms. Still quite a bit to enjoy, via the binoculars and camera kit. The red-head Smew is still present, although my only views were of it in flight! Tufted Ducks proved to be a  problem, once the cat ice had melted, constantly diving in the vicinity of my baited rigs. Although they didn't actually pick up one of my baits, their activity wasn't conducive to indusing Pike to feed. 

The best image from this session was provided by a pair of Egyptian Geese which flew past my swim allowing me to click away with the EOS 90d - absolutely bonkers what this digital technology is capable of capturing under such dull conditions.

Not too sure when I'll get back out with the rods, again, as there's quite a few distractions which need some attention over the next few days. 

Enjoyable Sunday

 I'd rung my youngest brother, Sye, on Saturday in order to arrange a meet up to collect some very special items of "retro" fishing gear. Mick Shaw, a family friend since our school days during the 1970's, is moving to America and kindly thought that I'd appreciate the kit involved. How right he was. I have been looking for a pair of glass fibre ABU Legerlite's for ages purely because they were the rods I used at the very beginning of my Tring adventure. Now whilst Mick didn't have a pair of "Legerlite's" he did have a couple of ABU Carbon Specimen rods, from the early 1990's which would be a very suitable alternative?  

Still in their original rod bags - absolute retro treasure

Our drive from Ramsgate to Aston Clinton was relatively stress free and we arrived at Sye & Yve's house little more than two hours after leaving home.  Sye and me were quickly deep in conversation about the tackle involved and how our angling seasons are progressing. The girls were supping tea and talking all things family and shopping!!!! Along side the rods, Mick had given me a pair of ABU Cardinal 5 reels. These are Japanese manufactured copies of the original Cardinal 55's and, although very impressive, nowhere close to the standard of engineering involved with the Swedish originals.

I had driven up in the van due to Mick also having some Catfish gear which Benno had acquired, thus wouldn't fit in Bev's Mazda CX3 - the prefered comfortable option when driving long distances. Once we'd got the tackle sorted out it was time for a short drive, in Sye's Audi SUV, to The Five Bells, in Weston Turville, for a spot of lunch. What a superb venue, with a brilliant atmosphere and the food's not bad either! The staff couldn't do enough to ensure our experience was pleasurable, so I can do nothing more than recommend a visit if ever you're in the vicinity.  It was around 16.30 hrs as we said our good-byes and began the drive back to darkest Thanet. Once again a relatively trouble free journey saw us back indoors before 19.00 hrs - job done!

Original Fuji rod rings and reel seat - memories are made of such things

Having now had time to take a closer look at the rods, I'm looking forward to taking them for a session down at the syndicate tomorrow. In reality they are not a million miles away from the Duncan Kay's which are my mainstay rods of choice. I'll have more of an idea once I've actually had time to put them through their paces. With a bit of luck, work issues being flexible, Benno will also be able to spend the day on the bank tomorrow, as we seek further insight into the pottential of this fantastic fishery.

It's a start

 I was parked up just before 06.30 hrs and in my chosen swim less than twenty minutes later. Three baits in the fishery by 07.30 hrs and the waiting  game began. Nearly five hours passed before, eventually, my right hand alarm signalled a bite and I found myself attached to a fiesty Pike which I got right to the net before it tail walked and spat my bait (complete with hooks!). One - nil to the Pike. It wasn't a big fish, but might have scraped "double figures"?  Disappointed, yes, but certainly not beating myself up, the bait was cast back out and I put the kettle on for a brew. I didn't have time to drink half a cup before that same rod was away again. I'd just picked it out of the rests when my left hander also signalled a bite, bloody hell! Nothing I could do but deal with the first bite and hope that the other one stayed on. As it turned out, just the job as both Pike found their way into my awaiting landing nets! The first one tipped the scales at 11 lbs 12 oz whilst the second weighed 9 lbs 10 oz. I happily take that as a start to this new project.

As this was my first session down at the fishery, I'd agreed with Bev that I'd stay until dark just to see if there was any feeding spells which might have been missed during the PAC match on 4th Jan?  Between 16.05 and 16.45 hrs I had bites on all three rods and didn't land a fish! The first bite was an aborted take and my rig came back tangled? The other two were steady takes, yet I felt absolutely nothing when I attempted to set the hooks. Eels??? So the session ended with me having far more questions than answers. Luckily, Benno is down there on Saturday and will hopefully be able to provide a few more answers to the puzzle posed by these fish. 

The "red-head" Smew was still present but fishery rules, and
common sense, ensured I couldn't leave my rods to
get closer to it for a photo shoot.

As is always the case when I go fishing, the camera kit and binoculars were just as important as any other item of tackle. I had a very enjoyable days birding, seeing forty-six species whilst sat behind the rods and also my first butterfly of 2025 when a Peacock flew past. Two additions to the year list in the form of Grey Wagtail and (seventeen) Cattle Egret - happy days!

The start of a new adventure

Well before dawn, tomorrow morning, I will have made my first cast as a member of the syndicate water; where we held the John Roberts Memorial match on Jan 4th. I'll probably have to pinch myself, just to ensure I'm not dreaming? My talk/slide presentation, on Monday evening, to the Canterbury/Thanet PAC gang seemed to go OK and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, with Benno and I signing up, there are now seven of us with membership of this stunning venue. My ticket only allows me to fish on nine occasions between now and March 14th, so sharing info and experiences with the others will be a very useful aid to the learning process. The Pike that we are targeting aren't particularly huge, yet they would certainly compare very favourably with Scottish fish from an aesthetic angle.

With our membership confirmed, last week, Benno and I had a look around the
venue on Saturday morning. The lake was partially frozen yet allowed us to explore certain swims
with a "Deeper Pro". I had my camera kit and binoculars to hand and grabbed this
shot of an Egyptian Goose with a drake Tuftie, a Great Crested Grebe and a "red-head" Smew
for company.

I know that my personal efforts will revolve around the Pike and those problems which will need to be overcome. However, I am already aware there are also some very nice Perch in the fishery which could well provide a distraction, via a "snide (rod) on the side" approach? Andy L. showed me a photo of a 3 lbs 14 oz fish that he'd captured from the venue and it was awesome, plus it beats my PB by over 1 lb! So, whilst tomorrow will see me direct all my effort in the direction of Esox lucius, there will be a point where Perch enter the equation? 

PAC meeting and Purple Sands

As promised, earlier in the week, these are the details for the Canterbury/Thanet PAC Regional meeting where I will be doing my presentation. I hope that it will good evening and anyone interested in hearing what I've to say and/or learning more about the role of the PAC in modern angling, then you are more than welcome to attend. Always on the second Monday of the month (so Jan 13th 2025) and as usual, the meeting starts at 19.30 hrs (although most of us arrive around 19.00 hrs) It is held in the front bar of The King Ethelbert PH at Reculver. This presentation is focussed around my personal angling journey from obsessive speccy hunting right up to where I am now. So it covers a period of some forty-five, plus, years and there are plenty of tales associated with those early times. It costs nothing to attend these gatherings, although a donation, however small, would be much appreciated as it helps the region cover any expenses incurred during the course of a year. Advert over!

It is surprising how well camouflaged these birds are when 
stationary amongst the tideline rocks

I took a very leisurely stroll along the coastal footpath, this morning, from Dumpton Gap to Broadstairs Harbour and back. Although it was a stunning morning, with the sun beaming down from a clear blue sky, temperatures barely rose above freezing and it was certainly a day where multi-layers were a must. I undertake this stroll around this time every year purely to get Purple Sandpiper onto my year list. Today was very productive with at least twenty-three birds present around the area. I also noted decent numbers of Turnstones, particularly at Broadstairs Harbour, two Oystercatchers, four Curlew and a few Rock Pipits whilst wandering about. 

On the lower image it is possible to make out the "purple" tint of
the feathers in the central back area.

Back indoors by 11.00 hrs, I had to take a drive across to see Benno because there was a syndicate membership form which needed to be dealt with. Hopefully, all going to plan, I will get a session in next week, but certainly not on Monday!

Camera fun and a very unexpected twist

 It was a bright, yet bitterly cold, morning but I took a drive across to Winterstoke where I was able to walk the coastal path to The Western Undercliff, via Ramsgate Harbour. I did so purely because I wished to have a play around with the newly acquired Canon EOS 90d. The route is now but a shadow of what it used to be due to property development and increased human activity. Nothing I say, or do, can change this - so I just have to accept it for what it is?  It is still a very pleasant stroll even if the birds are no longer as diverse, or numerous, as they have been in the past. I added just ten more species to my 2025 year list, but certainly had some fun pointing the long lens at the Fulmars prospecting the nest ledges above the carpark situated below the Granville Theatre.

I was on the return leg of this morning's exertions when I received a phone call from Benno. It appears that he has managed to secure us a "predator" ticket, for the fishery we were at for the PAC Pike match, which will run until 14th March. Lots of restrictions involved with the arrangements, yet nothing which will prevent us from exploring this new venue and, hopefully, putting a few decent Pike on the un-hooking mats. 

A very confiding Rock Pipit just below Winterstoke Steps

I've got quite a bit of prep work to get finished before there's any chance of a return to the fishery. I am currently putting together a presentation for the Canterbury/Thanet PAC gang. I've had a conversation with Nick, our R/O, and Andy (the guy who put me up for this!) and  have agreed that I will post details on the blog, nearer the date. If anyone is interested in seeing/hearing my dodgy angling stories, the date, time and venue will be posted here on Friday. If for no other reason, it might be worth turning up just to see how committed the Pike Anglers Club of GB is to the promotion of "catch and release" angling's best practice and have a chance to speak with the guys about what the PAC can offer you? Oh yeah, it's a bloody good social gathering too!

The John Roberts Memorial Pike match

Yesterday morning, a little before 07.00 hrs, Benno and I arrived at the carpark of the fishery where the Canterbury/Thanet PAC Region were holding their annual John Roberts Memorial event. The venue is a highly regarded, and much sought after, Carp syndicate which I won't name. Suffice to say, before Andy had arranged this event, I never imagined I'd ever get to cast a line into the hallo'ed waters. Our motley crew assembled in the clubhouse where we enjoyed a sausage & egg roll plus a hot cuppa prior to the swim draw. Despite the freezing conditions, spirits were high and the banter incessant! 

The motley gang who make up Canterbury/Thanet PAC Region

On the drive over, Benno and I agreed that a Pike each would be a great result. The main objective was to allow us to spend a day on the bank, enjoying a social, not something which occurs often these days. I came out last, in the draw, so our original plan had to be scrapped and, thanks to some helpful input from Matt, the fishery owner, we were pointed towards a different area of the lake where we would be able to fish close enough together to share the day, whilst our rods were covering different areas of the lake. As it happened, this worked out very well indeed.

My swim for the day. Two ABU Cardinal 66X's on my trusty Duncan Kay rods, with a pair
of "back-biter" alarms which were made by my brother Sye

The match started at 09.00 hrs and concluded at 16.00 hrs during which time Benno and I both had three bites each. Ben converted one into a Pike in the net and I, two. The water was gin clear and the bites extremely tentative.

My first Pike of the session - 8 lbs 4 oz
In a match situation, every fish is worthy of placing on the scales!

Benno's Pike of 6 lbs 15 oz

The time passed quickly and we really had a great time on the banks of this superb fishery but, like all good things..... We packed up as the sun went down and headed back to the clubhouse for the conclusion of the day's proceedings..What I need to add, here, is that my second fish was a proper "scraper" double of 10 lbs 4 oz and, as such, a target achieved for the 2024/25 season. A double from a new venue!

Target achieved

Back at the clubhouse, after much banter and general silliness, it was time for Nick (our R/O) to announce the results. As it turned out, Ben and I had experienced a very good day with most of the gang drawing a blank for their efforts. I finished runner up, whilst Ben was third! Tom Lane, the youngest member of the gang, was this year's winner. He's now won it three times! However, all was not lost, as my "double" was the heaviest Pike of the day, by 1 oz, and resulted in me picking up the cash pot! 

Nick handing over the spoils, whilst young Tom gloats in the background.
It was a brilliant day spent with a great bunch of fellow Pike anglers.

I purchased a couple of beers on the way home, but will be donating £50 to Macmillan Cancer as it's a charity which played a big part in 2024 whilst Bev underwent her medical treatment. It was a wonderful day and a very fitting tribute to the memory of John, who played such an important role in the development of the PAC during his time as President of the organisation.