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An individual, of no great importance, who is unable to see the natural world as a place for competition. I catch fish, watch birds, derive immense pleasure from simply looking at butterflies, moths, bumble-bees, etc - without the need for rules! I am Dylan and this is my blog - if my opinions offend? Don't bother logging on again - simple!

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Wednesday 13 June 2018

Counting down

I've been out, and about, baiting swims in a couple of drains, in order to be well set for that first cast of the 2018/19 season. I still await delivery of my Wantsum AA membership card thus, have steered clear of the new venues until I have proof of membership. I've arranged parking, for the van, well away from prying eyes, and feel strangely confident about the situation. It is great to have so many contacts within the local farming/shooting fraternity that I can ask such favours without feeling embarrassed. (Not that I do or would!)
Work is off the scale, at present, we are flat out. Raw materials are proving to be our biggest issue; when can we get the next delivery? Order levels are way above target and overtime is available, should we choose to take advantage. Being down to my last £200k (joke) am happy to assist the cause by staying a few extra hours and ensuring customer demand is met, as best we can. It bloody great when you go to work because you want to, not have to - there's a massive difference between the two! Friday afternoon, just after 15.00 hrs, I will be headed off to my chosen drain with nothing more than a wish to be part of an outdated ritual, one that had been so pivotal in my past angling adventure. This time I will be alone, no lines of bivvies and fellow anglers, perched upon the concrete banks of the Tring Reservoirs, so no one else to decree that magic moment. The first cast will be when my Tag "Aquaracer" Calibre 5 signals midnight, far more accurate than awaiting the church clock - but, somehow, lacking the magic of those bygone times.
My life is good, right now, and any negatives are of my own making. The redevelopment of our bungalow is a glitch, in normality, which Bev & I have to deal with. The bigger picture sees us taking more holidays, driving around in decent motors and generally having a nice time. Moaning about not catching a carp is pointless when so many other things are going in my favour.



6 comments:

  1. Fortunately we don't have to suffer the massed ranks of bivvies along waterways here on Sheppey, our only annual ritual occurs on the 1st Sept with the start of the wildfowling season.
    You seem to be heading towards retirement years in a nice and contented life-style, which is how it should be and good luck to you, I hope it continues in that way.

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  2. Cheers Derek, although I am hoping to remain in employment for a while yet. I enjoy what I do and the discipline of attending on alternative late/early shifts is something which keeps me on my toes. Dad worked until he was well into his seventies, as did Bev's father. Both have said that the work ethic is what kept them sane and on an even keel - having nothing to do would drive them nuts! Granted neither of them are/were birders or countrymen so would have struggled, whereas we have outdoor interests which will never see us bored? I'll retire when I've had enough or, should my health suffer a decline, when I'm physically unable to perform the tasks that are required of me - Dyl

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  3. Welcome back Dylan, Look forward to your opening day blog, seclusion,alone with nature, and that magic possibility of a true wild fish! Cannot knock it!!

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    1. Phil,
      Thanks for the comment - sadly a June 16th post won't be forthcoming. Nothing to write about when you blank! - Dylan

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  4. Hi Dyl, surely a post about blanking is possible. As Kevin Clifford once wrote, no one blanks like your carp angler, some fill diaries all about how they didn't catch carp.

    However, I should point out, you're not a carp angler. You're someone who just happens to be fishing for a fish that might be a carp. A subtle but important difference.

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    1. Ric,
      I could write an entire series on blanking, it's something I do with monotonous regularity. I will be posting something about the first cast and my experiences, but am off out again, with a single rod, this evening to fish another spot where I have located a group of seven carp, three looking well over twenty pounds. If I'd found them sooner, I would have started there. With a bit of luck, I might have a photo to accompany the post, all being well. I'm on lates next week, so will be able to write up my weekend summary before I leave on Monday. - Dyl

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