Ending with a flourish

I'd been out, on the marsh, yesterday; catching a small jack pike for my troubles, but losing a better fish  when it threw the bait, hooks still attached - oh bother! Or something along those lines. I'd harboured plans to get out on New Year's morning, but Bev had arranged a family lunch so I had to revert to plan B. Thus, at 07.20 hrs this morning I was sat behind three rods, awaiting events. It was a dull, calm and mild dawn, with very little to recommend it until, at 08.05 hrs my left hand rod was away. Another jack was quickly guided to the awaiting net, un-hooked and returned with the minimum of fuss. A new bait was cast and, before I'd got the monkey back on the needle, the line was pulled from my grip! F**K!, the landing net was still over by my un-hooking mat and the resultant pratting about meant that the pike spat the bait. Drat, and double drat!
Within ten minutes I had experienced a dropped take on my right hand rod. Thinking it was eels, I wound my popped-up Sardine in only to have a low double follow it to the edge before spooking away. I examined the sardine, and yes it had pike teeth marks on both flanks. What's going on? Just how cute have these fish become? I'm thinking too much! What happened next is the stuff of angling dreams, straight out of Mr Crabtree! Between 09.05 and 10.30 hrs I had a further six bites, all fish landed. It was the most intense feeding spell I've experienced out on the drains, quite simply a gift from the angling gods. "Happy New Year" - well it will be if this can be continued?  Three pike between 5 & 7 lbs, one of 8 lbs 10 oz, with two doubles, 11 lbs 12 oz & 12 lbs 12 oz. I'd gone back hoping to get even with that fish I'd lost yesterday - this result is off the scale. Self-take photos are always a bit iffy? I was doing OK until I posed with the biggest pike, in that soppy Santa hat. As I chucked the hat away, the pike span on my thumb and did me up real good! It took nearly 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. Shit happens; it's certainly not the pike's fault that a clown was holding it.

11 lbs 12 oz - a stunning wild pike from the flatlands

Only an idiot would put their thumb in the mouth of such a creature - spot the Malaka!

So here we are. No spectacular fireworks to usher in 2019, well not at Wraftie HQ. but I am really looking forward to the new adventures that will unfold as the coming seasons pass. I wish each, and every, visitor to my blog everything that you wish for yourselves and your families. Have a safe, peaceful and happy 2019 - Dyl