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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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Friday 12 March 2021

Flatland royalty

 "Effort equals success" is an adage which I've heard used in many situations. It certainly rings true in many spheres beyond angling but, the pursuit of big fish is definitely suited to the sentiment. Today I have finally reaped the rewards for a sustained period of baiting that was a bi-product of a pike session before Storm Darcy unleashed the "Beast from the East II". Way back in early February, I witnessed a spectacle of fish activity, on a small drain, which was sustained and very area specific. Both carp and, far more interestingly, tench were involved and I made plans to give it a bash before the season ended. A quick lead around, after packing up the pike kit, revealed a couple of interesting features. I couldn't wait to get back. Only thing is, I had to, because snow and ice had impacts on fish behaviour which weren't conducive to me casting a bait. Even when the snow had gone, heavy rain followed and the drain systems suffered the double whammy of snow melt and floodwater; I had to bide my time. It was the session when I caught that 14 lbs 14 oz pike when I was to, once again, witness some tench/carp activity in a similar area of the drain and knew it was now, or never, to get a plan together. Prior to today I had managed two short sessions, in the new swim, and had seen much to keep me encouraged yet not managed a bite! If nothing else, once I have a project on the go, I'm a bloody stubborn git. So bait has been going into the swim either before, or after, work which is one of the major benefits of shift work. 


It was really moody out there today

If I was up at "silly o'clock" on Tuesday, then today it was "stupid o'clock" because I was parking the van just before 05.00 hrs - two baits in the swim just 45 minutes later. As I've still got one more session planned for Sunday morning, I will hang fire on the details of rigs and bait until after the season finishes. I'd written, yesterday, that all I wanted was just one decent fish before the season ended. At 08.15 hrs the right hand alarm burst into life and, very quickly, I found myself attached to an unseen adversary who had no intentions of seeing my landing net. It was a magnificent battle, worthy of the fish which I eventually subdued. A gnarly, old, Common Carp which tipped the scales at 24 lbs 10 oz! That's a decent fish anywhere, let alone a remote drain on the East Kent marshes. Benno, Sye and Bev were all contacted and given the dribbling highlights by this adrenaline junky. I was out there, all alone, smiling like an imbecile. I stayed on for another ten hours, missing the only other bite. Did it matter, did it f**k! My self take efforts don't do this fish true justice, but they're certainly better than nothing.


What an absolute privilege to cross paths with this wonderful character.

As I'm looking at these images, I'm still buzzing. If ever I stop feeling like this then it's time to pack it in? I know that it won't matter if Sunday produces another fish but, I'm excited at the prospect already! I've already stated that once "close season" kicks in I won't go fishing again until I've retired. As I haven't even handed in my notice, as yet, it will be at least six weeks I reckon. On the plus side, the garden will look a lot better and the BWKm0 list will get a few additions.

17 comments:

  1. What an absolute PEACH!!!.. It dont get much better than that!.... hang on to ya hat out there this weekend brother... many a soul has been lost at Windy Corner! ;-)

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    1. It was a beautiful, old dinosaur, of a carp. Withered fins, a few nicks in the tail, long head with an underslung mouth, I can but guess at the age of such a beast. It was a moment to cherish as I slid the net under the fish - angling perfection. Not back out again until Sunday morning by which time the wind should have abated somewhat? Great to hear from you mate and I trust all is well at your end?
      Take care & tight lines - Dylan

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  2. What a beast. A right result for sure.

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    1. Cheers BB - I'm still grinning like an idiot - Dyl

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  3. Dyl, that is a cracking old warrior, and it's hard to think of many better ways to finish off the season. Even more so because it wasn't just a jammy moment, but the product of work and effort. Proper congrats on that one matey! 😊

    And talking of work, hopefully the fresh memory of that stonker will ease the passage of your final weeks. It's been sad to read about your recent unhappiness there...

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    1. Gavin, never has a fish been more welcomed! I'd been registering a few knocks and my gut feeling was that the tench were mugging me off. Even as I set the hook, it was tench foremost in my thoughts, so was thinking that I'd hooked a proper monster. It was probably five minutes before I actually saw the dorsal fin break the surface, removing any nagging doubts.
      As for the situation at Fujifilm, Bev has been adamant that I leave, ever since the original incident, and now have to admit that it's the best option for my own mental wellbeing. It has certainly been a very strange experience and one that will taint the brilliant times I've enjoyed whilst employed at the site. Thanks for the comment, always welcome. Stay safe - Dyl

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  4. Well deserved Dylan! what a stonker from a wild flatland drain! I'm no carp angler, but that is "proper" carp angling Well done, Lets hope one of the Tench visits your bait this Sunday, you only reap from what you sow......

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    1. Hi Phil, I was expecting you to pass a comment, if that doesn't sound too arrogant? Thanks for the kind words and, yes, a tench on Sunday would surely be the icing on the cake! As retirement looms for us both I'd love to meet up and see if there's common ground to explore? If you post a comment with your email details I will get in contact, but not publish it - if that's okay? Dylan

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  5. Magnificent Dyl. That fish looks historical.

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    1. Certainly not the prettiest Common Carp I've caught from the drains but the most characterful, without question. I don't have the first idea where to start looking for stocking records, or even if such things exist? Yet it is obviously a very old fish with a story to tell - if only it could - eh? All I do know is that those photos mean so much more to me than a trophy shot of a named "A" lister from a circuit water. How times have mellowed me (and you?) - all the best - Dyl

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  6. Well done Dylan, what a belter! He has seen some days in that drain...

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    1. A belter indeed Stewart; to paraphrase the Elbow lyric "One fish like that, each year, will do me fine!" What a wonderful way to end the traditional "river season". I haven't landed a better fish since getting back into the hobby in April 2011 and the reaction from fellow bloggers/visitors has been a real positive for my morale as I struggle to cope with work issues.(Not for too much longer!)
      Many thanks for taking time to comment - all the best - Dylan

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  7. I aint a fisherman these days old mate, but I do know a great fish when I see one. Wow.
    ps: Bevs right, enjoy the experience.

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    1. Bob,
      It was your Aunty Barbara who got us into fishing, as I recall. We used her stuff down at Swing Bridge to catch gudgeon and tiny perch with your Dad over seeing proceedings? We'd be looking into Tim's back garden, from that lock gate, only fifty years early?
      Hoping you and Wendy are keeping safe & well - it's gonna be some party when we come out the other side of this nonsense. God bless - Dyl

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  8. Hello mate- that's tremendous! What a fish! Wow, that's what it's all about...

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    1. It was the perfect way to finish this crazy season. Now it's all about making plans for the next chapter in this amazing adventure out there on the flatlands. Hoping all is well? - Dylan

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    2. Yeah, all good, Dylan- just so damned busy. Moving house and back to work- all good things but where's the fishing? Gone by the wayside a little at the moment. Most fishing I get right now is gawping over yours! I'll put it right in the summer- God Bless, Gazza

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