Another short, three hour-ish, session on the river this morning proved to be more in hope than a realistic attempt at luring a Pike to take my carefully presented dead baits. Although the river wasn't in the floodwater state of previous weeks, there was certainly an influx of snowmelt run off which had reduced both water temperature and clarity. With visible signs of fish activity still very difficult to spot, the regular occurrence of Cormorants along this section of river would suggest that there are food fish present. I remain confident that my tactics and bait presentations are more than adequate to achieve my goal.
 |
| My swim this morning. It is a beautiful section of this magnificent river and the longer it takes to catch a Pike the more I feel I will have earned it. |
I am totally committed to the theory that my "twenty" is a lazy, opportunist, feeder, looking for maximum return from minimum effort. This is exactly why my baits are prepared to have that something extra which makes them stand out from the norm. I am not so silly as to expect the word hectic to be associated with this project. One bite a week will do just nicely if I feel that my learning processes are moving in a positive direction. A new section of river, with a completely new set of problems to overcome. I'd like to think that the apprenticeship I've served will see me in good stead for the challenges to come?
Maximum return from minimum effort. Is the word paradox appropriate here Dyl as regards the Pike's feeding habits? I can imagine that a Pike having had a meal will take longer (?) to digest it, the colder the water is. However, I can see your point on using a large dead-bait. The Pike when it wants to feed, is by logic, going to go for an easy meal which will keep it going for a month (?). Lets hope your timing of bait in water matches with Mr big going on the munch.
ReplyDeleteHi Ric,
DeleteSo sorry for the delay in making this reply, yesterday was absolutely manic! Right then, the thought processes I use are very much based upon my experiences with "big" Pike over the years. That fish I so desire is, in my opinion, very similar to a Common Buzzard. Yes, sure they could fly around chasing rabbits but do they? Not a bit of it, they are far happier, preserving energy and sitting on fence posts waiting for their prey to come to them. My target fish will behave in much the same way and, in the build up to spawning, will accept every opportunity to feed if it suits them. I've not conducted any scientific research to back this up, although my diary notes certainly support the hypothesis.
Cheers for the comment, wishing you, Bronwyn and the family all the best for the festive period - Dyl