The 2024/25 RMC campaign is up and running

It seemed crazy that I'd not caught a fish, of any species, since 5th September and the Pike season is now three weeks, plus, into 2024/25. I had to make a start and thanks to Bev & I getting down to check the state of the RMC, on Saturday, plans were drawn up for a "silly o'clock" session this morning. Because of the weekend clock change, I was on my way just after 04.15 hrs and had two baited rigs in the canal just before 06.10 hrs. The right hand bait couldn't have been in the water more than ten minutes when the alarm sounded. It was a very slow, tentative, bite and I was convinced that Eels were responsible for the stuttering rise of the monkey up the angled needle.  Still, probably in auto-pilot, I went through the time honoured ritual, allowing the line to tighten before setting the hooks. BLOODY HELL! This was no Eel, as it tore off across the canal before deciding that Appledore might be a good option? It was a fantastic scrap and, as I drew it over the net chord, actually thought I might have fluked a "twenty"?

Once within the confines of the landing net it became obvious that, although a very large fish, it lacked the bulk to push past that magical figure. The scales revealed the true weight to be 17 lbs 10 oz and there was absolutely no way I was moaning about that for the first Pike of the campaign. Safely into a retaining sling, the rod was re-cast and I sat back enjoying the dawn, although huddled under a brolly due to some light rainfall.. I'd experienced an aborted take on the left hand set-up around 07.25 hrs, yet within an hour the same rod was away again and this time the fish was hooked. A nice, feisty, individual, which actually tail walked on a couple of occasions, before being engulfed in the folds of the landing net. At 12 lbs, exactly, another very nice fish to add to my tally from this superb venue. 

I remained on the bank until 11.00 hrs, although actually packing up the rods at 10.15 hrs before getting the self-takes done. Not  too sure when I'll get back down to the canal, but I do have an idea for a mini project at a venue much closer to home. I need to have a chat with the land owner before anything else can happen. To finish off, I need to mention the fact that I recorded my second Marbled Fern (Musotima nitidalis) of 2024 yesterday. Nowhere close to intense patternation of the individual I trapped in August, this moth was almost bland by comparison.Still, a very good garden, and Thanet, record.

I prefer the alternative Fern China-mark vernacular name for this species as it
seems more aligned to the UK moth nomenclature.