A, very pleasant, Sunday session

 I had two baits presented in the drain, just prior 06.30 hrs, and within ten minutes the right hand alarm sounded a bite. With sunrise still over half an hour away, I found myself attached to a very lively Pike, needing the assistance of my newly acquired ESP head-torch to ensure that the fish was netted successfully. A cracking Pike of 15 lbs 2 oz was the culprit and ensured I could enjoy the rest of my time on the bank safe in the knowledge I hadn't blanked. I had already arranged, with Bev, that I'd be headed for home around 10.30 hrs, so sat back to enjoy the dawn and associated birdlife. Lots of wildfowl around the area, although no wild geese were noted. Two Great White and a single Little Egret got the day started with circa 800 Lapwings milling around in the skies above the marsh. I had some lovely, although brief, views of a Water Rail in the reeds on the opposite margin of the dyke and a female Marsh Harrier drifted past as the light levels rose. It was just before 09.00 hrs, that the same rod was away again and my second Pike of the morning found itself on the unhooking mat. A very nicely marked fish, of 9 lbs 8 oz, was quickly dealt with and returned to the drain. By 10.15 hrs I was ready to head for home and started a slow pack down prior to getting some shots of that first Pike, which had been well rested in a floating retaining sling. Job done, I began the long trek back towards the van, some twenty minutes away along the farm track. I'd spotted a Common Darter (dragonfly) as I made my way back along the drain before bumping into a fellow angler, Nick, whom used to be a member of the Heronsview Syndicate at the same time as me. We spend quite a while chatting about the current angling situation in the East Kent area and made some plans to stay in contact because we share so many similar values.

Back at home, much later than originally planned, I had the wet net and slings layed out in the garden prior to sorting out the rest of the kit. A Red Admiral butterfly was flitting about in the afternoon sunshine and I wondered if it would be final sighting of 2024? Given the current weather forecasts, there is every chance that insect activity will come to an abrupt halt as the temperatures plummet. It will be quite interesting to see how this weather change impacts upon the garden Hedgehog activity?