"I've got the, newly acquired, ABU Carbon Specimen rods set up and ready to go for my second outing (as a member) to the syndicate lake. Sadly Benno can't join me as, being self-employed, his work must take priority over such folly as a day's Pike fishing."
Well that's what I'd written, yesterday evening, prior to my visit. I had plans to explore a new area of the lake but hadn't factored in the possibility of someone else beating me there! So, guess what? My fellow Canterbury/Thanet PAC region member, Andy L., had similar ideas and was already on site when I rolled up. My fall back, plan B, saw me return to the swim where I'd enjoyed the success last Thursday. Sub-zero temps and a lack of wind meant that there were huge rafts of "cat ice" covering massive areas of the lake's surface just adding to the challenge posed by the venue. I eventually managed to get three baits into the fishery by 08.15 hrs, only to discover that, within minutes, the braided mainline was frozen in the rings, thus negating the ability of my alarms to signal a bite! Fortunately, temps rose steadily and before 09.00 hrs that problem had passed, although the cat ice remained an issue until mid-day..
I actually managed to christen one of the ABU rods, landing a Pike of 8 lbs 2 oz just after 09.15 hrs. That was my lot, fish wise. I packed up at 15.30 hrs without hearing another peep from the alarms. Still quite a bit to enjoy, via the binoculars and camera kit. The red-head Smew is still present, although my only views were of it in flight! Tufted Ducks proved to be a problem, once the cat ice had melted, constantly diving in the vicinity of my baited rigs. Although they didn't actually pick up one of my baits, their activity wasn't conducive to indusing Pike to feed.
The best image from this session was provided by a pair of Egyptian Geese which flew past my swim allowing me to click away with the EOS 90d - absolutely bonkers what this digital technology is capable of capturing under such dull conditions.
Not too sure when I'll get back out with the rods, again, as there's quite a few distractions which need some attention over the next few days.
You didn't miss anything Dyl... I covered all that area, from first light to last, without so much as a sniff. I even introduced a little chum to try and stimulate any resident pike into feeding? You know when you're on a hiding to nothing when the ducks picked it all up a few hours later!
ReplyDeleteCheers for this Andy. Although sorry to hear of your blank session, those pesky Tufties might just help us in the quest to locate the Pike. If the ducks are active then the Pike certainly aren't? Speak again soon - Dyl
DeleteHave to say Dyl, that's a great picture of the Egyptian Geese. The composition couldn't be better.
ReplyDeleteHi Ric,
DeleteHow ironic that you've made this comment? If you hadn't suggested that I replaced the "ancient" Sigma 170 - 500mm lens, then none of the blog images would have improved. Over these past three years, not only have I purchased new lenses, but also the advanced camera bodies which are capable of recording images that were unachievable just a few years previous. So give yourself a big "pat on the back" because without your comment I might still be using that Sigma lens?
All the best - Dyl