tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73385892240510755322024-03-18T21:25:58.853+00:00Of Esox & observations You'll never make a difference being the same as everyone elseDylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-4179279541740144382024-03-17T18:46:00.003+00:002024-03-18T16:15:45.156+00:00A surreal weekend<p> With Bev's operation being imminent, I decided that we needed to get away for the weekend in order to avoid the situation of dwelling upon the impending medical procedures. A couple of phone calls, on Friday, ensured that we were able to do just that. First I spoke with my youngest brother, Sye, who along with his wife, Yve, were more than happy for us to visit them for the weekend. The second call was little more of a gamble. I rang Simon Walker, Dick's son, to see if we could meet up and take a look at the tribute display for his dad in the North Herts Museum, Hitchin. Unbelievably, this also resulted in arrangements being made which ensured it became a very special experience for us all. So Bev and I headed off, via the M2/M25, to Aston Clinton where Sye & Yve reside. This was our base for the weekend, although we didn't spent much time within the walls of their lovely home. We arrived just after 11.00 hrs, on Saturday, and between the usual banter, I managed to spend some time out in their garden grabbing a few shots of the local Red Kites. In Aston Clinton these majestic raptors are the equivalent to Rose-ringed Parakeets on Thanet; they're bloody everywhere! Light levels and generally gloomy conditions did nothing to assist my cause, yet I'm happy enough with what I managed to achieve. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-73vihuaFi9r8h7UUGwfxyErdoHHwYmBA0XD1pJH-tVJMMHh_oYxJ_CIIEy-1iusVwk2Xbv34zD8YRiSI1h8vXpKGsy0SVEJ_6UchIi0cxx7ltygFPt1uUDKL_JiGa6EB6Ki1UY_UpC9VihGjNEQBqYjY0nYVuMpwiF5hjv1JxcwvoJay2wZWUdESyM/s1580/Red%20Kite5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-73vihuaFi9r8h7UUGwfxyErdoHHwYmBA0XD1pJH-tVJMMHh_oYxJ_CIIEy-1iusVwk2Xbv34zD8YRiSI1h8vXpKGsy0SVEJ_6UchIi0cxx7ltygFPt1uUDKL_JiGa6EB6Ki1UY_UpC9VihGjNEQBqYjY0nYVuMpwiF5hjv1JxcwvoJay2wZWUdESyM/w430-h640/Red%20Kite5.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUqu09vm9wQvlwt2bXEHUjNd45KnZuWpieuHcIWk9i8tp_jWuHfNdIBq6Ziw2kj275WQROf_PDBNe-uO3ownDj1SXqOEKlBZaDJaQmo79JLbF9lbts7MyBGDzlHsGutV75QizykHQ4JbWFJ5iTQVq4EZ_hSvZaqJohPlIzhzWWI9eTWg-EM9I7r7bOqc/s3324/Red%20Kite4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="3324" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUqu09vm9wQvlwt2bXEHUjNd45KnZuWpieuHcIWk9i8tp_jWuHfNdIBq6Ziw2kj275WQROf_PDBNe-uO3ownDj1SXqOEKlBZaDJaQmo79JLbF9lbts7MyBGDzlHsGutV75QizykHQ4JbWFJ5iTQVq4EZ_hSvZaqJohPlIzhzWWI9eTWg-EM9I7r7bOqc/w640-h426/Red%20Kite4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Lh8pH5aFM_Tjz7HIFn16X2ryBRSgBs15k21YHb55G_7W_hfwNqNdM4jTd0U8OdtBiOPyCQuU1WcML7C7g5jvWGBZbyzklHWvl1iOYRNguqCJw0BDdOkG6ONWNg9TpfBdsepRWvBfGZhXjdTUuDv_UWNwo4UdDvE9RlLeQ4sPQNhkFBZZ8ZYVG_eJzs/s2091/Red%20Kite3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="1413" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Lh8pH5aFM_Tjz7HIFn16X2ryBRSgBs15k21YHb55G_7W_hfwNqNdM4jTd0U8OdtBiOPyCQuU1WcML7C7g5jvWGBZbyzklHWvl1iOYRNguqCJw0BDdOkG6ONWNg9TpfBdsepRWvBfGZhXjdTUuDv_UWNwo4UdDvE9RlLeQ4sPQNhkFBZZ8ZYVG_eJzs/w432-h640/Red%20Kite3.JPG" width="432" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHTgK7t_2afp3EogMAoa1uAzYEOaFuHhkq8FNep7CxEt2xJmH4IR-CmAtpuw4B6VV8pbo_JEGn-Cqts033wtNvofd_Z2AgtY5_UWVwgalI4g7Cc9-n91pXaRMZLYArg7WHHE4Pt2yEa_vMTsJVb_hHTTJ0mzw1sw0jn6MXqZcCYet7A31M8U8NrQhcME/s2936/Red%20Kite2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="1945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHTgK7t_2afp3EogMAoa1uAzYEOaFuHhkq8FNep7CxEt2xJmH4IR-CmAtpuw4B6VV8pbo_JEGn-Cqts033wtNvofd_Z2AgtY5_UWVwgalI4g7Cc9-n91pXaRMZLYArg7WHHE4Pt2yEa_vMTsJVb_hHTTJ0mzw1sw0jn6MXqZcCYet7A31M8U8NrQhcME/w424-h640/Red%20Kite2.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We get Parakeets - Sye & Yve have to poke up with Red Kites</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikPlXeitEhakgUvjX4rFVlqJJQxGvxQiVhJiZAKqsMglGy7E5-UEGoujs-9eZXjHi3T_U8eRWjdjrsazsHJxj6kGfepARFIC3VzyCGru_Ia49gbYGZsHhDPfjQTxom_-czDXwOIXk3MHpfLPcnJNtG7GhaJq70Nqd678ILU7NP-y1uth3CElaYU1fd1E/s2287/Red%20Kite1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2287" data-original-width="1521" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikPlXeitEhakgUvjX4rFVlqJJQxGvxQiVhJiZAKqsMglGy7E5-UEGoujs-9eZXjHi3T_U8eRWjdjrsazsHJxj6kGfepARFIC3VzyCGru_Ia49gbYGZsHhDPfjQTxom_-czDXwOIXk3MHpfLPcnJNtG7GhaJq70Nqd678ILU7NP-y1uth3CElaYU1fd1E/w426-h640/Red%20Kite1.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>The plan for the afternoon was for Bev & Yve to drive across to the garden centre in Tring for a coffee, cake and general perusing, whilst Sye & I headed to Hitchin where we were to rendezvous with Simon for a museum visit. It was a good plan. The girls had a great time and were able to chat about stuff which I find quite difficult. Sye and me were to experience one of the most memorable afternoons of our lives? We drove to Simon's house, in Hitchin, where we were able to get parked without any issues, before being chauffeured to (and from) the museum by his lovely wife, Janet. I have to admit, here and now, that I've just had to get in contact with them again because I couldn't actually remember her name - much to my shame! Anyhow, we spent a very pleasant time in the museum, first viewing the tribute to Dick Walker which is absolutely bang on. A Hitchin lad and a local hero, although his influence obviously goes far beyond this parochial perspective. Sye and I were impressed by the display put on by the museum, and yet got just as much pleasure when, after looking at the posters and artifacts, we were able to sit down with Simon and just chat about what his father meant to him and us, over a coffee in the museum cafe area. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4I4MJ6vw0Bjxr_lqN-oIbX9uPP8QH2PZbBONZzEIPr8Demm7ZAHdOZU2Eu8mSLfHX4TCwKalspTMON8_XNiXUYIpcHcxxaYDdoj9fPF8DyBgOkg_JYkfTmKMGQE7NXSaFB4g9jTIP0oT1yIN-gMGMHUn1Yl6Hqm-pzRku_SCuSnYANm9gMF3rb2SW5Q/s4725/Exhibition%20ad.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4725" data-original-width="3150" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4I4MJ6vw0Bjxr_lqN-oIbX9uPP8QH2PZbBONZzEIPr8Demm7ZAHdOZU2Eu8mSLfHX4TCwKalspTMON8_XNiXUYIpcHcxxaYDdoj9fPF8DyBgOkg_JYkfTmKMGQE7NXSaFB4g9jTIP0oT1yIN-gMGMHUn1Yl6Hqm-pzRku_SCuSnYANm9gMF3rb2SW5Q/w426-h640/Exhibition%20ad.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxQBTkmIYnbN9o1rFQYimtcD-_Ukda-iPsk6uugFqfTzoYsnVU4x2qJR0c2-3mCnJLB7m06g84-K1iUJj0l_3E_r-5TlcGPoKQ82cHOB4-MzQROmc_B7C9sC5CM3gzY2pF9bxoONwGF1NlHVeV8wjRyX3iLqILsoc9ovX0B0xKKeVm7Dpwn-Nhcg9e8c/s5054/Chris%20Tarrant%20board.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5054" data-original-width="3488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxQBTkmIYnbN9o1rFQYimtcD-_Ukda-iPsk6uugFqfTzoYsnVU4x2qJR0c2-3mCnJLB7m06g84-K1iUJj0l_3E_r-5TlcGPoKQ82cHOB4-MzQROmc_B7C9sC5CM3gzY2pF9bxoONwGF1NlHVeV8wjRyX3iLqILsoc9ovX0B0xKKeVm7Dpwn-Nhcg9e8c/w442-h640/Chris%20Tarrant%20board.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOBfF-giQDaBPoRdwA-r4mpulu7T6akRZS4hgHoulvEQCyALFUG-YRMXmd_uhyphenhyphenulhItSsoTDO_NtW0JEDLi71edJJy3inok9umma2S2F3XrDMgJr1xEnuMBXTzJEHeJZy4rq4C5krziRaP83IbGfNGXmsmnq4X_6SoAh6bjBYzZcgk2MWyocwU-1Uj8o/s4862/Board%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4862" data-original-width="3380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOBfF-giQDaBPoRdwA-r4mpulu7T6akRZS4hgHoulvEQCyALFUG-YRMXmd_uhyphenhyphenulhItSsoTDO_NtW0JEDLi71edJJy3inok9umma2S2F3XrDMgJr1xEnuMBXTzJEHeJZy4rq4C5krziRaP83IbGfNGXmsmnq4X_6SoAh6bjBYzZcgk2MWyocwU-1Uj8o/w444-h640/Board%203.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE_NHIo-d9zZQzzO45IOGp0SB9rxrlHY2VFiNqWRRyQGgkbPQTafIxZQHxV7nOVYomtVjmLHLx56QnuERAgJtSaYGtOKJGSg1GdQLRyMLaX95RlWrqNeWKpfY8zD9ODcBRNPTRb9EBs-L2csF2CuQ06rjq47Wo77VktMY7ceutltC5fcr4F4RTO7ckeU/s5285/Board%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5285" data-original-width="3562" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE_NHIo-d9zZQzzO45IOGp0SB9rxrlHY2VFiNqWRRyQGgkbPQTafIxZQHxV7nOVYomtVjmLHLx56QnuERAgJtSaYGtOKJGSg1GdQLRyMLaX95RlWrqNeWKpfY8zD9ODcBRNPTRb9EBs-L2csF2CuQ06rjq47Wo77VktMY7ceutltC5fcr4F4RTO7ckeU/w432-h640/Board%202.JPG" width="432" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuHQyUEDjSCfwBm5Ra2T5JP_p4mN_FeTj7bnn4lLTSEJ4CVtxIBNZMjSAyvi3jvQtjkbR5-48q41iLhm6lKf_1nLEVomDxzIgTxqnsZoDG8CxXnHXg0zuy7mXmNIgJqMqG1jP5JJlR__lnNvcl8Aq_cBUR6DvAdKLm660X0djiiO5DKI5S4ErU4TUHws/s4476/Heron%20alarm.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="4476" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuHQyUEDjSCfwBm5Ra2T5JP_p4mN_FeTj7bnn4lLTSEJ4CVtxIBNZMjSAyvi3jvQtjkbR5-48q41iLhm6lKf_1nLEVomDxzIgTxqnsZoDG8CxXnHXg0zuy7mXmNIgJqMqG1jP5JJlR__lnNvcl8Aq_cBUR6DvAdKLm660X0djiiO5DKI5S4ErU4TUHws/w640-h426/Heron%20alarm.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Heron Bite Alarm which set this whole series of events in motion - crazy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then, this morning, despite the drizzle Sye and I had a quick drive across to Wilstone Res. for a wander and a reminisce. It was all rather weird, not too much has changed, from a physical point. A bit of "health & safety" adjustments to the steps meant that they now have railings, but that was about it. We chatted about odd moments, as we passed various points along the concrete banks, yet both agreed that it could never be the same place, for us, to fish again because the characters of yesteryear are no longer part of the scene. Great memories of a stunning venue, yet the magic has faded with the passing of time.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuh7SgKK7L0CE5aiedE3d_qweF90GK8LqvHMcm3PnrwpMx2QQoZWdtCgmZpCdiJPp1nsQ0AK_f272RvRcimR27vruireaEQEs_s8Z39-pfiSYU7iZp9Fnl-BaSctiylavFs0-BDEQb9oNoZNgy3fW0PLgZ-yh5wPLXHT_BDP_4KdzyKAh5S-qorzJfnY/s4949/Wilstone%20Pier.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="4949" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuh7SgKK7L0CE5aiedE3d_qweF90GK8LqvHMcm3PnrwpMx2QQoZWdtCgmZpCdiJPp1nsQ0AK_f272RvRcimR27vruireaEQEs_s8Z39-pfiSYU7iZp9Fnl-BaSctiylavFs0-BDEQb9oNoZNgy3fW0PLgZ-yh5wPLXHT_BDP_4KdzyKAh5S-qorzJfnY/w640-h426/Wilstone%20Pier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wilstone Pier 17th March 2024 - it can never be the same without Alan Wilson's bivvy <br />pitched on the end?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-71207999783361518942024-03-13T17:15:00.001+00:002024-03-13T17:15:23.377+00:00My wish granted<p> I was out on the flatlands, this morning, and had my two rods fishing just after 06.00 hrs. It was less than an hour later when the right hand alarm announced that a Pike had taken my bait. Not a particularly noteworthy scrap, but resulted in the "double" I had hoped for gracing the bank for a short while. At 16 lbs 15 oz it was a recapture of a fish which I'd caught in November, but that didn't reduce the pleasure of landing it today. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdC49lHcwY3ruObxM1m0a3uvNCRMjj9g1WdvqBXYGHt0x1UIPkLbDfe9Dq6KfVdPANrLqDLgSf8fUhzyuH6O9uoCOxXG28AVrNX97Fjhdq0h6-mQ4r7TuXLJaeAI0qI-nlRBSgLEWfD5ziFgUz6cl_GUK0YnSbLOy79lKOXT8V2vWJMe2AfTgurrJIcY/s4325/RG%20Pike%2016.15%20left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="4325" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdC49lHcwY3ruObxM1m0a3uvNCRMjj9g1WdvqBXYGHt0x1UIPkLbDfe9Dq6KfVdPANrLqDLgSf8fUhzyuH6O9uoCOxXG28AVrNX97Fjhdq0h6-mQ4r7TuXLJaeAI0qI-nlRBSgLEWfD5ziFgUz6cl_GUK0YnSbLOy79lKOXT8V2vWJMe2AfTgurrJIcY/w640-h426/RG%20Pike%2016.15%20left.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really nice looking Pike and yet another demonstration of the<br />benefits to be had from adding a polarizing filter to my camera kit.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Although I hung it out until after 10.30 hrs, that proved to be the only action of the morning. I'm not too sure where I'm headed tomorrow, for the final session of the Pike season, but know that even if I blank there can be no complaints about my 2023/24 catch returns.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-60600069057085025872024-03-12T18:03:00.000+00:002024-03-12T18:03:43.471+00:00I should moan more often!<p>I'll start with the news that this morning's, pre-op, consultation meeting went very well and we came away reassured about the next stage in Bev's treatment. As we are not back for any more medical procedures before Monday 18th March, I will be able to get two more Pike sessions in before the season closes. With that out of the way, last night's PAC gathering was a very enjoyable event, with all the usual banter between the gang. I managed to exchange a few opinions about my own angling experiences and also give my view on the record status of that stupendous, 47 lbs 5 oz, Pike which came out of Chew Valley in February. As my opinions have no impact upon those empowered to make such decisions, I won't bother mounting the soap box on this occassion. For me Tommy Morgan's fish, from Loch Lomond, still remains the one to beat.</p><p>So there I was, yesterday, moaning about how difficult my garden listing efforts had proven to be and what would you know? As I parked up on the drive, after returning from the PAC meeting, I was greeted by the sound of calling White-fronted Geese somewhere overhead in the darkness. A right result; not only a garden tick but also the first record for my Newlands Farm patch. Then, after getting back from our very expensive, post hospital, coffee morning (I wrote off a tyre on the way home which added another £58 to the bill) there was a male Blackcap on the fat-ball feeder. It made fairly regular visits, despite the constant rainfall, and I eventually managed to grab a few shots which are blog worthy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42ftF9Yw9Mfhu3uzeoT6E92X29dCXwW6NIwZJjmDW5aktiFlsmis6EtJGScBZqEFIIGJ6C-H1PUZaRjNGb79X765GJbYOZvchPRT2q0aDhEPBq2KMYHLZq6FadHCsfwZkG7qbq_0BP7aM0pLOrkY5SqdCb6XwZRVgoz_Zx2i-AJevP3-tkGROEk7JxB8/s3251/Blackcap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2164" data-original-width="3251" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42ftF9Yw9Mfhu3uzeoT6E92X29dCXwW6NIwZJjmDW5aktiFlsmis6EtJGScBZqEFIIGJ6C-H1PUZaRjNGb79X765GJbYOZvchPRT2q0aDhEPBq2KMYHLZq6FadHCsfwZkG7qbq_0BP7aM0pLOrkY5SqdCb6XwZRVgoz_Zx2i-AJevP3-tkGROEk7JxB8/w640-h426/Blackcap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Knowing that Pike fishing the RMC is a non-starter my options are rather restricted for these final two sessions. Black Dyke could see a further effort yet, I hanker after one more "double", the drain where my season got started seems to be edging the thought process at present. </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-80256119871786245732024-03-11T17:31:00.002+00:002024-03-11T17:32:51.483+00:00Struggling on<p> Is there no end to this cycle of abysmal weather? Friday/Saturday we were battered by gale force easterlies which provided some reasonable photo opportunities, down in Broadstairs, whilst I awaited the garage folk to change the front brake pads on my van. On the Saturday morning I endured a completely uneventful session out on the flatlands for the first time this season. Then, to add insult to injury, we had some more rain on Sunday, just to ensure the R. Stour and the RMC remain a filthy dirty, unfishable, mess. Happy days!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjGOWeKbfS5OQXZ3M2I__qjwKXgyjCoE3n-i55zqtNZ2m7NBJsmvNeerViA6oMN5B7iE9QKKzbhYRqxA53ewrQF2Sygh4vxxS2SH3GVyzhI960O3Ve3nGhMz5AwvG-K2-TGKTYK8voNV7tigKbsOiDoDw-PWBDnOXk43LdhEi9ZlAzvixOMzT8-iZ73o/s5472/Sea%20spray.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjGOWeKbfS5OQXZ3M2I__qjwKXgyjCoE3n-i55zqtNZ2m7NBJsmvNeerViA6oMN5B7iE9QKKzbhYRqxA53ewrQF2Sygh4vxxS2SH3GVyzhI960O3Ve3nGhMz5AwvG-K2-TGKTYK8voNV7tigKbsOiDoDw-PWBDnOXk43LdhEi9ZlAzvixOMzT8-iZ73o/w426-h640/Sea%20spray.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>My garden bird list is proving to be a testing exercise, at present, Redwing, Song Thrush and, most annoyingly, Ring Ouzel have escaped 100% positive id. In those far off days, of youthful exuberance, I'd have probably ticked them off without a second thought. Certainly much older, although unsure if wisdom has been part of the process, I realise that such unimportant trivia doesn't have a place in my enjoyment of the wildlife encounters which come my way. I didn't get a positive id, so just move on.</p><p>With Bev's cancer treatment now imminent, I will be over at our PAC meeting, tonight, for the final time this Pike season. Some exchange of opinion about a couple of subjects would be very much appreciated, from my perspective, as I have several nagging doubts about my bait presentation choices since embarking upon the Black Dyke project. Second opinions are always welcome, especially from this bunch of extremely talented Pike anglers. The way things are panning out, it would seem that I will be out with the Pike rods on both Wednesday and Thursday, mornings, to see an end to the 2023/24 season. If I blank, there can be no complaints about how my campaign has gone. Nineteen "doubles" and two "twenties" providing yet more evidence that my decision to retire wasn't so bad after all? </p><p><br /></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-84201768050878158772024-03-06T18:15:00.000+00:002024-03-06T18:15:17.297+00:00The first Buzzards<p>Today's been a right "pick & mix" of events. I started off down on Black Dyke where, armed with a couple of split canes, I was on the hunt for a Tench. Crazy as it might seem, the recent sessions have provided me with ample evidence that there are some very sizable fish in this venue. This morning's effort wasn't able to confirm my suspicions, yet I didn't a blank as I managed to catch a very small "wild" Carp of a couple of pounds, or so. Packed up and on my way home, just after 10.00 hrs, Bev and I had a meeting with the cancer nurse booked for 14.00 hrs over at QEQM Hospital, Margate. With the sun beaming down from a lightly clouded sky, the local gulls were very agitated as the first signs of Common Buzzard movement began. I counted seven in little more than ninety minutes, four singles and a group of three, </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO70q_GBQOxflXzwHAb5Pg3c-EcOvnTQnRcV151cJn6BSbMbQzmdoze8Z6jHJs-j5veRC7ckRbg7XCgED9j3P0lho0C691OWEif5j-iTiEMgD0eiGoEN5NLxbY7LbXD5yLnUb2f0TuHS5HSLUN-RrrSpwf15H9EV_5Ic7stRnYmqqkAGD0TPw8UpLNJrM/s2117/Common%20Buzzard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2117" data-original-width="1404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO70q_GBQOxflXzwHAb5Pg3c-EcOvnTQnRcV151cJn6BSbMbQzmdoze8Z6jHJs-j5veRC7ckRbg7XCgED9j3P0lho0C691OWEif5j-iTiEMgD0eiGoEN5NLxbY7LbXD5yLnUb2f0TuHS5HSLUN-RrrSpwf15H9EV_5Ic7stRnYmqqkAGD0TPw8UpLNJrM/w424-h640/Common%20Buzzard.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite high but, straight over the bungalow,<br />I clicked away merrily</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I even managed to add a Raven to my 2024 garden list when one came through, heading south, before deciding it would be a good idea to irritate a Buzzard. Only when the two species are together can you appreciate just how big a Raven really is?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6248H1GwGYp71gG-Rqyy-J73GOhMHiETaFEcKjAmZ9Dg3t2lSrMi2czbPyt6o2DiSzybHR9InrhXRvEh7dKWno9OXqfe5BzbJYhyphenhyphengfn4777tG9Faiba4amDFldCQOW43A6uBKqWJDL_f6XRgANhymP8BUluVxkorQ_Um076jewn7f0yhO0aluj8gTVA/s1502/Aerial%20dispute.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1502" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6248H1GwGYp71gG-Rqyy-J73GOhMHiETaFEcKjAmZ9Dg3t2lSrMi2czbPyt6o2DiSzybHR9InrhXRvEh7dKWno9OXqfe5BzbJYhyphenhyphengfn4777tG9Faiba4amDFldCQOW43A6uBKqWJDL_f6XRgANhymP8BUluVxkorQ_Um076jewn7f0yhO0aluj8gTVA/w640-h430/Aerial%20dispute.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Our hospital appointment was a very good experience as we were given more details about the sequence of events which will take place over the coming months. Everything we heard was positive about a successful conclusion to the treatment, yet honest enough to include the possible side effects that some of the drugs/treatment might cause. I might only get one more Pike session in before the season closes but, under the current circumstances, it really doesn't matter a jot!</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-64955877017112076102024-03-05T19:27:00.008+00:002024-03-08T10:34:50.786+00:00Sad little seal<p>Thanks to the guys at our independant garage, in Broadstairs, both the van and our Mazda CX3 received their annual MOT certification today. My van requires a new set of front brake pads, as an advisory note from the process. It's booked in for Friday morning to have this sorted out. So another year's motoring is secured with our current vehicle choices. The sequence of events was to provide a window for me to take a slow stroll along the coastal path between Broadstairs and Dumpton Gap.My search for a "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit seems to be an exercise in pointless time wasting, yet not without reward? My walk back along the coastal footpath, between Broadstairs and Dumpton Gap provided the opportunity to grab a sequence of images of a "ringed" Rock Pipit, which I'd first seen in early December, and secure the BTO code.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnlnERzd2vJCrzkglmsOmRyj35sT-U9V-le5luh0pJPQYfienfFVs1KX-dnBIuj5jgtGQ_Q3Yd2pwUCXLcBtsgushxXIaGzYDLNaz0Cq4qX6vUJizfGK1yKQUDUZ1May1RtABBABabC32zR6Lz4G0uloT_F7PNRTu0PNF4pEWQr9a54oGFWVp3CKymSE/s4455/Ringed%20Rockit1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2958" data-original-width="4455" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnlnERzd2vJCrzkglmsOmRyj35sT-U9V-le5luh0pJPQYfienfFVs1KX-dnBIuj5jgtGQ_Q3Yd2pwUCXLcBtsgushxXIaGzYDLNaz0Cq4qX6vUJizfGK1yKQUDUZ1May1RtABBABabC32zR6Lz4G0uloT_F7PNRTu0PNF4pEWQr9a54oGFWVp3CKymSE/w640-h424/Ringed%20Rockit1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've sent the ring code to the BTO, via Euring?<br />I will update any info when I am able.<br />It seems that AI can deliver almost instantly? This bird was ringed in Broadstairs,<br /> on 30th October 2020, thus is a resident.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It was just as I arrived at the Dumpton Gap pathway that a guy informed me that there was a "baby" seal on the beach, if I wanted to get some images? The positive being that a Marine Animal Rescue guy was already present, I had a quick chat which was pretty informative. It was a Grey Seal pup. and would need to be tested for weight and body temperature before any decisions could be made?</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLjNBfJX950kdXUdrUa4zfAjzlv1PmLEgfdGxjYLNXc9g2zlzFezO0yCfnZZABo1zSqfm2CbtZRp9jl__orq8yn91ySu1S4GI4LqNw0STNTYckM8CDxlPhrcGxk9a6v-OmqWminGEisjB04XkpbFgEqPXY13IB16EPwrPDcASbI-fb7VQaFJrbCR8EP4/s4227/Grey%20Seal%20pup.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="4227" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLjNBfJX950kdXUdrUa4zfAjzlv1PmLEgfdGxjYLNXc9g2zlzFezO0yCfnZZABo1zSqfm2CbtZRp9jl__orq8yn91ySu1S4GI4LqNw0STNTYckM8CDxlPhrcGxk9a6v-OmqWminGEisjB04XkpbFgEqPXY13IB16EPwrPDcASbI-fb7VQaFJrbCR8EP4/w640-h428/Grey%20Seal%20pup.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very poorly little seal.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Back out with the rods tomorrow, let's hope for a tight line! </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-89859009015074909902024-03-03T21:29:00.000+00:002024-03-03T21:29:44.711+00:00Coffee & Cake<p> If ever Bev and I are at a loose end, then a drive around East Kent is a very nice way to waste away a few hours. Coffee and cake being the prefered option at the majority of destinations we head for. It doesn't matter if it's Copper's at the Preston Garden Centre, Poppies at Petham, the wonderful Fifth Trust Cafe at the Elham Valley Garden Centre, we enjoy them all. However, there is one place that is very dear to our hearts, where the view from the cafe is absolutely outstanding, and that is the "Battle of Britain Memorial Site" at Capel le Ferne, just outside Folkestone. This place is a superb tribute to those folk who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the UK remained free during those horrific times. There are many exhibits, both inside and out, where it is possible to spend a quiet minute just thinking about the horrors that these individuals must have witnessed and experienced during this savage period of our history. The Winston Churchill quote "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" is inscribed upon the wall as you drive into the site and resonates within as I wander around the site. It is a very special place and highly recommended if ever you're in the area.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASic2Ft0UiUBYtPt__y-2B_Z6eoQ50e-yAjHtFCjQXQxr86zWs6kMf2zaGyFTRzzAr8iYRCF9I3Hg4MhUEjBwlX5hRCpGY_RTWH-_T8AyFmQ3fimwBB4Y-7kSuEKRmwClTtY9smR4f49k06j6XwnalxC5MLXxvoFCuD9w_7WwhyphenhyphenCDg_GzCC60JRV4JmA/s5472/Battle%20of%20Britain%20Memorial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASic2Ft0UiUBYtPt__y-2B_Z6eoQ50e-yAjHtFCjQXQxr86zWs6kMf2zaGyFTRzzAr8iYRCF9I3Hg4MhUEjBwlX5hRCpGY_RTWH-_T8AyFmQ3fimwBB4Y-7kSuEKRmwClTtY9smR4f49k06j6XwnalxC5MLXxvoFCuD9w_7WwhyphenhyphenCDg_GzCC60JRV4JmA/w640-h426/Battle%20of%20Britain%20Memorial.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>You might have already worked out that we were there today, hence my reference, but that was just part of why I wanted to get down to this part of the county. Coffee and cake consumed, I had a wander around the area in order to grab a few images, whilst Bev remained in the cafe for coffee number two! It was an hour, or so, later that we were back in the van headed off towards the RMC. I wanted to see if there was any chance of casting a baited rig before the end of Pike season. The flooded fields, out across Romney Marsh, as viewed from the road leading down into West Hythe, told me all I needed to know. The reality being confirmed when we pulled up at Gigger's Green to survey the filthy water flowing under the bridge. I won't be back until next winter, I guess. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHsOp_-vMpkgKG0gfbhWVI5y5jHAtA6KKoPTc58IaPiyc5cFAKlxwpE6jaXiO5WzIzh_AvjiEKNcnp8W72EY1fMmhOZrPb2xrQRJtI8jWGDZ4s_DVWZwMzcVzCgrphdwmUGGYHP0LFjUw_XNjvAODVwL3txnaQ4AFD266KfMYw3uLvfk2fed4-BotXrc/s4439/RMC%20sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2968" data-original-width="4439" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHsOp_-vMpkgKG0gfbhWVI5y5jHAtA6KKoPTc58IaPiyc5cFAKlxwpE6jaXiO5WzIzh_AvjiEKNcnp8W72EY1fMmhOZrPb2xrQRJtI8jWGDZ4s_DVWZwMzcVzCgrphdwmUGGYHP0LFjUw_XNjvAODVwL3txnaQ4AFD266KfMYw3uLvfk2fed4-BotXrc/w640-h428/RMC%20sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>With just ten more days of the current Pike season remaining, it would seem that Black Dyke is going to be where I am to conclude the efforts. One more "double" would be nice, something bigger would see this Pike season elevated to "very special status". I'm back out tomorrow, with a couple of ideas up my sleeve. Only time will tell if my thought processes are on the right track? The van and Bev's car are booked in for their MOT's on Tuesday, we have a hospital visit on Wednesday, time is rapidly passing and I will just have to fit in my Pike fishing whenever possible. </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-44010871744656073192024-03-02T16:24:00.000+00:002024-03-02T16:24:36.700+00:00We have a plan<p>Bev and I had our meeting with the surgeon and cancer nurse, at QEQM Hospital, Margate, yesterday. The outcome is that we now have an idea of what, and when, to expect the surgery and follow up treatment. What we didn't get, due to some uncertainty surrounding another patient's treatment, was an exact start date. All we know is that the earliest date will be 20th March, thus I now know that Pike fishing can continue right up to the 14th! We are going back, on 6th March, to have further discussion with the nurse, who will explain in more detail, what we will have to deal with as treatment progresses. Obviously, much of the timescale will depend upon how Bev reacts to, and copes with, the medical procedures involved. </p><p>I went back down to Black Dyke, this morning, landing just one small "jack" for my efforts. The gale force winds, howling across the flatlands ensured I didn't stay much after 09.00 hrs. This followed a brief conversation with a lady, out walking a couple of magnificent Red Setters (almost certainly show dogs, judging by their prancing stance and gleaming russet coats). After exchanging the regulation "Good Morning" she said "you're brave". My reply went along the lines of "No; the word you should have used is "stupid". She laughed and agreed, all the persuasion I required to call it a day.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ubUXTa3B6bX3jP2Atuvp-ZlHU5yeq8lskTov3-TWGxppLb8559a0g9BC7OdyKWjhPxfQhaMe8O6pyjRK2H8caoJCSA8RNrTFIlzsB1L3elaNOTDpHadb4HN9CgAcTQQgwbVV-DGqVh1HtyXUHQHESZZDn3NRFx-01p6zCzRgFi4I_sdwjC2aPuICUE/s2211/female%20Greenfinch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="2211" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ubUXTa3B6bX3jP2Atuvp-ZlHU5yeq8lskTov3-TWGxppLb8559a0g9BC7OdyKWjhPxfQhaMe8O6pyjRK2H8caoJCSA8RNrTFIlzsB1L3elaNOTDpHadb4HN9CgAcTQQgwbVV-DGqVh1HtyXUHQHESZZDn3NRFx-01p6zCzRgFi4I_sdwjC2aPuICUE/w640-h426/female%20Greenfinch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I had said in an earlier post, I am going to keep a garden list whilst we deal with Bev's medical situation. I decided that it would start when we did the RSPB's "Big Garden Birdwatch" on January 28th. So far I have amassed a total of just thirty two species, yet have some glaring omissions which should easily be added once I finish the Pike season and set about getting the garden planters on the go and firing up the Robinson MV Moth Trap.for the first time this year. The feeding station is attracting good numbers of birds, with both Chaffinch and Greenfinch being daily visitors. Something quite interesting is the number of ringed birds turning up. Absolutely no way I can read these BTO-type metal objects, but would be interested to know if there is any ringing going on in the local area? The closest two ringing schemes, I am aware of, are at Sandwich Bay Obs and Reculver.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-84348366479352698502024-02-29T20:42:00.004+00:002024-02-29T21:21:40.689+00:00Half a million - truly humbled<p> Whilst I am well aware that so many of my fellow bloggers are capable of attracting interest from a much larger audience it was my post, of yesterday, which saw my visitor stats pass the half a million mark. Absolutely mind numbing. I am incredibly humbled by this statistic. My blog, at best, is just a diary of my journey through life and the angling/wildlife encounters experienced along the way. That it has been of interest to so many others is extraordinary and I will never take this for granted. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CdqvkEecTo3x4grMFUz8kWbSmQJ7QAa66qmBcppB3kZ6SCbmRJ8mmLz8PqqqjQIuj9Z4tGGcxfg1GdMWPKGdCvfYmh9a7Z4JWyEswt9S1LEAnLPPchPAyaru3HXG_oveJGBsiZvKxCXZMf5WMiUCIk_ux2I5PYYMCDGQuMulGswW2l_iEg_2VvHxnuk/s4308/Landmark%20numbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="4308" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CdqvkEecTo3x4grMFUz8kWbSmQJ7QAa66qmBcppB3kZ6SCbmRJ8mmLz8PqqqjQIuj9Z4tGGcxfg1GdMWPKGdCvfYmh9a7Z4JWyEswt9S1LEAnLPPchPAyaru3HXG_oveJGBsiZvKxCXZMf5WMiUCIk_ux2I5PYYMCDGQuMulGswW2l_iEg_2VvHxnuk/w640-h428/Landmark%20numbers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a photo of my computer screen to record this epic event (for me!)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>My content is fairly mundane, my opinions are those of a guy who has worked on the factory floor for nearly fifty years and ain't gonna change anytime soon! So I would like to thank each and every one of those who have made the effort to peruse my ramblings and hope that I can continue to produce content which is of interest for a few more years yet? </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-40229613075298853772024-02-28T13:23:00.003+00:002024-02-28T14:05:07.963+00:00Mission accomplished<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill-b7H40Akf7nO51tw3k0HgsggPF5SIdUrsueLbdr1Ku3VSXw-sWCVccbwLZVI-lqQD1g8BDo35o9M7jP3r_WJuujDtSNP3a2_T72YQIGeC5_jH1TbCs5L6WHEQ_zbi2s_0eQe-nnpOvHN8whsRdb0OBEZsdYq137RbvzhSNvEt4KXk845XIOjyggkm4/s4821/Dawn%20on%20Black%20Dyke.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3193" data-original-width="4821" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill-b7H40Akf7nO51tw3k0HgsggPF5SIdUrsueLbdr1Ku3VSXw-sWCVccbwLZVI-lqQD1g8BDo35o9M7jP3r_WJuujDtSNP3a2_T72YQIGeC5_jH1TbCs5L6WHEQ_zbi2s_0eQe-nnpOvHN8whsRdb0OBEZsdYq137RbvzhSNvEt4KXk845XIOjyggkm4/w640-h424/Dawn%20on%20Black%20Dyke.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn this morning, as seen from my swim on Black Dyke</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Knowing that Bev's cancer treatment will be getting underway very shortly, my session down on Black Dyke, this morning, might just prove to be the final one of this Pike season? I had been down to this same stretch yesterday and blanked, although did have a dropped run. The bait being rejected before I got anywhere close to the rod. Because it is such an intimate venue, last night I decided to ditch the centrepins and use the Okuma CBBF 5000's with open bale arms instead. Indication would be provided by my home made drop-off arms in conjunction with the Siren R3's. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROuetjeoD5yZeq2xfv5cLR_Fs7Jl_7l5XrZRAYKsRo5PDXTEQ-4IOIrwCqDTxAJAPdKZR9Gv5HfmKKJNHpmqDM2rW07aWMKnn3pxcqqTtTae6FBYWYEo31yy0EzCX7OqJ8kj6qKRomKdTtmwGHMWfAm-wz_oEOn7hpSnAC2leMGZMaU1y1Tpw229xgM/s5268/Drop%20off%20indicator.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3512" data-original-width="5268" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROuetjeoD5yZeq2xfv5cLR_Fs7Jl_7l5XrZRAYKsRo5PDXTEQ-4IOIrwCqDTxAJAPdKZR9Gv5HfmKKJNHpmqDM2rW07aWMKnn3pxcqqTtTae6FBYWYEo31yy0EzCX7OqJ8kj6qKRomKdTtmwGHMWfAm-wz_oEOn7hpSnAC2leMGZMaU1y1Tpw229xgM/w640-h426/Drop%20off%20indicator.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My homemade drop off arms are as simple as it gets? <br />That's a champagne cork (painted orange) on a length of carbon rod with map pins for the line clip.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I will never know if the switch from centrepins to open bale arms had any effects on my success because the Pike are incapable of passing on such information. What I do know, however, is that I landed two fish this morning and one of them was to see my "double" from Black Dyke challenge ticked off. The first one might have weighed six, or seven, pounds, the second one was an absolute beauty of 14 lbs 7 oz and ensured my journey home was with a huge smile on my face.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3I5zK0JSBQeOBLwug_kAGyhh8vZNYjedjm0zqhAAwdhwEVVgrg3ADq57X4omQzOKDkF6TkpLoUBJpSWAY3s_zD5wtqn1iSXmbvI6cgmAHFlRxvv8uj_-QF6sIG545fOR0adz3eoMQkbuYdsrbcpEmGn5Yv25WwS_PhjjQWUzxV6j8tFHoYMht_J3j7Q/s4237/BD%20Pike%2014.07.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="4237" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3I5zK0JSBQeOBLwug_kAGyhh8vZNYjedjm0zqhAAwdhwEVVgrg3ADq57X4omQzOKDkF6TkpLoUBJpSWAY3s_zD5wtqn1iSXmbvI6cgmAHFlRxvv8uj_-QF6sIG545fOR0adz3eoMQkbuYdsrbcpEmGn5Yv25WwS_PhjjQWUzxV6j8tFHoYMht_J3j7Q/w640-h426/BD%20Pike%2014.07.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To quote James Denison - "That's a wrap!"</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Although conditions were rather gloomy, I kept the polarizing filter on the 18 - 55 mm lens and am very pleased with the results. I had the camera set in manual mode, 1/125 th sec exposure with auto ISO setting, it being mounted on a bank stick, via a Gardner adaptor. Always happy to learn, so Youtube isn't such a bad place to seek advice, if camera techniques are concerned, as no Pike are harmed if the information is inferior.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-54946076640335117032024-02-26T19:28:00.001+00:002024-02-26T19:28:23.889+00:00Confidence is key<p>If my Black Dyke "double" challenge is to succeed then I need to go there, whenever possible, fully confident my tactics are the best I have in the locker. Little more than two weeks isn't a particularly lengthy period, thus experimentation won't be part of any plans. I know what has worked for me down on the RMC and, also, at a couple of adjacent drains much closer to the section of Black Dyke I now intend to target. No; this is going to be a full-on effort based upon what's worked previously. However, I am forever scouring Youtube for anything Pike related just to ensure I'm not missing a trick? Sure there are many hundreds of lure fishing "vlogs" to peruse, yet it is the dead baiting offerings which I seek. All I can say, having no desire to get into any further exchanges of opinion, is that some of what I've watched causes me great concern for the safety of our Pike stocks, yet also confirms that my approach retains a considerable edge over what the "Johnny cum lately", unthinking, carp clones are presenting. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm0zH8iLT4RTSvFJTnfyCUuFPUGvDLkl_KOmeCln_bfW_4QtYIMC0ocxFfXXEkm26ZSLts01OZ5ZS7MOV8mZFRdJ6ac4E5jYWF_Mpqror863HKY8ZJ64geKyUktEKd9LEW9y-ySeHXowE03hThnRFvGpZJ_6cKfUDOomBdHjrblbVMoXHeY-ZnNh3sDk/s1600/016.92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm0zH8iLT4RTSvFJTnfyCUuFPUGvDLkl_KOmeCln_bfW_4QtYIMC0ocxFfXXEkm26ZSLts01OZ5ZS7MOV8mZFRdJ6ac4E5jYWF_Mpqror863HKY8ZJ64geKyUktEKd9LEW9y-ySeHXowE03hThnRFvGpZJ_6cKfUDOomBdHjrblbVMoXHeY-ZnNh3sDk/w640-h360/016.92.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benno and I with a couple of Loch Awe "doubles"<br />Wild Pike from wild places.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Obviously, I have absolutely no intention of sharing details about my dead bait presentations via this cyber platform. Those who need to know are all within the close knit ranks of the Canterbury/Thanet PAC Region plus a few, very close, friends (my son and brother included). When, in the late 1980's, Eddie Turner told me I needed an edge for my dead bait presentation, little could I have imagined where it would lead? Today, almost forty years after that exchange, most of what I am seeing on Youtube is bang average yet there is some content depicting techniques which would have been frowned upon back then. This is not restricted to individual, "please like and subscribe" contributors, even recent mainstream manufacturer offerings have content which is dubious at best. The safe return of Pike to the water is all I care about thus some of the stuff I've watched on Youtube makes me cringe. I have absolutely no idea how these offerings would be received if the anglers were fishing for, and handling, Carp in the same, contemptuous, manner? </p><p>Since retiring, in April 2021, I've now almost completed three Pike seasons, the catch returns being way beyond anything experienced previously. There can be no doubt that my ability to go fishing whenever conditions are favourable, opposed to availability of holiday entitlement, has played a huge role in the subsequent upturn in results. Forty-seven "doubles" and eleven "twenties" have fallen to my dead bait tactics since that fateful date. Even if I say so myself, that's pretty good going. Every one being from wild stock. and this simple requirement has played a major part in my approach to Pike angling since picking up the rods again in 2011. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFpCg1Fm7oLD10qW-W8Pvs5B6b52H3amucLGZcK76-KxveAA7VXieIJFdEzTCTXQYRYA2t1pQaegeIO7uq9i4LoPpX4vpgZ74Kuhfrsphcy_YXdFf3gL1lLHqm4kw-Rw2sm9a-UXlx1PNnbIYrKCnkV_CUgZmIOMs-cEQu2qrF-ktlxVBmOQz_ZcdbUY/s1913/017.00%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1913" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFpCg1Fm7oLD10qW-W8Pvs5B6b52H3amucLGZcK76-KxveAA7VXieIJFdEzTCTXQYRYA2t1pQaegeIO7uq9i4LoPpX4vpgZ74Kuhfrsphcy_YXdFf3gL1lLHqm4kw-Rw2sm9a-UXlx1PNnbIYrKCnkV_CUgZmIOMs-cEQu2qrF-ktlxVBmOQz_ZcdbUY/w640-h480/017.00%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatlands Pike action circa November 2011</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Over this period I can only recall one Pike fishing session which lasted from dawn to dusk, most of the others have been in the form of getting my baits into position some thirty minutes before sunrise and fishing up to 11.00 hrs, noon at the very latest. I've mentioned, many times, my use of "leapfrogging" the rods along sections of bank to cover as much water as possible. This technique has it's origins set way back in the early 1980's when we employed the method out on the Fenland drains in search of Pike and Zander. Because my sessions are relatively short, I have no excuses if doubt enters the equation. If I think that something isn't right I have to change it. Absolutely no way can I sit and wait to see if anything happens? </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3TZfrmq9oHi16xpsym3RCyw0ckTVOjxUloIr_eKjSQWb7NVGlwZFSDxFg3lsQZJjQaRrqkKTqfrcfopkWQ7aV1i5_Js74qh4jukgp6p9Ydwqy9rvzSTwyIz3NtTjio0Crrhpqm3jKKYsNj1cFC86Cv9sLvItgMpG4m7nUSMC9wVf-tTckrsUZb_VOHs/s3888/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="2592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3TZfrmq9oHi16xpsym3RCyw0ckTVOjxUloIr_eKjSQWb7NVGlwZFSDxFg3lsQZJjQaRrqkKTqfrcfopkWQ7aV1i5_Js74qh4jukgp6p9Ydwqy9rvzSTwyIz3NtTjio0Crrhpqm3jKKYsNj1cFC86Cv9sLvItgMpG4m7nUSMC9wVf-tTckrsUZb_VOHs/w426-h640/IMG_0370.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably not the finest image of a "back-biter" set-up?</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>To end this rambling mix of thoughts, I have to say a massive thank-you to the guys of the Canterbury/Thanet PAC Region for voicing their honest opinions about the subject of bite detection and line drag. It started out as a discussion based around "safe" rigs yet quickly evolved into the requirement for the optimum bite registration. I don't recall a single member offering any other opinion than, wherever possible, the use of a float is the most sensitive method available. Under no circumstances could I find fault with this consensus opinion, they are a very accomplished group of Pike anglers. For what it was worth, I then offered my slant on this issue. There is absolutely no way I could stare at a float(s) whilst out on the bank. There is so much else for me to enjoy that I have the attention span of a demented Gnat! What with binoculars around my neck and a camera/long lens hanging over my shoulder, the wildlife experience is just as important as the fishing. So it has to be electronic bite alarms every time. The visual indication might be provided by a drop arm system or a simple monkey, on an angled needle, the bottom line being that I am not required to stare intently at a single spot but, instead, have the freedom to enjoy the surrounding environment safe in the knowledge that my alarms will immediately alert me to any Pike activity. And from this subject we then went on to exchange opinions about the effects of drag to a taking Pike. I have never used a "bait-runner" system for Pike fishing, yet am perfectly happy to use centrepins with the same revolving drum technology. Open bale arms on fixed spool reels has always been my go to method and I don't see it changing at this stage in my journey. The outcome of this particular avenue of thought revolved around the need of constant resistance to the taking fish. So a centrepin spinning, or a bait-runner doing similar, and line just peeling off the drum of a fixed spool, doesn't make too much difference to the drag experienced when that Pike first takes the bait. Much food for thought and something I will make an effort to play around with next season?</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfzYkhAo_IpmNmoDUJKe-fn6kgpgSUPIl8kPSJW-sAhr32Rlpq2RsEeJij8Li1kNSxb2wdHw7FKiKlAZC7v3cbMl2du8MDNXbxTA9PcSSMYVGqTnhsvDJ0IVEpoRUJESk9VJKuWp69S6Gr0nH_tMDfOIy0eSXymyWy4o6RkPH6z_-qxGx5oVOu_VYUPI/s1600/002%20Thames19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfzYkhAo_IpmNmoDUJKe-fn6kgpgSUPIl8kPSJW-sAhr32Rlpq2RsEeJij8Li1kNSxb2wdHw7FKiKlAZC7v3cbMl2du8MDNXbxTA9PcSSMYVGqTnhsvDJ0IVEpoRUJESk9VJKuWp69S6Gr0nH_tMDfOIy0eSXymyWy4o6RkPH6z_-qxGx5oVOu_VYUPI/w640-h480/002%20Thames19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I know I've used this photo on many occasions previously.<br />This is my favourite image of any Pike I've ever been fortunate to capture.<br />November 1982</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Although I like to think of myself as an allrounder, there can be no escaping the very obvious bias my angling has towards Pike, their capture and safe return to the venues from whence they came. . </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-44278779635764686902024-02-23T19:00:00.013+00:002024-02-23T19:20:41.931+00:00Not entirely to plan<p> The opportunity was there, Bev perfectly happy for me to go, so I'd hoped to get the Black Dyke caper underway this morning. The weather gods, however, weren't playing ball and that, after two days of rainfall, it ensured, on arrival, it was immediately clear that the venue wasn't fishable. Fortunately I had a plan B and within ten minutes my loaded barrow was back where I'd been on Monday, two rods fishing by 06.45 hrs. Little more than an hour after casting out my right hand set-up was away. A really weird bite which, if I hadn't hooked the Pike, I would have put down to Eel activity. It was a fiesty battle with the Pike actually "tail-walking" on one occassion, and ended with me netting the twentieth "double" of the 2023/24 campaign. It was a stunning fish, tipping the scales at 17 lbs 8 oz - oh, how I wish it had come from Black Dyke!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1B0xIZJOSomx7Ak9CVtPPpHFqwJu-ZqBVxNxEGsNw59YkPHCeUWT9YBhINmbA5j86GxFsFeXqYZ2j5FUGmOWfPgF4tXKlTawOyoVvJjgGGIwKcLLu1bOAV2pNNPSX0FtMfdVubCTRrgpK71aeulPwhhvU04jBRCJdb0CnJ_orsaG7iDNmPoW4yOH0oc/s3059/RG%20Pike%2017.08b2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2050" data-original-width="3059" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1B0xIZJOSomx7Ak9CVtPPpHFqwJu-ZqBVxNxEGsNw59YkPHCeUWT9YBhINmbA5j86GxFsFeXqYZ2j5FUGmOWfPgF4tXKlTawOyoVvJjgGGIwKcLLu1bOAV2pNNPSX0FtMfdVubCTRrgpK71aeulPwhhvU04jBRCJdb0CnJ_orsaG7iDNmPoW4yOH0oc/w640-h428/RG%20Pike%2017.08b2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I remained on the bank until 11.00 hrs, landing a second fish, of around nine pounds - I didn't zero the scales properly, but know it wasn't a "double", just before 09.00 hrs. Birding was pretty good with Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier (3) and Kestrel providing plenty of opportunities to point the binos. Some forty plus White-fronted Geese remain on site and Wigeon are still present in good numbers. I managed a record shot of a Chiffchaff which paused briefly in the adjacent hedgerow before continuing on its' way</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z83iGTPg5kzr8BqNp2La7iO-7AUao8uRmMCHjY9D0yeB6FitvamBgVoqfB0-FYysvYHF9elgwi_3J1XhCIiCYaTunAmO3CSezdniKn0QlT0ssXid7VHNmnRlUIgmm5AuKfE9ZEB9yvBX1ridmNbmv1CENEhVlhyj0FjNYfC4XQWiYR66VNQA1x7uKdE/s1642/Chiffchaff.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1642" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z83iGTPg5kzr8BqNp2La7iO-7AUao8uRmMCHjY9D0yeB6FitvamBgVoqfB0-FYysvYHF9elgwi_3J1XhCIiCYaTunAmO3CSezdniKn0QlT0ssXid7VHNmnRlUIgmm5AuKfE9ZEB9yvBX1ridmNbmv1CENEhVlhyj0FjNYfC4XQWiYR66VNQA1x7uKdE/w640-h426/Chiffchaff.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>To be fair, it was a very pleasant morning out on the flatlands, I just hope that the weather will settle down so as to allow me to get a baited rig into Black Dyke before March 14th brings down the curtain on another Pike season.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-13860019253851479902024-02-21T17:29:00.002+00:002024-02-21T17:30:39.248+00:00The Black Dyke mini project<p>On Friday, 1st March, Bev and I have a consultation meeting with our surgeon and the cancer nurse to discuss the plans for Bev's treatment. It will provide us with a clearer idea of timescale and sequence of events during this medical procedure. I need to be there purely because, in her current state, Bev will have forgotten 90% of what was said before we leave the hospital. Plus I'm her husband and there to provide any support I'm able, and some? Still, because she's such an independent character, I've been told that I can still go fishing, whenever it is possible, without conflicting with this situation. What I've decided to do, under these circumstances, is to abandon the RMC quest and, instead, embark on the pursuit of a lesser target. As inspired by Brian, over on <a href="https://www.pikeblog.com/"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Pike Blog</span></b></a>, a "double" from a new water will provide focus during the next twenty-two days which will see me to the end of this particular Pike season.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS_-obv7CdeYZhtG43DpTHDifji64hV718ol_jHMqKRG4v_racug4SZn49o_dY6CMyYWPyJlsJ6q_ERPTW4A4j8GQtXo9RrM9v9JZ9fyvtrJn80kHifzhO7Q-IoXeDqeHO_Nz_iRLnfKz57lA21qO0QJvdeDmiWUMR6e9FVox1PGEhzN_LrYJXC3bDCw/s3505/Black%20Dyke%20dawn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3505" data-original-width="2336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS_-obv7CdeYZhtG43DpTHDifji64hV718ol_jHMqKRG4v_racug4SZn49o_dY6CMyYWPyJlsJ6q_ERPTW4A4j8GQtXo9RrM9v9JZ9fyvtrJn80kHifzhO7Q-IoXeDqeHO_Nz_iRLnfKz57lA21qO0QJvdeDmiWUMR6e9FVox1PGEhzN_LrYJXC3bDCw/w426-h640/Black%20Dyke%20dawn.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 2018 - probably the last time<br />I fished this particular section.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The reason that I've decided upon this course of action is fairly simple. One, Black Dyke is little more than twenty minutes away from the front door, thus I am reasonably close to home should I be needed and, two, if it's suffering the effects of heavy rainfall there are a couple of side drains which will remain fishable within a few minutes walk of where I plan to spend the remainder of the season. Over this past decade I've dabbled with this venue, catching a few small Pike for my efforts, yet nothing much over nine pounds. I have seen photos of a Pike, which was claimed as a "thirty" by a complete Muppet (who killed it to have it set-up?) This being the unknown factor which makes these drains so appealing to me. If one Pike managed to attain such a size, there's nothing to prevent another from doing the same? </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDF0y0_H0wB97BCgtKGsfcmqOr1nBI7zNR6c7AuyX2j8qlExUbuZ3ixaPJR44Frj8-dIVpIJzdO5a29LMM-15FrrRtywqqiJeloEp5_wntSPEaCasv9BPpzQZ_4s1_da95SB1ilmbdSCTC5y95dshjmJ5mhFYVWRwDGAJzOmZBRS9vaN-E6l7r03ozYE/s2346/Black%20Dyke%20Pike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="2346" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDF0y0_H0wB97BCgtKGsfcmqOr1nBI7zNR6c7AuyX2j8qlExUbuZ3ixaPJR44Frj8-dIVpIJzdO5a29LMM-15FrrRtywqqiJeloEp5_wntSPEaCasv9BPpzQZ_4s1_da95SB1ilmbdSCTC5y95dshjmJ5mhFYVWRwDGAJzOmZBRS9vaN-E6l7r03ozYE/w640-h442/Black%20Dyke%20Pike.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small Pike taken from this lovely venue.<br />One twice this size would provide a superb finale to the 2023/24 season</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I'd hope to be able to get in a couple of sessions a week before 14th March yet, knowing what's in the background, must accept that things might change dramatically as the days pass. </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-82250319120818966692024-02-19T17:49:00.000+00:002024-02-19T17:49:28.477+00:00I'll take that<p> With the weather forecasts predicting more rainfall, from Wednesday onwards, I took a short drive out onto the flatlands this morning for my only outing of the week. As it turned out, a very good decision. Just two rods used on a small drain which has produced a few Pike for me over the years and today was to see this continue with three fish visiting my unhooking mat during the four hours I was on the bank.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MQk2zIuUVfGV6xUKl3_0rjzVuPQJb3scdCX-XEEdkEYxooxhn9WcC89elzgvX_8CSqu5-gzA1AnviYOHNf1dZ_-TuhKzaW5S33194rblNATw0drvurwGc_iCZ-R1Oa6QB5Kcy41XDbS6vRd4JBNgwo7oaydvvLniMq7Vtd6BFIlUX8J3qw6-ENd3WPo/s5472/Day%20break.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MQk2zIuUVfGV6xUKl3_0rjzVuPQJb3scdCX-XEEdkEYxooxhn9WcC89elzgvX_8CSqu5-gzA1AnviYOHNf1dZ_-TuhKzaW5S33194rblNATw0drvurwGc_iCZ-R1Oa6QB5Kcy41XDbS6vRd4JBNgwo7oaydvvLniMq7Vtd6BFIlUX8J3qw6-ENd3WPo/w640-h426/Day%20break.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn out on the flatlands provided a nice opportunity to get<br />a bit creative with the camera kit.<br />Please don't be fooled by this image, the conditions rapidly deteriorated as the morning progressed</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I leapfrogged along 200m of the drain whilst I was there and was rewarded with fish of 9 lbs 10 oz, 8 lbs 8 oz and finally a "double" tipping the scales at 12 lbs 10 oz. Not too sure if I'll go back there or, if the canal remains unfishable, might revisit Black Dyke to see if I can catch that elusive "double" from the venue. No pressure on me to achieve any targets under the current circumstances, I will just have to go with the flow if and when I can get out on the bank.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWRIUfQ2aoUYDlw7DVO-CBwCV_YppQlTRZw_iyMCxk5z0LYRGSfsE7mmBm7N4-K7j9YaIA39JurbnOsTDfsdU5opI643ciHPVmXI3Sk9pQ_G-dmIQKnDrNQdyld9sFw7G69vm2gDVfSyNT0aIziFgQ-8ZZGFAupFPKoZY6n3xBG2K5jx2Xif5n3NBhC8/s4834/RG%20Pike%2012.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3243" data-original-width="4834" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWRIUfQ2aoUYDlw7DVO-CBwCV_YppQlTRZw_iyMCxk5z0LYRGSfsE7mmBm7N4-K7j9YaIA39JurbnOsTDfsdU5opI643ciHPVmXI3Sk9pQ_G-dmIQKnDrNQdyld9sFw7G69vm2gDVfSyNT0aIziFgQ-8ZZGFAupFPKoZY6n3xBG2K5jx2Xif5n3NBhC8/w640-h430/RG%20Pike%2012.10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That red mark, just above the pelvic fin, might be due to previous bad handling or,<br />more likely, spawning activity?</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>With squealing Water Rails and regular Cetti's Warbler song providing the backdrop, I was very pleased to add another species to my year list in the form of a nice flock of White-fronted Geese which did a quick fly past. I was finally able to use the newly purchased polarizing filter for my self takes, yet under the gloomy skies I am not sure how much difference it made? </p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-50336998732626908222024-02-18T19:55:00.006+00:002024-02-18T19:55:57.253+00:00A return to the "flatlands"<p> With this crazy weather continuing to provide rainfall which the, already saturated, countryside is unable to cope with. Bev and I took a drive along the Alkham Valley, this morning, en route to the garden centre for a coffee and bacon bap. The flooded roads told me all I needed to know about the state of the RMC; enough said. Yesterday, I'd taken a wander across the marsh to see what condition the drains were in. Although the water was carrying a bit of colour, the side drains seemed to have enough water clarity and little flow which suggests that I'll be able to present a bait , for Pike, with a reasonable chance of success?</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeDNxVM13jjJPE1V6FBxAZKaPsn5JCQ_usudj2SsGQIzBRoyzz_BOgoSWX6-2CQ_TQXyIOGb2DEiGqhPzeiVlRVk_ZCY3e5izbhEMmU5R8wX8nmzbKNurKaGlYl2-ltvbIqhM5fv8nz01zB9623E-y_ZVFEKRAP8BbP4s2fKHGSFc0ZrXkGSSlLLbGhM/s5378/November%20dawn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="5378" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeDNxVM13jjJPE1V6FBxAZKaPsn5JCQ_usudj2SsGQIzBRoyzz_BOgoSWX6-2CQ_TQXyIOGb2DEiGqhPzeiVlRVk_ZCY3e5izbhEMmU5R8wX8nmzbKNurKaGlYl2-ltvbIqhM5fv8nz01zB9623E-y_ZVFEKRAP8BbP4s2fKHGSFc0ZrXkGSSlLLbGhM/w640-h362/November%20dawn.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new dawn </td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>So that's my plan for the foreseeable future. I'd like to catch another two "doubles" (taking my season's total to twenty) before March 14th provides closure for this latest campaign. In simple terms, I have twenty-four days to catch two more fish! However, there has been a significant twist in events since Bev and I visited QEQM Hospital on Friday. The "C" word has entered our world and will be an issue we have to deal with over the next few months. The doctors, surgeon and nursing staff, are very upbeat about a successful outcome due, in part, to this very early diagnosis. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihulY16oA28Hm3BFBiN6VtmXIXQk7gmNaBi3WSJmiDtGymae6ci2QocbzRIxM58HElHgx1a_DpP81pYcuE6tutVK70Hf6CUouDTPkZ2UtuKn0i7wMkLRxj9hjmflL8rspAwTpZymkKOibEVHXLe8hLdgD2nSQdgqo61CGwODAFA4zZYmfcHF115-KWOHc/s2717/Feeder%20action.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="2717" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihulY16oA28Hm3BFBiN6VtmXIXQk7gmNaBi3WSJmiDtGymae6ci2QocbzRIxM58HElHgx1a_DpP81pYcuE6tutVK70Hf6CUouDTPkZ2UtuKn0i7wMkLRxj9hjmflL8rspAwTpZymkKOibEVHXLe8hLdgD2nSQdgqo61CGwODAFA4zZYmfcHF115-KWOHc/w640-h428/Feeder%20action.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden birding might just be the way forward?</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>All I can say is that we are truly grateful to the team at QEQM for their positive response to the issue and hope that we are able to remain as "normal" as is possible now cancer has entered the equation. If my bogging gets a little erratic - so be it. Absolutely no doubt, this will impact upon my angling but, hey-ho, I still have the moth trap, my camera kit and, as an aside, I'm also going to nick an idea from <a href="http://boulmerbirder.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Stewart Sexton </b></span></a>and keep a garden bird list for 2024. Just to make it clear, Bev has the problem, I have to be the "rock" who can deal with the emotional rollercoaster this situation will create. Not overly sure I'll be able to live up to expectations - only time will tell?</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-11909567397913410082024-02-15T18:33:00.001+00:002024-02-15T18:33:38.501+00:00Back to square one?<p>Two sessions on the RMC, this week, two blanks. Yet littered with Eel action as these slimy pests homed in on any offerings I placed into the filthy mess which is currently the canal. Heavy rainfall has, once again, turned the canal into a debris laden, mud bath, hence why the only fish still active are those bloody Eels. Even baits positioned 24" off the canal bed aren't immune from the attentions of these nightmare fish and so it would seem that my Pike angling has gone full circle and I'm back to where I was at the end of November; when I actually started the campaign? I took delivery of a polarizing filter last Sunday and have been hoping to give it a trial with some trophy shots. What a joke. Happily, the camera has seen some action even if the rods remained fishless. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXGoHkcyMLENhKdLhjIPFgkvghobzvg1QYK4yt-rVab_B8zv12nIQW50hw-NhRPdYn57H3AaFMAMPIsSW264EZ58r7tNiJu4BlJMAu7t7Tej69JiV6RcYLXTz9qfieZhEn6N-dgPAWZAkgn26GNOkdN57OgNQ4mc0FL2sWyiii93ImjjJth1UUs_448/s1940/Common%20Buzzard%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1940" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfXGoHkcyMLENhKdLhjIPFgkvghobzvg1QYK4yt-rVab_B8zv12nIQW50hw-NhRPdYn57H3AaFMAMPIsSW264EZ58r7tNiJu4BlJMAu7t7Tej69JiV6RcYLXTz9qfieZhEn6N-dgPAWZAkgn26GNOkdN57OgNQ4mc0FL2sWyiii93ImjjJth1UUs_448/w428-h640/Common%20Buzzard%203.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><p></p><p>Birds haven't been that cooperative, or numerous, yet every now and then I have managed to point the long lens in the direction of one or two. My year list actually reached one hundred species, this morning, when I added a "calling" Little Owl to my tally. Three Barn Owls were encountered as I made my way to the canal, yet it was a pair of "prospecting?" Long-tailed Tits which provided the bulk of the entertainment today.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLzONAEeyfs6nvU4JtGaTb8EufvKN3ZRSyHlcWOAtCKBjmN_tauwtNd6Oh5L_k-tva6TNGTPm9ZEP-bJoMh3Czd_-I9LU0pnycZrHjaBrsocdDs6sU4pNkk1hDFe_jEavf8xgV6HGdmjD5bMoPHxh3R7f2rCeABvXgZlb7ZFyIniK-zpI9HCwWzKREtU/s3941/L-t%20Tit%204%20me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="3941" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLzONAEeyfs6nvU4JtGaTb8EufvKN3ZRSyHlcWOAtCKBjmN_tauwtNd6Oh5L_k-tva6TNGTPm9ZEP-bJoMh3Czd_-I9LU0pnycZrHjaBrsocdDs6sU4pNkk1hDFe_jEavf8xgV6HGdmjD5bMoPHxh3R7f2rCeABvXgZlb7ZFyIniK-zpI9HCwWzKREtU/w640-h426/L-t%20Tit%204%20me.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7zOf_S4WpWdG9AVkOrZvvnoWzndYnQWn0NwwCrb2vnYHsU-9QbN9V279cxc43deF4f_3WdGgpcatYBH9jPNaKRhDFt8xqNtCu32zZ-m0V2hH7rQRJYi3Lt9igBN7y9q6viwMQ3Fop7rLYVXlkE9I-a-7Szq185KDHID3gjz8_WhazciVtT-WydoGW4/s4118/L-t%20Tit%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2740" data-original-width="4118" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7zOf_S4WpWdG9AVkOrZvvnoWzndYnQWn0NwwCrb2vnYHsU-9QbN9V279cxc43deF4f_3WdGgpcatYBH9jPNaKRhDFt8xqNtCu32zZ-m0V2hH7rQRJYi3Lt9igBN7y9q6viwMQ3Fop7rLYVXlkE9I-a-7Szq185KDHID3gjz8_WhazciVtT-WydoGW4/w640-h426/L-t%20Tit%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Bev and I, plus the extended family, were in Morden, Surrey on Tuesday/Wednesday to attend the funeral of my "Uncle Pete", the last remaining member of our parents generation. My cousin Ruth, did him proud with a superb ceremony and wake. We've now got a hospital appointment to negotiate before things can return to some form of normality - fingers crossed!</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-25227515918873177232024-02-10T12:50:00.004+00:002024-02-10T12:50:52.042+00:00A real crowd pleaser<p>I took a stroll along the coastal path from Winterstoke to Ramsgate Harbour, this morning, just to get out with the camera and binos. The search for a "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit being partly responsible for the outing, it was just nice to be outdoors in some calm and brighter conditions. Safe to say, my quest for the continental Rock Pipit remains unfulfilled and, as such, is set to continue for the next few weeks. A rather showy Pied Wagtail posed for a few shots, as I stood overlooking the Fulmar nest site above the car parking area. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetVlQUUC4b-60wIULcgRyeY01zi6DMuOI9Hh-WpO1r7v6nUGOJVUHGMWGa0pQtZmcVauodtWkYvaqHPLeD2Ljto8fFf_nnsLVc0wrWKEDtVJyU0haPYEf1FgN-nib13y8BJC7wCXVs8UXlCPMQtVSkr54OtxhgoNR9Fyo7PNsIrMK2KLnKt_GVJkiJK0/s4761/Pied%20Wag.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="4761" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetVlQUUC4b-60wIULcgRyeY01zi6DMuOI9Hh-WpO1r7v6nUGOJVUHGMWGa0pQtZmcVauodtWkYvaqHPLeD2Ljto8fFf_nnsLVc0wrWKEDtVJyU0haPYEf1FgN-nib13y8BJC7wCXVs8UXlCPMQtVSkr54OtxhgoNR9Fyo7PNsIrMK2KLnKt_GVJkiJK0/w640-h424/Pied%20Wag.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I continued along the cliff-top, scanning the loafing Herring Gulls for C-R's, again without success, before taking the footpath down to the harbour, passing Peter's Fish Factory and Weatherspoon's as I did so. The harbour was very quiet, despite it being high tide. Just three Great Crested Grebes being out of the ordinary. Turnstone numbers seemed to be very good, with over thirty birds counted as I walked the western arm out to the Harbour Lights Cafe. Try as I might, there was nothing of note amongst the regular gulls and no sign of a Shag in the inner marina area, I decided to cut my losses and head back along the lower footpath to look for pipits. I hadn't got far past the small beachside kiosk, when I noticed a group of folk looking out over the beach. Many had their phones, in camera mode, pointed towards the sea. A quick lift of the binos quickly established what their attention was focussed on. An adult Grey Seal was hauled out on the beach, dozing right on the tideline, despite the dog walkers and other folk using this very popular area. I rattled off a few shots, just because I needed something to blog about. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1SjUdmwIxZaIkXOdmLGq1uKPckT11y6fwk_HhlFzqcZnsc5a5b9_dq_3DinvFkyF_NcPcPP2H9yQeYkpfICzETpCGYRl-CPPj8Svm_6zz1pMlvAKY1h_wz-hVZtxZN3fsKaD0zc2aHzo-I2aDloT9cVPBjlyYLzS-quvzGIQM716lI2g5mmHsVEt0Fw/s4574/Grey%20Seal%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3067" data-original-width="4574" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1SjUdmwIxZaIkXOdmLGq1uKPckT11y6fwk_HhlFzqcZnsc5a5b9_dq_3DinvFkyF_NcPcPP2H9yQeYkpfICzETpCGYRl-CPPj8Svm_6zz1pMlvAKY1h_wz-hVZtxZN3fsKaD0zc2aHzo-I2aDloT9cVPBjlyYLzS-quvzGIQM716lI2g5mmHsVEt0Fw/w640-h430/Grey%20Seal%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYG359rjpxbMZPQxPsYDiaVF0Nnt5bZudAj2IWgtH6KNc3TWse1DGSIM8QWq4n-16Cw43w9fnpXLFs4NZWSRKyACRqaZMXhNBWryhsLZPeYf-0wCJx9Ct9qk3zRoL0tnO7OVYCGxoh3qThVUm7m0BFnOGAQEG-ARYb875616y8ik9OqGwUpRNa3fFbLo/s5472/Grey%20Seal%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYG359rjpxbMZPQxPsYDiaVF0Nnt5bZudAj2IWgtH6KNc3TWse1DGSIM8QWq4n-16Cw43w9fnpXLFs4NZWSRKyACRqaZMXhNBWryhsLZPeYf-0wCJx9Ct9qk3zRoL0tnO7OVYCGxoh3qThVUm7m0BFnOGAQEG-ARYb875616y8ik9OqGwUpRNa3fFbLo/w640-h426/Grey%20Seal%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There was a lady, who seemed to be taking charge of the situation, politely asking some dog walkers to give the animal some space. "I don't like to be bossy" she said "but the seal needs protecting!" She told me that the marine animal rescue crowd had been alerted to the situation and were on their way. I left her to it, she might not have liked being bossy, but she was obviously a natural? I continued right along the path to where it ends below King George VI Park. Very little to report, but I did spend a bit of time pointing the camera towards the Fulmars coming and going from the ledges in the chalk cliffs above me. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIlUKSFnITTAoanf013_bUop9lDqH8Sxy_3E253T-tvM_qVHc4NoR2v3B4Y-qQJVDbS6WGEZ-9TO93V2_h8z3zQAgs6wPOt26THDw3kQYEU_DyiLWnZN5yDACjQ-zTEOfueKVfT-7OQuL2Vp8rGx8_Lyc8EZTA2YW7jxL_oGSp364P8JkVDdcMRAD5OE/s3147/Fulmar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="3147" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIlUKSFnITTAoanf013_bUop9lDqH8Sxy_3E253T-tvM_qVHc4NoR2v3B4Y-qQJVDbS6WGEZ-9TO93V2_h8z3zQAgs6wPOt26THDw3kQYEU_DyiLWnZN5yDACjQ-zTEOfueKVfT-7OQuL2Vp8rGx8_Lyc8EZTA2YW7jxL_oGSp364P8JkVDdcMRAD5OE/w640-h426/Fulmar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I returned to Winterstoke Steps, to get up to my van, I scanned back towards the harbour and could see, immediately, that the seal was no longer hauled out on the beach. I can only assume that the animal went back into the sea, of it's own accord, and that the marine animal brigade hadn't "rescued" it in the short time which had elapsed since I had been with it.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-19372014308532642632024-02-06T17:48:00.000+00:002024-02-06T17:48:09.282+00:00On a hunch<p> As predicted, yesterday, I returned to the RMC for the second day running knowing that the weather wasn't likely to be conducive for slumming it on the bank (no umbrella!). With the winds coming straight across Romney Marsh, gusting 50 mph at times, it certainly wasn't a walk in the park. Exactly the same set-up as I used yesterday, I dropped onto a section of the canal which I have walked past on many occasions, en route to my favoured areas. Why today? Well, over the past few weeks I have noticed that Cormorant activity has been focussed at this particular point. Now whilst I am no fan of these feathered critters, on freshwater venues, they are a fantastic help when looking for Pike fodder. It was a Canterbury/Thanet regional PAC meeting, probably ten years ago (when we used to meet in the C&DAA HQ in Sturry) that Ken Crow explained how, although not a direct threat to big Pike, Cormorants competed for the same food source. Their preferred prey size being similar to that of Esox lucius. Ever since Ken's input, I have used his advice, whenever applicable, to assist me with locating possible "holding areas" Obviously, given my recent results, I'm not struggling to find decent Pike along my chosen section of the RMC. This morning, with nothing to lose, I dropped onto this area just to have a look. Probably under a third of a mile from where I park the van, it is an absolute doddle to push the barrow this distance instead of the regular route march.</p><p>Two baits in the water by 07.00 hrs, I watched several groups of Cormorants attempting to land along the section, although being deterred by my presence. Surely they knew that there was a decent stock of sizable "silver fish" present, thus exactly what the local Pike will need to prey upon in the run up to spawning? Well, all I can say is it was never going to be hectic. It was just before 09.55 hrs that my left hand rod finally received a bite as the Siren R3 signalled the rise of a monkey up the angled needle. Quickly onto the rod, I went through the usual ritual before setting the hooks. Bloody hell, it was a very angry Pike on the other end of my kit. With the wind howling across the open expanse behind me, it was quite a surreal experience to crouch down on the water's edge and play this fish in the shelter of the raised bank behind me. Once netted, I knew it was another good'un. Quite how good would be revealed when I placed it in the weighing sling. 19 lbs 12 oz being the most honest weight I could register. With the wind playing havok, the scales hovered between 19.12 and 20.00 lbs, yet there was no way I needed to kid myself, so settled on the lower reading safe in the knowledge that I was lying to no-one.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY-94wk6MAdQuiMQFLTdAol-9F4T8fvB3GA0rX6aKYDVZPU6AU1QoeCK-8-Hh-rDTtpH38oz22Hd2BP2CiAakIxovT4J_ooFDVpHZNNelqNJPExT0KXwyLoCGJAjR39rQkAvOK8gB0ZHEDqhwuP145peoJd4lcx1zY_BKN-Pyem8gJAilZHhJGHiYEuc/s4551/RMC%20Pike%2019.12%20left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3038" data-original-width="4551" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY-94wk6MAdQuiMQFLTdAol-9F4T8fvB3GA0rX6aKYDVZPU6AU1QoeCK-8-Hh-rDTtpH38oz22Hd2BP2CiAakIxovT4J_ooFDVpHZNNelqNJPExT0KXwyLoCGJAjR39rQkAvOK8gB0ZHEDqhwuP145peoJd4lcx1zY_BKN-Pyem8gJAilZHhJGHiYEuc/w640-h428/RMC%20Pike%2019.12%20left.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>It wasn't until I arrived back home that the magnitude of the capture actually came to the fore. It is the same Pike as I caught on Thursday, at 20 lbs 8 oz, some half a mile further along the canal. This Pike fishing caper has to be the craziest roller coaster my angling journey has ever experienced? It will probably be a week, or so, before I get back out with the rods, so birds and hedgehogs will have to step up to the plate?</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-5350696898866471912024-02-05T17:55:00.006+00:002024-02-05T19:17:26.729+00:00Back to reality<p> Another early morning jaunt down to the RMC, absolutely no way lightning was going to strike twice. A couple of tweaks to my kit were made due to spending time going back through my diary entries for this season. Out of habit I have been using three rods but, it would appear, the middle one has been almost obsolete, even when leapfrogging along various sections. So I've decided to stick with two, for the present time, and see if my results suffer any obvious decline. My other change was to swap from centrepins over to fixed spools. This is purely an experiment to gauge any benefit that an open bale arm offers over the revolving drum, thus resistance created, to a Pike picking up my baits. This morning I used drop-off indicator arms, yet know that I'll be back to using monkeys on angled needles when I return. Whatever else changes, the Siren R3's will remain my audible alert for any Pike related activity. Only one bite this morning which resulted in yet another "double" for my tally. A really nicely conditioned fish, of 12 lbs 15 oz, provided quite a testing scrap before being coaxed into the landing net. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbUU3gWJGPovKTwGNQUFUJ3_9JA17u2uTXLT84hKvaNYI9lhcZ6iXg6wGAaS-gGlk9RI8XyZBA8SBKs56zFqtXMiQpbmL3K7tZFgY_mYyDYg65D4ENOhEyrmdIahebRwLtJCyczBc4RqRoLaUAffRYWwSXKztMF1tU-M3s7Tl5ggjzGcp9EoFFnlSeho/s4725/RMC%20Pike%2012.15%20left.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3165" data-original-width="4725" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbUU3gWJGPovKTwGNQUFUJ3_9JA17u2uTXLT84hKvaNYI9lhcZ6iXg6wGAaS-gGlk9RI8XyZBA8SBKs56zFqtXMiQpbmL3K7tZFgY_mYyDYg65D4ENOhEyrmdIahebRwLtJCyczBc4RqRoLaUAffRYWwSXKztMF1tU-M3s7Tl5ggjzGcp9EoFFnlSeho/w640-h428/RMC%20Pike%2012.15%20left.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r2Ayaabt9uYheiJLZxwrmE0pfyYkXaZg3DaB0IGwLgE9FtVfvr2LqmCEmsF7AkbmRCuLM3OMhEY0FQmLiJM8pYGJ5tBDJOvdtSNywjcUX6QXam7WufAs00fnPfZolc92TPlUYYuPlj4TLA1bGfWnVaZAmDkPk1dIStwnGNpFgzyJLwz_yJWCpwFgmfs/s4584/RMC%20Pike%2012.15%20right.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3053" data-original-width="4584" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r2Ayaabt9uYheiJLZxwrmE0pfyYkXaZg3DaB0IGwLgE9FtVfvr2LqmCEmsF7AkbmRCuLM3OMhEY0FQmLiJM8pYGJ5tBDJOvdtSNywjcUX6QXam7WufAs00fnPfZolc92TPlUYYuPlj4TLA1bGfWnVaZAmDkPk1dIStwnGNpFgzyJLwz_yJWCpwFgmfs/w640-h426/RMC%20Pike%2012.15%20right.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />A smart, adult male, Goosander provided me with a bonus year tick, number 93, so it was a pretty good session given the grey skies and blustery conditions. Some fairly unpleasant family stuff to deal with over the coming week, or so, thus I might just grab another session in the morning, despite the gale force winds, before events way beyond my control dictate otherwise? I'll probably make a decision in the morning, if I bother setting the alarm for 04.20 hrs.<p></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-58853752380988940832024-02-04T16:53:00.001+00:002024-02-04T16:53:33.379+00:00The Dick Walker Exhibition<p>I've recently received details of The Dick Walker Exhibition and have promised Simon, Dick's son, that I would post them on my blog. It will take place in <b>The North Herts Museum, 14, Brand Street, Hitchin SG5 1JE.</b> It will open on <b>Tuesday 13th February and run until Sunday 7th April.</b> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBdE9rVcnCXRSBmoa817RdbBeQwXG2KD20dE1CUbtTLuO8Hxx_VBCIBKHtIcVVxmntuYrlAQTCVTmfZhB-JbFapJ7b44auaUP-BCVUCv0ZnBLzytEM89oy15Y5A4X51wxtD6yjlXNsZDEjBPq58XF_gB7kwIrf6beez-eoQxHlIRX1xBCEOs70fDiUNA/s959/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="959" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBdE9rVcnCXRSBmoa817RdbBeQwXG2KD20dE1CUbtTLuO8Hxx_VBCIBKHtIcVVxmntuYrlAQTCVTmfZhB-JbFapJ7b44auaUP-BCVUCv0ZnBLzytEM89oy15Y5A4X51wxtD6yjlXNsZDEjBPq58XF_gB7kwIrf6beez-eoQxHlIRX1xBCEOs70fDiUNA/w640-h416/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>If you have any interest in how freshwater angling has evolved since the end of WW2, then Dick Walker provided the inspiration for subsequent generations to understand big fish could be caught by design, not luck! The exhibition is to provide an insight into the life and mind-set of this angling giant. Please make the effort to visit if you are able.</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-80149131137331224312024-02-01T15:47:00.003+00:002024-02-02T09:31:50.572+00:00Red Letter Thursday<p>Back down to the RMC, this morning, for the second session of the week. On Tuesday I endured a total blank and wasn't sure if my "sit and wait" approach was such a good idea after all? Basically it was a return to normal and January ended with my "doubles" tally standing at fourteen for the season and six for the month. Not too much to moan about when viewed as numbers on a spreadsheet. If I'd achieved that level of success in the 1980's I'd have been writing articles for David Hall's Coarse Fishing magazine boasting about how brilliant I was! What a great leveller age is? I couldn't understand how I'd managed three "doubles" in three bites on the previous Friday, then nothing on my return to the same area of the canal, just four days later. I spent Wednesday with Bev, having a drive around East Kent. Coffee and cake at the Battle of Britain Memorial Site then across to The Ethelbert PH for "loaded chips" and a pint. (If ever you are in the Reculver area then this pub is a "must visit" destination) It was probably just what I needed, as Pike fishing wasn't on the agenda for the entire day. It was only when I was sat in my study, listening to the Liverpool vs Chelsea game, on Radio 5 Live, that my thoughts returned to the RMC Pike challenge. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CybcWSBE0SeFjg4bDlOEcCPvXn1KFi429-kLLYgemBoeX_DoFZi9Zmao2fCnarxlkJSbGkpNG1D8odRP0biv01JFCzdFZBsJDa0UN1x3wRAAYx2_rqMjEfO9Vqm_5ni9amtCIVENXqSjDWkQ_Ww0rhYK3KKssbsk913M65qQnnjPtzQ5fu1Y5OP68do/s5292/February%20dawn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="5292" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CybcWSBE0SeFjg4bDlOEcCPvXn1KFi429-kLLYgemBoeX_DoFZi9Zmao2fCnarxlkJSbGkpNG1D8odRP0biv01JFCzdFZBsJDa0UN1x3wRAAYx2_rqMjEfO9Vqm_5ni9amtCIVENXqSjDWkQ_Ww0rhYK3KKssbsk913M65qQnnjPtzQ5fu1Y5OP68do/w640-h332/February%20dawn.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I had the kit in the van and was on my way just before 05.00 hrs, this morning, all three rods were fishing by 06.45 hrs. A fabulous display, pre sunrise, was to prove to be the start of a fantastic morning. I have no intention of divulging bait choice, rigs or anything else which might compromise my own results. What I will say is that I landed two Pike this morning. The first one came just before 08.00 hrs and was my first "twenty" of the season. A cracking Pike of 20 lbs 8 oz gave me a right scrap, actually taking out my middle rod during the epic battle, and I knew that I could pack up, there and then, and drive home very happy. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSBM3Rw6hsPdTE853HFXiKrJf9fF3vz1xv8-JcbQbVLQoG7plCIoVt3tjsFq-YFUaxBoqH3TQoZgXEivlGRysMInxtDgIQdT91h2ezNLRy3eUjm5JBguptzCEq8fP6llct6k_9LRGoclkewn4foV1MSPzpuMNsTRPJ-oXzh7bFjkx9qfcGcfRDR1VunY/s4139/RMC%20Pike%2020.08%20right.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="4139" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSBM3Rw6hsPdTE853HFXiKrJf9fF3vz1xv8-JcbQbVLQoG7plCIoVt3tjsFq-YFUaxBoqH3TQoZgXEivlGRysMInxtDgIQdT91h2ezNLRy3eUjm5JBguptzCEq8fP6llct6k_9LRGoclkewn4foV1MSPzpuMNsTRPJ-oXzh7bFjkx9qfcGcfRDR1VunY/w640-h424/RMC%20Pike%2020.08%20right.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhyM5caayC2wqhza5Aio8_xRP7l5ROkF6OUdCXWYzi3gzdyhI8Qw3f7vxb3X_Y3S1RuJ88GGPCapOFoKUuz51ehGGOSuPOvpvw5RZRrM06boUgDRvtYZCuLrJjoglHxD4qXt3AGd5-0F0sD329UmJokrxuq0HEdt0tPlu9RloZ-ufw-7DKgD-cSNj4rk/s4353/RMC%20Pike%2020.08%20left.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="4353" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhyM5caayC2wqhza5Aio8_xRP7l5ROkF6OUdCXWYzi3gzdyhI8Qw3f7vxb3X_Y3S1RuJ88GGPCapOFoKUuz51ehGGOSuPOvpvw5RZRrM06boUgDRvtYZCuLrJjoglHxD4qXt3AGd5-0F0sD329UmJokrxuq0HEdt0tPlu9RloZ-ufw-7DKgD-cSNj4rk/w640-h430/RMC%20Pike%2020.08%20left.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>09.20hrs and the same rod is away again, this time a very sedate type of bite with the line just trickling off the centrepin. Well, that was until I set the hooks. Absolute bedlam erupted as this fish tore off across the canal, causing a huge boil on the surface as it did so. I already knew it was a good fish as I played it. Only when I drew it over the net chord did I realise just how good it was. At 23 lbs 6 oz, it is my PB from the RMC.I was in total shock, never before have I landed two "twenties" in the same session. Happy daze!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKU0rqD3Dj1vRjopkNy1bz6wWdTLu7XbXeT0CeC3-Qrv1v1WLg0Yt2OoL6QuqNgQueggMoaRF-2ZWv6awK94aK8jcKIGePALkKMkZWC1MHvHwTdBimqEdlz9RCRlcJ81bQWjK08J7Fvt7mnI8Bfv5WBbzpJSrtNbTQIzsGEtdGr8_NIJqY1jKRkr3j8k/s4416/RMC%20Pike%2023.06%20right.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2963" data-original-width="4416" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKU0rqD3Dj1vRjopkNy1bz6wWdTLu7XbXeT0CeC3-Qrv1v1WLg0Yt2OoL6QuqNgQueggMoaRF-2ZWv6awK94aK8jcKIGePALkKMkZWC1MHvHwTdBimqEdlz9RCRlcJ81bQWjK08J7Fvt7mnI8Bfv5WBbzpJSrtNbTQIzsGEtdGr8_NIJqY1jKRkr3j8k/w640-h430/RMC%20Pike%2023.06%20right.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0U4u7FMtfzhXVLDZ0KFhz6T8TKSlAh7NT-hULi_ssS0giRHE3UAs_ur9aeZ2bNi_vOW_cv9MonMZijzeCWFjpm2mRgZIj1xwkxtQZJF_rjya0JxKG8hrA8uLRW6hqGcNDxPXqIWdzt5aZTUPOO-59W6c3RrVjdidtnqFknf7cGwgEO3oXIjpZdPWtYM/s4394/RMC%20Pike%2023.06%20left.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="4394" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0U4u7FMtfzhXVLDZ0KFhz6T8TKSlAh7NT-hULi_ssS0giRHE3UAs_ur9aeZ2bNi_vOW_cv9MonMZijzeCWFjpm2mRgZIj1xwkxtQZJF_rjya0JxKG8hrA8uLRW6hqGcNDxPXqIWdzt5aZTUPOO-59W6c3RrVjdidtnqFknf7cGwgEO3oXIjpZdPWtYM/w640-h426/RMC%20Pike%2023.06%20left.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I remained on site, packing up just around 11.30 hrs when I missed an absolute "sitter". No I don't know how I managed it either? Still, with two "twenties" in the bag, what's to worry about? There's always tomorrow. One thing is for sure, there will be a polarizing filter added to the camera kit in the very near future. Reflective glare is a self take angler's nightmare!</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-29962232680814917132024-01-28T18:18:00.030+00:002024-01-28T20:21:03.425+00:00Simple things<p>It was the RSPB's "Big Garden Birdwatch 2024" this weekend. My step-daughter, Debbie, and my grand-kids, Emily and Harry, wanted to get involved and asked if I could help? An absolute no-brainer! The garden feeding station was topped up with an additional fat ball feeder, the bird bath given a clean up and some fresh water. I gave it an hour, early this morning, although we didn't actually conduct our count until mid-afternoon. Obviously there were differences in the two sessions, yet the vast majority of species were seen on both occasions. A pair of Chaffinches were most welcome, yet it was three Greenfinches which stole the headlines! The fact that our garden faces westward meant that my best opportunities for using the camera came early with the sun behind my position. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR3YO8ixlRVQhLi4dXw6yKkFGbZg3BtJCb1dIM6mcM5470VJ5085V4Ps00YVrPaQyjxC2RfcUxzPVX12r8x3of9xOjZKugCszFAeqkefzUg1j5tlscp3YqYf2xHRTjfQL4R6CEdhvNYRsQyGM6SmgYZnGsNj-kEKgT5gqzlSCM9lzcKBQYYmSS5-ZXOI/s3175/Greenfinches.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3175" data-original-width="2129" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR3YO8ixlRVQhLi4dXw6yKkFGbZg3BtJCb1dIM6mcM5470VJ5085V4Ps00YVrPaQyjxC2RfcUxzPVX12r8x3of9xOjZKugCszFAeqkefzUg1j5tlscp3YqYf2xHRTjfQL4R6CEdhvNYRsQyGM6SmgYZnGsNj-kEKgT5gqzlSCM9lzcKBQYYmSS5-ZXOI/w430-h640/Greenfinches.JPG" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top bird has a metal ring on its' right leg.<br />Absolutely pointless, for data gathering, unless I shot it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP0lZHqEt7hLG68kK110q44hVk8S26Tj6cIwZ6w6Uu9Xq8nR_9AR9QGp4JNBC4LkcnpihmipXJPe7DRWrmUTa0QCjr4EWsoKglzqOyyzazV0pqeBGu0H1xOxrPFpMo_zXO-XFhV8HOYHtBUbweMfTcL9XB22evVFOpP9mRthBumXzUzexl6xMyg6kZ2A/s3134/Greenfinch%20&%20Great%20Tit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2083" data-original-width="3134" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP0lZHqEt7hLG68kK110q44hVk8S26Tj6cIwZ6w6Uu9Xq8nR_9AR9QGp4JNBC4LkcnpihmipXJPe7DRWrmUTa0QCjr4EWsoKglzqOyyzazV0pqeBGu0H1xOxrPFpMo_zXO-XFhV8HOYHtBUbweMfTcL9XB22evVFOpP9mRthBumXzUzexl6xMyg6kZ2A/w640-h426/Greenfinch%20&%20Great%20Tit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've not made much effort to do any nocturnal feeding station watching, although I did see my first Hedgehog of 2024 on January 3rd. Last night, just prior to calling it a day, I spotted my second. This time the camera kit was to hand and I made an effort to grab a token shot through the double glazed window of the study doorway. Foxes are still very vocal around the Newlands area, yet have failed to provide any photo opportunities thus far. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE2buQ3j3H-c5VCJyk_s6_WtRuSDg6Tdc8pFAzYRgQymetRepSpszIoocdMa56DOkvcXs7kw25mqPPNQEUz1qrY_zo4gK32o5rdsyshPMzrmXd01q0maQ4ecnMsKSX6iwFwghd9JbSLv7ub27_l5vv33YX6rmKHI_0fyyn_SFdg7uNWCR6LDuYedGDoM/s3869/Hedgehog.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3869" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE2buQ3j3H-c5VCJyk_s6_WtRuSDg6Tdc8pFAzYRgQymetRepSpszIoocdMa56DOkvcXs7kw25mqPPNQEUz1qrY_zo4gK32o5rdsyshPMzrmXd01q0maQ4ecnMsKSX6iwFwghd9JbSLv7ub27_l5vv33YX6rmKHI_0fyyn_SFdg7uNWCR6LDuYedGDoM/w640-h424/Hedgehog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The newly acquired lens has been a revelation and the resultant image quality risen to a level which I couldn't have hoped for with the old Sigma version. I have the additional lighting kit available to attempt some better, after dark, images so await a time when sitting in my study, with the door wide open, doesn't result in hyperthermia. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>UP-DATE</b></p><p>Not so fast you twat! Less than an hour after posting the blog and there's a Hedgehog at the feeding bowl, well illuminated by the Core LED work lite. I had nothing more to do than open the back door and lie on the study floor to obtain a superb series of images. Red eye compensation might apply in further attempts, yet I'm well pleased with this effort!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FKVWTiSrSfv3dtZMRNc8gJpNrDl9e_po1wGCKvH10csDDsx4K-mZQzArq9OcpaXMbwFg1yg5QV6fVu04_fFeEAEp-WtAOpffe6pAf-sl-lYW94aDqFSf3btSZhwLkXn1Jon1xPcemnD1C_8OXG7XVIF119MjwEkaXK_LcymtK5408Pu_FEq-O462MCw/s4487/Hedgehog%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="4487" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FKVWTiSrSfv3dtZMRNc8gJpNrDl9e_po1wGCKvH10csDDsx4K-mZQzArq9OcpaXMbwFg1yg5QV6fVu04_fFeEAEp-WtAOpffe6pAf-sl-lYW94aDqFSf3btSZhwLkXn1Jon1xPcemnD1C_8OXG7XVIF119MjwEkaXK_LcymtK5408Pu_FEq-O462MCw/w640-h428/Hedgehog%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-12659593924058816312024-01-26T18:26:00.004+00:002024-01-26T18:50:37.270+00:00Over thinking?<p>Back indoors after a superb session down on the RMC, today. A stunning day, weatherwise, with bright sunshine and clear blue skies, yet a rather frisky westerly blowing directly along the canal causing a few issues with the bite indicators! It seems incredible that I was on the bank from 06.20 hrs until 13.45 hrs and only saw four other people taking advantage of the glorious conditions. However, Baz was one of them and we had a really nice chat about this, that and so much more. He's still catching a few Carp at Beachborough and enjoying his retirement in much the same manner as I am. </p><p>It was after the events of Wednesday that I had a serious think about how I'm approaching the RMC campaign this winter. I couldn't begin to guess how many miles of the canal bank my rods have been leapfrogged since November? What actually happened on Wednesday was that I moved the rods almost immediately after landing the only Pike of the session. The result of this, pre-planned, approach being that there was no further action on the rods. Had I located some fish, only to go through the leapfrogging ritual, and moved away from them? Today I was intent on staying put in my chosen area and seeing if the "bait & wait" tactic would pay dividends. Although less than a quarter of a mile away from where I'd fished on Wednesday, this particular section of the canal hasn't seen one of my baited rigs since March 2023. There is logic in this decision making, but it's not something I'm willing to explain. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuY7PsA0WLrIIG4YovwwOljtSpSKddMfUTZpGEDQFfLDNjb3ZJnrOvJSLtpTI0LbMIVdPh-n846RQTUdGdHN45Ki43T7cJ9Hmezs7vi4PEbKYTnNKs_X3-P5NJF-bFJwWRmXUlTXQgca3A9He6UytEPX7usGoxtxMtrqV6i2Rl0c67ApqoQxUtVn6aE0/s4299/RMC%20Pike%2014.02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="4299" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuY7PsA0WLrIIG4YovwwOljtSpSKddMfUTZpGEDQFfLDNjb3ZJnrOvJSLtpTI0LbMIVdPh-n846RQTUdGdHN45Ki43T7cJ9Hmezs7vi4PEbKYTnNKs_X3-P5NJF-bFJwWRmXUlTXQgca3A9He6UytEPX7usGoxtxMtrqV6i2Rl0c67ApqoQxUtVn6aE0/w640-h428/RMC%20Pike%2014.02.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bite No. 1 - 14 lbs 2 oz</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Three rods were fishing by 07.05 hrs, sunrise was at 07.42 hrs, yet it wasn't until 09.20 hrs that my right-hand alarm finally signalled a bite. Under normal circumstances I'd be getting ready for a second move of the morning. It was a fairly dour battle which resulted in a Pike of 14 lbs 2 oz visiting the unhooking mat. It looked like it had seen a bit of action, so it was placed in the recovery sling prior to getting some photos. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQPdsfO8VhJ39PNhLa7bBWm1L0ST7om2AhWAQH6TMnZFv3GnaT87S2VD2klEGouDrfr6-61grmJv2p7G-hzlA9rcs4p73M3NecWF8f-w31MMG_KLl5_ctd2YnmNRJM9vZgmlm-KkFahbJHQJ18nExAVXkkweLYtpe-3tWhSX9FMZTgPxfz8pz6cNtF4E/s4642/RMC%20Pike%2016.04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="4642" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQPdsfO8VhJ39PNhLa7bBWm1L0ST7om2AhWAQH6TMnZFv3GnaT87S2VD2klEGouDrfr6-61grmJv2p7G-hzlA9rcs4p73M3NecWF8f-w31MMG_KLl5_ctd2YnmNRJM9vZgmlm-KkFahbJHQJ18nExAVXkkweLYtpe-3tWhSX9FMZTgPxfz8pz6cNtF4E/w640-h430/RMC%20Pike%2016.04.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bite No. 2 - 16 lbs 4 oz</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I was "umming & ahhing" about getting the camera kit set up when, at 10.50 hrs, the same rod was away again. This time it was a far more spirited tussle which produced a lovely Pike of 16 lbs 4 oz. So now I'm in a dilemma. There's a Pike in the retainer and another, bigger fish, in the net. Photo time. I managed to get the original fish photographed and was just in the process of getting the second fish transferred from the net into the retainer when my left hand alarm burst into song. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iial0U67gceoAozVjTAmJA2wW4eIqPOvW4ul7__U3hik556y6_hDac5pOA9MaWQ7dNPb5I5MDAud8B-dU6v-Am4sPliG0O4kJzv-Igj5-byTFAYxIZna47g0B2YyPdVJ4hZNad5pesSvCgDvHMgH1Qj1ORahfYNcEI1Xz0H98TKgF_TKAwN_J58V1AM/s4735/RMC%20Pike%2017.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3155" data-original-width="4735" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iial0U67gceoAozVjTAmJA2wW4eIqPOvW4ul7__U3hik556y6_hDac5pOA9MaWQ7dNPb5I5MDAud8B-dU6v-Am4sPliG0O4kJzv-Igj5-byTFAYxIZna47g0B2YyPdVJ4hZNad5pesSvCgDvHMgH1Qj1ORahfYNcEI1Xz0H98TKgF_TKAwN_J58V1AM/w640-h426/RMC%20Pike%2017.00.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bite No. 3 - 17 lbs exactly</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Absolute chaos ensued as I landed my third "double" of the morning. At 17.00 lbs exactly, it was a lovely, clean Pike, yet extraordinarily skinny and covered in leaches. I got the fish sorted out, rod's recast, and then set about getting the selfies done.. As it turned out, that was to be my lot for today. I certainly won't complain about three bites - three doubles, but I still hanker after that encounter with a "fish of legend". You've gotta be "innit to winnit" and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just as an aside, it would seem that I might have to work a bit harder with the self take kit. It could just be raising the height of the camera or, maybe, the acquisition of a polarizing filter for the 18 - 55 mm lens?</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-74438621035478344072024-01-24T18:53:00.002+00:002024-01-24T19:03:47.799+00:00Preferable to a blank<p> My first session down on the RMC, since last Wednesday, produced a single bite. The result was a very pleasant Pike, of 13 lbs 8 oz, visiting the unhooking mat but that was all the angling action in over four and a half hours on the bank.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar8vQw0MsFCYHkKJV0jDTGAyyO1fzR8jN05fXirDHDGnr8GKuK9ubYlzZIafhwJaD4syEFIdLiFa-2tzANLbNRKF5xlto3A4OzZOJlj2A4QJjb3hSUYAATCKyxvLhATIwUQrEJEMXB2pmZ9mdoFxsUgnLtEBuf1s3Jt02970IPLt_cCo83Vo1-s0a9TA/s4404/RMC%20Pike%2013.08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="4404" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar8vQw0MsFCYHkKJV0jDTGAyyO1fzR8jN05fXirDHDGnr8GKuK9ubYlzZIafhwJaD4syEFIdLiFa-2tzANLbNRKF5xlto3A4OzZOJlj2A4QJjb3hSUYAATCKyxvLhATIwUQrEJEMXB2pmZ9mdoFxsUgnLtEBuf1s3Jt02970IPLt_cCo83Vo1-s0a9TA/w640-h428/RMC%20Pike%2013.08.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bev looked at this image and thought I looked puzzled? <br />To be fair, I'll take that because one of the dog walkers said I looked "rough"! How dare they?</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>However, as with any time spent down on the canal, there were some quality conversations with various folk out walking their dogs or just enjoying the scenery. Birds were fairly predictable, although two Barn Owls just before dawn certainly provided the highlight. A flock of Mediterranean Gulls, circa 130+, moved westward just after sunrise and there were a few Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare and Blackbirds to scan through as the morning progressed. A couple of Ravens put on a noisy display overhead and a sky dancing Common Buzzard was quite spectacular as the light levels got better. It was a pair of protesting Moorhens that alerted me to the presence of a hunting Mink, on the opposite bank. I managed to grab a token image of this sly critter before it slunk off back into the bankside reeds. Nothing too outstanding but, certainly, better than sitting indoors wondering what might have been?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3K9sKFevkSyP1OvmgBj5Kt-DejM5rtAAIXkoJhu2gx9KaGQshGzPWAaE3bC5MeKg-8ld1r90VJcwwdUPe8hN1GNqQhqc2Fl1aHv7raSoL9xPD2M_ncCgzt5lj07zcoQa6OdJDPzwKGElbMAA7wBVvfaxDTYkMfpnah_9smgFUrDHJxhdaln-fixuFWI/s3282/Mink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2179" data-original-width="3282" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3K9sKFevkSyP1OvmgBj5Kt-DejM5rtAAIXkoJhu2gx9KaGQshGzPWAaE3bC5MeKg-8ld1r90VJcwwdUPe8hN1GNqQhqc2Fl1aHv7raSoL9xPD2M_ncCgzt5lj07zcoQa6OdJDPzwKGElbMAA7wBVvfaxDTYkMfpnah_9smgFUrDHJxhdaln-fixuFWI/w640-h424/Mink.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Thus far, into January, blogging has been hard going. Let's hope that the crazy weather is now behind us and a return to, some form of, normality is possible?</p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-84328321902975839412024-01-21T13:14:00.004+00:002024-01-21T14:24:47.740+00:00Pre - Isha stroll<p>The doom & gloom merchants, at the Met Office, speak of the potential disruption (aka chaos) associated with the next "celebrity" storm which is predicted to arrive on Thanet just after sunset today. With this as the background, I took a stroll along the coastal footpath between Dumpton Gap and Broadstairs Harbour, early morning, in the hope of obtaining a few more additions to the 2024 year list. If I'm honest, it was rather disappointing with just Purple Sandpiper, two, and Gannet, three, providing the new entries. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL28T8IFkjJd78a56XP4645Ldl-zhf7bDgJMYNpKDSvGiQowOf6kC-UHAYYslEbuOd6Jxob-zSk_ZOX8Nv-9M8mQXa53sEoM0DL0PuzsF6Ce6f3xgKmD_j1LeARw5EBNgjUAmWXshtyE-GKNKln-SKSDD6WVv15jcY09pZzLPcxhFkCIiCVNWLWztasE/s3978/Purple%20Sandpiper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="3978" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL28T8IFkjJd78a56XP4645Ldl-zhf7bDgJMYNpKDSvGiQowOf6kC-UHAYYslEbuOd6Jxob-zSk_ZOX8Nv-9M8mQXa53sEoM0DL0PuzsF6Ce6f3xgKmD_j1LeARw5EBNgjUAmWXshtyE-GKNKln-SKSDD6WVv15jcY09pZzLPcxhFkCIiCVNWLWztasE/w640-h428/Purple%20Sandpiper.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>My search for a convincing "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit looks set to run for a good while yet. Only two "Rockits" encountered today, both very much typical of our local breeding population. A couple of Red-throated Divers moved south, well offshore, into the strengthening wind, whilst a few Brents, Oystercatchers and Curlews moved in the opposite direction, headed for feeding spots around the coast, as the tide started dropping. On my way home I took a short detour to Winterstoke where I spent a few minutes, in deteriorating light conditions, attempting to get some images of the local Fulmars. Safe in the knowledge that they will hang around for several months yet, I am confident that I'll grab a few images which do justice to these, tube-nosed, ocean wanderers at some point in the future. In the meanwhile this is the best I have managed!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S2B4ti6B4il0vJzulC6SYocF7cxCsu4-Gudlm4-YlsfJzZo05rg0zSnfHHcYpMWYy0a1AN9rEWUZUmyG-Z61GKyxa5l9hLhWsLMO8J_L_kjXBgb8W3unKOhsWrOgidIh823Q7kH8-Nny-yCJRh31vlsd8FvLQLypF4DPul9OYxHoI2Ks8J2VOG4qGlg/s2353/Fulmar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="2353" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S2B4ti6B4il0vJzulC6SYocF7cxCsu4-Gudlm4-YlsfJzZo05rg0zSnfHHcYpMWYy0a1AN9rEWUZUmyG-Z61GKyxa5l9hLhWsLMO8J_L_kjXBgb8W3unKOhsWrOgidIh823Q7kH8-Nny-yCJRh31vlsd8FvLQLypF4DPul9OYxHoI2Ks8J2VOG4qGlg/w640-h430/Fulmar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Dylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.com0