Deadline day approaching

My first article for The Freshwater Fisherman appeared in the April edition and I'm happy enough with the result. Barry Reed (Editor) and his production team have done a good job, however, being likened to a modern day Mr Crabtree was flattery most undeserved (click here to see - page 9) Having committed to this series of articles, it all of a sudden becomes far more difficult if the weather conspires to keep the main protagonist indoors! Bryn has spent more time on his X-box than anything else during the month of March due to the constant run of chilly NE winds. With just ten days remaining for my second offering to be on Barry's computer, I have very little to work with - call plan B into action. Long Shaw Farm to the rescue? We've Sunday afternoon to get enough to fill the space I'm allotted, so let's hope for lots of photo opportunities!

I have taken both Harry and Emily down to the smaller of our new club waters to look for fish and frogs; a box of cat biscuits handily in the car, just in case! The weather has been kind and on both occasions managed to get a few carp up on the top, although never in a frenzy of activity. I also got a rod and net involved when Emily came along and had a couple of small commons from a number of good chances. The successful method being tiny bread cubes, free-lined, on a size 11 Barbel Maxx, 10 lbs b.s. line, a Match Aerial centre-pin on a Duncan Kay rod.

Carp - but not as we know them!

Benno, Luke and I were, once again, on the banks of our latest venue, carp fishing. Only our second visit but, this time, all three of us had located some carp activity prior to casting our baits. Things were looking up until four lads, in kayaks, ruined any realistic chances with their inconsiderate (and illegal - they had no life jackets and, therefore, permission to be using the waterway) behavior. Not only did they paddle past as we were setting up, they made a return visit as darkness was falling and used all the manners of "Council House Central" to demonstrate their contempt for others. Chav's - nothing more, but something else we'll have to learn to tolerate as the project advances. They weren't aggressive, just enjoying themselves but with zero consideration for the impact of their actions upon others. It wasn't a complete waste of effort as Benno actually caught a carp! It's the first week of April - what's going on? The first I knew was when a garbled message came through on the walkie-talkie! "I've only f**king got one!"

My initial reaction was "result!" Benno not quite so sure once he'd examined his prize. It was a freak of a carp - more like a boomerang than a fish. Very long, but with a distinctive "kinked" back bone, it went just over twelve pounds on the Rubens - in good nick it should have gone twenty!
Where do we go from here? Well it's a start and there are many other fish in the venue. There can be no doubting that they get a serious amount of angling pressure during the course of a year. Our challenge is to test ourselves to see if we are capable enough to adapt our tactics to deal with these new conundrums and those alternative approaches of the unknown anglers?

"Looks like hard work!"

All three of us met up at the fishery, just before 16. 30 hrs (Saturday 01.04.17), and took a stroll along the chosen section in an attempt to locate a carp. or two. before committing to swim choice. We saw nothing which could be directly attributable to carp activity, thus had to rely on watercraft and "gut feel" for our first session of 2017. Fortunately we do have last years results to draw upon, so educated guesses were used rather than blind faith.

Sun-set wasn't until 19.28 hrs and we had plenty of time to watch the water and were eventually rewarded with two definite sightings of carp; so all very encouraging. It confirmed that they were present in our section and, as a result, boosted confidence. It wasn't until May, in 2016, that Benno managed our first carp from this venue, so it came as no surprise that all three of us blanked today. We're not getting involved in "time bandit" tactics - if we don't get any indication within three hours then it's time to head off home. We are on the banks five weeks earlier than last year; will we be able to make this work to our advantage?

As I have stated in my previous blog, we're fishing beside a public footpath which is very popular with the local dog walking community, plus regular joggers, cyclists and ramblers enjoying the exercise and facilities that the venue has to offer. It was an "off the cuff" remark by a lady walking her dog, which is the catalyst to this post. I was sat on my unhooking mat, what little gear I had, neatly stacked on the top of the bank, a can of "light ale" being supped as she approached. "That fishing lark looks like really hard work!" being her quip as she passed. I offered some, light-hearted, reposte. It wasn't until she had disappeared from view that I actually thought about what had been said and the perception v's the reality.

The carp that started our campaign in May 2016. Benno with a 17 lbs 4 oz Common'
We only managed five fish, from the venue, during our first season - three 20's! Benno leads 4 - 1; I've a lot of
catching up to do!

I have absolutely no doubts as to the image I portray, perched beside my kit - can in hand! Hard work? Well that's already been done, it's how and why I'm there! Bait preparation, rig tying and testing, assembling the various items required for the project - all of these things have taken place long before I leave home. My time at the fishery is about enjoyment, hence the laid-back perception of an outsider. Nothing could be further from the truth, although I am rather pleased with this situation. If that is how I appear to a non-angler, perhaps some of those "brand label fashionistas" will also see a similar thing and dismiss such "Noddy" tactics as unworthy of their attention - I can but hope!

Other bits to be mentioned are pertaining to my slowly evolving "year-list". I've added the following:-
Willow Warbler - 30.03.17-  one singing in the garden,
Blackcap - 31.03.17
Sedge Warbler - 01.04.17 - two in sub-song along the RMC
Swallow - 02.04.17 - Sholden, Nr Deal

Sound advice - no pictures!

As the "split cane thirty project" enters season two I continue seeking advice, via the wonders of You-tube, amidst the copious offerings; ref - Carp fishing! The vast majority of these efforts are amateur, video blogging, "Look at me on holiday in France" etc, etc... However, there are plenty of  other, very professional, company sponsored/endorsed, programs which have been specifically produced for this web platform and it is these that I am drawn to in order to derive some snippet which might aid my cause. I've scrutinized rig tying, studied underwater footage of fish behavior, seen some amazing fish, caught by the very best carp anglers at some of the top venues.

Danny Fairbrass is the "Guvnor" at Korda, and competent angler to boot. It was something he said in a recent "Master Class" offering that really hit home. I don't know the guy, never met him, or any of his cronies, so this is a genuine thumbs up for a very honest piece of advice. I'd been watching Danny and Darryl Peck, catching some awesome carp in Germany, when he offered this pearl of wisdom. I won't make a direct quote but, instead, give my reaction to the implied sentiment. It is two pronged - firstly he said that it was perfectly acceptable to copy the example/methods of successful anglers. Nothing too outrageous in that concept, I've been attempting to copy the example set by successful anglers since Mr Crabtree! However, the real crux of his message, which could easily be overlooked, was that although it was acceptable to replicate, the aim should be to improve upon it! Now that's very special advice. Kevin Nash calls it "the edge"- that something which sets you apart from the other anglers at your venues. "Do the same but do it better!"

Getting involved in carp angling, 2017, is a bit like dabbling in the dark arts of the Harry Potter stories.  I'd still like to think that my apprenticeship will stand me in good stead - location, location, location. It isn't all about baits or fandango rigs. If I can locate these fish, then I will catch them, just as Dick Walker had done sixty years ago. So what I gleaned from Danny's spiel was that I need to be at the top of my game to ensure I give myself the best chance of a successful outcome. It's not simply about using "Cell or Key" boilies - it's when, and, more importantly, where, you put them!

April 1st, on Saturday, and we are already planning our strategies for the coming season. We are not only competing with the carp, we also have the actions of other anglers to consider. There are a small group of anglers who are already extremely successful at this fishery, they are highly accomplished and very cute (read sharp!) with their methods and approach. Then there are the others - unthinking, wannabe, carp anglers - "all the gear; no idea!" It is these guys who will shape our campaign as things move forward. Benno, Luke and myself are not a registered charity, we aren't about to become a benevolent society for the lame brains. Our methods and swim choices are not about to go viral if we hit the jackpot. We are only too happy to exchange ideas with others, especially those encountered on the bank, but we ain't dotting I's or crossing T's for lazy parasites. We'll be fishing beside a public footpath, absolutely nothing we can do to hide our presence, even if we wanted to? I think that the best mentality I can use is that of our River Stour barbel exploits. All three of us caught some exceptional fish during that project, without getting involved with the "circus" which accompanied those times. Let's hope that we can replicate those events over the next few months, catch a few decent carp and walk away without any fuss?

Fearless

After the early morning fog had burnt away conditions looked good for a raptor, or two, so I had my camera and bins strategically placed by the kitchen door. Awaiting the gulls to alert me to a passing Buzzard or Kite. It wasn't to be; instead I was treated to some fantastic close up views of a male Rose-ringed Parakeet which made repeated visits to the feeding station. It is my guess, therefore, that it is breeding very locally and already feeding his incubating mate or a young brood?

Before dropping down onto the feeding station, it would perch
in the top of our "Christmas Tree"

Once on the sunflower heart feeder, it would allow me to within twenty feet, no problem. So I took full advantage and spent quite a while firing off a series of portraits as it gorged on the seeds.

Time to fire her up again?

The last time I made any serious attempt at recording the moths that share my space was when Bev and I were staying at Dad's during his final few weeks of June/August 2016. My 125w MV "Robinson Trap" has lain dormant since - nuff sed! It was August 1994 when I first became interested in these night flying denizens and deliberately went about catching them, Benno close at hand - it has it's origins as his school project after all!

Roger Smith and I manufactured this contraption whilst I worked at Ashford - Batchelor's Cuppa Soup factory.
It has seen some some sensational visitors over the years.

Being part of a rather tight knit group of, like-minded, bloggers, it was inevitable that moths would start to feature as the Spring exerted its' influence on our natural history. Checking the egg boxes this morning revealed a small catch of moths, none of which were unexpected. There were 6 Common Quaker, 2 Early Grey, 1 Hebrew Character and a Herald, so a double figure catch on the first night!

I'll be keeping an eye on the weather before I decide to run it again - cold N/E winds aren't the most conducive for producing decent catches.

Birds, bugs and butterflies around Newlands

Out early for a short stroll around the farm in the pretense of looking for a Wheatear - a fool's errand if ever there was one? A small group of Linnets were feeding in the rough area besides the Scaffolder's Yard and a pair of Mallards flew over, headed for Pegwell and beyond. It wasn't until I reached the White House that anything unusual happened. A small passerine was flicking about on the ploughed field which, on raising my binoculars, proved to be a female-type Black Redstart. Further scanning discovered two more, one a spanking male in full breeding attire. I rattled off a few shots, more in hope than anything else, before getting back home as we had a breakfast appointment in Deal.

It was just after mid-day that we got back from our outing and I had another scout around the farm in the vain hope of getting some better images of these irregular "patch" visitors. No dice, but I did add two Common Buzzards to my lowly day list as they moved deliberately N into the chilly breeze.
However, just as it had been yesterday at the fishery, sheltered spots were alive with insects and swapping lenses I was happy to snap away at some of these smaller inhabitants of the field edges.

Cereal Leaf Beetle - one of a very closely related pair of species. (Oulema melanopus/O. rufocyanea)

Possibly a Pea Weevil ?

At least nine Small Tortoiseshells were seen as I wandered around, it certainly seems that this species is making a welcome comeback after a few years of very low numbers.