Starting to make sense

Our carp campaign is gaining momentum as we learn more about the venue and the fish we seek. Benno is already three - one up, the benefit of not working shifts demonstrated by his results all being afternoon captures. I bucked the trend and took a nice fish, just before 07.00 hrs, this morning. Fantastic fun on the split cane Mk IV and Mitchell 300. We've a long way to go, before we can make any claims to having learnt the water, but it is an encouraging start.

Limax maximus and a double take!

Another stupid o'clock start, as I continue my split cane quest. I'd seen three foxes before I got out of Ramsgate, and a fourth ran towards me as I walked to my chosen swim, down on the RMC. Both rods out before 04.30 hrs - solid bags ensuring that the rigs were properly presented on the far marginal shelf. The dawn chorus wasn't up to much - a Blackcap and a Cetti's Warbler being the only notable contributors. As I sat back, awaiting events, I became aware of a Leopard Slug in the foliage beside me. I made the effort to place it on the lid of my bait bucket and get a photo - the first time I've ever pointed a camera in the direction of such a creature (that guy in Alice Springs would surely approve? - it's another story!)

I must be loosing the plot? It's a bloody Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)

Benno turned up, just in time to see both rods register bites; a tench on one and a bream on the other, what joy! The tench was a nice fish, weighing 4 lbs 5 oz and the best one from the venue thus far. The less said about the bream, the better. I would have stayed for another hour if it were not for the activities of a twat in a canoe - paddling straight through my swim.

Wilstone it ain't - a lovely little tench from the RMC

A new(ish) toy

My brother Simon has just splashed out on a new camera and I have been given, as a result, his old EOS 350 kit, complete with a nice 70-210 mm Canon lens, which has a macro facility inbuilt. I had a little play around with it, fitted to my EOS 400d and it would seem to be very well suited to butterfly photography - something which will be very useful when we return to Kefalonia later this year?

Not too sad for a first attempt?

Seeking "close encounters" with a twist?

Len Head once wrote that "you can't catch a big tench if it lives at the other end of the lake" (The Big Fish Scene - 1979) whilst, even before this, Barry Rickards and Ray Webb had gone into extraordinary detail as to the importance of fish location in their joint masterpiece, Fishing for Big Pike - 1971. Location, location, location; the most important single factor in all big fish anglers thoughts if they are anything like serious about their hobby.
I have been going on about Youtube and the superb knowledge that is to be gleaned there (ref: carp fishing) for quite some time now. There is insight into a world of wonder, if you choose to look? On the other hand, there is also a baffling array of brand endorsements which are purely aimed at the angler, and not the fish! I have to accept that market forces drive the desire for progress - carp anglers, it would seem, are insatiable? "Wheat from the chaff" is where I'm at - what will actually assist, as opposed to hamper, my efforts - moving forward?
I admit that I'm fascinated by rig mechanics, for all my fishing projects, whatever the species - choosing a presentation which best suits the situation at the time. By using the advice, obtained from the Youtube offerings (Korda Thinking Tackle in particular), I have expanded my understanding of why and when to use certain bait presentations. Sitting in my study, I have practiced the skills required to tie the rigs and adapt them for my own angling situations. One glaringly obvious difference between my demands, and those shown on the majority of carp video offerings, is that all of my angling takes place in very intimate surroundings. Four rod lengths would be a long chuck at many of my venues, thus hitting the clip at 120 m+ isn't a consideration, so neither is the use of broom handles, 4oz leads and big pit winches - "horses for courses" is the best analogy. There is also another element to my fishing which is unavailable at any tackle shop, or on-line! Watercraft and bankside etiquette, something which is very rarely touched on in any Youtube posting - the Carp Angling Industry portrays their product as a very social pastime, where big fish are regularly landed by "the lads" having a jolly! This is a modern development and not one I am able to fit into my own angling expectations. Even when I am fishing with Benno and/or Luke, we don't spend our time chatting in each others swim (Scotland excepted); no, we are with our gear for the entire session, a walkie talkie being our preferred way of communication should we require assistance when landing a decent fish. I am able to trace this angling approach back to the days, in the early 80's, spent in the company of Lester Strudwick, on The Tring Reservoir complex, and Fred Crouch on The Hampshire Avon - I was an extremely fortunate guy to have such excellent mentors during my formative years.
So getting back to fish location; obviously it would be simple if the water was gin clear with little, or no, weed growth. The reality is very different, murky water with large areas of surface and sub-surface weed growth and a general unwillingness for the fish to show themselves. My task, therefore, is to use my experience to locate areas and features which I associate with my quarry - watercraft! I have, in my early years whilst tench fishing at Wilstone, been along a very similar path to the modern carp anglers. By regularly introducing large amounts of bait into a particular swim, this becomes a feature in its' own right and the fish become conditioned to the situation. It's the ploy of the "time bandit" - those guys with no other commitment away from fishing - my tax paying their benefit hand-outs in some cases! Even the most incompetent goon, on the planet, will get lucky when time is not a consideration.

One of the best all-round anglers ever - this book is testimony to his
skills and achievements, and an excellent read, to boot!

I would imagine that, for the vast majority of anglers of my generation, Dick Walker is the stand out character during that embryonic period of "Speccy Hunting". However, as much as I admire what Dick had done to sow the seeds; my own angling hero is Jim Gibbinson, although Pete Stone, Peter Drennan, Fred J and Ivan Marks are right up there with him! It was Jim, however, more than anyone else, who demonstrated, to me, that big fish could be targeted, and caught, by thinking anglers. An angler who's time on the bank had limitations because, as a responsible member of society, there were another commitments in his life (wife, kids, mortgage and job - he was a teacher!). His 1983 "Modern Specimen Hunting" is one of my most visited books - his writing style exudes enthusiasm and captures the excitement of that moment a fish is hooked, a rare gift. If I am looking for a spark of inspiration, Jim's writing is generally my first port of call - he is an extremely talented, and successful, all-rounder with huge experience of a variety of species and venues. Despite this tome being over thirty years old; many of Jim's ideas remain viable in 2016, although the quality of terminal tackle, now available, is way beyond the scope of anything written about back then. Fortunately, I am not seeking rig advice when I peruse the various chapters of this book. What I seek is the spark of an idea, something that I might use as a starting point for another strategy during a project. However, even back in 1983, the writing was already on the wall - to paraphrase George Orwell's "Animal Farm" quote - "All fish are equal but, some are more equal than others!"  The rise to dominance of carp fishing, over all other branches of freshwater angling, was already well underway - the catalyst being Kevin Maddocks' 1979 publication "Carp Fever" and the subsequent VHS video offerings of Clive & Malcolm - the Richworth originators! Jim's chapter on Carp is thirty pages long, ten more than the second longest, which is based on advice of how to go about catching a twenty pound Pike!

Dick with "Clarrisa" September 13th 1952

Chris Yates is, without doubt, a very fine angler - he is also one of life's great eccentrics and this can been seen no more clearly than during the filming of Hugh Miles "Passion for Angling" series. He comes across as a huge character, full of enthusiasm and energy, waxing lyrical about whimsical concepts and ideas. His 1986 book, Casting at the Sun, does nothing to dispel this aura; madcap recollections of time spent in pursuit of carp. It is Chris's tales of time spent in the company of fellow members of "The Golden Scale Club" which I am most taken by. Sneaking into Winchester Cathedral in order to secrete a "golden hook" within the light coming through the Izaak Walton, commemorative, stained glass window, along with stories of creaking cane, angling enjoyment, and like-minded company. I have no feelings of envy towards anything Chris has achieved - during that same period I was also enjoying myself, catching fish, playing football, getting married and bringing up kids - not necessarily in that order?
Therefore, it must be an age thing that has gotten me to my present stance? I will never be able to hold a candle to any of those anglers that I've mentioned in this rambling nonsense, however, it is a desire to explore, not copy, their exploits which provides the inspiration for my (our) current challenge. Bev has been a diamond in supporting these efforts. Although never at her best at 03.00 hrs - she always offers "tight lines", as I leave to go fishing, and has pulled off an absolute blinder to assist my personal project, via the wonders of e-bay. More to follow, of that I'm sure. A split cane, Mk IV, caught 30 - is it possible? I am forever hopeful, although we have a long way to go until September.

Speechless!

So I'll say nothing!

Difficult choices

I am confident that the vast majority of visitors, to this blog, will recognise that I am of strongly held opinions - on many subjects. Whilst I retain the right to these thoughts, they appear in my writings only when I have the requirement to support an idea or issue. Since the demise of the old "Nonconformist" blog I have deliberately attempted to steer clear of subjects which I know will cause others to be offended - I'm tired of the fight. "Of Esox" was started because I wished to share my experiences of a simple life, the majority spent with family, my passion for the outdoors and the wildlife which I encounter along the way.

That same photo as accompanied yesterdays offering - African Blue Tit
Politics, religion and science have no real place in this blog's scope?

At present there are events conspiring to disrupt this situation, no-one's fault, just how things are panning out; I will have to deal with them as they arise. So I apologize for that removed post of yesterday. I wrote it, late last night and, after an uneasy sleep, removed it first thing this morning. I just knew that people would be offended - no longer my purpose! Politics, science and religion; we can't avoid them in any aspect of our daily lives - just I don't need to get involved, within a blogging context, and should have known better. So to all those who've recently made the effort to comment - I ain't packing it in, any time soon. Living life in a goldfish bowl ain't always easy - blogging is just that and I will continue to offer my slant on the world as, and when, the situation allows. Life on "Easy Street" hasn't quite delivered what I was expecting!

Straws and clutching!

I'm struggling for inspiration - this blogging caper is becoming rather a chore, just phasing; not a precursor to me chucking it in! I've got quite a lengthy, and semi-serious, post pending in my draft folder - it's all about carp anglers and fashion statements. I'm not happy with my word choices, although my sentiments are unchanged - it's a work in progress and coming to blogger soon.
So, by way of a fill in, and using the Steve Gale Design Ltd template, here is another top ten offering. This one is my personal highlights of fish landed, by myself, since May 2011. I am very conscious of a Bureboy post which included the phrase "Nothing more depressing than the photo album of a single species angler!" (4th December 2015) I do hope that this post doesn't cause a similar reaction although I realise I won't please everyone.

No. 10 Common Carp 18 lbs 2 oz - Long Shaw Farm

This old warrior was taken on a small cube of floating bread fished under the rod tip. The breeze was pushing into my swim and this fish was feeding on scraps that were building up in the surface scum. It was simply a matter of scattering a few cat biscuits then wait. I actually watched the fish take my bait. Tring Tench rod and my Match Aerial centre-pin - great memories of my time spent at Long Shaw Farm.

No. 9 Pike 19 lbs 4 oz - Royal Military Canal

This fish was taken during a short spell, when Benno and I were to enjoy the best pike fishing we've experienced in England. Generally one bite per session, but three different 19's and a 20 - not too shabby for a canal?

No. 8 Chub 5 lbs 2 oz - River Stour, Canterbury

My first "five" and a PB. Taken from a tiny free stretch between two bridges on the Sturry Road, right opposite Viking Mercedes Garage. A Robin Red pellet accounted for the savage bite and tremendous scrap that ensued. They are quite magnificent fish which I don't spend enough time with.

No. 7 Pike 19 lbs 5 oz - East Kent Marshes

The culmination of my original pike project - I was after a twenty from the local drains. I experienced some fantastic pike fishing out on the marshes but, sadly, that target fish eluded me. I took this particular individual three times during the 2011-12 season and had to conclude that I had nothing more to fish for; my twenty would, therefore, have to be sought in pastures new!

No. 6 Barbel 13 lbs 5oz - River Stour, Canterbury

August 17th 2013 and my world went into meltdown as the barbel challenge developed into a fairytale. I'd caught my first ever double, a couple of weeks previous at 11 lbs 9 oz,, so this fish was to blow my PB out of sight. It's pointless attempting to describe the intensity of the experience, I lack the eloquence, and ability, to write such stuff. Benno was with me and added to the moment - he also took the photos. Even now, when looking back, they were magical times where reality became a blur of the surreal.

No. 5 Pike 20 lbs 9 oz - Royal Military Canal

Just a few days after the passing of my mother, this fish ended up in my landing net. A fish that I'd targeted since my return to the hobby; it was an intensely emotional experience, given the timing and circumstances. I'd arranged to meet up with the boys - they'd been on the piss in Folkestone the previous night and failed to show up. Therefore, I was alone, with my thoughts, when this fish was deceived by my "Red Herring". I still look at those images with a great deal of nostalgic feelings, there was more going on than simply fishing during that period?

No. 4 Eel 3 lbs 10 oz - East Kent Marshes

March 12th 2016 - the realisation of another challenge. By setting targets I now feel that my angling has greater focus. "No shit!" That eel project was as mad as any I've been on yet, as it turned out, fulfilled a great many things I'd previously not explored. I pushed myself, but also pushed the thinking of others, by delivering my results. Me being happy about catching an eel - that's something in itself!

No. 3 Barbel 13 lbs 14 oz - River Stour, Canterbury

21st August 2013 - just five days after capturing my first "thirteen" this fish adds another 9 oz to my PB statistics. A barbel known as "The Long Fish" was taken from the same swim as my previous fish and is the pinnacle of my barbel angling. A PB which would, surely, make Fred Crouch very happy, I think? I fished well, but am not too sure that I deserved such a fish, so early in the campaign? Looking back, I'm very happy with my results and can now go off chasing other dreams without any regrets.

No. 2 Common Carp 20 lbs 10 oz East Kent Marshes

10th July 2015 - at 02.00 hrs I'm out pre-baiting three swims on the marshes. I'd put my gear in the car, just because I knew Bev would have the "raving hump" should I return too early and disturb her sleep for a second time. That third swim had signs of fish activity and this magnificent wild Common Carp was my reward for my efforts. The first "twenty", to my rods, since Feb 1984 - what a fantastic fish and probably never been caught before?

No. 1 Pike 24 lbs 10 oz Loch Awe

At 05.50 hrs, on 26th April 2015, my "Optonic" bite alarm sounded as the monkey rose up the needle, and then dropped free, allowing the centre-pin to trickle the braid off almost resistance free. Somewhere, out in the loch, 120m away, a pike had picked up my bait and what a pike it proved to be. Thirty three years after my first visit and I finally get my first Scottish "twenty" - without any doubt my finest hour - ever! I've caught bigger yet never has a pike impacted upon my emotions like this one did. Memories of time spent at this magnificent venue with Cuddles, and the Mitch's, during the late-80's, were in the mix as I savoured that moment. Alan Gray came down to witness the fish, only four of us saw it - Luke, Benno, Alan and myself - but within five days this fish had metamorphosed into a "Thirty-two" such is the power of social media.