Five years of rambling thoughts

Hard to believe that five years have passed since I launched "Of Esox" into the Blogland ether (18.12.2012). Even harder to believe that I've managed to steer clear of controversy, for the majority of my offerings, especially following the legacy of "The Non-conformist" and associated nonsense which came with that package.
Bloody hell; five years where did it go? I've certainly experienced the whole gamut of emotions as time passed by. Both of my parents have passed away, yet I have also been blessed by the arrival of three more grand-children. Angling has been a crazy mix of failure and success, although the highs far outweigh the lows. There has been the excruciatingly frustrating River Stour barbel project, the quest for my first "twenty" pound pike from Scotland but also catching the first English fish, over that mark, since 1990. A winter eel project proved to me that there are still plenty more challenges to be faced, limited only by my willingness to think outside the box. My sixtieth birthday, December 2015, was to provide the spark for my current challenge - the search for a split cane captured thirty pound carp. I've experienced many wondrous moments whilst using this gear and have engaged in many fabulous conversations, with complete strangers, as a result. Birds and moths have also played their part, although both interests are very hit and miss. I would think that the most unexpected bi-product of my blogging has been the associations I have made with cyber beings, who are kind enough to pass comment on my writing and those real people, who'm I've been lucky enough to meet whilst out and about, just doing my thing.
When I set out on this latest incarnation, in cyber space, the aim was to write stuff that reflected what I was doing, be that with rod and line, a pair of binoculars, the moth trap or my camera kit, without any conscious attempt at being controversial! For the most part, I feel that this has been achieved and I'm very happy with the way the blog has evolved - long may it continue?

Ramsgate Harbour (16.12.2017) - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Out early, silly o'clock on Sunday, for another session on The Stour. Two rods fishing by 07.15 hrs - left hander with a mackerel tail dyed red & flavoured, the right hander with a popped-up sardine. I had six occasions when the line was pulled from the clip, all due to eels! The sardines came back like they had been put through a mangle and the mackerel had the guts ripped out - the car display read -2C when I arrived and had only risen to +4C when I left. If we get any snow, over the holiday period, then I have an idea to get a photo of me, with an eel, just because I want to show that these fish are catchable in every month of the year whatever the temperature. One in the snow would be just the ticket! So I blanked, in effect, because no pike (or eels) were landed. A blank, that's a bit of a harsh description? I had a fantastic morning out on the levels by simply merging into the landscape and enjoying the sights that nature provided. Three Yellowhammers were a very pleasant addition to my angling list and I'd made a rough count of the Cormorants, flying east at dawn, coming up with a figure of 1800-ish. Martyn Wilson, however, did a proper count whilst at Grove Ferry at the same time, and got a figure of 2757 birds. So, somehow, I managed to miss a thousand birds; probably distracted by those pesky eels? Best sighting of the session went to a vixen, hunting the opposite bank in the brilliant light of the frosty dawn. I couldn't move to grab the camera, so had to just sit there and enjoy the spectacle - fabulous. Three Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard, Grey Wagtail, seven Skylark and a very inquisitive young Moorhen provided plenty of distractions whilst I awaited the alarms to sound. It won't be long before I go back for another attempt.

Iceland Gull

Fill your boots time - 1st winter Iceland Gull in Ramsgate Harbour

Not been too enthused to get out during this recent bout of cold weather, simply can't be arsed in truth. There is also the fact that Christmas is fast approaching, so I will have plenty of opportunity to get back outdoors over the holiday period. Bev and I played host to Emily and Harry, last night, so that Debbie and Adam could attend a work's do. So I was already resigned to the fact that Saturday would be a write off, fishing wise, and the freezing conditions ensured that no-one was particularly keen to venture outside. I went round to Westwood Cross Tesco, in order to purchase my bait for tomorrow, before Harry and I drove across to Archers Low Nursery, to get some more coal and logs. As I turned into the car park, I spotted a Great White Egret along the dyke which borders the site. After making our purchase, Harry and I walked along the track, between Archers Low and Robinson's Motors to watch the most confiding Great White Egret I've ever encountered. We got within twenty yards, before it took flight and flew straight up into an adjacent tree - it was back down beside the dyke by the time we left!
Crystal Palace were already two up, on Leicester, before I took the kids home and made an effort to have a quick scan around Ramsgate Harbour. Well aware that Simon Mount had discovered a first winter Iceland Gull, a week or so ago, it was on the radar as I made my way around to the slipway, where the local fishing fleet land their catch. It took nearly ten seconds before I spotted the gull, in amongst the throng searching for scraps, by the crates full of whelks on the access slope. Camera into overdrive, the bird performed superbly in the late afternoon sunshine. Joined by a lone birder, from Medway, we enjoyed some splendid views of this very rare visitor to the venue. I've only ever seen one other here, previously, a second winter which I found in 2008!

My 2008 2nd Winter Iceland Gull - when the gulls roosted on the floating pontoons and not the slipway!

Real friends

Bev and I have been away, for a couple of days, visiting Bath and Otterton! Bath is a fabulous city, where Bev's son (Darryl) and his lovely partner, Alix, (soon to be Mrs?) live and we were able to  spend time enjoying the vibe of the night life and the Christmas Market of this bustling metropolis. I have a real problem with the whole "Christmas" gig around the Cathedral, it was pure commercial chasing of the dollar - nowhere did the religious meaning of this seasonal celebration enter the fray.  Well aware that I'm a complete non-believer, surely that fairy story, that is the Bible, contains the tale about Jesus reacting, in a very animated manner, to the traders on the steps of "His Fathers House!" I have my parents to thank for this perception, because I really have no other reason to make such an observation. The "God Squad"- sold their soul for another dollar? Surely everything they're about is above such blatant manifestation of commercialism?

Down to Devon for an extraordinary gathering of The Saoulas Massive - an event of such "spiritual" origins that God would like to read the script! Eight people, from backgrounds which are as diverse as the planet could wish to bring together yet, joined because of a holiday - three years ago! I am very humbled by the bonds that have been forged - I love the sense of belonging that we've discovered, purely as a quirk of fate? I have no desire to explain, nor explore, why - I'm simply made up that it has happened - I'm an unbelievably privileged man! We ate, we laughed, we talked, we enjoyed each others company - nothing else to be said that would mean anything to those who weren't there. Leon & Pauline, Craig & Carrie-Anne, Steve & Sue and, of course, Bev - cheers you Malakas, till we meet again Yamas!!

The Kings Arms, Otterton, Devon - Happy days!

Another dimension?

As if I wasn't already embarked upon a journey into the unknown with my night feeding pike adventure; by adding the effects of a tidal river into the mix, my mind is in turmoil! That first River Stour pike has made such an impression, I can't stop thinking about the possibility of a serious fish being encountered, if I persist. Can I abandon one project, without getting close to an answer, in order to venture into uncharted territory for another? The simplest answer I can give is "Yes". The tidal Stour is a moody place, full of features and fish. I have absolutely no idea where I might end up but I'm excited by the potential. The drains are intimate, this river, flowing across The Ash Levels, is a very different beast.

A River Thames pike of 19 lbs 11 oz - November 16th 1982

Location is going to be fundamental, if I've got any chance at succeeding in my quest for a twenty. I caught my only river twenty, from The Thames, in January 1987, although I have a good number of river nineteens to my credit! Maybe I'd have a few more "twenties" if I left the scales at home? A worrying spin off from carp angling and celebrity guesstimation in 2017? Being "Old School" there is absolutely no way that I could land a decent fish and not get as accurate weight as my equipment allows. If I can be bothered to catch it, then I can also be bothered to weigh it - end of!
There's no more chance of me consulting tide tables, than I do the moon phase calendar, before heading out for a session. If I think there's a chance of a fish, then I go, regardless. A mistake? The only way I find out is by going fishing as often as I can. Fortunately, the river has far easier access than some of the drains, so very short sessions (two hours) are possible without too much trouble.
Because I work shifts, this project will be able to dove-tail neatly into the after dark stuff. When I'm on lates, then early morning sessions will be an option, on earlies, then my into dark project will take precedent and I will continue to explore the potential of this aspect of pike feeding behavior. A tidal river, in the dark, could throw up all sorts of interesting possibilities.

My only river "twenty" - 20 lbs 1 oz (January 8th 1987)
River Thames at Mapledurham, Berkshire.

Have I got the ability to decipher the clues and come to a sensible conclusion? Man, I'm buzzing, my head full of questions, ideas and wishes. This river, although not on the tidal reaches, has already provided my most difficult angling challenge, to date, with that barbel project. Hopefully, the pike might be a little more co-operative and  previous experiences will allow a better understanding of the challenge I've  now set myself?

My first Stour pike

Just home after a short, two hour, session on The Stour. I fished from 07.00 - 09.00 hrs and was, once again tormented by eels. Three times I had my baits savaged by these bloody pests, however, the fourth time the line pulled from the clip there was no mistake and I found myself attached to my very first R. Stour pike. A cracking scrap, in the flowing water, resulted in a lovely plump fish, of 13 lbs 8 oz gracing my landing net - well pleased.

A lovely, clean looking, pike in great condition.
I'll be heading back for some more sessions along the river and hopefully
 encounter a few more pike.

Birds were very much as expected, the only addition to my fishing list being that of pheasant! Four Marsh Harriers flew east, from their overnight roost in the Stour Valley and if Chris Hindle reports a record count of Cormorants, this morning, I wouldn't be at all surprised. Stream upon stream of these birds flew north, from their communal roost, in numbers that I found staggering. I couldn't even attempt a guess, there were that many.

Birdling - it's great!

Around mid-day Bev asked "Are you going fishing?" My reply went along the lines "No; I'm taking the rods birding!" I've just totaled up the species I've seen since 26th November, when I came up with this idea. I've had four sessions and seen 56 species. I've only visited the East Kent marshes and they have all been short, afternoon, sessions but, man they've been enjoyable? I carried the big lens combo, yesterday, but it's too much extra weight to lug around on anything other than a short walk. I'm glad I gave it a go, but feel that my birding would be even more rewarding if I exchanged the long lens for my trusty Kowa TSN 823. I'd surely nail a few more of those pesky passerines which defy id at ranges beyond the ability of 8 x 42 bins. However, I digress, this active listing, whilst fishing, has proven to be just the tonic I was looking for. My desire to look at, and identify, birds has been reignited and I'm loving it.

If you're going to have an after dark Pike session - worse ways to start it than a sun-set like this!

I have been trying to concoct a word which combines these two activities - "Birdling" is the best I could come up with. Surely there is a word out there that is so much better? I realize that I'm tempting fate, but I've yet to blank this pike season, landing 29 fish in twelve sessions, thus far - eight doubles!
My priority will remain focused on the pike project, but I can't ignore the extra something that this simple idea has added to my time outdoors.

I'd carried the bloody thing, so I used it!
A Common Buzzard, gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine.

The East Kent marshes ain't all about common stuff. So far I've managed to record Raven, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret (on four occasions) and a splendid 1st yr ring-tailed Hen Harrier. Birds that would be welcome wherever they were seen?

Almost the first bird I saw, as I arrived at the drain!
I had to resort to a little stalking, but am happy with these results
from the little Fuji Finepix bridge camera - in very gloomy conditions!

Thankfully I had plan B

Quite how the UK's weather forecasters are still in employment is bewildering to me. Yesterday I had already admitted defeat and accepted that a four hour round trip wasn't happening because of the horrendous weather that was headed our way. I awoke, this morning, and sure enough there was a steady NW wind and rain, but torrential it wasn't. On days, such as these, being stuck inside a factory doesn't seem so bad - what else could I be doing? My first break was at 08.00 hrs - surely it would be pissing down! Not a bit of it, although the skies remained leaden and there was a brisk wind, but with far more westerly influence than predicted. Two hours later, and my main break coincided with brilliant sunshine and a very mild feel to the day. Surely the Met Office couldn't have screwed it up that badly?

How much torrential rain falling from this sky? Dusk on The Ash Levels 01.12.2017

It is very true that we did experience more heavy showers during the intervening period but, by the time I finished my shift (13.00 hrs), the worst had passed and only the occasional bout of wind and rain occurred. Bollocks! I'd not bothered sorting out any gear, purely because of the forecast, yet I could still get a session in if I was quick! A check through the essentials, before I loaded the car and set off for a section of drain which I haven't visited, so far, this season. Chosen because it only entails a ten minute walk from the car, so if the weather went "tits up" I could be away very quickly.
To be honest, I was fishing because I could, not because I felt that there was much to be gained. I had five bites, four to Mackerel, and landed a small jack, on Herring tail section. Quite what was up with the Mackerel rig is a mystery, I dropped a decent fish, second bite, but didn't touch the other three - weird?
My salvation came in the form of my "static bird listing" efforts. I didn't arrive until well after 14.30 hrs yet managed to record 35 species during the period, into darkness, that I remained. There are two ways I could approach this activity. I could moan that I hadn't recorded Reed Bunting, Common Buzzard, Blue Tit and Gadwall, because they had to be present, or rejoice in the fact that I did manage to see Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret (two and the first multiple sighting for me in Kent!), Barn Owl, Redwing and Teal. Weather forecasters - go grab some seaweed!