At
last, the ice age comes to an end
With all
the local canals, pools and ponds frozen solid, it looked like the
ice age was never going to come to an end. But just as in life itself,
no matter how bleak things may be, there is always light at the end
of the tunnel. And that glimmer of brightness started when I saw the
first signs of change on its way, albeit from a weather forecast on
a computer screen. After the good perch that I lost on the canal prior
to the thaw, I was very eager to get back on and continue where I
had left off. Although the weather was still very cold, and if I was
thinking objectively I would have left it a further few days before
venturing out, the truth is my heart ruled my heart and so I went
anyway.
| The
thermometer goes into freefall
Starting
the walk along the canal I soon realised that the Arctic conditions
were still holding on and were not going to be beaten that
easily. Much of the canal was still ice-bound, and even if
the ice wasn't as thick as it was a week before, nevertheless
fishing was impossible in many places. But I found a spot
that had thawed and plonked my gear on the towpath. Although
the day was very pleasant I was very aware that the water
temperature would be a different story. And so it was, as
the digital readout went into freefall until it settled at
1.5C.
A lot of anglers aren't
as switched on as they should be to the fact that water and
air temperatures, although they generally move in the same
direction, are still very individual and shouldn't be viewed
as if they are synchronised swimmers, following each other
like twin shadows. In fact I had passed an angler on the towpath
whop made the comment that the fish would be so hungry that
they will eat anything. And I imagine he had thrown in bait
according to that assumption as well, which would have been
the kiss of death for sure. On my journey back he had disappeared,
no doubt with the excuse that 'there must be a pike in the
swim' as to why he hadn't caught on such a perfect day. The
pike often becomes the scapegoat for poor angling.
|
|
The
thermometer goes into freefall
|
|
A
good job I was well layered
Although
it was cold I did have a hot experience as I poured from my
new flask, with the cup delicately balanced between my legs.
Unlike my previous flask (which I broke even though it was
stainless steel) it has two screwing points and I had somehow
loosened the other one. The result? As I poured, I ended up
covered in boiling hot water. But fortunately I was wearing
my Sundridge all-in-one suit and several layers of clothing,
otherwise it would have been a very nasty experience indeed.
The
fishing itself proved very hard going and I had to battle
with sheets of ice that moved up and down the canal with the
water flow from the locks. So the two small roach that I caught
were pretty good considering the conditions. With the weather
improving slowly but surely, leaving it a couple of days before
venturing out again also saw my confidence on the rise as
well. And the water temperature was up by 100%, which sounds
great as a statistic but the hard facts were that it had gone
from 1.5C to 3C. Not that good when you look at it like that,
but the trend was upward and so I drew inspiration anyway.
Mr Clumsy strikes again |
|
|
Tip
of the week
Don't
assume that because the air feels mild that the water will
be the same, particularly if a cold spell is being left
behind.
Overfeeding
a swim at this time of the year is the kiss of death.
|
However
for the rest of the week I had no idea what the water temperature
was doing as I kicked the thermometer in the canal and it
died on me. I took it home and loving tried to resuscitate
it (well you would at almost £30 a go wouldn't you)
but I'm afraid to say that in spite of being nursed by a
warm fire, the death certificate was issued and it was duly
buried, in the dustbin. The canal was now ice free though
and the fish were feeding better with a small pike, a small
perch plus a number of roach and gudgeon to show for my
efforts. But I was still lacking something that I could
pose in front of a camera with.
Although
I left it late, the third session of the week gave me just
that. I caught a gudgeon first cast on the maggot fished
on the waggler rod and putting this on the livebait set-up
I immediately had a take. It wasn't the perch that I was
really after but a pike that had hit the small fish suspended
below the bob float. Space is running out in this article
but I will share more about my rigs next week, as I intend
to get back to the canal again. But the big dilemma that
I face is the choice of hooklength/trace and also what level
of tackle to pitch in at, ie how light or heavy. But suffice
it to say that this particular fish was landed safely and
quickly on perch gear.
|
|
It
all comes good with a nice pike
|
Fishing
for pleasure and fun
I
caught another small pike on livebait and a couple of small perch,
roach and numerous gudgeon on the maggot rod, but the reality was
that the best fish had come within the first few minutes and so
from a specimen perspective it was all downhill from there. Of course
it wasn't really as although I always set my stall to catch something
above average, I enjoy fishing regardless of even whether I catch
or not. Our happiness barometer shouldn't be linked to what we have
in the landing net when we have been out. For sure, a big fish will
make us happy, of course it will. But the point I am really making
is that a small fish shouldn't make us sad. Ultimately fishing is
- or ought to be - about pleasure and fun. Life's hard enough as
it is without taking our burdens to the water's edge.
Click
on the icon for this week's video clip
|
|
The
week ahead
Now
that the ice age has finally come to an end I'm going to
be hitting the canal over the next week. Although I am setting
my stall out for perch I've had more pike, but in the conditions
that's been understandable. But now the weather is improving
I am hoping to redress the balance.
|
Back
to home page
|