Tales from the river bank (or pond side).

[saint-spoon]

I went fishing yesterday and as it always is, the wild life was amazing. There were pair of great crested grebes with two chicks, this wouldn’t have been seen a few years back because the mink released in the name of animal welfare would have had them at this particular lake. The parents were still feeding them. There were at least two herons zipping from swim to swim, a red kite quartering the woodland, several kestrels and the crys of green woodpeckers from within. Numerous species of butterflies and other insects. Swifts skimming in low for flies, and the sound of unknown birds from the trees. An idyllic day enjoying the wildlife and catching the occasional fish. I know that there are arguments from some factions about the cruelty of fishing but I argue that this place would not exist as a haven for wildlife without the sport. This particular lake is surrounded by a golf course which, in comparison, is rather sterile; careful manicured lawns and sculptured landscape; nothing like the raw wildness of the river bank. The lake is still technically a river BTW, it was formed when the river was widened by monks centuries ago so that it could be stocked with carp.

[Steve valentine]

I must have missed a million fish over the years due to daydreaming watching the wildlife!

[saint-spoon]

I must have missed a million fish over the years due to daydreaming watching the wildlife!

and they were all that big


After landing a smallish caro my nephew stated that

that is at least five pounds

just over three.

[Steve valentine]

I've never caught a carp under 20 pounds

[ock]

I nearly caught one bigger than that loads of times

[saint-spoon]

I've never caught a carp under 20 pounds

I don’t really do the carp thing, but I will fish for them. I would rather a 2 lbs roach or a 5+ lbs tench (already ticked off) or a perch of note.
Later on this year I will give Pike fishing a go, I have never fished for them before and I know that there are some nice sized fish in my local lakes.

[Steve valentine]

I once caught a 2.5lb perch, what a fight and what a fish, it was beatiful.

I rate it as the best fish I've ever caught.

[saint-spoon]

My best perch to date is just over the pound mark, caught on sweetcorn whilst fishing for tench. I had two clonkers that day, the biggest being the pounder. I also caught two tench over four pound; I did get up at 2am to get to the pit before sunrise, I am not sure that I would do that these days but you never know.

[p.penn]

Jeez - don't mention pike fishing. When I took my boys fishing when they were younger, we only caught a sardine, so they went off around the corner. then one of them came belting back saying they had caught a pike.

Nightmare from beginning to end, and they will never forget it.