A FALTERING CAMPAIGN

 

     I have a thing about catching roach on bread. It suits my antiquated approach. An approach flawed in so many ways but enjoyable nonetheless, and it started so well. My first and only roach came at the first attempt, back in early March. I shall begin looking for them on the Ashby again as soon as the mornings brighten a bit earlier. In the meantime I am pushing on with seeking out a bigger one at Jubilee.

 
     The fish have been slow starting up this year, but gradually the number of bites per trip has crept up even if the number of roach has dropped off. When you have only caught one they don't have to fall far to make one's efforts look pathetic. Bream, an occupational distraction to the roach fisherman have been my main by-catch. Nice ones too in the 3 lbs plus bracket although none as large as four. They make a comforting distraction on a cane float rod.

 
     In among the more bearable days weatherwise, I slipped in a first half hearted morning after carp. It was a foul day and the opportunity, for me at least, to sit right back under the brolley and watch the rain was too good to miss. Sadly the fish didn't agree and I blanked. Next time I shall have cane carp rods with me and maybe I'll christen at least one of them, a J B Walker of Hythe kit rod. It feels like a great piece of timber waving it around in the garden, but I shan't really know until I get a fish on it.

 
     Tench on the other hand have started poking their noses in, the males in particular testing my patience as they tear off all over the shop. At least I'm getting bites now. This lake has some really nice crucians which are always a joy and last year were invariably over a pound. Today, they set about ruining my average and testing my temper with a continuous stream of nearly bites.

     Time and again, my float would pull down to the surface and pop back up again as I was about to strike or lift an inch but resettle itself rather than wandering away. Once the bream and tench had moved away, I managed 7 or 8 of the little blighters, all pretty as a picture and stubborn beyond their size. They are all from last years stocking so whether that will make the larger ones harder to find I will probably discover soon. Meanwhile, the roach have remained foolproof. Maybe time to break out the pole again for some hemp and tares fishing. That should reduce the interruptions.