Hello.
It started raining on Saturday evening. Sunday morning saw more rain. It stopped on and off all day, which meant I could put on my waterproofs, and go out in the boat to finish what I started on Saturday. I made a GPS record of my markers before removing them. I found one more place to fish my fourth rod. I introduced some chopped boilie to each area. I put stop knots on each rod, also marking the braid with a permanent black pen; after ensuring they were casting to their spots each time. I made a mental note of my markers on the distant landscape. I also made a mental note of where each rod is cast, from dry land. In each case it was the front buzzer bar.
I got all of the above done, managing to avoid getting soaked. I even stopped for half an hour to chat with two Hungarian anglers, making them a coffee. They arrived that day, and knew I was at the lake, from the Imperial Fishing website. They rowed up from the north arm, to say hello, so a welcome, hot coffee, seemed more than appropriate. After a brief chat, I really need to brush up on my Hungarian, they bid farewell, just as the weather turned. I did not envy them, rowing back into a strong easterly wind; but we both share the same sturdy Honda boat, so I knew they would fair well.
Then the real rain began. It is still raining now, 24 hrs later, sorry, 27hrs later. It has now got to a point, where I have a full blown torrent of water, running underneath my bivvy. IT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION!! When I set up my bivvy all those weeks ago, I had little choice, but to put it where it ended up. On a slight downward slope, with a slight tilt to the left! If I had placed it on the flat ground, near the water’s edge, I would have been flooded out last week. Underneath my bivvy, I have a large thick piece of tarpaulin. On top of this, inbetween my bivvy groundsheet, I have another piece of tarpaulin. There is so much water, flowing beneath me now, it is actually coming through the inner sewn in groundsheet, into my bivvy. Why bivvy manufacturer’s do not make groundsheet material, more water resistant, and stronger is beyond me. Weight should not be a concern. Which carp angler worries about an extra kilo of weight. Most carry a tonne of equipment anyway. It is possible there may be a few small holes in the groundsheet material, but if the material was made better, this would not happen. I am going to have to wait now till everything dries (once it stops raining), and go mad on my hands and knees, with a puncture repair kit!! Ask me what is worse? The freezing cold or the rain. Personally now….I would say the rain. I think I may have even shouted a few rude words at the clouds earlier, just to make my feelings heard!
As you can tell, I have had one of those days. My metal is being tested to the absolute limits. It is times like this, when it would be very easy to throw in the towel. Pack up and go home. But I don’t have a home. I do actually, but it is rented out, back in England 1500 miles away! So there is nowhere else for me to be at the moment, and if truth be known, there is nowhere else I would rather be. I love it here, it is just one of those days. Most other lakes, are either frozen, closed, night fishing is banned, etc.. Here, I still have the chance to catch that much, sought after monster, and that is what keeps me here, day after day, night after night. My metal is being tested, but it will pass this test, and any others that get thrown at it.
There were a few bleeps on one rod last night at 1.45am. It was a branch that had been blown into the edge of the lake. Every time the waves crashed onto the shore line, it moved the branch, which tugged on the line. I removed this obstruction, throwing it ceremoniously into the bushes behind me, and tried to get back to sleep. But the pitter patter of rain on the winter skin, kept me awake till 5am. In the end, I got up, ate some cereal, made a cup of tea, watched an episode of a dvd series, and finally I managed to get back to sleep. Despite the rain, the level has been falling dramatically again, over the last few days. My boat was grounded this morning. I am sure the levels will now top back up again, after the awesome amount of water that has fallen from the skies. I just hope tomorrow, my good friend Mr Sun, puts in an appearance for a few hours. To warm my solar panels if anything.
I am very glad I am now in Febuary. Every day that passes can only be a good thing. I know very soon, I will get my rewards. I think I deserve them, but unfortunately in this game, it does not always work that way. On a day like today, I just keep telling myself, that big old Bernadette is out there somewhere. She is probably pushing 35kg’s now. She just needs to get hungry and make a few mistakes…then you may hear me say: “Rain…I don’t remember any rain!”
From a very wet Lake Cassien.
Goodnight.
My very own, personal river!!
One grounded water craft!
Sorry Mr Mouse.
