Good Evening.
I will not apologise for no post yesterday as there is no need; I was moving swims and that is the reason why! The move as I explained the other day was a small mountain to undertake and involved five boat trips to my new location. Normally five boat trips would not be necessary but, as everything was already set up, it was a case of breaking everything down and moving it in small amounts. It made the task slightly less complicated, but still took the majority of the day. The poor dogs had to wait around whilst I carried on and the cage in the van was their home for most of the day. Needless to say at about 4pm we all set sail for our new home and it is from this location that I write tonight’s post sat by a roaring fire. My van is now about half a kilometre away in a safe location which is paramount.
Great for moral!
The first day in the new swim began quite smoothly but then went downhill rather quickly. Last night I slept behind my two new friends as they fished their final night. In the morning I checked on my dog as I have been monitoring Charley for the last few days and today she looked very uncomfortable. I am sure the whole moving process stressed her out a little (although you would think she would be used to it by now!) and she looked a bit wobbly on her feet. The two Italian anglers I was taking over from have become good friends over the last week or so and Daniele also owns dogs. He could see my concern and even though they were about to head home, he kindly agreed to accompany me to the vets with my sad looking animal. Someone wrote a comment yesterday as to why I could not just take my dog to the vets when it suits. Unfortunately that is not always possible as with the amount of equipment I carry and the fact I fish on my own most of the time, a suitable and convenient opportunity has to be found. I do know a few Italian anglers locally but they all work and they cannot just drop everything for me when I ask for their help. Plus there is the language barrier so it can get rather complicated at times. Anyway I now had my chance, so I left Flash with Andreus, and we drove to the vets not far from the lake.
I showed the boys how to cook pasta!!
The vet was actually not concerned when we arrived and said that her health was fine. Her only problem is her age (nine) and this is something I must expect from time to time; she will have off days. Her temperature was fine and her lipomas were not a concern for the vet, the only thing he commented on was her posture and he just put this down to the fact she was having a wobbly day. Rest was ordered and he prescribed some tablets which she must take for five days. It was a relief to hear and was also a relief to go to the vets for a check. It gives me peace of mind and now means I can start my new session with a calm head and a dog that will probably be back to normal in a day or so.
An empty spool about to be filled with...
The new braid.
Due to the events of the day I am not yet fishing. I started to load my spools with new IndyLine braid this morning, but that job had to be stopped for the obvious reasons. It does however give me a chance to sort out my camp; it also means I can organise everything for my new assault on the carp – fingers crossed the fishing can now really begin.
The food and kitchen bivvy.
The bait and tackle bivvy.
The bedroom and office bivvy!
Anyone who has fished big waters before might understand that things do not always go according to plan. From the contents of the blog for the past few days it might appear that Italy has not really got off to the best start. I have met hurdles along the way that have been frustrating to say the least, but I am still here and that is the most important thing. All these challenges have to be overcome and there is little point in throwing in the towel; instead you have to fight, rise above the obstacles and try to turn the negatives into positives. Tomorrow is a new day and that is my train of thought.
Tomorrow brings a new day in the new swim.
An example of another small issue I know have to overcome is as follows: I have a small problem with my gas bivvy heater because the regulator is too big for the new Italian gas bottle I bought yesterday. It may be that Italian gas bottles have two sizes for the diameter of the fitting as we seem to have in the UK. It may just be a case of finding a bottle with the bigger diameter fitting and then I will be back in business. If all Italian gas bottles carry the same size diameter screw fitting then I may have to buy a new regulator and swap it over. It means I am without heating for myself and the dogs in the sleeping bivvy for a night while a friend tries to solve the problem. I can survive but it is my dog Charley who will appreciate the extra warmth and not me. I will wrap her up in a hoodie tonight and I am sure she will cope! I have said this before in the past that it is not the cold but more the damp that becomes a problem on long sessions, however, it is a nice luxury to be able to turn up the heat when it gets really cold. More snow is forecast in the next few days so cold is definately on its way.
I hope this brings you all up to date with the goings on of the last 48 hours. Life is never easy but I never expected this marathon carp fishing trip to be a walk in the park. If anyone has read my latest ‘No Fixed Abode’ it actually covers the reality of what I am doing. It puts the dream into perspective and is a two part feature.
It is now 6pm so I am going to make a coffee and finish spooling my last reel so I am ready to start fishing tomorrow.
Cheers
Jake and the dogs.
P.S Spare a thought for Charley as I am sure it will do her good!
