Good Afternoon.
The fog has not lifted at all today and it has been bitterly cold. A glimmer of sunshine broke through the low cloud around lunchtime but was swiftly fought back by Jack Frost! My braided line has remained icy throughout the day and the outdoor fire has been burning away quietly to add a little warmth to the situation. The birds and dogs have been keeping me company and even a small rat put in an appearance until I got my BB gun out – he then quickly vanished!
Tweet tweet!
Not a beep was heard throughout the night. The surrounding area has many churches, spires and towers. Throughout the day and night the church bells chime and I am sure they are sometimes in competition with each other! At night when I lie in my bed listening to the world around me, I can hear various dogs barking at each other, hourly bell blasts, the odd wailing siren from the emergency services, and of course my gas heater, as suddenly the thermostat decides to fire up the element again. They are all comforting noises and along with my dog’s occasional groan as they dream and sleep, I like this place very much.
Fire Etiquette
I started the day off with some wood cutting. My small axe was wielded as I cut some logs into pieces. Not only was this a good way to warm up, it provided vital fuel for my fire. My fire has now become a pit. I changed the design the other day when I realised it would radiate more warmth. It now has an open side so I can get very close to it, it has a high wall at the back which bounces back the heat, and it is much more efficient this way. The other night after it suddenly had got very cold I realised it was not giving off enough warmth and my vital fuel was being wasted. The following day I made a few stone adjustments, rebuilt a solid wall, and I now have the fire to beat all fires!
The remnants of last night's fire.
All clean and ready to go!
The new fire built and ready to be lit.
Whoosh....be careful when lighting petrol fumes!!
Who needs a cooker...I got me a fire!!
Just like a fireplace at home I clean the base everyday removing the ash. Too much ash stops the oxygen feeding your flames rendering it quite pathetic. In order to have a good fire you must treat it well and in return it will look after you. I gather small twigs and sticks each day to start my fire and I cheat slightly, as I douse some tissue in a little petrol, I then tuck this into the kindling which is surrounded by larger bits of dry wood or scraps from your last fire. This tissue becomes a fire lighter and your fire should then start quite nicely. The logs I cut the other day with the chainsaw were quite damp as the fallen tree was not that old, so I split these with my axe in order to dry them quicker. Around my pit I have piles of different logs, some dry and some in the drying process. It is a fine art I tell you!
On the fishing front today I went out and peered at my hook baits from the boat. They all look fine and have a few 26mm bottom baits still sitting randomly around them. I came up with a tactical baiting plan to try and get some fish looking for food. I rowed out so I was in the middle of all my rods positions and I then fed the whole area with a few kilos of 20mm Red Fish boilies. I was using my throwing stick for about an hour and I probably covered an area about 4-5 acres in size. I often bait up like this but not necessarily in winter time. I just think because of the cold snap it has stalled the carp and they are now not moving much at all. The idea behind the baiting up strategy is if a carp finds one boilie it may trigger it to look for the next one etc…If the carp is in a group then things could get interesting as they suddenly become competitive. I have to try something new each day at the moment as it keeps the spirit high and makes the nights more exciting.
I have a large pile of wood at the ready and I am now going to wrap up warm (as a chilly wind has developed as I have been writing this post), make some coffee, and sit outside and try and pinpoint any jumping carp. It may be fruitless, it may be worthwhile…we will see!
Cheers
Jake and the dogs.
Tags: boilies, carp, fire, Jack Frost
January 21, 2010 at 11:44 pm |
It must be hard Jake going threw long tough periods like this. Chin up mate and hopefully your plan will come good and you will soon have a lump in the net. I don’t know how you find time to fish lol you seem to keep your self very busy which is good for the mind and soul.
The bit about listening to the noise around you was nice to read and as i finished reading it my mind went back to last summer when i was in france and the noise’s at night. It’s like you are the only one on the planet. Nothing like it that feeling.
Take care mate.
Russ
January 22, 2010 at 12:08 pm |
Mate, after Cassien last January…38 blank nights…I can endure most things. Eating well and staying warm have to be your priorities and allowing time for the fishing too. I know I have said this a few times but I really do think ditching the dvd player after New Year was a good move. All of a sudden I am spending more time outside listening for fish, I am more alert, and I am appreciating more around me – like the noises for example! I find you have to devise extra things to do in the winter to pass the time during the long nights otherwise you end up going stir crazy. For example I now do all my washing up at about 6pm…not only does this warm your hands but it means you have everything clean for the morning which is great for moral. I then cook my evening meal, then its two or three hours sitting in front of the fire!! By the time you go to bed you are actually tired and not counting sheep!
I am now going to do some fishing work…
Cheers Jake and the dogs
January 22, 2010 at 2:01 am |
Bonjourno jake,
I think what you are doing is starting to inspire people to do things they have only dreamed of. Your mad quest has only been possible because you have your heart and soul well and truely in it. Right now the uk is shit, bad weather, no jobs, muslim extremists etc………..
Yourself and the pups are in brilliant situation, italy, chainsaws, fire, and the chance of a tremendous common. Apart from a “bivvy bitch” what else does a man want?
Keep it up and keep making peoples days interesting.
The three of you stay well
alex
January 22, 2010 at 11:49 am |
Alex.
Your comment is just what I need on cold mornings to make me chuckle…top man! My spirit is at an all time high at the moment and it is because I am primarily looking after myself and the lovely dogs – the fishing at this time of year has to take a close second place. Winter camping with the chance of a cracking common is not everyones cup of cha, but motivational comments like yours only drive me on and make me work harder for a result.
“Catching dreams are not possible when sleeping. Fishing is the only way to land and actually hold your dreams. Your dreams then become a reality.”
Thanks for reading my blog.
Jake and the dogs.
January 22, 2010 at 4:30 am |
Hi Mate,
A tip I learnt in the Boy Scouts – rub washing up liquid on the outside of the saucepans prior to placing on the fire – they then clean up like a dream mate
Top man. loving the blog – keep up the hard work.
January 22, 2010 at 11:53 am |
Dib Dib…Dob Dob…I will remember that one Paul and try it today….Is there a badge available for this skill? I certainly have earnt my fire skills badge, and in fact I seem to remember the first badge they used to give you in cubs/scouts was in fact your ‘washing up badge’…how crafty is that…looking back now I can just see it was a easy way to make us gullible kids wash up!!!
Cheers mate
January 22, 2010 at 9:15 am |
morning jake, wow what a life ive got the opertunity for 6 months to do what you are doing nothing like your 5 year ordeal, i bet its amazing out there, dogs look happy as ever there awsome looking dogs and they couldnt have got better life if they tried. your truly inspiring and have been reading daily, i hope you get a winter lump you truly deserve one sat out all winter. photography is top notch and you seem to be keeping yourself in good form.keep up the hard work it will soon pay off.be lucky mate.take care. give dogs a stroke and yourself a pat on back for such an acheivement so far, you still got 3 yrs out there in front off you something special will happoen in that time. look after the three of you
tom
January 22, 2010 at 11:59 am |
Mate if you have six months…go to Cassien…get set up…and fish till the night fishing ends in June….great weather…good chance of massive carp and for 65 Euros…the fishing is great value!! Get in the West Arm before it fills up!!!
With regards to my trip I have already had many many special moments and I know there are many more to come…it can be a simple thing like a robin hopping into your bivvy and landing on your bed…or obviously catching the carp of a lifetime. This trip will be something I can always look back on in years to come and fortunately I still have more than half left!!!
Cheers Tom.
January 22, 2010 at 4:38 pm |
Hi Jake
Fire looks awesome mate….still havent made one in the office yet..
Good for the weekend
Geoff
January 22, 2010 at 4:40 pm |
On another thought have you ever thought about putting one rod out for the catfish in some of these big european waters? Its a dream of mine to fish the Ebro…
I know it doesnt particularly go with the title of big carp hunter but just wondered…
Take care
Geoff
January 22, 2010 at 5:04 pm |
Can’t stand the things Geoff! I unhook them in the net and back they go…It is probably too cold for the cats at the moment anyway and I imagine they are curled up somewhere warm..probably near my fire!!!
Have a great weekend mate.