Good Evening.
I can’t believe how quickly this week has flown by. It is true what they say: “Time does fly when you are having fun!” Tim and Steve are heading back to England tomorrow for the winter carp society show at the weekend, and that will leave myself and the dogs on the lake. I have a feeling that I too may call it a day, as I have lots to prepare before I leave for Italy. You may think it is just a case of throwing a few extra items in my van, loading up my boats and then hitting the autoroute? That would be nice but with so much equipment to carry and some items to leave behind, and with crucial space limitations, everything has to be planned and packed carefully and there is no margin for error. It would be great to think I could just turn up at my intended destination and set up and start fishing, but that also won’t happen. Permits need buying, fishing and boat, and I need to sort out the all important internet connection. Without it there will be no blog, so as my readers, you will all understand how important that piece of the jigsaw puzzle is. Italy will be fantastic, believe me, and I want you all there to join my adventures.
"X" marks the spot!!
I have a beef casserole on the go at the moment. By the time I have finished this post the meat should be tender, so once again I am working to a schedule! No more fish have been caught and that just leaves tonight for everyone. How often do you hear that so and so caught one on his last night. It often happens and I am really hoping someone latches into one of the big ones; me or whoever!
I did have a small, one beep incident, on one of my tree line rods at around bite time this morning; 10.30am. I was reading the recent Carpworld that I had sent here, and whilst lying on my bed there was a definite knock. I used to get this sometimes in the summer and it was either a liner or a pick up. Needless to say nothing happened so after thirty minutes of waiting by the rod, I reeled it in to check and everything was as it should be! It is better to be safe than sorry though, leaving out a bait that potentially is stuck on the hook for example. I have left the two open water rods where they are for the final night and the snag rod has had a perfect recast and a small introduction of freebies over the floating nugget that rose to the surface after the cast.
Tomorrow morning I will be up early and will be sitting on the rods. You just never know what is going to happen in the next few seconds in carp fishing. That is why I love the sport so much. I think I mentioned this in my short write up of the river Lot. One minute you are sat reading a magazine by the rods and the next you are in the middle of the river, in your boat, getting dragged around by an angry mirror carp. Spontaneous and exhilarating all rolled into one.
Darkness has completely fallen while I have been writing this post. I have been enjoying the nights this week combined with a little reading, a little writing and plenty of sleep. The sleep has certainly been the best part! I finished Flash’s jacket repairs today whilst sat by the rods and he got rather excited when I went to put it back on him. I think he had missed his winter warmer and I had forgotten how daft he looks with it on! He then went off and came back with a small stick and gave it a good chew as if to say thanks!
Step one: Hold the stick between your paws.
Step two: Chew stick to loosen bark
Step three: Strip of bark with teeth.
I don't think it tastes very good!!
There will be a couple more posts before I leave for Italia and then there may be a slight delay till the blog returns. I will inform you when this will happen and put some good links on the homepage so you can read some good stories in the meantime.
My dinner is now ready. Fingers crossed some carp may eat a little tonight too!
Catch you soon.
Jake and the dogs.
