Wednesday 11 December 2013

Pike In The Mist


An early start, two trains and a long walk this morning as I headed to the Thames for a days pike fishing. And I arrived before dawn to dense fog that didn't lift all day.

The first rod was quickly set up and cast out while I went to set up the other rod, glancing back I already had a run on my still frozen sprat. Several long upstream runs and things started going my way, before she showed her teeth in front of the net and spat the hook - looked about 14 or 15 pounds... Apologies to anyone who was in ear-shot in the seconds that followed!

The trace was inspected and a new sprat was cast back out. This time it sat for about 10 minutes before another run. Another great fight and a 10lb 4oz pike was in the net - my winter pike season was finally up-and-running, and a double to kick things off.


Two casts, two runs - perhaps today was going to be my day - I need to make up for some lost time on this year's challenge... It wasn't to be, only one dropped run on a sand eel punctuated the rest of the day.

As the light was fading I was winding in a perch deadbait when there was a tell-tail thump as it was grabbed by an unseen pike. A scrappy 5lb 8oz pike was soon in the net, not the day I was hoping for after my first two casts - but I was delighted to finally get a couple pike on the bank.

Still I fished into the dark hoping for another chance, 21lb on the challenge, a long way to go - fingers crossed The Wye will be in good condition for a trip later in the month. And for a trip with Paulos and Roger in January...

10 comments:

  1. Better late than never as they say Brian!, a double to start things off, you know that one you lost will be around when you head back down, well in!

    Regards James.

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    1. Yeah, you can be the net man for a bit now... As if?

      Hopefully see that pike again - anything in the 13-16lb range will be classed as the pike I lost!

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  2. Very nice, top fishing. Looking forward to a chance at a couple of those myself soon.
    Paulos

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    1. I just want one exactly like the one in the top photo (except three times as big)... Looking forward to The Wye myself :)

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  3. Pike Blog offially open!!!
    Well dpne Briam.
    The Wye seems good atm my mate had a 19 the other day so fingers crossed you will catch some fish... A biggie me thinks!

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    1. Cheers Stu. Can't wait to get back on the home river and try and track down a monster!

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  4. Lovely brace caught wearing your lucky "Esox Skull" hat. Well done! We're...screech-less! ;)

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    1. Pike eating my pike bait... I was wondering if it was going to happen this season!!!

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  5. Not quite sure what is more impressive, the Pike or the beard....well done on both Mr.

    Stew

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    1. Thanks Stew... Getting a proper piker's beard now!

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