Far too long without wetting a line - so me, James & Richard headed for 36 hours fishing for cats. Charlie's Lake in Ashford was the destination and hopes were high after our last visit two years ago.
The conditions were far from ideal in the relentless bright sunshine, but the traps were set and we sat back and enjoyed the surroundings, bankside fry-ups and generally having a laugh!
The cats were sunbathing out in the open water and we were camped out in a shallow bay - but some did eventually come in - tempted by the free samples. Peace was shattered by the odd screaming run...
James was first into the action, followed by me and eventually Richard (who was suffering from heatstroke). James and Richard even fished on through the night - while I was lazy and slept in the car!
33lb 5oz - New personal best!
29lb 0oz - Not difficult to tempt, but then the fun starts...
25lb 1oz - These things really do fight!
25lb 0oz - Four over 25lb.
18lb 5oz - Plus cats of 17lb 7oz, 17lb 5oz & 13lb 14oz
A slow start but a great trip was had by all. Eight cats for me, Richard ended up with 6 cats to 23lb 14oz (after recovering from heatstroke) and James had 10 to 28lb 6oz - but I'll leave that to his blog...
Right, surgery on Monday, some of which will be carried out by a robot - which is pretty cool. And thanks for all the comments and the best wishes on the previous post. *Superb photography by James.
Some beasts there! Is on my list, some day, one day! Hopefully the 3 laws of robotics are followed and you will be back on the bank soon.
ReplyDeleteThey are fantastic fish, I’d recommend trying to catch one - I don’t fish for them often as I like wandering about not being camped out in one spot - but I fancy a trip or two chasing a 50+
DeleteWell done Brian, nice to see you getting top rod. Good luck with the op, I'm sure the mutant NHS robots have all been neutrlaised by now ;o)
ReplyDeleteCheers, got to keep James on his toes once in a while! Let’s just hope that forecast robot uprising doesn’t happen for a few more weeks!!
DeleteGreat stuff Brian !!, Nic Avon Angling sends his regards too, and hope it all goes well with the op
ReplyDeleteCheers Mick, and Nic, great trip to tide me over for a few months. Hopefully be bothering the beetles and butterflies within weeks and the fish as soon as I can.
DeleteGlad you came away with the biggest mate! Nice to see one of us get thirty on the bank, it really didn't pan out as we hoped did it!
ReplyDeleteOh well, there is always next time :)
You know what - I’m glad we had to work for it, don’t want it too easy - pretty much perfect trip in my eyes. We’ll go and get some monsters next time. I’m glad I caught the biggest as well :-)
DeleteI guess it was simply down to past experiences that the expectation was based on. No two trips are the same though as we very well know.
DeleteIt was mental last time, 50 cats in 24 hours - wasn’t really expecting a repeat performance. But I do fancy a shot at a big cat at some stage…
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