One More Cast!
I don’t know if you are like me, but I always feel the next 1 will be the one that produces!
It rarely does, but I still regret that finality of breaking down the tackle!
Particularly when I have started late, because today was even worse than yesterday and I didn’t reach the river until nearly 5.00 pm
I had reasons of course, Firstly, I had an appointment in the morning and then Elaine was on late shift (starting at 1.00 pm) and so I took her into work (well one of us has got to work!)
Then I went to see Used Tackle of Hucknall! I had 2 items of tackle go wrong in Ireland and wanted their help!
Incidentally I have posted in Your Awards the Result! Click Here
They may sell cheap, but they are a splendid firm to deal with.
So, it was relatively very late, when I arrived at the new stretch of River, I had resolved to explore!
South of Derby, you could be forgiven for thinking yourself in a new Country, rather than in the same County!
Gone are the hills and Peaks of the Pennines, when you visit the lower River Dove.
Although rising in the same Peak District as the Derwent, Both Rivers meander through agricultural meadowland, south of Derby City and just prior to their confluence with the mighty Trent!
Gone are the steep, narrow banks, the tree lined depths of the fast rising streams and here we have more placid slower streams, with wider stretches surrounded by fields and verdant meadowland.
The only incongruity is mans ability to despoil the scene with poles and pylons carrying the Nations insatiable desire for fuel, in this case electricity!
Here was my chosen swim, after I had walked some ½ mile along this beautiful scenic river.
I intended to walk the whole of the stretch, but reasoned that as it was late and as this swim screamed out to me, via the calm far distant bank, the ripple of faster water along the central crease and the near side reeds, that I could always fish for a while and move on back down towards the car park, testing other areas later.; And still return at a more appropriate time another day.
The wind was fiercely blowing from the North and straight down the river. It was overcast and seemed so different from yesterday and my hands grew numb as I set up my light feeder rod, exactly the same as for the Derwent, again in search of Trout.
Putting the obligatory worm on a 16 Kamasan 611 hook I cast out downstream into the current.
Almost immediately the tip received a fierce knock, but as I struck, the reel on backwind gave line freely and I missed a decent strike!
Cursing my incompetence at missing my Trout, I re-baited as the worm was well won by the fish, I cast out to roughly within 10 yards of the same spot, which I considered fair as I could hardly now feel my fingers in the icy breeze!
Tightening the slack to the bomb, I could feel on the braid, every knock on stone as the bomb slowly jogged down the swim.
Another vicious tug!!! And this time I was in to my Trout!
Funny, although I had previously had Rainbows of up to a Pound and a half, this fish felt bigger!
Was it a record for me?
On the light rod, I couldn’t bully it to much, but I was secure with 8lb Braid to a 3and ½ lb Drennan Super Strong hook length.
Then all was revealed as the fish came to the net!
What a calamity, Oh Dearie Dearie Me Mr EA man, I am fishing for Trout with my worm Honest! I don’t expect to catch these ‘Nuisance’ 3 to 4 lb Chub very often!
But tell the Chub that!
Don’t they realize it’s the Close Season?
I fished incompetently again!
Tangled an overfilled spool of Braid, cast into snags and therefore lost much fishing time.
The Chub made it worse, every one fought as though it was a practicing Trout!
Look how this wide gaped creature finally broke the surface!
What a Nuisance!
If it hadn’t have been for those Horrible Chub, I may have caught my little Trout!
Certainly, as the rain came down in a steady drizzle, the temperature rose.
At last I could feel my hands and I could start to feel well enough to appreciate the swim and the fantastic view of the Emerald Green Meadow opposite, leading to the picturesque sight of the old ruined church.
If only those damned chub would stop pinching my worms!
The Golden Chain Mail they wear and the plumpness of each one gave me a tremendous feeling that this shoal was content in the Dove.
(Don’t let Splodge know, he’ll tell you the Rivers are Cormorant dead LOL)
I even had a 1st!
When the tip went round again, I struck and after an initial really powerful run, I found I had almost a dead weight to heave in against the current. Fearing a nuisance (Geoff!) Bream in my trout fishing, I looked on eagerly as I brought the sack nearer.
No Bream, It was another Chub, but this time foul hooked in the Tail Fin, just at the join on the back!
A foul hooked Chub? Just how many damn fish of this size are rolling around in that swim!
Here he is , What a Nuisance!
The rain relented and my heart lifted as, another 1st! A house or sand Martin swooped over the fields, !I can never tell those apart, but he didn’t have the tail feathers of a swallow, so I gloried in what for me is the 1st sign of returning Spring.
I pondered that , by today, April 18th, over 1 month of the close season has already gone by and I had found a magic swim to stay away from, thus avoiding these awful chub!
With the time at 8.25, I reluctantly thought that the one last cast was some 7 overdue, so simply folding my rod, inserting everything into a new quiver and my small carry all, (this fishing light can become addictive), I set off back the 3 fields to the car park.
Leaving the sensuous River Dove at 8.40, I vowed to return and thought again of MALC
I love these late evenings!
Cheers
Trev