First winter pike session on the Middle level for me. On this occasion I was lucky enough to have a school friend come down to visit me, who loves his fishing, but doesn’t get much time due to his job. Obviously, only thought it was right to take him out on the drains.
After a ten minute, rather uncomfortable walk into the head wind, we got to our swim amongst a limited amount of shelter in the reeds.
After a well earned brew and a catch up, the fishing started.
It was very quite for the first couple of hours and difficult to detect bites. Eventually the far right rod started to beep. At first, I thought it was the wind, but watching the tip, there were a few sharp flicks of the tip, the drop back indicator pulled up sharply and dropped off.
At this point I struck into the fish. At first I thought it was a zed, as it was shaking it’s head vigorously, then it surfaced and shot back up the drain. It was a very angry fish. After a quick thrash about the reeds, we landed the fish.
Very clean and healthy fish. After a few snaps we released it back into the depths. No the biggest of fish I know, but considering the conditions, it was most welcome.
We gave it a few hours without a run. Also the wind got quite bad, and the rain moved in.
We both made a mutual decision to pack up, and head home via a fenland pub, for a well-earned pint! Great days fishing in great company, but very hard going.
