DREAMING OF BAGGING THAT MONSTER PIKE
I hope that a ‘40’ is on the cards as personal plans for autumn and winter take shape
NICELY recharged after a holiday break in Devon, I’m now raring to go again and complete my barbel guide days, which will finish at the end of the month, and get stuck into my personal autumn and winter fishing.
But you know me – I couldn’t avoid angling for the whole week in Devon! In fact I spent one delightful afternoon in the Offshore pub overlooking the marina in Torquay with Ashley Simms, an old mate I made a couple of fishing films with a few years ago.
He has a business down there and is doing really well. It was great to catch up.
Then Maggie and I went over to Plant World in Newton Abbot to see the owner Ray Brown. Ray was the co-founder with Tony Miles of the Coventry Specimen Group and also founder of the Coventry Circus, a famous band of predator anglers back in the day.
Ray’s company sends seeds all over the world. He really is a oneoff top bloke with a creative mind, and we had the most delightful day in his company, walking his exotic gardens and talking fishing and nature – a day to remember.
The rest of the week was spent eating top-class fresh seafood, drinking quality wine and cider and looking out over the sea.
I still dream of a small cottage overlooking somewhere like Brixham harbour with my fishing boat bobbing in the waves while writing another book, but I know Maggie wouldn’t do it unless all our family came with us. It’s a dream, but dreams do come true even if they are only in your head.
SATURDAY
A trip to the Severn, and a swim that has produced a few nice fish for my customers this year. I baited up for about hour with my pudding mix and then went in with a 3oz lead and double 12mm Scopex Squid boilies on the hair.
The river was perfect, with a little fresh warm water and colour, and within a few casts I knew it was going to be one of those great days. I had caught all my target fish in the swim within three hours and was home by 2pm. That’s how easy it can be when all the stars are in line.
SUNDAY
With a busy couple of weeks coming up, including trips to Christchurch, Chew Reservoir, the Trent, my secret water and the back end of my barbel guide days, I have a lot of gear to get ready!
It’s so easy to leave things till the last minute but a big part of my success as an all-rounder is the preparation I have done before the actual day. So today was spent rig tying, setting up rods and starting to get my head around what tactics I will be using.
I love spending time in my tackle den getting my gear ready and I honestly think the excitement leading up to the capture of a good fish is better than the capture itself. A good example is Chew.
I will be dreaming of that 40lb pike coming over my net and the joy it will bring, but chances are I will catch a low double or even blank! Now, though, it’s a ‘40’!
By the way, top piker Ed Mathews and I have a couple of pike guide days planned in November on one of his private waters that is rarely pike fished.
We’ll take four anglers each day and look to cover a lot of methods to catch this great fish. Interested? Just message Ed on Facebook and he will give you all the info.
I’m looking forward to working alongside him – he is an excellent angler and enjoys a laugh or two.