Fish or no fish, it’s great to be out on a river
It might be freezing cold outside, but one Angling Times reader can’t wait to get back on summer rivers
It’s saturday, and we’ve had a long tedious week. Now the sky’s clear, the sun is shining and the river is calling. What better day to go fishing? Me and dad set off yet again for Lock Estate, a stretch of the River Adur that has proved difficult for us to catch on – but it’s beautiful nonetheless.
We arrive at 3.30pm, and once I’ve battled a stinging nettle army, I set up my rods in my chosen swim. One is baited with a wafter and the other a bright pink pop-up. Both are marvellously scented.
After a solid two hours of fishing what have either dad or I caught? stone dead nothing. Apart from a duck that accidentally swam through my line, I’ve had not a twitch! But you know what’s strange? I’m still throughly enjoying it. Be it the wildlife, the foraged blackberries or just the quiet, calm joy of being riverside, this truly is a beautiful blank.
In spite of the fish’s continued obstinacy over this and many previous sessions, I’m still glad I came. I could’ve stayed at home and watched television, or played on my phone.
Instead of those irrelevant things I came here to the edge of land. I breathe good air, I hear great birdsong, I eat sweet berries and I am invaded by tiny yellow ladybirds. I laugh at a blue tit who thinks he is a woodpecker.
I learn, unless you might endanger yourself, to never talk yourself out of going fishing. You may blank, but you’ll almost certainly have a brilliant day. tight lines all. George Johnson, email