BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

Over decades of on-and-off fishing I have experienced overwhelmingly good vibes from fellow anglers, with just a few of the pig-ignorant leaving a mark on an otherwise great time. Most fellow anglers have responded positively to whispered enquiries at appropriate moments and bailiffs are usually full of help and advice. But a recent day at Buttonhole Lake, near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, has to be the most welcome I've ever felt. The day threatened rain and indeed it chucked it down a day or two before leaving the banks in a terrible state. Just getting the kit to a peg was a long slide more than a walk. But there was new bailiff/owner Chris with a welcoming smile. He couldn't do enough to help. He carried some kit to a peg after ascertaining what I was hoping to catch and then offered a fresh brew of tea as a welcoming gesture. Amazing. Later, after I enquired whether there was a cafe onsite (there isn't) he even ventured that there were some pizzas in the fridge and I could have one of them! I politely declined the offer that went far beyond any call of duty! The fishing was just as I'd hoped too. Preferring to catch a decent net a roach than carp, I set up the pole to fish on the deck with three sections and top kit. After an initial pot of micros and a few maggots I was into redfins from the off. Fish of 3oz-6oz were one a chuck, sometimes bigger. After a few hours with rain looming I went short and shallow for roach to 1lb. Thanks Chris.