SHUTDOWN OKAY

ADAM CHUMBLEY, NORTHUMBERLAND

I want to discuss what the closed season has meant for me over the years. When I started fishing many years ago, the closed season was for all waters so my dad and I hung up the rods and relaxed! Then, a local carp water we fished used to stock a nominal amount of trout in its ponds to fish for in the closed season. This was catch-and- release by us (not sure if all did) and by any bait or method. I assume it was a loophole but we happily sat with luncheon meat all day catching carp and the occasional small rainbow trout that would take off like a steam train and generally leap about in your swim. Next, we joined our first club, which was predominately river fishing on the Kennet in Berkshire. The closed season here meant going to lakes that still allowed it, which in the early days was not all of them! Early trips then had us going to a stretch of canal and I had my first proper tench bite on Kabanos sausage. I could see the tench, such a dark green colour and broad across the back, but sadly I did not manage to land it. That still haunts me to this day and I have yet to catch what I would call a proper tench. I then moved north where my fishing was limited in the early days due to family commitments. I then would look even further north for my closed season fishing, venturing over the border into Scotland to fish the Lochs for mainly pike on lures in the warmer months and on dead baits the rest. The colder temperature up there coupled with the colder vast Lochs, makes me feel safe that summer does not arrive up there till at least August 30! Work and family commitments have meant that I have not fished much this closed season; it is now a few weeks before the new river season and I have had a proper “closed” season. I have bought new tackle, respooled many of my reels, cleaned my rods, resprayed my brolly and practiced selfie shots with my camera! I feel ready to cast out on June 16 revitalised and full of energy. Well, fishing energy anyway! My goals for this year are a River Tees pike, a River Swale barbel a weighable tench, a slab of a bream, a zander and not to blank on our annual River Wye trip. Tight lines and hope you enjoyed the glorious 16th!