October 14, 2019

My Fishing Week – John Bailey

The biblical rains of Sunday just gone were a case of too much too late in many ways. After a long period of drought, what we needed was days of light rain so the ground could soak the water up and drink it in, all the way down to the aquifer. Much of the deluge simply bounced off the land, straight into the nearest watercourse..Or in some cases, into people’s front rooms.

Elemental pic 2

My Fishing Week

Interestingly, my rivers did not flood like they would have done back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. They rose and coloured of course but by and large they stayed within their banks. Why? Since the abandonment of dredging, the natural river course is much better able to absorb and diffuse heavy rain. This is one development at least for which we have to thank the EA.

I saw an otter on the Wensum on Tuesday. I saw another on an estate lake on Friday. I saw one on the upper Lea on Saturday, the day before the rains. The unmistakable conclusion is that otters are still holding their own after the re-introductions od 20 years back. They have found a level for sure, but it’s a high one. Yet, on none of the three occasions were there any dead fish or signs of older carcasses. Yes, my fishing was ruined once they appeared but that is the point. If there is an otter about, then the fish pick up on the fact instantly and make themselves scarce. There always will be casualties from time to time but these are generally during a spell of hideously cold weather when the fish are too torpid to escape danger.

The Lea was interesting. I’ve always found it such a puzzle, such a mix of different water types. At least it was good to see a good number of anglers about, proving there is still an appetite for running water. Sadly, I didn’t see a single pin in use though. Every rod was set up in typical modern mode, pointing skyward. Nor was there a float to be seen, just big leads, self hooking rigs and boilie type baits. I pass no judgement here. It is not like I empty the Lea on a regular basis. I just wonder if a more softly approach could sometimes be a better bet. I’m down there again in a couple of weeks so will report back if there are stories of note!!

My first River Master Class starts in three days. I am beset with nerves. Who am I to pontificate about river approaches? I might have fished rivers, blimey, for nigh on 60 years but I still feel I have only got half an idea many times. I’m confounded by what I see now as much as when I was a kid starting out. And let’s not forget, there is a host of river types out there. What works on the Wensum might not on the Windrush. Tactics on the upper Bure are all at sea on the tidal stretches of the same river. Still, what I do know is that on many rivers, you simply can’t be doing without a centre pin!