Further Afield...A Llangorse Weekend...24-27/06/10

Llangorse Lake in Wales...one of those places mentioned time and again as being a place to fish for pike from a kayak...and one which hosted last years Disability Day, the kayaking section of which was organised and run by Anglersafloat members. I’d been invited along again and, with a request to get there for Friday morning, I found myself leaving work at lunchtime to drive across the country and into the land of Ivor the Engine.

It’s not such a long drive really unless you have a trailer and a tachograph. With the big vans being loaded for trips I had to take a trailer on the Transporter which would mean an extra couple of hours each way and so I finally arrived at the campsite at around 8pm. Not only was the barbecue not already on the go amongst those who’d already arrived but, even worse, there was no excuse as they hadn’t even been fishing and all regarded me with a look of shock when I suggested launching. Against my better judgement I decided to bow to peer pressure and drink instead...it was good to catch up with everyone again and consume too much.

Was it 7am when I awoke? It was probably around that. John would know, he was the person making all the racket after all! Still, it was time for bacon sarnies, jam sarnies and coffee anyway and I had pike to catch before our guests arrived.

I got down to the launchsite, dumped the trailer and chose a boat for the day. Surprise, I took the Ultra again. I must say that I enjoy fishing from it but have to confess that it isn’t a boat I want to own myself. That said it does seem to be my first choice when I have it to hand. It was ideal for the piking though as I’d brought loads of lures with me and they fit (fit, fitted, fat or fet?) in the cockpit hatch perfectly. Another feature that was really useful was the forward facing rod holders as I used them for the purpose they were designed for, that of holding the rod while I unhooked the fish. But that’s jumping ahead...I launched off the slip and paddled out trolling a Blue Rapala J13 on one rod and a Blue Shakespeare Big S on the other.

Quite a big lake this when you’re just paddling. It took a while but finally I had a fish hit the lure. A funny fight it came in having clearly hit the lure, bounced off because of the size and got itself caught ;D A foul-hooked perch to start the day off!



I carried on and came across an area where the weed thinned out a bit – there were plenty of roach here and I made a note to come back and try for them later. Especially when I spotted a few large ones, and I mean specimens. Now, I had a few 2lb roach or rudd (dunno which) back when I was nineteen but these were bigger. I thought they were possibly chub but there aren’t any in there apparently. Instead I contented myself with trolling back along the margins.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!



I grabbed my rod and wound down...I had a fish on and it felt decent. It took line and dived, was brought up and thrashed about a bit.



A couple of minutes passed before I had it alongside. It had taken the J13 neatly in the mouth and was easily unhooked, returned and held while it gathered itself before swimming off...I’d got my first Llangorse pike of the weekend.



I paddled back up towards the slip. Axor was busy trying to tempt a pike on the fly but apart from little plucks from perch couldn’t connect. I met up with the others as they started to arrive in preparation for the four guys and two ladies from the British Disabled Angling Association. We brought a selection of kayaks off the trailer and by the time everything was ready to go they’d arrived and were rigging up. Terry mentioned my lucky Big S but with them now being discontinued nobody was getting their hands on it ;D

We all headed out again. I had lures out but apart from floating weed I didn’t manage anything all the way down to the bottom end. Of course once there things were a different matter and the J13 worked its magic again on a smaller pike...



I decided to carry on trolling over towards the spot I’d seen the roach in earlier and cast out a maggot on a float. I didn’t expect much because of the group of people who had been waterskiing around us were now shouting and jumping around in the shallows there. Sure enough the water was just clouded with mud and nothing was about any more. I did manage a roach nearby but alas the specimens were long gone. I trolled back towards the rest of the group.

Zzzzzzzzzzz! Oh yes, this was a good fish! From a similar spot to the 6lb’er in the morning this fish was going for it. I called John over to get a pic as I unhooked it after a decent scrap. I would estimate it at being around 8lb in weight; bigger than the first.



It was starting to get embarrassing now as no-one else had a pike yet but finally Starvin yelled out he’d got a fish on. I paddled over to get some pictures as he landed a 3lb’er with his very pretty gloves ;D





It was time for me to head back up to the slip. I’d been on the water for around eight hours now with just a short break while getting things ready for the BDAA guys. I paddled off but got sidetracked by some perch...



KeithyG was around by now so having had a bunch of perch from the bank I gave him the rod and within a short time he was in.



Off the water I headed to the camp shop to buy some water which was beautifully cold. I ended up walking out £21.47 lighter though as they had a couple of J13’s on the shelf ;D Fortunately there was a pub next door and I was treated to a nice cold pint by the BDAA guys which went down a treat – thanks again fellas!

Back at the campsite the barbecue was fired up, the beer fridge was opened and things started to go as most meet evenings go – smoothly and enjoyably ;D Of course it was starting to cool down as the sun sank and after a couple of hours I figured that it was a good time to fish...so Axor, KeithyG and I headed back to the water.

Trolling down we got through the shallow weeded area and with the others a couple of hundred yards behind me I dropped my lures down. Ten minutes later I had a hook up which came off after the first couple of tugs on the line. I cleared it and started again...a minute passed and then another hook up!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I struck into the fish, it felt pretty good and with me pulling one way and it the other it jumped straight up and clear of the water, a good three feet above the surface, shaking its head while silhouetted against the sunset...it threw the hooks. We’d all had a good view of it and Axor, who was closest, estimated around 5lbs. I was quite pleased it had got off in all honesty as it would have otherwise become just another pike rather than a vivid memory.

We got down to the lily pads. As I paddled on Axor grabbed his rod and cast a home-tied fly. He tried it for a second cast and suddenly a pike surged up, took the fly and he hooked up, landing his own pike. Nothing else occurred as the sun sank and the moon rose and so we paddled back to the slip, walked back to the campsite (where the others were all in bed!) and got our heads down ready for the morning.

7am. Bacon. Coffee.

8 am. Down to the slip and the rest of the boats, paddles and seats along with the batteries for the Torque were got out and placed ready for use. A quick briefing and we were ready for business. Dorado pitched up and I hopped out of the Ultra to play with his boats for the day. I like to look outside the borders of our own brands and while I’ve paddled both Dorado and Dorado MKII in the past I’d not tried the Marlin or the Skua ARX. I spent the day mostly swapping between these while our own boats were out on the water and enjoyed the opportunity to spend that length of time in them while accompanying groups on the water.



I was mostly paired with Carpyken in his open canoe as we criss-crossed the lake all day long. The passengers were happy and so was Ken – I bet he’s got webbed feet ;D occasionally I paired off with someone else or went off to take photographs and videos or assist others. It was a busy day punctuated only with a barbecue and some tomfoolery...

















I don’t know how it began but John’s Dorado was soon carrying him in the seat, Carpyken on the bow and myself in the tankwell. A pretty big load really. John paddled it around for a while in the proximity of the slip while Dorado got some photographs and video. It was interesting but I soon tired of this and decided to get off. I figured the best way to do this was just to roll over sideways ;D A huge cheer went up from the crowd as we emerged from the mud and weeds! A triple re-entry followed and we headed back in, cooled off from the scorching sun.

Later I had a go in Ken’s SINK – a plastic Valley Aquanaut. I loved it! Having spent the day practicing my edging and leaning I was doing the same in this and enjoying the responsiveness. It was all going so well until ken tried to get m to attempt a different method, ie leaning out of a turn. I was like a pendulum and went in ;D His passenger laughed his head off as I tried my first SINK re-entry. I went over the stern and hopped in). It was surprisingly easy. Hmm, I can see the attraction of SINKs now ;D I’m tempted. The short fella had a go too:



The day carried on until finally everyone had been out – some on multiple occasions – and people drifted off until we were the only ones left. We loaded up vehicles and trailers leaving only what was required for the morning’s session and headed off to the campsite. A supermarket run was carried out and much food and drink was consumed. It was going so well until Dizzyfish asked if I was still going fishing...I was persuaded and along with his son and KeithyG we headed once more for the lake.

Off we went and I had my first run. Missed it. The second had the same result. I weeded up constantly and while reeling in on one occasion number three hit the lure and weed but failed to hook itself. Then nothing. It started to get dark and I carried on up the lake back towards the slip. I was near the last part of the lake with any depth when suddenly:

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

A double hook up! My first for a couple of years. I saw the left hand fish on the surface and felt the right hand one as I began to retrieve the line... it was too light and there was nothing but weed on the lure. It was my new J13 though and the first time it’d been hit. There were toothmarks on it ;) I grabbed the other rod and wound that in, again weed obscured the hooks...

I landed with 5 runs and no fish. Ludicrous! That’s a year’s worth or more. Luckily Keith had done better though and had landed his well-deserved first pike. Dizzy had also had one on a popper – a beauty too, at around 12lb. His son had also had one on that was even better but came off at the side.

Back at the campsite we drank some more, ate some more and got a fire going before everyone drifted off to bed.

I didn’t fish the morning. It was going to be warm again but I had to get back from Wales with enough time to sleep before heading to Wales the following day on a delivery! Such is life and I bade farewell to my mates.

A Fivesome Quickie...23/06/10

Having spent the last two days driving around the country without hitting anything and having spent the weekend at demo’s I felt that I urgently needed to get wet, especially as there were a few fellas wanting to go out. One, Steve, to try a yak (in Steve111’s T13), one up here for work (in my Scupper Pro) Steve111 and Noidea who’s actually now more like Someidea now. Anyway, with my wife needing to collect someone from the station and me needing to get sorted to leave for Wales in the morning it looked unlikely as I just didn’t have the time.

So I made time. With the girls in bed I cleaned the kitchen superficially, did half the job I’d promised to do and disappeared out of the door lying about the time I‘d be back. I now had an hour and a half. Of course they were working on the bloody bridge so that cost five minutes (but supplied a handy excuse when I did get home). Still, I shot up to Hopton arriving at 20:45. I was already in wetsuit shorts, T-Shirt and plimsolls so slung a PFD on, put my Kinetic Wing together, unstrapped a demo Scupper Pro from the roof of the van, flipped it onto my shoulder and trotted down the ramp.

I gracefully dumped it into the sea with a splash, jumped in and set out at full speed for Noidea. It was his second time at sea (I think)



Smut and dog (first of each).

We chatted, then I went to chat to Steve111.



Smut, Dog, Whiting

I wasn’t having that so I nicked one of his rods and missed a few bites before landing a dog



I decided to ‘Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war!’ (Shakespeare you know)



I wandered over to the other two:



I tossed the dog into Chris’ lap, it had enjoyed a fine time swimming in my tankwell and looked great. I love them.



Whiting and Smut (first smut)

We chatted some more and then he had another smut



Then off to see the other Steve. We’d met in Shepperton at a demo last weekend...being local enough he got an invite up to fish with us...first time fishing from a yak I think.



Codling, Whiting, Pouting, Smut



Then I had to head in. Cracking decision that, very pleasant hour. I paddled in, hit the beach and jumped out, slung the yak on my shoulder, shot up the ramp, strapped it down and shot home twenty minutes late...I feel refreshed.

The Glorious Sixteenth...16/06/2010

There’s one magic date in the calendar during my fishing year and this is arguably the only thing I like about the coarse fishing closed season. That date is the Sixteenth of June, when the rivers reopen for anglers. This date has been looked forward to with great anticipation throughout a large part of my life and has become a natural choice for taking the day off work. So, with my 2010-11 season coarse fishing licence ‘in the post’ the plan was set...

...the plan was a bit more involved than the usual ‘get out on the water and fish’. Being midweek – a Wednesday to be precise – it was not known who would be able to skive. I took holiday, Westie cleared his desk to make his escape possible and Todaymueller’s rota luckily coincided. Norfolkboy and Hungryfisherman also made it to the banks of the Waveney but Steve111 was sadly stuck with two days worth of work today. He sounded sick to me, but that was clearly just with envy!

Now, Hungryfisherman is a regular up here but Todaymueller as well? How come these furriners were hitting the Waveney? Where had we heard their names in the same breath before in recent weeks? Ah. Yes. The Champions League – they were of course the winners of the OK Classic at Swanage. Now, given the choice between entrusting a couple of Prowler Ultra 4.7’s to a courier and inviting mates up for a session on the water was clearly no contest and they felt the same...

I loaded the van before leaving work the day before. The two yellow prize Ultras went on first, hull uppermost, with the demo mango flame one in the middle hull down. This worked a treat and was the reason my Scupper Pro stayed home. I wanted to try the Ultra on fresh water and Westie wanted to try it full stop!



I got home and once the girls were in bed Amos pitched up for tea and to help me sort which lures I was taking. I have a similar problem to most people who’ve seen lures in shop windows – too bloody many of the damned things ;D My proliferation has another twist though. I asked my parents to bring me back some Rapala Magnums from South Africa once and instead they brought back a bunch of other Rapalas, Yo Zuris, Strike Pro’s and other makes. Most of these, which became two birthdays and a Christmas, are totally unsuited so sit there unused and unloved while I revert to the Magnums, Super Shad Raps, J13’s and Shakespeare Big S’s which do work. It’s as much trust and belief as anything else of course although deep divers are not suited to the Waveney so some get ignored for that reason. Anyway, Amos was after a Super Shad Rap and I had a spare so flogged him that and passed on one for free that I’d been kindly sent by Dizzyfish a few weeks back...more of that later ;)

I booted Amos out around ten and went straight to bed. He borrowed one of my magazines and went off to his car (he won’t sleep here because of his snoring). The magazine was a fishing one so stop sniggering in the back row – and bring it back Amos, I need to archive a couple of pages!

I got him up around six and we had a quick coffee and toast before heading for Beccles where John and Ian would meet us around 8am and Tim at 9am. I wanted to get some fishing in first ;D We pulled in, parked up and started to get kitted up – me in the demo Ultra, Amos in his new ride :-* He took too long gazing at it so I launched. I trolled about a mile or so I guess, through two hotspots, and had nothing. I anchored up in my chub mark and had the same. My tiddler mark failed to produce too and the final result was one dace from my dace mark – an eddy by a bridge support. The first fish of the season.



I upped-sticks to go and meet John who I guessed would be almost there by now. I got fifty yards before I met Ian and Amos. Ian I didn’t recognise – different kayak and more beard than the previous time I’d seen him plus sunglasses. He’d been envious of our pike tally last year and had made the effort to join us for the Sixteenth...but would he have enough of a reason to return?






John arrived then and so we tied up and started fishing in various parts of the river.



I had some more dace and the first perch of the season. All tiddlers and very hard to get – the water looked like diluted black coffee which I’d not seen before. I surmised that this could be affecting catches. Like any angler I look for excuses!



It was about time for Tim to arrive so I headed over to look for him. I swapped the Ultra for a custard tart and borrowed his barbecue-equipped Trident 13 and then we set off to join the others on our steady troll up to Geldeston Locks. We got a few hundred yards when suddenly John shouted out that he had a fish on! The first Waveney pike to a kayak this season! It was quite a good one too at around 4-5lb and in this stretch at this time of year that’s a damned good scrap. The champ had triumphed!





We continued up past the pool into the boat house stretch. This usually sees some Jacks take the lures and sure enough Tim was in...Then, as we rounded the bend into the treelined banks that mark the natural area of the river I reminded Tim of the first time I’d met him when he’d pulled a chub from this spot on a Big S. That was the first chub I’d seen on a lure and I headed down that bank in the hope of a take...which is when John got number two!



Ah well...got to keep your guests happy...and at least I didn’t blank!



That left Amos and as we approached a favourite reedbed of mine I stopped to give Tim a clear run, ensure my lures were weed-free and set myself up for the optimum run in. John was in all of a sudden to my left, Tim was in ahead and then Amos cruised past me heading down my line, the bastard! Three Ultras in front of me and ALL THREE HAD PIKE ON!



I didn’t swear a lot, even when Amos sat there causing a hullabaloo in the middle of my swim. I don’t even know why I left my lures out! Anyway, we soon rounded a couple of bends and caught up with Ian...or rather we would have if Tim hadn’t had yet another take fifty yards short of him! This resulted in his PB perch.



Meanwhile, the Champions League showed us the skills with which they’d led the field at Swanage. I despair sometimes, I really do ;D



They looked more photogenic once they cleared the tangle. Well, compositionally anyway!



Ian scooted off again and as I rounded the corner to aim for the spot where my best pike take last year had been I saw him drifting there, a fish in his hands – his first pike on the kayak (he’d had a perch earlier) and the first he’d trolled up. He was over the moon – and rightly so. It was the best fish so far.



Less happy was the bloke nearby into whom Ian had nearly drifted. The fact that I was now also there taking pictures didn’t help and the icing on the cake was the broken-down yacht that drifted into us. Muttering something about ‘fishing is supposed to be peaceful’ the miserable bastard sat there and gave out negative waves to us. There was no way he was going to help the yacht either and so I offered to give them a tow. He was motorised but I had my cranked Nordkapps ;D A 13ft Trident towing a 16ft yacht against current? No worries I told the bloke aboard even though I was doubtful myself and after the third attempt managed to tie a proper knot, looped the rope over my chest and started to paddle the hundred yards to the nearest safe place to moor. Bugger me if I didn’t manage it ;D

We carried on trolling, right through Jack Alley, but failed to get anything more until, almost at the Lock Inn I had a take. In came my PB perch, tempted upon a Rapala Magnum CD11 in Silver Mackerel.



Tim’s was the bigger fish but I was happy with this!



Then we got drunk! With a pint of Canary and a pint of Trawlerboy washing down the beer-battered haddock I was set to forget about fishing and go to sleep. I wasn’t alone in that but we all managed to tear ourselves away and back onto the water, whereupon we headed upstream. This was hard to fish due to the lack of boat traffic which allows the weed to grow and remain in place. The water is clearer but it’s also quite shallow in parts and after a while I decided that we’d be better off heading back downstream. It was about five minutes later that I had a savage take...



This fish engulfed my redhead Big S and once I’d beaten it I set about with forceps to remove it with the minimum of fuss. It was a fine fish, a double or thereabouts in superb condition – long and lean. As I got the lure clear of it’s mouth though it decided to wake up again and thrashed itself out of my grip (when they thrash I let them go to avoid causing damage). Off it went before the trophy shot of the first double of the season.

That was the last pike. We tied up a bit further down and sat around drowning maggots with little to show for it in quantity although we all had a few silvers.



Well, all of us that stopped, that is, except Tim.



Amos was using his new pole, bought especially.



It was time to head in. Amos and John had both thoroughly christened their Ultras and we’d all had a good day of fishing, beer, food and company. Thirteen pike had come out, two PB perch and half a dozen species. Not a bad start to the season even if it was far slower than I’d expected. Tim had done best on the pike front with five, all on the same lure, and all of Amos’ pike had been on the lure I’d given him the night before. Me? My selection had been the wrong lures for the day! I’d managed a couple of pike and a perch so it wasn’t dreadful but there were lures that really should have produced but didn’t...that’s fishing!

Amos:



John:



Another delivery completed...



Addendum: My fishing licence arrived. It’s now stuck face-side down onto the letter with personal details printed on he back. Lift the lower left corner and peel. My question is what d!ckhead thought that one up?