Friday 25 June 2010

Forget Me Not

I first visited the river Dane as a little
lad. I remember walking down to the
river with my Dad, on reaching it saying
"How do we get over the stream Dad, to
reach the river?" When we saw someone
fishing we could not believe it!! What was
even harder to believe was the quality fish
we went on to catch over the following years.
The little river has taught me so much
about fishing and rivers in general.
When the Dane is low and clear it's
like your own wild aquarium. Time
spent on her banks allows you the
privileged glimpse of river life.
I had took Phil on the Dane a few years back,
the promise of a Grayling and also knowledge
that he would appreciate this little gem.
It was with the same thoughts as I approached
the river with Pete. For us a new river or swim
is like being a kid again, It's not just about what
we catch but what we may catch, the challenge
of reading the water. The bend on the rod is
just the icing on the cake. It's been great to see
the faces of my fishing mates when they have
seen these little treasures, and when the first
run has brought the promised fish the gift has
more than been repaid by the big smiles.
The weather was warm and the river low
and clear, still sparkling though and full of
promise. Even though less than a mile away
from the every day bustle of man. We felt
we were in our own wilderness I'm sure the
last float to run down that glide would have
been my own last year. So we fished I think
Pete would have watched his float run down
that first glide quite happily all night.
After a couple of fish and a lot of coaxing
I did get him to wander a little. It was worth it
as he caught a good Grayling of a pound or so.
We had the most lovely evening even the battle
through the scrub is part of the adventure.
The final yards before you burst through
to the river is still full of wonder.
The Dane changes so much a glide that
held fish last year may not this, even worse
the glide may not even exist. The upside
that many new ones are created.
The plague of Minnows did not hamper
us much, the cold winter may have hit
the numbers?? It makes 16 on the list!!
I promised myself a couple of years back, that
I would take in more my fishing and the rivers
that I visit. I may of wrote this before, I sort
of was thinking of the good times with my
Dad, and it struck me that the last time
we made our way back to the car some years
ago he probably would have thought he would
be back, some weeks later, maybe months
but life's not like that. Every time I leave now
I say my own little thanks ,
"I'm appreciative of the Time"
I finished the evening with the perfect
fish for this water the Lady of the stream!!
Two happy anglers ready for next time .....
"God willing!!"

1 comment:

Matthew Eastham said...

That's beautiful Tony. It really struck a chord - lovely writing!

M

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"Life is but a dream?"

"... on a good day of fishing, the job, the noise and clutter ... fade away until there is only water and the rhythm of the rod and, now and then, a fish."

-Random Phrump

''A Thought''

A simple philosophy I have adopted over the years has been tested and re-enforced in the past few weeks. It is to celebrate those good and pleasing things encountered in daily life, no matter how small, with at least the same vigour as I bemoan the bad or merely vexing.
-Steve Dobson


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