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!!"