Since my last visit to the "Snag Pit" I’ve suffered a severe case of “Man Flu” not to mention having to attend various meetings, but I finally managed to get the rods out again today whilst on a short day session as a Guest on Pete’s syndicate water.
The alarm clock went off at 05:30am and woke me from some sort of dream involving fat Carp and big women!; it took me a few minutes to drag myself out of bed but I was soon pacing up and down the kitchen eagerly waiting for the kettle to boil, I am like a zombie until I have had that magical first brew of the day along with a smoke.
After my caffeine and nicotine hit I just jumped straight into the car and headed towards a little pit nestled deep in the Ouse Valley.
Pete was already waiting for me at the gate, we parked up and went for a quick mooch about the pit although our vision was very much impaired due to the incredible dense fog which incidentally didn’t lift all day, there was a bitterly cold easterly wind blowing too.
Conditions were far from ideal and neither of us felt confident, the Pit looked lifeless and with a couple of other anglers arriving it meant that our options were limited on the intimate pit.
We decided to double up in a swim on the back of the wind, baits were soon placed on the spots and we were both angling.
I got the Kettle on (Pete is well known for his lack of tea making skills!) and we sat back and enjoyed a brew. About an hour later a good fish rolled over my left hand rod, that lifted our spirits slightly but that was the only sign we saw until late into the afternoon.
Just as Darkness descended on the pit Pete’s left hand hanger cracked the blank and he was away, after a short but spirited battle a nice upper double rolled over the net cord.
The stunning little mirror was quickly weighed and photographed before being released into her watery home.
We were both really pleased to have received some action but as the temperature and light were dropping quickly we decided to call it a day. I packed everything away other than the rods and decided to have a quick smoke before I got them in, it was a great decision on my part as just as I lit the cigarette my left hand rod pulled up tight then ripped off, I was on it in a flash! The unseen culprit put up a hell of a scrap and I was a little shocked at the size when we netted her, the upper double fought like a fish twice its’ size! These Ouse Valley fish really do fight for their lives!
After a quick photo we slipped her back and headed for home more than happy with our last minute success.
 |
| A little warrior! |
I had a meeting the following day, but on The Tuesday I headed down to one of my old haunts in Oxford for a quick night, in the hope that one of the big girls fancied a bit of a munch.
I left home at 6am and after battling the traffic on the A34 and a quick coffee stop in Oxford pulled into the gates just before 8am.
I couldn’t believe my eyes, the place was completely void of anglers……..I rubbed my hands together and thanked the carp gods!
After a quick scout about the pit I decided to drop into a swim that I knew would receive the south westerly wind that was due in a few hours. I slowly got the rods rigged up and then set the Oval up and got the kettle on, I wasn’t in a rush as due to the fog I couldn’t see 6ft in front of my face.
 |
| I always carry a good selection of singles! |
At about mid-morning just as the fog was clearing a very large fish crashed out about 80 yards out, within seconds I had a Northern Special fished on the chod landing in the dying rings that the fish had left. I put another chod 5 yards to the right of that and fished the 3rd rods on a snowman on a clear spot at 60 yards.
I scattered half a Kilo over the 2 chod’s and put a handful of bait over the 3rd, I was more than happy with my bait placement so sat back and let the day unfold.
To cut a long story short the day past without event and before I knew it darkness was descending, just as the last slither of light dropped over the tree line I went and sat by the rods with a smoke and a coffee, straining my eyes to see if I could see anything give the game away but I never did.
 |
| Praying for something to give the game away.... |
After a nice curry I decided to get in the bag, it was only 8pm but for some reason I was exhausted so the warmth of the bag seemed a nice idea, I soon drifted off once again into strange dreams of fat carp and big women!
Getting in the bag so early was obviously a bad idea as I awoke at 03:45am and was wide awake, it was freezing, much colder than the predicted forecast and on checking my iPhone that was confirmed.
I relieved my bladder in a nearby bush and put the kettle on, the night seemed to last forever but eventually the sun started to show its first rays off light a little after 7am. I hadn’t seen or heard anything all night and didn’t feel too hopeful so I gave it until 10am then had a slow pack up before making the journey home.
That brings us pretty much up to date, I’ve just been out and replenished stocks and sorted the kit out as I’m heading back down to Oxford tomorrow for a couple of nights for a social with Pete so hopefully I will come back with news of a lump, after all it only takes one bite!
Until next time,
Smithy
