It's been a while since I've last blogged... Over two months in fact.
Thanks to the guys at Fishtec for reigniting my enthusiasm, it's nice to know that someone out there actually reads and apparently enjoys my waffle.
I have to confess I've contemplated jacking the blogging in of late. It's not that I haven't been fishing or that I haven't caught any Pike. Truth is I've been out fishing quite often. I've been chasing old Esox with some degree of success. I've literally lost count of the amount of Pike I've had this year. Granted most of them have been rooting Jacks but there have been the odd decent Pike thrown in for good measure.
I have though become a little disillusioned by the fact that I have to think twice about publishing pictures of my captures. In particular having to go to the laborious task of blanking out the backgrounds, as awful as they look please forgive me if the backgrounds are removed from the photos, it's for the Pike's sake not mine! The cloak and dagger approach really isn't my scene, having said that I do appreciate that revealing locations can be detrimental towards the welfare of Pike from 'Have a go - Wannabe Pikers'. I also appreciate that we all have to start somewhere, myself included.
I do see some horrendous sights while I'm out and about fishing, and it's these sights that make me think twice about leading people to Pike hot spots or indeed doing other peoples homework for them. Pressured Pike will ultimately lead to dead Pike.
December 2010 was bitterly cold, and I thought last year was bad. This winter beat it hands down, temperatures struggled to get out of the minus' for around three weeks. All waters in my area were frozen solid. The River Ribble and the River Douglas even fell victim to the big freeze, a sight that I have never seen in my lifetime.
As there are so many blog reports to catch up on I shan't go into detail with specific trips and incidents. I shall though try and keep up with the blogging from now on.
Tight Lines and thanks for dropping in.
Matt
Thanks to the guys at Fishtec for reigniting my enthusiasm, it's nice to know that someone out there actually reads and apparently enjoys my waffle.
I have to confess I've contemplated jacking the blogging in of late. It's not that I haven't been fishing or that I haven't caught any Pike. Truth is I've been out fishing quite often. I've been chasing old Esox with some degree of success. I've literally lost count of the amount of Pike I've had this year. Granted most of them have been rooting Jacks but there have been the odd decent Pike thrown in for good measure.
I have though become a little disillusioned by the fact that I have to think twice about publishing pictures of my captures. In particular having to go to the laborious task of blanking out the backgrounds, as awful as they look please forgive me if the backgrounds are removed from the photos, it's for the Pike's sake not mine! The cloak and dagger approach really isn't my scene, having said that I do appreciate that revealing locations can be detrimental towards the welfare of Pike from 'Have a go - Wannabe Pikers'. I also appreciate that we all have to start somewhere, myself included.
I do see some horrendous sights while I'm out and about fishing, and it's these sights that make me think twice about leading people to Pike hot spots or indeed doing other peoples homework for them. Pressured Pike will ultimately lead to dead Pike.
December 2010 was bitterly cold, and I thought last year was bad. This winter beat it hands down, temperatures struggled to get out of the minus' for around three weeks. All waters in my area were frozen solid. The River Ribble and the River Douglas even fell victim to the big freeze, a sight that I have never seen in my lifetime.
As there are so many blog reports to catch up on I shan't go into detail with specific trips and incidents. I shall though try and keep up with the blogging from now on.
Tight Lines and thanks for dropping in.
Matt
December was looking pretty grim
Canal completely frozen over
River Douglas
Hesketh Bank Boat Yard
River Douglas - Hesketh Bank
River Ribble stopped in it's tracks
River Ribble at Church Deeps
A foggy day on the canal
An eerie sight
When the mind wanders
A nice Sluice Double
Bar tailed Godwit
Couldn't resist a suspended Smelt!
First Double of the year 12lb 3oz
9lb 2oz
Allan's 8 lb Pike
River Douglas
Hesketh Bank Boat Yard
River Douglas - Hesketh Bank
River Ribble stopped in it's tracks
River Ribble at Church Deeps
A foggy day on the canal
An eerie sight
When the mind wanders
A nice Sluice Double
Bar tailed Godwit
Couldn't resist a suspended Smelt!
First Double of the year 12lb 3oz
9lb 2oz
Allan's 8 lb Pike
