Monday 9 March 2020

In the court of the Crimson Claw


Piking up river today but I packed the trotting gear just in case the bastard wind dropped later. Not a millon miles away but at least some different reeds to look at. And a pair of oystercatchers on  the flood plain.Something about that carrot like bill, the "peep" call and the striking black and white v  in flight.





First leap frog and the near bank smelt was taken confidently by this pike of about 6 pounds, give or take a leech or two.


Putting it back I spotted Tarka's left overs neatly placed on a stem, crimson claw and all.


Tell tale plucks on the far rod and in came this neatly disemboweled smelt. Bugger, I need to get some more...


Time for the cup that cheers, containing lovely hot Cream of Tomato, and freshly ground black pepper.


Nothing much doing from then on in, and there was a hint of a softening of the wind so down to roach straight. More silver haired chaps on the golden ticket. You know it's special when a national treasure can be seen scuttling back to the Discovery for his camera. Headed past them on to the nearest those not in the cabal can get. The wind was upstream but often varying direction and still strong hampering trotting but with dilgent searching found 14 of what I was looking for on double red maggot. This, the first on the first trot was near on scale and fin perfect


This one's wound round the vent (common on here, along with beak stabs acros the back) had well healed. Nothing called for the scales but all bar one were netters. The one I lost was bigger but never mind. Hard won fish are always worth more, landed or not.


Tomorrow is forecast miklkd but 45mph+ so it may be hunkering down behind the pike rods, we'll see.








2 comments:

  1. My good man, I see you are a fan of tomato soup. I like it also.
    Question is yours home made?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not on this occasion, cheapo canned stuff just pepped up. I do make roasted tomato soup with basil though.

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