How I see it

Not sure what to make of this year in some respects. The open coast Sea Trout fishing at times was outstanding, good numbers and a nice average size. Having filled out my end of season catch returns that included a new salt caught PB I don’t have much to complain about. I’m already looking forward to next year and catching up with that possible double that escaped at the last moment. Norway was good; we had some huge Cod including another PB for me and also for two of the other guys on the trip.  The Bass have for the most part been hard to locate but I'm happy enough.  I guess it comes with the nature of the fish, weather and the limitations of my knowledge, to some extent this might always be the case. I spent a fair amount of time prospecting some areas where I’ve not fished much before. This was a challenge, at the same time exciting and it did produce some decent fish for what was a lot of effort. This pony needs more than one or two tricks, so that’s the price of progress for me as there are few shortcuts to be had. By my own humble standards I’ve had nine notable fish this year including a 71cm and eight over 60cm so if I were to gauge progress by this measure alone I guess, it is what it is. I’m still making rookie mistakes, mainly going when I feel conditions are more against me than with me but it’s hard to knock enthusiasm. I should maybe just read the fuel receipts at the end of the month to get the message.

It’s been around eight years since I came across a decent shoals of school size Bass.  I occasionally encountered them back then, you could throw a toby at them and get multiple hook ups back to back. This was not the norm but it did happen, maybe once a season, never been close to that since despite spending time more time on the water year on year. It might be fair to say that what I’m now catching are the survivors. What about the up and coming recruitment? Have a  look at this link bye bye Bass for a take on the current position of Bass stocks. I don’t agree with it all but it makes some sense to me based on my own experiences. If you’re interested in catching Bass in the future have a think about it, there’s not a lot we can do to influence nature but down on personal basis maybe there is.

 

At club level there were a number of disappointing things that occurred. I can’t say I’ve fallen out with anyone, life is after all way too short and it’s only fishing but if you value your angling some of it makes no sense at all. My blog was down, pictures weren’t taken and info wasn’t shared, too far? Probably. I’d like to think I’ve helped a lot of people and that’s been a two way street most of the time. I’m far from a one species angler but if people don’t get it by now, well…….