Father and son session first up, and hopefully not the last time you will be reading about Tom, and his fishing sensation son, Henry, aged 6. Now, I started my obsession pretty young, at around 7 years, and just like Henry, i would read anything I could get my hands on, and watch anything that came my way on the television. Things like "Out of Town" and "The golden maggot race" were rare beasts, but they did occasionally make it to mainstream viewing. Indeed, TVS (TV South) were great promoters of angling, getting behind several high end competitions. But Henry's world is much more accessible with the internet age being upon us. And he is determined to watch it all, from what dad Tom was saying. Indeed, Henry's observations, and questions, were all carefully thought out, and far from random. And his rod skills, were definitely some of the best I have ever seen in one so young, all credit to his enthusiasm, and his dads full on support.
Which meant it wasnt hard to keep his attention, or give him tweaks to his already admirable skills. And the relationship you see, as a third party, of this amazing bond growing even bigger with every cast. I have to say, it is a beautiful thing to witness, and brings a little lump to my throat. This is the interaction every little lad dreams of having with his father.
The fishing itself was reasonable. No beasts, but fish did return with the guys. Quality fishes pretty much all. Big smiles, food for the table, and I think a potential career observed by young Henry...
Next up, also new to BIF1, David, an avid fly fisher, and regular Paul. It used to be impossible to mix a fly rod individual with three lure enthusiasts, but another silver lining of the CV19 regulations, is that with just two strangers allowed, now, as long as everyone is paying attention, it actually works quite well. But currently, all fly individuals are being advised of the reality of the current pattern of bass behaviour. They arent really in the shallows in any numbers. Simply not a lot of bait fish or crabs to attract them perhaps? Whereas, in thirty plus feet, there are some quite big accumulations of bait shoals. But 30 plus feet, in a fast tide, is almost impossible to fish well with a fly rod. To get a result for the lure guys, we may need to go deep. The alternative is find a fly buddy and whole boat charter. Then we can stay on the shallows, and hunt those odd fish.
We gave it a good go in the edges. Paul whacked out two tub gurnard in quick succession, but other than the odd pluck, likely cuttlefish, not much happening. Two other spots, not happening either. So, we headed out. Here also, it was hard going. I managed a nice one, and we marked fish and had plucks, so we stayed at it. More fish followed, but not big numbers. Finally, the ebb began. With thirty minutes of the session to run, we headed to one of my ALMOST bankers.
Today, the fish were in. In the last thirty minutes, we nailed some fish. Paul hit an especially powerful fish. A fish we havent seen the likes of since, well, May. Weighed roughly in the net, around the 7lb mark. Could this be the beginning of the good times again, as last year? Time will tell. A great way to round off the otherwise rather slow session.
Final sailing we swapped David for Tanya, a complete novice angler. Which is why it was so easy, to turn that into a very competent angler. Tanya wants to take advantage of living very close to the sea over in Worthing, so was as much looking for tips on techniques and tackle, as looking for food for the table. She of course, got both. Including the only mackerel of the day. Paul also managed a couple of fish, although nothing as big as the previous sessions one. Both left with big smiles, and happily, I think a real enthusiasm to polish everything she learned, from Tanya. I hope so, as she will be an asset to the sport.
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