8 th June.

Friday. 8 th June.
Worst day weather wise, breakfast over, quick trip to favorite local tackle dealer.
£90 well spent.
We, (father, and I), went to our newly tried water.
We pulled up and were joined by the typical ruddy-cheeked irate landowner figure of the farmer/owner.
He gave me a good telling off without mincing his words for driving at 40 m.p.h., much too fast for such a track, apparently, so he informed me, I’d just missed running his dog over,
The dog was partly blind and deaf,
Much like, it’s owner.
But it still had another years work in her, he told us.
My father, trying to change the subject, suggested he must to do a lot of shooting and if so what did he shoot.
The farmer looked me square in the eyes and emphasized,
”Anything”, was his reply.
He took monies due and left, telling us he was a busy man, too busy to be running after the likes of us.

Three hours sat in rain, brand new tackle, some fish.
My father seems to be trying to make such an effort to get interested in my hobby of angling.
He now has the sturdiest, adjustable seat on the market, a half decent rod,
(Remember he thought a telescopic on would suffice!).
He has a reasonable reel with three spare spools all full of line, ready.

What he doesn’t have now is the ability to cast, to bait, and to disgorge.

I’m sure several lessons would be sufficient to get him to slip from his experience of being a beach caster to someone who can flick the tackle out gently hardly causing a ripple to the surface.
Now he stands up and make a great performance out of the actions needed to launch a few grams as far as possible.
He is used to having the rod propped up, either against a pier railing or against a hefty rod support.
He holds the rod upright like some gnome sat on a toadstool.
He will not grasp the notion of the importance of correcting and sinking your line s immediately after casting, not waiting ten minutes for your float to do a tour of the lake taking in any islands along the way.
I may have to resort to washing up liquid on his line!
Will he succeed?
This man with tendon damage; fingers like pork sausages.
I’m going to gamble £40 it will by buying him a membership.
In truth, I’m not prepared to make up an excuse if asked why I had two rods and was accompanied by a non-member on private grounds.

I have given advice to youngsters over the years and shown some how to tackle up etc.
But you cannot teach someone to be an angler.
You can explain about the tackle and teach them to get it into the water, but that’s it.
To become one with the rod, to sit relaxed armed with a thirteen foot long right arm, poised waiting to strike at the slightest deviation of the float.
To sit for hours to make that snap decision, made almost unconsciously,
When to strike?
No second chances, using your knowledge of different float movements to hazard a guess at which type of fish was actually taking an interest in the bait and knowing that you are ready for the associated tell tale signs of an immanent take characteristic of that species.
All that, before you worry, about having the correct tension set.

Now the fishing is easy, you might say because I have several pole rigs which we can use.
However, the prospect of teaching him how to tackle up a rig from scratch; I’m not looking forward to.
This man has difficulties feeding coins into a parking meter how is he going to cope with minute hooks and split shot?

We returned to the hotel absolutely soaked.
Changed and a quick pint before tea.
A night of bingo in the W.M.C. is planned.
I’m going to pack the car ready for tomorrow
Forecast is for more rain, will see.
I’ve had a week of a different routine, which has involved a small amount of mild exercise, mixed with a large portion of freedom to relax.

I’m of course sad to be leaving, would have loved another week’s solid fishing.
But I’ve decided to re-join my old fishing club and sharpen up my skills before planning any further trips.
Am down to last of baccy and think of finishing it tonight and trying to resist temptation in morning.
Must admit have thought of prospect of scoring when I get home and extending holiday somewhat.
I’m also looking forward to logging in and seeing my exam and course results.
Have I missed anything at home?
Definitely not!