Yoda knew a lot of stuff. One of his many teachings was the idea that you should feel rather than think. Today I did just that. Against my better judgment I decided to head out despite the cold, wind and rain.
For know real reason I thought I would head over to a little fishery near me (Higher Farm if you are interested). 3 lakes - one by itself and two a bit further up the hill. I let my feelings guide me and ended up at the lower lake.
I unpacked and then wished I hadn't. Yoda's advice might work in a galaxy far, far away. But here things weren't good. The wind was whisking through and it was bloody freezing. I attempted a few casts with the bread and float, missed a couple of half arsed bites and packed up again.
I very nearly headed straight home (thoughts of a nice warm cuppa were very appealing). I had given it a go... But then another Yoda quote came to mind.
'Do or do not, there is no try'.
So I decided to try a different lake and one which I haven't actually been on before. As luck would have it, the wind wasn't quite so brutal here. There was only one other angler which was good as it is only a little lake but very picturesque.
I plopped in a bi of squished bread and few Coshida cat biscuits. These sink very slowly and are the best Carp attractant I've ever used. But I wasn't sure that even these would work their magic in the cold.
Deadlier than a light sabre
I waited patiently as Yoda once said 'Control, you must learn control'. The float was motionless for sometime but as another fisherman casually asked how I was doing to shot under and I missed...
Nevertheless it was a start. Moments later the blob of sinking bread was back in.
Small. But size matters not
There was a definite disturbance in the force as the weather went from cold and windy to warm sunshine. Then to snow...
Colder than Hoth on a winters day
The warm moments saw Carp rise and snaffle up the cat biscuits. Wasting no time a slipped on a nice floating piece of Warburtons. It wasnt long before another Carp was bagged.
I ended up netting 4 or 5 little ones plus the slightly tubbier one above. Although I was enjoying catching my Carp hoodie wasn't really up to the task of shielding me from the snow, sleet and rain.
I was about to finish up when a big pair of smackers slurped up the bread and cat biscuits.
A lovely pale Common/(Force) Ghost Carp
The force was certainly strong in this one. I dont think he knew he was hooked for some time. But as the net drew near he absolutely went for it and I was worried that I would lose him.
Fortunately Yoda helped me out one final time.
'Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose'.
Im certainly glad I didn't lose him though!