Blog

Stormy Weather

Posted: 6th Oct 2013

What a change in the weather this week from the previous, the temps have been slowly dropping over the course of the last 4 weeks and most of the animals including the fish have sensed the change and have started preperation for the winter ahead. Two weeks ago we had a couple of days of very hot weather which was unusual for the time of the year, but this week we have had some very heavy rain indeed with over 2" falling on the Saturday changeover. I felt for the lads who were packing up at 07.00am along with myself giving them a hand in the pouring rain after a dry week. We have had storms with fantastic sheet lighting displays and thunder rolling in and out, far in the distance in the west sky, and this in turn has created ups & downs with the fishing.

The two lads booking the lake once again have had to think about a plan to try and bring the fish to them instead of the angler chasing fish from one end of the lake to the other. The lads opted to fish Pegs 3 & 4 in the centre of the lake hoping to follow on from Joes success, but with so many lines in the area it made the fishing hard going for Chris in Peg 4 with the fish that had been showing when they first arrived slowly moving quietly out of the way. Martin in Peg 3 still had spells of good fishing depending on where Chris was fishing at the time. The weather affected the mood of the fish also with spells of hot action combined with lots of fish showing over the lads spots but no runs forthcoming. The last 48 hrs of the week saw a big change in the temp with a very strong eastly warm wind smashing into Peg 1, leaving Chris no option but to move, resulting in a fish quickly, which made the move worth while. Martin in Peg 3 had a good run taking over 10 fish in the last 48hrs from his baited patch in the centre of the lake and from the far bank tree line.

Best fish came from the centre of the lake again at 48lb 8oz, and Martin had 3 fish over 40lb+ this week. The total catch for the week was 18 fish with a handful of Stockies just under 20lb not included in the final tally. Along with the 3 fish over 40lb+ to 48lb, 7 fish of 30lb+ up to 39lb, and 8 fish of 20lb+ up to 28lb 8oz. Along with some very nice scaley fish landed this week (facebook update) so all in all it turned out quite well in the end for the two lads but Martin taking most of the catch by sitting tight with the fish in front of him, steady baiting but not too heavy over the week to bring the the fish in. I think Chris was a little unlucky to be honest and he had to play cat and mouse to put a fish in the net.

New Grange was the bait this week catching most of the fish combined with some pellet over the middle spot.

The wildlife of late has been very changable with the tree frogs being very vocal with the rise in air temp. These little frogs are not present in the UK and look identical to the Amazon Tree Frog, being bight green with a white stripe running over the eyes like a bandana, along with web-like suction on it's hands and feet for aiding climbing. Skeins of Common Cranes have started heading south over the last week to pastures warmer and richer in food supply over the winter period, the sound these birds make as they are constantly communicating with each other on the migration route is haunting but beautiful, and is one of the highlights of the late autumn period for me. I will be collecting the Walnut harvest in the next two weeks but I need to be quick because of the Red Squirrel competition at the moment, they are busy in the garden running to and fro with their "Swag Bag" full to bursting with their bounty!!!

The four lads arriving this week are all looking forward to the week ahead, temps around 17-19oc all week, combined with sunshine and misty mornings it looks set to be a lovely week weather wise, along with the fish crashing right through the night showing signs they are very active. Bez took 3 fish on his first night in Peg 4 to 32lb+ so it's a good start which I hope will continue.

Over & Out

Team Sanctuary