I wanted to discuss what the closed season has meant for me
over the years. When I started fishing many years ago, the closed season was
for all waters so my dad and I hung up the rods and relaxed!
Then, a local carp water we fished used to stock a nominal amount
of trout in its ponds to fish for in the closed season. This was catch and
release by us, not sure if all did and by any bait or method. I assume it was a
“loop hole” but we happily sat with luncheon meat all day catching carp and the
occasional small rainbow trout that would take off like a steam train and
generally leap about in your swim.
Next we joined our first club, which was predominately river
fishing on the Kennet in Berkshire. The closed season here meant going to their
lakes that still allowed it, which in the early days was not all of them! Early
trips then had us going to a stretch of canal that we could fish, and I had my
first proper Tench bite on Kabanos sausage. I could see the Tench, it was such
a dark green colour and broad across the back but sadly I did not manage to
land it. That still haunts me to this day and I have yet to catch what I would
call a proper Tench.
I then moved North, fishing was limited in the early days
due to families, like the spawning fish, I was creating offspring.
I then would look further North for my closed season
fishing, venturing over the border into Scotland to fish the Lochs for mainly
Pike on lures in the warmer months and still on dead baits the rest. The colder
temperature up there coupled with the colder vast water in the Lochs, makes me
feel safe that summer does not arrive up there till at least August 30th!
So that brings me to this closed season. I fished on March 4th
in the Lake District. It was an amazing day. I broke my Pike PB twice with fish
of 20lb and then 22lb, with a 14 thrown in between to keep me on my toes. This
had me ready to Pike fish throughout the closed season on any waters I could.
However, this did not happen.
Work and family commitments have meant that that was my last
fishing trip to date; it is now a week before the new river season commences
and I have had a proper “closed” season. I have bought new tackle, re spooled
many of my reels, cleaned my rods, re sprayed my brolly and practiced my selfie
shots with my camera! I feel ready to cast out next weekend revitalised and
full of energy, well fishing energy anyway! My goals for this year are a River Tees
Pike, a River Swale Barbel and not to blank on our annual River Wye trip.