Alex Coutts' Angling Scene
If you are anything like me, then during the seemingly everlasting bad weather you have probably been stuck at home with much climbing of walls and gnashing of teeth suffering from piscatorial withdrawal symptoms.
Thankfully there is some relief at hand, from the unlikely source of ITV. For the first time since 'Passion For Angling' aired over fifteen years ago fishing is once again being shown on terrestrial television.
Going out on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm the six part series 'River Monsters' follows the exploits of biologist and keen angler Jeremy Wade as he seeks out the truth behind legends of man eating fish.
The first two programmes focused on the various inhabitants of the mighty Amazon but last weeks episode came a lot closer to home with 'European Man-Eaters'. Centring on Europe's largest freshwater inhabitant, the Wels catfish, Jeremy uncovered numerous reports of attacks ranging from slight grazes through to the discovery of human body parts in the stomachs of these giant fish.
Undoubtedly hyped up for the cameras (especially when Jeremy leapt from the water screaming 'It nearly got me' after a catfish brushed against his leg) the programme was a nice mix of nature and history with a bit of fishing thrown in for good measure and I am looking forward to the remaining episodes in the series.
For those that prefer reading to watching television there is a steady stream of angling books hitting the market.
Recent releases include Ali Hamidi's Carping Masterclass, a how to book full of useful tips ranging from rigs to bait choices. The autobiographical 'One Last Cast' by Rob Maylin, that charts the last sixteen years of Robs angling exploits and Keith Jenkins' 'The Keeper' which follows on from his first novel 'The Myth'.
A story that follows a group of friends from their earliest forays to local farm ponds right up to trying to catch the fish of their dreams.
My own reading tends to lean towards the perfect imagery that flows from the pens of such authors of Chris Yates and B.B. I've lost count of the times I have re-read 'The Secret Carp' or 'Falling In Again', yet I still find myself turning each page with eager anticipation.
In fact one chapter of the afore mentioned title inspired me to pick up the rods this week, despite the weather, and set out after some perch, although, as usual, the whole trip turned into a glorious failure.
My chosen venue was Barretts Park in Heathfield that, as some readers may remember, recently produced a four pounder. Despite fishing all the areas that screamed perch, I single handedly failed to trouble even the smallest and greediest of the resident stripeys.
I did however manage to catch a steady succession of stunning roach to over a pound in weight. Why I have become so adept at catching these delicate feeders on my decidedly un-delicate methods I'm not entirely sure, but they did at least provide a welcome diversion from the ever looming storm clouds.
Just at the point of me packing up Richard, the owner of the lakes, came down for a chat. Upon his leaving he mentioned that anglers always seemed to catch big fish after his evening lap of the lakes, as if in some way his departure was the catalyst for the monsters to come out to play. With nothing to loose I decided to give it another five minutes and was so engrossed in watching my float that I failed to see a particularly dark and ominous cloud sneak up above me.
The first clue I had to its presence was when it deposited its entire contents on my head. So ferocious was its attack that within seconds I was completely drenched, in fact I would go as far to say that I may had remained drier had I sought sanctuary in the lake itself!
With the last of my enthusiasm well and truly washed away, I trudged back home, pulled up my chair in front of the fire and sat gently steaming, lost in the book that had caused me so much trouble in the first place.
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Weather for Lewes
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
