A Very Private Water

Monday 6th November 2007.
This had been a day that I had been looking forward to for so long! My good friend Andy had somehow managed to get us a days Piking on a water so secret that not even the big man upstairs knew existed! Well, that maybe a slight exadgeration but none the less, this sure was going to be a very special day. The evening before I was just a mess, I couldn't even concentrate on tying up some new traces so I demolished a good bottle of white wine just to make sure that the sand man would pay me a visit. At 05.15hrs prompt, my alarm sounded and roused me from my slumber. Why is it that when we men have someting really important to do like going fishing, the alarm poses no threat to our levels of conciousness, yet when its the mundane chore such as shopping with "er indoors", you must stay in bed and sleep until the very last moment? So, up I leap like some demented gazelle and first stop is the little room to empty out. This of course was done with as much flourish as I could muster and I must say that my aim and velocity was indeed spot on !! Clothes slung on and then downstairs into the kitchen. There I was greeted by my bleary eyed Labrador who couldn't even be bothered to get up and greet me in the usual manner, even she looked at me with a quizzical eye! Breakfast done and flask made, off to the garage. Kit loaded and arrive at Andys pad. Now even I must admit that I have been partial to the odd "evening before" session but, when I pulled up at Andys house, his gaunt appearance gave me grave cause for concern. In a nut shell he looked like shit. On route to our destination he regailed me with the tales of countless beers and half a bottle of Jack Daniels which then led on to filthy dirty sex at silly o'clock in the morning. Some people have all the luck! On our arrival we crept down to the lake as we were under an obligation not to disturb the owner. Luckily the walk was short and soon enough we were boat borne and launched our livebaits to there impending doom. It didn't take too long for the first bit of action, Andy was in with a lively jack which he slipped back into the freezing cold water. Then again Andys float took off sideways and, just looking at the curve in his rod, gave me all the indication I needed. A good fish was on, Andy took control and steered this beast towards the tiny little craft which we found ourselves ensconsed in and, at the appropriate moment, I reached forward and chinned her out of the water. What a fish, not a monster but, fin perfect and markings that would have made any artist proud. We did weigh her and we settled at 18lb. After ther ritual of making her famous, she was placed back and off she powered, what a start! We remained in the same area for a while but decided to move on to fish another of the likely looking areas further across the lake. We carried on catching some lovely fish but sadly no monster was due to examine the bottom of our boat today. As the day wore on, Andy's face got whiter and judging by the sounds he was making, I was guessing that it was only a matter of time before he would be gracious enough to leave the wildlife a little present!!
Sum total for the day was ten fish boated and a couple of dropped runs. As we were about to depart, the owner popped his head round to say hello and rather sportingly invited us back in a few weeks. This visit will be the time for big old deabaits I think...................................