I’m fortunate enough to live only a 5 minute drive from some of my favourite club river waters and only 15 minutes to some cracking still waters.
However 5 minutes or 15 minutes, we all have to work, some of us more than others granted, but this seems to get in the way of all of our bankside time.
So, as often as I can, whether it be only an hour or two I grab my gear and head to the river. My rod is almost always left set up and with just the tackle I need and a tin of meat it’s easy to stay mobile and head to a swim that I am confident can produce for me within a few casts.
My local river is no different to all other national rivers and, with what the Environment Agency is saying about the wettest winter in 250 years, it is taking its toll on our waters. As I have said in previous blogs though, bankside time is time to learn, regardless of a fish or not.
The recent storms have brought down trees, the rising rivers have caused banks to collapse, and in turn the dynamics of the rivers are changing hour by hour.
An hour by the river during the week can help a planned day trip at the weekend. When I have a session planned I always have a couple of swims in mind and taking the time to have a stroll along the bank a few days before can quickly change my mind, or indeed increase my confidence in that swim for the said planned session.
If I do take the time to look at some swims it would be rude not to chuck a bait in. I have had some of my most memorable catches in short sessions and for me it helps take away all the stresses of work.
So if you do get home from school or work one day and you have an hour or two spare, go take a look at your river and if you can, take a rod with you.
I’m a big fan of short sessions, particularly as with two kids under 3 years old it’s hard for me to justify a while day out. Last year it was almost all short sessions, mostly before my family were even awake, only using lures, and I had some fantastic pike, perch, and trout… but more importantly I spent time on the river; watching, listening, experiencing, and learning.
Nice post Jimmy!