What would you describe as the perfect day’s fishing? Perhaps it’s landing something truly remarkable, or is it simply spending time on the bank with good mates? River keeper James Buckley and a few of his mates recently embarked on a pike trip that has to come close to that ‘perfect’ definition.
Between them, they landed over 20 fish, including this superb 31lb 2oz PB for James, and a 26lb 3oz PB for his friend, Rowan Purbrick. What’s more, they were fishing a small, gin-clear water with little reputation for the species, and shared lots of laughs, and plenty of bacon sandwiches, between them.
“I had asked my mates Rowan, John and Matt if they fancied having a go for pike on a small lake that I knew had the potential to produce a few big fish, but nothing prepared us for what happened,” James told us. “The water does get fished, but not by pike anglers, and I know that the regulars, don’t know how big the fish go in there. It’s very clear, so you can spot the fish as you walk around the lake, provided that you move slowly and don’t spook them.”
Fishing simple tactics, with float fished deadbaits of roach and trout, the four friends enjoyed superb sport, spending no more than 20 minutes in a spot before a recast or a move. “We landed fish of all sizes, from big doubles right down to a tiny fish of 1lb,” James revealed. “The largest was caught by myself – a 31lb 2oz monster, which I landed on my trusty Avon rod and centrepin reel. It’s my new PB but wasn’t the only one of the trip. Rowan managed his best-ever in the shape of a 26lb 3oz fish. He watched it come into the clear, shallow swim, and saw it pick up his bait! “It was a day we’ll remember forever,” James added.
Well done James!