Old Gravel Pits

[Guest tigger]

I do not know the reasons why, but on a few waters, I have experienced a state of being where you seem to tune into the atmosphere of the place to such a degree, that you had an awareness that something was about to happen. For example you could have been fairly inactive for a long period of time, then for no reason, your senses are alerted and you are bolt upright in anticipation and on many occassions this has resulted in the capture of a decent fish. I used to wonder if it was my immagination playing tricks has it certainly has at times but it has happened on too many occassions for that. I certainly can't explain this sense of esp and I wonder how many others have similar experiences. Is it some remote link to our hunting past ?. I don't know and I am sure that it wiull sound far ferched to some people but it is like having a sense of acceptance from your surroundings.

 

 

I can go all day with no sign of a bite and then as soon as I go for a pee or get half way through pouring a brew or eating a butty my foat goes under or my reel starts screeming.

[Vagabond]

you could have been fairly inactive for a long period of time, then for no reason, your senses are alerted and you are bolt upright in anticipation and on many occassions this has resulted in the capture of a decent fish.

 

So true.

Fished at Wingham last week - Rain poured down, savage winds, for the first time in my life I took a tent with me to keep the elements off. Biteless for ages, crouched in the tent reading a book.

 

At last the rain suddenly stopped, the wind died down, and four things happened all at once I put my book down and sat up, some caddis flies and alder flies came out, some hirudines appeared from nowhere to eat them, and a tench took my bait.

Edited June 2, 2008 by Vagabond

[Steve Burke]

Reverting to the original question, a mature gravel pit may well fit the bill. But not all such waters will do so, whilst others such as certain estate lakes may tick all the boxes as well.

 

It'll depend a lot on stocking levels. Some gravel pits are artificially overstocked like most commercials. There the fish will be artificially easy to catch and almost certainly not what you're looking for. In particular they're not likely to have the "soul" you're seeking.

 

Everyone's definition of soul will differ. I very much like Tincatinca's description, and Tigger's water certainly seems to qualify.

 

For me though, no overstocked water would do so, even if it were perfect in every other way. It must have the challenge of difficult fishing, which in turn probably (although not necessarily) means specimen fish.

 

However top of my list would be somewhere where I could totally unwind. Therefore it absolutely must be quiet and peaceful. I've got to be able to literally emerse myself in the place; be a part of it and inside it, rather than a visitor looking in from outside.

 

Next it would have to be beautiful, preferably in a mountainous setting or, better still, tree-lined.

 

Finally it would also have to have mystery. If I knew what my Coarse Lake at Wingham contained I'd quickly lose interest. I've got to be able to at least dream of catching an unknown monster.

 

Such waters aren't easy to find. But they are out there. It's just that those who know about them jeasously guard their secret.

 

And even then, when you do find your dream water, it all too often turns out to be private!

[chesters1]

just done my rounds ,just the one angler soundly asleep in his chair ,even ex ironstone quarries have something ,he even still had his blackberry (pda not fruit) openly displayed on his box.

on waking him (cruel chesters1) i asked if he could hear it ,he said what? i said nothing absolutely nothing! even the coots were kipping

 

for such a large and good club stockbridge pond rarely has more than ten anglers on a day ,no carp you see or rather no carp anglers just gentile fisherfolks with float or ledger not caring if they bag up ,i say it often if you want a water you dont mind blanking on its in tilford ,catching fish is the cherry on top

Edited June 2, 2008 by chesters1