I was last at work physically on March 23, which means that in terms of touching individual months, now that we’re into July, that’s a total of five.
I know a lot of people in general hated being on furlough, but I am still loving it, all these weeks later.
The fact that I’m fishing, sometimes twice a day, is enough in itself.
Out on an overnighter tackling a big gravel pit, I got home and showered, and within a couple of hours I was off again, this time on a tiny pond after three-spined sticklebacks.
There are many things in life that you can never get enough of and angling most definitely is up there, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m most certainly enjoying the relaxed lifestyle that furlough has brought. Never underestimate quality of life.
I know it won’t last forever, but like all good things, I’m enjoying it, and have made the most of it.
Again, I caught lots of sticklebacks and I’m not lying if I say that I had action every single cast.
I’m quite enjoying targeting them at the moment and I’ve got another venue lined up as well, which will be featured shortly.
The tackle I fished with was as follows: Poachers Pocket mini-rod and reel. Reel line was 4lb Maxima Chameleon, leading to Ultima Virage 1lb 6oz fluorocarbon, joined by a loop-to-loop knot.
The float was hand-made and the hook was a Drennan Super Specialist micro barbed size 18. Bait was a single red maggot.
Good stuff. Of course, there are certain places where minnows and sticklebacks can be found together. River Avon at Evesham was one such place. In the 80s, I caught a 9/10 spined one and some minnows for our pond. They survived a long time.
Also back in the 80s, I went across to Chasewater with my net and bucket. I thought I was catching sticklebacks (“jackbanners” as my grandad called them) In fact I netted a young perch. I didn’t take it home though, would have been difficult to keep.
I knew them as jack bannocks, an old Birmingham / Black Country term for them.
Haven’t heard that for years, mind you don’t hear them I’m conversation so much generally these days anyway do you.
The net and the jam jar, with string as a handle, certainly brings back some memories of my own childhood.
Will your going for minnows atall?
Yes, definitely, Mark! They’re on the radar. Watch this space!
Stewart being furloughed may give people`free time` but it has pushed a lot of people into poverty. As I understand your church is involved in a lot of community activities including a Foodbank? I presume you`re well aware of the economic havoc this pandemic has wreaked alongside, illness and death. You`re a positive person which is an admirable attribute but not everyone is like you. I don`t need a crystal ball to see a huge spike in mental health problems, going fishing will not be an option for everyone.
I’m talking about me on a personal level, plain and simple. I thought that came over.
Going fishing more is about my life. I’m ready for semi-retirement, it’s where I’m at with my age anyway.
On a corporate level, I’m hoping the country gets back to where it was before, sooner rather than later.
Crossed fishing lines, Stewart. If I misread your opening sentence then I apologise. Yes your blog is about your life fishing and beyond , I guess the word `Furlough` is an emotive term and we would both recognise that for a lot of people it is not a happy place to be . Tight Lines D
No problem, it’s not an issue. I just saw it as conversation.
Have a great day 👍
Yes, Stewart if you write a blog I guess you hope it will stimulate discussion. You also have a great day.
Of course, I actually enjoy the conversation. Always nice to get a comments notification!