Next cast and it was groundhog day as another fish escaped by the skin of its teeth.
It certainly wasn’t a case of third-time lucky, however, because the next one was taken by the pike the moment I struck at the bite.
It bit through the line and took its meal into the lilies, as I tied another hook and carried on fishing.
I did catch more fish but it remained slow.
I did hook what was either a big perch or roach or possibly a small tench though, which ended with a pulled hook.