Its that time of year when all is more or less safely gathered in, and the fireside seems a wiser option than fishing. Yes…I know the die hards will be sitting out there waiting for the clunk as another lump of their anatomy falls to the frozen deck and on mild days I too will nip out for a mid winter session but it doesn’t take long to scratch the fishing itch when there’s still plenty of snow on the tops and another met office weather warning is broadcast. So forgive me if I wait till the days begin to get a bit longer and the pike a bit fatter. Mind, we have had a few good fish off the big lake in recent weeks with an average of four double figure pike most days and some memorable moments. My old mate Mr Hayes came up for a week and as usual we had a grand time, laughed a lot and did a bit of filming between wild weather sessions. Although the big ones were slow to show he managed a nice 22 on a chunked bait. Otherwise I have settled into writing a book! It seems all the rage these days and I’ve been meaning to do it for ages. I’m putting lots of what I have gleaned over the years about big water and Lake District fishing in general down for posterity before I get too daft and senile to remember it all. It might help a few folk to get among some better fish and while the weather is grim is a very enjoyable way to spend winter days when Mrs Hope lets me off from decorating and building work. But enough of this rambling…Christmas is coming fast….so… All the very best wishes to you and yours and I hope to see you over a bending rod sometime next year.

Stay safe, and look after your loved ones,

Tarra, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Winter Geese on Windermere

Or a day like this one please

Dear Santa..please can I have ….