Well after some really difficult sessions interspersed with futile salmon fishing and some great trout and grayling days, the Pike have begun to leave their summer sleeping behind and are well up for a spot of bother. The last weekend saw the first good session in ages and saw us slide the net under plenty of hard fighting double figure pike from the northern lake district and best of all we have had some upper doubles as well with fish to 19lbs. Both Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater have experienced a huge explosion in juvenile fish numbers this summer and large shoals of roach and perch have been seen during the warmer weather.

We even had a few Rudd off Derwentwater over the summer- not huge ones admittedly, but fish which I would guess are about three years old and although they shouldn’t really be in there I’m sure the predators will welcome the boost to their food stocks. I’m staying on the northern lakes till the beginning of November but then shift operations down to Windermere for the legendary pike fishing to be had down there. It is rapidly becoming a favourite pastime this winter pike fishing on Windermere. It can sometimes be hard fishing and there’s always a few days where, in spite of the constant cups of tea and Eccles cakes, the fish are proving hard to get but on the good days….when that float twitches, pauses, then slides away, it’s a priceless moment and one that will draw me back as long as there’s a chance of another gorgeous twenty pound fish from the depths.

I’m only down there till the middle of December, then again in spring from around Valentines day to mid march but I love it. Civilised fishing with comfort and shelter, just the job for an old angling guide. We might even get a few more singing duets with Gord Burton which is always an entertainment out in the middle of the lake!!! However, between now and then though I have a few big Grayling to catch and hopefully a salmon of two before the seasons end. We had some fabulous Grayling off the Eden today on the dry fly as well as few trout that didn’t know it is the close season. Off to Stocks on Wednesday for some rainbow chasing and then its back to work hunting pike and salmon. AS always I’ll let you know how things are going although I’m busy working on both the ‘Tales from the Doghouse’ book and the new web site at the moment so updates on line may be a little slow.

Tarra, Eric

There are some bigger ones in there!

Phil Lee with his first 2lb perch

Perch going back