July 14 - RMC Yeatley
Complex Split Lake and RMC Kingsmead
Having enjoyed Split Lake so much on our previous visit we
decided to have another go. It was a lovely morning, we'd gotten up a
little after 6 a.m. and made the half hour drive before rush hour. There
is nothing like early morning on a lake. We unloaded the gear from the
carp barrow and started to set up.
And then Steve discovered that he'd forgotten the tackle
box. It holds most of the hooks, leads, sinkers, line scissors, swivle
links and other small, essentials. Our three carp rods had their
hooks, links and weights stowed with them... unfortunately, for the type of
terrain at Split Lake, we couldn't cast with these rigs. After mentally
kicking ourselves we decided to go back home and get the tackle box and hit
Kingsmead, which is closer.
By now it was late morning and the day was turning hot and
humid. A typical July day when you don't want to be moving around much, a
perfect day for sitting by a lake. While Steve set up, the peg was only
big enough for one of us to actually fish, I wandered around watching
butterflies and listening to the bees drone in the underbrush.
There were plenty of summer wildflowers, about which I know nothing. Next on my list is a pocket guide to British wildflowers.
And one on British bug life. Pretty
little red beetle... maybe it's not a beetle? I think it is sitting on Cow
Parsley or Queen Anne's Lace. You see, I really do need that book on
wildflowers.
Steve spotted a Grey Heron nearby and I managed to get one
grainy shot. I think it was too hot for even it to be fishing.
Steve was getting nothing on the Carp rods
so he set up a float and soon had Roach biting.
I found some Morning Glory blooming in the shade. Yes, even I know what Morning Glory looks like.
Steve landed some more silver fish, among them this little Perch....
... but alas, not a single Carp. Yet again we packed up at the end of the day with not even a sniff of Carp. Gravel pits are not the easiest places to fish, but we will keep coming back. After all, that's what fishing is all about.