I have neglected this blog since injuring both my wrists at the end of October, mostly because I have been unable to hold a fishing rod and have been wearing wrist supports on both arms for most of the time. I have really missed my fishing and without it I have lost my motivation to write my thoughts here. I have had to cancel several bookings for guided days out and I apologise to those I have had to let down but if someone is paying me to show them how to fish a certain water or fish with a specialist method then my verbal input is not enough. Try telling some one how to knot a tie without demonstration and you will see what I mean.

It is very important to me to give of my best and if I cannot do that then I think it is appropriate that I postpone the outing until I can do so. This incapacity has caused me to miss my favourite time of the year on the river and the best time for pike fishing on still waters, I have had reports from Chris Clarke about the huge dace and roach he has been catching and he has urged me to join him. Chris has promised me some photos to publish here as soon as he can find someone who can develop the Daguerreotype plates from the ancient camera he still uses. I have seen the rivers rise and fall due to heavy rain and I can imagine the effects of the early frosts on the bait fish in the Predator Lake on the Wasing Estate.

The season ticket for the river Itchen that I purchase each year and that is only valid from mid October to mid February has gone vitually unused. I have yet to fish the Predator Lake on the Wasing Estate for my own pleasure, having only visited it for coaching purposes.

Enough of the whinging, let me tell you what I have done.

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