The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.*** - Pre-baiting and Prittle-Prattle

A lovely day again, very humid though and rather sticky, still out in the garden was quite nice especially as the kid had a job to do. A rainbow painting to show our appreciation.

We've various friends who work for the NHS one in-particular Kate is a critical care staff nurse for one of the Coventry hospitals and she has been in the thick of it.

Now back on the bike again for some me time, this trip down to a stretch of canal I've not fished before despite being just down the road. I've fished above and below it but this section is leased by a club.

In-fact tell a lie, I did poach it once many moons ago and caught some zedlets from a turning bay but it was when I stumbled upon a sign half way down the stretch after a Google, I realised I was fishing where I shouldn't.

It's an expensive club too, because they have some nice stretches of river but the joining fee (payable once) is £75 and its water command annual subs of £106.

The river stretches to be fair look very good indeed, but for someone that has to grab a couple of hours here and there, the local waters to me are more suitable.

A taster meal for two with pairing wines down at the local fine dining establishment (when it opens again) or to fish a small'ish section of canal for a chance of a big Zander, sadly I know where my money would go.

It's a lovely stretch mind you, in-fact the first overhang I came to a small carp was holding up. You might just about make it out in the picture above this one, sadly it didn't have a taste for marmite rice cakes, in-fact it didn't seem interested in moving from its spot, it was just enjoying the sun.

Because there are restrictions on boat movement too, the canals are much clearer than I'm used to. It really did show how shallow it is here, which when you're a big Zander, there are probably only a few areas where you would likely hold up.

The water was alive with fry and a few strikes by Perch this stretch seems more alive than I've seen the canal in a long time. Safety in numbers I suppose because in areas they congregated in very big numbers indeed.

It's picturesque and quiet too which is another large tick in the box, but....

....to be fair it didn't shout big Zander, there were a couple of areas I'm sure they could be hiding up, one a marginal reed bed that went on for a couple twenty metres or so. It looked much deeper close in there and also a large bay where over at the far bank there was a nice cluster of trees.

I've not doubt there are some Zander here, but unless I'm banned from driving, which in the Jimny it wouldn't be for speeding but another misdemeanour a cycle or a walk is all I'd do here, fishing just won't happen.

Anyway a nice trip out, soon back home, the deck seemingly a meeting point for all these hover bees / flies, the kids thinking they were wasps. Citronella masking the smell of a rather large gin and tonic, but doing nothing to deter these insects in numbers.

Still the painting was finished, nice and vibrant too, it certainly stood out.

Now talking of standing out, an area I can bike to had a new feature reveal itself, to be fair it was hardly hidden, a fallen tree had made a nice canopy of the river, holding spot for Zed's I'm sure. So I think a little pre-baiting is in order, I'm not talking every day, just those days we all don't go out.

I've never pre-baited for Zeds before, but if we cannot fish, as soon as the drawbridge goes up, a primed swim for a quick bite might well be worth a go.

The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.*** - Rod Mounts and Royal Scamps

I'd been wanting to fit a rod rack to the Jimny for a while because sometimes when I've driven along the river bank or driven from one canal stretch to another, it would have been nice not having to break down the rods.

Ok not a massive inconvenience I suppose but every little helps and I will probably use it more than I originally thought I would have done.

I've been pottering and pottering once more in the garage trying not to go stir-crazy though and using some bits and pieces I'd already got, and a few purchases off Ebay I knocked up this simple set-up.

I had designed up something quick in CAD something that was more bespoke, that would have fitted on to the roof bars and then the rear rod holder bolted to it, but a little overkill really, especially as the 3D print would have cost £90.

Maybe I should like in to buying one, the various online places seemingly upping their prices because for obvious reasons, their market is elsewhere at the minute.

Still even when shelled out to only 3mm thick the size of the part and printing time would have been the main issue. I could have tweaked the design I suppose, but I stare at the CAD screen long enough these days.

So spending dosh like that would have been a bit stupid as not only would that would mean a couple or three bottles of this tasty and smooth rum I've been introduced to.

A sort through the garage there was a far simpler way.

So cable ties, nut and bolts, shackles, wraps and bungees, I came up with this.

I've hardly driven my car for over three weeks, these pictures taken on-route to the local shop a couple of miles away. Feels very odd indeed, but then I am driving a Suzuki Jimny :)

So I've not tested it properly yet though so need to give it a proper outing. Maybe when the lockdown is over for fear of having fingers pointed, eyebrows raised.

The good thing about the Jimny is the access to the roof, it's quite a tall car for it's diminutive size but swing the tailgate and you can step up on to the bumper no problem. Open the passengers door and the sill is nice and wide for a size 10.

I've some more robust ties for the front on the way, but you get the picture. It seems to do the job, now fingers crossed we can all get fishing soon, so I can try it out in anger.

For those that want a fishing fix as much as I do, get on to YouTube, you can do no worse than watching the latest instalment from Artificial Flight , featuring fellow WBAS syndicate member George Burton and a rather large Warwickshire Avon Barbel. 

From some of the humdrum you have to wade through, a cut above, something different, a format anglers especially of a particular era, appreciate. Typically as I was watching the Wife started waving the Dyson around ones ankles, the solitude evident in the video, something I could do with right now, I'm starting to struggle. 

The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.*** - Lambs Liver and Lepidopterology

These faggots are pretty easy to knock up, blitz some lambs liver and pork belly and a packet of sage and red onion stuffing, seasoning simply a nadger of mace and lots of black pepper.

Wrapped in streaky bacon you'd wonder how the hell Mr Brain's has managed to peddle his poor mushy flavourless imitation for so long.

Now we'd not be out of the village for almost three weeks but recently there was a change in government guidelines for those with autism so it meant with Ben's statement firmly in hand if we were challenged we could venture out a little further if we thought it would help his wellbeing.

Social distancing easily achieved on our walk which is a walk we do most weekends and it's almost part of his routine, a routine that keeps Ben from wondering off that path. Unless you've lived with someone with challenging and complex needs its hard to explain why this change is most welcome.

It's something we will use from time to time for sure if things get tough indoors because we've got to appreciate others haven't got the luxury in doing what we can now do. Even a short car journey like this was, his happy face clear to see, back to normal, for a short while anyway.

So a brisk walk in, a bag full of provisions and a visit to the chemist. a brisk walk back, Ben leading the way, his 'worm' more active than ever.

Stratford was dead, which for a sunny day incredible if it wasn't for the pandemic. As expected the Government advice taken up by the masses.  Still it felt odd, like we shouldn't be here, but then it would feel like that, a day earlier we couldn't have done what we just did, unlikely to do it again, for a while anyway.

We are lucky just think about those elderly and vulnerable in care homes who haven't seen their loved ones for example. Not a good situation so let's hope we can get over that seemingly rather big hurdle.

The Avon now low and clear, some small fish topping but it looked rather dead. It did highlight a nice deep area quite close in so that was noted.

I haven't really fished this area much, feeder and stick float tactics seem to the norm here and also the odd lure angler after the predators.

On the walk back a huge butterfly spotted, wing span easily hand sized. An escapee from the Butterfly Farm most likely.

A stunning creature that stopped us in our tracks, we watched it for a good while before it vanished out of sight.

So answers on a postcard please ? I'd love to know what it is.

So an hour out in the sun was well received. The walk certainly good for all, Ben lapped it up.

So back home, chill, barbecue, good music and good food. The weather superb, so another bike ride to the canal planned again most likely as well as a day of lego and YouTube planned.

Stay Safe !!!!