The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.155 – Athymhormia and Abel-Wackets

A weekend butcher run to Alcester to get some pork shoulder, beef shin and some sausages meant we could have a walk along and actually in the river Arrow. The river was very low indeed but fish still around if like me as an angler knows where to look. Some of the holes were getting on for a metre deep and under ones polarised sunglasses there were some half decent chub milling around.

The water gin clear with a stony bottom !!!!

"Sam what is likely to live here"

"Bullheads Daddy !!!"

A couple of areas the kids, and me for that matter, took our shoes and socks off and went for a paddle. Initially the water was painfully cold, but after a few minutes perfectly fine for some shallow wading. 

Even constant fidget Ben who because of his condition never stops ALL day, but the sound of the water meant he put his 'worm' down, initially chucked some stones with Sam, but then, sat there with his toes in the water and just chilled for a good while, very nice to see, it doesn't happen very often.

According to scientific studies, being by the sea has a positive impact on mental health. Minerals in sea air reduce stress. Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain (they’re also present around waterfalls), which improves alertness and mental energy. 

Salt in the water preserves tryptamine, serotonin, and melatonin, which aid in diminishing depression, giving us a better night’s sleep, and boosting feelings of well-being.

My twin brother moved seaside to North Devon 7 or so years ago now from sunny Coventry and he has never looked back. The bombardment of pictures showing sunsets, sunrises and crashing waves a testament to that, that wouldn't happen back where we has was before unless he had a another burnt out car to to show me.

Ok he has some come back up the Midlands a couple of days a week to show his face in the office, but much of his work he is overlooking a wonderful seascape.

That's the thing there are some positives but also negatives, the work situation ain't the best and many locals are left wondering just how they will get that next pound for the electric meter. Still there appears a better sense of community despite the money situation, and they appear generally happier because of the location they live in.

Even the sound of water has positive effects on our mental health. Water sounds have long been used in meditation to create a soothing atmosphere for our minds. 

Science suggests that the rhythm of ocean waves and tides coming in and out can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain, encouraging a more peaceful pace of thought.

Some scientists refer to the sounds of water as “white noise,” in which we can hear any number of things and we are able to let go of our thoughts and let the noise wash over us. 

In listening to these sounds during meditation, we learn how to be present in the moment and directly experience things as they are instead of getting lost in rumination.

One of the psychological effects we’re most aware of when we’re by the sea, lakes, or waterfalls is a feeling of awe. There’s just something about the beauty and vastness of a natural scene that has a profound impact on the way we feel. Science has even found that such feelings can lead to prosocial behaviour like altruism, loving kindness, and magnanimity.

Some studies have even found that awe leads to greater life satisfaction. It fosters a sense that time is plentiful, and people donate more of theirs to charity while valuing experiences over possessions.

Anyway enough of that back to the fishing..

For this evening in to dusk session I met up with Nic from Avon Angling UK, luckily this stretch is quite open and social distancing isn't an issue. The towpaths wide for anyone passing, moored boats, yeap hardly any of them.

I was double dipping for this session a sleeper rod out for carp in the margins, a simple bread bomb and and Nic was fishing for whatever came along.

Here you wouldn't think would hold fish, in-fact me as a Zander angler would have walked past it but Nic had stumbled upon an area that seemingly despite the appearances does indeed hold some fish, an in numbers too. A bite was required you see because I'd blanked the last two times out.

The concrete walls may have something to do with it, much needed warming of the cockles, who knows, but a dip of the hand in the water shows it's significantly warmer than other areas. It's not particularly deep here, in-fact even slap bang in the middle of the boat track it's only 2.5 to 3ft deep maximum.

Now if local carp anglers want a challenge rather than fishing a containment where some fish actually have names, here is a good place to target, the carp patrol the margins and sometimes in numbers too. They are not stupid though and need to be caught off-guard, but then I thought carp fisherman like that, the chase, rather than bosh, spod, get-in !!!, have it !!! gas stove lit up whilst a background of drum and bass. 

When boats are moving here seems quite an active mooring spot, it's quiet, open and some nice countryside views, you can see why it's well used. 

That means it attracts ducks, swans and the like, the boaters feeding off their boats quantities of bread to feed the masses.

The carp presumingly are here because of that....

Anyway back to the session, and what a weird session it was. A bite literally within seconds of having the deadbait out it was fits and starts throughout the 3 hour session. Still 7 or 8 fish banked, including a nice chunky perch on a dead roach, the Zander were definitely up for a feed that's for sure.

Coming up to dusk the most active period and may well define my future sessions for Zander anyway. There was a definite flick of the switch that's for sure. Ok the fish were not the biggest but they all gave a very spirited fight to be fair and good fun. The dark colouring evident in all because the lack of turbidity. 

Nic on the other hand wasn't fairing as well, in-fact a couple or three bites that was it, small hooks, small baits were not doing it despite fishing moving and topping throughout the session. 

The carp, well, as expect nothing doing, they don't give up easily.....

The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.154 – Quinquagenarians and Qing Dynasties

Now capsaicin isn’t the only fiery compound that can elicit unique physiological responses. On the other end of the spectrum is a compound known as hydroxyl-alpha sanshool, commonly found in Bungaenum peppercorns.

This variety of peppercorn is commonly grown in the Sichuan province of China, and is referred to as the Sichuan peppercorn. The characteristic “flavour sensation” one might experience when eating Sichuan cuisine is a mind-numbing spiciness.

For this years batch of cheesepaste for winter Chub, I've added copious amounts of the pepper as I'm sure it will be a valuable addition to the other ingredients that make up ones pungent paste. Sichuan pepper has strong and pleasant aroma which I'm sure they will like and the lip tingling sensation something rubber lips would enjoy

Over two hundreds volatiles have been identified that are responsible for its citrus, woody, spicy notes. Due to its desirable odour quality, Sichuan pepper extract has been used in fine fragrances creation as an accent touch. 

Sichuan pepper is also a widely used spice in Chinese cuisine. It provides a unique flavor with tingling and numbing sensation and is commonly paired with chilli pepper to create Mala flavor, which literally means numbing and spicy.

Now this dish, also known as Kung Pao chicken, has the curious distinction of having been labelled as politically incorrect during the Cultural Revolution.

It is named after a late Qing Dynasty (late nineteenth century) governor of Sichuan, Ding Baozhen, who is said to have particularly enjoyed eating it , gong bao was his official title

One of my own creations to get the fix !!!!

No one can quite agree on the details of its origins: some say it was a dish Ding Baozhen brought with him from his home province of Guizhou; others that he ate it in a modest restaurant when he went out in humble dress to observe the real lives of his subjects; still others, rather implausibly, that his chef invented the finely chopped chicken dish because Ding Baozhen had bad teeth.

Gong Bao chicken is great to look at, a medley of chicken flesh (thighs best), golden peanuts and bright red chillies. The sauce is based on a light sweet-and-sour, pepped up with a deep chilli spiciness and Sichuan pepper that will make your lips tingle pleasantly.

The problem is to appease the western palate most Chinese restaurants and supermarket kits in this country serve up poor imitations, most without Sichuan Pepper, how does that work ? that should be a given.

The ingredients are all cut in harmony, light soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, the chicken in small cubes and the spring onions in short pieces to complement the peanuts. The chicken should be just cooked and wonderfully succulent, the nuts are added at the very last minute so they keep their crispness.

I must admit as a chilli lover, Sichuan Peppercorns really are quite addictive because they are rather unique.

That's good for me as the Wife who struggles with anything spicy means when I've knocked up a Kung Pao she gets a mere dusting of Sichuan Pepper, I get the proper hand shake, and another shake for the road before I dump on a load of thinly sliced red chilli.

You will probably have most of the ingredients in your larder if you use this kit. A simple dish to make and very close to the real thing. The cucumber really is a nice addition too, it's what I've been doing for a while when I make mine. Go on give it a go, you might become addicted like I have become.

Anyway back to the task in hand, canal Zander.

I'd only got Roach with me for this session I'm out of smelt which I've more confidence with especially when the water is nice and turbid. Probably 6 inches of visibility for this morning session.

Back to the waiting game, this mornings session very tough indeed. A couple of anglers were leaving after doing an overnighter had caught, but nothing to write home about.

It's a nice stretch this and Zander are in numbers if you stumble upon them, but bite can be few and far between. A good wander is a must and again 10,000 steps covered quite easily.

There didn't appear to be many fish moving however a dropped run in the second swim that's about as exciting as it got on the Zander front.

They were just not there, or just not interested, I'm probably a month or six weeks too late for the most productive time in the closed season as when it's cold they layup and don't do a fat lot but will happily take a bait if it lands on their head.

Now it's mild with plenty of baitfish to feed on it can be hard just to get a bite, finding that feeding spell is the key. A lure for sure might have been the better option and I might give a shad a chuck or two in the coming sessions I've got planned.

The Close Season Zander Quest Pt.153 – Groupuscules and Gynotikolobomassophiles

Now Clickbait, a form of false advertisement uses hyperlink text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content.

The aim and the defining characteristic of being deceptive, typically sensationalised or misleading.

It's the intentional act of over-promising or otherwise misrepresenting in a headline, on social media, in an image, or some combination what you’re going to find when you read a story on the web.

Now I wouldn't sink that low this is not Easy Fishing, no Sir, this Zander quest of mine is keeping you entertained I'm sure of it and I'm putting the effort in you cannot argue with that.

By far the most emails I get on fishing is about fishing for Zeds, they are a fascinating fish after all, they have certainly got me hooked....

....anyway eyes below please !!!!

Bigger waters equals bigger fish ? for sure, a greater volume of water to roam around in, more baitfish for the Zander to plunder, more space for a big Zander to stretch their fins.

Now sometime ago now, out of the blue a shad shifter caught what looked like a double figure Zander at a feature filled lock I recognised straight away which was actually on one of my cliquey club books.

Even with the picture turned in to lego bricks I could have worked it out, because I've put the miles in, despite not catching a canal double yet.

The fear on the face of the angler, a rather large Zander held aloft for all to see. I found the actual swim quite quickly, but to be honest after fishing deadbaits there for probably approaching 8 to 10 sessions so probably 40 or 50 hours of fishing time I've never caught a decent Zander there.

But it's a BIG are to cover, the volume of water between locks very large indeed, and in some of the lock mouths in and around this one, the depth for the grippa stop just goes up and up till the float can lay on the surface overdepth, they are deep here, deep I tell thee.

Now for me anything over 5lb is a half decent canal fish because most canal Zander you catch are the humdrum 30 or 40cm schoolie.

For lure anglers that don't tend to weigh their fish but measure the length instead a 5lber is around 58 cm's.

The handy chart below which I put together back in 2017 shows the Length-weight Relationship of rod caught Warwickshire Zander (Sander Lucioperca) Anything over 70cms gets interesting for me because that's when their frame changes, that's when they thicken out, they grow in to proper'uns.

The problem is having fished for canal Zander for a good while now, anything over 70cms is very rare indeed and they seem to be getting even harder to find.

One good thing though is despite the persecution and electro-fishing that is still carried out by the CRT, Zander are still in good numbers, as are the bait fish they feed on. In-fact the lockdown really was an eyeopener, with the canals relatively low and clear and with the sun out, the size of some of the roach shoals were huge.

So after mulling over where to fish on 'fish and chips Friday' the utopia swim chose itself, social distancing not an issue such its locality. Not only is footfall less that much of the local canals at the minute, you can tuck yourself away quite easily, largely unnoticed.

To be fair Jon Arthur the match fisherman put me on to this area a couple of years before this fish revealed itself, when I was on his brothers stag-do my good friend Micky Arthur.

The problem is it is much further away than I'd liked, and it was always hit and miss when I did fish the area if I'd get a bite or not. Now If I lived closer, this would certainly be ones playground.

Now interestingly the last proper trip before the lockdown I was down at this stretch and it ended up being quite productive. In-fact one swim I managed bite after bite and some sporting fish were caught.

Ok nothing big, but in this big double figure Zander chase, success is all about numbers, or pure luck. These larger transient fish don't give up easy, I know I've been chasing that elusive double  long enough.

So for this session I would have the deeper fishfinder with me, not only did I want to see just how deep some of these lock mouths were, but also when the floats were positioned it might be nice being able to see a fish turn up on the sonar whilst I was twiddling ones thumbs waiting for a bite.

The road I usually park on was closed when I got there, so I drove a mile down the road and parked up next to the canal.

The route to the big locks meant I'd have to go past 'Mick's Bush' swim, an area of cover that I caught a 7lb long and lean Zander from. It's always remained in ones memory because it was the first half decent Zander I'd caught.

The floats out for half an hour whilst enjoying a coffee, zilch....

The walk up the locks things were not looking good, as I've never seen a canal so clear.

In-fact the mile and a bit walk, I didn't spot one fish, being that clear I suppose they would be taking cover under moored boats or shoaled tight under some of the thicker cover.

Still there were the deep locks to fish, and the first dunk of the deeper showed that there were indeed fish in residence. However an hour with two deadbaits in two different lock mouths, the Zander were suspicious in their absence.

Not even a nudge of the float, a pull on the deadbait, very strange conditions, the odd fish topping but that was it. The lack of boat movement really had taken an effect.

Maybe chasing carp might have been the better idea, none spotted here mind you, I might have to stay closer to home. Still not all bad I watched some cheeky moorhen chicks getting in to mischief and I cover 10,000 steps quite easily, fishing exercise ? for me it is yes.