As the sun finally set (and the gate clicked shut) on Rum Bridge Fisheries’ first weekend, I took a moment to gaze across the Road Lake, to the twinkling Monkey-lights of the far-bank bivvies; and I couldn’t help but be reminded of the much-missed Ronnie Barker.
Or more specifically his alter ego, Arkwright.
Not just because we’re both overweight, curmudgeonly and open all hours.
Rather because, well… it’s been funny old couple of days.
Weather-wise: we’ve enjoyed all four seasons in as many hours: bright sunshine and biting northerlies; 40 miles-per-hour gusts; torrential rain; sleet, hale … you get the picture.
On the Speci Lake, one of our anglers banked a PB; another a brace of 20s – one a common, one a mirror.
The latter, a fish that had slipped the hook, the previous evening.
The former, a fish which has gained over two pounds in weight over the winter.
This in addition to a 20lbs 8oz mirror, foul-hooked in the pec, and landed from The Moat.
A fish which was stocked in September at just 17lbs and change.
All of which suggests, these ‘Rum Bridge waters’ may be a whole lot more… fecund than first thought.
How long, then, till we see our first Road Lake ‘30’ – and, better yet, Speci Lake’40’ – crossing some lucky carper’s spreader block?
Put like that, I might even be tempted to have a dabble myself.
Meantime, I’m pleased to report, almost one year on, we’re finally seeing a modest return on our investment in cash, sweat and tears.
Which, to borrow from another comedy hero – the Fast Show’s Mark Williams – “is nice”.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve one final task to complete, before bed: having extensively tested the takeaway menu (and instore snacks), I must now ‘QA’ the John Smith’s.
Well, best to be safe.
At this rate, give me another 12 months, and the similarities with G-g-g-Granville’s uncle will doubtless be all-too-apparent.
In the girth, if not the bank balance.
