HILDA'S FIRST EVER FISHING DO

How many times have you been in stitches, or hysterics or even smiled for more than a few minutes whilst fishing?

Well it took the mother in-law one little fishing trip to get me, Anne and Hilda laughing our heads of. We literally couldn't stop.

We started of in the middle of the afternoon and struggled to even get a bite, catching just two little rudd. So it was back to the swim on the syndicate for another cup of tea. I chucked about 5 big hand full's of maggots in as we left.

One cup of tea and a natter later we came back to the baited swim and literally had a bite a cast.

I was putting the float out, about a rod length and then immediately giving Hilda the rod who then either caught or missed fish after fish. Some of the missed bites ended up in the trees, round the rod tip or in the weeds, any where, but even that made us laugh.

We soon had it sorted though and the tactic turned into me to cast, Hilda to snatch the rod of me, wave it about a bit to fool the fish, lift one out, swing it at me, I had to catch it, un-hook it, return it, check the bait, cast out again and start again. I reckon we were catching 3-4 fish a minute, proper speed fishing.

Every fish was accompanied by a fit of laughter and I'm not really sure but I can't help thinking we laughed more when we missed one than when we caught one. Hilda is 88 going on 16 but the pressure did tell in the end and with a little relief from my side she had to have a rest, not before she learnt to place the float far enough out herself to catch the next victim.

Anne took over and made me help her so I was soon under the cosh again, speed gillie!!

Honestly it is so much fun knocking fish after fish out when there is kids (of all ages) willing to have a go. Parents should take a pint of maggots and a float rod with them every time.

Carp wise the lake produces loads this weekend but mostly to two anglers. I've been promised the pictures so will report that later, all I'll say for now is they caught about 30 fish each including a brace of 20's.

Gary

Hilda with one of her first. And yes, the rod is in the tree!

Sitting down was too slow

One of the biggest

Anne took over when Hilda was exhausted