The Northern Monkey and the Hot Water Bottle

Another season begins and a return to the lake for our good friend and northern monkey Neil,hoping to poach one of the big girls before anyone else has chance. The weather to greet him at the airport with John and Jan was favourable with clear skies and strengthening warm wind. Quickly setting up in the slip swim on arrival at the lake in strong sunshine and casting towards the tree line he quickly moved onto 5 fish through into his second day but once again the local weather decided to do a complete u turn with bitter winds and sudden drop in temperature, which had the fish heading for cover. Unknown to Neil it seems he may have suffered from a touch of sunstroke as he appeared at the dinner table shivering and donning woolly hat and extreme winter clothing. This, after spending the previous day in shorts in near 30 degree heat. A drop to 9 degrees during the day then -2 during the night to leave a deposit of ice in the rings, crazy weather. What Neil omitted to tell me was the little present Jan gave him to return to his bivvy with, a hot water bottle shaped pressie that he hung onto for dear life as he scurried back to the confines of the bivvy along with another sleeping bag, awwww bless. I have to say though in Neil’s defence I have suffered these sudden temperature drops and indeed the bitter easterly winds during a February trip and it’s not funny I can tell you, still trying to find the dangly bits that fell off above said northern monkey.

The rest of the week saw Neil working hard stalking in the moat and at its mouth to bring his tally to a very respectable 11 fish from high teens to a mirror of 27lb 14 including 3 x 20s, struggling in the changeable conditions.

One thing noticeable was the fact that neither Neil nor John recognised any of the fish either from previous personal captures or photographs which is looking good for the future of the lake and its stock as all we’re in fantastic condition and fought like demons.

Once again Neil left the lake a happy yet frustrated happy vowing to do battle with something larger on his next visit.

Hopefully the break of a week will see the return of warmer settled weather for the return of myself, mother dear and a new visitor in the shape of Danny Murphy lookalike Dave. Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment.