Issue No. XXI, October 16th 2024
Autumn, A Time Of Transition
Autumn Wonderment
I love the fitful gusts that shakes
The casement all the day
And from the mossy elm tree takes
The faded leaf away
Twirling it by the window-pane
With thousand others down the lane
An extract from Autumn by John Clare
Turning the page to a new chapter can be a thought provoking time in any story, a chance to take stock, to ponder on times past and to consider what the days ahead may bring; the changing of a season is no exception.
The first day of astronomical autumn is marked by the equinox, around the 21st of September, when daylight and dark hours are equal. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). Gradually, as the world orbits the sun on its tilted axis, our northern hemisphere sees less of the sun and the warm daylight that has blessed our long, sultry summer days, diminishes day by day. On the other hand, for statistical purposes and in meteorological terms, the year for weather scientists is split into quarters based on annual temperature cycles. When taking this approach, autumn starts on 1 September and lasts until 30 November.
Calendar dates, however, are no observer of strict rules. During this time period, spells of warm weather can still give the impression of an extended summer or cold winds can seem like the early onset of winter. Whatever the weather systems bring, many changes in nature happen around these times; the natural world gears up for the new season in a glorious transformation from summer to autumn, ultimately adjusting and readying itself for winter and more challenging times ahead.
All around us, we marvel as the shades of green that have kept us company through the summer slowly, but surely, migrate to pale yellows, russet browns and more fiery ambers, golds and scarlets. This gloriously rich bombardment of colour is the very essence of autumnal vistas. Leaves that have provided shade for so long now slowly whither and fall to the very ground from which their host plant originated. It can be natural to feel a little melancholy as we see signs of summer quite literally die before our very eyes.
Some much-loved companions have already left the stage. Amongst them, nightingales, swifts, swallows and cuckoos have all bade farewell to fly south. Their journeys of unimaginable toil and distance are undertaken without hesitation. The weather they face may oppose rather than help them on their way but, nevertheless, they are wired to travel overwhelming distances.
Soon their places will be taken by redwings, fieldfares and many varieties of geese, ducks and swans that spend winter on our shores. This changing of the ornithological guard is another sure sign that we have turned the page.
Morning freshness and abundant dew are reminders that colder times may not yet be with us but they’re on their way. Droplets hang on spider’s webs, glistening as if on display in a jewellery shop window. In the hedgerows, plump blackberries make way for rose-hips, sloes and elderberries, a main course for our mammals and birds at this time of year.
The sounds of autumn are equally mesmerizing. The rustling of the drying leaves as they dance on the swirling breezes around us. Crunching woodland walks through leaf-litter provide their own soundtrack, far better than anything a pair of earphones could offer. Damp earth and fungi combine with the decaying leaves to fill the air with evocative aromas. Wherever they can, earthworms, wood lice and many other invertebrates work hard to cleanse and recycle dying vegetation.
And for the angler, autumn promises much. Prolific summer plants that have grown strongly along the banks and below the water finally meet their match with the turn of the season. The arrival of autumn gradually helps to provide access as bankside greenery begins to lose its fight for life.
T-shirts and shorts can be put aside for the time being. Now is the time to consider manageable layers of clothing. Hats are revisited, with less focus on achieving shade from the sun and more thought given to keeping warm. As the first frosts bare their glistening teeth, thoughts for many turn to Esox Lucius and forthcoming battles with ferocious monster pike. Others may take a different approach and pursue that other voracious predator, the handsome perch.
Indian summers can be a welcome diversion on the way to colder easterly winds and crisp fresh mornings but, as always, the fish we choose to pursue, our selection of swim and choice of bait will depend on the conditions. Rivers can be clearer when summer weed growth reduces but a flexible approach is often needed as waters quickly colour following periods of autumn rain. If temperatures do not suddenly nosedive overnight, a flood accompanied by mild temperatures can be a prolific time for many river species.
In truth, throughout autumn we and the animal kingdom are all preparing for colder times. Our seasonal lives and behaviours are, in fact, inextricably linked. Both we and Mother Nature are in transition. Our time may not be spent burying nuts and planning hibernation but we harvest, we stock up. We are all setting up our homes for shorter, darker, colder days.
If we share anything with the natural world, it is the need to adapt to prevailing conditions. We are all managing our vulnerabilities. Driven by the change in seasons, all creatures great and small, young and old, adjust their habits to ensure warmth, secure food-supply and preservation. In life, flexibility and adaptation are critical.
To adapt is to optimize opportunities and for some, to adapt is to survive.
Carl Hier – October, 2024
The Piscatorial Raconteurs & Friends – ‘being the quiet observations of Gentlemen Anglers‘
Within these pages you will find peace and warm reflection in what we believe is a quiet backwater. Here one can while away time sitting comfortably in a familiar armchair accompanied by a favoured tipple’… continue reading
Keeping An Eye On Proceedings
Tackle Gallery
The gallery has been updated – so a few more gems to unearth.
There are many reasons we enjoy our art of angling, the countryside, nature, of course the fish we angle for & most definitely the tackles – predominantly from a bygone age, & on occasion crafted today, always by hand keeping alive the artisanal traditions of yesteryear.
Use the chevrons to navigate the gallery. Using an i-phone or similar just click on the image to scroll through.
This gallery will be updated periodically so make sure you drop in every edition.
A Thought For The Day
‘From Tiny Acorns Do Mighty Oaks Grow‘
There it stands, as it has done for perhaps four hundred years, majestic, strong and ancient. It captured my heart when I was a young boy, its venerable presence always commanding my attention and evoking a deep sense of reverence and respect within me.
The first time I laid eyes on it, some fifty years ago, was an unforgettable moment. Its gnarled trunk and sprawling branches told a story of perseverance and resilience. I was instantly captivated by the grandeur and the sense of serenity it exuded, the old oak became a sanctuary for my thoughts, providing solace during challenging times. Whether I was seeking refuge from the sun or perhaps the rain beneath the leafy canopy or pondering life while gazing up at the time-worn and weathered bark, it became a friend and integral part of my life and Identity.
Over time, I have developed a deep emotional attachment to this ancient oak tree, recognising its importance as a living testament to the passage of time, for it has witnessed countless cycles of life, enduring many storms over decades past whilst silently bearing witness to the lives of a multitude of creatures which call it home.
Its branches spread high and wide reach out as an enduring symbol of nature’s wisdom and power.
Aware of its eventual demise, my connection with the tree has grown even stronger, serving as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of all living things including myself.
Witnessing its gradual but noticeable decline strikes a chord within me, as I too grow older and reflect on the inevitability of life’s impermanence. The oak tree’s fading vitality serves as a poignant metaphor for the cycle of life, teaching me to value each present moment and to cherish nature’s unrepeatable beauty.
Moreover, this ancient oak tree has become a catalyst for my exploration of ecological awareness and conservation. Its dwindling existence has prompted me to seek ways to mitigate the ecological impact in our world and preserve the magnificent flora and fauna that enrich our world. I strive to honour the legacy of this majestic oak tree and nurture a sustainable future for generations to come.
As I witness the essence of life slowly fading away, I am reminded of the connectedness of all living things and the need to embrace and protect the gifts of nature. This oak tree, with its long-standing presence and sagely demeanour, has instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the beauty of our natural world.
R.B. Traditional – Kent, Autumn 2024
Readers Picture – October’s Edition
The ‘Edition’s Picture’ is an image sent in from our readership, which we believe is deserving of a wider appreciation. One of the joys angling offers is being ‘as near to one’ with nature and our surroundings. This edition’s picture absolutely upholds this approach and highlights what is possible when to “Be Quiet & Go A’ Angling” affords us such reward.
If you have a picture or illustration you would like to share please send it in using the contact form found in the site menu. We will sort something to send the editions Picture Contributor.
“I noticed the otter surface with a crayfish in its claws, the otter then repeated the feat a few times and was so unaware of my presence it enabled me to take a few pictures. This is my favourite – Mid Dive”
Peter Osbourne – River Bure, Norfolk 2024
This Issue’s Contemplations
The Piscatorial Raconteurs October Miscellany – David Craine, Paul Adams & Carl Hier Plus The Raconteurs Articles – R.B. Traditional, Pallenpool, Martin James MBE, David Craine, Paul Adams, Carl Hier, David West-Beale, Tengisgol & Earthing The Current. October’s Guest – Ruth Craine
October’s Miscellany
Paul Adams – Fishing With A Fly By Bliss Perry – ‘Fortunately, when describing angling methods and favourite venues his narrative is much more eloquent, harking back to a more peaceful and pastoral era that we can but envy today‘ continue reading
Carl Hier – A Piscatorial Vocabulary ‘In 2015, a group of prominent authors including Robert Macfarlane, Simon Barnes, Margaret Atwood, Richard Mabey, Sir John Lister-Kaye, Helen Macdonald and many others joined together in protest‘ continue reading
David Craine – The Value Of A Diary, Part Two, ‘‘The following is a page picked at random from my diaries regarding one of my many trips to the Ribble. As you can see, Thursday the 5th June 2007 was a reasonable day’s fishing; well, for me at least’ continue reading
This Editions Features & Articles
Guest Articles
Ruth Craine
Ruth Craine – Walking The Lyn Peninsula ‘The sun suddenly vanished and I turned around to see this very dramatic cloud briefly blocking out the evening sunshine. I had better luck photographing this than I did the oystercatchers that were playing hard to get but still fun to watch’ continue reading
The Piscatorial Raconteurs Articles
Martin James MBE, David Craine, Carl Hier, Paul Adams, David West-Beale, Tengisgol, R.B.Traditional, Pallenpool & Earthing The Current
Paul Adams – In Praise Of The Tiddler ‘There is, though, a sinister side to small fish; more specifically, the absence of small fish. I have never fished the Kennet but these same friends enjoyed it at its peaks as a barbel fishery twenty years ago. In the years that followed, the reports were of consistently bigger fish, doubles being the unit of currency. Amongst this gushing euphoria, it was only an alert few who voiced alarm at the absence of smaller fish continue reading
Carl Hier – Returns To His Spiritual Home ‘The humble cane rod creaks and, for a while, I was not confident of the outcome but eventually, ultimately, I and the rod gradually, together, overcome the stubborn defiance on the end of the line and a pristine barbel slides into the net. A quick photograph and. with a strong flick of its tail, a beautiful bar of gold returns to its home’ continue reading
Martin James MBE – Fly Fishing For Pike ‘The fish is moving slowly upstream and I have just one chance. I shot the line, the fly landed with a slight plop, hardly breaking the water surface. The fish moves its head slightly then slowly turns. This is the moment I have been waiting for all morning‘ continue reading
Pallenpool – Four Season’s In One Autumnal Morning ‘At the head of this field a two way dilemma awaits, one path routes back to the cottage via an old copse most of which was planted with beech in the 1900’s by the estate gardener’s. Their elegantly twisted forms reveal and transform slowly as their leaves fall, beneath the hummus becomes richly pleated and coloured‘ continue reading
Earthing The Current – A Barbel At Blackberry Time ‘The fish has found refuge either in or around unseen weed. The rod is near vertical but has taken on an impressive curve. I am determined not to ease off the pressure given the barbless hook, so all is stalemate. The reel ticks, then ticks a second time, and the rod pulses in my hands as the fish breaks cover; advantage me. Back downstream the prize comes and then sulks on the bottom again, somewhere out in front of me‘ continue reading
R.B.Traditional – Musings From The Woodcutters Arms ‘I picked up the book again and the pages fell open at a chapter entitled ‘Roving for Perch’ and for perhaps the next twenty minutes I was immersed in the words of Arthur Sharp, written in 1932 within his fine book “A Fisherman’s Creel.” Oh, how our forefathers could paint a picture in one’s mind of their angling and countryside adventures with their sublime mastery of the English language’ continue reading
David West-Beale – Some Things I Have Learned About Grayling ‘In France it is l’ombre – the shadow – and the French know a thing or deux about grayling. In fact it is flies tied by Stan at Nymph Évolution that fill the top and bottom rows of my fly box today – heavy ceramic larva at one end of my nymph spectrum and tiny size 20 nano patterns at the other. These are courtesy of one of my favourite confectioners, Barbless Flies (yes, a dealer does come in handy when you don’t have time to grow your own)‘ continue reading
David Craine – An Annual Adventure To The River Teme ‘After making my way through the undergrowth I reached a tree where, after removing the odd branch, I managed to force my way around to its left and down another steep bank to river level. There was a jumble of rock and assorted bankside debris at water level; not having much room to manoeuvre, it would be a strictly one rod approach’ continue reading
Tengisgol – Ancient Fibres ‘Just short of a century later, the rod is here in Catalonia. I didn’t fancy a trip to Iraq (not too welcoming), Indian mahseer are far more difficult to reach than they were even twenty years ago, but the mighty Ebro presented an opportunity to battle Silurus Glanis (Wels Catfish) to give it a proper test‘ continue reading
The Piscatorial Raconteurs & Friends is a copyright & extends to the logo & all material whether written or photographic.
You must be logged in to post a comment.