The Piscatorial Raconteurs & Friends – February, The Shortest Month & The Longest Of Goodbye’s

It is February, the gloom of winter is almost done and the onset of spring is a welcome prospect. The gradual increase in the daylight hours since the winter solstice is noticeable and happily embraced.

The coarse fishing season will soon come to its end, a time perhaps to reflect, to ponder our past achievements and the things we still hope to tip from our buckets during the new season. There are still opportunities though for some anglers, as the coarse season closes, the trout season begins and those of us who like to cast a fly can continue to enjoy some sport on the river, wielding a fly rod.

There has been some snow in The Dales during recent weeks but storm force winds have been more troublesome. The lane has been scattered with tree debris but, thankfully, nothing to prevent us from going about our normal routines. We are not out of the woods yet though; it is not unusual to experience heavy snowfalls here in early spring which can keep us holed up and reliant upon a well-stocked cellar and frozen milk.

A jaunt to the top of the garden at this time of year often reveals a visual spectacle, whether it be a view across the valley or something that appears a yard or so in front of one’s nose.

A recent foray up the grassy slope revealed such a treat; the seasonal low winter sun, a dusting of snow and sub-zero temperatures have bedazzled the ferns growing beside a dead stump in our hillside wilding area. The image just had to be captured and shared.

I tend to anticipate winter’s arrival with a sense of foreboding and condemn it in equal measure, but there is beauty to behold during its tenure. We should bask in that glory and relish the captivating scenes and winter-scapes that nature bestows across the land.

As we await the vernal equinox, some milder weather and the joy and splendour of spring, there is still much to savour.

Jeremy Croxall, Derbyshire – February 2024

The Magnificent Roach – A Beauty That Shines So Vividly In Winter

The Piscatorial Raconteurs Articles

Carl Hier, Martin James MBE, Pallenpool, Tengisgol, Jeremy Croxall, Solithar & R.B.Traditional

Pallenpool – The Prospect Of Roach & A Wisp Of Snipe ‘Yesterday’s turnover of soil has released a marginal but noted warmth, as it rises from the uppermost layers of freshly ploughed earth a fine mist haunts the acres. The last two days have seen clement temperatures and even now so early in the year the scene is being drafted for those seemingly endless days of summer‘ continue reading

R.B.Traditional – Finding Eden ‘At lunch time I jumped into the Land Rover and popped up to the village bakers to buy a split tin loaf. I’m always met by the same friendly smile, a knowing look and the question, “off fishing again?” It’s a well-versed routine as I smile back, nod in agreement and hand over the emergency ten-pound note which is kept under the sun visor in the motor, for that unexpected opportunity of a pint!‘ continue reading

Tengisgol – Denny, Skiff & The Rotor Gear Angling Club ‘In keeping with this eccentricity, his fishing tackle and attire was timeworn; modernity was not a quality Fez appreciated. When others were sporting Pegley Davies, or East Anglian glass fibre, Fez was perfectly happy to rely on his beloved split cane. For dace he waggled an Aspindale, tench and chub would be tamed with an Oliver’s General Float Rod’ continue reading

Carl Hier – Casting A Fly In The Heart Of Wales ‘Had I been permitted a small float, a few split-shot and perhaps a handful of worms, then I am sure the river would have opened uplike a new book and the possibility of success, as well as my confidence, would have soared. On this day however, I was limited to fishing with a ‘bait’ that had neither smell nor flavour’ continue reading

Solithar – Wisdom Gained Through The Visit Of A Wild Trout ‘Once or twice I tried breaching the fluid veil of our mutual border, inviting him for an alluring fly chase or some sort of tasty morsel. He eloquently denied my proceedings, on which occasions I had learned that this will not be an acquaintance to be made through uncouth means, but through a reciprocal willingness to meet… at the right time’ continue reading

Jeremy Croxall – Wolf Moon ‘I have a sweet little seven foot bamboo brook rod which will flick a silk line delicately, yet purposefully, to any position of my choosing, either to cover a rising fish, or to prospect a likely looking slack where, I fancy, the trout will be holding station in the slow current‘ continue reading

Martin James M.B.E – Some Winter Sessions With Barbel, Chub & Perch ‘For my February feature I am whisking you back in time for a few days fishing in Berkshire on the River Kennet and also a large gravel pit. February can often be a very difficult month for coarse fishing, especially if we get a lot of snow, ice or rain. The weather can often prevail for  day after day, and often into a week or more. It’s surprising how often even in bad weather conditions you can still catch fish‘ continue reading