I didn't see the point of getting out of bed driving down to the Avon only to drown baits all day waiting for dusk and the Zander to come on the feed. So I spent the morning answering a few e-mails and sorting kit out. but by noon my feet where itching so quick call to the EA's rivercall to see what the levels where and the car was packed and I left the house at about 12:30.
An hour later and the 2.4metres and falling had put the river well into the fields. not worth getting out of the car, but I didn't fancy the hour long drive back home to fish one of the local pits. There was no point either the pits gates close at 16:30 which would have given me only 2 hours fishing time. I rang Nick to have a moan but he told me that Sabrina might be fishable a little further upstream, with nothing to lose the car was promptly turned around and just 15 minutes later I was looking at a very swollen River Severn.
For me fishing is all about confidence and I had none, I've only ever played at fishing the rivers before and never in flood. not knowing this stretch of the Severn didn't help matters, but I was here now and I had no intention of going home without first casting a line.
Swim was chosen to the right of the lump where I'd parked the car, more out of convenience than anything else, though the area had a nice slack caused by the now well underwater car park. Two Roach where cast towards a just visible tree and after a small amount of bumping around the 4oz leads settled. Kettle on and wait... and wait... and wait. no sign of any fish, but as the sky was almost cloudless and the sun falling on the other side of the river, it was nice just to sit there quietly.
As the Sun fell behind a far bank tree a few small Roach jumped in front of the submerged tree that I'd cast to, where we to see some action now? No was the answer, though half an hour later the right hand optonic gave out a short burst then stopped. maybe a line bite or debris had drifted into the line I'm not sure but one thing I did know was that nothing had taken the bait!
Some time later a splash from upstream gained my attention, after a few minutes another, closer this time. I stood by my right hand rod scanning the water easy enough to do as the river was bathed in light from the full moon. I could see nothing for a few minutes but then close to the bank I could see something move, then a head popped up it saw me and with a bigger splash it was gone. too big for a mink, so my guessing was that it was an otter. A first for me. and the signal to pack up and head towards the nearest chip shop! And the long drive home. think I'll cancel the tip planned for tomorrow!
