DDW Challenge; lochetic - lying in wait for prey

When I was about 11 years old, a friend of my dad’s took me fishing. The friend loaned me an old rod and reel - this was one of those ‘if it’s just a phase, there’s no point buying a fishing rod’ sort of decision that parents often make.

We cycled about 4 or 5 miles to the fishing spot - a small river with a deep pool at the river’s bend. The pool was shaded by trees and the eddies swirled, sometimes joining the river, but more often than not returning to make another lap of the pool. I remember the place well, because I would cycle past the river for the next 5 years on my way to school.

My instructor told me that Perch would lie in this pool, waiting for smaller fish, or other prey to come drifting by on the current. We cast our lines, baited I guess with maggots or worms and let the floats drift, making circuit after circuit.

I caught a few Roach, but my pride and joy was a Perch. Beginners luck perhaps. Perca fluviatilis, (Redfin Perch or English Perch) is a handsome fellow. Green, with black stripes and bright orange fins - and a big spiny dorsal fin. He wriggled in my hand, desperate for his freedom and I let him go.

I spent the summer of my 12th year with my grandmother in Scotland. One evening, her neighbour took me to a burn in the grounds of The Big House and taught me to tickle trout. This time it was me lying in wait. My grandmother welcomed the addition to her larder with mock horror, forbidding me to mention it to my parents when I eventually returned home.

A few years ago I saw this magnificent specimen for sale in a local gallery. It suddenly brought back all those memories. This time I would not throw him back.

Thank you DDW for your challenge this month. I distinctly remember saying to Anniemay when I joined Blip a couple of weeks ago that I would not do the challenges…. and now here I am, pacing the floor while you take a well-earned break.