Typical weather, summer,autum, winter all in one day

[Baz T]

Went down Exeter canal yesterday with my son. Was bit late setting off, and further delayed by diversions on A38, must have been bad accident. Came off at Ivybridge, and didnt get back on A38 until around Buckfastleigh. By the time I had gone via Newton Abbot for day ticket, didnt get to canal until about 1000. The road from Swans Nest was bit flooded, and no room to dodge the potholes either.
Bit of a strong cold breeze when we first arrived, but thankfully it actually died down after about 30 mins, and the sun came out and it was a glorious morning, with just a slight ripple on the surface. We deciced to use lures, fishing from Swans Nest carpark up towards the M5 Bridge direction. Passed a couple of other anglers, coming the other direction, but they hadnt caught anything. After thrashing water for an hour, I had a take on my lure, and it felt like a good fish, but after a few violent shakes of its head, it came off. Managed to get one smaller pike later on, which actually put up a nice fight, despite its size.
We had a break for sandwiches and a cuppa by the small bridge (by the lock keepers house?) and then headed back down towards Swans nest again. i tried wobbled dead bait on way back, but no takes.
Weather started changing, slight drizzle, and bit more of a breeze. At about 3.30 we decided to go back to Swans nest and set up the bivvy, put out some dead baits, and fish an hour into dark. Half way through setting up bivvy, the heavens opened, and it was torrential. Wind picked up too. Decided to persevere as the bivvy was up, so tackled up some deadbait rods etc. After an hour, no takes, and rain still as torrential if not worse, with the wind beginning to gust, we decided to pack up, which basically meant dismantling bivvy, rods, rod pod etc as quick as possible, and just chucking it in the boot and back seat of the car!! (Amazing how fast u can pack up in a galeforce storm!)
I was also a bit concerned about the road back past the Swans nest, in case it got too flooded, and rightly so as it turns out. The road was flooded, and quite deep in places, but we managed to get through, and faced torrential rain and wind, with several places flooded all the way home on the A38.
We enjoyed the day out and although we only had one small pike, the lovely weather during the morning until mid afternoon made it all worthwhile

[pingu]

nice one
love the first picture

did rain a bit later didnt it

dave

[Baz T]

Yeh, my favourite too, that was shortly after we started, just as the strong cold breeze was dying down and sun coming out. I think I will invest in a decent camera, as although the mobile phones are handy, would be better with a camera.
Still drying out my gear!

[BaggieRich]

You did well being out in that yesterday Baz... Was absolutely lashing it down here....

Nice report and well done on the Jack. Good effort mate.

[fishypaul]

well done baz,love the markings on the pike

[Lman]

well done baz on getting out, fantastic colour and markings

[Banana Steve]

Well done, looks like you enjoyed the day shame about the weather turning nasty.

[Rob M]

Great report, impressive pictures.

[Baz T]

Thanks for the comments lads, shame the pike wasnt bigger, but it was nice to get out throw a few lures.