mr lee Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 (edited) Just had the best weekend ever so far with my oldest daughter. Went up to our permission on Saturday to drop the 4x4 off and do a bit of fishing. Took the .17hmr along too. Got up there and it was raining so hard there was a 3 foot wide river running down the yard and the last cattle grid was full to the brim. :( Had a cuppa with the farmer and a chat as to how things were going, any problems etc. Once the rain baited a bit we unloaded the car off the trailer and put the rods and bait into the back and a few other stuff. We asked if he minded if we nip down to the stream in it considering the conditions. He wasn't bothered in the slightest though as they are ploughing the whole area shortly. As we entered the first field the farmer opened the gate for us laughing as to how our little vitara was a hairdressers car and wouldn't make it past the first field let alone get over the normally shallow river. Oh how we were to shortly prove him wrong. Engaged low box as the field was quite wet and soft and off we went. Nice and steady so we didn't end up churning all the field to bits. As we got to the bottom of the first field the farmer turned up at the side of us on his quad looking suitably impressed. B) We made our way down the track and under the low tree branches (hence the cables so we don't smash the windscreen. ) and then we got our first glimpse of the normally 6" deep river. Hmmm....it wasn't 6" today.. The river was a good 20 foot wider than normal due to all the rain and I had doubts in my mind then about crossing it. We dipped the front wheels in and instantly the water was up to the rim after only a foot or so. I checked what gear we had and slowly proceeded deeper. The water rose up to the top of the front bumper..Hmmm...a little wave of nerves went through me for a second but on we went. Once halfway in there is a bit of a dip (this is where the river normally starts) and as we dropped into it the water suddenly rose up onto the bottom of the windscreen. No backing out now...I held the throttle down and drove through knowing we were now at our deepest. Water was starting to pool around the footwell on my side now to about 3" deep...Pushing the bowwave we started to exit and the water level dropped. The climb out the other side is shale and rock which proved slippery but manageable. The farmer was still on the opposite side and couldn't honestly believe we had got through. B) We drove further down the land to where there is a small alcove in the water so it is a lot smoother here and unloaded the rods. Got down to where we wanted to be and opened the bait. red maggots. Sorted my daughter out and told her not to go past a set point as usual. As I was sorting my own rod out she squeeled out 'daddy, I caught one...' She had as well before me! I took it off the rod for her and placed it back in the water. I cast my line out and got nothing for over an hour. As I was reeling it back in about 3 foot from the banking I felt something try to take the bait. reeling in stopped and the bait was held where it was for a few moments. I didn't need to wait too long until I had a full on bite. Reeled it in and landed it in the net. As I lifted it out to unhook it I was quite pleased to see I had landed the first brown trout of the year there. Only a small one at about 7" long though. Every year they get later and later coming up stream here. I replaced that back in the water and rebaited and cast back out only short this time. No sooner had my hook and line hit the water than Chloe cried out again she had another one on. She reeled it in and was also pleased she had caught a brown trout too. Again it was only a small one about 6" long. This seemed to be the order of the afternoon with Chloe pulling two out for every one I managed. Once she started to get bored we went back to the car and loaded up and headed back to the crossing. The water level was similar to before and the vitara made light work of the crossing. We headed back up the hill to the farm and was pleased with the performance of the new Mickey Thompson tyres I fitted a while back. No slipping or loss of traction at all. As we crossed the last field I glanced across into one of the other fields and saw a few rabbits out whilst the rain had stopped. Hmmm...time to go get the .17hmr.. :( I unloaded the rods into the van and collected the rifle and off we set again. The rabbits didn't seem in the slightest bit bothered by the car and stayed out. We stopped about 50 yards on and rested the rifle on the mirror. Put the clip in the rifle and took aim. One shot, one large rabbit for the dogs. No sooner had the first one dropped then the rest took off back to their holes. Being lazy we drove over, collected the rabbit, gutted and paunched it and headed back up to the house. We stayed over the night sleeping in the van on the camp beds and had a few relaxed beers with the farmer (were good mates so camping over and beers are normal.) The farmers lad got the Wii out so we had a bowling comp on it and again...Chloe beat me. We set off back home this morning after a hearty breakfast with Chloe laughing at how she caught more fish and beat me at bowling. I feel this gloating could go on for a while. Only took a few pictures as my phone died on me and I forgot the charger. The total fish count was Chloe - 11 fish. 4 trout and 7 other smaller fish I couldn't identify and I got 6. 3 trout and again, 3 smaller fish I didn't recognise. (I'm not heavily into fishing just do it as a bit of fun from time to time) Here's the pics. Hope you enjoyed reading how we spent our weekend. Edited August 10, 2008 by mr lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 That sounds a good way to spend a weekend. Nice pictures , especially the one of your very happy daughter, thats a fisherman's smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted August 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 That sounds a good way to spend a weekend. Nice pictures , especially the one of your very happy daughter, thats a fisherman's smile. Cheers Cranfield. She just ribbed me again whilst looking at those pictures of the fact she caught more fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Well done , a great weekend in my book and well done to the young lady for outfishing her dad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 the fish your daughter has is a very impressive minnow. A good bait for BIG trout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 You could try a minnow lip hooked on a large single hook. Could tempt a nice trout or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Sounds like a great weekend, cracking little motors those vitara's, and as you have proven, seriously under estimated.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted August 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Cheers guys. Will have to try using the minnows for bait next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Good read and pics, looks like the pair of you had a good weekend. I can't see a snorkle on your Vitara, reckon you were lucky to get through if the water was up to your windscreen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted August 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Good read and pics, looks like the pair of you had a good weekend. I can't see a snorkle on your Vitara, reckon you were lucky to get through if the water was up to your windscreen. The picture of it stood in the farmers land were taken straight after a quick run down his lane. I cut the wing and fitted it straight after before heading down to the 'stream'. Didn't get chance to do it sadly before I got there due to parts only turning up that morning. Typical royal snail... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Ahhhh that makes more sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.