Still on the Nene.

In spite of our worries no one knocked on our door asking to see an EA licence and a very quiet night was enjoyed by us both in spite of being in Northampton . No one bothered us and with the nearest pub quite a distance away we didn't even have to put up with the usual Saturday night revelers. So with the family arriving later today it was a mad half hour trying to clean the dog hair from floor and off the furnishings. I'm sure the older Jade gets the more hair she sheds! Anyway Colin, Iwona and Grandchildren, Oscar and Oliver, all arrived after 11am. In Colin's youth he loved to fish. In fact it was all due to him that got me into fishing in the first place. I took him when he was about 8 and after getting very bored just sitting watching him, asked if I could have a go. 'Not till you can put a maggot on a hook' he said. So being very girlie and with a lot of squealing I managed to do it and after catching my first fish, a huge Tench, I was hooked. ( excuse the pun )  Even before I had made them all a drink Colin had picked up my rod and with Oscar looking on started fishing.

Showing Oscar how to bait up. Iwona and Oliver enjoying the sun.

First fish caught. A small perch.

Having fished for about an hour, even Oscar getting in on the act and catching a perch, we headed toward the town center to find an eatery. On the whole length of the Northampton Arm not one pub could be found and that was one of the reasons for stopping in Northampton. We had a good 10 minute walk to find somewhere suitable and eventually found a pub called The Bank which served good pub grub. Having wined and dined the whole family and going halves on the bill, Colin and Iwona decided that they should return to Milton Keynes. This meant I could get my rod back and continue fishing. Although I did catch one small roach the majority of fish caught was Perch. A chap from the flats above us shouted down and said he constantly watches men pulling fish out of the river and placing them in a carrier bag to take home.  I did catch this good Perch which pleased me no end.

Having had a comment from Adam (Briar Rose) who told us we could purchase a licence from the new Marina a short distance from here, we may pay the £8 for a days cruise on the Nene tomorrow. We need to purchase an EA key to operate the locks and at £10 it's worth getting. One day we hope to do the whole river as far as the Wash! Mind you a lot depends on the what the weather is going to throw at us. Rain and windy conditions have been forecast so we may just do the 17 locks back up to Gayton.

And finally:-