December on the Conestoga...

Plans were made with my friends Ray and Jed to meet at what has become one of our favorite swims of late. The banks of the Conestoga looked much different without it's dense canopy of leaves that sheltered us from the sun this summer. Instead, we found ourselves seeking the warming rays of the sun as we stood in the cold winter air.

Ray had graciously pre-baited the area with his home made mix of boilies that even made me hungry when he told me the ingredients.

After some bankside chatting and reminising of past rips, lines were cast and our hopes were high. We did spot what appeared to be a few fish surface, but none of them were very eager to take our offerings. About 3 hours passed, when my left hand rod tip began to move somewhat suspiciously. Could it be a carp carefully tasting the "sweetcorn and scopex" boilie that was fresh from Ray's bait making lab? After a couple minutes of "knocks" on this rod, the action stopped. I reluctantly decided to pull my toasty hands from my jacket pocket and pull the rod in to check the bait. As I suspected, a crafty fish was able to take the boilie without being hooked.

A new boilie was placed on the hair and more oatmeal method was packed on the two ounce weight before it was sent back out into the icy waters of the Conestoga.

Things were quiet for a while and i sipped on some hot coffee to help warm up a bit. Then it happened...a "proper pull down" to coin a phrase from the Ole Captain. My right hand rod sprung to life with the bite alarm playing the beautiful sound...beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

I some how moved my frozen feet and made my way to the rod. I pick it up and lean back to set the hook into...nothing! Well, I was disappointed to say the least, but glad that I didn't have to get my hands wet. As it turned out, this would be the only action of the day.

Plans for the upcoming "First Fishing Folley" on January 1, 2008 were made which could include fishing three different waters. Hopefully the weather will be nice for the event. Although we must be "blithering idiots" to think that carp will bite in water less than 50 degrees! Till next time...tight lines.