We always get very excited when the suitcases are dusted off, filled up and loaded into the car. Where are we going to this time?
Although we are never very keen on the drive, as we are often sat in the car for such a long time, the journey is always worth it - and this time was no exception.
Our destination was one of two fishing lodges, nestled in the heart of rural Shropshire and, quite close to Bewdley, a pretty little town which straddles the banks of the mighty River Severn.
The fishing lodges are part of the Wellfield Pools and Holidays Company which is owned and managed by the Evans family.
We arrived on Saturday evening and it was already getting quite dark, so we didn’t get an opportunity to see much of our surroundings.
However, inside the lodge it was very spacious and comfortable, and just right for everyone’s needs (dogs and humans alike) - a warm bed, good food, and plenty of space to move around – perfect!
Sunday morning dawned and we were very keen to explore our surroundings especially as there seemed to be so much going on outside.
So, as soon as it was light, we all ventured out of the lodge to investigate. We walked down through the farm buildings towards two lakes where several cars were already parked. A gaggle of sombre green garbed men bustled about industriously.
As we walked, we were overtaken by further vehicles piled high with rods and nets and all manner of other fishing tackle and driven by similarly attired men.
It seemed that another Wellfield Pools Angling competition was about to take place.
We didn’t want to disturb the anglers so we headed back to the cottage and left the anglers in peace – we knew that we would get a chance to explore later.
So, when the anglers had gone home, we ventured further down the track.
As we trotted past the lakes, we noticed two large vats of liquid in which we assume the fishing nets must be washed.
It is really important for the health of the pool – and the fish - that all fishing tackle is washed and dried thoroughly both before and after use. In addition, at Wellfield, anglers must allow their nets to dry for a full fifteen minutes before they are allowed to use them.
Once the day’s fishing is over, the nets must be checked to ensure that they don’t harbour any aquatic animals, plants, or mud, before they are once again, washed and dried.
This is to make sure that no harmful organisms are accidentally transferred between different bodies of water.
There are seven fishing lakes at Wellfield and, all of them are of different shapes and sizes and of different ages. The oldest lake – the old Trout pool - was dug out in the 1960’s – and the two nearest to the farm buildings are the newest and were only created within the last ten years. These two are especially good for competitions.
Each lake has its own special characteristics - island pool has an island in the middle of it, little carp, despite its name boasts both large and small carp, and swimming pool is the deepest pool and boasts the biggest fish.
Each pool has a certain number of designated areas (pegs) around it from where an angler can fish and it is vitally important that the anglers stick to their own ‘swim’ – that is to say ‘the area to the right and left of the peg and halfway to the next peg’ – I suppose that this is particularly important during a competition.
There are also very strict rules to ensure that the fish are handled as humanely as possible too – anglers can only use hooks without barbs and all the fish should be returned to the water sensitively.
Of course, not all anglers come to compete – some come just to escape from the trials and tribulations of life, and they spend many a happy hour chilling on the banks of the pool. It is probably true that every angler has their preferred peg on their preferred pool.
It certainly is very tranquil by the banks of the pools and there are lots of trees to shelter away from the worst of the weather.
As we wandered back up to the lodge, a couple of hares zigzagged along the track just in front of us, an opportunistic heron skirted the tops of the trees encircling the pools, a bevy of pheasant skittered in and out of the undergrowth and a single large greylag goose stood sentinel in the field whilst all the time the female mallards told dirty jokes and cackled in the stream.
And, as the sun set on another busy day at Wellfield, we returned to the lodge mentally preparing for our long drive home tomorrow.
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