Ants !

Ryton Country Park is only five minutes from my house so once again it was here we were headed for another short Thursday session, it had been a beautiful morning and the light cloud covering now present at 2pm seemed of little consequence. The lake itself was as busy as we'd ever seen it and we took our time walking and sorting out where we were to fish, fortunately someone was packing up so we grabbed two swims together in the vicinity of the island.


Just as we were starting to set up the first spots of rain began to fall, then it got heavier, then we took shelter as the heavens opened. Some fifteen minutes later the rain eased sufficiently to get set up, I had intended to floatfish with corn while allowing a second 'sleeper' rod to fish itself, however given the poor conditions I only set up the carp rod.

Having made the decision to fish just the one rod I decided that the most comfortable fishing position, bearing in mind I wanted to be under my brolly, was sitting on my unhooking mat, on the steps, facing the rod. Meanwhile the downpour continued. Now despite being a bit soggy at least I was under cover and relatively comfortable and I began to relax and take in the surroundings, something you are not always able to do when floatfishing and it made a pleasant change. Glancing down at my legs I noticed a Red Ant making steady headway up the outside of my jeans towards my knee, I flicked it away without a second thought.

The next Ant announced itself with a bite to my wrist, looking down again my trainers and legs were now well covered in Ants which I swiftly removed. A Search around the area proved my fears I was sitting in or very near to a nest.

It was my fault of course, it always is, just ask my Mrs.

I have had many dealings with Red Ants in my time, they are fierce little buggers that inject Formic Acid when they bite, it's very painful !

So the rain continued to fall, I was forced to commit most of my concentration to Ant watch (although I was still getting bitten occasionally) and I remained fish less, as did my dad who was floatfishing sweetcorn and so did everybody else who was fishing.

We packed up in pouring rain at about 5pm, biteless or should I say I wish I was biteless.