A couple of years ago we stayed on the banks of Ullswater in the Lake District. Everyone had a good time as there was water to paddle in, a rope hanging from a tree to swing on and a little stream to move rocks about in and create little dams. The only drawback was the crowded nature of the campsite. If you went out in the car for a few hours you'd get back to find someone had pitched a tent in your parking spot. Camping sardines is not really my idea of fun.
This time we headed for something that I hoped would be a little less crowded. I'd found a leaflet in the local tackle shop in Lancaster for a farm a few miles north of Kendal that looked to promise some interesting fishing plus a true camping experience with the only facilities a cold tap and a toilet.
The children's mum kindly let us borrow her car so off we headed in a very full Toyota Yaris for what I hoped would be three nights of camping and fishing fun.
Ullswater 2013 |
Selside 2015 |
Neither Iris or James have expressed much of a desire to fish. James dabbled for a bit a few years ago but he never really seemed to be that bothered despite catching some good fish including an 8lb carp.
This time I thought I would keep it low key so made up a simple whip arrangement from an old piece of pole I had lying around that they could use if they wanted to. I had read online that the lake was full of rudd so I thought they may like a go.
Here's what happened in photos that were mainly taken by James who is 10.
the view from the tent |
the lake |
formed in a valley |
with living and dead trees |
Small is beautiful as everyone catches a fish.
the best rudd of the trip at 7oz |
there's golden rudd too |
happy campers |
Rudd are now Iris' favourite fish!