STORY SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION ON CARERS- HEALINGSPUR
Night Fishing
A Carer’s Experience
When my son asked me if I would like to go night fishing with him I have to admit I was unsure, I suppose like a lot of people I never understood much about fishing. I had not had much contact with my son for some time and after thinking it over I decided it was a good idea to spend sometime with him and maybe I would learn something. It was a new experience for me. I was going through a great amount of stress in my life so getting up in the middle of the night wasn’t a problem as I was having difficulty sleeping anyway, it may seem a silly thing to do at my age and considering my health was not too good either but I always liked to take the opportunity to try something new as it is a good way to learn even if it is challenging..
My son told me to wear boots and dress warmly even though it was the month of June, prepare a flask of tea, and a flask of soup, some sandwiches, and pack an umbrella. He picked me up about 3 30am and off we went. The weather was mild and comfortable and our conversation amiable and interesting as we caught up on events. I felt very happy to feel closer to him than I had been for many years and I am sure he had no idea of the thoughts running through my head as I remembered him as a small boy. When we arrived he told me that the field reaching down to the river had a very imposing bull there which I found a very scary prospect, however he assured me and I felt safe in his confidence to protect me. Walking through the dew laden grass I realised my boots were not suitable and he was concerned about my feet getting wet but I did have three pairs of socks on and it didn’t bother me. As we crossed the stile I saw through the gloom a herd of cows with their calves a short distance away with a huge magnificent bull guarding them. Having lived on a farm I was wary but Carl had been fishing here before and had many times crossed this field and was unperturbed by the them as we set up the chairs and fishing rod by the river in the same field. I must say I kept a close eye on that bull for some time but it took no notice of us at all and the magical scene around me soon caught my attention and I forgot the bull was there.
The pleasant cloying scents of the river filled my nostrils and vaguely in the half light I could see a swirling green mist rolling eerily down the river, all was quiet and the mysterious air of nature hung softly in the twilight the scene ethereal in it’s beauty, I was enthralled noticing the shapes and shadows of the trees and the stillness of the water. There were faint stirring sounds of scurrying nocturnal wildlife and a weasel ran swiftly across the opposite river bank, I was excited as to what I would see next, a calm stillness enveloped us and every living thing around us as I became aware we are all inextricably part of all natures beautiful creation. Soon the birds began to sing their dawn chorus and broke the calm golden silence and I thought I must get up before dawn and experience the wonder of this again. The dawn light shimmered on the river and revealed the perfect pure, vivid, deep reflections of the trees, and the different grasses and wild flowers on the bank opposite. I had never seen so many shades of green. I was entranced as everything became sharper to my vision as if I were seeing through new eyes. Carl sat patiently watching the line on the rod for movement but as yet the fish were not biting. I suddenly realised how bitingly cold it had become so we had a hot drink to warm us up and I began chatting eagerly hoping he didn’t notice my nattering, if he did he didn’t say anything. He placed some luncheon meat and sweet corn on the hook as bait and cast into the water in the hope of catching one of the large fish in there but even after some hours there were only a few bites, it didn’t seem to matter and he murmured there was always another time to return and try again.
Slowly the sunrise glimmered through the branches of the trees and kingfishers darted to and fro like tiny flashes of blue and red as the sunlight touched their russet breasts and azure wings, shimmering blue may flies settled at our feet like sapphire jewels glittering in the grass, and a single swan it’s plumage gleaming swam lazily past causing a silver trail on the glassy surface of the river. I waited in anticipation in the hope of seeing the owl who was a frequent visitor here, but as I began to feel the rays of the rising sun a woodpecker perched on a nearby tree startling a tiny great tit. Otters passed this way although there were none to be seen, and the savage bold mink that would tentatively nose into the fishing tackle beside us. The silence now broken by the bird song that welcomed the day was a cheerful melody brightening the changing scene as rabbits frolicked in the field beyond the fringe of the river where deer foraged. Time had ceased because only the experience of the present moment existed.
I had not noticed that several hours had passed and Carl and I peeled off our jackets and sweaters as the June morning blossomed with the warmth of the sun. He was not bothered by the fact he had not caught any fish, and I wasn’t sure that was a bad thing as I would hate to think the fish feel the pain of the hook so I was pleased that at least Carl always put them back to swim free, and I was pleased he was knowledgeable and realised the harm that some fishing tackle can cause to wildlife if care is not taken so he is meticulous in his ways. Almost seven hours had passed by now and the bull together with the herd of cows and calves had moved further down the far side of our field as we made plans to return home. I had brought a book with me but I was too engrossed by my surroundings to bother reading it, and I hoped my chatter due to some nervousness, and excitement had not spoilt Carls fishing experience, he just smiled and nodded no. After packing up carefully we made our way back. Considering I have arthritis and several of the usual medical problems we all get as we grow older I didn’t feel too bad, and Carl has the same health difficulties but doesn’t let them prevent him from doing most things he wants to do, we both enjoyed ourselves and after we said goodbye on our return home I had a restful sleep and very pleasant memories to dream about. If you have a very stressful life please remember how wonderful and refreshing it is to go fishing by night or day, try it because it does make life easier what ever or who ever you are caring about.
By Pamela
For all carers
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