harrycatcat 31 Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 Monday 25th October 2010, tide 07.56, height 7.3m and dawn at 07.44 It started off with a lay in and got up at 4 am for a two hour drive to the Wash, I arrived at about 6.20am and my mentor had just arrived so we both got togged up quickly as it was freezing cold. We walked onto the sea wall and started walking towards where we had worked out where we were going as on our previous visit we had seen some ducks in this place. I went down the sea wall at the end of the blackthorn/hawthorn hedge (so Wag knows where I went) jumped over the small creek and went the other side of the post and barbed wire fence and got settled into a smallish creek that I could stand/crouch in. I got settled hid the dog and waited in the moon light which helped me see the creeks. Just before I had got my gun out two mallards went over me, I looked on the bright side instead of swearing, at least my camouflage was working. We waited patiently (me and the dog) and kept our eyes pealed the only disturbance was some flippin cock peasants making a row the other side of the sea wall, this noise winds my dog up. The dawn came and I thought "my feet seem to be getting cold" even though I had put an extra pair of wool socks on. The curlews and the snipe were having some sport with me flying overhead so I was happy that I was well hidden. I then spotted two walkers with a dog coming along the sea wall as they got closer two more mallard came from their direction towards me and I could not risk the shot as I was not too far away from the sea wall.( once I have overcome my mud phobia I will progress further out) I kept down and both Mallard went right over me. The cold feeling seemed to be spreading up my legs I thought I was getting nesh. I looked down and the creek had filled up with water to nearly to the top of my legs and my coat and pockets were soaked, no flippin wonder my feet were cold!! But the lidl waders were keeping out the water but not the cold. Time to go me thinks, anyway as I got out of the creek packed my gear away and looked from where I had come it was all flooded. Oh sh*t. It was supposed to be a 7.3m tide but as the wind was blowing from the North it must have come in further so my mentor suggested.(or something like that) So I was landlocked and could not get back to the sea wall. Mmmm whats the plan now then Stan??. Anyway the worst case scenario is that as it is now high tide I just wait till it subsides and get over then. Anyone for cards? I thought I would use the time to walk around the perimeter of the "island" just to see what was there and to warm the dog up who had been really patient waiting with me. The dog decides to jump some creeks which she won some but one was a jump too far and she fell in a deep creek and could not get out as the sides were too steep and could not scramble out. Luckily I had left her collar on and got the "v" of my wading stick under her collar and dragged her out. Just about an hour or so later the water had gone down enough to get my way back to the sea wall and a welcome drink. I was never in danger as I was only "yards" from the sea wall and not miles out, I had a radio, phone etc but could have done with an "Inspector Gadget" boat in my pocket. Oh and please do not criticise my mentor as it was my fault as I did not go the right side of were the cows go on to the marsh where he told me to go. It was just a mix up of instructions and no one got hurt. I did not see any, not one pink foot whereas last time I saw thousands, do you think the moonlight fooled them into thinking it was dawn? In conclusion I really enjoyed the morning and as I have said before I consider my first season will be trying to learn as much as I can about wildfowling, not to shoot loads of birds. I have certainly learned a lot today. What is it about wildfowling that makes you cant wait till you come back next time? Is it the 3 or 4am start, is it the 2 hour drive, is it the freezing cold, is it the flippin mud that seems to want my waders more than I do, or is it the tiredness? I cant just work it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wag 13 Posted October 26, 2010 Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 great write up harry , i'm afraid it happens to us all at some point in our wildfowling life time getting cut off , it just seems it happens to me more than others its only through greed tho it happens to me you were in no danger there , you could have walked off still on a 8.5 there but you did the right thing ..... at least your getting out and doing it my friend and not just sat at the bottom of the bank like most do ..give me a call and we will sort a flight out for one weekend , i will not drowned you and i will be gentle with you , i will do my best to get you under some ducks or even better some geese..... well done :thumbs: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted October 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2010 great write up harry , i'm afraid it happens to us all at some point in our wildfowling life time getting cut off , it just seems it happens to me more than others its only through greed tho it happens to me you were in no danger there , you could have walked off still on a 8.5 there but you did the right thing ..... at least your getting out and doing it my friend and not just sat at the bottom of the bank like most do ..give me a call and we will sort a flight out for one weekend , i will not drowned you and i will be gentle with you , i will do my best to get you under some ducks or even better some geese..... well done :thumbs: Cheers mate I will take you up on that offer once I have my "mud legs" I really enjoy it, and glad that I joined the club, when I am there on the marsh I cant wait till I get back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bell 3,610 Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 Well done H, one of the last great bastions of 'sport' in this country, keep at it.........it has its rewards in many ways Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bell 3,610 Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 Well done H, one of the last great bastions of 'sport' in this country, keep at it.........it has its rewards in many ways Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted October 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Well done H, one of the last great bastions of 'sport' in this country, keep at it.........it has its rewards in many ways Do you know I have been hanging my nose over going wildfowling for about 2 to 3 years and just wished that I had done it sooner, 10 years ago would have been about right. With the article in the BASC magazine I have just read there is no excuse not to try it especially if you get a guide as well. My advice is if you have never tried it GIVE IT A GO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.