Rather a jack than a knave ........

A dip in temperatures again this week, and I was in two minds where to head for. The canal in the hope of one of the bigger Zander that live there, or the river to try for Perch, Zander or Pike. By the time work was finished for the day though the decision was made for me, and I ended up heading for the canal as it is close by and I wanted to get there before last light.
Arriving about 4:30pm, I set up in an area I had looked at many times but had never tried. Finding large patches of ice around I began near to a bridge where the water is a bit warmer and ice free. On testing the temp I was surprised to find it reading a steady 4.5c. There was still ice across the canal though, 150 yards further up from where I was sitting.

I had kept the rods set up from the last session so I was up and running in no time. I hooked a roach on one rod and a small skimmer on the other and cast them out. Shortly after the skimmer rod was away and I hooked into a fish that powered off quite well. I thought at first it might be a reasonable zed but then a jack of about 3 or 4lb was guided into the net. Maybe the mackerel oil I had injected into the skimmer had attracted it in? The fish was quickly snapped for blogging immortality and slipped back in the cut.

As it turned out this was to be the only fish of the session although not the only take.
I gave the swim another 10 - 15 minutes before moving on to a dead reed bed that looked like it would hold some fish. Sure enough first cast with the left hand rod and the float was soon moving along to its right. I wound down quickly but the bait (another skimmer) came back at me with definite teeth marks in the tail section, just millimetres from the hook in its flank. Probably made by the front teeth of a small Zander judging by the triangular shape and how deep the marks were.

A bit later I had another take on the other rod to a section of lamprey that had just been cast in, but an untimely event unfolded preventing me from making contact with the fish. I saw the float beginning to move but simultaneously heard a fast galloping and panting sound to my right. I turned to see two husky type dogs hurtling towards me down the tow path followed by their owner on a mountain bike. The dogs, of course bounded up all excited, jumping all over my rods and bait bucket. I quickly shifted the dogs away to stop them snaffling any of my baits. Meanwhile the owner arrived with a tentative "alright "! but no apology for his dogs leaping all over me and the rods!
The dogs and owner disappeared off down the tow path and I was left looking back to the float to see if it was still moving, all was now still however and the chance had gone. I wound it in but couldn't see any teeth marks in the bait this time. It had been moved about four feet from its starting point though, I cursed the dog owner and recast another section of lamprey out to the same spot.

That was the last of any action and I headed home about 8pm adamant I would give the area another try when the temperatures are up a little bit more, as I just have a good feeling about this little spot.