Fishing the Ribble

Morning mist lifts as on my arrival

The stillness of the water and the air conceals

a flurry of life beneath the surface

An expectant day for fishing

I take a low seat and unfurl

my rod and other essential parts

Keen to be in the water

nevertheless following my drill with precision

The sand martins swirl over the bank

in formation they look like living smoke

twisting as one, a welcome distraction as I assemble

I smile.

I wade into the flow

the strength beneath the still apparent

I take my position in open water

ten yards up from the swim

No signs of life

But eternal optimism and previous successes

tell me today will be a good day

I always set out that way, I mean why else would you go

Bait on hook

underarm toss

float flickers in the current

we are on, another smile