november-2026-free-line-part-2 - Flipbook - Page 126
FREE LINE / FIELD JOURNAL
KRIS FORD
FIELD NOTES
Even more variables occur on the lakeside: how big and how deep is it,
what is the natural food chain like (biomass), what is the stocking of
fish, what season is it, what is the photoperiod (daylight), what is the
temperature what is the pH, is it baited a lot and what with, has it rained
lately, has it been hot for a long while, is it just warming up and on and
on it goes. Not for the carp. Why not? Simply because they just live with
it no matter what. They have no choice; this water is their world, and
its subtle and extreme changes are coped with on an hourly and daily
basis. They don t have the luxury of thinking or planning ahead; they
just have what is and live accordingly. Their DNA (instinct) rules their
behaviour coupled with the water itself. I m fairly sure that the shape
of boilies is close to being ingrained in their instincts both for good and
bad reasons. Show them a new one, different signal (smell), different
colour, different flavour, and all other things being equal, a carp will not
be able to resist investigating it, finishing with taking it into its mouth
maybe and ultimately swallowing it or trying to. Irresistible bait? No
a brightly coloured piece of balsa wood, a fisherman s float Not a bait,
but certainly irresistible because of DNA, or instinct if you prefer.
During the late 70s, I was for a time head keeper at a zoo. This gave
me access to a previously unknown bait source exotic animal foods
and supplements.
FREE LINE
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