It was a lovely afternoon, and after preaching this morning at Wymondham Baptist Church, it was great to get out and get some fresh Norfolk air! (Though maybe a little fresher than I would have liked.)
We have a great family walk we call the ‘lollipop walk’, named so because if you traced the route on a map it looks like a lollipop. What is nice is that we can let all the kids pretty much roam free, including our 3 year old, as there are no busy roads and it is mostly along footpaths alongside fields.
Part of this walk follows a stretch of The River Tiffey in Wymondham, and as earlier mentioned, I cannot help myself when passing a stretch of water, but peer in, hoping to catch a glimpse of our piscatorial friends. It was running very shallow and gin clear, and as usual I was not expecting to see anything. The River Tiffey is not renowned for its fish, though it does get a mention in John Wilson’s seminal book ‘The Definitive Guide on Where to Fish in Norfolk and Suffolk’, where he describes it as a ‘tiny river [that] rises in Wymondham at the confluence of several streams.’
However for once my looking was not in vain! I spotted some breaks on the surface in a meter square area that was in full sunlight, as most of the river is overhung with trees. I waited, and once my eyes had adjusted there they were. A shoal of fish turning and facing into the current. There must have been 20 or more fish, not big probably just a few ounces and not a glimmer of red on them. So I assume they were probably Dace or small Chub as they were far too big for Minnows.
I was held captivated. The family had walked on and I wanted to call them back to witness this marvelous scene, but they were out of shouting distance, and the kids were already off running. So I contented myself with the view. I had as good as ‘captured’ them – I had seem them and that was enough. Did I wish I had my rod? This time no. A loaf of bread? Yes.
People who don’t know fishing would probably think I was mad, but I am sure there are many who, reading this, delight in such things as well. This story is for them. For the shared appreciation of a small stream, the sound of running water and a small shoal of wild, alive and very silver fish. You may not be religious or have a faith in God like me, but I defy anyone not to wonder and marvel at such things and not thank the ‘maker’. Yes, this story is for all you who share in such a passion and pleasure.
