An evening with an Otter

[coasty]

As many of you on here know. I am a keen angler and my great passion is fly fishing at night for Sea Trout in the river close to my home. Last Night I was going to spend the first hour of darkness fishing in several large weir pools that have now a resident population of Sea Trout following the recent spates.
I arrived on the River after the lengthy 5 min journey from my home. I like to get everything set up and just sit on the river bank and wait for 30mins for darkness. This gives me time to observe any moving fish and also allows my night vision to adjust properly.
By around 8.30 ish it was darkening of nicely and after watching a large bat flying around the pool as it darkend and the usual Mink that I seem to see all to often, (wish I knew more about Bats as the one I watched was certaily larger than the tiny ones we get around the house on an evening I would say it was about sparrow size )fished up the first pool this irons out any problems I may have with the tackle I am using. Before fishing the top two pools where the majority of the fish get held up. By now it was very dark the only light been from an street lamp on an adjacent road and the general after glow. Speaking as someone who is often out in the night. A truly dark ie black night is extremely rare. If one gives your eyes time to adjust and dont use a torch then your eyes adjust very well.

I was about to start to fish the second pool when a large splash echoed around the pool. Now a splash can mean a moving fish and a moving fish can mean a feeding fish so I tried to see where the waves were coming from, then I saw the bow wave and dark shape moving across the pool. I sat down on the weir pool edge and waited, the Otter had clearly decided that The pool was her fishing place and not mine. Over the next 15 mins I followed her movements around the pool as she hunted around the pool accompanied by the bow waves of terrified trout and at times an amazing commotion. At one point she passed within maybe 3m of me. Eventually she slipped over the cill of the pool and dissapeared down towards the sea. I sat for another 5 mins packed up and went home.

When I was home my teenage boys said did you catch anything. I said no I sat and watched a proper fisherwoman an Otter. They said you must be gutted I didnt even try to explain the pleasure these moments bring.

I guess this should really be in the Fieldsports section but I wanted to share the moment with you. Also in passing to make a couple of points.

Firstly,Now I know I was in the right place at the right time but I had no Bins No telescope or Night vision scope But I had Patience and Quiet and also solitude. I read with dismay the posts on here from youngsters and the not so young regarding they want to go nature watching but they have no bins or scope or fieldguides or the latest camo gear. Whereas what yu really need are patience and stealth.

Secondly, I love my sport and if questioned I would say I spent a great evening fishing . However I hardly cast a line and never came close to catching anything. But as a way to see wildlife and get close to nature its a wonderful pastime...

[DavyG]

Sounds like you had a great night Coasty.

I used to fish regularly and at least half of the pleasure simply came from the tranquility and being in the countryside.

I hope you get to see your Otter again.

Dave

[Pete Collins]

Sounds like you had a great time coasty, thanks for sharing the experience with us. I've only seen an Otter once and then only briefly, I'd love to see one again.

[Tracey.A]

Hi Coasty, what a lovely way to spend an evening, just sitting/standing quietly observing the wildlife around you. Quite a privilege seeing an Otter!

Tracey

[deer boy]

Sounds like a great evening was had coasty well spotted & thanks for sharing

Hope u see it again soon

[Kayleigh]

Great story Coasty...
Your bat may be a Daubenton's or water bat.

[PMG]

Fantastic bit of writing - I was at your elbow all the way - and what a stunning experience! I used to fish (coarse) when I worked as a water bailiff/ranger (and before photography took up all my spare time!) and I used to take myself to the River Ribble trying for barbel........ I often used to watch a Badgers set on the way to my favourite 'peg' as it was coming light - seeing the Badgers come home and go to bed! I never got to see an Otter, (unfortunately there were Mink) but there were kingfishers, whimbrel, common sandpiper, lapwing, curlew, woodpeckers, bats and damsels and dragons and as you say coasty - peace and solitude most days ..........

Pauline

[coasty]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Great story Coasty...
Your bat may be a Daubenton's or water bat.

Have spoken to the Ecologist at the office today she confirms that this is the most likely candidate and she has offered to lend me her bat monitor for a few days,,, Cant wait,,,

Thanks Pauline I am finding that I spend less and less time fishing and more time just watching and Listening. I love the little bit of river I am near I have known it for 50 years but every year I find something new along it...

[Bucknallbear]

Originally Posted by coasty

I arrived on the River after the lengthy 5 min journey from my home. I

...

Does anyone else feel sick with envy when they read things like that?

And how do you keep the teenagers indoors while you go fishing? I can't keep my 11 year old away from water.

[coasty]

Sorry couldnt resist it.... As for my two teenage boys they prefer guitars girls and computer games.. I am convinced they are the milkmans....

[stripee]

This sounds a wonderful evening, coasty. The last few nights have been very dark here too, dense cloud cover and mild. The experience of being out at night and watching nature beats most other entertainment.
Great to see an Otter (and the bat) and hope you will again