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00:00Here's my location this time, the Norfolk Broads in the east of England.
00:04It covers an area of over 300 square kilometres and is a web of seven shallow rivers and 63
00:11lakes known as Broads.
00:13It's a calm, beautiful area known for many species of fish, including perch and the mighty
00:19pike.
00:21These are the species I've challenged myself to catch.
00:24That should be easy, shouldn't it?
00:26Well, not in the middle of winter.
00:28When it's cold, it's much, much harder to catch a fish.
00:32And to make things tougher, I've also given myself just four days to succeed.
00:36I'm kicking off a secret syndicate lake near Great Yarmouth, and despite the chill, I can't
00:41wait to get started.
00:45I knew it had been cold, but I didn't realise it had been that cold.
00:55So I'm up here.
00:57The fish are down there.
00:58But I'm kind of sensing a bit of a barrier between us, maybe?
01:04But barriers are made to be broken.
01:06John, the bailiff who looks after the lake, offers me a ride in his boat.
01:10Well, that's one way to break the ice.
01:12I'll let you jump in.
01:14Right.
01:15I can't believe we're doing this.
01:19I think we've got our work cut out for about an hour.
01:26I'm making it possible to fish, but I'm also adding to the risk.
01:30The perch will surely be taking cover with all this noise, but I don't have a choice.
01:35It's do it this way, or go home.
01:38Impressive.
01:41We must have virtually zero chance of catching today.
01:46Am I mad?
01:47I'd say so.
01:49My target species is perch, a freshwater predator.
01:54It's one of the most hunted for sports fish, and there are a mind-blowing 6,000 different
01:59varieties worldwide.
02:01Perch have an unmistakable rugby shirt of bold black stripes on the side.
02:06The European perch can grow to 50 centimetres and up to 3 kilos, and they have a distinctive
02:11dorsal fin covered with spikes to protect them against other predators.
02:16I think these fish are going to have to be stupid or incredibly generous for me to see
02:25one.
02:26If I was a fish, I would be right up the other end of the lake.
02:30Let's see if we can coax one or two out.
02:32There are some massive, massive perch in here.
02:36All I'm looking for today is one bite.
02:39So, bait-wise, we're going to be using maggots, some worms, perch love worms.
02:45And I've got some prawns.
02:47So I've got some regular ones, and I've dyed a few red, because apparently, perch love the
02:52colour red.
02:53On a day like today, I've got to try and encourage the fish, I've got to tempt them.
02:59So the first rod, I'm going to use a maggot feeder, okay?
03:03Which is basically a little capsule with holes in it, and a bit of lead weight.
03:07Fill it with maggots, and then over the space of about five minutes, they're going to wriggle
03:11out on a track to the perch.
03:14Two, the hook, which is just a few inches away, with three big juicy red maggots on.
03:21So I'm going to pop this in the middle of the lake, where I think it's pretty deep.
03:29Perfect.
03:30The trap is set.
03:36Rod number two.
03:38Going to fish afloat.
03:42The position of the hook below the float is all important.
03:46I'm trying to get it to sit about three inches from the bottom of the lake.
03:50I should be, sat, inside, by the fire, with a cup of tea, what the hell am I doing here?
04:03Stupid.
04:07An hour goes by, and my sophisticated bait and shrewd line positioning has got me nothing
04:13at all.
04:15The fish are cold-blooded, which means that their body temperature will be the exact same
04:20as whatever temperature water they're in.
04:23So today, they're probably frozen stiff.
04:28On the opposite bank, I'm joined by a young chap who obviously knows this secret lake well.
04:33All right?
04:34Yeah, all right.
04:35You had any?
04:36Nah, not yet.
04:37No?
04:38What's your name?
04:39Kyle.
04:40Yours?
04:41I'm Tom.
04:42Nice to meet you.
04:43What are you after?
04:44Perch today.
04:45Oh, I'm after perch as well.
04:46Yeah?
04:47I've heard they're pretty big in here.
04:48They're just over four pounds.
04:49Are they?
04:50Yeah.
04:51Well, that's encouraging.
04:52I've been sat here for a couple of hours now without a bite.
04:55Not a bite.
04:56Normally, I like to go fishing on my own, but on a day like today, a bit of company is at
04:59very welcome.
05:00But if he's putting a bit of bait in, hopefully, that should attract some more fish to this
05:14area of the lake.
05:16Things aren't happening for me.
05:19And it's doubly annoying because perch hold a special place in my fishing history.
05:24The perch was the first fish I ever caught.
05:28Five years old.
05:30And it started just an excitement and a fascination that I've always had ever since.
05:38What are you up to, Kyle?
05:40Having a little drop shot.
05:43Oh, might have a go at that then.
05:46A drop shot is where the weight sits below the hook and bait.
05:50And since Kyle knows these waters better than me, it makes sense to try it myself.
05:55But perhaps from a different spot on the lake.
05:57It's just warmed up a little bit, so I'm trying to find an area of the lake that's thawed
06:02out.
06:03And these rushes, perch love rushes.
06:06But the one downfall of the perch, he's a greedy little toad.
06:13But today, not so sure.
06:22It's time to move around to increase my chances of catching.
06:26The reason they've got stripes is because they live in and amongst all of the reeds.
06:32And the stripes helps camouflage them because they're just waiting for a small fish to come
06:36past and they're going to come out and grab it.
06:38And today, the small fish has got a hook in him.
06:42I was going for a big one, but to be perfectly honest, if I catch on this big, I'm going
06:51to be absolutely over the moon.
06:54On to the next spot.
06:57One more blank and I get closer to a wasted first day.
07:03Right, next spot.
07:13One fish.
07:14Come on, just one fish.
07:17At last, I get a tug on the line.
07:20Finally, something is happening.
07:21I've got a fish.
07:22Please be it.
07:24Oh, I've got a roach.
07:27I've got a roach.
07:29It's not what we're after.
07:32It's the most beautiful fish I've ever seen in my whole life.
07:37And for the size of the perch we're trying to catch today, that will actually make a
07:42really good bait.
07:43But it's going to go back.
07:45Yes.
07:46Go on then.
07:49Plop.
07:52Roach and perch are often found together, but roach are much smaller and aren't predators
07:57like the larger perch.
07:59So is a tiny roach the size of my thumb the only fish I'll get to celebrate today?
08:05We haven't got much time left, but this is the best time of the day.
08:10So if I'm going to get one, it's going to be soon.
08:14Oh yeah, fish.
08:15Another little fish.
08:16What have we got?
08:17What have we got?
08:18Look at that.
08:19Great big dorsal fin.
08:20Beautiful flame coloured fins.
08:22Great big eye.
08:24And that is about the same size as the first one I caught nearly 30 years ago.
08:34I've come here for one that's probably 20 times the size of that.
08:49I've never been more grateful in my life.
09:05Well done kiddo.
09:06You get to go back.
09:10I knew it was going to be tough, but this is ridiculous.
09:15And as dust turns to night, it's become too dark to see, but not to hear.
09:26It's way after dark and there's definitely something in those bushes over there.
09:32I can hear something slithering around and I think eels actually move around over land
09:42at night and they're pretty rare these days.
09:46I'd love to see one.
09:51Oh, there is definitely something slithering around in here.
09:58I hope it's not a rat.
10:01No, it's gone, whatever it was.
10:07Definitely hear something slithering through the grass.
10:12If that was an eel, that would have been amazing to see a freshwater fish travelling over land.
10:18They do do that at night.
10:20Right, bedtime.
10:27I've challenged myself to catch two species of fish in Norfolk at a time of year when the conditions are really hard.
10:34I've allowed myself four days and this is day two.
10:37With most of the waters nearby still completely frozen, it's not a good start.
10:42It's looking a bit misty.
10:45A bit of grizzle.
10:47Very grey.
10:49Typical English winter then.
10:52Lovely.
10:53I'm not quite ready to tick perch off my list.
10:59The one I had yesterday was embarrassingly small so I want to try for a larger one.
11:04I find a boatyard that seems more protected from the cold wind and perhaps here I'll get lucky.
11:13Nice day for it.
11:14Nice day for it.
11:15Now I've come down to this marina for a few reasons.
11:20One is to try and catch a few perch but I've also seen there's been some swirls of some quite big pike.
11:27The broads are actually famous for pike fishing.
11:30And I'm actually meeting a guy here later on.
11:33Let me put it like this.
11:36If football has Pele and opera singing has someone like Pavarotti, pike fishing has John Goebel.
11:46He is a legend.
11:48In fact, let me show you something on here.
11:54Now, I spotted that on the internet doing a bit of research and I got hold of him.
12:00He's agreed to meet me down here today.
12:02I think he's coming down to catch some bait.
12:05But I need to try and coerce him into taking me out because if I do and I've got him as a guide,
12:10the chances of catching a pike are going to be amazing.
12:14So, I've got a plan that might help me get a pike but John's not here until later on.
12:20And for me, every second counts.
12:23So, as the rain passes and I dry out, I get on with the essential job of fishing.
12:29Oh, oh, oh.
12:30Little touch first go.
12:32Oh, little fish on.
12:34Oh, we've got a perch first cast.
12:36First cast.
12:38Some days you can go all day without catching.
12:44And at other times, first cast you can get one.
12:48Now, I knew that was going to be a good omen but there's a few really amazing things I want to show you about this fish.
12:55So, these stripes, they allow him to be camouflaged because he sits in amongst the rushes and he's an ambush predator.
13:02So, he comes out and eats the tiny fry.
13:05This dorsal fin is his protection because he's small enough to get eaten by another predator.
13:10These are razor sharp.
13:12Okay.
13:13So, he's got an extendable mouth.
13:15So, he can open that and use that as a suction to pull in a small fish.
13:20And this is the super interesting thing.
13:24See that little black dot.
13:26Now, here's a little bit of evolutionary biology for you.
13:30That's actually a defense mechanism.
13:33Why?
13:34Because when he's getting predated upon by a bigger fish like a pike, that actually looks like an eye.
13:41The predator will always go for the head of the fish because that's where they can disable them.
13:45Which means that when a pike attacks them, he actually goes for the wrong part of the fish.
13:50Giving this guy a better chance of getting away.
13:53Right.
13:54I'm going to get this guy back.
13:55He's only a little one.
13:57I like this.
13:58Finally, I found some fish.
14:00I'm going to enjoy this.
14:05Yes.
14:06Another little perch.
14:11This is why a lot of people catch these as their first fish.
14:14Reason being, they're very greedy.
14:18And I'm very greedy.
14:20So, I continue fishing to see whether I can snaffle a larger perch before I consider this species done and dusted.
14:26A little gap between the boats.
14:28I think there's one underneath.
14:31Oh.
14:35Yes.
14:37You little greedy toad.
14:39Well, it's not huge, but it's two or three times the size of the one I caught.
14:43The size of the one I caught yesterday.
14:44Right.
14:45I've got to try and catch a bigger one now.
14:46Oh, a little bit better this one.
14:49Oh, he's fighting.
14:50God, look at him fighting.
14:52Oh, that's better.
14:55I land six little perch, but now I want quality, not quantity.
15:00For perch that are up to the ones we've been catching, they're shoal fish.
15:04But, you can get into a shoal, catch one a cast, catch half a dozen, and then they move off.
15:10There's little pockets of them.
15:12So, I've had a few casts.
15:13No luck.
15:14I'm going to move on.
15:16Oh, there's a slightly better one.
15:20They're getting bigger.
15:21They're getting bigger.
15:23Now, the lake I was fishing yesterday, they go to over four pounds.
15:28That is two, three, five times the size of this little one.
15:35What a difference a day makes.
15:38Happy days.
15:39Oh, this feels like a slightly better one.
15:44Oh, it is.
15:45Oh, it's not quite a pound.
15:48Oh, yes.
15:52Come on, stay on.
15:54Oh, no.
15:58Snap me off.
16:00I love this style of fishing.
16:03So exciting.
16:04It's active, using small light rods.
16:07So even catching small ones, you get a bit of a fight out of it.
16:12And it's hunting.
16:13It's proper hunting style.
16:16I used to spend all my summer holidays
16:19scrabbling around places like this, getting told off by boat owners.
16:23You're not allowed to fish there.
16:26It's bringing back a lot of good memories for me.
16:29Here we go.
16:30You can probably see at the moment that I'm absolutely in my element.
16:38Getting a few bites, catching a few fish.
16:41And even though they're small, there's just something so magical.
16:47Like it's such an obsession that you want to catch more.
16:50Got to try and catch a bigger one.
16:51It's like a little competition with the fish and yourself and the conditions.
16:57This sport takes over people's lives.
17:01My morning total is 10 perch.
17:04Nothing massive, but a good result all the same.
17:06I'm sorted on one of my target species, but I've still got pike to catch.
17:10A little bit bigger.
17:13As I mentioned before, I'm also here to meet record-breaking angler, John Goebel.
17:21He knows these waters like the back of his hand.
17:23And if anyone can help me bag a pike, it's going to be him.
17:27John.
17:29Hello.
17:31Hello, mate. It's Tom.
17:33How are we doing? Spoke on the phone.
17:35How are you, mate?
17:36Not too bad. Can I join you?
17:37Yeah, of course you can.
17:38Cracking.
17:39Help yourself, pal.
17:41How are you?
17:42Yeah, I'm well.
17:43I've come a long way.
17:44Yeah, well, the weather's...
17:46It's wet.
17:47Miserable.
17:48Oh, my God.
17:49Have you been getting a few?
17:51I've got a few roach.
17:55Oh, here we go.
17:56First one from the broads.
17:58Yeah.
18:03Do you know how I found you?
18:04No.
18:05Well, I found on the internet a photo of you with probably the biggest pike I've ever seen in my life.
18:12Oh, I'm a good-looking bugger, aren't you?
18:15And how big was it? It's got to be over 40 pounds, hasn't it?
18:18It was 45 and a half pound.
18:20Half pound.
18:21So, I've found the right bloke then. You've got the right experience.
18:24Oh, yeah.
18:27John's actually going pike fishing tomorrow if the conditions improve.
18:31And he's invited me along for the ride, which is exactly what I need.
18:35If we're going for pike, we need to catch some bait and roach would be perfect.
18:43That big one you have must have been, what, top five or top ten in the country ever?
18:47Yeah, I think it's in the top ten somewhere, yeah.
18:50But it's the biggest one ever to come out of a river.
18:54Is it?
18:55Yes.
18:56You're the UK river record holder?
18:59Yes.
19:01Mate, this is good fishing. I really, this is great fishing.
19:06Oh, now you're in the action, are you?
19:08That's more like it.
19:10Good, I'm glad you've caught your own bait now.
19:13That's all on one?
19:14Just one.
19:15One?
19:16I'm tempted to stay for the roach fishing.
19:18Look at the size of that up.
19:19Bloody hell.
19:21That's a proper one.
19:22You've got to be a bit delicate with these roach, haven't you?
19:24Yeah.
19:26John and I have enough bait for fishing tomorrow.
19:29I've had perch and roach, but I'm not going to waste the rest of my precious day.
19:34If I can get out on the water, I might be able to scout out some decent fishing spots.
19:38I just need a boat.
19:45Oh, yeah.
19:47Right, come in here.
19:52Oh, this is awesome.
19:54Anyone that knows me knows I love boats.
19:59And these, these are the old classic Norfolk sailing boats.
20:07And the design of these ones dates well over a hundred years ago, and they haven't changed much since.
20:13This is incredible.
20:16That over there, that's a cruiser.
20:18Okay, so that's from around about the Second World War.
20:22And apparently, this whole hangar that we're in was three old Spitfire hangars.
20:28So this place is steeped in history.
20:32Oh, it's so cool.
20:35I cannot come to the Norfolk Broads and not go out sailing on one of these classics.
20:41At the moment, they're all out of the water being fixed up.
20:43I do, however, have a cunning plan.
20:47I tracked down the owner Gordon to see if he can get me out on the water.
20:51It's cheeky of me, but it's got to be worth a go.
20:54This is your boat hangar, right?
20:56Yes.
20:57Family business?
20:58Yes.
20:59I'm really desperate to go sailing.
21:00I can't come to the Broads and not go sailing.
21:04We probably could sort something out.
21:09Okay, you have made my day.
21:12Every winter, all of the wooden boats come out of the water to be totally revarnished and painted.
21:18But Gordon does me a massive favour and sets me up with one of his shipwrights and a traditional Norfolk half-decker.
21:25What better way to scope out these beautiful waters?
21:29If you want to jump in, do you want to do the jib sheet for us?
21:34Right, jib sheet.
21:36We good?
21:38Right, coming down, mind your head.
21:39Nice and steady, that's it.
21:41I tell you what, for hardly a breath of wind, that's not a bad speed we've got going.
21:46Yeah, they do go really well, these.
21:48They're superb sailing boats, these.
21:50I love the fact that it's old school, you know, there's no engine.
21:54It's built on an original design, but it's still one of the quickest.
21:56It's an absolute beauty.
21:58Well, that's what people want, you see.
21:59A lot of people don't necessarily want all the mod cons all the time, if you like.
22:04Well, I tell you what, mate, it's nice to be on the water.
22:08This is beautiful.
22:09Well, the fishing, the fishing is really good.
22:11And we get a lot of people who, at our yard, they launch their boats from our slip and they go to various points up this side because they know that the fishing, the fishing is good.
22:22I know.
22:23Well, they're in here, it's famous for them.
22:25It's just fine.
22:27Being on the water is fantastic and I'm absolutely captivated by the wild Norfolk landscape.
22:34So I pluck up the courage to ask if I can ditch my hotel room and stay overnight on the boat instead.
22:40Let's just hope this isn't another one of my famous bright ideas.
22:43Is there anything to cover over the tops?
22:46I think it might be cold on here tonight.
22:48Do you want to cover?
22:49Yeah, yeah, we'll get your cover out.
22:50We've got the sleeping bag.
22:51Yeah, that's all right.
22:52Yeah, we'll get the cover out so you can see how it all goes.
22:54All good.
22:59List of things I need.
23:01Sleeping bag, blanket, another blanket, and probably another blanket.
23:09This seemed like a good idea at the time but it's so cold.
23:14Right, cup of tea.
23:16Do you know what?
23:18For me, this, this is perfect.
23:23It's idyllic.
23:25A little fire going.
23:26I'm in the middle of the Norfolk Broads.
23:30Sleeping on a boat.
23:31Nice cup of tea.
23:33That's what it's all about.
23:35I can't think of anything better.
23:37Well, maybe a bit more fishing.
23:40I did come here to fish and I can't resist a final dib in the water before I curl up in the boat and freeze.
23:48I'm just jigging a little lure.
23:53I can catch predators, pike, perch, and zander at night.
23:57And it's just something to do before I go to bed.
24:01But the only thing I catch, rather bizarrely, is someone else's landing net.
24:07Slash insect zoo.
24:12Look at that.
24:13A little freshwater shrimp.
24:15I think that's a dragonfly larvae.
24:16That's a small one.
24:18So with the biology lesson over, I decide to call it a night.
24:21Can you see that?
24:22Yep.
24:23I'm going to bed basically with a small tarpaulin over me floating on the river.
24:29And it's very cold.
24:30Still got my jacket on so I'm nice and cosy though.
24:31Right.
24:32Night everyone.
24:33Adventures of fishing tomorrow.
24:34See you tomorrow.
24:35The night was cold.
24:36But I'm still alive and now I'm on the move.
24:38It's my third day in Norfolk and I've challenged myself to catch two species in tough conditions
24:42in four days.
24:43Now I face the hardest part of my challenge and that's to land a pike.
24:44I really don't stand a chance alone.
24:45So I've roped in the help of pike fishing legend, John Goble.
24:46Trying to find a natural rescue me.
24:47I'm trying to find a natural interrupted way.
24:52A pirate fishing boat.
24:53I'd like to put something like hide.
24:55aworking fibrilies.
24:56Definitely buildeauæse fishing.
24:57And up to me up to a pancake rod.
24:59All what theses make hinder safق, and again, album.
25:01Only live!
25:02And performance is not abundantly Tor millions ofセ'tients.
25:05Things are concerned that you've lost a quartz fishing fishing.
25:06Don't reportedly find any scenery ofría if you've migrated by them.
25:08All right.
25:09Absolutely.
25:10I'll have to call us.
25:11Once again.
25:12They've given me these great projects away.
25:13All right.
25:14And all right.
25:15And we're going to continually find two loops.
25:16Where we can get access
25:21John's down here somewhere, but I think it's gonna test my directional skills trying to find him
25:30Well, I'm still
25:32Trying to find John. No phone signal can't get hold of him
25:37In the middle of nowhere lost
25:41Don't really know what to do
25:46All right, let's go find some water. We can't be far away
25:50Would you believe it? I was only about 500 yards away
25:57Still we're here now
25:59Water yes, I'm in the right spot
26:07I've arrived I found John he's checking out the boat that we're meant to be going out on but
26:16Look at this
26:21Again
26:29No fish in here today
26:32John's about as angry as I am actually
26:34He loves his fishing I've come a long way to find this guy and come and fish this place and
26:46I'm gutted. I'm absolutely gutted. Look at it. It's perfect. It's pike haven
26:52And we can't get out
26:54Pikes are a distinctive freshwater predator and are a top choice for sport anglers
27:02Their ambush technique makes good use of their lightning-fast acceleration
27:07They can grow large and it's common to find them a meter long weighing around 10 kilos
27:12My realistic target would be a fish up to five kilos or ten pounds
27:19Right, we're on to plan B
27:23We've found a piece of water on the river Ant here because it's moving
27:27It's the only piece of water in a 50 mile radius that isn't frozen solid
27:34John reckons we're gonna get one
27:36But the water it's a little bit colored for my liking
27:41But it's much better than plan a
27:47The pike here will be smaller, but hopefully easier to catch
27:53I'm full of confidence. I mean, I'll feel sure we're gonna get one here. Yeah. Yeah feel sure promise
28:00Um
28:04Yeah
28:06I'm enthusiastic even if John isn't
28:09He goes up river and I go down towards the bridge basically we need to cover as much water as possible
28:18I
28:20Love this type of fishing
28:23It is
28:25It goes from calm and tranquil one minute and in a second it can all change
28:32Where this bridge narrows?
28:35The flow pushes right through
28:38So I'm just trotting the bait down under the bridge and that current the flow is just carrying it gently through
28:46And it means you can cover so much water
28:50It's uh
28:52Not exactly the most
28:55Beautiful looking uh fishing swim I've ever had
29:04But on a day like today wherever else is frozen
29:08I will take what I can get
29:10And what I get is nothing
29:17So I move up river to another boatyard to see if my luck will change
29:21I'm not even sure if we're allowed to be here but
29:23I'm not even sure if we're allowed to be here but
29:25There's got
29:26There's got
29:27There's so many features
29:29There's got to be a pike sat underneath here
29:31Now the reason I think that there might be one around these boats is because pike are ambush predators
29:46They're really well camouflaged and they sit down
29:50They love structure they sit down near the bottom
29:52They'll be in and around the pilings under the boat and they'll sit there for hours sometimes
29:58Just waiting for a poor unsuspecting fish
30:01To come on by
30:04And today
30:05That fish is hopefully going to be my bait
30:09If they're going to be under a structure like that you normally get a bite pretty quick
30:13I'm going to head back and go and see John now
30:15See if he's had any luck
30:17We both manage what can only be described as a blank
30:21That looks cosy a bit warmer than my boat
30:24Yeah, exactly
30:26Yeah
30:27So I looked at the weather report
30:29It's five degrees this afternoon
30:31I don't think it's going to get freezing tonight
30:33Good
30:34And then it's going to be warm tomorrow
30:35So I'm hoping that ice is going to thaw
30:37Yeah
30:38Well let's hope so
30:39It usually takes
30:41Um
30:42To the best of my knowledge
30:44A couple of days to thaw out
30:46Right
30:47I think we've really got to suck it and see
30:49Right
30:50Okay
30:51And um
30:52Fingers crossed
30:55One bee hasn't worked has it today
31:00I'm desperate for a broads pike
31:02I know
31:03Famous mate
31:04Famous
31:05Do you know what's worse than not catching a fish?
31:09Is John promising me that I'd catch a fish?
31:13He's got to either take me to his secret spot
31:16And I know he's got one
31:19Or
31:20He's in big trouble
31:28Not happening
31:30Conditions are so tough
31:32Today's location would normally have been a banker
31:35But instead gave me nothing
31:37I'm running out of time
31:38I'm running out of time
31:39And there's only one day left of my Norfolk fishing mission
31:50Pretty disheartened to be honest
31:51It's uh
31:53It's uh
31:57It's upsetting to find the right guy
31:59Be in the right area
32:01He knows the right spots
32:04I just can't seem to get one
32:07Come a long long way
32:08And I seriously don't want a blank
32:10I just want a blank
32:14It's a new day
32:15And my last one here
32:16I've got one thing on my mind
32:17And that is to catch a pike
32:19If I do
32:20Fantastic
32:21But the odds
32:22Are against me
32:23I haven't even made it out of the car park yet
32:25This is actually getting a little bit beyond a joke now
32:36It feels like the coldest sustained weather period we've had since the last ice age
32:42I've just spent 20 minutes
32:44Look you can see it around here
32:45I've just spent 20 minutes
32:47Trying to
32:48Just be able to see out my van
32:50To try and get to the water
32:52But I already know
32:53It's just going to be frozen solid again
32:55So
32:59To be honest
33:01Sort of feel like giving up a little bit at the moment
33:04If I thought my chances of catching yesterday was zero
33:12After another freezing cold night
33:17I just can't see
33:19I can't see why it's going to be any different
33:24Oh
33:25What am I doing?
33:27I'm trying to go fishing
33:29In a place
33:31Where instead of the water being water
33:34It's solid
33:35Like it's hard
33:36Like frozen solid
33:38Driving round the road
33:40Before the sun comes up
33:41Spending 20 minutes
33:42Trying to get the ice off my van
33:48To try and catch a fish
33:54I'm determined not to repeat yesterday's lacklustre performance
33:59And I can't let the ice beat me
34:01I've sorted out a boat
34:03That will hopefully cut us a channel to work from
34:06But is it going to be enough to convince John to take me out?
34:09Nearly there!
34:10Tom!
34:11What's going on old pal?
34:12John!
34:13John!
34:14John!
34:15I've got a plan!
34:17I want to go out!
34:18I've got an icebreaker!
34:19A metal boat!
34:20Right!
34:21And I want to head out!
34:22Are you sure?
34:23We can use it as an icebreaker right?
34:24I'm not happy with it!
34:25But
34:26Oh come on!
34:27I mean if you twist me arm!
34:28Come on!
34:29I want to go out!
34:30Come on then let's go!
34:31Yeah!
34:32Yeah!
34:33Let's do it!
34:34Alright!
34:35As I've been scouting about already I do have some suggestions of possible places to try!
34:36I've spotted an area down at Pilby Bridge it's the only bit that's clear!
34:38Right!
34:39Right!
34:40Right!
34:41Right!
34:42Right!
34:43Right!
34:44Oh come on!
34:45I mean if you twist me arm!
34:47Come on!
34:48I want to go out!
34:50Come on then let's go!
34:51Yeah!
34:52Yeah!
34:53Let's do it!
34:54Alright!
34:55As I've been scouting about already I do have some suggestions of possible places to try!
35:00I've spotted an area down at Pilby Bridge it's the only bit that's clear!
35:07Right!
35:08I know you don't want to go out John so I'll do the tough bit!
35:11I'll break the ice!
35:12Right!
35:13You do the engine!
35:14Yeah!
35:15We're off!
35:16Do you think we'll get there?
35:17Yeah!
35:19We're moving!
35:28Right!
35:38It takes some hard work to cut a channel in the ice but it was certainly the right idea!
35:43After an hour we have a path that John's boat which is better suited to fishing will
35:48be able to follow through without damaging the hull!
35:51Yeah!
35:52Finally!
35:53We got out!
35:54This is your idea!
35:55Come on!
35:56You're right old cock!
35:57I seem to remember you making me a promise though!
36:02Yeah!
36:03That was yesterday!
36:04And we're off!
36:05In spring and summer the broads are packed full of pleasure cruisers and day trippers.
36:19But fishing at a time of year when only mad men venture out we've got the place to ourselves!
36:26The day has suddenly warmed up for me!
36:41I'm happy now!
36:42Oh yeah!
36:43Is predator fishing, pike fishing your first love then?
36:47Yeah!
36:48It is!
36:49Yeah!
36:50Go on!
36:51Why?
36:52Because I like a lot of styles of fishing but why is this one so popular?
36:53I just love pike fishing!
36:55I liked it!
36:56Oh!
36:57More years than I can remember!
36:59Really?
37:00My wife of 50 years said I should be married to a pike!
37:08It's time to get on with the job in hand!
37:11Let's see if I can catch a pike!
37:14No self-respecting pike is going to leave that alone!
37:18It's a free meal!
37:19Two hours pass and the pike just aren't having it!
37:26I've got a feeling during the middle of the day when it warms up we'll probably have some
37:30access to some other areas as it starts to melt!
37:33Yeah!
37:34I think we will mate!
37:35Oh!
37:36Hang about!
37:37What?
37:38Just gumbled!
37:39Oh!
37:40Bite!
37:41Bite!
37:42Bite!
37:43Bite!
37:44Bite!
37:45Bite!
37:46Bite!
37:47Bite!
37:48Bite!
37:49Bite!
37:50Bite!
37:51Bite!
37:52Bite!
37:53Bite!
37:54Bite!
37:55Bite!
37:56Bite!
37:57Bite!
37:58Bite!
37:59Bite!
38:00Thank you!
38:01Ohhhhhhhh!
38:02That's a massive blow!
38:03It was so close!
38:05Ohh no!
38:06That was on the live bait as well!
38:08Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
38:09Let's have a little look at it mate!
38:11Throw it back at it.
38:12Oh, bugger!
38:13Bugger, did you see that swirl on the surface?
38:16Mate, the rod bent double.
38:20Just gonna let that out there.
38:23That's what happens in fishing.
38:27I could cry, John.
38:30But then there's another indication on the float.
38:33This is what I came here for.
38:35Oh, hang on.
38:36The bait's off, mate.
38:38Yeah, I reckon that's the same fish.
38:42Right.
38:43Just holding this one in there.
38:44Yeah, he's still going.
38:46What do you reckon?
38:47Me too.
38:48Oh, right.
38:49This is the moment of truth.
38:50Yes, fish on.
38:53Oh, it feels decent too.
38:58Oh, Norfolk Broads.
39:00Pulling the boat in.
39:02Oh, John, boy, you've done me proud.
39:04Come on.
39:06Oh, my God, my heart is going crazy right now.
39:13Right.
39:22This could be a...
39:23This feels decent.
39:25Oh, I'm gonna get to see him.
39:30Oh, it's a good fish.
39:33That'll do.
39:34Oh, John, boy.
39:35Catching a pike is always special in my book, but in conditions like these, it's nothing short
39:47of a miracle.
39:48I've worked so hard for this fish.
39:55I've broken more ice than I care to remember.
39:59Oh, man.
40:00Look at him.
40:01He's not the biggest, but he's a beauty.
40:04Oh, right.
40:06Now, the reason that these fish are so popular with anglers is because they're absolutely fearsome.
40:15Look at the teeth.
40:16And he has picked up the, what was it, a mackerel dead bait, wasn't it, John?
40:20Three quarters of a mackerel.
40:21That is a big fish that he's picked up.
40:24What are you going to give me?
40:25Not quite a double?
40:26No, I'll give you a seven or eight.
40:29Seven or eight pounds.
40:30He's got a flat belly.
40:31That is a good start.
40:37Yep.
40:38Oh, that is cold.
40:39That's all right.
40:40That is cold.
40:41Oh, it's gone straight back.
40:46Put it there, mate.
40:50Yes.
40:51You little beauty.
40:52There we are.
40:53Let's get some more.
40:54Do you reckon we can get another one?
40:55Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
40:57An eight or nine pound pike is good enough, and I can return home with my head held high.
41:02I've managed to achieve what I set out to do, but I'm not giving up, and I've just seen
41:07another pike.
41:08Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:10It's trying to get under the ice.
41:11It's all right.
41:12There you go, Tommy.
41:15There you go.
41:16Oh, mate.
41:17Sorry, mate.
41:19Under the water, keep it low and sideways away from you.
41:25Just...
41:26That's it, yeah.
41:27He's just stuck on the edge of that ice.
41:29That's all right.
41:30Don't worry about that.
41:31Don't worry about that.
41:32I wait until he starts moving off.
41:34Yeah.
41:35Give me a little bit of slack.
41:36You'll see the loin going.
41:37Oh, you see the float?
41:38Yeah.
41:39Oh, he's gone now, yeah.
41:40Go on, then.
41:41Hit it.
41:42Oh, yeah.
41:43I can see him in the clear water.
41:44Oh, he's come off again.
41:45No.
41:46He's just come down.
41:47You see the fish?
41:48No.
41:49He opened his mouth.
41:50I saw the whole lot of that.
41:51It was a smallish one.
41:52Oh, no.
41:53You dummy.
41:54Well, the dummy and his pilot take a moment to drink something warm and take in how lucky
41:57we are to be in this fantastic location.
41:59But with time running out, can I land another pike?
42:00All right, then, Captain.
42:01Where are we going to go?
42:02Right, up to the end.
42:03Full steam ahead.
42:04Right, bite.
42:05We've got a bite.
42:06I can see it down here.
42:07Oh, no.
42:08Oh, no.
42:09Oh, no.
42:10Oh, no.
42:11Oh, no.
42:12Oh, no.
42:13Oh, no.
42:14Oh, no.
42:15Oh, no.
42:16Oh, no.
42:17Oh, no.
42:18Oh, no.
42:19Oh, no.
42:20Oh, no.
42:21Oh, no.
42:22Oh, no.
42:23Oh, no.
42:24Oh, no.
42:25Oh, no.
42:26Oh, no.
42:27Oh, no.
42:28Oh, no.
42:29Oh, no.
42:30I can see it down here.
42:31All right, mate.
42:32Steady.
42:33Steady.
42:34Yeah, it's a big bite.
42:35Now, leave it.
42:36Yeah.
42:37Open your bay alarm.
42:38Yeah, I can see the float going off.
42:39I saw the pike come up and flash.
42:40Yeah.
42:41And then I went and watched the float go on.
42:43The bait we're using, a roach, isn't a big fish, but might be too large for the pike
42:48that's trying to take it.
42:49It's not a big pike.
42:50I've seen it.
42:51Yeah, I think it's a big pike, you see?
42:53Yeah.
42:54Trying to get it in his mouth.
42:55Yeah.
42:56Oh, it's like a scene out of Jaws.
43:01Is it still there?
43:02Yeah.
43:03Watch.
43:04Right.
43:05I think he's let go.
43:06That bait's too big for him.
43:11Yeah.
43:12Yeah.
43:13Fish on.
43:14It's only a small one.
43:27Yeah, we'll keep the rod below.
43:29Not too odd.
43:30This smaller pike is an angry little chap and puts up quite a fight as I try and bring
43:35it in.
43:42Yeah, that was that one that I saw earlier.
43:44How do you know?
43:45It's exactly the same size.
43:48She's only a small one.
43:52We actually, we had a bite from this maybe, what, five minutes ago?
43:55Yeah.
43:56On a big bait.
43:57You couldn't even get it in her mouth.
43:58Yeah.
43:59But that's how greedy they are as predators.
44:01But this, oh, look at all the mottled spots and the stripy fins.
44:06I know, fat sheep.
44:09That is a healthy fish.
44:11Yeah.
44:12But at four and a half, five pound, you've had one that's ten times the size of this.
44:18Small old cocker.
44:21Ten times.
44:23She's going back in.
44:25Look at the teeth.
44:26Go on, she's opening her mouth.
44:30Arr.
44:31What a beauty.
44:34Straight back.
44:37Yes, me boy.
44:39Number two.
44:40Right, third time lucky.
44:41We're going to get you a double.
44:43My dreams of a third larger pike don't come true.
44:47But that first fish are almost ten pounds in these conditions is an absolute result.
44:53And it means I'm leaving in victory, not defeat.
44:58What a day.
45:03Yeah.
45:05Put it there.
45:06Good morning, mate.
45:07John's a bit cold and a bit stiff and he's got the ump because we didn't catch a big one.
45:20But I'm over the moon because we had one at all.
45:23What a day.
45:24Home time.
45:25I tell you what, John has been an absolute legend.
45:35He's nearly 70 years old and he's taken me out beyond what he would want to do.
45:42He was not happy about going out this morning.
45:45And I've pestered him into taking me out.
45:48And essentially I'm just a stranger.
45:49I've just come out of nowhere, found him because he caught a big fish.
45:54And he's put me on the fish in the most difficult conditions I think ever.
46:01And we caught.
46:03So, what a fantastic day.
46:06Over the moon.
46:07He was upset that they weren't that big.
46:10I'm just happy to have had a bite.
46:13Brilliant day.
46:16My trip here started out as being very frustrating.
46:19I struggled to catch fish as big as my finger.
46:22And I had to borrow techniques from a lad half my age.
46:26The location and conditions have been completely out of my control.
46:29But I've had perch, roach and finally one of my all time favourite fish.
46:33The pike.
46:36I came to Norfolk to challenge myself and I've come out on top.
46:39But it might not be the same next time.
46:42I can't wait to find out where my journey takes me next.
46:46And I went back.
46:47And they were sm geliyor.
46:48I can't wait to find out why.
46:51It's the only thing I have been doing now.
46:52And now I have to go back to my bow.
46:53So that's a gift, please.