Rainbows on a Midgit Digit

 I love old lures, well I love lures in general but the older ones tend to get neglected for all the modern fancy ones we use. 

So I presented myself with a challenge, I had to use a lure that was at least 50 years old on my recent fishing escapade, no modern lures allowed!

It actually took a while to cycle through some lazy ikes, creek chub pikies and river runts until I found one that worked, the good old midget digit, first made in 1948 and last production run was 1974..

This little baby did the job and cleaned up for me!

But now comes the messy part, 

 

Quite a bit of work to clean them all out, but we now have plenty of fish for smoking, brining and whatever else we might need it for in the months to come.

Making Hazel withies

 At this time of year, young fresh growth of certain trees like willow and Hazel can be made into a rough, tough form of cordage or binding material called withies.

To make these, hold the end of the young branch in both hands and twist in opposite directions, this starts the internal fibres breaking, 

As you work along the stem start twisting it in a cranking motion almost like you are peddling a bike with your hands, the bark may start to break off at this stage but that doesn't matter

Once it gets too hard to crank anymore cut it from the tree and put it to its intended use, either fence making, shelter building or basket handles, if you've done it correctly you should even be able to tie the branch in a knot!

Get out and practise those skills!!