Even more improbable

Happily catching small perch on little flies from under the canal-side bushes. Then all of a sudden it feels like I have hooked a tree, until it starts to move.

After a few minutes the pike - maybe 6-7lb - bites through the line and is gone. Pity, but a great 'one that got away story'. It'll never happen again...

Half an hour later I get the same sensation - and this time it's a whopper of a pike for any rod, let alone a tenkara rod that has the line tied off to the tip, maybe 10-15lb in weight. Twice it lunges for tree roots and I just hope the rod doesn't snap as I heave in the opposite direction. It's a one sided contest and when the pike really wakes up and gives a proper sweep of its tail the acceleration is so sudden and unstoppable that the line pings back, hook bent straight.

An even more improbable fisherman's story.

Then only 50 yards along the bank, it happens again. This time the fish is much smaller - only 4-5lb, but it's still far bigger than the rod is supposed to handle. The fish tries the same tactics but everything stays together and I finally tumble through the brambles and grab it for a quick photo.