Listen to the Song (The Doctor of the Lake)
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
The Tench
The Gentle Survivor
“As dawn breaks across a quiet lake and the mist begins to lift, few sights are more beautiful than the first bubbles of a feeding Tench rising gently to the surface.”
Species Profile
The Tench (Tinca tinca) is one of Britain’s most treasured freshwater fish. With its deep olive-green body, tiny crimson eyes and beautifully rounded fins, it has fascinated anglers for centuries.
Often called “The Doctor Fish”, old folklore claimed that other fish would rub against a Tench to heal their wounds because of the protective mucus covering its body. While this remains a charming legend, it reflects the admiration people have always had for this remarkable species.
Comfortable in lakes, ponds, canals and slow-moving rivers, the Tench is a patient feeder, searching the bottom for food among weed beds and soft silt.
Clive’s Story
Every angler remembers their first Tench.
For me, they always represented peaceful summer mornings.
There was something magical about arriving before sunrise, setting up quietly beside a still lake and waiting for the first signs of life.
Then they would appear.
Tiny streams of bubbles would slowly drift across the surface as a feeding Tench disturbed the lake bed below.
Those bubbles were enough to set every angler’s heart racing.
When the float finally lifted or slid away, the strike was rewarded by one of the strongest and most determined fish found in stillwater.
Despite their reputation for being gentle, Tench fight with incredible strength, using every patch of weed to their advantage.
Natural History
The Tench is perfectly adapted to life in slow-moving and still waters rich in aquatic vegetation.
Its diet consists mainly of bloodworm, insect larvae, snails, freshwater shrimps and other small creatures found within the soft lake bed.
Unlike many fish, the Tench is happiest feeding during the early morning and evening, particularly throughout the warmer months of late spring and summer.
Its thick protective slime helps defend against disease and parasites, contributing to the legends that surround this fascinating species.
Interesting Facts
- Scientific name: Tinca tinca
- Family: Cyprinidae (Carp Family)
- Common nickname: The Doctor Fish
- Average size: 2–6 lb
- Specimen size: Double-figure Tench are highly prized
- Habitat: Lakes, ponds, canals and slow rivers
- Diet: Bloodworm, insect larvae, snails, worms and crustaceans
- Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Behind the Song
When writing The Gentle Survivor, I wanted the music to reflect the calmness of an early summer morning.
Unlike the excitement of the Barbel or the elegance of the Grayling, the Tench belongs to peaceful waters where patience is rewarded.
The melody builds gently, just as the first bubbles appear on the surface before the float finally slips beneath the water.
It is a celebration of quiet moments that every stillwater angler understands.
Conservation
Healthy Tench populations depend upon well-managed lakes and ponds with abundant aquatic plants and clean water.
Protecting wetlands is vital, not only for Tench but also for dragonflies, amphibians, birds and countless other species that share these valuable habitats.
Every healthy lake supports an entire community of wildlife.
Clive’s Reflection
Whenever I think about Tench, I think about peace.
The gentle sound of birdsong.
The mist lifting from the lake.
The quiet anticipation of watching a float.
Fishing for Tench has never simply been about catching fish.
It has always been about slowing down and appreciating the beauty of nature.
In a busy world, perhaps that lesson is more valuable than ever.
“The quietest waters often hold the richest treasures.”
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