I was so nearly going to be fishing the Airfield lake for the last time this trip out. However, I would have only been able to fish Thursday night and with a quick change of arrangements with the wife, I was able to fish the weekend. Then came the hard choice; one night on the Airfield, then move to Meadow lake or just do both nights on the Meadow. I would have to hope there would be a few on the Airfield, which would reduce the numbers on Meadow.
I arrived about 1830 and started to drive around the lake. Much to my amazement, this swim was free. The other three I had in mind had other angler’s in. So without missing a heart beat, I parked up and unloaded the kit into the swim. I proceeded to put out 3 kilos of Smokey Jack. If I was going to be here for 48 hrs, I needed a good bed of bait. If no fish came the first night, I hand made up some of my ground Bait mix, it was frozen krill & bloodworm with a mix of Spotted Fin groundbait, with a load of pellets soaked on CSL liquid. I had made up very sloppy, to give a cloud effect. I would be putting out this tomorrow lunchtime, to get the fish moving into the area for the afternoon and evening feeding spell.
I was using a Smokey Jack wafter on one rod and a 18 mm bottom bait on the other rod. Both were soaked in Smokey Jack dip and they where both being fished on the Ronnie rig. I have found this to be absolutely brilliant for both bottom baits, Wafters and of course, pop ups. Both rigs have been tied up with semi stuff fin skin and a size 6 Turning point hook.
Lets see what the first 12 hrs bring.
Well, that night was rubbish. Only bream, a broken clip on my spoil and plenty of linners to keep me up and keen. I was up at just after 7 am to get the baits perfectly back on the spots and hope this morning brings a fish or two.
My first take came around 1030 to the left hand round which had the 18 mm bottom bait on and after a quick battle (as it was daylight), oh this swim is so much easier in the day time.
Just over the 16lb mark, which will do me to start off with. I had been playing with rigs in the week and the Go2 wafter range. I thought it would an ideal time to test it out during the day on here, as I am thinking ahead for the winter.
I tried up a couple of Florocarbon-line rigs to a size 6 Sf straight point hook, with 3 of the Go2 Wafters on. This sat very nicely in the water.
So after that fish, it was a perfect opportunity to give them a try.
The day passed, the wind and the rain picked up as forecast. I had Spombed out a load of ground bait, I had mixed up and topped up the swim just before dark with about six Spombs of boilies.
I didn’t want to over do it due to the lack of takes so far. However, I was very hopeful of tonight and sure enough at the normal take time, the right hand rod ripped off. I was attached to a nice lump, well it felt like it. Unfortunately, the hook pulled, which it very unusual for me, but these things happen. Time for a new rig and some fun casting out in these strong winds. Job done, it was time to warm up with a brew and get my head down again.
I was woken up by the next take at first light and proceeded to reel straight into what felt a bit like a bream, until it broke the surface some 3 rod lengths out and went crazy. Up and down the margins, crashing around on the surface, it finally top the scales at 22 lb 2 oz. I put it in the retaining sling, I felt it would be best of the carp. It was certainly not happy on the mat. However after about 10 minutes, when I had recast my rod back onto the spot, it was feeling a bit less stressed out.
The rain had past and the wind calmed down a lot.
A lot calmer than through the night.
With all but the bivvy down, the rods on the floor and all but the mat & net out. I am sitting on my bucket reflecting on a nice weekends fishing. We all have that last few minutes of hope. That one last fish. Would you believe it? I heard the right hand rod reel whizz off and I was attached to another nice Meadow Lake carp.
As luck would have it another nice 20 lber, which is a nice end to the weekend.
Until next time
Richard
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