The Airfield Lake is closed until next March, so it’s time for getting sorted for some winter fishing. After a great deal of thought and consideration. I’ve decided I’m going to drop my ticket on the syndicate I joined this year, I really prefer out-of-the-way waters and unknown possibilities. This, which is what I grew up fishing on, and just love the wild water, like the Airfield Lake, which I would fish all year long if it was possible.

So I’m back on Meadow Lake and there’s going to be plenty of these over the next few months, as I’m unable to get down before dark, due to family stuff.

I wasn’t sure how busy it was going to be as there had been a cold snap and the first frost or 3 of the year. I’d been checking my readings on the Fish Deeper Page on the computer and formalizing myself with the features all over again. You only really remember the main ones and I was interested in the others, I had a feeling that it was going to be busy this winter.

I was a little bit lucky this week and managed to arrive at just gone 4 pm, in time to look about and find not an angler on the lake. As I didn’t have a clue where the carp were and didn’t spot any signs, I headed for a swim which gives a fantastic view of the top end of the lake. I can also walk around a bush and watch the other end of the lake, I can listen out for the carp crashing in the winter bay. If I’m lucky, I can do this in the middle of the night, which is the most common time for the carp to show, it’s easily done without going far away from my swim.

I flicked the marker rod out in the direction I was hoping to find a clear area. I’d been told the weed had grown well this year, this is a really good sign that the water is in pristine condition, I found some straight away. My second cast was put out a bit further and I found some lovely smooth silt, so I flicked my rod out there with the old baits and rigs on, to check for any signs of silkweed – there was none. As the light was fading, it was time to clip everything up and get a small amount of bait out there. I also had no idea of how it was fishing, it’s generally hard going in October and November and only picks up really in mid-January, but you never know.

My bait choice went from one end of the scale to another – a single 10mm Dumbell to a 20mm Wafter, Both in Classic Corn, over a bed of 12mm Boilies, maize, pellets, and about 10 spombs over each rod, we will see where we go from there. 

With a single bleep around 8 pm, I was feeling pretty positive about the possibility of a take before midnight. Alas, that didn’t happen. The skies cleared, the temperature dropped and the early morning mist arrived. I may well have to wait until mid-morning or a bit later for my first bite, but this trip is more about gathering information to go into the winter months.

A glint of the sun is somewhere out there.

The day passed by with no action or any signs of carp. I made the decision to leave the rods as they are for another 24 hours and hope something comes my way before home time tomorrow. Tonight is going to be warm and the wind is switching around to the South West. Unfortunately, the pressure will be 1030 by the time I pack up tomorrow morning, not looking great, but we can only hope and put faith in what we know.

I was up about 4 30 listening out and watching the water for carpy signs. I was also wondering if leaving my baits out had been such a good idea. After hearing a few carp crashing in that direction around midnight, I was sure one of my rods would have rattled off at some point overnight.

I dropped off to sleep with the door open and woke up to my friendly robin hopping about inside looking for a bit of warmth and no doubt food.

With only a couple of hours left, it doesn’t look great, but we live in hope and are full of confidence until the rods are reeled in.

Until next time.

Richard