It’s that time of the year when I’m finally back on Airfield lake. It feels like a lifetime since we were last here. It’s been a long, hard old winter this year.

I never grow tired of this place with its incredible views.

I arrived before Ian this week, we discussed some options in the week after looking at the forecast and had decided that we really need to be behind that cold northerly wind. Thursday was going to be the windy one and it would drop off over the next 24 hours. The pressure was rising, however, there was more sunshine forecast than earlier in the week. We need the sunshine out to keep the water temperature up and fingers crossed, the carp may feed.

I was considering not bothering this week, however with the school Easter Holidays ever closer and my dad is visiting for two weeks. We are looking forward to seeing him as we last saw him last August when we holiday on the Norfolk Broads. It only gave me two weekends to fish.

I called Ian just after 9 and discussed what was available, as well as the fact that Meadow Lake would also be closing tonight and the weekend anglers would be heading our way. We felt that the bottom part of the lake complex would get the most attention and probably put the carp off feeding as well. This left the North Bank of the complex and the island swims.

This swim was the perfect spot out of the wind unless there was a bit of an easterly kick to it. In the sunshine it’s baking hot, unfortunately, the sleety snow showers were something I hadn’t planned for and it certainly made me think about where to place my baits and the amount of baited I planned on using.

The right rod was off the island in front of me, just off the gravel and in a lovely smooth silty spot, with a few boilies and maize. The left rod was in the margins to my left, off the front of the big overhanging bush, which could potentially cause me an issue. I’m hoping that the carp run away from the snag into open water. First I need to get a bite to discover how they react, as they are very astute fish in here.

I had a couple of bleeps around 10 pm and was feeling confident, but they didn’t materialize into anything at all. The same happened again this morning, which must mean something is on the move, but not picking the baits up. It happened on the long rod, so there’s every chance of something giving me a line bite as well, but it’s a positive note.

It’s a lovely misty Spring morning and still no signs of carp yet (which is a shame), but we are trying to get them back on unnatural food. They have been eating natural food since 1st November when it closed and over the hard winter that we had, so who can blame them really?

We will put a bit of thought into how to approach tonight and next week’s session over the next 24 hours.

In all honesty, I generally struggle until April (which we have only just got into) and with the Easter holidays this year, I’m going to miss two weeks at probably the perfect time, but that’s how it is.

The carp have been very shy about showing themselves this weekend, with the exception of the big sanctuary bay area. They will happily stick their heads out knowing they are safely away from any hook-baits. It can be a bit frustrating for newcomers to the lake, but it’s something the older syndicate members have gotten used to over the years. I tend to check in there and if they are active there’s a good chance they will be about in other areas, but hiding away.

Had a friend around yesterday afternoon, quite happy dozing in the afternoon sunshine, close to where I was due to cook my tea on the Weber.

I don’t think there’s a lot more that I can be doing, it’s about whether the carp fancy a feed on something different.

I sorted out the margin rod and was planning on leaving the range rod out until the friendly swan swam to me and took me out. Once both rods were back out and I was happy it was time to get tea on the go.

My timing may have coincided with a rain or snow shower.

Hopefully, that black cloud will pass by with no issues, so I can cook and eat my tea in the peaceful soundings that are Airfield lake.

It was a blank night for me, with the exception of a few bleeps from the swan this morning. I woke up in a frozen bivvy, but the sunshine is doing its job – slowly.

It’s been a funny few nights with the weather, warm as toast in the day and minus temperatures at night typical April weather.

Unfortunately, no Airfield Lake carp this trip, but a very enjoyable few days’s on the bank.

Until next time

Richard

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