I arrived down the lake just before midday and was very keen to head back over to where I was last time. But for some reason, I headed left at the gate to go and have a look at the Tower Point swims.
I was interested in one of the four swims going out into the Big Lake. The first one had a day angler pitched up in, I wandered down to the third swim, which took my fancy. I then headed off down to the end swim, I didn’t really fancy that swim, as it was due to be extremely hot for the coming days and that swim is very exposed. My swim choice was around shade again. However, I had packed my Fox Camo Tarpaulin and could use that. It was very useful when we were camping in Wales the other week and I didn’t fancy losing any more carp and wearing waders is getting a bit much in this heat.
With all this in mind, the third swim down the Tower Point looked interesting and more favorable – more than the first swim on the island.
The choice was made, and I hope the heat does spoil it for me. There was something telling me to fish here – the carp are pretty much everywhere now, after they finish spawning they just spread out.
I barrowed my kit down and processed to spomb out 5 kilos of Impact Particles.
I would stick out some 20mm Classic Corn Boilies once it got dark, the seagulls are a right pain.
There’s a Fast & Light under there somewhere!
I’m going to be sticking with PVA bags this session. I’ve been playing around with solid PVA bag stems recently with various sizes of pellets, as I’ve moved over to fishing large hook baits over particles. I think anglers generally do. I often try and do the opposite to everyone or the new trend of fishing style.
My first take was at 0303. I’d had a single bleep about 10 minutes before it melted off into the distance and after a very straightforward fight, my first carp was in the net.
The fish was between 10 and 12 lbs. Not a bad start and gives me confidence for the coming few nights. I clicked on a new bag and rig and launched it out there, then quickly got my head down before the dawn chorus started.
My second take happened at 0535. This time, it was to the left-hand rod, plus it felt a better fish than the last one. When it rolled, it turned out to be a mirror carp as well. I just needed to get it in the net, as it was going up and down the margins, trying to get near a snag – as they do.
It wasn’t long before it was ready for the net – happy days – fish no 2!
19lb 13oz Mirror carp, very leather looking as well, which is quite common on here. The sun was out, but it was surprisingly cold.
I soon had the rod back out there and quickly got my Pukka jacket on, to warm myself up, along with the first brew of the day.
The camp was still standing and hopefully, keep that heat off me over the coming days.
The rod was back out on the spot in the chilly north wind, with another fresh PVA bag and a 22mm big fish or a Krill wafter. I’m not 100% sure as I mixed up the pots or even the lids the other months.
I was nicely surprised that it didn’t feel that warm today, and under the tarp, it was very pleasant. I reeled in about 1pm, to go for a walkabout and have a chat with a fellow members. Ian is due down at some point this afternoon. There are a few clouds in the sky, it’s very nice when the sun goes behind them, my swim starts to go into the shade around 3 pm.
I put fresh baits and PVA bags out just before then. In the hope of getting an afternoon or early evening carp. It was also time for a late lunch of tuna and salad, am trying to keep things a bit healthy.
The pressure is going to peak tomorrow at 1020 mbs and drop way down to 1009 MBS by Monday. The wind is pretty much in every direction, but mostly from the north or east, which will keep me cooler.
It was just after 11 p.m, and I had a drop back, which wasn’t attached to anything. I started to put a new bag on when I thought I heard Ian playing a carp. I grabbed my phone and head torch, and walked quietly down towards his swim. I didn’t want to wake him if I was just hearing crashing carp, I was right – he’d just netted a 17lb.
He was happy with that. I headed back off to my swim to get that bag out, I had just sat down on the bedchair and my other rod ripped off, after a straightforward fight, a lovely Common was in the net.
18lb 15oz. Two takes within a few minutes of each other, it was perfect timing for a short video and a few snaps. I now just needed to get this rod back out and get my head down.
Morning, was pretty quiet after the action in the night, with just a few lines randomly waking me up. It’s going to be another hot one, but the last for some time. The pressure is slowly starting to drop, the better nights to fish would be Saturday and Sunday, with a chance of rain on Sunday, and finally some wet stuff for the south.
Ian managed two more in the night and had to strip off and go wading at one point! Luckily, I didn’t pop over that time to help him out.
It was nice to be in the shade again. There was a lot less wind on the lake today which made the middle period of the day very hard going, I even had to get my Mini USB Cooler out.
Mini cooler
I made the effort to get a new bag out and top up the swim at around 1 pm. I then hid in my shelter for the afternoon, by 5pm it was nice and cool, and time for tea.
The resident female blackbird was happy, I’d dropped a load of bait on the floor from my spomb. She’s been out there all weekend, so I can only assume that they must be still feeding young.
I’m hoping that tonight will at least bring a carp or two. I’ve actually moved my rods closer in due to a lot of liners last night.
At around 23.15, the left-hand rod melted off. I grabbed the rod and pulled into a carp, which, after about 30 seconds, it felt like it had dropped off. I was completely convinced of this and started reeling in slowly at first, because of the fact it had just fallen off and then faster. It was strange that I hadn’t connected with the lead yet. I realized the fish was running towards me very fast. I reeled in faster and then suddenly connected with the carp. It was running straight towards the bank and towards an overhanging tree. I gently guided the carp away and my leader knot was now on my spool. I was now putting on side strain, but not too much as the carp would miss the tree. I was still hugging the bottom and it felt like a lump. My net was now in the water and I was wanting to play the carp out under the tip when the hook pinged out. I’d not seen the fish or even felt it lunging, it was just the weight of the carp, it was just doing its thing. I just felt that I lost something bigger than I’d previously landed.
That sinking feeling lasts for a long time, and I’m not sure if I will get much sleep tonight.
At 2 am, the right rod gave a single bleep. It was my cue to go and have a wee before it belated off!
I’d just finished, and it gave another single bleep. It wouldn’t be long, and before I got in the bivvy door, it was away, and a cracking battle was underway. A close call to both margin overhanging trees, it was an adventure to get it under control and nicely played out in the margins. It was constantly trying to head right, but this one was mine.
28lb 7oz, I was well happy, and in a much better mood. Now I just need to get the rod back out, calm myself down, and get a couple of hours of sleep before my 8am alarm call, telling me I have 2 hours to get home.
As the weather man predicted, it’s cloudy, plus a tiny bit of a damp start to this Saturday morning. The wind is now pushing from the east. I’ve got my Wallop Clothing Puffa Jacket on again, keeping me warm.
As I am watching the lake at 0530 this morning, there are carp everywhere, and it’s looking like rain is coming very soon. Hopefully, it may well bring another carp my way.
Another take did come my way, in the middle of a heavy shower, but that fell off as well. It’s very unfortunate. I quickly got another bag back out, then got back into my bivvy to dry out a bit and have my first coffee of the day.
I’m hoping the rain doesn’t affect my packing up too much, as it’s nice to be home early for the family.
No more action was had and I left Ian to a very peaceful lake. He’d caught 5 fish by now and there was a good chance of making double figures by tomorrow morning.
Until next time
Richard
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