Embarking on this trip, I find myself on a private syndicate where I’ve held a membership for several years, though regrettably, I had never seized the opportunity to cast a line. It took the persuasion of my friend, a seasoned member of considerably longer standing, to finally entice me into exploring the fishing prospects this unique location had to offer.
Originally, our meticulously planned arrival was set for Thursday at the break of dawn. However, our enthusiasm was dampened by a disheartening weather forecast predicting heavy rain. Compounding the situation, Saturday morning was also slated for a deluge, and having to adhere to a strict 48-hour maximum rule meant we would inevitably have to disassemble our gear in the rain. In light of this predicament, a decision was swiftly made to push back our arrival time. This tactical adjustment allowed us to extend our stay until late Saturday afternoon, sparing us the inconvenience of a wet pack-up and setup.
Our synchronized arrival, mere minutes apart around 15:30, coincided with the rain easing off. This fortuitous timing granted us approximately an hour and a half of daylight—sufficient for me to get my rods out before nightfall. Setting up the bivvy in the dark held no qualms for me.
My friend, with his extensive experience, recommended two closely situated swims angled away from each other, affording ample room for three rods each. Identifying promising hard areas, I catapulted pouches of boilies onto each spot, supplementing with a bit of pellet over the margins rod. My choice of hook baits comprised Catalyst, Classic Corn, and Smokey Jack, all in 20mm wafters.
As we were talking, we were pleasantly surprised to observe a few carp breaking the surface, defying expectations despite the recent influx of cold water into the lake. This unexpected display heightened our confidence compared to our initial arrival.
An early morning vigil by the water revealed no signs of carp, but the awe-inspiring surroundings kept me captivated. Around 10 am, with the water flat and calm and the sun casting its warm glow, I reeled in to make necessary adjustments to my rods for the ensuing 24 hours. The unfamiliar terrain beckoned me for a leisurely walk about.
Taking advantage of this break, I fine-tuned the positioning of my baits, now content with their placement. The revised weather forecast favored our trip, with a brisk wind blowing into our bank. Coupled with the persistent rain, it held the promise of enticing carp to feed in our direction.
The rain made its arrival known around 21:00, accompanied by a steady wind at midnight. The gusts persisted, blowing into my little corner. Despite glimpses and sounds of carp at the back, tempting but inaccessible without a bait pole and navigating lily pads—considerations I dismissed—my two rods positioned at the entrance seemed to be overlooked, a minor source of frustration, a typical occurrence in the realm of fishing.
Optimistically, I hoped that the brunt of the heavy rain had subsided, leaving only a gentle drizzle carried by the wind. The rain was forecasted to cease around midday, while the wind was expected to persist throughout the day. My strategy was to give it a couple of hours post-rain, with a plan to start packing up around 15:00, ensuring ample time for a potential bite.
As the rain gradually relented around noon time, we prolonged our stay until 14:30, yet neither of us experienced any action, despite our concerted efforts.
Until next time,
Richard
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 