This week, I find myself back on my syndicate water a day earlier than my usual routine, thanks to the gardening work slowly dwindling as winter approaches. The imminent change in weather is evident, with a cold snap forecast for the coming weekend. Today, the wind is blowing from the north, set to shift to a westerly direction and then briefly to a southwesterly before returning to the north, bringing with it the likelihood of frost on both Friday and Saturday nights. Despite the chill, Saturday promises a maximum temperature of 6 degrees C, and I’m grateful for the anticipated sunshine as I plan to be back home by then.
Choosing the same swim as my previous trip, I’m optimistic about a more extended stay, far surpassing the mere 5 hours from my last visit! Winter plans for this end of the lake have been previously outlined in my past blogs, and I’m eager to put them into action.
Contrary to my initial intention of delaying the setup of my bivvy until later in the day, I found myself pitching up by 12:30 PM, with plans to complete the rest it after my eldest returned from college! Between tasks, I spombed a generous amount of boilies over the long rod and had already catapulted some over the margin rod earlier in the morning, a task I intended to revisit later, much to the delight of seagulls.
As the wind picked up more than expected, the chill became noticeable, and the conditions were forecasted to subside later in the evening. The Deeper registered a surface temperature of 11.4 degrees, a reassuring figure that I intended to verify again the next day. Normally armed with a thermometer, I found myself without one as my youngest had taken it.
The wind eventually dropped, treating me to a stunning sunset, which I captured in photos, although I regretted forgetting to film an evening video. The night passed peacefully, with no bleeps to disrupt the calm. The subsequent sunrise mirrored the previous night’s beauty, prompting me to record it in a video, showcasing the mesmerizing colors.
While sipping my first brew of the day in the bivvy, I witnessed a substantial fish rolling not far from my baited spot, a sign that bolstered my confidence in the potential presence of a sizable catch in this part of the lake. Throughout the day, the wind’s unpredictable course added an element of challenge, eventually settling in the North West for the final 24 hours of my stay.
Observing more fish in front of me, I contemplated adjusting the position of my margin rod, considering a move for the upcoming night. A carp topping further confirmed the need to reposition the left-hand rod into open water. I decided to shift the other rod by half a wrap to the back of my baited area, strategically hoping to target the larger carp first.
As the night approached, my pursuit of the elusive carp continued, with the understanding that more nights might follow without success. This swim is my chosen route, and while my catch rate might fluctuate, focusing on a specific area presents both advantages and challenges. Convinced that I spotted the fish the previous day, along with others, I believe I’m on the right track.
After a considerable morning of contemplation, spurred by the absence of carp sightings, I opted to add the swim with additional bait, believing that the carp hadn’t consumed a significant portion of the initial offering. To increase visibility, I also switched the hook baits on both rods for the night.
With the wind now from the northwest and night temperatures predicted to drop to around 6 degrees, the turn of weather heralds the imminent arrival of winter. As the shortest day approaches, optimism prevails, and I anticipate better fortunes in the days ahead.
The night passed swiftly, and the prospect of packing up looms, with the possibility of a blank on the cards.
Until next time,
Richard
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 