I arrived down at the lake around 0930, the crisp morning air biting at my face as I stepped out of the car. The wind, a relentless force from the Northwest, made the day feel even colder. Driving around, I stopped to have a chat with three fellow anglers, attempting to gauge both the fishing conditions and the erratic behavior of the wind. The lake seemed desolate, with no signs of piscatorial success since the two catches over the weekend.

As I circled back to the main car park, scheduled to meet Steve for a winter social, the clock ticked its way to 0945. Walking around, I contemplated where to set up camp. The air held a certain bleakness, and the cold seemed to seep through specific areas, making me more uncertain about our choice of location. We hoped to position ourselves close enough to share the evening between our swims, creating a sense of camaraderie amid the chilly backdrop.

Steve, punctual as always, arrived just before 10 a.m. After a thorough inspection of the area, we settled on the same spot as last year’s social, reassured by the knowledge that freezing temperatures weren’t in our immediate forecast. The wind, constantly shifting but predominantly from the west, carried a noticeable chill, adding a winter ambiance to our fishing adventure.

Opting for the winter-friendly Canada Bay, we aimed to increase our chances, by being in proximity to recent catches and fish sightings. Despite the initial optimism, the day unfolded with no action on our end. The atmospheric pressure, on the rise and set to peak on Saturday at 1040 Mbs, hinted at the possibility of favorable conditions in the coming days.

As evening approached, the skies miraculously cleared, treating us to a breathtaking sunset and a sudden burst of sunshine. We took advantage of the pleasant weather, setting up our dinners on the Weber and engaging in lively conversation until well past 10 p.m.

With both of us securing clear gravel spots, strategically distanced to accommodate our lines, we cast our hopes into the water. Steve fished close in, while I opted for a spot a bit further out, fishing with intentionally slack lines. The night passed without any signs of action, prompting me to leave the rods out until departure to minimize disturbances and give the carp a chance to drift out of nearby snags and weed beds in the days ahead.

The following day was spent in leisure, chatting and enjoying hot brews. Some fellow anglers joined us for a chat, and one even stayed overnight. Despite witnessing carp over his spot, the elusive creatures remained unresponsive. As the forecast hinted at a temperature rise over the next five nights, we clung to the hope that it would reignite the carp’s activity.

As my time on this particular lake for the year came to an end, I looked forward to my next fishing adventure at a private lake during a warm spell. With a few hours remaining, optimism lingered, but alas, the fish remained elusive.

Until next time,

Richard.

 

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