This story has been unfolding for several years now. I currently fish two waters, with one of these elusive monsters lurking in the depths of one, and the occasional social outing on another. I’m never too far away from the quest.

I don’t approach this quest with extreme seriousness. At my age, I savor the experience of fishing, relishing the connection with nature and the serenity it brings. I may not be doing myself any favours by not starting on my winter water until November. This lake is becoming progressively more challenging each year, and it’s apparent that a reevaluation of my approach for the next year is in order. The alternative is to transition to the other lake earlier, but I have a deep affection for it and would continue to fish it year-round if it weren’t for its five-month closure during late autumn, winter, and early spring.

I’m beginning to contemplate the necessity of sacrificing something to achieve my goal or questioning if it’s genuinely that crucial. Is merely being outdoors and immersed in nature enough? That’s the first question I need to answer before proceeding.

The second question is whether I could tear myself away from the Airfield Lake in late June until September. I’m not entirely certain if I could do that, leaving me with a focus on a specific area during the winter months.

If you’ve ever wondered why I write these sorts of blogs or ramblings, as I affectionately call them, the reason is quite simple. It helps me formulate a strategy for the future and clears my mind for planning.

Since October 2022, I’ve faced several setbacks, primarily related to contracting COVID-19. Given my preference for continuing with my fishing trips and maintaining a close eye on the lake, this situation has allowed me to observe the water more frequently. This aids in understanding the locations of the carp and potential feeding areas for current or future trips.

I’ve found that being on the water or talking with fellow syndicate members provides valuable insights into what’s happening with the carp. Unfortunately, due to disruptions last year and at the beginning of this year, my fishing time has been significantly reduced, and I’m not entirely sure how the rest of the year will unfold. Falling behind on my gardening jobs has compounded the challenge. I can’t write off this year just yet, but getting a handle on fish locations and feeding patterns on the Airfield Lake is going to be a tricky endeavor. Carp spawning in May, which happens every year, will rule out that month. This brings us closer to the six-week school holidays, which also impact my fishing, as I’m typically away for a two-week family holiday during that period.

We’ll simply have to see how things unfold in the coming months of 2023.

Now, it’s just ten days away from the start of October 2023, and it’s been a challenging year for me so far. I’ve caught fewer fish in the past nine months than I did in a month and a half last year. However, I’m determined not to lose sight of my ultimate goal and my different approach to the Airfield Lake this season. I’m concentrating on swims that offer a better chance of landing this elusive monster. There’s simply no point in hooking it only to lose it, as a few fellow syndicate members unfortunately have in the past. This could have been my fate as well, as you might recall from my article “Boulders and Trees,” where I detailed the challenges we face. Unexpectedly, the Airfield Lake has developed weed growth for the first time, and not just any weed, but Canada pondweed, hornwort, and Potamogeton—all favorite food sources for carp. This could be a contributing factor to the difficulties I’ve encountered on this lake this year, with the added natural food supply making it even more challenging.

Until next time,

Richard