3 Nights

Swim – No Carp

With only 2 trips to go before I head over to the Airfield Lake, I’m back in the same swim after that Scattered Lin or the new big common. If it happens, I will be chuffed, but if not, there’s always next winter or even the odd Summer overnighter.

The conditions flavored that swim again, which is a help. I arrived just before 0830 to find myself and one other angler set up in a swim called Siblings. My starting plan was to fish both rods to my left, based on my observations last week, and put another syndicate member onto that information, which resulted in a nice common for him. It isn’t always nice when this happens, as you know your thought process was spot on, but you couldn’t have been there yourself.

I walked back along the track and scattered a few pouches of Smokey Jack boilies along the snags and out into open water, leaving them a trail to follow and hopefully a pick-up.

The rain finally arrived just before 1500 hrs, and after a pair of swans had picked up both my lines, it always helped. At least I’ve fresh hook baits baits on.

The rain arrived early evening and continued until 2100 hrs. Unfortunately, there was no action over the dark hours, and around 0630, it started raining again, which wasn’t forecast last night. After checking the weather app this morning, I discovered that the rain was due to continue until after lunchtime, which was ideal conditions. Plus, the weather forecast had completely changed overnight, with the prospect of northerly winds, which isn’t ideal for this swim, and some thought needed to be put into what I do next, in regards to swim, and bait application.

After a grumpy start to the day, all because the weather was wrong, and I was looking forward to a sunny day, it finally stopped raining around 1400 hrs, and the sun did poke its head out a few times, and the warmth from the sun was so lovely.

I opted to put fresh hook baits on and change them over to something else. I have to try and inspire these carp to pick them up. I also scattered a few more pouchfuls of 12mm Smokey Jack boilies along the front of the snags. Hopefully, that will encourage the carp to move out into the open water more, and just maybe, a bite will come my way.

The second night was dead, and the fog arrived in the early hours as the temperature was dropping. I awoke to a wall of fog and nodded back off to sleep until just 8 am, as the fog was starting to clear and head into a fantastic sunny day. Something that should have been here yesterday and maybe something that affects my chances of catching this week, as I have to be home by noon tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the night was yet another blank, and I woke up to a cold east wind. The wind had forecast into my face, plus someone setting up on the end of the point opposite me, blasting baits to the same snags as me. Oh joy, it only takes a second to drive around the lake and ask. It can’t be helped, and I’m now really looking forward to the Airfield Lake.  It’s probably three times the size of this, but you can occasionally get done by a pest on there. Suppose you can’t complain because if this hobby wasn’t so popular, we would still be back in the dark ages of tackle!

It’s just about packing up time, and I’ve only got two more nights to catch my target carp. Looking at the weather currently, this swim isn’t going to be my best option.

Until next time,

Richard

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