3 Nights

Estate Lake

I have a few nights of social plans with Ian at the club lake. Unfortunately, a day angler who arrived before us is pitched up in the area we were hoping for. However, he is off at 1500 hrs, which still gives us plenty of time to move in there, if we still fancy it.

Currently, I’m pitched up with only two rods on the side of a small island, using my baiting pole to find the perfect spot, single hook bait, and tiny bags. I’ve not really seen much and walked around three times. Hopefully, these few hours will help us locate the carp before we settle in properly, late or early depending on what we actually decide to do.

I gave it until 1330 hrs and then moved around the corner. Ian had unfortunately forgotten his bivvy and had to pop home. It felt like the right time to spend a couple of hours somewhere else.

1600 hrs came around, and we were now setting up the area we need to be social in and oddly the same swim as last week for me. The skies had cleared, the clouds had gone, and the odd light rain showers had finally passed. By 1830, we were all sorted, which was perfect.

The first evening and night passed without any carp. We stayed up late chatting and soaking up the atmosphere of this secluded water, with only the two of us fishing.

The night was warmer than expected, and it was a very sunny start to the day. It continued until late afternoon. By then, the wind had swung around to the southwest, which I thought would be warmer, but that wind had a wicked chill to it. However, the conditions now felt a lot more favourable than before. There was one other guy booked on, and he was at the opposite end to us, which hopefully would start to push the carp about more. Tomorrow night will be the one, as it is fully booked.

Unfortunately, the second night panned out like the first, with no bites. I was hoping that the warmer night would improve our chances. Maybe the influx of Friday night anglers would help, but there’s a chance of a frost tonight. I’m starting to feel like our timing is off, but you can only go when you can and take the weather as it comes. It’s amazing how little carp activity there has been since last Sunday. I reckon I saw more carp shows in an hour than I have in the past couple of days.

Just after 1430, the middle rod was away. I picked the rod up and pulled in a tench, but it felt a bit better than the average one. It had me in the lily pads for some time, to the point I had to slacken my line off and hope it would move without shedding the hook. There was a flap of the tail on the surface; time to apply pressure, and it was soon out and on its way to the net. It was a very long fish, and I was hoping it would turn out to be a specimen size. It tipped the scales at 7lb 6oz, a nice result.

The rod was soon back on the spot.

We, my social trip, are coming to an end. Another tench picked up my bait yesterday afternoon, but the carp have remained elusive for myself and Ian. I believe there were a couple of fish out last night, but I’m not certain if they were carp.

With another bright sunny start to the day, I will start packing up around 0845 and then head home. I can only fit a couple of day trips in next week, as the wife is away for work. I’m not 100% sure where they will be, as I’ve not had much success here or on the Airfield Lake in the day. It makes a bit of sense to actually fish here and learn a bit more. We shall see.

Until next time,

Richard

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