I’m getting back into the rhythm again. I arrived around 12:45 and spent the next hours walking and driving around the complex. Three other people were fishing, all-day anglers, but only caught tench. The carp were clearly held up in some large weed beds, making fishing for them close to impossible and something I didn’t fancy doing anyway. I’m not keen on bringing in a large bed of weed with a carp stuck in the middle – not my idea of fishing.

I really didn’t know where to go this week. I fancied being in the teeth of the wind, but it was still going to be chilly. They love a good blow from the southwest here, and the northeast bank looked like my best option. I even thought of going back to the same swim as last week because they love the Bay Area.

By chance, I popped over for a chat with a fellow member and discovered a particular sunken tree had been removed, plus he was heading home in about an hour. I couldn’t resist this opportunity to test out the new and improved swim. Could this mean no more waders in this swim? Hopefully yes, and hopefully I will test out my theory soon.

I was also starting to look out for different spots in each swim I fish.  Trying to give myself the upper edge over others in an attempt to catch that bigger unknown monster we are all looking for. I’ve spent years fishing the same old spots and not succeeding in catching it. However, I have had a few lumps along the way, so I can’t completely ignore these spots, but another approach is necessary.

There’s a nice low pressure heading this way, the lowest being 999 mbs on Saturday morning, then slowly rising again. The night and day temperatures are extremely low for this time of the year. The wind will hopefully be on the turn tomorrow afternoon, with the winds increasing over the following 24 hours.

I believe I’m perfectly positioned for the coming weather changes. Let’s hope so.

At 03:45, the right-hand rod was away. The fish behaved very well, with only one attempt at heading towards the shallow water to try and bump the hook out. A torpedo of a common was in the net.

12lb 8oz Common

It was very fresh outside this morning, but it was lovely and misty, and I was soon back in my pit, warming up. About an hour later, I thought the rod was away again, but nope, just a good old liner.

At 07:05, the left-hand rod was away, and a very unhappy carp was charging out into open water, kiting left looking for boulders to bump the hook out. I knew it was coming. I held the rod up as high as possible in the hope of avoiding it, but unfortunately, with a tap, the carp was gone.

Oh well, I’d actually switched to a lighter lead out of interest, as losing 4oz leads is a bit expensive and not great. I’ve now put on a 3oz out of interest, but I may switch to a Helicopter Rig to hopefully reduce the lead issues, as long as it doesn’t affect the hook holds. My first carp was on a small lead size and was only just hooked in the mouth. I’m trying to reduce the bump-offs you get in this lake, as it can be frustrating at times. If you read my past blogs, it can be very painful indeed.

It is definitely time for another coffee as my head isn’t happy with the lack of sleep.

At 08:15, the right hand was away again, but this one was a tench and not a carp this time.

The sun was now coming into my swim and warming up the air. 

The weather is still looking about right, and once the wind swings around later today, hopefully, there’s a chance of a bigger carp.

At 11:27, the left-hand rod ripped off out of the blue. The lake was flat-calm at the time, it didn’t look or feel like it was bite time. It goes to show how you can never tell. This carp tried its hardest to go under the trees to my right, but I held my ground and turned the carp. I continued to play out the carp under my rod tip, with the odd attempt to head back out into open water. I eventually gained enough ground to slip the net under a lovely common.

18lb 13oz Common

I recast that rod and would give it until around 14:00 before topping up the swim.

Once I’d baited up, it was time to visit the Green Tardis! I was surprised to find eight cars over the other side of the lake, spread out a lot. I headed back to my island ASAP and got the rods out.

At 23:19, the right-hand rod was away again. It had been some time since I’d had a take. It was definitely good to be back in the game, and the weather hadn’t quite been up to the forecast yet. It was a flat calm evening again when it was supposed to pick up nicely from the southwest. I’m hoping this take is a sign of things to come. It behaved itself and was soon in the net, but on the mat was another story, we managed a few nice snaps.

15lb 4oz Common

05:30 is not the best start to the day. After a gentle battle with a carp, at the last minute, it headed left under the trees to my right. I put the rod on the rest for 20 minutes or so before donning my waders. I headed out to investigate and encourage the carp to swim out. That didn’t work. I started to snap a couple of the branches which the line had gone over and ended up with the line going straight down into the depths of the lake. It was then I realized two things: 1) water was going over the top of my waders and 2) there must be a boulder down there. There clearly wasn’t anything going down into the water that far. The line parted in the end, quite easily,  which gave me a clear indication I was probably correct in my assumption. I wouldn’t know for sure unless the water levels dropped and I could get out further to investigate. I now had to reel in my other rod, pop to the car for dry trousers, a t-shirt, a hoodie, etc., and somehow dry the waders out before the rain arrived today. The clothes in the car would probably dry out OK.

I got back, put a fresh bait on the other rod, flicked that back out, and then re-rigged the other one. I never liked losing carp, but I felt I had done my best, which is all you can do.

It’s time for a brew and to warm up.

At 07:41, I was warming up nicely and drifting off to sleep when the right-hand rod was away again. This time, I was determined not to lose this one. I was winding in and walking backwards at the same time, trying to take it as easy as possible on the carp but able to gain ground as quickly as possible. I successfully avoided the big horrible branches but clipped the one close to the bank as this fish was determined to go under something. By now, I knew that this wasn’t a huge carp, and I could take it easier on the fish and sink the tip and guide it around this obstacle.

10lb Common

I quickly got that rod out in the hope of another carp. I needed to bait up early today, as the rain was due to arrive between 14:00 and 14:30. Ian set up on the other side of the lake, so I took the opportunity to pop over and see him for a chat before we were all stuck in our bivvies for the afternoon and evening. It feels like October today; it’s only 15 degrees. I hope I’ve picked the right swim to be in on my last night. These carp love the wind and rain. Surely a 30+ has to come my way in these conditions. I’ve baited quite heavily in anticipation of plenty of action.

I also managed to dry my waders out, I’m planning on putting them on again now in this swim, as I can ill afford to lose another carp in the snags. It’s certainly something I should do my best to avoid.

At 14:30, the rain arrived bang on time, and the wind had been blowing up for most of the day. The lake was looking perfect for a bite over the next 24 hours. The rain and wind would stop around midnight. I’m very confident of a bite in the dark hours, plus an early morning one.

At 21:51, that right-hand rod was away again. This carp was on a mission to go as far left as possible. Luckily, there were a few weed beds to slow it down, which they successfully did, but now I had a giant ball of weed and a carp to contend with, with the added bonus of howling wind and rain in my face. Glad I didn’t have my glasses on; I would have needed wipers fitted! I also had my waders on, I wasn’t going to get caught out again, which saved my trousers from getting wet. I gained ground slowly. I was sure it was snagged up at one point. I just kept the pressure on and it came free. There was no doubt that it must have gone into another weed bed at some point. I eventually got it in the net. Unfortunately, no monsters, plus it did the honours of picking up my other line in a last-minute lunge. Joy!

Doing the photographs wasn’t easy, but we got there.

10lb Common

I did the other rod first, as the one that had caught the carp needed to be rebuilt. There was a ball of weed, line, etc., that needed sorting out. Once it was all done, I sat with the stove on to warm up and dry out before getting my head down again.

At 02:27, that rod was away again. “Why that rod only?”, is going through my head. Do I move the other one or hope that the big monster I’m waiting for is coming along on that rod?  I better leave it there.

This carp is headed for the bank and to my right. Time to get in the water. I’m 100% convinced they sense you in the water, even when they are far out as this carp and others in the past immediately head in a different direction. In this case, back out into open water, left now. I walk back slowly towards the bank to get my landing net ready as I play the fish out under the rod tip. This one is a pretty wild fella, causing me loads of issues, or is it because I’m absolutely shattered and was in an extremely deep sleep? Probably the latter. Eventually, I got it in the net after a couple of aborted attempts when it charged off out into open water again.

12lb Common

The rod was soon back out there, and I had to settle things straight in my mind and the other rod and the possibility that would be the one to pick up the bigger carp. It just had to stay there.

At 07:15, I awoke to a lovely sunny morning with the chance of an odd shower. The storm had passed, and my TF Gear Hardcore brolly had survived. A good bit of kit, with the exception that the two long rib poles at the back need to be stronger. The lack of a middle brolly-type pole at the back would have combated this. I never got around to doing a review of this brolly system, probably for that reason. Other than that issue, it’s a pretty awesome bit of kit. Very similar to the Corus Fishing Brolly System Rx Brolly Bivvy

At 09:54, I have no idea exactly what happened over the last three hours, but it all kicked off at 08:00 with a take on the right-hand rod. Before I’d even got the carp back, the other rod was away. I quickly got the carp back into the water, grabbed the other rod, and netted that carp.

16lb 1oz Common

8lb Common

Before I took the photos, I quickly got one of my rods out, as there was a good chance the carp had moved in over my baited area.

With that rod out, I got the photos sorted, and that rod out again and put the kettle on. I like to write my blogs as it happens to keep it real and fresh in my mind. My phone was now telling me it was low on memory. I need to sort that out before I have anything else happen. After about 10 minutes, I’d sorted that issue out. It made me think, that I hope the GoPro has enough space, as there should be some good footage on there as well.

At 09:28 was my third take since 08:06 this morning. This was also on the right-hand rod. I couldn’t quite believe it. This was a lot more hard-fighting than the last couple. Could it be the biggest of my trip and had I finally found them? I played it out under the rod tip for what felt like ages. My arm certainly wasn’t happy, especially after I injured it the other week trying to start my strimmer. Silly boy.

The fight was over. It was in the net. Its tail was big, plus it had big shoulders, but alas it only went mid double.

16lb 15oz Common

I was happy with that. Unfortunately, the bigger carp hadn’t made it down here yet. It was now 10:20, ideally, I should have been on the road by now, but what a morning it had been.

I better get myself in gear and start packing up before the afternoon rain arrives. Shame I couldn’t do a fourth night, but I’m not sure my body could cope, in all honesty. I need plenty of sleep tonight.

At 10:30, it’s slow pack-up time and a trip over to see how Ian’s got on last night.

Until next time.

Richard

 

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