With the heatwave breaking today and a good blow on the lake from the west over the next couple of nights, it was the perfect opportunity to get back down to the lake. Thanks should go out to the family for letting me get out an extra night and not being home until Saturday morning.

Given the wind, I needed to be somewhere near the East Bank or in that region—maybe the Big Lawn Swim, The First Island, or even my usual area. Ian was planning to fish this week as well since he was feeling better after his illness. He called me just after 10:00 hrs to let me know that there was no one else on the Airfield Lake, and he was going to the Tower Swim because he had seen carp there. Plus, it was close to a car park, making it very easy for him. He didn’t fancy the island area but thought it would be a good choice for me, as we could still pop over to see each other for a brew.

I arrived just after 11:00 hrs and headed towards the northeast corner. The wind was gently pushing down there and would build up over the next 12 hours. The Lawn Swim looked good, but I still didn’t fancy dealing with the weed over there.

The island by the gate was so overgrown that I didn’t fancy it either. As always, I was drawn to my favourite swim, which I’ve been steadily baiting up. This makes a difference over a long period, as the carp appear to latch onto a spot.

I ended up picking the middle swim on the island (my favourite). I don’t like the last swim anymore. I know the first swim very well, just like my swim, but with the huge tree gone, it’s a completely different swim. I feel I need to spend more time there as and when it’s free. It’s like a sanctuary for me.

The pitch was picked, and I was going to fish it the same way as before. But as always, I got my marker rod out—you never know if something has changed, and this could make all the difference. It was exactly the same, maybe with a bit more gravel on the right-hand rod.

I decided to split my rods apart to avoid going over them and getting loads of bleeps. I like my setup to be sensitive. I baited quite heavily over the long rod, which isn’t actually that far out, as I prefer to keep the spombing to a minimum because of the noise. My elbow can’t cope with a throwing stick yet. The margin rod was easy; a gentle pull on the catapult, and it was spot on. My arm can’t deal with pulling it back all the way these days.

With both spots baited up and the bivvy all sorted, I popped over to see Ian for a couple of hours before heading back to my swim. There were clearly a lot of carp in and around his swim and close to where he was fishing. It was only a matter of time. I hung on 30 minutes more before heading back to my swim, and within 45 minutes, he had a 21-pounder on the bank. I wish I’d waited a bit longer now.

I flicked the rods out and got the kettle on. The wind was picking up nicely.

20:45 – The margin rod was away. I got the waders on, grabbed the rod, and this fish was powerful. It headed down the left-hand margins towards a load of snags. I sunk the tip to avoid the overhanging trees and held on, trying to step down into the water. Too late—the hook pulled out. Absolutely gutted.

22:00 – The right-hand rod was on, and at one point, I thought I caught a monster tench. But no, it was definitely a carp that just didn’t fancy fighting.

18 lb 15 oz Common

The rod was recast, and it was definitely time to relax and get in the sack.

03:32 – After losing another one in the dark hours on the long rod, the margin rod was away, and after a good fight, it was safely in the net. Happy days.

17 lb 8 oz Common

The rod was put out again with a nicely shaped hook and fresh bait. My head was telling me I needed more sleep. After the action so far, it probably wasn’t wrong.

I finally got out of my pit around 08:00, desperate to catch up on sleep. If tonight goes like last night, I’m certainly going to need it.

The conditions today are absolutely perfect for a bite. Ian sent me a nice 25 lb common photo this morning, which is a great result.

I’m thinking of a noontime bait up, similar to my arrival time yesterday. I’m not going to put out a great deal, as I feel there should still be a reasonable amount out there. I was hoping for a morning bite, but it’s now 11:15, and I don’t think it will happen until late this afternoon.

14:04 – I baited up at 11:45, and just now, the right-hand rod was away. This carp had me in the nearest weed, and at one point, I thought I was going to have to go out to get it. Luckily, I kept the pressure on, and it came out the other side with a great lump of weed up the line. I was panicking the whole time, fearing the hook would pull out. Its tail flapped out of the water a couple of times, and I knew I couldn’t lose it. It was holding the bottom nicely. What felt like a lifetime later, with a couple more tense moments, it slipped into the net.

21 lb 5 oz Common

As I was playing the carp, Ian WhatsApped me a photo of another twenty-pounder he had just landed, a lovely 21-pounder. At the same time, the guy on the lawn swim was also planning a carp.

Once I’d sorted everything out, I messaged Ian, and he called me back. As we were talking, his buzzer went off. Hold the front page—photo incoming.

Another lovely common added to his tally.

18:15 – I had a tench on the right-hand rod, which I’ve managed to avoid recently. I’ve adjusted my rig a tiny bit, and let’s hope it’s not that which caused this. Only time will tell as we head into the second and last night.

20:15 – Another tench picked up my hook bait on the range rod. This isn’t going to plan. However, I’m happy my adjustment has highlighted something I may try on the Private Estate Lake over the winter months.

21:30 – The male swan, which is in full aggression mode this year, got into a fight with about 15 Canada geese and chose my swim to take them on. He forced them onto the bank in the trees and small bay areas to my left and right. I had no other option but to reel my rods in and rest them on my bivvy in fear of something getting damaged. It was carnage for about 45 minutes. I’m not sure I helped by standing at the edge of my swim, making sure they didn’t get out here. I tried to herd them away with my head torch, which sort of helped. And there I was, thinking I might get a late evening bite.

02:15 – The margin rod was away with a very unhappy male Airfield Lake common. Soon in the net, thankfully.

16 lb 6 oz

04:15 – The right-hand rod had another tench. They are certainly on the munch.

05:35 – Another tench added to my list.

08:30 – I woke up a lot later than I’d planned. I must have needed the sleep. I was really hoping for an early morning carp take, but it was flat calm out there, and the sun was already beating down. I’d promised to be home early, as it’s Saturday morning and I’m normally home by now.

It was a good, entertaining trip with the swan, tench, and a few lost carp. But landing four was great fun.

Until next time,

Richard