It was nearly going to be Meadow Lake this week, but something tugged at me, pulling me toward Airfield Lake instead. I couldn’t put my finger on it—perhaps it was the ticking of time as October drew to a close. Maybe it was the fact that the lake would soon shut for the season, giving way to winter’s grip. The place would close during half-term week, a final flurry of anxious anglers vying for their last shot before the cold months made fishing impossible. But for whatever reason, Airfield Lake called to me, and I answered.

I pulled into the parking lot around 11:30 a.m. and spotted three other cars. My fingers crossed as I headed toward the swim I fished last week, hoping it would still be free. Luck smiled at me when I arrived. Chris, a fellow angler, was on a day trip and didn’t mind me setting up next to him. Grateful for his easy-going nature, I thanked him and began slowly setting up, mindful not to disrupt the peaceful surroundings more than necessary. Unfortunately, the mallet had to come out a few times—carp fishing requires patience, but it also requires preparation.

Once the bivvy was up and the rods were in hand, I found myself in a dilemma: Which of the three productive spots should I target this time? All three had produced good fish over the past few trips, and I couldn’t decide. I opted to place both rods on the same spot for the time being, giving myself some space to think it over during the afternoon. The weather forecast was in my favour for the next few days: mild, breezy, overcast skies with some rain mixed in. Perfect conditions for carp fishing.

At 3:34 p.m., just as I settled in, I was surprised to hear the unmistakable sound of the bite alarm. It hadn’t been long since I cast out, but the line started to peel. The fish gave me a good fight, testing my patience as it ran along the margins. But soon enough, I coaxed it into the net—a 13lb 11oz beauty.

Not the biggest, but a solid start. As I checked the rig, I saw the hook was still sharp and the bait fresh. I cast it back out, content with the early action.

By 6:15 p.m., I’d made up my mind: both rods would stay on the same spot. I’d put out a fair amount of bait, enough to keep the carp occupied through the night and into the next day. The rain was coming, and I wanted to be sure they were feeding. I hoped to capitalize on the weather, knowing that wet conditions often make for productive fishing.

The rain started late in the evening, around 11:33 p.m., waking me from a light sleep. Taking the opportunity for a wee break. No sooner had I climbed back into the bivvy than the left-hand rod screamed into life. The fight was straightforward until the fish reached the margins, where it stubbornly refused to give in. Carp from this lake fight harder than any others I’ve encountered over the years. After what felt like an eternity, I finally netted it—a solid 15lb 11oz.

With the rod reset, I was back in the bivvy, snug and dry as the rain began to pour again. At 1:39 a.m., the same rod was off again. I couldn’t sleep anyway, thanks to the sound of carp crashing in the water, so I quickly sprung into action. Another decent fish came to the net, weighing in at 14lb 14oz. This was carp number 99 for the year. A milestone was approaching, and I wondered if carp number 100 would be something special.

The morning arrived without much action (thank god). At 9:15 a.m., I freshened up the baits, a practice that had proven effective on this side of the lake. I moved the left-hand rod to the same spot I fished last week, hoping it would pay off again. By 12:20 p.m., as I was chatting with a fellow syndicate member, the left-hand rod went off—repositioned only a few hours earlier. After a quick tussle, I netted a 20lb 5oz carp. That was more like it.

I had barely finished my lunch at 1:01 p.m. when the same rod took off again. It was absolute carnage—two fish landed, one lost, all within an hour. The second fish was a respectable 16lb 7oz. I quickly topped up the bait, hoping the action would continue through the afternoon.

As evening approached, I decided to cook a proper meal on the bank. Fresh ingredients, wholesome food—the kind of meal that makes these trips all the more rewarding. But just as I was halfway through cooking, the right-hand rod went off, and it started pouring down. Typical. The carp fought hard but eventually succumbed, and I managed to snap a quick photo before returning it to the water. A solid 19lb 4oz fish. Satisfied, I finished cooking and sat down to a well-earned meal.

The night passed uneventfully until 1:54 a.m. when the right-hand rod took off again. This one felt bigger than the others, and it was kiting hard left toward the snags. In the moonlight, I could see it rolling on the surface as I fought to guide it away from danger. It took ages to bring it close enough for netting, but when I finally did, I was thrilled. The fish tipped the scales at 26lb 15oz. Not quite the 30-pounder I’d been hoping for, but it was certainly the biggest of the trip so far.

After recasting, I tucked myself back into the warmth of my sleeping bag. The rain continued through the night, a soothing soundtrack to my sleep-deprived body.

At 7:10 a.m., any hope of a lie-in vanished as the left-hand rod roared to life. This fish felt like a lump, but carp can be deceiving. It wasn’t until it reached the margins that it began to show its true size. After a long, drawn-out fight, I finally netted it—a stunning 28lb 10oz carp. My biggest from this lake all year. Result! I was over the moon.

The sunshine slowed the action down during the day, but at 1:54 p.m., the left-hand rod went off once more, producing a lively 12lb common. A stunning fish, golden in the sunlight. I prepared tea early, not wanting to be caught out again during the feeding spell.

That night passed without much activity, likely due to the full moon and clear skies. I’ve always found that a full moon tends to slow things down. I enjoyed a rare night of uninterrupted sleep.

Morning came, and at 7:55 a.m., while I was preparing my porridge, the left-hand rod screamed off again. A feisty 12lb common was quickly brought to the net, followed shortly after by a better fish. Unfortunately, I lost it halfway across the lake, but these things happen.

Despite the disappointment, I couldn’t complain. Ten carp in total, including two twenties and a new personal best for the year. It had been a phenomenal trip, one that broke my all-time record for the most carp caught in a single year since I started fishing in 1981. A spreadsheet on my computer tracks every single fish, and this year has been one for the books. If you had told me in June, just after my heart attack, I would have a record-breaking year, I would have laughed at you!

As I began to pack up around 9:00 a.m., I couldn’t help but reflect on the season. One more trip to Airfield Lake before it closed, maybe two if I split it up right. Then, who knows? Perhaps I’d finally make it to Rob’s Lake in November or December. 

What a year it’s been!

Richard

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