Trip 1 – Carp Fishing – 2025 | UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

First Trip of 2025

I’m finally out for my first fishing trip of 2025! As usual, it’s around the third week of January when I get the chance to head out, mainly because my car is in for its service and MOT this time of year.

This winter, though, has been tough on my hands. The medication I’m on makes me feel the cold more intensely—not ideal when I love winter fishing. There’s something about the peace and quiet of the banks during this season that takes me back to simpler times. Sorry, fellow anglers, but the solitude really is special.

I’m still on the hunt for that elusive mirror carp. Initially, I wasn’t keen on the idea of trekking out to the point, so I decided to fish from an old swim I frequented years ago. It’s a bit overgrown now, with some tricky snags in the margins, but it has deep water, plenty of sunlight, and is often overlooked. Hopefully, I’ll avoid any issues—first, I just need to hook one!

The swim is along the track between Meadow and the Little Lake. It’s not ideal being close to the path leading to one of the car parks, especially when the river is fishing well, but it’s worth a shot.

I didn’t plan to fish far out this time. After reviewing my Deeper maps, I felt confident in my chosen spots. I kept it simple: fishing close in and baiting lightly with about five pouchfuls of a mix of solubles and boilies. Each rod was set up with an 18mm wafter and a small PVA mesh bag filled with Trigga Ice and Co-De pellets in varying sizes. A nice, wholesome mouthful for any carp passing by!

A Bleak Start, but Hopeful Outlook

This morning, I seriously considered packing up and heading home. The weather was bleak, and I wasn’t feeling it at all. But then the sun broke through, transforming the day into something far more “carpy.” With a cold snap forecast for next week, I decided to stick it out for another night.

Sitting in my sleeping bag all day isn’t much fun anymore, so I’ve resolved to stay on Meadow until February. After that, I’ll spend some time at the Estate Lake before returning here. My plan for the winter and early spring is to alternate between the two venues to keep things fresh.

A Visit and a Quiet Night

Ian popped over in the afternoon for a couple of brews. We sat out in the sunshine, enjoying its warmth—it was a much-needed boost. I headed into the evening feeling optimistic, leaving my rods untouched and planning to let them sit until home time tomorrow—or until I get lucky with a bite.

The night was deadly quiet, and I woke up another year older. I hoped to celebrate my birthday with a new personal best, but the thick fog settling in made that unlikely. Still, the beauty of fishing is the uncertainty; you never know what’s around the corner.

Packing Up

By mid-morning, I decided to reel in. The baits were still perfect and could’ve easily stayed out another 24 hours. While I didn’t catch this time, I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the bank and could have stayed another night if time allowed.

Fishing is all about timing, and I know things will switch on eventually. When they do, you have to be ready and on the bank.

Until next time,
Richard