Another week of trying to time my set-up and pack-down around some truly horrendous weather conditions. It was always going to be the club lake again, but positioning was key.
I needed to be on the east or north-east bank to keep out of the worst of the wind chill and give myself a bit of protection. When I arrived, there was only one other angler on – perfect.
I chose my spot carefully and began introducing bait to both the margins and open water. I used Jurassic particles – hemp and buckwheat – alongside Nutrabaits solubles and Boilie Bites in a variety of flavours.
The plan was simple and precise: solid Castaway PVA bags in the margins, mesh bags in open water, both loaded with Boilie Bites to create tight, high-attraction parcels around the hookbait.
Hookbait choice was kept confident and uncomplicated – the ever-reliable white Blank Saver, or alternatively a 12mm Pink Pepper or White Co-De pop-up.
The end result of my three nights on the bank was four bites, landing three, the best being a 29lb 6oz mirror and a 25lb 6oz common.
I’m happy with that result. I’m not sure if I’ll make it out next week as we’ve got a few family things going on — but you know me.
I would like to give a brief snap shot of my life and introduce myself;
My name is Richard Handel and was born in 1965 in Suffolk. I have worked as a UK Operation & Intermodule Manager for a shipping company. I live in Hampshire now and am married with 2 young children, both girls so I am a bit outnumbered even the cat is a girl!
I have been fishing since I was about 7 years old. I started on small local rivers in Suffolk, then moved onto gravel pits and then carp fishing. My personal best is a 39.08 mirror, over recent years I have started river fishing again, on the Hampshire Avon, this is a nice break from the carp lakes.
My life has turned a big corner this year, the company I was working for relocated their Operation centre to Estonia. I was offered a job at the head office in London. This would have meant a 5 day commute and working in Stratford. As a family, we did not fancy this, as I would hardly spend any time with the children (and the Mrs). So after 22.5 years, I was given a nice redundancy package and with my wife is working full time. I became the house husband.
This has meant a complete turn around in my fishing, as I can pick and choose when I go. I have found a splendid new syndicate to fish this year, which includes 5 lakes and some 8 miles of river with only 150 members. It's an amazing change to the way I am able to fish.
I am now trying to start my own tackle business and make a bit of a name for myself in the world of fishing, as I have retired from real work.
Richard
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 