March Update

I kicked off March on the club lake with a lovely 25lb mirror during a quick overnighter. After a less-than-productive trip on Meadow Lake, it was just what I needed—my first carp of the month, and nice and early too. From that point on, the plan was clear: commit as much time as possible to Meadow Lake before it closed on the 31st of March until the 16th of June.

The weather throughout the month was very much up and down. There were some genuinely pleasant, sunny days—proper spring teasers—which made a welcome change after what feels like a long, drawn-out winter. But on the flip side, we had persistent cold northerly winds, and even when it swung southerly, there was still a sharp chill in the air. Conditions were far from consistent and certainly not straightforward.

Fish-wise, considering those conditions, I actually did better than the same period last year on Meadow Lake, which was very encouraging. One thing that made a real difference was the addition of my new bivvy heater. (daytime use only) Staying warm has always been a challenge for me, and since my heart attack, winter fishing has been particularly tough. This year, though, it made a noticeable difference—not just physically but mentally—and allowed me to stay sharper and more focused at the bank.

I also squeezed in a night on the Airfield Lake. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but after looking back through my old records and seeing I’d only ever had one March carp from there, I felt it needed addressing. Unfortunately, it didn’t come right on this occasion, but it was still worth the effort.

The highlight of the month came during a three-night session towards the end. I had four bites, landing three fish, which is a cracking result at any time of year—let alone in March under those conditions. The early part of the month saw very little angling pressure due to the weather, but as the end of the season approached, more anglers started to appear.

The captures for the month were strong:

3 x 20lb+ carp
1 x 37lb 2oz common
2 x doubles

Compared to previous years, it’s been an exceptionally productive March—definitely something to build on moving forward.

A big part of that success, I believe, came down to my baiting approach. I relied heavily on the Nutrabaits test bait boilies, Boilie Bites, and PVA bags, combined with Jurassic Particles hemp and buckwheat. Interestingly, I hadn’t used particles through the winter for over 20 years. It’s funny how you move away from things over time and forget just how effective they once were. Revisiting that approach has definitely paid off.

My final push on the Airfield Lake was a tough one—full moon, high pressure, and those cold northerly winds again. It wasn’t quite the ending I’d hoped for, but that’s fishing. You take the rough with the smooth.

Now with April underway, I’m hoping to carry that momentum forward, with improving weather and more consistent conditions. A bit more warmth and sunshine should only help.

Until next time,
Richard