24 Hours for the First Bite

Wednesday has come around again, and once more I found myself weighing up my options for the week ahead. I had been hoping to get onto Meadow Lake, as I wanted to test out my boosted hookbaits before the winter closure. Unfortunately, the volume of anglers currently fishing it put me off.

Like many waters, Meadow Lake doesn’t handle angler pressure particularly well, and Wednesday nights are currently proving to be the most popular. I’m probably just going to have to suck it up one week, knowing I may well blank the first night before putting the effort in over the following two. That’s fishing, I suppose, and sometimes you have to accept that the first night is unlikely to produce much when the lake is busy.

With that in mind, I couldn’t help myself but return to the same swim as the previous few weeks. I’m still looking at changing one of the rod positions, but I’m struggling to pinpoint that exact spot that might produce a few more bites rather than the odd one every now and then.

For now, I’m not changing my approach. I’ve stuck with a mixture of Nutrabaits boilies and Jurassic Particles, all mixed together and introduced with a Spomb. As the next few nights progress, I’ll be catapulting 24mm EnerGize boilies over the top, gradually building the swim and hopefully encouraging a few more carp to visit.

The First Night

The night passed by with just a single bleep. I didn’t hear anything else overnight, and by morning the lake was absolutely flat calm. It wasn’t quite the weather I had expected, and with very little happening on the surface, I could only hope the carp fancied a feed at some point.

By 1000 hrs, the wind had picked up, giving me a little more hope. I was hoping the southwest wind would push the carp back towards me, or at least get them moving around the lake.

At 1403 hrs, as the wind continued to strengthen, my confidence was getting higher. Even more so when the left-hand rod rattled off.

14lb Common

It took over 24 hours to get my first bite, largely because the wind hadn’t changed until mid-morning. But then, finally, a carp was in the net.

Ian popped over for a couple of brews and a chat, my lucky mascot as always, and it wasn’t long before the left-hand rod was away yet again. Wow, I couldn’t believe it.

At 1507 hrs, I was into another carp. It was a cracking fight, with the fish heading out into open water a few times, followed by a nerve-racking moment when it nearly made it to the boulders. Luckily, it turned and went straight into the net.

22 lb 7 oz Common

No sunset this evening, unfortunately. I put a fresh bait on the right-hand rod and settled down for my tea, followed by a bit of lake watching before switching over to Netflix.

Another Bite in the Rain

At 0241 hrs, the buzzer gave a couple of bleeps. It was absolutely lashing it down with rain, and my wet-weather kit was still in the barrow – deep joy!. The buzzer bleeped again, and I initially thought it might have been a large droplet hitting the line.

Then it ripped off.

Luckily, after a sort of fight, the carp was safely in the net. By the time I had taken the photos, though, I was pretty wet. I’m certainly glad I had my quick-drying trousers on!

17lb 12oz Common

That will do me.

With the rain still falling lightly, I got the rod back out there again and settled down for what remained of the night.

A Change of Plan

By 1330 hrs, with no action all morning, I felt it was time to switch things about.

I’m always keeping an eye on the bay to my left. There were plenty of carp in there when I arrived, but I believe they moved out as I settled up. With the strong winds overnight and the wind switching to the northwest, it had to be worth another go.

I’ve spent a good few nights trying to get a spot going in there, without much success. I know 100% that the carp feed in that bay; it’s just a case of finding that perfect spot amongst the gravel and silty areas.

Sometimes, though, you can put in all the effort you like, and the carp still don’t want to play ball.

By 1900 hrs, I was sitting outside my bivvy, watching another amazing sunset. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of watching them. It’s one of the things I love most about being beside the water, especially when you’ve got a few nights ahead of you and time to simply sit back and take it all in.

I was hopeful of a carp during the night, but deep down I knew it would be a tall order with the conditions. With only seven weeks left until the end of the season, there’s always a chance of a change in the weather, especially if it comes from the northeast.

On Airfield, a northeast wind can feel like the kiss of death, and I simply have to make the most of the remaining time before the lake closes for another five months over winter.

Until Next Time

Packing-up time soon arrived, and it was time to head home.

It wasn’t as successful a trip as the previous few weeks, but the weather played its part in producing three carp. These fish really do love a good, strong southwest wind pushing through the lake, and once again it proved to be the key to getting a few bites.

Three carp, some good company, a couple of sunsets and plenty of time beside the water. I’ll take that.

Until next time.

Richard

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