UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

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This week’s trip nearly didn’t happen. The pressure had been extremely high, and a massive storm had swept across the UK over the weekend, causing power cuts in many areas. At home, we experienced an eight-hour outage on Saturday evening. The weather had remained harsh, with low temperatures, high pressure, and relentless winds combining to create a biting wind chill factor.

Despite these conditions, something nudged me to try the Estate Lake. Perhaps it was the sheer absurdity of being the only one willing to brave the weather for a few nights. The forecast called for 30 mph winds and temperatures around 8 degrees Celsius during the day—and that was before factoring in the wind chill. Nighttime temperatures were expected to drop to a brisk 5 degrees. But the thought of a possible reward was enough to convince me it was worth the effort.

I arrived at the lake around 9 a.m. and took a walk around. The far end, opposite the dam wall, was calm but showed no signs of carp activity. Battered by the cruel northeasterly wind, the field bank offered little shelter. But midway along that bank lay a promising swim I had checked out before. As I approached, three carp broke the surface in different spots. It was all the encouragement I needed to set up there. The memory of seeing carp in this area last winter solidified my decision. With the lily pads mostly withered, the spot offered a manageable challenge and a great feature to fish toward.

One of the perks of this venue is the allowance of three rods, and I decided to make full use of my new bait boat. I’d never been opposed to bait boats themselves, just the reckless way some people use them. But now, with aching arms and back from too much spombing, I had to admit that a bait boat made things much easier. It also caused less disturbance, which seemed crucial on this shallow lake where even slight noise could spook the carp.

Each rod had a snowman rig: a 15mm wafter paired with a 12mm pop-up. My bait of choice was a mix of Co-De, Cream Cajouser, and Trigga Ice boilies.  I used small mesh bag filled with 4mm pellets, generously infused with Co-De Sludge. The bait boat made precision placement easy, dropping the bait near the decayed lily pads.

As the day unfolded, the carp showed a fair amount of activity across the lake. It became clear that a handful of boilies over each spot might not suffice, but I was cautious not to overfeed. The water clarity was unusual for this lake, and the increased wildlife added another layer of complexity. When a heavy liner on the right-hand rod suggested interest, I seized the moment to add a few more handfuls of Trigga Ice boilies to that spot. I repeated the process on the left-hand rod but left the middle rod untouched, hedging against over-baiting.

At 11:29 p.m., the right-hand rod screamed to life. Startled from sleep, I scrambled to respond. The carp were making a determined effort to escape into the adjacent swim and under the overhanging trees. Keeping my rod tip submerged, I guided it away from danger, eventually bringing it into my swim. After a steady fight, the carp slid into my net. At 25lb 6oz, it was a stunning December catch and a satisfying reward for braving the elements.

Recasting in the dark with the bait boat proved challenging. Even with lights and my head torch, navigating the controls as a dyslexic was no small feat. Still, I managed to send out another 12mm Cream Cajouser pop-up, a handful of boilies, and a PVA bag soaked in Co-De Sludge.

Morning arrived with the hum of traffic from a nearby road. The sound of carp crashing out kept me optimistic, though none of the rods had gone off during the early hours. I lay in my sleeping bag, peeking out of the bivvy’s letterbox window, reluctant to disturb the quiet. By 10:30 am, I refreshed all three rods for the day, confident that the night would again bring activity.

As dusk fell, the chill deepened. The day had been quieter, with fewer carp sightings, but my hopes remained high. At 8:30 p.m., the carp’s activity began to pick up, bolstering my confidence. By 11:42 p.m., the right-hand rod was away again. This time, the carp was cooperative, weighing in at 16lb 5oz. Recasting was smoother; remembering to turn on the bait boat’s lights made a significant difference.

At 3:23 a.m., the same rod produced another common carp, weighing 17lb 8oz. The fish came straight into the net with minimal fuss. After redeploying the bait boat, I returned to my sleeping bag, but sleep was elusive. By 4:30 a.m., the middle rod signalled action. This time, I landed an 18lb 12oz common, completing a hat trick for the night. Despite the cold, it was turning into an exceptional session.

At dawn, the lake’s serenity was interrupted by a faint beep on the right-hand rod. It didn’t amount to anything, but it stirred me from my rest. I brewed a cup of tea and began packing up around 9 a.m., satisfied with the results. Four carp, especially under such challenging conditions, exceeded my expectations.

This trip reignited my appreciation for the Estate Lake. Its potential for winter carp is undeniable, and I’m already planning a return visit in the new year. For now, though, it’s back to Meadow Lake, where the rod tips have been frustratingly still. It’s nice to break the monotony with a productive session—especially in winter.

Until next time.

Richard

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As the year comes to a close, I find myself looking back at 2024, a year that tested me in ways I never expected yet offered moments of joy and growth that I’ll cherish forever. From personal health challenges to incredible fishing achievements, this year has been a rollercoaster of experiences, lessons, and memories.

A Rough Start to the Year

Winter, as always, brought its share of challenges and surprises. The year began on a sour note with a cracked tooth that eventually broke and required surgical removal. Dental pain is never fun, but combining it with other hiccups made the start of 2024 feel like a test of endurance. On top of that, my car decided it was time for a new stop-start battery, a seemingly simple fix that still managed to pinch the wallet. To add to the chaos, my wife’s car reached the end of its road-worthy life, necessitating the purchase of a new vehicle. Needless to say, January wasn’t cheap—or pain-free.

However, as winter trudged along, I held onto the hope that better days were ahead. It’s always been my belief that tough starts pave the way for brighter moments, and in this case, that belief wasn’t misplaced.

Spring: Fishing Reignites My Spirits

When spring arrived, life began to shift into a more positive gear. As the weather warmed, so did my fishing prospects. The carp were active, and my catch rate steadily improved. Though I struggled to land the larger specimens, I was thrilled to be back on the water, reuniting with the calm and focus fishing brings me.

Fishing in the spring has always been about reconnecting—not just with nature, but with myself. Each trip was a reminder that no matter how rough the start of the year, moments of peace and personal achievement were always within reach.

Summertime Challenges and Resilience

Just as things seemed to settle, summer threw an unexpected curveball that changed everything. One Sunday night, completely out of the blue, I suffered a heart attack. It was a life-altering moment that forced me to pause and reevaluate everything. I spent a month at home recovering, adjusting to a new normal and coming to terms with the fragility of life.

While the recovery process was daunting, I was determined not to let it keep me from the activities I loved. By the end of the summer, I was back on the bank, rod in hand, continuing my remarkable streak of no-blank sessions. Looking back, it’s hard to overstate how much fishing meant to me during this time—it wasn’t just a hobby but a source of healing and resilience.

Summer holidays came around, and while the trip was more for my family’s benefit than my own, I found joy in the shared moments of relaxation and connection. Still, I noticed that post-recovery life wasn’t without its challenges. Fatigue lingered, and my energy wasn’t quite what it used to be. To top it off, I caught an illness during our trip to Ireland, adding another layer of difficulty. But in true spirit, I soldiered on, finding solace back at the lakes.

Finding Success in Adaptation

Returning to fishing after my health scare meant making adjustments. I realized that, for the time being, I needed to stay closer to the car park—a small concession that unexpectedly led to one of my most successful fishing periods yet. The proximity didn’t just make things easier on my body; it also seemed to bring me luck with bigger carp.

Suddenly, I couldn’t stop catching 20-pounders. Session after session, I landed remarkable fish, and it felt like the universe was rewarding my persistence and adaptability. Those moments were a testament to the idea that sometimes, when you’re forced to change your approach, you end up discovering something extraordinary.

Autumn: A Season of Reflection and New Beginnings

Autumn brought its own mix of highs and lows. One of the hardest blows came when Spotted Fin, a bait company I’d trusted and relied on for years, closed its doors. I was gutted—not just for myself but for their team and the community that had come to love their products. Their bait had been a cornerstone of my fishing success, and the loss left me wondering how I’d move forward.

The closure forced me to make a tough decision about my fishing-related social media content, blogs, and videos. Part of me wanted to give it all up. But after heartfelt conversations with friends, I realized how much I loved documenting my fishing journey. Writing and creating videos had always been more than a pastime; it was a way of preserving memories and sharing my passion with others.

In the end, I decided to forge ahead. The next step was finding a new bait company. After careful research, I narrowed my choices to three and reached out to them simultaneously. I wasn’t expecting free bait right off the bat; I knew I’d have to prove myself again. But to my delight, Nutrabaits—a brand I’ve admired since the late 80s—offered me an opportunity. Being associated with such a historic name in the carp fishing world was an honor I never imagined.

Winter: Closing Out the Year with Lessons Learned

As winter approached, Airfield Lake closed for the season, prompting me to shift my focus to Meadow Lake and the Estate Lake. Meadow Lake, ever temperamental during the colder months, tested my patience with challenging conditions like high pressure, snow, and freezing temperatures. Despite the difficulties, I eventually tried my luck at the Estate Lake.

That decision paid off handsomely. On my first trip there, I landed four carp, the largest weighing 26 pounds 5 ounces—a personal triumph that reinvigorated my winter fishing spirits. However, the session wasn’t without its quirks. On the final morning, while unhooking a swan that had gotten caught, I managed to hook my own finger—a first in my decades of fishing!

Unfortunately, my luck didn’t hold, and my next attempt was at the Estate Lake, where conditions remained stubbornly unfavourable. Despite this, I ended the year with a sense of accomplishment, grateful for the experiences and lessons that shaped 2024.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on 2024, I’m struck by the resilience it demanded and the rewards it ultimately offered. From health scares to unexpected successes, from saying goodbye to trusted bait to embracing new opportunities, this year has been a whirlwind of growth and transformation.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of perseverance. Whether on the bank or in life, the ability to adapt, push forward, and find joy in the journey has been my anchor. Fishing remains not just a hobby but a reflection of life itself—a balance of patience, strategy, and the thrill of the unknown.

Here’s to 2025—a new chapter filled with challenges to overcome, memories to create, and, hopefully, plenty of carp to catch.

Until next time,
Richard

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