UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Fingers crossed for the next few nights

It’s going to be hard going, I feel, one bite, one fish, and hopefully the one I’m after, as it loves this area of the lake.

Sometimes you just have to sit it out, for the one you want. 

Richard

My wife thought she would write something for my blog.

They say marriage is about compromise, but when you’re married to a passionate angler, you quickly learn that compromise often means sharing your beloved spouse with the fish. Join me on this humorous journey as I spill the bait on what it’s like to be a fishing widow.

The Early Morning Escape

Picture this: It’s 4:30 AM, and your significant other is tiptoeing around the house in hushed tones, trying not to wake you. You groggily open one eye and see them sneaking out of bed, dressed in head-to-toe camo. It’s like they’re auditioning for a role in a fishing-themed spy movie. You roll over and mumble something about coffee, but they’re already out the door, leaving you in the arms of your warm, comfortable bed.

Fishing Gear Invasion

When your partner is a dedicated angler, the house becomes Ground Zero for fishing gear. Fishing rods, reels, tackle boxes, and waders seem to multiply overnight. Forget the spare room; your house is now a fishing gear warehouse. You’ve become a pro at dodging tackle boxes and navigating a maze of fishing line.

The Weekend Getaways

While other couples plan romantic weekend getaways to cozy cabins or scenic resorts, you’re packing your bags for a weekend at the lake. You’ve swapped candlelit dinners for lakeside picnics, and your idea of a romantic sunset involves the setting sun casting a warm glow on your partner’s determined face as they cast their line one more time.

The Fishing Widow’s Network

You’ve discovered that you’re not alone in your plight. There’s a secret society of fishing widows who gather over coffee to share stories of their partners’ fishing obsessions. You bond over tales of bait buckets in the living room and fishy-smelling laundry. You’ve even considered starting a support group called “Reel Wives Anonymous.”

The Lingo

You’ve had to learn a whole new language to keep up with your partner’s fishing conversations. Terms like “bivvy,” “carp,” and “spod rod” have become part of your daily vocabulary. You nod along when they talk about “getting a run” or “landing a monster,” even though you’re not entirely sure what they mean.

The Unpredictable Scheduling

Just when you think you’ve got a weekend free for a little quality time together, your partner announces that they’ve booked a fishing trip. You’ve learned to keep your calendar flexible because, in the world of fishing, plans change with the weather. And you’ve come to accept that the weather forecast is more important than your anniversary date.

The Fisherman’s Trophy Room

Your living room has turned into a shrine to all things fish. Mounted fish trophies, fishing-themed artwork, and enough fishing magazines to rival a newsstand clutter your home. You’ve even considered staging a coup to reclaim your living space.

The Tangled Lines

You’ve witnessed the aftermath of a fishing trip: tangled lines, muddy boots, and a car that smells like the inside of a tackle box. You’ve become an expert at cleaning fishing gear and doing laundry to remove the unmistakable scent of fish.

Conclusion

Being a fishing widow is a unique experience filled with laughter, frustration, and plenty of fishy tales. While you may sometimes feel like you’re sharing your spouse with the water, you also get to witness their passion and dedication to a hobby they love. So, the next time your partner disappears at the crack of dawn, just remember that behind every fishing trip is a happy angler chasing their own version of bliss—whether you understand it or not.

Hope you found this funny.

Beth – The fishing widow

Meadow Lake

New Point

4 – Nights

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I’ve successfully secured a few nights on the bank, a potential four if I’m fortunate enough to weather the two storms headed my way in the coming days. Upon my arrival, the lake still showed traces of cat ice in certain spots. Some anglers had braved the weekend, carving out clear areas in front of their swims. I hesitated to check the water temperature, deciding to wait until the rain subsided tomorrow before deploying the Deeper sonar. The forecast indicates a warming trend in the upcoming days, with milder winds and nighttime temperatures in the double digits.

My swim selection is primarily driven by the need for shelter from the impending 50mph winds, yet I aim to position myself within the heart of the storm but amongst the shelter of trees. Interestingly, I found myself back where I spent my last night of 2023 in mid-December, a location I hadn’t anticipated returning to so soon. The persistence of my ongoing tooth issue serves as a surprising reminder.

Baiting strategies demand careful consideration, and I’ve opted for a mix of boilie crumb and chops, complemented by liquids, ground-up particles, and some 20mm boilies halved. One rod will feature the catapulted boilie halves, while the other will deploy the crumb mixture, with Catalyst pop-ups and wafters as attractors.

Despite the challenging conditions, strategic baiting offers a glimmer of hope for landing my first carp of 2024.

After dozing off at 21:00, I aimed to catch a few hours of sleep before the strong winds arrived. However, around midnight, the flapping of the overwrap disrupted my rest, prompting me to secure pegs doubly and triply. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of reinforcing weak spots in corners during setup and reserving a few pegs for emergencies. The night unfolded with vigilance, bolstering confidence as the storm gradually subsided.

Surviving the tempest, I awoke to a picturesque morning with a brisk wind rippling the water. A rod needed recasting due to a drifting lump of weed entangling the line during the storm.

The day oscillated between sunshine, sporadic light rain, and gentle winds, gradually warming the lake. As the skies cleared and the moon briefly emerged, anticipation of a pleasant day ahead grew.

Choosing to leave the rods out for 48 hours, I planned to bait up with fresh offerings the next morning. The evening brought intermittent rain, and while the anticipation of carp action lingered, the night remained silent.

An unexpected morning bite marked a pleasant surprise — the first carp of 2024, a small but welcome capture from the new stock introduced last year. The rest of the day unfolded in leisure, filled with coffee and conversations with fellow syndicate members.

Despite my hopes for another carp in the following 24 hours, the day took on a more tranquil tone. As I packed up, reflecting on the past few days, I realized that while the experience felt distinctly carpy, the bites eluded me. Nevertheless, it was a memorable outing, and I look forward to the next adventure on the bank.

Until next time,

Richard

It’s time for w couple of nights on the estate lake.

Richard