I arrived down the lake this afternoon, and unless someone was on the south part of the complex (that I can’t see), I’m the only one here. After a good walk around the areas I fancied, and quite a bit of thought regarding fishing the same swim as last week. I decided that it was the best option. The wind was swinging around in all directions, and that certainly wasn’t going to help. The temperature was going to be ok, with the exception of tomorrow but I could deal with it for one day – I hope.
It just felt right to give it another go. I spombed out a load of Impact Particles and Catalyst/Classic Corn Pellets and ground bait mix, plus a load of milled particles soaked in hemp oil.
With that all done, I set up the bivvy, made some pva bags up, and enjoyed the afternoon sunshine until it was tea time and I needed to get the Weber on the go.
It was Lasagne and salad tonight.
Absolutely perfect, and what a view to having your dinner by.
Hopefully, my efforts will bring me a first-night reward of a carp or two.
0244 The left-hand rod was away with what felt like nice fish. It was very well-behaved and despite the odd attempt in heading along either margin, towards a couple of overhanging trees. It was soon under the rod tip and would be in the net without any disasters – it went in on the second try.
With the snaps done and the carp back home, a new bag was soon on its way out into the lake. It was time to get this blog written, a quick upload to FishAngler and TikTok was done and I was back in the bag by 0325.
I was woken again at about 0530 by a small tench. These are getting more and more common in this lake, which I suppose is a good thing.
With the rod back out, I made the effort to get my head down and get a lot more sleep, as last week I was exhausted after those three nights. This was probably compounded by the extra heat throughout the week.
It was a very misty morning, along with a cool breeze coming from the north, which made it pretty fresh out there. I made the effort to try and get more sleep and was woken by another tench again!
It was now around 0830 and a good time to actually get up and have a brew. Hopefully, a carp would come along this morning. By 10am the sunshine was out and getting warmer, around 1130 some clouds rolled in and made sitting outside much more enjoyable. The forecast was predicting 26C degrees but with the cloud and the cool breeze from the north still.
The pair of Swans had their cygnets some days ago, by the looks of things.
Ian’s due down this afternoon and will probably pitch up somewhere nearby
Ian arrived about 1pm and also went in the same swim as last week, in the hope of a repeat of his 10 fish capture, up to a 28lber, plus a mirror carp as well. I took the opportunity to reel in for a few hours, top the swim up, and make some more PVA bags.
I also rested the swim for a few hours, the wind is now from the north, which is keeping the temperature down, the sun is behind my trees, and the natural air con is working wonders!
I love to coat my hook baits in powders that Spotted Fin has kindly provided me. I soak them first then coat them with the power and spray some more liquid onto them leave for a few days. I repeat the process a couple of times.
The conditions are looking better, let’s hope tonight brings along a few more carp and less tench.
Ian had a late afternoon/early evening run, which unfortunately resulted in a hook pull at the net, never good when that happens.
The moment of pain, when that hook pull happens, is never a great feeling.
It was about 0215 when the right-hand rod was away. I nearly picked up the left rod, as that had been giving me the odd single bleep over the past 15 minutes and I really expected that to rip off.
It wasn’t long before another Airfield Common was in the net.
19lb 12oz this one tipped the scale at – very happy indeed. The fish keep coming and a nice lump will not be far away. With the bait on the spot, it was time to get my head down.
I had a few more bleeps in the early hours that resulted in nothing happening. Unfortunately, I was up by 0730, and Ian was around not long after, asking if I go do some photography of a 24lber.
He was very happy with this lovely long common, which was his second one of the night. He had a 20lber around 4 am and stayed up watching the water.
Looking at the weather forecast on my Fish Deeper app, it was going to be a pretty good day, and possibly a chance of a late afternoon carp.
The wind would be picking up nicely over the course of the day, which hopefully will bring a bite later on.
The afternoon was spent in the shade, as much as possible, despite the wind, it was hotter than I thought it would be.
After spending some time with my Deeper Sonar scanning for signs of weed growth, it was time to reposition both rods. It’s a very rare thing in here, as generally, this lake doesn’t have any weed, but this year something has changed, it’s starting to appear and that can’t be something to ignore. With a few 20 mm classic Corn and my concoction of ingredients, I was all set for the last night.
Tea’s on the go and I had a chat with Ian for a couple of hours, I then retire to the bivvy and try to get some sleep – before a few early hours takes, is what I’m hoping for.
I’m off early tomorrow morning, so I’ve been tidying up a bit this afternoon and got a barrow loaded for the first trip tomorrow morning. It’s going to be a warm one and it would be nice to be home by 10am and get out with the family for the day.
Just after 1 am, my right-hand rod was away and into another lovely Airfield Lake Common. Which gave a good account of itself in the margins under the tip. I was surprised it didn’t weigh bigger.
15lb 6oz is very chunky and has a big tail as always.
With a new bag on and fresh bait sorted, the rod was back out there, oddly indeed having liners on the other rod, and this one went off, which also happened last night.
That was it. I woke at 7am to a cloudy and cold morning, with a gentle southerly breeze blowing across the lake. Ian popped over for a cup of coffee and a chat, he had had nothing overnight, which was a bit of a surprise. It was soon pack-up time.
I will be back next week for another go.
Until then
Richard
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