|
I find it hard to settle into one night sessions these days.
Thinking back to when I just went out on day sessions seems
totally bizarre to me now, not from the point of view that it's
not long enough to catch fish, but it's more about being able to
totally relax with my fishing.
So, when I turned up on the ponds for a single Saturday night
(only my third or fourth night on the lakes this year, after my
move up to Norfolk) it was with the social more in mind.
I had thought about where to fish for the week previously (as
you do!) and decided that I fancied a night on Pond two,
especially as I had done so well on there last year during the
same kind of weather conditions (low pressure, showers, damp and
miserable... it's only anglers who can love this sort of weather
I'm sure).
 So, upon arrival I was (as ever) hoping to turn the corner
and find the carp ark (sic) empty of cars. As ever I was sourly
disappointed with the sight of half a dozen cars. Still hopeful
of the perfect swim on the second pond being available off I
trotted. Typically, the swim which covered the main part of Pond
Two was occupied, back to the drawing board.
So it was decided that the quieter end of Pond One would be
worth a look, on my way round there I spoke to a guy fishing the
pole who indicated toward the No Carp Bay, saying a couple of
fish had turned in there recently, it warranted more
investigation. Whilst chatting to the helpful chap, Lettuce
turned up to say hello, so we continued round together.
Stopping off in "Basil's" swim, we chatted whilst looking out
over the lake. Upon getting up to wander into the No Carp Bay an
absolute lump crashed out in front of the swim we'd just left.
Of cause it was decision made, I walked back and dropped my
unhooking mat on the deck in the swim.
After setting up it was kettle on and wait for the rest of
the lads to turn up. What with one reason or another (women!)
neither Justin or Shaun could get down, the latter vowing to get
down at stupid-'o-clock for a day session on the Sunday.
So, Lettuce and I settled down for an amusing (yet non
eventful) evening of wine, and watching the water, then the
second part of the Korda DVD and a couple of bizarre old Kevin
Maddock's DVD's (recent conversions) where he has a surfboard
for a unhooking matt, and virtually grounds carp over gravel to
put them back (not good)!
Off to bed, only to be awoken at 5:40am by an absolutely
pant-ripper of a run on the sneaky third rod (well, there was
only two of us on the lakes). Now, I have to explain where this
rod was situated, I cast this over to the tree line on my left,
underneath some overhanging branches on a small gravel spot
underneath a tree about 40 yards away.
Lettuce had walked round and was stood by the tree, he called
me a spawny bugger for getting the third cast bang on, just
clipping a few leaves as the lead arrowed its way under the tree
and duly dispatched exactly 20 identical boilies around the
perfectly placed bottom bait. Sorted.
 The
fish fought like a tiger around the nearby snags, so I played it
hard, my 3lb test curve X-Flite taking on a wonderful curve.
Once clear from any snag danger, the fight was more sedate, and
the carp just let itself be led to the waiting net.
On the mat I was left to look at the
stunning beauty of the fish itself. With a deep mahogany back and
stunning chestnut flanks she was a beautiful creature, whose
size was irrelevant.
In the morning Shaun turned up and I had to try as hard as
possible to do the fish justice in the photo's. After slipping
her back and infinite brews of tea, the fun and games started.
Shaun decided to sling the rods out a couple of swims down,
and whilst socialising in my swim, he received an "iffy" take.
Off Shaun sprinted, down to his rod he lost grip... slipped...
flattened... then kicked out to avoid his rucksack.... taking
out the rod on the pod which was bleeping away quite nicely.
 Picking
up the rod, he was surprised(!) to find no carp on the end. So
after re-baiting walked round to the next swim to put the rod
back in the position in the hope of carp still being present.
Bait in place the rod was pushed over some reeds towards his
swim, upon walking round unlucky Shaun decided to try picking
the rod up by the tip and snapped the rod four eye's down. Poor
sod. Most amusing tho!!!
● Back to In Session
|
