by Martyn Russ
Once again the time of her approaches that signals the start of a new season . The lakes have closed and rested the waters, carp have taken advantage of the sunny days and hot weather and begun spawning. Workers were scurrying about the banks, sweat pouring from their brows as they clear the grounds and cut the grass ready for a year long heard of anglers to come trekking around the lakes targeting the monster size fish lurking in the brown murky waters. Excitement fills the air as you prepare your tackle for the up and coming battles. Companies release loads of new products to help you catch more but seem to catch more anglers than fish. Memberships and season tickets are paid and fishing licences now renewed as that magic date comes quickly and soon it's time to get packed and go fishing.
Once again the time of her approaches that signals the start of a new season . The lakes have closed and rested the waters, carp have taken advantage of the sunny days and hot weather and begun spawning. Workers were scurrying about the banks, sweat pouring from their brows as they clear the grounds and cut the grass ready for a year long heard of anglers to come trekking around the lakes targeting the monster size fish lurking in the brown murky waters. Excitement fills the air as you prepare your tackle for the up and coming battles. Companies release loads of new products to help you catch more but seem to catch more anglers than fish. Memberships and season tickets are paid and fishing licences now renewed as that magic date comes quickly and soon it's time to get packed and go fishing.
Normally I personally avoid fishing the open weekends on venues as it is always very busy and the fishing pressure effects the way the carp feed. This year I was talked into it and I am glad I did choose to go. The morning came and my fishing partners Stephen Quinn and Joel Mathews had decided we should get there early and meet up with others so we could all choose the swims fairly but to our surprise there was only one angler on the lake at 8 am, one of the bailiffs, Scott, who was actually there to fish the open weekend he had chosen the centre sluice peg. I was going to jump on the peg next to him but we were told not to go on the pegs till 10 am as members were all allowed to setup one day before the lake actually opens, a great little bonus to catch the carp when they are very hungry after spawning. As I had to go pick up medication I stashed my gear in the trees next to the bank and left Joel watching it whilst I popped away to pick up my bits. By the time I got back we were told we could start setting up. I had gone in the second swim on the railway bank with Joel next to me and then Stephen in the very next peg. This meant the 3 of us would be fishing in a line and we would be able to bait up along a line so all 3 swims could take advantage of the feeding fish off the baited area. By lunch time on the first day everything was set up and ready, we baited up a small area with boilies only, for the first day, with high attract hook baits to see what they would do and if the fish were up for a feed. Fishing yellow Solar top banana popups as singles and also as snowmen on top of 20 mm IB bottom baits. The wait began , they had decided fishing would be allowed to start at 6 pm that evening so we had plenty of time to prepare things like sticks, stringers and Spod mixes.
The action seemed to be consistent over the next couple of days with a lot of fish being caught from the end swim by the centre sluice by Kieran and Carl who were having a proper red letter session. I also noticed that nearly all the carp were double figure up to 20 lb with only a couple of smaller ones coming out and none of the bigger girls. Joel was also starting to catch consistently each day as he seemed to catch on to the winning tactic very quickly and was soon into more fish. Stephen managed to get a couple of good runs but down to bad luck managed to loose a couple at the net and a strange occurrence where the line seems to get cut by something mid water. He eventually managed to land one by the end of the second day.
We had a nice surprise on day 2 when Joel decided he wanted to put a fresh bait on and lifted his rod and started to reel in when a pike of around 4-5 lb decided to snatch his bait. He had managed to catch it clean in the scissors of the moth area right in the corner with his line clean away from the ,mouth so no chance of snapping but the pike could have turned and bit through the line. He was lucky and despite the pike tail walking during the fight and giving him a good tussle he managed to land it. As hes never handled a pike before he asked me to hold it for him and to sort it out as Summer pike can be very delicate and you must treat with care.l We got a quick picture and got him back in the water as quick as possible and made sure he was well revived before releasing him.
Tight Lines & Wet Nets
