Iíll keep you informed. Have fun!

Because of the terrible weed conditions and clear water I chose a swim that commanded some areas that I knew had clear bottom surrounding the weed. Both casts would be quite long but one was to the edge of an overhanging tree on the adjacent bank that always has a lovely clear area of gravel by it. It is an area that had produced two 23lb plus carp and a 22lb plus catfish to me back in June when I last fished the lake seriously. The other cast was to a plateau of clay that in the height of summer was always covered in heavy weed but in spring was always clear for some reason.Both rods were set up with small fishmeal pop-up boilies and three bait stringers; a few boilies were catapulted around each as well. Most anglers bait far too heavy on this water so I was trying to depend on the opposite attraction. Once settled in, the bailiff turned up and went off to fish the other side full of stories of multiple catches he had made in the last week or so, but then he always does for some reason. As the evening drew on a few bubbles appeared over the open water spot and I received several short twitches, tench without a doubt, so I hoped I was not in for a night of hooking, playing and landing tench as this was a prime tench producing spot. However at just before 7pm it was the tree rod that burst into life with a fast take. I was on the rod in seconds and a carp rolled right under the tree, I walked backwards up the bank as the carp kited along the front of the tree and surged off towards some snags. Even at 50 yards this carp was pulling very hard and I only just prevented it making the snags as it rolled heavily on the edge of them. Finally though the war was won and the carp moved out into open water. It still fought very hard however and I was hopeful of a big fish. The bailiff arrived at my side as the carp was surging around close in. In the clear water we could see it was not a big carp at all but a very long one. For a moment it looked like a common but as it rolled into the net we could see it was a mirror. On the mat it was well hooked so it was not going to come off at all. It was a lovely chestnut brown mirror with big scattered scales over its flanks and a huge tail, a gorgeous looking fish, a result from this lake as not all the carp are in such a good condition. On the scales it was bigger than we thought at 16lb 10oz, well pleased, after a few photos it surged back out into the lake. After recasting I had just sat down again when the other rod burst into life, a different fight this time as a tench around 4lb arrived in the margins.The night remained cloudy with a cool northeasterly wind but I was still surprised to receive no more action. Unfortunately with the clocks going forward, it was still dark when I had to leave for work in the morning. This was a shame as I knew it would be the last time I would ever fish that lake as I am not renewing the permit as I have other lakes to move onto. On the whole I have enjoyed my time on the lake though and have caught some nice carp from it, not forgetting some big catfish and also some big tench. However I was getting far too many repeat captures back last May and June so these last couple of sessions were just farewell sessions. I was therefore delighted to catch a carp on my last session, and one that I had not caught before either. It was with some regret then that I locked the padlock behind me and walked off to the car for the very last time, things move on though. I got home to find the permit for the syndicate lake I am going to fish next waiting for me, so my thoughts are now turning to there. I know it is not going to be easy but I am looking forward to the challenge. Like the winter just gone I know if I stick with it the results will come. Armed with a good bait and a good rig and some sound tactics surely it’s just a matter of how big, if only!

Iíll keep you informed. Have fun!