So to the end of season session

So to the end of season session. The last full night being a Monday, I fancied a two nighter as a finisher so, breaking the habit of a lifetime, I arrived at the lake on the Sunday afternoon in lovely spring sunshine. To my surprise the open water swim I had been getting the results from was free so I wasted no time reserving it with my gear before wandering round. Only one of the guys was there carping, the other members were pleasure fishing. I chatted for a while in no hurry to set up, the weather looked very un-carpy and I knew the best chance would be nearer dusk. Finally around 3 in the afternoon I cast out the old faithful PVA bags full of trout pellets and crushed boilies with a single pop-up fishmeal as hookbait. These were cast half way across the lake so they landed with a thud in the silt. I sat back then and opened a bottle of cider relishing the atmosphere; there is always something of anticipation at the end of the season. We had commented earlier that the 30lb common in the lake was due out as it usually turned up at the end of the season. A couple more of the guys turned up an hour later and made their choice of swims. An hour before dark one of my buzzers screamed and I struck into something. The weight on the end was undeterminable so I was not sure if it was a carp or not. Then though, it came in a bit too easy and before long a tench rolled under the rod tip. It was good one, very deep, so I was not surprised to find it weighed 6lb 10oz, not bad in March. After admiring it I placed it back and it disappeared into the green tinged water. As dusk fell the temperature dropped and I spent the evening chatting away not very optimistic of the night ahead. Sure enough not a thing happened all night despite quite a few carp showing. Out of the blue though, just before dawn the same rod belted off again. Definitely a carp this time. It fought well in the deeper water before in the gloom I saw it roll on top. Soon in the margins, it went in the net first time. It looked a big carp but any recognition was lost on me in the darkness. After getting the scales, mat and sling ready I hauled the carp out. Definitely 30lb, that was sure, then as I turned the torch on I was greeted by a flank of gold and dark brown scales, the common. The hook was well in its bottom lip; the rig was working well. It looked perfect and on the scales it went 31lb 7oz, what a touch! The whole winter had indeed been worth it. I quickly sacked it up and as dawn was just breaking I wandered round the lake getting the others ready for the photo shoot an hour later. For once I could just pose and smile with the carp as others took the pictures. The carp looked gorgeous in the weak winter dawn sunshine and we all took our time admiring its splendor before reluctantly I put it back and it slowly swam out into the depths. The rest of the day was an anti climax, few carp were seen and no one had any action but the skies became cloudier, so the last night at least would be mild, something had to happen. However by dusk the lake was very busy and I knew that this little lake did not take pressure well so I was not too optimistic but I was as always, super confident. However the night came and went with no action to anyone despite again plenty of carp rolling near or over my baits. Reluctantly I packed up and for the last time this season I drove back out of the gate leaving the carp in peace. However, June is not far away so I will renew my hunt for that last elusive 30lb mirror in the lake that has escaped me thus far. The 30lb common was a perfect end to the perfect season on the lake, a season that started well and just got better, it lost its way a bit in November but the rest of the winter was more than I could have hoped for. Hopefully some of you have read the diaries and fished with me week by week. The rest of March will be taken up with AGM’s and committee meetings as I relinquish my post on Walton Angling Societies committee and move on to better things. Iíll do a couple of sessions at a water not far from home before that one closes at the end of March, there are a couple of carp in there that have escaped me over the last few years that I would like a photo of, one nice leather in particular. I do not plan to renew my permit on there so I only have these last couple of chances. Then, come April, I will be on another small water with just a few big carp in it for the rest of the spring season and throughout the summer, together with renewing my quest on the main water. A lot to look forward to and a lot of carp to catch, I canít wait, follow my exploits in the diary.

Have fun!