New Arrival !

 No it's not fishing tackle, no it's not a new boat, SHE is something far more precious. My lack of fishing recently is owing to the birth of our first child, a little daughter named Heidi. Lucie and I couldn't be happier and the journey of fatherhood has begun.

 She will one day be my partner in crime and hopefully show me how to fish, not that she knows it yet, there will be no say in the matter!

 6lb 3oz of pure love and elation!

Change, As Good As Rest.

 My carp pursuits this season have meant that most other species faced neglect, something at times I've struggled with as a varied season is always great fun, with the changing of seasons the quarry changes too, to be setting out my stall to target just carp will take a herculean effort, thats before I have even factored in the very challenge a forty pound carp represents, it hasn't been easy.

 Nevertheless at times whilst sat behind a couple of rods, awaiting that magical moment one of the rods goes off that I do need to keep my mind ticking and over, I have debated on what ways to do this and the only way I feel I can target the carp successfully is by having an occasional break, whether it be for carp elsewhere or a quick trip elsewhere for a different species. For roughly a week the thought of a Barbel session circled around my fishy brain and in the end I caved in, a few hours spare last week was just the ticket.

 Time to dust off the old cane and pin, it was Barbel time! Not that I needed reminding how well they fight seeing that I'd had a double just a couple of weeks ago which was partly the reason for my diversion on this particular day.

 This section of river used to get a lot of attention when I was younger as it held good heads of decent Barbel and I knew that there were good fish still present, knowing this information it was the area where I'd concentrate my early efforts. The fishing as it turned out wasn't going to be easy, very little showed itself for stalking and after walking anything between two and three miles the expectation grew larger until, finally I managed to focus on a couple of fish on a gravel run which ran close to a big bush in the river, I didn't expect to look for that long to get an opportunity, it did come however in the shape of a missile, long, lean and still in summer condition, possibly, it has to be said one of the most pristine Barbel thats graced my net in quite some time.

Absolutely mint! Around 6lbs.

 The fight was very good and it's lair didn't want to give up its resident easily as my Mark IV had to work hard before I was able to angle it close to the net, thankfully Brian was on hand to slip the net under it and was the opening fish of the trip which turned out to be the first of three fish, the other two came later on in the day, one around 4-5lb and the other settled on the scales at 7lb 3oz, not a monster but nice to get a trio on the bank.

Youngster, boisterous and full of fight. 

 After the third I headed back for the car and disappeared, I will be back, maybe in a few weeks or so, the carp aren't going to catch themselves!

Looking good just after dawn, along with a huge fly hatch.

T.H.P.C: Part Eighteen: Chalking Up The Blanks.

 My summer carp fishing was fantastic and would have been even better to get out more than I did. However, since that glut my fishing has slowly descended into a run of staring at motionless rods and lifeless Delkim's with the occasional revival as a carp finds my hook bait. I guess with all the exciting times there must be the lulls too as I continue to learn the water I am targeting where a number of large carp reside and a couple over the magical milestone of forty pounds, these fish are the ones I desire.

 As the past 2 months have ambled by I have crossed paths with various anglers who have, collectively, managed to catch all of the target fish I currently find myself pursuing. As you, my readers will know I struggle to remain seated and always angling for a move, since I began fishing this lake I have had to adopt a bait and wait approach as I lay my traps, baited generously and hope some silly customers visit my dining table....that hasn't happened as often as I would have liked.

 I have however managed a couple recently, on top of those previously written about, I fear there will be a lot more scenic shots and wildlife to appear over the course of the Autumn and Winter as I am made quite aware that this particular lake does not give up its treasures often once the warm weather feeding ceases.

 These fish are from the last 6 weeks where I have managed to get out, some sessions were just for a couple of hours after work, others have been before work with a couple of full days thrown in the mix.

 As I write this I currently stand on seven carp from fifteen sessions, based on how some of the other anglers are fairing its not bad. I haven't managed to catch anything over 22lbs with a majority being mid-doubles to just under twenty pounds. The battles in the dense weed have been good fun and thankfully I haven't lost a fish yet and hope that remains for the rest of this campaign, I have already suffered that heartbreak on my second river trip of the season where I unfortunately lost that huge common in the weed bed. The next run on this lake could be 12lbs or it could be 42lbs, such is the health and range of sizes within the stock it makes for very exciting fishing, the chalking up of blanks isn't as fun I tell you!