Talking Carp Magazine - Issue 16

Articles this month -Page 5 - Angels Paradise by Scott Geezer GrantPage 15 - Forgotten Carp by Darren DaviesPage 23 - Making Memories by Rich AustinPage 29 - Beauty And The Beasts by Linz PaskinPage 37 - The Secret Lake pt 2 by Gary Milky LowePage 46 - Sam and Cam Go Large At FarlowsPage 56 - Naturals pt2 by Simon PomeroyPage 63 - Living The Dream chapter 10 by Keith MoorsPage 76 - Ask The Experts with Paul Hobbo HobbsReviews -Page 83 - Taska - Taska Deceptive fluorocarbon line by MilkyPage 84 - Tegstove by Lee WhittakerPage 92 - Fish iPage 95 - Chum NetPage 98 - Taska Sneeka sleeping bagCatch Reports -From page 102 featuring - Andrew Taylor, Andy “Hauling Hyden”, Brooms Cross Fishery & Jamie Joy Thankyou to our sponsors

Hello and welcome…To another edition of Talking Carp. First things first…. it’s carpspawning time and lakes up and down the country are seeing their carpsmashing about in the reeds and mangroves and anywhere else they canfind to do their natural business…so, please please please, if you see thishappening, leave your baited rods in the rod bag! Use the time wisely.Go map out a swim elsewhere, climb a tree or two looking for futurespots, but leave the carp alone. They will soon be back on the feed andpulling your strings so use this chance to your advantage.Now, how are you all enjoying the magazine? We would like to hearfrom you with any ideas you may have for future issues. Is thereanything you would like to see? If so, drop us an email with yourthoughts to [email protected] or [email protected] Competition time !!Here’s a quickie for you to win this pair of custom bobbins courtesy ofKudos Tackle…. Simply email us the answer to this question, and put“Kudos comp” in the subject box.Bobbins are used for: A) Bite detection B)Checking wind direction or C)Just to look pretty hanging off the line?Yes… it’s that easy. Get your answers in to win. Winner picked atrandom and Kudos will be notified and will get the prize out to you posthaste. Good luck! Till next time…tight lines!! Team Talking Carp.** Winner of last months competition to win5 kilos of boilie from Galaxy baits is……….Brian Swainston. Congratulations Brian.Get in touch to claim your prize.



Angels Paradiseby Scott Geezer Grant

Angels being a lorry driver I had comfortably and haveParadise no doubt he would know enough water each.A couple of years ago the route to the tunnel, I couldn’t wait to get but boy was I wrong he started but before weI was asked if I wanted got us lost twice and done anything a draw hadto fish a lake in France, the best part was when to be made. Gollum cameit was a lake owned by I finally pulled into theMartin a good friend and tunnel and he said, out first, Martin second,its invite only. Due to work “Geeze I haven’t got a Chris third and me last. Gollum chose the swimand other commitments I clue where I’m going from closest to the channeljust never got the chance here”!! No shit Sherlock on the front left, Martinto fish it, but last winter all I have to do is follow chose back right, ChrisI sat down with him and the signs!! Funny as fook. chose front right, so I gotarranged to spend a week the last swim that wasat his lake with a few Once on the train it only left. I wasn’t that botheredother mates, the date was took 35 minutes and we to be honest as I haveset for mid-April. were out the other side never fished here beforeBefore I knew it, the heading for the lake. and didn’t know what totrip was upon us and I With only one pitstop expect, but one things forwas busy getting all my we arrived at the lake in sure I’m going to enjoygear ready, covering just over 4 ½ hours. But myself.every eventuality I could remember I was drivingpossibly encounter. One a double cab transit with With everyone knowingof my mates had fished 3 passengers plus all our where they were fishing itthe lake a few times and gear and towing a twin was time to relax, it washad caught a few of the axle trailer!! Normally you around midday so we hadbigguns, which wet my can do it in 3hr 45min. plenty of daytime left to haveappetite no end. Martin What a place, the lake is a look round have a coffeecalled me the week 5 acres in total, split into 2 and soak up the atmosphere.before and said he had x 2 ½ acre squares joined After walking round, I gotmoved our booking on at the top by a channel my gear to the swim andthe train to the Friday due 20ft wide which links both started setting everythingto the bank holiday which lakes together, giving up. I had a chat with Martinwas fine by me as it gave the fish the freedom to and listened to the advice heme an extra night. swim between both lakes. gave me.I was picked up at 03:00 Depths up to 9ft with The water our side of thein the morning and was both lakes completely lake was a little murkythe designated driver my tree lined. There is two compared to the other sideco-pilot and navigator double swims one forwas Gary aka Gollum, each side so a maximum of 4 anglers can fish

of the lake which was gin hook, majorly sharp and good bet it was going toclear. Hopefully this was a strong. I kept the baiting be kebab.sign that there were more to a minimum with onlyfish on our side. a handful of Nut Job and Two of our other matesI decided to bait boat my Blackcurrant as freebies, Ben and Jake were duerods out to the chosen both in mixed sizes, with to pop in to us and stayareas rather than take a little helping of the Blitz. over for the night, on theirthem out in the row boat, Gary who was fishing the way to another lake a fewwhich would surely cause other side with Chris had more hours further south.more disturbance. As two 30lbers up to 39lb Later that afternoon theywith any fishing under within the first couple of both turned up and got aoverhanging trees a bait hours!! He was fishing the warm welcome along withboat is a god send, so other part of the lake on a lorry load of abuse.easy and stealthy with the channel side he waspinpoint precision. Within surely going to have it The weather wasn’t tooa couple of hours, I had right off. bad and with the forecastall the rods out and the for 12oc in the daytimehouse was setup ready With everyone now setup and night temps offor the week ahead. and fishing the banter around 7 it looked bang started and the coffee on.I decided to fish 2 rods was flowing. Martin madewith a KD rig and the us all lunch which was The sun was due to makeother 2 on the Ronnie very much appreciated, an appearance fromrig, all rigs were finished the evening meal was yet Monday so that shouldoff with a size 6 curve to be decided but was a

help somewhat. As the and Ben were up early That evening Martinafternoon wore on the getting ready to depart for prepared a lovely BBQtiredness was setting in the rest of their journey with marinated pork stripsand Gollum bless him had to their special venue. which were absolutelyto have a nap. By 08:00 everyone was delicious. Just as weThat evening we had up and round the table finished eating one ofFrench kebabs which drinking coffee except the Martins rods screamed offwere to my surprise Gollumski, he was still he made the short dashvery nice and not full of asleep no change there. and lifted the rod and thegristle or horse. We all The lads left just after fight was on, after only ahad an early night with 09:00, Martin was sorting few minutes a low 20lbJake sneaking a rod into out his unit where all the mirror was laying in theGollums swim. Low and tools are kept and I went net. He treated the fishbehold at around 02:00 in for a walk around my side and quickly returned itthe morning head torches of the lake to see if any then went about replacingwere lighting the rig andup the bank getting it backas Golden out on theBalls Jake had spot. It wasonly gone and nice to seebanked himself his attentiona 46lb 8oz to detail andmirror! Good application,angling mate.. usually theGollum wasn’t owner wouldbest pleased, be telling youbut still to fill it in, butcongratulated not Martinhim on his being anbeast of a angler himselfmirror. of the spots had been he wants everyone to visited. The bait was still have a good time andWith the photos there and there were no catch, he will give youcompleted and the fish other signs the fish had all the advice you asktreated and returned we visited the areas. For the for. Sunday the weatherall went back to bed. rest of the morning I sat was still overcast withI woke up bright as a tying up some rigs and the odd sunny spellbutton, coffee on the go, just chilling out waiting for Martin continued to catchthen I just sat watching one of the rods to scream with one of the A teamthe water for these pigs off. members ato show themselves. Jake

fish we all wanted to held up in it. I reeled 2 I decided to move thecatch the “Two Tone rods in put a couple of rods to new areas andCommon” a proper unit bright Nut Job pop ups on by 8pm all the rods wereof a fish, the weight and cast them both in the in position, I baited verywas 37lb 12oz but to be weedbed. lightly as the fish weren’thonest the weight was I didn’t touch the rods really on the munch yet,irrelevant the fish looked for the rest of the day. but more like grazing.awesome. Gollum had Monday morning just With only the three oflost a couple during as dawn was breaking us on site it seemedthe night but was still Martins rods went mental very quiet and just intodetermined to catch a in the space of a couple darkness my right-hand40lber. Chris also lost a of hours he banked rod burst into life, I wasfish so it seemed that the mirrors of 35lb, 40lb, 46lb on it like a flash and afterfish are starting to move 4oz, totally mental stuff, a few minutes landed aabout and venture from Gollum lost another 2 fish mirror of 31lb 12oz, afterthe safety of a couple ofthe channel. pics the fishThat left me was treatedstill to catch, and returned.but one things The rod wasfor sure I boated outnever give to the sameup, I watched area and ithe water was back inas much the bag. Anas possible hour laterhoping to see the middlea sign. I didn’t rod bleepedput anymore a couple ofbait in I was times followedsimply just by a onefishing singles over the (Noddy) and that only left toner after a short time abait that was already me and Chris to catch. mirror of 30lb 10oz wasthere. As the day wore Later that afternoon laying in the net. I wason the sun made a brief Martin had to go off on a now much more relaxedappearance, a fish poked business trip and would and after waiting 72hrsits head out, half way out. be gone for a few nights! the fish were starting toI kept watching and the I was rubbing my hands fall to my rods. Tuesdayfish showed again, I could together as it now meant morning was beautifulsee a large weed bed and I have this whole side to the sun was shining, theI was sure the fish were myself. weather had finally

turned for the better, fish decided to put 20 boilies Due to the weather, stillwere starting to show out with the stick to keep being cold for the timemore. I sat watching the them interested, with the of year there were nowater and could see hope they will get on the naturals evident, if therebubbles appearing over bait. was I could understandthe large weed bed, I the fish not having thewalked round the lake Chris cooked us all bacon bait. Chris chose a coupleand could see the fish baguettes which went of different areas but waswere clearly in the weed. down a treat, but I just only going to put singleI went straight back to the didn’t want to leave the hook baits out with norods, wound them in and rods, all I wanted to do freebies, but wasn’t goingcast 2 rods straight into was watch the water and to put his rods out until anthe weed. try and put the puzzle hour before dark. together.Twenty minutes later It was now 1400 in thethe middle rod roared Come midday the afternoon and a unitoff and after a real scrap bubbling stopped and of a fish crashed outa slipped the net under there were no signs of in my swim right overa plump common of any activity. I decided the weed bed 70 yards26lb 8oz. With the fish to wind the rods in for a out. I decided to takereturned the rod was cast couple of hours and rest advantage and castback into the weed bed. the swim. I walked around 2 rods out with fluoroLiners were coming thick the lake and watched pop ups right into theand fast and surely it a few fish just milling weed bed. As I satwas only a matter of time about, they seemed in watching the water abefore the rods were off an odd mood and not huge mirror crashed outagain. A couple of hours really feeding more like again, the adrenalin waspassed and the liners had sunbathing!! pumping and I knew Istopped so I feared the was definitely in with afish had moved out, then I sat with Chris and chance.all of a sudden, the other Gollum just having arod went off and a 24lb laugh and chilling out, Ten minutes later the left-mirror was banked. Chris had also wound hand rod ripped off andIt was still mid-morning his rods in and we went I knew from the momentand we hadn’t even had out in the boat looking I lifted the rod it was abreakfast yet, I was so at the areas he fished good fish. It stayed deepconfident and knew that and could see the bait and weeded me up solid,more fish were going to was still there. The fish I jumped in the boat withhit the spreader block. were definitely in the the help of Gollum weThe fish were surely weed preoccupied on made our wayforaging in the weed so I something.

towards the fish. As I turning out to be 72hrs the way out here.was now above the fish of blanking to now There’s still plenty moreit kicked and a mass of nonstop catching simply to come and as theweed hit the surface, the awesome. The rod was saying goes I’m savingfish took more line and recast again straight into the best until last.weeded me yet again the weed bed, then it wasin another weed bed, just a case of waiting. I I would like to thank theafter an epic boat battle started to get liners on following companies forGollum slipped the net the other rod cast into the their products of which Iunder a large common, weed bed and a few were use in my fishing.once in the net I peered savage. Www.galaxybaits.co.ukin and to my surprise I Two hours passed and Www.sharptackle.co.ukhad caught the “Two Tone the rod burst into life, Www.kudostackle.co.ukCommon”. Once on the again the fish weeded me Www.moochclothing.bank Gollum helped with up and I had to take to co.ukthe weighing and I knew the boat to land it. After a Www.hookedonbaits.it would be around the hectic battle, I managed co.uksame weight as when to slip the net under a www.ridgemonkey.co.ukMartin caught it 2 days large framed mirror. Onceprevious. On the scales, back at the swim Gollum If you’re out on the bankshe went 37lb 8oz and assisted and she went be safe and remember itswhat a fish she is, Gollum 36lb 2oz, again he took only fishing.took some cracking shots some cracking photos. All the bestthen she was treated Gollum himself had beenagain then returned. catching steady but was Geezer still yet to catch a 40lberWhat a trip this is a target he set himself on





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Forgotten Carp byDarren Davies

Never stop pedalling returned my first forgotten returned to the shallows with to power your carp to the water. It was a handful of boilies. The carp dreams. the first day into my short was still mooching about campaign and as the dawn so I flicked in a few brokenThe early morning sun chorus enveloped around boilies in its direction, thepenetrated the silent me, the sky illuminated with carp did not bolt neither didmist which was creeping faintly gold and soft pink and she drop down to inspect themajestically across the still my thoughts were filled with freebies. The fish carriedsurface of the lake. A patch the secrets I hoped to unlock on cruising amidst the weedof tiny bubbles fizzed over from this peaceful mature then returned to the areamy baited area revealing the venue. the boilies had settled andpresence of a dawn feeding I experienced my first sunrise stopped directly above them,fish. on the venue and I was not for a second I thought sheI was alone on this secluded disappointed. The bright sun may even inspect the fruitpretty venue which boasted rose beyond the luscious flavoured offerings when allmature over hanging trees, hills, illuminating the lake in a of a sudden I heard snappingrich weed beds and a warmly orange glow and the twigs and approachinghandful of forgotten carp. reeds took on a fiery hue. I footsteps.This was a venue that was paused, took a breath and As I stepped back from thenot dominated by carp, the enjoyed the present moment. water I noticed the causestocking history was hazy, of the rustling noise, it wasI had been lucky enough to Right now, I was feeling another member, a regularobserve maybe half a dozen jubilant however during on the lake who targeted thedifferent fish on a couple the past 24 hours I had perch and tench. There wasof early morning recces in experienced excitement, no denying I was throwingthe Spring, which is when I frustration, doubt and panic. in bait, the handful of boiliesdecided to target them. The night had brought my giving me away! He askedThey were forgotten carp first forgotten carp, here’s if there were many carpthat had not been angled how the events unfolded. present in the lake, I gave anfor, stocked at some point It was late May and I arrived honest answer and said I didin history, left to grow in this at the lake early in the not know but if I had to guessancient weedy lake. Tales afternoon with the intention “10, maybe a dozen tops!”of such venues excite the of fishing the night for which “Life’s too short” was hisimagination and it would I had been given special reply.not be the first time I had permission by the land owner Out of the corner of my eyefollowed up on such rumours. and with it being a bank I saw the carp slowly drift offI wanted to turn the invisible holiday I half expected to be towards the deeper water,into the visible, that is the sharing the lake with other clearly disturbed by ourcharm of fishing, it is the anglers however it turned out voices just yards away, withpursuit of what is elusive I was alone, at least for now that the member left to fishbut also attainable giving anyway. On arrival, I walked his usual swimperpetual hope to all anglers. past the shallows and spotted I threw the remaining boiliesDeep in the heart of the a decent carp, certainly a into the water, gathered myrolling countryside this was double, cruising between rods and headed for thea lake that time forgot. As the weed beds, I quietly shallows of Tench Bay. DueI stood on the banks during crept along and dumped my to the daythat majestic dawn I had just gear further up the lake and

being warm I fancied abit of stalking hoping thecarp would visit this area inthe afternoon sun. I creptthrough the long grass andimmediately noticed a cloudof mud dispersing in thewater towards the island,a sign of feeding fish, thenthrough the polaroid’s theunmistakable dark back ofa common carp gliding intothe bay, dropping down as itapproached the island.Both rods were alreadymade up with helicopter rigsto combat the soft mud onthe lake bed and bait wasa single boilie tipped withplastic corn fished snowmanstyle to slow its decent.This time location was easy,one rod cast towards theisland amongst the cloud ofmud and the second in theentrance to the bay bothaccompanied with half adozen boilies. The coupleof hours that passed werefrustrating as two carpregularly cruised in and outthe bay but rarely stayed inmy baited areas, once ortwice I lost sight of the carpas they drifted down andsent up plumes of mud asthey fed near my hook bait.The reality of the challengestarted to dawn on me, I wasthe first angler to introduceboilies into the venue andwith the abundance of naturalfood in the lake they had noreason to feed on my bait,perhaps life was too short!

The next best thing to of that fish meant the carp thermal cover, sandwichescatching carp is observing had moved out of the bay and bottle of squash as thethem in their natural so it was time to settle into kettle and stove had to beenvironment and I always try my swim for night on the left at home, there wouldn’tand learn something about opposite bank. I had chosen be many creature comfortsmy quarry. That afternoon to spend my first night fishing during these sessions. Asafter watching those fish I to a clear area towards the the darkness fell, I waslearnt their patrol routes in middle of the lake which had becoming impatient the rodsand out of the bay and made weed beds behind and either remained motionless anda note of it, this may come in side. I had prebaited this doubt was starting to setuseful later in the season. area over the last couple of in, had I chosen the correct weeks hoping to entice the swim, had I fed too much orThe other member started carp in with plenty of 14mm not enough bait? This wasto pack up after a successful boilies although from what I intensified around midnightday perch fishing with several saw this afternoon the carp when I heard a fish crash infish including a few over were in no rush to take them. the shallows.the 2lb barrier and as there The hook baits were fishedwas only around an hour of close together with about As the clouds departed anddaylight left I decided to give 40 boilies going in over a the moon shone brightly Iit another 10 minutes before large area to get the carp drifted off only to be awokenmoving in to my night pitch. searching for a meal. The by an absolute screamerAs I turned my attention back brolly was soon set up and at half 3. I leapt from myto my rods I noticed the tip I sat back and enjoyed the chair and lifted into whaton the rod positioned near lingering light as the glowing was obviously not a tench!the island slowly tighten as orb sank beneath the horizon. The fish headed for the reedthe bobbin rose. As I lifted Due to the arduous trek bed on the far bank I had nointo the fish I knew it was through the woods to reach choice but to apply strongnot my intended target and this secluded venue I had pressure and hope I couldas suspected a plucky tench to travel light, no bedchair, persuade the fish to changearound 4lb soon graced just a reclining chair, no direction, I managed to gainthe bank. The disturbance sleeping bag, instead a some line back as the fish kited to my left powering towards the jetty in the far corner. Due to the overhanging branches, I had to stand in the water to attain the necessary angle to stay in in contact with the fish which felt athletic and strong. The line started grating on what was probably a weed bed or submerged branches as I felt my chances of landing the fish diminishing. The carp felt as if it was tiring and the runs became less vigorous and

was almost in front of me as as the carp safely nestled in the water, the dawn began, Iit made another determined the mesh. stood there and savoured thedeep run, suddenly the bite I bit through the lines and moment.alarm on the other rod started put the tangled rigs to one Following my success, Ibleeping. Due to the thick side until I had safely dealt had only managed one-dayweed bed directly in front of with my first carp from the session which resulted in athe swim it was impossible venue, it was long, lean and few tench since my openingto use back leads and as powerful with an immense night and I was itching to bethe fish rose to the surface tail and vivid colours, a truly back on the water. A weekI caught my first glimpse wild fish. I guessed it would later I suddenly found myselfof a forgotten carp in the fall short of a double and with a free night, there wasmoonlight. Panic set in as I the scales confirmed it at only one thing on my mindrealised the carp had picked 9lb 10oz however it did not and that was to get back toup my second line which matter, it was an uncaught the lake. This was going tolooked to be tangled around it carp and a special capture on be a very impromptu sessionpectoral fins, it soon became my first night session. It was it was already lunchtime so Iapparent that I would not be impossible to say if it was wouldn’t arrive much beforeable to get the required angle one of the fish I observed mid-afternoon, my son alsoto net the fish. I dropped the swimming the previous day had an appointment thenet and picked up the second however I had spotted a following morning so I wouldrod, raising it high into the air couple of fish which were have to be back reasonablyto try and force some slack bigger than this so that was early however my gut feelingline required to guide the an exciting thought. It was was to go fishing and I oftencarp closer to the bank, it a massive confidence boost go with my gut! The vanwas heart in the mouth stuff landing that first carp from was loaded up in record timeas I dropped the second rod such a low stocked venue. I and I was soon on the road.and made a lunge with the was pleased that my swim It was a warm summersnet towards the fish, with the choice and tactics had come day accompanied with arod at full curve I had just to fruition. strong wind blowing into theenough angle to net the fish, Shortly after a few photos the north bank and as I stood atI was overwhelmed with relief carp was safely returned to the water’s edge I noticed the dragonflies battling the breeze like helicopters caught in an updraft and the reed mace rustling with every gust. I felt my best opportunity was to fish the same swim as before and bait up ready for the night ahead. The rods were soon cast out, one into open water and the other slightly further towards the weed bed near the far bank and again baited up with around 20 boilies over each hook bait.

The lake was becoming my torrent of rain and darkness as the rod took on a healthyretreat, far from the fast-paced overcrowded world fell sooner than it should of. curve I looked skyward, thewe live in and I was enjoyingthese halcyon days. Just My brolly started to creak like clouds looked so low thatbeing by the water gaveme pleasure, the secluded an out of tune violin in the the rod tip would touch them.serenity, the nature, theunknowing what the lake relentless wind and all I could There was no mistaking itholds gave it a mysteriousatmosphere which was do was to sit tight as the was another carp, the sheerslowly gripping me tighterwith every visit, this was a storm hopefully passed over power giving it away andunique venue. With the riseof commercial fisheries, it me. The shriek of a barn owl I leant into the rod hopingis very rare to find such abeautiful serene utopia and taking cover in the woods to turn the carp into openI planned on spending asmuch time here as I could was apt on such a night as water. The line went solidspare in the short period Ihad available. ghoulish as this. as my heart sank, I knewAs the afternoon drew on thewind lessoned to reveal a The rain lasted a couple of opportunities would notpleasant summers eveningwhich rewarded me with hours before it eased off then come along very often whena brace of tench in the 4lbbracket. As the evening completely stopped, drops chasing these elusive fishdrew on the clouds thickenedand turned dark, the wind hung from the branches and for now I hung on withreturned stronger thanbefore and it felt as if a storm overhead only to be released steady pressure. A couple ofwere approaching. Theseconditions did when the wind persuaded minutes passed then I felt anot deter myenthusiasm as them to fall downwards. kick transmit through the tautI have caughtmany times in The ground around me was line, the carp was still therethe past duringstrong winds saturated, no moonlight and felt as if it had turned,and quitewelcome them penetrated the clouds with a rotation of the reelwhen fishingfor carp. All creating a very dark night. An handle I gained some lineof a sudden,the heavens hour after the storm, around but the fish still felt weededopenedbringing a midnight the right-hand bite up. I pumped again this alarm signalled a taking fish time I managed a couple of and screamed louder than turns of the reel handle and the barn owl in the pitch the fight was back on as the dark, I was on the rod within fish headed to my left taking seconds. line away from the weed The fish had taken sufficient bed. These forgotten carp line to reach the weed bed had been raised on natural that I was fishing close to and food and every day was a fight for survival and it showed as they fought with every muscle and ounce of strength. The carp drew closer, however my first attempts to net the fish only saw her power away with an almighty flick of her tail and the water boiled as she disappeared into the dark depths.

On my sixth attempt, I finally headlines, until I decidedslipped the cord under her to fish for them, they wereas she graced the soft mesh forgotten and uncaught.where I left her to rest for a It was some of the mostfew minutes to regain her enjoyable and pleasurable Until next time… Darrenstrength. It looked larger carp fishing I have embarkedand bulkier than my first and on, it was an adventure,I was certain it would be my fishing for the unknown, afirst double from the venue. I pioneering campaign thatweighed her twice, both times promised little yet rewardedthe scales read 10lb 9oz, me greatly.confirmation indeed it was myfirst double from the venue.It was not a big fish bytoday’s standards howeverit was deeply satisfyingknowing that I had been theonly one to target these wildfish and that these carp hadnever been caught before.So far, the lake had been kindto me and as I knelt in thewet grass droplets cascadedfrom the branches above inthe aftermath of the storm itwas all worth it as the vividcolours of the carp presentedthemselves in the torch light.She boasted a dark back andscales of saffron, the headcould have been carved fromoak and the tail fin gloweda burnt orange. I returnedher to the lake and with aneffortless flick of her tail sheglided through the weed andinto deeper water.The rest of the night wascalm as the wind easedand the clouds departedleaving a clear night whichbrought a stunning dawn fullof colour and a triumphantatmosphere.My time on the venue wasshort and although the carpwill not make the angling



‘MAKING MEMORIES’ by Rich Austin

There is nothing I repeat the water doesn’t hold a lot free offering to stimulate anothing more special than of naturals, and they love feeding response.spending time with my the crunch factor with theirdaughter Scarlett making pharyngeal teeth making Bait and free offerings Ifishing memories. I am a light work of the molluscs. believe are one of the mostvery lucky dad in the fact that Also added in to the bag mix important parts of pre-Scarlett at only aged 5 has will be crushed tigers that planning if you’re going totaken to fishing like a duck have been pre-glugged in spend hours/days trying todoes to water, the excitement a cheeky brine, and some catch fish then making thewhen I tell her I have to get micro pellets - Skretting and effort before you go is a mustready for a 24 or 48hr trip or Milkimin, one more ingredient to maximise your chancesa competition is priceless, completes the Live System of banking those sometimesand when it’s time for her Bag Mix and I never go very fussy Carp. So whereto don her fishing attire for without Krill Micromass, it were we heading?....... wella bankside session herself, is rich in Omega 3 oil and a good friend of mine Ryanwell the excitement goes Astaxanthin which is a King from Xcel Baits hasthrough the roof, not only is powerful anti-oxidant, its jumped in with both feet andshe preparing boilies in glug high in protein and amino committed to taking over aor making up some bag mix acids which are essential to couple of lakes on a secureshe is making it for her own a healthy fish diet. You may complex in Windsor, the lakesuse. Scarlett gets involved think it’s a strange contrast named aptly Windsor Viewwith all the pre-planning, to have a fishy additive in to Lakes are old pits Front Lakegetting her hands dirty with what is predominantly a Milk (day ticket) and Back Lakethe CC Moore Live System Protein base mix with CSL (syndicate), the Back Lake IBoilies, glugging them with undertones but in fact I truly featured in a previous issuethe awesome Response + believe that the attractors of Talking Carp so feel free toCream from CC Moore with in all the ingredients work browse the back cataloguea dash of Amino 365. We do so well that whatever mood of issues if you are interestedthis a couple of days before the carp are in their feeding in old English strain carp andthe trip turning the defrosted receptors will be switched a challenging water BUT thisbait every now and then in on to one or more of the time it was Scarlett’s sessionthe bucket to re coat them elements incorporated in the and we wanted to maximiseso all the additives are takenin with the rehydrating foodsource. That’s the first thingwe will do in our sessionprep, followed by creating abag mix which in most casesfor us will be the Live SystemBoilie crushed down, andvarious ingredients addedsuch as crushed hemp, wholehemp, micro water snails -we find those a great edgeand give the fish needednutrients that perhaps aremissing from their diets if

our chances of her OK so I am a Consultant up as that is what took offcatching some stunning for JP so a little biased but first. We were not temptedfish so we headed I defy you to find any hand to start spodding in the laketo the Front Lake on sharpened hook that comes as I know from experiencethe complex where it close to the range. So, with that it can have an adverseholds a fair amount of that, our pre tied bags of effect so not wanting to riskimmaculate Mirrors and mixed pellet and pre tied pva it we just fished with the pvaCommons ranging from mesh sticks were attached to sticks and it was proving to6-18lb with a few 20’s the rigs, we fished differing be the correct decision as theand a purported 30+ so bags at first on different guys who arrived over thethat was the mission to pop ups to see what would other side were smashing theget amongst a few. go first and then switch if water to bit in to the eveningOn arrival, we parked consistent. It didn’t take long and Scarlett had banked 3up the car and went after Scarlett cast out the fish to her tactics whilst the 4for a walk around the first rod for it to scream off guys had none. So, we gotwater which took about but unfortunately, she lost ready for the evening had40 minutes watching it and a huge sulk ensued - some dinner of which shefor signs of movement or we have all been there, she cooked burgers in the Ridgebubbles, we saw a few fish stormed off red faced laid Monkey washed down with acruising as it was a bright down on the bed arms folded nice hot chocolate and it wasday with little wind and we and sulked I couldn’t believe soon time for her to have adecided to fish a swim at the it, ha-ha, she’s only 5 and to sleep.gate end so we could fish have an effect like that just The objective on this tripa bay to our left and some showed how passionate she was to get Scarlett’s seasonopen water in front. Scarlett really is and a part of me off to a good start andhelped make very light work laughed, and the other part of hopefully beat her near 9lbof the already easy Tempest me was so very proud. After PB, at around 1am the rodthat would be our home for she got that out of her system screamed off and I tried in allthe next 48hrs, then it was she was back on form and my might to wake her but toon to the tools, we set up the making some more sticks no avail and I had to landrods pod and alarms.With a bit of a dabble on mylast visit to the back lakeI knew what bait we weregoing to use on this session,and that was to be CC MooreWashed Pink Dairy SupremePop Ups and Yellow NS1 PopUps they would be attachedto the only thing Scarlettis not allowed to touch onthe bank and that’s hooks,we were going to use theawesome Ronnie Rigs from JPrecision Hooks the sharpesthooks in the UK bar none,

it myself shame as it was OK!” so we netted a nice size Castle as she kept on about it, once that was out the waya stunning little Common of Bream for her entertainment back out went the rods, over the next few hours a couplearound 12lb. I told her the and to the disgust of all my more commons graced the bank which culminated innext morning and the words by now dry clean gear God to a great session and in which she learned so muchthat followed were fantastic love her. We took a pic and on the bank, even looking at the water telling me that a“ohhhh daaaaad…. why off it went back to the abyss. fish had jumped or swirled, I was very proud of this littledidn’t you wake me up I This was followed quickly girl, not once have I pushed her in to helping me at homewanted that one” hahahhaa. by a stunning little Mirror of in my prep or pushed her to come with me, she hasAfter breakfast, it was a bit of which Scarlett played all the designs of her own and that is the proudest thing, thecasting practice of which she way to the net and I pulled bond we have is so strong, and I can’t help but think thatreally does well, we are not the rod tip high to get it over fishing together is a major part of it, in fact I know it is,fishing far out at all I’d say the block that was another it’s a bond that I hope we will never lose, but even if oneabout 6 rod lengths due to proud moment. day the trips do end, nobody, NOBODY, can take awaythe steep slopping margins to these priceless memories.16 feet out towards the centre A few more fish followed I am so proud of you Scarlett Austin and Love You Moreso a short chuck was our and I could see she was Than Millions.tactic and proved to be on the getting tired so we did a few Daddy x X xmark as the guys opposite product shots, and made See you next time folksstill had not had a fish I still some pellet bags and some Richbelieve it was because they more pva sticks which shesmashed the water to bits. has now mastered I reckonNext to cross the spreader I had only about 3kg on theblock was the slimer! bivvy floor this session not“Scarlett can daddy unhook bad getting better!!! Wethat in the water please” “No wound in and did a lap ofdad I want to see it” “Grrrrrrrrr the lake just to change the scenery up a bit so she didn’t get tunnel vision and bored, at that age it is a little bit of a challenge to keep them engaged but I was pleasantly surprised on her maturity and willingness to learn this trip, it took me back a bit and I felt a huge proudness flood over me the bond we had just became stronger. We then went off to the Tesco Express to stock up on some supplies and a little drive round Windsor





Beauty And The Beasts by Linz Paskin

couldn’t actually get there this film watching has gottaBeauty And because I don’t poxy drive. stop! So anyway, I decidedThe Beasts My mate turned around and to carry on being that said “So when you leaving?” pathetic fanny and fish the I stood there and glared same side as him EVEN over at his sarcastic face, he THOUGH I HAVE NEVERFirst article for Talking smiled and said, “I’ll take CAUGHT FROM THATCarp… ya.” SIDE I took my chances &WOW let’s do this... prayed the carp gods would BOOOOOOOOOOOM, be with me, ahhhh whoThere’s nothing worse than am I kidding carp gods??sitting at home or at work Linz is back in the race! That’s just me trying to With time ticking and swims sound carpy. Ultimate FAIL!CRAVING bank time, to feed and carp to catch I Looked out in front of mestaring out my window,weather was bleak and just wanted to get gone it and gazed across the lakelooked bostin to nick a few was already 4 o’clock in the sun beaming down, soundsbites. Miserable, I walked afternoon, thank God for nice, doesn’t it?? Well yeah itout my front door to my these light nights ay! Now was nice apart from the factmates where they were all I’m sat in the car like a kid there were 100mph windsworking on poxy cars again, in a sweet shop GO GO GO! sweeping the lake, so I crackeerrgghh!! Don’t get me Soon as I’m in the car I’m on and start catapultingwrong, I love mechanics, but back out, ahhhh the sweet some bait out to the right ofI was bored and NEEDED to smell of the outdoors, giving me under a broken tree, yepget on that bank! After a bit my head a wobble I needed perfect for the carp to hide,of moping my mate rang and to work fast, scout the lake, nice and snaggy and tuckedsaid he was going fishing, pick a swim & get my ass away nicely in the shade…meh I thought! Then I heard set up for what I’m hoping Booooooom... I’m onto athem words that fill me with to be a BOSS session! With winner I thought! Then Ias much joy as the day I my mate already there set start TRYING to wang somehad my daughter “WANNA up on the side of the bank bait out in front of me butCOME FISHING FOR 48 I’ve NEVER caught from, with the wind blowing meHOURS?” Aaaarrrggghh… I was a little bit pissed off round like I’m a size 8, 9I dropped everything and really. See, what it is, I’m stone female and the baitlegged it home. I’ve never a bit of a fanny when it flying down to the left ingot changed so fast in my comes to overnighters and my mates swim, I give upwhole life, threw all my constantly think I’m actually chucked my catapult downcrap in a Tesco carrier bag, going to get murdered and cracked on with settinggot my rods, rucksack and or the walkers from the up my bivvy! Turn aroundeverything else and flew out Walking Dead will come and the lads already had mymy front door like Linford and they WILL find me bivvy up, ahhhh they’re aChristie failing to realise I and eat me! Hhhmmmm, good bunch, but sod that

I need a coffee lads. Whilst have fished my syndicate stormed to the lads andthey crack on setting the Ronnie rig has worked explained harshly that myme up I crack on getting well landing me a couple of bait was shit and I’m goingmy rods set up and out, fish, but I needed a game home because I’m a spoiltI was dreading casting changer, I wanted more I brat and didn’t want to blankin this wind. First rod, wanted constant action, AGAIN! Me? A nightmarehhhmmmm??? Tactics??? right I’ll make a KD rig, to fish with? HELL YEAH!Yep still humming?? Ok don’t ask why coz I don’t So, my good buddy old palok ok let’s not mess about even know why! Bait was a who we all call Bobby baby,make a decision! Snowman hard choice as I wanted a coz he’s awesome, rootsrig, size 8 anti-eject barbless completely opposite bait to through my bucket and pullshook tied to 20lb WTF my snowman rig and what out a tub I brought fromfluoro hook link all courtesy I’d got in my bait bag was a NAS5. Now this bait I wasof #thelastyard14, I slammed crock of crap and I’d never weary of using because theon a Nash citrus bottom caught on. I could feel a geezer I brought them offbait and some pop up I paddy coming on, angrily explained that I need to gofound floating round in mybucket, don’t even knowwhat it was, but yeah wackedit on and dropped it in themargin pretending I knewwhat I was looking for, ha-ha, just kidding checked itwas critically balanced blahblah blah yep sound, tightpva mesh with a few Nashcitrus crushed up boilies anda sprinkle of pellets I wasready to place my first rodkind of precisely. But withme anything is possible andtrying to punch a 12ft rodtightly under a tree doesn’talways go to plan but heyho close your eyes and hopefor the best ay? Ok first rodout and yesssssss! I missedthe tree and actually landedit where I wanted it, thereis hope. Ok, next rod Linz,now the past few times I

careful when putting the bait threw my best cast out there, Alarms thrashing a screechneedle through as they can watching my little grub fly only a carp angler couldcrumble. Well, stone me, through the air I could feel handle, the fight is on.I’m like a bull in a China this was gonna be an epic When I’m playing a fish,shop so these don’t stand a shot! Booooom I landed it I can hear the dramaticchance in my man hands! EXACTLY where I wanted music in my head like theWelllllll looks like I’m gonna it, where’s my photographer music on Mark Pitchershave to bite the bullet and when it need him for an DVDs, EPIC! I grippedtry and be careful! This bait, action shot, MEH! Anyway, my rod firmly in my handI didn’t know what to make feeling pleased with myself I and struck, hhhmmmmof it to start with, but I’ve placed my rods on my bank hardly any fight, with onenever seen a bait quite like sticks (coz they are carpier hand over my face couldit! Brown in colour shaped than a pod apparently) I this be a carp anglers worstto look EXACTLY like a put my swingers on, turned nightmare, please pleasegrub, I thought this would round and everything was please nooooooooo,be perfect as it looks like a set up for me apart from mynatural creature, now to get bed! Cheers lads. Set my I took my time hoping itit on my hair in one piece, bed up put my girly crap all might have a splurge ofif emoji’s could be used in order then banged the anxiety or something andright now I’ve got a perfect kettle on, half hour after my spaz of into a fit of rage,middle finger one! OK I’m epic cast to my tree I was nope still coming in like animpressed I got it on first just about to kick back and Aldi carrier bag...time, no mesh bag just a relax with a well-earnedsingle grub hook bait let’s cuppa when my alarm starts My mate comes over “wantgive that a whirl ay! POWER throwing a couple of beeps me to land it” “don’t look atUP I’m gonna cast, straight out, me thinking it’s just a me” I said me not looking atout in front of me over the teaser sat back down thenother side of the bank is BOOOOOOOOOOOMa tree I LOVE fishing andbecause the situation withmy mate not fishing whereI wanted to I had no choicebut to slam a heavier weighton and cast right the wayover, after all there was onlyme and my one mate on thewhole lake! This time I didn’tuse my “eyes closed & pray”technique thought I bestdo it properly for a changeha! OK breathing it to out I

the water I kept reeling issues. I thought I’d give it ANY situation! Checked my“ooh, he’s at chunk Linz” the benefit of the doubt and hook hadn’t been bluntedI looked down and throw some more bait out or bent in the process butBOOOOOOOOOOOM a just coz I’ve seen other carp still as sharp as it camefat bar of gold cruising in anglers do it so thought I’d fresh out the pack, quicklymy way, jumping up and copy ha-ha! Left it overnight changed my bait to the gooddown “get the net, get the and still nothing! Come old grub I slammed it outnet” as soon as he put the first light I was up after a in a different fresh spot asnet in the water the fight long night pondering on my that margin isn’t producingwas on, kicking his tail out nonproductive rod I couldn’t so I rest the swim and trywhipping the water like leave it any longer! Reeling again later! Casting out 3he’s auditioning for a Jaws in when I hit a stop, oh here rod lengths out I felt positivemovie he spun into a whirl we go, SNAGGED!! Bad with my choice! Literallyof rage! Taking me back out angling by me. I should’ve before I’d even put it downto where I hooked him from checked my rod sooner but my reels going on a madknowing where the snags hey ho you live and learn one strike and play Linz!are, I locked up, not today I suppose! Trying to find Another one in the net, bythank you, you’re coming a way out without losing this point I’m shattered I’dhome to momma! After an all my end tackle, it wasn’t had nothing to eat hardlyepic battle of keeping the having any of it, so I began anything to drink in thechunk away from the snags walking back ready to snap, whole time I’d been there,the beast finally kissed my but felt the line loosen. no time for that crap whenspreader block weighing in Reeling in and boom didn’t you’re on the fish! Rods wereat 21lb. What a stunning lose a single item not even going of literally every 15bar of gold, let’s get some my hook bait, thanks to minutes. Roll on when Carlpictures and get this stunner THE LAST YARD end gets here to make me foodback to his larger siblings! tackle I kept everything, just and water me! Eventually heSmashed it within half hour what I expect from my end turned up, but first thing heon my bespoke baits grub tackle strong and durable in did was get in mystyle boilie, feeling goodand positive got it back outstill fishing singles with nofreebies! Within minutesof casting back out ontothe same spot I’m beingscreamed at, rraaahhhh let’sdo this! As the day went onand on that one rod hadbeen producing into thenight while the other rodwas clearly having technical

you didn’t then it’s your loss ha-ha. Thanks for tuning in tight lines & PEACE OUT! Linz.bivvy and lie down. I’m have got to say that had tofuming absolutely fuming be one of best sessions I’veso I do what I do best and had in a long time! Taking 5throw a paddy and boom minutes to myself and catchit worked, so to speed the up on my hectic lifestyle onprocess up of him cooking social media and fire someme some food and in pics out there I countedbetween catching all the fish how many carp I’d had thatI helped him set up! Carp session and I was shocked!were going wild on these With Carl only catching 1grubs, double takes, the lot! and Bobby landing a tidyAfter a long hauling session 7, not bragging or anythingI kind of prayed that Sunday but I netted in at 19!night would be kind of slow Boooooooom!! Absolutelyso I could have at least an smashing session. Averagehours sleep! Happy to say between 12-15lb heaviestI got at least 4 hours! With 21lb smallest 6lb... plenty ofme absolutely thrashing laughter good food, goodthe lads AGAIN think it’s company, and most of alltime for some proper scran! plenty of action on the rods.Weathers bleak and thewind was so wild I actually All in all, a top top weekend!thought my bivvy was gonna Drawing my session to atake off! Monday comes close and already thinking ofand it’s home time, I start my next... bank life = happythe slow pack up and dry Linz.off as the fishing sloweddown, they must have Thanks for taking the timebecome wise to the grub! I to read my article and if





The Secret Lake byGary Milky Lowe

The Secret towards the car park in start down that end as between the large trees I had nothing else toLake that made the lane even go on. Well, back to theWell after the success darker, and as I turned car and the barrow was into the car park and to loaded and I set off to getof the last trip down on my surprise there was no to my swim but on thethe secret lake I couldn’t cars there which gave me long walk to my swim Iwait to get back down the option of the whole was stopping and lookingthere, during the week lake to choose from. for any signs of fish,I kept in contact with After locking the car I set but seeing no signs ofa few of the lads about off to have a look around anything I started to setwhat was coming out and as it was just getting light, up in my chosen swim.there had been nothing I could see if anything The bivvy was up andout of the lake since the was moving at first light, rods ready but I decidedbig common at 49lb. and after a good look to not cast out for a bitI was happy with that round on the side of the and just watch the water,and hoped they would lake that you have access well after a few brews Ifeed when i get down to I had seen nothing, saw my first show, so onethere on Wednesday. Up no signs of a carp at all, road was cast out nearuntil then i had to get a few tench that’s all, the one of the islands, sothe bait prepared and so I thought I would sit that was one rod sortedboilies cut up so they sat on the boat house as the other two I would puton top of the silt, as this from there I could see close to the reeds.lake is really silty. The and watch most of theTuesday came quick and lake and see if anything All three rods had myI loaded the van late that moved. ever faithful chods withnight ready to get to the After a good hour or so I pineapple pop ups onlake early Wednesday still hadn’t seen anything and these were criticallymorning, but the wind had picked balanced by pushingThe alarm was set for 4 up and started to blow some of the new Taskaand i was up and down down the other end to lead wire into the bait sostairs, I had a quick cup where I was last week. there is no putty on theof tea and I was in the Down that end there is swivel which I think givescar and off down the lane a massive reed bed and it more room to movetowards the lake. I drove two islands right at the and spin.down the muddy lane end so I thought I would

Well I decided to not go until I see the next show back i was going to moveheavy on the bait just and it was right over the on it.yet so i just scattered rod that was near the Well morning came and50 baits round each rod big reed bed so i was went, I had seen nothingthen if I get a bite I’ll put well confident of a bite the wind had stopped somore out. It was early at some stage. I went to the water was flat calmafternoon and I had seen bed about an hour later and the sun was out so Ia few more shows down as I wanted to be up for thought I would reel inmy end so there was a first light but hoping I and have a walk aboutfew fish in the area , a would be up before then to see if I could spot anycouple more people had as there was fish in the fish, I climbed all the bigturned up but they had area. Well how wrong trees all the way up todecided to go up the was I? I woke up just as the boat house and I hadother end of the lake so I it was getting light and seen nothing, I carriedwas left alone down this was really surprised that on down into the otherend so if any fish moved the rods hadn’t gone. I bay were the two anglersdown this end I could put the kettle on and sat were and as soon as Imove on them as long at the front of the swim turned the corner I couldas no one else turned watching the water and see a sling hanging up soup. It was getting dark if anything moved up the

I knew one of them to have a good look for a pink salty squidhad had something. round for a few hours flavour pop up to seeI had messed up they then make my mind up. if that would make ahad caught from the I climbed up every tree difference, I put all threearea I had caught the I could and looked in rods back on the sameweek before, oh well every hole and bay that spots and only put 20you live and learn, well was along this back and free offerings over theafter a chat with them I the only place I found top of each rod. It washad learn that they had some fish was near to late evening before Ihad 2 fish last night, a where I was fishing so saw a carp show itselfstockie and one of the big I thought I would stay and it looked a very bigmirrors at 44LB. I was where I was. common... that would dowell chuffed for him as I sat back in my swim I thought so I went intohe had been fishing here thinking that the fish the night hoping that thefor two years and had must have been over rod that it showed overonly had 3 fish and they me all the time so was would go. How wrongwere only stockies. Now it my rigs? I don’t think was I again?? I woke upI had to think had the so as I’ve always caught at first light to nothingfish moved in the night on them so I thought I and the wind had pickedup the other end so do I would change the colour up and was blowingstay or move, I decided of the hook bait, I went down the other end

which didn’t fill me with fish were showing and on the line… I was inconfidence, so I was the other on the spot trouble here as there wasgoing to have a move at were I had the common a small weed bed in frontsome stage today. I had from last week, after I of me and if the leadsome breakfast then had sorted everything from the other rod getsstarted to pack down out and made myself a caught up in that i wouldmy gear when the other brew I sat on a bucket lose the fish. I didn’t havetwo blokes came walking at the front of the swim to worry about that asdown to say they were off watching the water and the hook pulled and Iand I should get myself watching the odd fish roll was left with a right messdown the other end as out in front of me as the both rods tangled.they have been watching sun went down, the fish After about an hour I hadfish all morning over on seemed to move down both rods redone andthe far back to where the lake which I was not ready to go back on thethey were, so that would happy with but I hopped spots tired and unhappybe in front of the swim they would move back in that I had lost a fish Ithat I fished last week. the morning as this was cast them back onto theAfter they had gone I the shallow end of the spots and settled downpacked the rest of my lake. I settled down for to gets some sleep beforegear up quickly and the night as I was going it got light. The alarmmade my way to the boat to be up early as was not went off and I laid therehouse and was soon in that confident of a take in my bag thinking ofthe boat and on my way at night as the fish had what could have been if Ito the swim I was in the moved off. It seemed like landed the one last night.previous week as I was I had only just closed The steam was comingon my way to it I could my eyes when I was from the kettle on thesee a few fish jumping woken by a screamer first brew of the day andin the area I fished so I on my right hand rod, I saw the first show of thewas well up for it. After as I picked up the rod day about 50 yards awayabout an hour I had the middle rod started from my right-hand rod,everything set up and I to bleep the fish had I am hoping that they arewas ready to cast out, I moved so quick I think it moving back down of thekept my pink Mainline had picked up that line, slight trickle of wind thatsalty squid hookbaits well as I played the fish is here, well several cupson and cast two rods it started to go left and of tea later I was up andto roughly where the it felt like it was grating sitting on my bucket

watching for signs of carp line it would take it back! picture of last week fishwhen I started to get a Well a few minutes later and it looked the same,few liners on the middle I saw a glimpse of it it had a few marks thatrod so there must be fish and it was quite a large looked the same. As Imoving about near my common so now I had started to sort myselfbaited area. About 5 mins seen it I started to panic out I got a call off Davelater I saw a big common and eased of on the the bailiff who had justlaunch its self out right pressure, so it took me turned up and askedover the middle rod then longer to get it closer to where I was, and I toldmore liners on the rod I the net, I finally managed him what I had in thewas sitting on my hand to get its head up and net and he got a boatand hoping that it would guide it over the cord over to do the shots togo. After about an hour of the net and she was save me from doing selfthe liners stopped and mine! takes. We both looked atI didn’t see any more Well I took a glimpse the common on the matfish show so I thought I in the net and it was and Dave confirmed thathad been done and they definitely a big common it was the one I had lasthad moved off when the so I made sure it was safe week. I couldn’t believeleft-hand rod burst into in the edge and started that… I had caught thelife. Now all I had in my to get my self take gear same 40lb common twicemind was please don’t ready and find a nice in two weeks! After apick up the middle rod spot for some good shots. few shots, we releasedas the line on it would Once I had sorted this her back to her home,be going over the top of out it was time to have he shook my hand andthe weed bed so I did all a good look and weigh then we sat down with aI could to keep the fish my prize, well once on brew and put the worldleft but it was going mad the mat it looked big to rights. Then Daveand soon made its way to and on a closer look it went on his rounds tothe right but after a few looked like the fish i had check the lake, I sat backminutes the fish was well last week, if it was then it thinking what are theright and past the other must like this area? Once odds on that the amounttwo rods and clear of the I weighed her I put her of big fish in this lakeweed bed, this fish was back in the water for a and I catch the same onegoing mad charging up few minutes so it could twice??!! I had one moreand down the margins get some rest, I got my night left so there mightand as soon as I gained camera and looked at the be a chance of another

fish. finally gave in and got in the lake back to the boatI sat there during the day the bag for the night not house, and unloadedlooking at the pictures confident at all. The night my stuff and loadedof all the fish that are in went uneventful, and I the car. I made my waythe lake and thinking was soon having a brew down the dirt track andwhat ones I would like watching the sun come out on to the road andto catch. Since the fish up over the trees. I had to home. Once I was homethis morning i haven’t be off in a few hours so I looked at the photosseen any fish in the area, I started to pack most of on the computer of theso I decided to take a my stuff away I had my commons just to makelook along the bank to back to the water when sure they were the samesee if I could find any I heard a fish crash out, and they were. I couldn’tfish but after a few hours when I looked round it wait to get back down butof looking and chatting was bang over my middle it will have to be in a fewto another angler that rod. That was the first weeks as I am going tohad turned up in this fish I had seen since the have a go at another laketime and had gone in morning before so I was with a mate next week.a swim just around the still in with a chance??!! I’ll let you know how icorner as he had been I didn’t get that chance, get on next month.baiting there, so I went I said my goodbyes toback to my swim and the other angler and told Tight linesgot the rods back out in him to keep an eye on thecase there still there or swim as one just showed. Milkycome back to the area. I made my way acrossI decided to put outanother 50 18mm Cellbottom baits just in casethey had all been eaten.I sat there chilling forthe rest of the day andwatching the water butI did not see anything.That evening I had anice Chinese and settleddown to a nice eveninglisten to the radio. I





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Sam and Cam Good stuff! commons. The original go LARGE at As I heard Cameron’s plan was to fish lake one, new motor pull in then possibly switch to Farlows outside my house, a wee lake two mid-week if the jolt of apprehension/ fishing was slow.Okay, where to start? excitement hit me. This Driving down flew by asThe time was just wasn’t the first time I’d we were both excited topast 8pm on Sunday. been traveling a fair say the least, throwingCameron had just few miles in search ideas of swim choice,told me he was setting of breaking my PB, rigs, bait etc backwardsoff from “The Shire” which stood at massive and forwards. As you do.(Ayrshire, Scotland) to *Cough* 15lb 6oz (I live But ultimately knowingpick me up from my in Scotland, not Essex). full well that when youhome in the Scottish Cameron’s, respectively arrive, all that goes outborders. The plan was stood at just over 20lb. the window. And it did.to try fit everything in So, with regards to 6.20am, Monday. Charliehis motor, drive down catching Farlows fish, the bailiff opens the gatesthrough the night to lower end of the carp in and we are the first onesarrive at Farlows first in there would have seen to pay. He tells us thatline to get a decent swim us conquering this with we want to get ourselveson the Monday morning. ease. Hence Farlows as round onto pegs 43 andA Farlows trip had been our choice of lake. 44 on the ‘smelly bank’,on the cards since last For those of you not as a few fish had beenSeptember. Originally familiar with Farlows, it’s coming from those twofour of us from our local a site with three lakes. pegs in the past week andsyndicate were meant to The first (lake three) a seeing as we have drivenhave been going, but due small half acre for kids/ a good 7 hrs., we deserveto a mishap with holidays leisure anglers. A 5-acre a decent swim. Withoutit was now only Cameron intermediate lake (lake hesitation, we quicklyand myself heading two) with beautiful fish jumped back in the cardown for the five days from big pasty size up and went around to thatoriginally scheduled. The to thirties. Finally, lake bank unloaded enoughtwo other lads had gone one, 25 acre with islands gear to bag those swims.a few days earlier for a galore and around 1300 Cam was on peg 43 andforty-eight hour and had stunning carp up to low I was on peg 44. Now, ata twenty between them. forties both mirror and this point Cam and I

bites) about 120 yards to that point. As I was getting my other rigs sorted and ready to go, my bobbin smashes up and line starts to peel. Lifted the rod to feel something heavier than I’d ever felt attached to the end, even at 120 yards I could tell she was a biggun. The fight ensued forlooked at each other rover somewhere else. about ten minutes,if only to confirm that The first arduous and coming in relatively easywe were actually here lethargic day had passed then holding its groundand that it was actually uneventful, a lot of tea under the rod tip forhappening. With massive and coffee was drank to another five. I rememberbags under our eyes we keep us awake, but no my leg shaking like awent about trying to fish prevailed. Right, sh*****g dog and feelingcatch some stunning Tuesday. Now time to sick to my stomach. But,monsters from this pull it together and get when she rolled over thebeautiful looking lake. our game faces on. Cam net cord there was noThe marker rod was out, was up at the crack of denying that it was overand with a bare lead I dawn to see many a fish that magical 20lb barriermanaged to find a gravel topping at about 120-140 that had eluded me for sobar at about 13 wraps, yards off the west side long. Sat in the net wasCameron was fishing a of the island to our left. a bang on 27lb beautifullittle shallower at about He’d already got his rigs Farlows mirror carp.10 wraps but on a smaller as far as he thought he Happy days! “Can gobar. We had agreed could go with his casts home now a happy man,with the pressure being and with this in mind I eh?” I said. Cam and Irelatively high for the skyrocketed a borrowed gave each other a goodfirst couple of days to fish Ronnie rig with a bright old hug n a slap on thesingle hookbaits for the Essential Cell pop up (as back. “That is what wefirst 24 hours. So, got two we’d heard that essential came for.”rods on the bars and one had been doing a fair few

We took all the pics, and Disco disco, we’re on the of why he’d not hadslipped her back in the dancefloor!! Let’s party! anything yet and stillwarm morning sunlight. The rest of that sunny contemplating a moveOnly to find out that the second day passed to lake two the followingpics were slightly blurred without another fish, we morning. Wow, are wedue to me switching the had a few bleeps and lifts glad we didn’t…auto focus off on the here and there but no During the day, wecamera the day before! takes sadly. Cameron was played about with rigsDough! Not to worry fishing solely on Ronnie and talked through thethough, I managed to rigs with the essential technical side of things.play around with the pops which he had been Questioning everythingpictures and sharpen one using in his fishing for to ensure we were fishingor two of the not so bad some time, and I (now a as efficiently as we could.ones to give me a decent convert to the efficiency We noticed that camsimage or two. I was elated of the Ronnie) was rigs were prone to tangleswith the fish, not only on two Ronnie’s and a even with tubing andsmashed my PB, but off snowman at that point the like, so I suggestedthe mark with one of the all size 4 hooks and just he switch to ring swivelsbiggest carp I had seen in using a throwing stick to straight off the lead-clip.the flesh, and a Farlows chuck between 80-100 With this change, hestunner to boot. We had 18mm Essential Cell in minimized the tanglingdefinitely found them, the area every half day and was a lot happierand with our rigs coming or so to try keep them that they were going outback clean every time grubbing. So very similar untangled every time.now that we had pushed tactics for the both of us. I also showed that if hethat bit further out of the Cameron was now going was to dip his cast beforeweed and into the silt. through the motions he lunged, he could

achieve a much better shortly followed by a thought, wasn’t too muchdistance, which he did, “shut the f*** up” from to ask as we still hadand was elated to find Cam as the line pinged over 72 hours remaining.that it worked well. We a couple of times of the A fact we both keptbounced a few other fish’s fins. But the panic repeating to each otherideas around during that was quashed when I throughout the morning,day and by the end of the lifted the net under a smiling to ourselves likeafternoon were happy as lovely two tone golden idiots.a “pig in silt” with our common of 18lb. Hooray! Move on to around 9amconclusions. The pictures (not blurry) and it was tackle shop/Wednesday morning, were taken and Cam toilet time. I lifted my6am. I wake to the sweet slipped her back. Get in right-hand rod to reel insong of Cam’s right hand matey! for the toilet break androd whizzing off line. Up On the build up to the immediately felt a bit ofand out of the bivvy like trip we said that one fish weight. I thought thisa shot, Cam was leant would suffice, but now was strange as we wereinto his first fish. Ensuing we had both caught, we fishing spots over theleg wobble and panic, me really wanted another back of the weed now,throwing in comments fish a piece if we were and when it gave a kick Ilike “looks a decent one” being honest. This, we was even more surprised.