Golden Paws

It makes a change for me to start one!
Started well yesterday morning, got here around 7, saw a few shows, small bag with a few 10mms and pop up combi rigs put out in that direction. 
Literally within 5 minutes (whilst I was down the margins putting out a few freebies), my left hand rod had ripped off.
I felt it on, felt a good weight, then the dreaded snag. I just kept tension & bump, it came off.
Dejected I redid the rod and put the kettle on. Just about to pour & the middle ones off.
Good little scrap and lovely little scaled 16lb mirror. 
Went a bit quiet, sun was up so tried zigs in a few different spots , moving them about every hour or so. Not even a liner!
As the sun dropped , I thought I'd switch back to bottom baits as I'd already caught and felt more confident for the night.
Nothing through the night and just as I was stirring the left rod was off, happy days.
This one felt a bit heavier, then the line went slack, I wound in faster and found the tension to the fish, it tussled a little bit, but was easily netted.
As I pulled her out I thought this is a good 30 odd, could be a new pb?
Scales topped out at 43 exactly, it is a new pb!
Sent a pic to my mate (who's also on here), turns out to be the big girl of the lake.
I'm absolutely made up

If it's bright I'd be starting at ~ 25% depth (from the surface). If it's dull I'd be trying mid-water i.e. 50% depth.
Colours for bites or black for the biggun.

There is a problem in that. 
Green energy is brilliant, but relying on North Sea wind farms is damaging the seafloor environment. It is 'out of sight, out of mind'. Solar farms, using arable or livestock land to put up solar panels is not Green. The cleaning of those panels put earth damaging chemicals in the soil. Your Fairy liquid is one of the most damaging products, despite being biodegradable, imagine industrial strength Fairy cleaning products.
Wind power technology relies on wind; too little no electricity, too strong wind, and the turbines have to be switched off.
Solar panels are only about 15% effective. 85% of the sunlight is wasted, and the waste increases the ambient temperature around the panels, potentially reducing important natural wildlife. Crops and livestock can't be grown effectively around solar panels.
Importing goods from abroad, brilliant, let's keep our emissions at 0.4% while China goes to 25% of global emissions and we can ignore the emissions created by transporting goods halfway the world.
Yet manufacturing, as yet, electricity is not suitable to power smelting, metalwork, glass making. You need gas, coal or coke.
You can't have an economy without manufacturing, and you can't have 'legalise drugs' as the manifesto. 

Good morning to you all, so as I defrost in front of the fire i shall regale you with a tale of carp, rain and mud! (I’m like a cut price Terry Hearn!)
This tale has its foundation in last week, when I found myself once again ensconced in a stuffy hotel room for a “preparation course” ahead of my final exams next week. Chatting to wifey on the phone, she asked why I didn’t take any fishing gear with me, I explained how there wasn’t any time to disappear to a lake for a few hours, so wifey suggested that I get an overnight trip in as she is working and daughter is at nursery and I probably won’t be missed!
Still, as the wifey and I have another baby on the way, due in the summer, opportunities to get the rods out are going to become few and far between, so I prepped the gear, my daughter and I rolled some bait and on yesterdays dawn I was gone, heading for zombie sheep lake.
In arriving, I found the lake looking grey, sullen and foreboding. The water level was up by a good 2ft, meaning one of the islands had disappeared completely, and the other, only a few sorry looking branches poked above the water!
As I was alone, and the wind was piling in, with this being a rather barren landscape, with little to stop the howling wind between the Russian Steppes and my bivvy, I chose to set up on the back of the wind, tucked in behind a sorry line of bushes that did at least act as a wind break. It wasn’t raining, so I took the time to have a lead about to find my usual spot albeit from a different angle.
Happy with my spots, HMS Jenny (my bait boat) was launched into the chop, where she gamely battled the waves to deposit two pva bags of boilie crumb, pellet and maggots onto the spots. With that, I was fishing. 
Both rods being Fox Horizon X3S’s to Fox EOS 12000 reels, to lead core leaders, 3 1/2 oz leads fished as helicopter rigs to fox cortex braid, ESP Clawhammer hooks barbless size 6 fished slip D style.
Bait was my usual Premier Superaminos with belachan, shellfish and salmon oil with added robin red, I tend to just keep feeding the same bait all year through here and still keep having bites, plus it helps keep it established for next year. A good quality bait gets better with application in my eyes. 
With the rods out, it was time to set up house and have a cup of tea. As I was crouching down by the rods, watching the water for any subtle show that there may be fish about, my right hand rod tightened up, so the tea was flung to one side and I snatched up the offending rod, on hitting it, the rod took on its battle curve as the battle was joined.
After a spirited 20min scrap, where it bored remorselessly around the flooded margins, it finally rolled over and hit the net. I checked all the fins were flat, popped the hook out and rolled it up in the mesh for the short walk up the bank.
As it is rather steep on this side, with all the rain, it was like an ice rink, and I managed to slip over, landing on my bum with a carp in my lap! Still, the fish was undamaged so I laid it on the unhooking mat and unfurled the net.
I was faced with another rig in its mouth! Hanging from the scissors was a pink boilie, attached to a rig, safezone leader and a 4oz lead that had no chance of discharging from the lead clip as the tail rubber was jammed on tight! So I unhooked it for the second time and held it up for the happy snaps 


at 28lb exactly, he was in rude health, I don’t think the other rig had been there long as the mouth was not torn, but I treated both hook holds and let him go, a 4oz lead lighter!
I felt that he could be the start of a few, to get a bite so quickly, but alas, it wasn’t to be. HMS Jenny continued to battle the waves to deposit my baits back out there, the rain closed in and started hammering it down, I discovered a few leaks in my bivvy that will now need attention, the bank became a quagmire and it soon became a challenge to stand upright without slipping, let alone walk anywhere! So diving into the stand of trees, I picked up a carrier bag full of pine needles, pine cones and twigs, which I made a path from my brolly to my rods, now I had a grippy surface again, I got my head down and had a peaceful nights rest!
This morning, I awoke and redid the rods, or at least tried to! HMS Jenny, my indefatigable little Amazon special bait boat, finally gave in. Her props still spin, she splashed bravely through the waves, but when it came to drop the baits, the hoppers refused to release, the motor working the release mechanism had given up the ghost. HMS Jenny was like a WW2 Escort Corvette who’s used its last depth charge, it can sail gamely on, but not a lot else!
I chose to stick on a stringer on each rod and cast them out for the last hour or two, whilst I slowly packed up.
Sat on my bedchair, looking at the bags that needed packing away, whilst trying to drum up the enthusiasm to make a start, my left hand rod registered a rapid drop back! I leapt off my backside and promptly landed back on it again as my feet shot out from under me in the slimy muddy bank, and I landed flat on my back, picking my self up I watched the embryonic take fizzle out, I’d missed it! 
 
This proved to be the motivation I needed to pack away and go home. With the barrow loaded, I slip and slide my way back to the car park, load the car and head for home.
This proved to be a more mentally challenging session due to the conditions, and it did cross my mind to pack up and go home, but I gave my head a wobble and stuck it out.
Besides, a 28lb common in February isn’t a bad reward!
Now time for a hot bath, get HMS Jenny in dry dock and see if I can get her back to her little bobbing best!

I used to fish some of the South Cerney waters many years, mainly Ham Pool, Bradley's and Hill's for the tench before Watermark took the last two over.
The Bailiff they had then was a annoying old curmudgeon and he used to check my ticket every single time I was there. I think it was a 2 rod rule then and I had an old pike rod set up with Heath Robinson spod made out of an old washing up bottle. The good old days, if you wanted something, you had to make it, not like the kids of today........(better stop there, I'm sounding like one myself!)   After he checked my ticket, he shouted that it was a 2 rod rule and so I fired back at him that it was a spod rod and he turned  away laughing to himself - the old [censored] got me!
One day when he was in a more agreeable mood he told me a funny story. At Ham Pool there was a club house and bar and it included a fruit machine and one of his jobs  was to empty the cash from it. You could buy day tickets on the bank then and for juniors it was £1 in advance or £2 on the bank - I did say it was a long time ago! Anyway he came across 2 lads and they came out with the old "I've only got a £50 note trick". Quick as a flash, he went to his van and dumped £46 in pound coins on them! I bet they didn't try that again!

I fished in much worse! 🙄

Althoigh it's not really cold at the moment, and to continue doing my winter sessions in some sort of comfort I always use base layering ..
Anyway I thought to upgrade and have bought Zerofit 'heatrub' made in Japan....all I can say is get some !!!!

The Fortis Tundra salopettes are the best clothing item I've bought recently, waterproof and very warm indeed.
I bought the matching coat but in hindsight I'g go for their marine jacket instead as I cannot see me using the Tundra coat as I'm already warm enough in the salopettes.
Already got lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket but would look at the Fortis Marine stuff if I didn't 👍
Whilst the Catchdry coat may be good, for me personally it's too long and bulky - cant see that being suitable for days roving the river or carp stalking, but were all different.
Fortis looked at the serious competition (Geoff Anderson) and made stuff that probably almost matches but at a much lower pricepoint, serious clothing for serious anglers I'd say so you get what you pay for, but the pricepoint of Fortis is much lower than Grundens and Geoff Anderson.  Serious carp clothing was long overdue so well done Fortis I say.
 
 
 

If you want to look like a complete plonker, go ahead and buy one!

If you want to look like a complete plonker, go ahead and buy one!

If you want to look like a complete plonker, go ahead and buy one!

This is a book that smashed the Carp fishing book mould!
It documents his life addicted to carp fishing and the jobs he has done to fund it and the failed relationships that have accompanied it. Spug seems to be like a bull in a china shop and a larger than life character who creates chaos around him.
Spug's best mate died tragically at an early age and his attitude after  that was to live every day as though it was his last. Every session involves copious amounts of wine and a BBQ and lots of fun. His time on Conningbrook was interesting as it seems that the place was frequented by Kent's branch of Alcoholics Anonymous who had a fishing problem! That said, night bites were incredibly rare.
It is probably the most honest book you will read. Every failure in his life is documented from "trouser accidents" to 5 knuckle shuffles in the bivvy.
The rigs section takes up a whole 2 sentences which is refreshing.
I found it an interesting and enjoyable read, the emphasis being on having fun and enjoying your fishing.

Kingy 1st Point - December

Did 4 nights on Bluebell's Kingy from Sunday 30th Nov, only 4 others on so got in the swim I wanted.  First night 4am as the weather front came in I got a take on the middle rod and landed a nice linear.
Same approach as last trip with pellet hookbaits and PVA funnel web bags.
No more action for the remainder but cannot complain in Dec and nothing else came out.
Hopefully back after x-mas for another go.

Winter sun found ❤️

Fishing is meant to be an enjoyment, not an endurance! I had paid for a 48 hour session back in the summer but after 24 hours of relentless heat and nothing coming out on the whole (packed!) lake, I went home 24 hours early.
I'm looking at going for an overnighter or two over the next few months but every time I look at the weather forecast, I decide against it. I know, I'm suffering with old age as well!

Fishing is meant to be an enjoyment, not an endurance! I had paid for a 48 hour session back in the summer but after 24 hours of relentless heat and nothing coming out on the whole (packed!) lake, I went home 24 hours early.
I'm looking at going for an overnighter or two over the next few months but every time I look at the weather forecast, I decide against it. I know, I'm suffering with old age as well!

Managed to get a night in on Thursday last week. The weather was truly horrible and by the time I'd dragged all my gear to the swim and got the rods sorted everything was soaked through. A very uncomfortable night indeed.
I was rewarded for that horrible night by an absolutely gorgeous Friday morning... cold, but a a lovely bright sunny day. By 8AM I'd actually spotted some fizzing so was happy to spend a few hours scaring the carp off trying to find a spot in the area. Alas, it wasn't to be, so with the forecast telling me I'd be getting wet again I headed for home having originally planned to do 2 nights.
Mrs looked worried about me having never seen me come home early in nearly 20 years of being together 🤣
Tbf as I listened to that rain on Friday night I knew I'd made the right decision. Must be getting soft in my old age.
 

Is this View of your bivvy door group ? 
This is my view currently, little gap is the fart extruder, it's pretty windy today 😂
 
 

Bought some stuff over the past few months mostly for my summer trip next year.
Wychwood drogue clamps - these rachet clamps are to hold the rolled up net against the boat on the return journey from a boat battle - these are the ones I'm assured.
25 x 6oz leads
3 x Large Fox H Blocks, 3 x 8oz leads
3 x Jag Rod Lockers - after last time 😀
1 x 15inch and 1 x 26 inch banksticks - making that a set of 3 of each I've got for fishing singles with the tips up so you can boat under the lines.
Bought a Solar 3 rod sleeve for my spare rods as my son will be using those, sent that back and bought a second Cotswold 3 rod sling instead.
Korda UV shirt for my son (Xmas)
Ridgemonkey Bivvy light, I'll keep the new one, my son can borrow the old one.  New one doesn't come with a case - disappointing.
Bivvy light case lol
Head Torch case - coz I never got one for that either!!!
4 x cheap banksticks for night lights and video camera (night shots)
6 x Gardener line clips - these are a bargain £5.49 for 3, replacing all 6 of my Delkim clips which are getting annoying as the line doesn't want to come out with a few of them when you have a fish on.
Oh and an Aviator net to go with my Torrix one and 2 new deep meshes.
Going to buy an outboard and leisure battery but not rushing that as batteries degrade anyway and new better stuff might come out in the meantime.
I have said several times over the past couple of years, I'm done - what else could I possibly NEED?  yet there's plenty it seems. 
 

One of the books I own, I thoroughly enjoyed it 👍🏻

1. For the ultimate in being a tart, take a bivvy, brolly and gazebo. Don’t laugh, I saw it last weekend on a commercial where you can park your car behind the swim.
 
2. Have a splash mat under your reels, the ultimate in tartyness.
 
3. Carry 20 different types of pop-up but only use 1.
 
4. Take a 2 man bivvy but you only do over-nighters.
 
5. Take a powered fridge despite the fact you only keep your sandwiches and lager in it.
 
6. Own a 5-season sleeping bag despite the fact you hang your rods up in October.
 
7. Have a power bank that could keep a family home going for a couple of days in a power cut but you only charge your phone and torch.
 
8. Your rod-pod has so much stainless that you have to wear sunglasses to look at it.
 
9. You have a power barrow with so much grunt it could stop an average scrum but you only fish a 2 acre lake with manicured lawns.
 
10. Your phone is permanently on FaceBook so you can keep in contact with both of your friends.
 
11. A pair of 10x25 binoculars is more than ample and fits in your pocket when folded down. So why do you take a set of field glasses that can spot a mouse a mile away?
 
12. You wear bivvy slippers to keep your groundsheet clean.
 
13. A head torch is a necessity after dark but you need to keep it down to keep your night-sight when you turn it off. Your 8000 Lumen monstrosity resembles the Blackpool illuminations.
 
14. You bring your camper van to a commercial that allows rear of swim parking and stay in it all day and night watching TV or reading a book and only come outside once a day. Don’t laugh, I have seen it.
 
15. You own 2 sets of rods/reels/buzzers because you fish different waters and don’t want to handicap yourself.
 
16. Despite having a double burner and family sized returnable gas bottle and associated cookware, your meals are delivered to your swim from the local greasy spoon and pizza shop.
 
17. You have a bait boat with GPS and Sonar despite your lake being as pancake flat as the day the bulldozer created it. It also has a 4kg payload despite the fact you only use PVA bags.
 
18. Everyone loves a bivvy table. A small one just big enough for your tackle box, scales, phone and receiver is ample. A true tackle tart pushes it to the max and I saw 2 blokes in adjoining swims with a decorating table that you use for hanging wallpaper.
 
19. You have a top of the range DSLR with an impressive pixel count but the deal clincher was the 40 frames per second burst shooting rate it offered. Despite the fact you will never use it. You only shoot in Auto and use the photo’s unaltered on your FaceBook page.
 
20. You take 3 nets with you, “just in case.” The water you are fishing is rock hard and 2 fish a season is considered good going.

You go off places - sometimes unexpectedly it happens, I do agree with Yonny though in that you've got the ticket and there are whackers, it's a great time of year now right into Dec.  You've paid the money why not commit to having a good bash if you're not renewing, nothing more rewarding/inspiring than seeing the broad back of a monster in your net!
All it takes is seeing one patch of bubbles at dawn and you might have unlocked the autumn feed-up area and a hit could be on!
 

Tricky one mate.
I never fish as well on a social as I do on my own. When you're on your own it's easier to put 100% into your angling imo.
I guess you need to ask yourself why you're not feeling it. In my experience, catching a few good fish is the best way to start feeling it, so I'd go all out to bag a good'n before winter hits. Staring at a 40lber in the net is a sure fire way to get the buzz back and you have the opportunity to do that right there in front of you. If it were me, I'd forget about the socials and get down there with a plan to watch, and watch, and watch, and move onto them at any given hour. Hard work always pays off and the harder you work, the bigger the buzz when it all comes good.

Nice one Kev. It would have been so easy to sit behind the rods after your first fish and think you had it sussed. Had to laugh at the moaners, some people think that just because you've paid your money and travelled, you're bound to catch! Some of these lakes are highly pressured and the fish are wised up just as much as most of the circuit waters over here.