Into The Unknown!

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

It was all very "Cloak & Dagger" and "Secret Squirrel" stuff!

Via a customer from work, I was invited to join a group of guys to test out a venue that a local club was interested in leasing. The owner had allowed the club to "see what's in there" as part of the negotiations. So, I picked up Chris without much idea of what to expect, other than it was a stillwater that had been leased before and apparently had a few fish in it! The guys had fished it twice before but those days had coincided with some pretty severe frosts so the results weren't too good. They did have some small perch, roach, skimmers and a solitary carp, but still didn't really have much idea of the potential.

The theory was that the lake, about 5 acres, had started life as a marshy "hole in the ground", had been dug out and used as a reservoir for the farmland, extended and de-silted a couple of times. Supposedly it had been leased a few years back to another group but details were sketchy to say the least.

Armed with just a postcode punched into the SatNav, it turned out to be just a few miles away in Berkshire. Six of us were spread out around the lake and determined to fish it in different ways. My plan of attack was to fish a "sleeper rod" with corn or pellet while trying the pole at about 10mtrs with maggot, caster and bread.

I spent a considerable time casting a lead around to see if I could find any features and eventually set out to fish a small grip-mesh feeder, filled with damp 2ml pellets and a single grain of corn on a hair rig to a 14 hook. That was fished at about 35 yards in what I reckoned was 6ft-7ft of water.

Very little happened for the first hour or so! Some small roach and perch were netted and one very good looking golden rudd.

I had about 3 tiny roach on maggot on the pole when my bait runner exploded into action. Having thrown the pole behind me I picked up the rod to find I was still attached to a sizeable fish. It turned out to be a nice common carp of around 7lbs:



Sorry for the lack of "scenic" or "venue" photos but I've promised not to reveal too much!

I recast and immediately had another strong bite on the tip. This turned out to be a very good bream of just over 5lbs



Things were definately looking up. I didn't have to wait too long for the next fish... the tip flew round again and this time a very good looking mirror carp of just over 10lbs came to the net:



I then decided to concentrate exclusively on the feeder rod and was not disappointed. I ended up with 11 carp, a mixture of mirrors and commons and a couple of "ornamentals". This nice little "ghostie" fought well:



As did this "koi" of around 5lbs:



The other guys were not fairing so well, I was the only one with any corn and was therefore considering selling it at a £1 a grain but eventually settled for a couple of pints in the pub afterwards.

Most then went on to land a few nice carp, topped by a 12lb+ common.

All in all, I think the club will have a nice little venue on its hands in the near future. Negotiations will continue but of course, as far as we are concerned, it was a really tough day with very little of any note caught!

Oh, and a few more points for "The Cat & Twiddle".

[pingu]

as you say neil sounds like you really struggled for very little reward and would never venture back to that grubby little hole in the ground


dave

[mithrandir]

Sounds like a great day Neil, the fish look in good order too, if they were taking corn easily then they have not seen baits in a while either. Could be a good little water, and well done on the points

[perch_king]

well done mate that good fishing and i just love the koi

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Originally Posted by perch_king

well done mate that good fishing and i just love the koi

Worth a few quid in the local aquatic centre!

[fishypaul]

super days fishing well done

[Norfolkboy]

Nice one Neil, sounds like you had a great day.

[Twiddler]

Good session there Partner considering you never fished the venue before.
I know how well you fish the pole, I watched you a few times playing double figured carp on a pole which was a joy.

Well done on the points too

[ctwhitelaw]

some nice fish there mate
well done mate

Tight Lines

Craig