2 sessions, both bad

[asp383]

had 2 sessions this week, tuesday 5am-4pm & last night 9pm-9am.

tuesday, as i'm sure most of you know, was possibly the hottest day of the year so far, not realising how hot it was going to be, i only knew the weather was going to turn wednesday, i hit the water at 5am, the sun rising over the trees over my left shoulder.

it was slow all day & very hard work, but had 2 tench to 3-4lb by 9ish that fell to the method feeder (van den eynde tench, roach, bream groundbait & pellet), then chucked out a float with double maggott & got a baby perch, 3 small roach & 2 skimmers.

the sun eventually hit me about 10ish & the catches really slowed up, i could see the fish just under the surface & despite my best efforts, only cought close in on the float.

late in the day, just before i packed up, an adder decided to go for a swim under my rods & across the lake.

despite loads of suncream, i still ended up burnt, which mrs asp had no sympathy for me.

i think it may just have been too hot for them to be interested, i know i was ready to pack up by about mid day, but stubborness won, hoping for another decent fish.

just before i was about to pack up, a guy asked if i'd seen any otters, apparently, some tree maintenance was being done in the animal centre at the top of the park, then a felled tree crashed onto the otter encloser fence, allowing them to escape.


last night decided to do a night session, was fishing by 9, got my new bivvy set up & was ready for the night, a few minutes later someone walked past asking if i'd seen the otters, 1 was seen a couple of days ago eating a carp on the bank of the main lake & as i'd arrived at my peg, an otter was seen swimming from the bushes to the left of my swim (i hadn't seen it) so immediately thought i'm in for a great night if otters are about, but as i was already set up, i decided it was too much hassel to move, so stayed put.

i had both rods with method feeders, as i'd finished my van den eynde bream, tench roach groundbait, tuesday, i opened my bag of van den eynde carp groundbait, (i was hoping i'd catch 1 as plenty of carp had been spotted in the area i'd chosen to fish recently) & pellet.

to say fishing was slow was an understaitment, not even a hint of a bite, i'd tried a few feet from the edge of the lillies along their length of my swim, in open water etc, eventially a rod tip went, but not strong enough to pull the line though the alarm, as it continued to shake, i relled in & had a roach to about 8oz, that was it for the rest of the night.

fell asleep, only to wake to something scurrying around my platform ... turned my headlamp on & saw a mouse, it didn'#t even seem bothered that i was moving, but didn't fancy a chat. i later saw a black blob in the water about 2 feet out, as i moved, so it dived under a loose branch, as it came back up, it had enough power to move the brach, so i'm guessing that was 1 of the otters & explained why it was slo slow. fell asleep again & woke up about 2.30, felt like packing up as it was raining lightly, but couldn't be bothered.

woke again peoperly at dawn, rebaited & casted, kept drifting off, eventually decided i'd start packing up about 8, leaving the rods till last. i eventually had a good strong bite that dragged the line straight into the lillies, i started to play the fish & the hook length snapped, i'm sure you can guess my thoughts at that point lol.

finished packing up & just as i was 20 feet from my car, the phone went, was mrs asps uncle asking me to get home quick. we spent the whole day at the hospital worried she may be miscarrying, but luckilly both mrs asp & "bob" were fine & we finally got home about 8ish. off to bed in a minute for some proper sleep.


i'll be keeping a close eye on both tilgate lakes regarding the otter situation, as being owned & operated by the council, i doubt restocking the fish is high on their budget agenda, yet they'll lose out as anglers wil dessert if things get too bad. may even leave it a while before thishing there again ... if the otters have ravaged the fish stock, then i'm sure the surviving stock will be plenty spooked, so better give them time to settle down, than risk over stressing them.

[fullcreel]

I had acouple fo sessions last week, at Crockerton Lake, normally fishes well for, but the heat, as you say has slowed things down quite a bit.
Good report, we lsot a big, 20+ common to an Otter.
There used to be a dog for dealing with otters, the 'Otter-Hound', from which we have the Airdale.
Lets hope the fishing picks up as the weather cools

[nightriderm]

I feel for you pal,I have found it just as hard going of late.One day decent fish,next day (same conditions)nothing.
Went last Thursday,just as I thought"ah another dull day"off went the buzzer and in came a lovely 10lb.6oz.common.Still that was it for the day.Mind you I don't have otters to compete with lol.

[asp383]

lol, at least come the 16th, i can go over to my mum's & fish the river from her garden, no otters there either.

might try a local fishery if mrs asp lets me out before the 16th lol, they're enclosed & no otters have been released anywhere near

[pingu]

unlucky asp

next time

dave

[nightriderm]

Fish from your Mum's garden? what ever made you leave home ???LOL

[KABBYCHRIS]

Last tuesday was hot I fished Tirley Court and only caught 1 13lber which is rubbish for such a well stocked lake. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Good Luck with your next session

[asp383]

mrs asp made me leave mum's lol.
it's quite a nice little stretch to fish, as it's quite difficult to get onto the field opposite (& if the farmer is still alive, he's been known to shoot you with rock salt if he catches you) & it's only gardens that back onto the other bank.
i'm sure my next session will be better though, thanks