Nordley 2, quick session.

[barbelblanker]

BAA Nordley nos 1 and 2 (fish caught in 2).

Spent most of the session watching the lake for signs of feeding carp.

With the wind from the East I was looking to fish the corner peg but there was someone already in it. Wandered around but nothing was showing.

Then I got to the downwind side and spotted some fish rising VERY and I mean VERY close in, less than a foot. Fed some dog biscuits and had a couple of abortive takes before deciding to move to the vacant corner peg.

I was bang on the money as the car were queueing up to eat all the freebies and almost totally ignore the one with the hook in it.

Hooked three fish.

Fish snapped the 6LB leader like cotton which is the first time in ages as the 1.5 TC avon rod barely developed a bend and the line parted below the main line know. All I can think is it pinged off an underwater branch.

Second one just pulled loose.

Third one swirled the bait. I thought it had let go so reeled in then felt a weight and struck. There followed what I can only describe as a giant roach / carp fight. Jag Jag Jag Jag PULLL repeat ad naseum. I quickly realised that the huge carp I first thought it was , did not appear to be hooked in the mouth. After an unusually long fight my suspicions were realised. I doubt the fish was much more than 6 maybe even 8 but was foul hooked between the two lower (forgot what they are called) fins. Hook was easy enough to get out and after holding on till it swam off the fish was OK.

I think the fish are sussing the artifical bait somehow. I took the sweetcorn off (it made the bait very easy for me to spot but I think it was tipping the fish off), lengthened the hair and made sure the hook length was floating.

I may have lengthened the hair too much and wonder of the line was dangling below the hook and they could either see it or feel (doubt it though) on the way up.

The good news was that I found a great swim and know that the fish will feed confidently from there. Trouble is it's one of the first swims on the lake so there's nearly always someone there.

Secondly, this is the third time I've seen small carp or rudd panic and scatter on the surface. Does this sound like a stray pike (not known to be in here) or maybe, and I hope it is, some big perch ?

I'm going to have a crack specifically for them when the wind eases. I never feel confident fishing for perch or tench in a gale :)


Sorry no piccys because a. I foul hooked it so it doesn't count and b. Because of the prologed fight I just wanted to get it back in and recovering.

Right, no work and standby finished tomoz at 7 so time for some beer.. . . .