Sorry it's been slow on the Blogger, but things will be for a while, due to having to find a new job, which will mean Mon-Fri no doubt, and being back on the weekend fishing fiasco, really dont fill me with joy at all, but needs must.
On a plus side, all the gear looks fantastic, with rig boards full, all the reading material is out, and I do feel like getting out on these cold mornings and having a go, albeit limited, due to my lakes being frozen over! hahaha.
But never mind, I'm sure things will sort themselves out, and I'll be back working, and then fishing as soon as posiable.
So if I dont drop in before, Happy Christmas, and a prosperous new year to all, tight lines!

Reading sometimes helps!

I had a look at the reading material that lives on my bookshelf, and found myself having a thumb through some of the books, there is of course some new ones, Forgotten Chapters, is a stunning book, and well worth a read, or 2,3... and with the History of Yateley book out, that will look great on the shelf, once its been read!

But its some of the older books that keep coming out, a real favourite is Jim Gibbinson Gravel Pit Carp, or Terry Hearn's, In Pursuit of the Largest, while Julian Cundiff with Practical Carp Fishing, really helps to get back to basics, with Short Session Success, helps fire up the soul to get out and get fishing.

So there is some rather good books ready to be re-read this week, it might not be bankside fishing, but at least the mind will be getting a good helping of PMA!!!

All the best

Nick.

Sorted!

Been really busy with work, and so the fishing has taken a back seat, but with all the goodies that where ordered all safely in my hands, I think a days fishing is well earned!!!!

The new ProCarp Dark does look good (nice line lay too..). Will be great to use these reels at last, and try out the baitrunner spool.
The new dark side leads look great, and just get better when wet, The PVA stock is once again full, so them PGB pellets will be put to good use all through the winter with ease.
Now just need get a fish on the bank, and end the run of blanks....

All the best.

Not been out fishing, but have been stocking up ready for a really good winter campaign. The new Shimano's are still awaiting their first outing, but that should be very soon, once spooled up with the new Gardner Pro Carp Dark line, which should suit the Heath water very well indeed...

A few metres of PVA, 60 to be honest, will help with getting the pellet mix out, and the new dark leads will give me another boost in confidence that every thing is blending in with that lovely dark silty lake bed, just need to make the hook bait stand out, and the white pop ups from, as always PGB should do the trick there....

 Cant wait, but will have to just a week or two, as there are a few other things to catch up on, before those Sonik's can once again be bending into a fish or two!

Tightest of lines to all you out fishing this time of year..


4Thrids PVA

Perfection Groundbaits

Lucky Leads

The Thames at night.

After what seems to have been a nightmare week at work, a good friend suggested a trip down the Thames for a evening, trying to trip up a Barbel...
Well the early finish, turned into a later one, and wee arrived with just enough daylight to pick a swim, and get the gear down to the river.

The water although not looking bad, was pushing through, and 5oz lead helped keep the bait where I wanted it. and so I settled back into the chair(now fixed thanks to a little help from a Korum bait needle!), the night was soon on us, and the cloud light, allowing a lovely star studded sky to cover us,
the church bells sounded out the hour, while hot tea, and the odd biscuit helped with chill as the night got later.

But other than that, neither me or my mate, had anything to trouble the net, which although was a little disappointing, not really to down, as it was nice to have a few hours unwinding, just enjoying the night sky, and the shooting stars that really count!!

Hope to get out next week for another go, must use the new reels!!!

Oh when it don't go to plan...

I had a few hours, so thought it would be good to nip out, and have a chilled day fishing on a match lake...
Of I went, arriving at the lake, 3 other anglers where fishing away, and it all looked good, some of the lakes larger fish where happy feeding in large safe areas of the lillys to the centre of the lake, but I really was not here for the large Carp, just wanted to have some fun with the smaller fish.
I set up, and cast out, sitting back in the chair, and thinking about what the weather was up to, I felt the front leg move and then settle again, I went to adjust it, when a bit of plastic shot out across the swim... great, the foot adjustment just fell apart, so after some messing about, the foot was back in the position, and the chair moved to a flat sitting, along with the rest of the gear, try again...
A couple of knocks on the rod had me thinking the pellets where working, and as I waited for the tip to go around, a nice cup of tea from the new all singing all dancing flask would be nice, how wrong! the new flask is about as much use as a turd in a lucky dip.. 2 hours old tea, and stone cold, not nice, and not happy. That was enough for me. and was soon on the way home, looking forward to a nice hot cuppa, and a lick of the wounds, ready for another bash on the carp front soon, must try out the new Beastmasters....
Tight lines Guys.

A couple of shots from last week's fishing....

Just over the 10lbs mark common,

18lbs+ , lovely fish, on a very wet day!

Single bank sticks, sooo nice to be able to use this type of set up.

I got to get out on tuesday, and I found myself with the lake to myself, so set up in a good looking swim, with lillys to the right and a larger set on the left, I put a rod on each, with about a handful of freebies on each.
I sat back and looked across the lake, thinking about how nice it was, when my peace was shattered by the alarm on the left, then the alarm on the right!! yep a double take, nothing to do, than getting the first on in the net, then following it with the second, what a way to start!
both fish where sorted, and weighed at 13.01 and 12.10, both mirrors, one with the apple slice scales, the other scaled across the top, both in very good condition indeed.
The rods went back out, and soon I was into another carp, this time the scales went 15.0lbs, again a lovely mirror, with a nice scale pattern, 3 more tench where added to 4lbs, and I was back in the car heading home around 8pm, well pleased, and looking for more...

Wednesday morning and I was again heading to the lake, there where a couple of others fishing, so I again headed off to the same end of the lake, and picked another swim with lillys to one side, and a nice  point to fish to on the other.
the weather was very changeable, and the rain came in fast and hard, and stayed for most of the day,  the left hand rod burst into life halfway through the day, and a very spirited fight saw a lovely fish in the net, 18.02 on the scales, and a real cracker too!
Another common of just over 10 followed, and very quickly a tench of 5lbs also was in the net.
Although the fish where now feeding, the weather had broken, and I took the chance to pack up, and get home, and get ready for the next trip.
As things stand at the moment I've taken 9 fish, to just over 18lbs Carp and Tench to 5lbs, in two trips, and I know they might not be the biggest, but they have been some of the nicest fish I've caught in a long time, and its been great to be out fishing once again..

Tight Lines guys

Nick.

Things are on the up!!!
TBH, the Cemex water, that I've been on, although very nice, has not done the trick for me, and I've found it a little to restrictive, as the golf course denote the gate opening and closing times, which although I knew about, but I did not think that it would be such a pain in the arse, as its turned out to be!!!
So, after much thought, and questions being asked, I've joined a fairly local club, which has a handful of waters, with some nice carp to go for, in some rather nice places...
After a quick look around 2 waters, it really has fired up the fishing imagination, and I cant wait to get the gear out and have a dabble.
Fingers crossed that might be tomorrow!!!

All the best guys, and hopefully this blog should be alive and kicking again soon!

When things go wrong....

Was looking forward to some time fishing, but things never work out as planned, this summer has got to be the worst ever for me fishing wise, and for the amount of money I've spent, I'd would have been better off just going to day ticket waters!

as I sit here at the moment, I find myself wondering if I'll ever get back out this year! but got to be positive  and I'm sure things will improve, and the gear will be out...maybe.haha

All the best, and hope your season is going better than mine!!!

June is fast coming to an end, and its been fishless for me, June is never the best of months for me fishing wise, so normally only get out a couple of times, but this year, its been rubbish... but with a holiday coming up, I might be able to get a day trip in somewhere, and get ready for July and restart the campaign again...

All the best, and tight lines to you all.

Nick.

Well I was not fishing, but a evening listening to some rather good people talking about fishing, and also some rather good river topics as well.
Wednesday 30/5/12, Myself and my mate Shane, where off to the local Railway club, for an evening with the experts...
There was some really good names from the Barbel world, Len Arbery, Ray Walton and Keith Speer, and Dave,(forgot the last name..) from TAC, and also a lovely lady from ARK, called Charlotte.
The evening started with Charlotte, and then Dave giving a presentation on their fields, which was very interesting to here what groups are out there helping our water ways, and how they go about lobbying the higher powers...
The floor was opened up to the Anglers, and various questions where raised, and points made, but all very good and interesting.
The Barbel guys then took over, Wow, them guys know their stuff, the things they had to say, really made me listen, and more importantly, made me think about my Barbel fishing, and some of that may even help with the carp fishing!
All in all, a great evening, met some new face's, and got to hear first hand some great tips and tactics.
Oh, and a nice Pint of Cider as well!

All the best

Nick.

Another Blank, and Sunburn...

A good day at work, gave me the chance to get down to the lake for just after 6, once again I found myself with the choice of swims, but I opted for my favourite island swim, so in I went,
A few casts found me a couple of good clear spots, and the spomb was soon flying with ease.
The evening was very claim, and very clear, but after watching the water for a couple of hours, I was not too sure if I'd made a good choice...
The 10 O'clock news came as a surprise, as it was still pretty light, and also no signs of fish at all, either where I was fishing, or right through to the other side of the lake.
A last cup of tea, and a bite to eat, and it was time to call it a day, and climb into the bedchair.
A very peaceful night followed, apart from a couple of bleeps, all was very still, about 4am, the right hand rod let out a few bleeps, and I was up and on it, (no 3am alarm this time, from the wildlife) I lifted the rod, and felt the rig pull clear, and very lifeless, guess the line had crossed the weed bed and been picked up from there, never mind, back out and me back to the bivvy.
The lightbulb in the sky had me awake, and it was already warming up nicely, the morning was rolling by with nothing going on, so off I went with the marker and a note book, for a plumb around in some of the other swims, after about an hour or so, and some interesting places now noted, I was recasting and thinking about staying another night, while enjoying the rather nice sunshine...Now, i should have taken note, breeze, sunshine, ah yes, after about 3 hours sitting there, T shirt on the bivvy, me, well, the words, rather red,and rather painful, spring to mind...
Needless to say the packing away was a little slower than normal, and the walk back to the car seemed to take forever, but all in all, although no fish again, I do have a little better idea of how the lakes panning out.
So heres to the next trip, might even be raining again by them!!! hahaha

All the Best

Crispy Nick.

Its not been the best of weeks for me, unfortunately, I've been under the weather from Monday evening (nothing picked up from fishing Sunday), which had me stuck at home, which really does get on my nerves, but with the weather looking okay, and the missus at home as well, we decided to have a few hours on a local lake.
I had a trip to the Doctors before hand, so it was about 11ish when we got to the lake, a few people where fishing on the other lakes, so we opted for the larger of the lakes, and set up.
I'd gone for a day away from the carp gear, so only a light feeder rod, some pellets, and a bucket of groundbait mixed with hemp was my choice for some action.
with a cast every 10 minutes or so, I was soon getting a nice swim going, and there was some signs of fish moving about, so looking good I thought, but after about a hour, 2 twitches was all I had to show for my efforts, a change of hookbait, and the tip rattled into life, a nice little Tench of about a pound was the result, and I'd have been more than happy catching them all day, but, what ever the problem was with the afternoon I'll never know, because not for the want of trying, nothing else came my way, which was really a bit of a shame, as I really fancied a good days sport, but alas was not to be this time.
Still, the sun was nice, and the missus was in charge of the tea making, so at least that was more than plentiful..

Tight lines

Nick B.

Sunday afternoon, and I was loading the car off for a quick overnighter, weather looking good, and things got even better when I found out the lake was all mine for the night.
I did have a look around, but with nothing really showing, I opted for a one of the swims I've already fished.
A few casts with the marker, and I was in luck, the weed had not closed down the spots I'd found before, so time to get the Spomb going...Now this is new to me, I've been spodding for a while, but the Spomb, well, thought I'd give it a go, and the result, Love it, once I got used to the idea of launching a bomb through the air, and the noise it makes when hitting the water, things soon fell into place, and after a few casts, feathering it down to the clip helps with cutting down the noise, and it is quite strange watching the thing coming back across the water, but it is easier than spodding, no mix/particle down the back of the neck!!!
The rods where soon out, and the bivvy was not far behind, up and sorted, leaving me to enjoy the evening sun, and a well earned tea.

Tea from a stainless twinwall, nothing better.

The evening pasted into night, and apart from the odd bleep, nothing came my way, apart from a run from a few ducks at 3am, that was it, the bird life does like to wake me at about 3am each time I fish there! 

Dawn was soon lighting up the sky, and that was the call for me to start packing up, and heading home, so although no fish this time, it was nice to get out even for a short overnighter, and with a early waking, it gave me chance to have a look at the water, and spread some bait around.

looking forward to the next trip, and with a few more ideas on where I might be able to get a fish or 2 to slip up.

Very Nice.

All the best

Nick.

No trip this week, which is a real shame, but wont be long till next week, so all planned, ready to be out early part of next week,
But this has given me time to sort out the Particles, I know I'm not alone when it comes to cooking Hemp in the kitchen, the only sure thing is the other 'arf will be on the case somewhere during the process, but I'm lucky, I managed to get hold of a really good coolbox, an ex-army M2 field cooler, which will happily sit in the corner doing the business in quite, with no smell, and no pans to sort out, just fill with Hemp, add boiling water, and 24hrs later, all done ready to go (or bagged and frozen if needed later).

A few K's awaiting the water, ready for a long soak.

Some PGB Naturals boilie in Hemp/Belacham cocktail.

Something that has been long over due, was to get a new brolly, I was in the right place at the right time, and got myself another Stealth system brolly with an overwrap to help out with the cooler nights later in the year, so looking forward to getting out and seeing how the brolly fairs compared to the old one, which was pretty faultless over the years.

Now just need to keep the fingers crossed for next week....

All the best

Nick.

Its been a little slow for me so far, but as the shift patten swings around to days of during the week, it means I'll be out on my short overnighters, trying to get a fish or 2 to slip into my net!

I have had a couple of short trips on the main water, which is Little Moulsham in Yateley, currently on a Cemex ticket (I'm sure, that most people have heard that Cemex is up for sale, and TBH, I'll just wait and see what happens, rather than speculate on what may happen), which also has only been open to members for about 3 years, so may have the odd surprise swimming in there.

So far I had 1 Tench for my limited efforts, but at just over 7lbs it was worth getting up at 3am, you now know, its not just carp for me, but if its big enough to take a 16/18mm boilie, then it just might be worth catching..... 

Looking forward to the next trip, and at the moment, this weather is perfect, just hoping it holds up for a few more days.

All the best

Nick.