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With the weather forecast showing rain Saturday and temps in the mid teens after Friday a scorching 30 degrees it seemed perfect for me - and maybe a bite, I felt I had to give it a go. An early start Saturday was rewarded with 2 fish - one late morning and another early evening. This cracker was the bigger of the two.

16lb (on the Nose) Ghostie

18.5lb, first fish out this season.

The forecast for yesterday was rain, really heavy rain and I hoped the forecasters were wrong. They weren't! Got to my local days only park lake at 10a.m. and decided to fill it in with the spod as that has produced in the past at this time of year. I fished until 5 p.m. with only 3 shorts beeps although the day was still pretty mild and dry. On 5p.m. the heavens opened and almost immediately I had a screamer which was a Common on 12-14. I lost another one about 10 minutes later before a Mirror of 18-2 and then within the hour another Common of about 7lb. I had several savage line bites but despite being allowed on until 9:30p.m., I packed up before 9 as rain was pouring down my back as my waterproofs weren't up to it! They are in a bucket after the hosepipe wash waiting for my missus to finish her washing before it goes in for a reproofing cycle. The brolly is drying in the garage waiting for proper cleaning and proofing as although it didn't leak, it's heavy and damp. The lake does have a habit of producing last thing and is close enough for shorter sessions and might get there later next time.

Took my 87 year old Father in Law today... he caught an Eel bless him I had this... and a small Ghostie on a feeder rod

i can beat for foul hooked had a big pike on my deeper took it like a surface lure hung on to it until the edge too, tell ya if i could surface lure fish and catch like that i'd be a happy angler. Had my first carp from the new water, it was with the deeper finding areas to fish found some loveshallowkow bars out in the middle fished chods for nods on all three rods due to the silk weed, got a bit happy with the large spomb and put 4 kilo of bait out. around the 24 mark on my prologic scales.

Work still getting in the way of angling but after smashing 10hrs in work in this silly heat matey boy phoned to see if I fancied a few hours on one of our more characteristic waters to see out the solstice how could I refuse 😬 Light gear was the order of the day on this small tree lined deep pool Rod,net and bread was all that was needed for this torpedo that dove deep in the 30ft+ water and really put a bend in the 1 1/4 TC rod and 6lb line. Great fun with a mate as the sun went down 😬😎🎣

Putting the 2 plus 1s to use

Sorry for the manky mat shot, but little so and so led me a merry dance... 15lb 7oz of pure mischief... only fish all day, but a nasty fight that took me round an island... had to wait it out till it came out into open water again

One of the lakes my £40 gets me. 😍

So some of you know I love quiet waters, by quiet I mean I'm on my own. I have found many untouched hidden gems in my life, he a a sample of unfished[before me] waters.

Iv clacked it. Iv solved the old age conundrum of how to dunk your digestive biscuit in a empty pva tube filled with coffee because you forget your mug …

Gratuitous sunset shot from today.

A few weeks ago I made a few enquiries to some local syndicate lakes , thinking you’ve got to be in it to win it . Silence … not a sausage . Then out of the blue got an email and a phone call . Im meeting the fella early tomorrow morning and he’s taking me for a walk round the lake & facilities . 🤞🏻for me fellas , I gotta get out of this day ticket circus .

Just looking forward to fishing a bit more again Tim .... been working flat out the last 5 years which hasn't meant much fishing time . Just been the odd booked lake with mates . Still busy for the next few months, but next year when hopefully all the hard work starts to pay off .... should see me scaling back my work load & working a lot less . There's specimen fish of all species where I'm thinking of mooring it , with only a couple of locks to negotiate . Really looking forward to it mate 👍 Its only a little 14ft boat paid 500 £ for it ... but I'll turn it into a floating bivvy basically, tucked into some trees waiting for a rod to rip off 🎣

Was at the Park Lake for about 9ish, quite busy, managed to get a decent peg. Alot of open space to my left, as next peg down is about 80mtrs....alot of overhanging trees, baited a spot further down for later.

18lb 10oz, still got tonight and the morning hot spell to go. catching its breath in the retainer, all unzipped so it can swim out when ready.

So years ago I did actually behave socially 😁and in reality I occasionally still do. This first photo is the first time a group of four of us approached a very special lake, we carried all the gear in for a weeks stay, some 2 miles. Sadly the lake now has a road virtually to it. The next photo is of how I prefer my socials now. Incidentally the hat upon the head some 55 years old and still keeps the rain out, it was worn by a well known angler back in the day, he was the photographer in the first photo, RIP my friend.

have only managed to get out once this month but it was the solstice so a nice relaxing recharge on a day ticket, still new to carp fishing but sticking with it and used a few different rigs during the day to test them out. got this beauty early on but did lose one in the afternoon which was a bummer but taught me to not faff about too much when playing a big fish. have worked out my feeder game is still on point but need to adapt it a bit better for targetting carp and also have realised i am useless with rigging pop-ups but finding this forum a great inspiration so cheers all. no idea of the weight as never weigh my fish just do it for the challenge and the fun but this one has stood out as thie first time i have caught one off my own rigs so really pleased with my little self. to those who have been on this forum for a good few years i thank you all as this place has becopme a virtual library for me

Well, after a fair bit of wondering where I want to fish & try & find a place to call home again after all my waters being ottered.... And basically drawing a blank with waiting list & far to busy waters anyway for my liking tbh. I've decided to buy a boat to access the rivers on my doorstep & see what specimens i can tempt ...pick it up in the week . 👍 I reckon by the time I've paid the licence/ boat checks & insurance it will work out similar to a syndicates i was looking at .

Just had a double take, one was a 5lb eel!! 😳😳😳 he was promptly returned, the other was a 23lb 3oz common so I gathered the photographers, lifted the sling onto the mat, unveiled her in all her majesty, held her up for the first pic… when she decided enough was enough and she leapt out of my arms and into the pond, unphotographed… our combined laughter soon rang out over the East Sussex countryside…

Here is my newest purchase 😂 passes the time away on the bank .

2 nights, no need for a bivvy. Not the tidiest I must admit, but everything is in order and reach

Happy Father's day to all the Dads (and Expecting Dads) 👍🎣

May was a write off for me angling wise the dreaded 60hr wks kicked in at work and while it may be good for fishing tokens it’s not good for bank time. The 4 day break seen me do a Thursday overnight on a local club water that’s a very small snaggy mixed fishery that also has a handful of cats. Picked up matey boy and a quick trip to the local tackle shop and a leisurely drive to the lake we was up and fishing for dinner time. I had to be home to pick the daughter up from Uni Friday dinner so the plan was to catch whatever swam throughout the day and target the bigger girls through the nite. It was a pleasant day t-shirt weather and silvers,bream and a small carp graced our nets but i lost a decent tench to one of the many snags in this tight little pool. The forecast rain started a bit earlier than hoped so 2 swims was baited heavily with pellet maize hemp and some old salmon trimmings frozen from a few months ago and the lot had a good glug of fish oil and a couple handfuls of krill active hook bait was a 26mm moggy muncher bottom bait and 20mm squid and scopex flouro pop up to a simple size 4 strong hook 35lb coated braid running rig,traps set game on as we retreated to our beds as the rain intensified. The rain carried on but it was a warm still night and the odd beep kept us both awake for the first hour into dark before drifting off to sleep. BEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP a one toner at 1am as line flew off the open spool and I was up in a flash and hanging on as the rod bent double as an angry cat sought sanctuary in a fallen tree. Mate woke up and put his waterproofs on and then proceeded to take the mick for the next 15 mins as I did battle in my t shirt and boxer shorts 🙄 Given how tight and snaggy the pool is id like to say what an epic heart in the mouth battle it was but barring a 10 second drama where everything went solid as it found the fallen tree steady pressure soon got it out and most of the fight was done in open water thankfully as it gave me a great battle and fought every inch to the net 😎 A quick smoke and dry off while the fish rested and it was weighed and pics time 27,7 it went and the third biggest in the pool I’ve been told so I was more than happy with that. Sadly nothing else the rest of the night but after a dry off and fresh clothes i lay on my bed with a big smile on my face still buzzing off the battle and didn’t drop off till 1st light which made me have a very rushed pack up to go and get the daughter 🙄🙄 but thankfully she understands my addiction to fishing and didn’t mind me turning up stinking of fish and the car full of sodden fishing kit 🤣🤣 Think that’s me now till the rivers open as the dreaded work kicks in again so hopefully can get amongst the barbel and chub on The Severn. Thanks for reading. 🙄😎🎣

Up silly o’clock again for a almost dawn start. Looked lovely with the blue sky then the fog came in now that’s burning off blue sky again

No carp for me, but a couple of nice bass.

I finished my powerboat level 2 course today .. interesting times ahead done the vhf radio one 2 weeks ago and now looking at the navigation and seamanship one.

all set up for another overnighter on zombie sheep lake

Saturday evening 😍

Well I’m in 😄 just got to get the cash and a couple of passport type photos by tomorrow morning and I’m sorted 🙄. Dunno why but I thought I’d be able to pay by bank transfer…. Still I’m going to have to get my butt over there first thing tomorrow as I’m working afterwards and can’t chance them holding the offer open to next weekend, I wouldn’t . Anyway it’s right up my street , 4 acres , next to no weed but plenty of features and very rarely more than 5 anglers on at any one time . Even less doing overnighters . known Carp to over 30 and 4 more between 25-29 stocked last year that haven’t been out yet . A few silly rules admittedly such as having to use their nets and cradles and a Barbless only rule but apart from that the rules are mostly sensible with the fish being their top priority so mustn’t grumble strictly no u18’s even supervised so that won’t please my young un which is sad but you can drive literally up to the banks which is quality . There is a freezer full of bait over there at £7 a kilo if I was that way inclined but I won’t be as I have an irrational hatred of the company. I won’t mention the name as the owner of said bait company is a member though I believe he is unwell at the moment . All in all I can’t wait to get cracking and planning a 48hr sesh in two weekends time Happy days .

Back on the home rolled boilies and back on the fish. Spent a few hours at the club lake yesterday. One carp rod, and a float rod out. This 12 pounder at around 7pm. Took me for a scrap in the lillies and wrapped up solid. Eased off and ran again to a safe landing 🎣😁

Only chance to go out this month and took my daughter to a new water in Suffolk not used before. Although not huge still had 4 good sized carp as tend to target under 20's as I never weigh a catch. All caught on method feeder with chilli hemp and rod Hutchison naturals.

2 nights 2 lakes due to spawning closures - no fish caught but a major carp home found - can't wait to get back and explore some more.

Bream ? 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

This is more my no bivvy style

Wife asked me to book today off work with her....got an early Father's Day prezzie....only needed a new bottle of aftershave. Lad chose colour blue, she got some help from 1 or 2 friends.... Guess where I'm going tomorrow in it...😁😁😁🎣🎣🎣🎣

If it does, it's. Wait for it... Ruddy greedy! (I'll get my coat)

Back in dear old Blighty, after sunning my buns with wifey in Malta, basking in 30c heat and snorkelling every day watching mullet, bream, moray eels et al… now packing the work bag, what a difference a day makes! The time away helped me realise that I’m in the wrong job!

A Shakespeare Alpha 9'6" Polystel Leger rod... Circa 1978 Going to be for bomb and feeder work, possibly target a few F1 carp too

She Caught a few little roach this evening I spent a lot of time dealing with tangles, when you've been carping for years you forget how weak a 2lb bottom is 😁 also really fiddly innit, getting her a whip next she was doing OK at casting but I think the whip is the way for now, also I wont bother taking a chair I didn't get to sit down once 😂

Got one !!! It hovered about the rim of the net for ages then just flew into the net 😳

I had one last weekend, not as big of course , that jumped out of the net a lot quicker than I got it in there . I quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen 😳😊. Congrats Ouchy , sounds like a fine fish 👍🏻

Good luck bb, nice set up I'm taking the youngest one tiddler bashing tonight, can't wait

So the lazy days of summer are almost upon us. As I get older I find my craving for long hard slogging sessions on very quiet waters fast diminishing. However my love for quiet waters is still there, just I prefer to do it in a more sensible comfortable way. spending dawn to dusk surrounded by nature and not seeing another human suits me down to my very soul.