Maiden French fishing trip...what next?

Sun breaking over the lake and news spread quickly about the previous night. Andre and Joe fishing swims 1 and 2 had received bites. 2 caught and 2 landed. Karl had caught in swim 8. A lot of smiles and all buzzing with excitement we were all awake and watching the water. Pretty much the same as the previous morning there were carp feeding and crashing through the surface. It wasn't long before bailiff Mick ventured round the lake to say good morning. Unaware of the captures he spoke to each of us individually listening to our stories and inspected the photos. After 17 years of being on the lake he knew all of the residents. Inspecting my common he said it was the biggest weight it's been caught at. Another congratulations and he left to see Fenlon. I put some breakfast on and stuck to my plan of resting the swim during the day. 10.00am I reeled in and used my throwing stick to bait up a few handfuls of boilies. Fenlon arrived in the swim and we walked round to see Andy and Karl.
The daytime was again difficult to spot the carp but the odd jump got noted down. As it was quiet and I had never been in a boat to look at a lake I chose to venture out. The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the water was so clear. Weed bed after weed bed. The spot I was fishing was roughly 12ft squared area, very clear and the gravel was easy to see. A lot of anglers concentrate on camouflarging their rigs and end tackle and after being in the boat it makes perfect sense why the attention to detail is high.

With evening approaching the bait was cast to the spots and fresh rigs were coupled with hook baits ready for action. Fenlon was preparing our dinner on the BBQ and I cast my rods to their spots hoping to build on the previous nights experience. Belly filled and Fenlon went to his swim ready for the night ahead. Not long after sun set the rain started. Thunder and lightning all around I was huddled up in the bivvy peering through the door watching an amazing electric storm. Another early night was needed and I hit the pillow.

2.30am and my bite alarm receiver was singing a 1 tone. I scrambled for my trainers and coat...the noise of the rain hitting the bivvy was loud and I was about to get soaked. I lifted the middle rod into a heavy weight. The carp had buried itself in a weed bed. Rod tip bent right over I held tight hoping for a sign the rig was still in contact. All of a sudden the carp shook it's head and sent the indication right through the line it was attached to. I walked back in the swim and the carp swam free of the weed. The heavy rain continued to flood everything and I realised I was only wearing shorts and a rain coat. I was soaked and the carp was putting up a battle. I had been playing the carp for over 30 minutes and it popped it's head out the water choosing to wave the white flag and let me win. In the net it went and I felt knackered. With the net secured I stripped my wet shorts off and slipped into my waterproof trousers. Once again I was radioing through to Andy or Karl for their help with photos. "Andy come in.....Karl come in..." Nothing!!! Deep sleepers or not wanting to get wet were my thoughts when all of a sudden I heard "Fenlon is on his way". What a legend that man is. 

In the time it took him to reel in and venture round I had the rod clipped up and fresh rig tied on. A scattering of boilies thrown out and rod recast. The rain had slowed and Fenlon entered the swim with a lot of laughter. His 1st thoughts were that I'd fallen in the lake. We lifted the sling out the water and placed in the carp cradle. The scales were zeroed and the carp was ready. A big mirror carp and I thought a mid to high 50lb. I nearly choked watching the display read 70lb 1oz. Oh my.....2nd bite and another pb. Photos taken, carp released back to its home to sulk and Fenlon walked back to his swim to recast. I fired the kettle up and got into dry clothes. What an experience I had just gone through. What other surprises will this lake throw up.

'till next time...

Carper Dee