Sunday morning and after a very early night I was up at 1st light. Kettle boiling and steam filling the bivvy I couldn't wait to sit by the water and watch for signs of feeding carp. It wasn't long before I spotted feeding patches and areas the carp were. Mist rolling off the lake surface and the sun rising over the tree line and there was no other place I'd rather be right now. After a few hours of watching, the breakfast was fired up and my belly was getting filled. I had the plan to reel in about 9.30am and go see how Fenlon had got on. Neither of us had any carp through the night so I reeled in and went for a catch up.
Fenlon and I have a way with words but walking into the swim was not a normal welcoming. Just a "hello boy" was my greeting and I knew he was not happy in this location. Swim 10 was a big bay more like a cul-de-sac where the fish may enter to get away from any pressure. Swim 11 was a single rod water and very weedy. Fenlon was already reeled in and mentioned the reed line in swim 13. We walked the track and upon entering the swim noticed there was a big weed patch in the right-hand margin with a 3ft wide hole in the middle After a matter of minutes this huge common swam through. We both stood and watched in amazement and decision made... we're moving his swim. It didn't take long to grab his rods and pod and off I went. An hour later and after picking up his bivvy and running like a mad man, swims were changed and I was hungry again. I had made the decision not to have my rods in the water during the day and to bait up with around 100 boilies each hour. Throughout the day there wasn't many signs of fish so locating their daily routes was being tricky to work out but any signs were jotted in my book. Around 3pm I visited Fenlon who was once again all setup and looking a lot happier in his new swim. Being a little distance away now we organised with Andy and Karl that 1 of them would be able to come round and help us with photos if we had the chance of a carp. 5.00pm and I was baiting up with 3kgs of crushed, crumbed and whole boilie. After watching the water for a while I was getting an early night again.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep the left hand rod melted off and I was chucking my trainers on. My Nash titan has a capsule that zips from top to bottom. Note to self: undo zip to the bottom not 13" from the bottom. 1 foot caught and I was holding my nails and chin in the air like a female and I hit the gravel. Without thinking I was back on my feet and picking the rod up. I was in and shaking with adrenaline. Head torch on and a face full of moths, mozzies and everything else attracted to bright lights, I searched for where the carp was heading me. Head torch off so the bugs would do 1 I could hear carp jumping in the background. The moon was high and the sky was clear and I couldn't believe the sight. Then at around 35-40yards the roll of thee most colossal sized common. Ho lee *** I shouted and my knees were shaking. The thought of losing this water pig would destroy me. Luckily this carp was chilled and the last 20yards didn't fight me. " Get in the net, get in the net (in the words of Danny Fairbrass) COM'ONNNN". Oh my god I could not believe what had just happened. I just stood looking in the net not knowing what to do with myself.
Grabbing the radio I called out to Andy and Karl. And again. And again!!! Not wanting Fenlon to reel in and miss an opportunity of a lifetime I radioed through for his help. The reply was "already got 2 rods in son" and round he came. It was at this moment that I realised how much my wrist was hurting from falling out of the bivvy. I was in a lot of pain but nothing could beat what was in the sling. Fenlon helped lift 1 end and just looked at me saying "woah". I unzipped to a very long common. Hook out and with the scales zeroed we both lifted the sling on and watched the scales quickly shoot all the way round to 69lb and 4oz!!!! Another burst of shouting and the camera was ready. I couldn't believe it and I had the best company to share this moment.
Fenlon said he wasn't going to recast but I made sure he did and after somehow falling asleep the walkie talkie sounded "Andy, Dion come in.... I've got a carp in the net". I was searching for my trainers when I heard a lot of rain drops on the bivvy to realise I had my waterproofs in Fenlon's van. Reeling in muttering my name's Fenlon and I only catch in the rain I heard "Fenlon always catches in the rain"...yeah don't you just. When entering his swim with the camera, the sight of a 6ft 3" 18stone man wearing red pants and crocs was 1 very laugh a lot moment that my eyes can not un-see. Once he was dressed we lifted the sling out the water and on to the mat to unzip a thick mirror carp. The words I hope it's a 30lb had me starring at Fenlon saying "do you want an Andy Murray" whilst showing him the back of my hand. We zeroed the scales and lifted and once again watched them race through numbers. 59lb 1oz. Wow!! What a night and it was only the 2nd night in.
'till next time...
Carper Dee
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