Crafty Carper June 2013

DARRELL PECK ON THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

No.190 June 2013 June 2013 | Issue 190 | £4.10

craftycarper.co

The Zig Master!

WIN!

OVER £ 1,400 WORTH OF TAC KLE UP FOR GRABS

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

Why NOW is the time to fish up in the water, by big-fish expert Jerry Hammond

On sale May 22nd – June 19th 2013

HIT THE SPOT EVERY CAST! craftycarper.co 001_Cover_CC190.indd 1

Ian Stott on how to spod with pinpoint accuracy

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Martin Bowler on tackling snags Boilie fishing with Iain Macmillan 48 hours’ free fishing for everyone Essential day ticket rigs revealed 10/05/2013 11:35

Crafty Carper /// Issue 190 /// June 2013 /// www.craftycarper.co CRAFTY COLUMNISTS

Front cover: Jerry Hammond with a recent Zig-caught monster.

What’s on this month’s cover...

11

Editorial James Turner

82

37

Big-fish angler, and this month’s cover star

the fishing has picked up, and he

of his angling, his motto being, ‘It’s the small

Jerry Hammond, takes us through an epic

encourages you to get out there

things that make a big difference.’ Enough said!

month he’s experienced on the Zigs.

and make the most of your time.

The Finer Points

The Zig Master

Darrell Peck

This month our esteemed editor

Jerry Hammond

Darrell gives us the insight into the finer points

talks about the weather and how

157

Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler

Julian Cundiff Our Jules continues with his personal carping, rocking, wrestling, and

ENCE AT MAKE A BIG DIFFER THE LITTLE THINGS TH DARRELL PECK ON

the fact that he still manages to hold down a full-time job.

OUT & ABOUT

13

No.190 June 2013

The Traveller Mark Bartlett

Bart heads to the Colne Valley to take on the residents of Thorney Weir. Will he manage to get amongst them?

craftycarper.co June 2013 | Issue 190

86

| £4.10

The Zig Master!

TicketMaster

WIN!

We profile six of the

best venues from around the

OVER £1,4 00 WORTH OF TACKLE UP FOR GR ABS

country, including free fishing at two top day ticket venues.

92

Hot Holiday Venue Want to seek out carp on the

HING! Get Crafty... GET CATC

e to fish Why NOW is the tim -fish big by , up in the water d on mm Ha ry Jer rt expe

Continent? We take a look at a venue that one of our team has already encountered. Bring on Le Lac Caché.

INTERACTIVE

28

Crafty Catch Column Chunks, lumps, units, lunkers,

whackers, kipperpotami – whatever you call your captures, send the pic to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great Mainline Baits prize.

62

Competition – JRC If you’re currently on the

lookout for a bivvy, we suggest

On sale May 22nd – June

19th 2013

you take a look at this. We review the TX2G Bivvy from JRC, as well

HIT THE SPOT EVERY CAST! craftycarper.co

Ian Stott on how to spod with pinpoint accuracy

as giving away four of them.

O INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

ALS

kling snags Martin Bowler on tac Macmillan n Iai h Boilie fishing wit everyone for ng shi fi e fre rs’ 48 hou ealed rev s rig Essential day ticket

71

The Question Is Do you have a burning

question you want answering by our panel of experts?

10/05/2013 11:35

145

Competition

dd 1

001_Cover_CC190.in

30Plus

We’re giving you the opportunity to own a set of the new 30Plus Kodex luggage.

119

Keeping It Tight Ian Stott

Have you ever tried to fish all three rods

6

111

The Art Of Boilie Fishing Iain Macmillan

142

Subs Offer Marukyu

Fed up of going to the newsagents?

Ting Tong goes in-depth about all

Let us deliver a copy of Crafty straight

on the tightest spot possible? If so, you’ll

things boilie-related. He loves fishing

to your door, and we’ll also give

know it’s not easy. Stotty has done it for

the boilie-only approach, so who

you a load of Marukyu goodies.

years and has just about perfected it.

better to put you on the right track?

Crafty Carper

006-007_Conts_CC190.indd 1

10/05/2013 15:20

Contents /// June 2013

152

Inbox Send us your letters, stories,

“A SIMPLE APPROACH

and pictures, and we’ll print the ones

is always the name of the game for me, with

LOCATION

we like. We’ve got news stories from

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CRAFTY CARPER

Highlights of the month…

the only thing that

around the carping world, and Robbo

REALLY CONCERNS ME

gives us his monthly thoughts.

when on the bank”

FEATURES

19

Inside Edge Dave Magalhaes

If you want to target the margins

MARTIN BOWLER | PART TWO: SPRING INTO SUMMER Now that spring is in full flow, it’s time to take a look at this beautiful season and see what it has to offer to our angling.

for some proper kippers, check out

C

the tips from Dave on page 19.

arp fishing affords many pleasures that cannot

continuing on to the breeding grounds in Scotland. I was

merely be counted in pounds and ounces. Getting

certainly in the right place at the right time, watching it

close to nature is certainly one of these

whilst being mobbed by angry crows not

be afforded sights few birdwatchers

amused at having to share their air space.

and walkers will ever see, because

24

Then, as the afternoon arrived and

if you stay in the same place for 24

the wind abated, it made its move,

or 48 hours, the natural world will

wings folded, free-falling towards

come to you. A kingfisher sitting

a flank of silver scales. A spray of

on a rod with its azure blue jacket

Rigs Under the Spotlight

Team Crafty took to Merrington

water registered the impact and

48 illuminating even the dullest of days;

momentarily it seemed stranded,

a robin keeping you company – even

being bold enough to enter the bivvy; or, in my case, this spring an osprey

fishing alongside me for 2 days. Having

Scott Day

Lake Record For Issac

hover over the lake, trying to get a fix on a roach

and you will, if you keep your eyes open,

recently for a practice

bobbing around on the surface, but its Trouble in the sky as an osprey looked for silver fish prey.

migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter,

majestic movement soon returned, and with a beat of its wings it rose from the lake, exposing talons full of roach sushi. Tea

session before the next BCAC

had been served, to be devoured on top of a distant

a pit stop was required in the south of England before

treeline. A highlight indeed, alongside the carp caught.

MAIN IMAGE The snags are simply a carp magnet.

Fox’s Scott Day gives the low-

48

Crafty Carper

Crafty Carper

048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 1

down on how to set up an

02/05/2013 14:19

77

Essential Day Ticket Rigs

in-line drop-off system.

Mark Hogg

33

The Great Crafty Debate

048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 2

49 02/05/2013 14:20

162

appearance. Our Kris and partner Craig Stannard were put to

The Five-Minute

shame by BYCAC 2012 runner-

Interrogation

up Isaac Johnson, who bagged

Steve Shanyaski

a new lake record at 30lb 4oz

the three rigs he’d never be

Stand-up comedian Steve Shanyaski

– this kid knows how to angle!

our panel of knowledgeable carp

without when day ticket carping.

is also a carp angler, and he takes

anglers air their views on whether

Simplicity is the key, people.

the hot seat this month. Get the

Nige Off to Le Lac Caché

cotton ready because your sides will

Carpworld assistant editor

definitely be split by the end of it.

Nigel has spent a week on Le

Northern lad Hoggy looks at

In the Great Debate this month,

particles are for summer use only.

96

BYCAC 2013

43

Crafty Carper

With it being the 10th

Under-21s

anniversary of BYCAC this

Up-and-coming

year, we’re staying on

young carp angler

the nostalgic road, and

reputation with a stunning 50lb+ fish, catching the lake’s

BYCAC experience.

favourite, Nash Scopex Squid, and

second-biggest resident.

story this month,

for his monthly blog.

96

48

126

Most Memorable

Richard Chapman Derby-based carp angler Richard

Angling Through

relives the ups and downs of a

The Seasons

time spent on a local club water.

Martin Bowler Martin diarises another month of his angling, and as ever, it really will open your eyes to another world. You’ll be glued to this one.

65

Hit ’N’ Run Andrew Endean

If you can only fit in quick overnighters between a hectic work

restored the Angling Pubs

around. Steve Broad looks at an old

Edwards tells his

champion Josh Jones

of Kris’s Ribière blank, Nige

We’re back with another look

Taylor for a look at his

caught up with Jake

base with BYCAC

55

Joe Turnbull creates a food signal.

Comedy Tonight!

59

Carp Food Special

A few members of team Crafty

Splashbaits: Factor VII

will be off to the Last Laugh

We take a look at the Factor VII

comedy club to see our Five-

boilies from Splashbaits.

Minute Interrogation star Steve Shanyaski performing.

CARPERS’ KIT

131

Choosing The Right Rod Dave Springall

It’s the old conundrum that many

99

If you’ve not encountered Mr.

Carpers’ Kit

Shanyaski before, read his

A look at some of the new

interview on page 162 – trust

tackle items hitting the shelves,

us, this dude is funny!

anglers get stuck with – how to

including a closer look at some quality

choose the right rod for them.

stalking gear from Prologic, and Team

COMPETITION WINNERS

Crafty reveal their indispensable

Trakker Competition

138

Is Big Better?

Rich Adams

There’s long been a debate about

and family life, then this is the

whether big baits catch the

place to go. Andrew does just the

bigger fish, so we’ve asked Rich

same, and with great success.

Adams to give his opinion.

tackle items from the last month.

105

In Focus Trakker

from Crafty Carper April issue 188

The three winners each receive a Trakker Levelite Bed and Layers Sleeping Bag worth £440.00 each.

David Hawksworth, Richmond, Sheffield.

We all know that the British weather

Terry Parsons, Cheam, Surrey.

can throw in some rain at absolutely

Ian Johnstone, Bury, Lancs.

any time, so we take a look at the Downpour Jacket and Trousers and the Aphex Jacket from Trakker.

106

Taska Competition

from Crafty Carper March issue 187

The ten winners each receive a Taska Baseline Terminal Tackle prize pack worth £60.25 each.

In Focus

W. Hickson, Ashford, Kent.

Fox International

Mr P. McDougall, Grimsby, North Lincs.

We got a sneak peek at some of the new Edges range from Fox last month, and now here’s some more – very impressive indeed.

149

Mega Deals Fantastic offers from some of

82

of a result. After the shame

Carp Food

at some of the best bait products

Jack Hudson-

and we touch

Lac Caché and has had a bit CARP FOOD

the biggest and best retailers around.

Eric Sprought, Dagenham, Essex.

Tony Morris, Luton, Beds.

Daryl Lucas, Bournemouth, Dorset.

Liam Benson, Barton-uponHumber, North Lincs.

Christopher Cordingly, Coningsby, Lincs.

Alan Carruthers, Stanley, Co. Durham.

Rob Olford, Gillingham, Kent.

Robin Stow, Barrow-uponHumber, North Lincs.

Crafty Carper 006-007_Conts_CC190.indd 2

7 10/05/2013 15:20

RIGS UNDER the SPOTLIGHT

Top carper and product development guru for Fox International, Scott Day, reveals how to construct the perfect in-line lead drop-off setup.

ABOVE Scott is a big fan of solid PVA bags, and often uses his in-line drop-off rig inside a Rapide bag.

S

olid PVA bags play a large part in my carp fishing, hence why I set about developing the

Rapide Load PVA System at the end of 2011. When I stumbled across that way of constructing a PVA bag, it really was a eureka moment, and

This month: In-Line Drop-Off Leads

one that has changed the way that I fish with solid bags, as well as many anglers across the globe. Like most anglers who use solid PVA bags, I prefer to use an in-line lead setup and a lead of 3-4oz. The problem with having a heavy lead on such a short hooklink is that it can cause the lead to work the hook free, and also the lead can be a hindrance when fishing weedy or snaggy venues. I therefore like to eject the lead on the take; however, using the Fox in-line leads with the soft rubber inserts made creating an in-line lead drop-off setup problematic, so once again we set about designing a product specifically for the job.

Leader

When using an in-line lead drop-off setup, my preferred leader of choice is the new Camo Leadcore in the Edges ANGLER PROFILE

range. I use the Dark Camo when fishing over dark lakebeds such as silt and debris, and opt for the Light Camo when fishing over weed or gravel. On venues where leadcore is banned, my next choice is Submerge, a lead-free leader, and if I’m tackling

Scott Day Age 36

a venue with a complete leader ban, I use fluorocarbon straight through, naked-style. The beauty of leadcore

Hometown

Northwich Occupation

Product development UK PB

BELOW Here are the

components that Scott uses to construct his rig.

55lb 12oz Favourite venue

Redesmere Rods

Fox Horizon XTK Reels

Fox Stratos FS12000 Mag Alarms

Fox NTXr

24

Crafty Carper

024-025_Rigs_CC190.indd 1

07/05/2013 16:14

Rigs Under the Spotlight

Scott Day

SET UP SCOTTY DAY’S IN-LINE LEAD DROP-OFF RIG

If you’re looking to dump the lead when using an in-line system, then these purpose-designed components make the process a doddle.

1

2

Cut 3-4ft of leadcore and slice an Edges Ring/ Kwik Connector Swivel onto one end.

Next, thread one of the inserts from the Edges In-line Drop-off Kit onto the leader.

4

subtle (well this new stuff is), and also has great camouflage properties. It is very easy to work

Run the leadcore leader around the outside of the lead and then place the insert into the top of the lead.

8

You can then slide one of the tail rubbers supplied in the kit over the insert, should you so wish.

resistant, is fairly

6

Place the grommet and swivel into the wider end of the in-line lead.

7

strong and abrasion-

Take a Fox In-line Flat Pear Lead, remove the insert and cut off the thin tail.

5

Now place the thick grommet over the eye of the swivel on the leader, as shown here.

is that it’s incredibly

3

Attach your chosen hooklink and the inline drop-off setup is ready for action.

“Over the course of the rest of 2012 we decided to take our time and give the system a thorough development period”

with and is something

9

Edges In-line Lead

When the lead ejects you only lose the lead, and retain the other components.

development period (plus we had other

you want to drop the lead immediately

Drop-off Kit

big projects on the go, such as the Supa

on the bite then you would fish the

Way back at the

Brolly). We now have a finished product

kit without the tail rubber – I do this

start of 2012, Fox’s

that really does work a treat, and when

if fishing with very short rigs under

product development

you look at the accompanying sequence

4ins, and/or when fishing amongst

director, Shaun

you will see just how easy it is to use.

weed and snags. However, if I am

McSpadden, and I started playing with

an idea to convert the Fox

fishing with a longer rig without a When to Eject

You don’t always need to eject the

solid PVA bag, maybe a coated braid and Snowman, then I would place

lead, so we have designed the

the tail rubber over the drop-off

that could be ejected on the take. In

system so it can take more

stem. This means that the lead

The Lead Itself

the April of 2012 we were fortunate

pressure for the lead to

will only eject when it comes

As previously mentioned, I tend to use

to fish Rainbow Lake in France, which

release. This is achieved by

leads of 3-4oz when fishing with a

has extreme snags. It was the perfect

simply placing a tail rubber

solid PVA bag, and my preferred lead

venue for testing our new creation,

over the stem. If

is an In-line Flat Pear. These leads are

and we both managed to land 50 carp

fantastic for solid bag work and due to

between us, including 14x 40s, 13x

their shape they offer great resistance

50s, two 60s, one 70-pounder and

for setting the hook, but because of

two over 80lb (one each!). The system

the soft rubber insert they have never

worked a treat but a

lent themselves to creating an in-line

few issues were

lead drop-off. I have therefore had

identified in terms of

always fish with the lead on the leader,

tolerance, etc., and so

which at times has caused me problems

over the course of the rest of

that I could have done without,

2012 we decided to take our

especially on very weedy venues.

time and give it a thorough

in which I have total faith.

in-line leads into something

into contact with a snag, etc., or when more pressure is applied. CC

LEFT A monster common banked during the extensive fieldtesting of the Edges In-line Drop-Off Kit.

Crafty Carper 024-025_Rigs_CC190.indd 2

25 07/05/2013 16:15

MARTIN BOWLER | PART TWO: SPRING INTO SUMMER Now that spring is in full flow, it’s time to take a look at this beautiful season and see what it has to offer to our angling.

C

arp fishing affords many pleasures that cannot

continuing on to the breeding grounds in Scotland. I was

merely be counted in pounds and ounces. Getting

certainly in the right place at the right time, watching it

close to nature is certainly one of these

hover over the lake, trying to get a fix on a roach

and you will, if you keep your eyes open,

whilst being mobbed by angry crows not

be afforded sights few birdwatchers

amused at having to share their air space.

and walkers will ever see, because

Then, as the afternoon arrived and

if you stay in the same place for 24

the wind abated, it made its move,

or 48 hours, the natural world will

wings folded, free-falling towards

come to you. A kingfisher sitting

a flank of silver scales. A spray of

on a rod with its azure blue jacket

water registered the impact and

illuminating even the dullest of days;

momentarily it seemed stranded,

a robin keeping you company – even being bold enough to enter the bivvy; or, in my case, this spring an osprey fishing alongside me for 2 days. Having

bobbing around on the surface, but its Trouble in the sky as an osprey looked for silver fish prey.

migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter, a pit stop was required in the south of England before

majestic movement soon returned, and with a beat of its wings it rose from the lake, exposing talons full of roach sushi. Tea

had been served, to be devoured on top of a distant treeline. A highlight indeed, alongside the carp caught.

MAIN IMAGE The snags are simply a carp magnet.

48

Crafty Carper

048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 1

02/05/2013 14:19

“A SIMPLE APPROACH

is always the name of the game for me, with

LOCATION the only thing that REALLY CONCERNS ME

when on the bank”

Crafty Carper 048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 2

49 02/05/2013 14:20

The Finer Points Darrell Peck

D

A

R

R

E

L

L

P

E

C

K

ANGLER PROFILE

Darrell Peck ...........................

Age 31 ...........................

Hometown

Chelmsford ...........................

Occupation

Angling consultant ...........................

This month Darrell takes a close look at some of the more technical points within his angling. We’re sure it will open your eyes to how the mind of this carp-catching machine really works, as it’s the little things that make a big difference.

I

UK PB

65lb 4oz ...........................

Favourite venue

North Met Pit ...........................

Rods

DF Infinity 12ft 3.75lb ...........................

Reels

Daiwa QDX ...........................

Alarms

Delkim Tx-i

82

n this article I’m going to go into detail about some

WATCH THE LEAD IN FLIGHT

Even though I have extreme confidence in the anti-

of the finer, more technical

We all know that a tangled rig is

tangle properties of any of my chosen rigs, I still

counterproductive and should be avoided

watch the rig like a hawk during flight, just to be sure.

points within my angling. I’ll try to explain how and why I do

at all costs. When thinking about rig construction,

What I’m looking for is good separation between the

things the way that I do. Some

it’s the anti-tangle properties that are my first

lead and the bait – a bait rotating on a fully extended

of this is my personal opinion,

consideration, quickly followed by the hooked-

rig is generally not tangled. On the other hand, a bait

and some of it is just stuff that

to-landed ratio. This may sound obvious, but it

that is close to the lead can often be tangled and

has served me well over the

seems these days, some believe that a simple well-

would certainly warrant checking, for peace of mind.

years. What I’ll be trying to get

constructed rig that never tangles isn’t enough to

Ever heard of the double plop? This is when you see

across is how I go about things,

outwit the wary modern-day carp. Well, trust me, the

the separate splash of both the lead and bait. This

so I can sit behind motionless

carp don’t care if you’re using the latest wonder rig.

can’t be achieved in all situations, but when spotted

rods knowing for sure that I am

What matters most is that the carp can get at the bait

it gives me unrivalled confidence. Look for it at short

fishing effectively, but most

and the hook is able to catch hold within the mouth.

to medium range, and especially with Zig Rigs.

of all, with total confidence.

Crafty Carper

082-084_Pecky_CC190.indd 1

10/05/2013 13:33

The Finer Points Darrell Peck

MARK THE LINE AND USE THE LINE CLIP Whether I have just flicked out or I’ve marked up an area, I always mark my line with soft pole elastic. I do this next to the reel’s clip or where I have trapped the line with my fingers. This enables me to hit the desired area time and time again with the utmost accuracy by simply recasting to a horizon marker. By placing the line behind the clip at the desired range, the distance I can cast is predetermined. I make sure I anticipate the impact and cushion the lead down, which makes for a smooth cast. This tactic can be super-useful when you’re getting multiple bites or returning to the same swim at a later date.

Mark the line.

Use your line clip.

LOSE THE LEAD I would never advocate losing a lead for the sake of it, but when I think it’s beneficial I do so. When fishing near snags or heavy weed, I very lightly nick the tail rubber onto the Hybrid Lead Clip. This setup has always been very effective for me in these situations and the lead is always ejected when necessary.

The fish only has to shake its head and the lead comes free. With nothing to pull the fish down, they often rise up in the water, helping me to draw them over and away from any subsurface obstacles.

Whip level with the hookpoint.

Match the hook and bait size.

WHIP LEVEL WITH

I suffered a lot of losses when I

BAIT TO HOOK SIZE

THE HOOK’S POINT

hadn’t whipped far enough down

I’ve found that

For all my rigs and for

and the bait then swung round

matching the hook

I vary the hook pattern when fishing with either a pop-up or bottom bait

as long as I can remember, I have

the shank. I don’t know why this

size to the bait size is key to a rig’s

always done this. I only really use

is, but I assume the bait somehow

mechanical efficiency, and also to

the Wide Gape and Choddy patterns,

impedes the hook, so I always make

my hooked-to-landed ratio. I use

which have a medium length shank.

sure the Hair exits the knot exactly

a Size 6 with 16-20mm baits and

the bait. When Zig fishing I use

I’ve found that when whipping level

opposite the point after it’s been

Size 8 with 12-15mm baits. I vary

a Size 10 or 12 Mixa hook with a

with the point and with the top of

tightened. This works for me on

the hook pattern when fishing with

tiny piece of 8mm foam – it’s all

the bait brushing the bend, I don’t

basic Knotless Knot presentations,

either a pop-up or bottom bait, but

relevant and should

suffer hookpulls, which for me is

using either braid or coated braid,

the actual hook size is dictated by

look like it works.

very important. In my younger days,

straight through with a soft Hair.

Crafty Carper 082-084_Pecky_CC190.indd 2

83 10/05/2013 13:33

Most Memorable Rich Chapman

ANGLER PROFILE

Richard Chapman

...........................

Age 21 ...........................

Hometown

Burton-on-Trent ...........................

Occupation

Sales Assistant (Mullarkeys Direct) ...........................

UK PB

39lb ...........................

Favourite venue

Neve Valley syndicate ...........................

Rods

Greys Isoflex 12ft 3lb ...........................

Reels

Daiwa Tournament ts5000t ...........................

Alarms

Chub Neuron T5

RICH CHAPMAN We’ve asked Derbyshire-based carp-chaser Richard Chapman what he recalls as being his most memorable. It’s one that will capture the imagination, as he seeks out a particular fish from a local club water packed with original stock, many of them older than him.

126

Crafty Carper

126-128_MostMem_CC190.indd 1

29/04/2013 14:49

Most Memorable Rich Chapman

W

henever anyone asks me what my most memorable capture is, I always struggle

to choose just one; some that stand out are not really because of the fish, but the strange situations that often coincide with the capture. This one tops the lot though, not only a mad little lake, but a truly awesome fish to boot.

Going back a few years, I had just passed my driving test and was looking a little further afield for venues to target with, hopefully, a few bigger carp. Going on a tip-off from a mate, I had purchased a cheap club ticket with the intention of fishing a littleknown water with a low stock of some really old fish. My ultimate target was the Broken Linear, which, in the past, had topped 40lb in weight, although from what I could find out it was normally around mid- to upper30s. Couple this with the fact that it is jet-black and as old as the hills, and it made it a truly worthwhile adversary to pit my wits against.

The lake itself is not big, 3-4 acres at most, and relatively shallow. The gin-clear water allowed you to see most of the lakebed, which was tinted green with a carpet-like covering of

LEFT PAGE First fish from the water and my target. Get in!!

ABOVE Although small, the water brought its own set of challenges.

RIGHT You could find them in the snags, but catching them was another question.

BELOW Leadcore was the choice, but I think lead-free Downfall made a massive difference.

BOTTOM To my knowledge, nobody else was using the Chod on this water.

silkweed. Clear spots were non-existent and the absence of carp sightings did little to boost the confidence. The only time you really got to see what you were fishing for was when exploring the marginal snags that provided sanctuary for the wily residents.

You could get up close and personal

fished a couple of

Time obviously numbed the memory,

with the residents, but fishing for

nights with nothing to

and the next season I decided to go

them would be suicide in those

show for my efforts.

back for round two. On my first session

conditions. It would have to be a

One bank of the lake

I was lucky enough to turn up to see

case of waiting until they ventured

has what can best be

a local angler landing a couple of fish

out into open water and setting

described as wooden

off the surface. They weren’t any of

traps in preparation for their arrival.

The first year I had the ticket, I

huts, which are home to a number of locals, and let’s just say they don’t mind a drink or two. One night’s chances were cut short when a couple of them, in a rather intoxicated state, set sail in the club’s boat. The end result was a couple of wet locals, a sunken boat, and any chance of catching well and truly blown, so I packed up in the morning, feeling

the real biggies, but whilst taking the pictures I couldn’t help but notice how dark and stunning they were. I left him to it, congratulating him on a fine piece of angling, and left to get myself set up for the night ahead.

I fished close in for the night, but

“it’s slightly slowersinking and more supple, so you can balance out the pop-up and get it to sit on top of even the fluffiest of weed”

rather dejected. On the following session, as soon as I opened the car

once again I woke up with no fish to show for my efforts.

I had waded out the baits so knew that presentation wasn’t a problem, it was just a case

that the fish hadn’t paid me a visit.

I had a rethink on my tactics whilst

door I could hear music blaring out

I was away from the lake, and decided

from across the lake. Undeterred, I

the only real option was the humble

set up at the ‘quiet’ end of the lake,

Chod. This was before it had become

hoping that the fish would have the

as widely used as it is today and I

same idea, but by the early hours of

don’t think anyone else was using

the morning it was clear they were

it on there at the time, so knowing

partying all night and I’d had enough – I

I could fish anywhere

packed up and vowed never to return!

where anything showed

Crafty Carper 126-128_MostMem_CC190.indd 2

127 29/04/2013 14:50

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