Week Commencing: 16/06/2012
Time Fishing: Days with a break from 3 – 6 everyday and 2 nights fished only
Number of Fish: 76
Weights of Fish:
13 under 10lb, 17 Doubles, 16 Low Twenties, 13 High Twenties, 16 Thirties, 1 Forty
Total Lbs: 1,656 Lbs
Biggest Fish: 40lb 12oz Grass Carp caught by Jon
Comments:
Arrival – Turned up on the Saturday and instead of fishing spent the day drinking and relaxing. This was until 5.00 hit & the S**t Storm began!!! Spent more time re-baiting in the boat than on the bank a runs were coming thick and fast. In the next 4 hours, 9 carp and a tench appeared with the final 3 being a triple run involving a 30, 34 and 37. Took rods out at 9.00 as our backs were ruined and wanted to rest the water overnight in the hope of a repeat performance. Day 1 = Mayhem. 10 fish caught.
Sunday & Monday – Resting a water overnight is a difficult decision for any fisherman, especially Team Carp Euphoria! However, tactics paid off as the lake form continued throughout the next two days. Weather remained hot and sunny with cloudy spells, which seemed to favour the carp’s feeding habits. The 30’s kept on appearing in all shapes and patterns with the largest being a 38. Double takes were common and two grasses even graced the bank with the biggest at 33. Highlight of these two days was Jon rowing out to the far margin to release a snagged 18lb only to be dragged across the lake by this small yet powerfull fish. Days 2 & 3 = backs still f**ked, arms hurt but no sign of a sturgeon yet! 30 fish caught.
Tuesday – Weather changed drastically along with the fishing. Torrential rain arrived causing fish to stop feeding. Although our bodies could do with the break, Team Carp Euphoria! want more fish and more pain. Still however managing 8 fish (1 x 30lb), this day wasn’t a total “washout” and with a weather change predicted for Wednesday, confidence is still high. Day 4 = Where are the Sturgeon?!!! 8 fish caught.
Wednesday – Weather turned on its head again with blazing sun from the off. Spurred on a short feeding frenzy with 3 carp coming out in as many minutes. However, the temp. rose extremely high throughout the day and the fishing switched off. This was until the sun began to set in the evening when 2 more fish graced the bank including a 35lb Mirror. Day 5 = Slow but number of fish feeding on the rise. 10 fish caught.
Thursday – Mixed bag in terms of weather today. Baking hot by 9.00, followed by overcast sky and strong winds (Made rowing a nightmare). Runs came at either first light or before dark with little action during the day. day 6 = Fish not feeding heavily despite resting periods. 9 fish caught.
Friday – Went into Friday with just 8 fish shy of the current 2012 catch record. However, with the sun shining at 7.00am, confidence was high! This was rightly so as a double take came within 10 mins of casting. The day followed on slowly with next two carp coming at 3.00 Now feeling the pressure, 5 more fish were needed in the space of 3 hours. Not a problem for Team Carp Euphoria! 4 more fish landed not long after dinner to equal the record. Then finally at 9.00 a 31lb 12oz mirror graced the bank of Skaps to reign us Victorious!
Dan – Where do I begin?!! Well, the weather was much better than predicted with mostly sun all week. As per usual, Gary’s food and general hospitality was second to none. In fact the only thing better than his fish is his Thai Curry! Now onto the important bit….The Fishing! We came to the Lodge for our first visit in 2010 and only managed 27 fish. This year my back is broken, I have repetitive Carp Syndrome in my right arm and in general I am ruined all because of the pure amount of fish we caught. Needless to say the fishing is superb and we shall definately be booking for our third trip. P.S. Gary, you need to sort out some diazapan for those grassies, they are crazy!!
Jon – Will Keep it short and sweet as we have already taken up 8 pages!! An Awesome weeks fishing some great weights and some quality fish. Gary you have been brilliant “again” and I will defo be back!
Matt – Didn’t come to fish. Came with Dan and Jon to have a relaxing week in the sun with a few beers and plenty of laughter. Didn’t quite turn out like that tho. With all the netting and weighing going on all week I had to work harder than I do at work. Overall had a great week tho, good weather, good food and plenty of laughs. Gary was a great host who told it how it is and didn’t bulls**t at all. Def will consider coming back again.
Jon – I stand corrected……9 pages!!!
Dan – P.S. Bait boats are for pussies! Get in the boat and row like a viking!
Weather Conditions: Sunny most days, torrential rain Tuesday evening and into the night, Windy and Overcast Thursday.
Which Lake: The Lodge.