Ade Kiddell - June 2018 Blog

This entry was posted on 19th June, 2018

The river carp have been elusive this year; last May and June, myself and several friends had some great fish, with several close to 40lb. When I last wrote, I had managed three and lost two, and was feeling confident of finding a few more. However, after three weeks without even a sign of a fish, I was considering taking up Petanque for the summer.

I did have a back up plan in the shape of Angling Direct's carp specialist and old mate Richard “Ginger” Wells. Ginger has been here many times and had some cracking carp as well as some big barbel; if anybody could unlock the carp code, it was Ginger.

His first two nights didn't go to plan, with only a couple of bream to show for his efforts. A change of swim for the next two nights didn't produce the desired result either, other than a close encounter with one of the local beaver population. Old Ginger was struggling. To make matters worse for him, he had to leave his rods to answer nature's call, and left me in charge. With Ginger in full motion, off went the Delkim, leaving me to successfully land a new PB barbel for the River Meuse, a lovely fish at 9.08. I did allow Ging to hold the fish for a quick photo; after all he had done all the hard work!



There are many known carp spots on the river in the vicinity of the house. One of the most popular is where a small river enters the main river; the small river brings fresh water and natural food into the main river, and consequently creates a larder for the fish. Two nights resulted in three carp for Ginger; nothing huge, but a couple of 20s made the effort worthwhile.



Sadly Ginger didn't crack the carp in the garden, leaving me to try again; with no fish showing over the spots, I suffered a few fish-less nights, but continued to feed the spots, still not giving up on my dream of a river 40. I know the fish spawn in the area and being creatures of habit, they were sure to turn up soon enough.

The next two friends to visit were Bob and Doug, with the plan to fish for barbel and try for a carp if the opportunity arose. I managed to persuade them the carp were still worth a shot, so they decided on a two pronged attack with one rod each for carp and another for barbel. I often have friends at the house who don't pay any attention to my guidance and fish their own way and the spots they fancy rather than spots I know to produce fish. Bob and Doug listened to my every word and soon had a plan formulated of how and where to fish.

I always believe effort equals reward, and Bob and Doug certainly put in the effort, and reaped the rewards; plenty of decent barbel but also two good carp for Bob and a birthday carp for Doug. Bob's fish went 32 and 34 with Doug managing a 33lb and another lost carp to a cut hook link. Bob and Doug had proved to me the carp were still in the vicinity, it was just a matter of continuing to feed the spots and hopefully my turn would come.



 



A frustrating five days later, and, despite fishing the spots everyday for a few hours, and two overnight sessions, I still hadn't had one carp to show for my efforts. It's at times like this we all start to do the wrong thing, alter rigs, change baits and doubt you own ability, but why should something that has caught me a lot of fish over the last few years suddenly be the wrong thing, be it bait, rig or ability? Confidence is key in fishing, and it's at times when you aren't catching that confidence drops and you immediately start to doubt.



I widened my search, still within the area around my house, spots I hadn't fished for carp before, but had seen them in the past. I put a bit of bait in a couple of spots, a few Code Red boilies and a little maize; I can re visit the spot and easily see if the maize has gone. I fed one spot and walked onto the next; as I approached the second spot, something caught my eye.

Polaroids on, and WOW, a huge carp was already in the spot! Now, I know we as anglers are prone to exaggerating, but this really was the biggest carp I had ever seen, well over 40lb possibly pushing 50lb, an easily recognised common; I could clearly see a dark scale pattern that made it unique.

Next morning, first light, and stalking rod in hand, I was off; in my mind, I was off to where I had seen the fish, but as I had to pass the first spot, I thought I would have a quick look. I could hardly believe my eyes; three big carp were just cruising around, the spot was clean, and I could clearly see clean gravel; along with the three was the big common. I scattered a few baits and the fish drifted out; in went the rig and within about 5 minutes the fish were back. Immediately the fish were on the bait and clouding the water. Holding the rod and heart thumping the line tightened and then a hooked fish screamed off ;10 seconds later disaster as the line parted at the knot where the leader joins the mainline, Carp 3 Ade 3. I had seen the lost fish, a big mirror over 30; gut wrenching.

The swim cleared, and I couldn't believe it; the big carp was still there and hungry. More bait, new rig and fishing again. It didn't take long; the line twitched and slowly tightened. I resisted the strike, and I am glad I did; I could clearly see the huge common with the line caught around a pectoral fin. It slowly came up in the water and as it turned the line dropped off. The fish, clearly not spooked, drifted away. Not many minutes later a pleasure boat passed by signalling the end of action for that session.

The next morning, out again at first light, and the carp were again on the spot, no sign of the big common but still some good fish. I could see at least three carp feeding well, and was confident of a fish. After about 15 minutes of high anticipation, a hooked fish tightened the line then burst into panic as it screamed off. No mistakes this time and a lovely common in the net a few minutes later,; bad news was, I had forgotten my scales - the missus didn't appreciate her early morning call, but I told her not too panic; the fish was safe in the retention sling, and to stay in bed for a while.



With nothing better to do I rebaited and put the rig out again, not over confident as the commotion of landing the fish would have certainly disturbed the swim. I was however gobsmacked to see a couple of carp along with a catfish competing for the free offerings. A few minutes passed without action, and the swim cleared. I couldn't see any fish; at that point I sort of lost concentration and just took in the atmosphere of a stunning Ardennes morning,

From nowhere the line sang as it tightened and tore off, another nice carp hooked and a few later minutes safely landed, a stunning common with a beautiful two tone scale pattern. With only one sling I rested the fish in the net and disturbed my good lady again, this time she had to turn out with scales and camera. I have to say I couldn't ask for anyone better; she has been on hand many times when I have had good fish, taken some stunning pictures, and very rarely complains.





 

The first fish was 29.06 and the second 20.06, not bad for an hour's work, and both safely returned to fight another day. The score was now Carp 3 Ade 5. Early the next morning I was out again, the carp were again chomping, and I was ready, as the line tightened within 5 minutes of introducing the rig. This time the fish stayed deep and fought differently, and when a 20lb plus catfish surfaced, I could see why! I enjoyed the scrap but unfortunately that was it for the day.



A couple of blank sessions since and again I think the fish may have moved on, so it's a matter of feeding and observing and hopefully catching.