Spring Carping II - Richard Howland

This entry was posted on 14th May, 2015

Our very own Richard Howland, Angling Direct Sittingbourne, has been back amongst the fish on his current Carp water and has kindly sent us over a few words and some nice pictures about his most recent session, which took place just this week. So without further a due I'll let Richard take it away…

"Last night saw me at Loggies lake near Canterbury, with a 'quick' overnighter planned in between work.

As there was only one other person doing the night, I managed to get the swim number one, next to the car, which commands water that can not be fished from the other bank. Rigs were soon added to the rods - Hinge stiff rigs, using Korda chods and Fox 20lb Illusion, with Milky Toffee pop ups soaked in Tigernut Goo. Two rods were cast to known spots at about 105yards close to the far bank, and the third rod into a gap in the reeds, as close as possible to an over hanging tree.  I set the bivvy up for the night ahead, and settled down with my trusted fishing dog Musket.



The first few hours were relatively quiet, with just one Tench around 5lb coming to my rods, this was until I was awoken around 1.30am with the sound of a screaming Delkim. Unfortunately I didn't get to see whatever was on the end, as the fish weeded me and the hook pulled.

With the rods all back on the spots I retired back to the comfort of the sleeping bag and waited for the next fish to make a mistake! Nothing more happened until 6.30am when the rod in the gap was away, the result another Tench, but not any old Tench, a lovely one around 8lb and a new PB!

Once I got the rod back on the spot it was time to start the horrible job of packing up, with my head in the bivvy trying to pack the Bedchair down the rod in the gap was away again this time there was no mistaking, this was an angry carp trying to get into the reeds!



After a battle of wills, him pulling for the reeds and me not giving any line, I won out and the rest of the fight was played in open water. Slipping the net under a lovely scaled Mirror I called the owners grandson to see if he could come and do the honours with the camera.

Just as  I had just put the fish into the sling to recover, the other long range rod was in meltdown and within a matter of moments I was soon slipping the net under another very pretty mirror! We now had two 20lb plus Carp in the net, something I've never had before, and what fish they were… On the scales they went 23lb and 21lb but the size didn't seem to matter they were two crackers.

I packed the rest of my gear into the car and drove home with the biggest smile on my face. Two 20lbs at the same time, and a personal best Tench both in one night and between work… Sometimes putting the effort in pays off.'