Tim Childs - Just Like Buses

This entry was posted on 29th May, 2018

I have to admit, since I began working for Angling Direct at the start of 2018 my fishing time has sadly been severely limited. With the opening of the all new Stoke store back at the end of January, and after a few weeks’ busy settling in period, the thought of getting out on the bank was sadly the last thing on my mind. The poor spring weather didn't help matters either as the severe winter cold spell we had all endured continued almost into April. Thankfully as May approached and the temperatures began to rise, my hunger to pursue those scaley creatures stirred inside me once more. With a few days’ holiday booked, I looked forward to flexing the carbons again and, with a local club run venue in mind, I made plans for the first week of May. After a lovely couple of days at home with the family I packed my kit late one night and set off to the lake. I love arriving at waters in the dark hours, your eyes and ears are so in tune with your surroundings, and of course a busy park lake like the one in question is so different from the hustle and bustle of the daylight hours. Pre-trip reconnaissance visits had proved successful, and I had noticed a number of fish showing in one corner of the lake. I had periodically baited up at dusk on a few occasions with a new Mainline prototype boilie scattered over a wide area with the throwing stick, and hoped the hungry carp would be on the lookout for more.



The dawn light broke from the East, and coincided with the sight of a large grey head piercing the oily calm surface; as if by some carpy miracle the carp Gods seemed to be shining on me finally. I quickly but quietly set about placing 3 hi-attract hookbaits into the zone. Rig wise, the choice was a simple one; 10 inches of soft coated hooklink, in this case the 25lb Organic brown version from RidgeMonkey, coupled with one of their super sharp size 6 curved hooks and my favoured Slip D rig.



With the rods in position I sat back to enjoy the first warming rays of the early morning sun, and scanned the water for more signs of fish presence. I wasn't disappointed, and by 9am I had seen a few more fishy shows and it came as no surprise that an hour or so later the middle rod was away! A great fight followed as an angry carp tested the 12lb Rm Tec mono to its limit; true to form the line held fast and before long a lovey Linear mirror sat safely in the net. Initially it looked to be around 25lb, but I was far from disappointed when the scales read a pound or so lighter. After a couple of quick snaps and recasting the rod, I settled back down to take in the sights and sounds that a busy park lake had to offer.

 

After a few more hours, and with an increase in the wind strength, things looked fantastic, and it came as no surprise when the same rod signaled another bite. The fight from this one was a little less intense and soon a corking looking mirror was staring back at me from the bottom of the net. One of the introduced stock fish this time, and at 21lb 8oz one that looked set to become a real jewel of the lake.



An hour later and the right hand was away, the Delkim screaming for my attention as the bobbin smacked tight into the blank of the rod. This time I was really beaten up as the fish continued to take line run after run! After a good ten minute battle I finally managed to bundle another beauty of a mirror into my outstretched net. The third 20lber of the session looked lovely as I held him up to the camera, his dark, rough skin and angry look indicating the fact that he was male and on the look out for a chunky female to woo.



The swim looked like a bomb had gone off, with scales, slings and tackle everywhere; after a celebratory cup of tea and a tidy up, I needed a quick 40 winks power nap. Refreshed, I looked forward to the evening ahead, and my thoughts drifted off to good times in years gone by when I had enjoyed similar multiple hits.

With the light levels dropping and the park lake becoming quieter, I slowly started to pack away, but not before one last run! The now familiar routine followed, and this time a dark, crusty common was the bait pinching culprit. Parting the mesh revealed an old looking character and at just over 20lb completed the session in style. Soon it was home time, and a late supper with the family before bed. Looking back, I couldn't help but chuckle as I sat at home; after waiting all this time for a carp just like buses four had come together in a short space of time. A great session to kick off my overdue late spring campaign, and hopefully more of the same to come.