I've found this year a bit of a struggle fishing wise, barely caught anything and struggled to really figure out a lake. I fish a work overnighter each week so fairly limited time which is always part of the challenge.
But stood by the lake last night in the dark with a mug of tea I saw 3 shooting stars whizz across the sky. Reminded myself that being out there in nature is a big part of the joy of being an angler.
Shame the night wasn't disturbed by a large mirror but I packed down at 6.30am with at least half a smile on my face.
But stood by the lake last night in the dark with a mug of tea I saw 3 shooting stars whizz across the sky. Reminded myself that being out there in nature is a big part of the joy of being an angler.
Shame the night wasn't disturbed by a large mirror but I packed down at 6.30am with at least half a smile on my face.
In reply to Post #1
I have been on a club water for two nights each week, and no carp seen, just a couple of bream and tench. The lake is fishing really poorly and I doubt my own sanity, for a moment.
I have another club water option thats more productive and I'm asking why I dont make more of an effort.
I have just had a double egg sandwich, having a cup of tea with a few biscuits and will soon be reading the last few chapters of a good crime thriller.
The geese and ducks are too noisy, the odd aeroplane is an unwanted annoyance, but no bother from other anglers and I can relax in my own little world for a couple of days.
I have been on a club water for two nights each week, and no carp seen, just a couple of bream and tench. The lake is fishing really poorly and I doubt my own sanity, for a moment.
I have another club water option thats more productive and I'm asking why I dont make more of an effort.
I have just had a double egg sandwich, having a cup of tea with a few biscuits and will soon be reading the last few chapters of a good crime thriller.
The geese and ducks are too noisy, the odd aeroplane is an unwanted annoyance, but no bother from other anglers and I can relax in my own little world for a couple of days.
In reply to Post #2
lovely stuff, always wish I had longer as I pack up to head to work but do love spending a night sleeping outside every week.
lovely stuff, always wish I had longer as I pack up to head to work but do love spending a night sleeping outside every week.
In reply to Post #1
This is why many love bushcraft or minimalist wild camping ,LNT..leave no trace..
Just being outside is enough ,and great for the MH..
'Bushcraft ,,,fishing with out rods '...
This is why many love bushcraft or minimalist wild camping ,LNT..leave no trace..
Just being outside is enough ,and great for the MH..
'Bushcraft ,,,fishing with out rods '...
I had been out in a public park lake 2 weeks ago first time fishing it since I was 20 ish so almost 35 years ago,no idea what was still in there,it's surrounded by trees of all types and I was well out the way of passers by,I could hear them and see them but I was fishing in a swap area with rods well out in the water,I didn't see anything or anyone really for 3 days barring a few stray dogs off the leash,what I did see was it's either deer 💩or wild horses 💩,I think deer but could be wrong right by the area I was fishing,I was surrounded by reeds and stood out in the water at 10:25pm first night with what felt like a big carp on the end and I could see the restaurant lights to my right,it just felt so nice to be out,ended up having my first carp ever from there at 23lb followed next day by a tench and a bream but loved it.
I'm planning my next trip for next month and me and my brother walked round there before I fished it and there was nobody fishing it and looks like not many had fished it for a while,I presume it's because there's some lakes not to far away from there that are easier to catch from,still it made an interesting challenge and build up to fish the place as I fished it when I was a kid,my dad used to take me and wait around for 4/5 hours he wasn't a fisherman but still would take us where we wanted to go.
I lost my mom in December and I was buzzing I had this carp out as she always used to say”you've caught a big fish haven't you son”and I can look back at this knowing my mom would have been happy knowing I was doing something I've loved all my life.
I'm planning my next trip for next month and me and my brother walked round there before I fished it and there was nobody fishing it and looks like not many had fished it for a while,I presume it's because there's some lakes not to far away from there that are easier to catch from,still it made an interesting challenge and build up to fish the place as I fished it when I was a kid,my dad used to take me and wait around for 4/5 hours he wasn't a fisherman but still would take us where we wanted to go.
I lost my mom in December and I was buzzing I had this carp out as she always used to say”you've caught a big fish haven't you son”and I can look back at this knowing my mom would have been happy knowing I was doing something I've loved all my life.
In reply to Post #1
Vary where you fish.
Break it up so when you want a better chance of a run go to that water and when you want the unlikely chance of a lump, then go to that water.
Don't limit your chances of a fish 'just because '.
It is all about catching, being there is a bonus and you would see the stars, hear the birds, etc at either place.
Or as Wandle suggested, just go wild camping and enjoy everything nature has to offer without distraction.
Vary where you fish.
Break it up so when you want a better chance of a run go to that water and when you want the unlikely chance of a lump, then go to that water.
Don't limit your chances of a fish 'just because '.
It is all about catching, being there is a bonus and you would see the stars, hear the birds, etc at either place.
Or as Wandle suggested, just go wild camping and enjoy everything nature has to offer without distraction.
In reply to Post #6
I recently went to a venue near Sevenoaks in kent, with my brother who was visiting from Australia, we didn't get a good swim and had a couple of bites but didn't catch anything. We had a lovely time, no hassle from other anglers or bailiffs, such a lot of wildlife to enjoy.
Red kites , kingfishers, Grass snskes. On the flight path for spitfires and mustangs. Sometimes its not just sbout the catching, but just being there. I will be going to a lake next week with a 60 in and if i don't get a bite i really don't mind. Sometimes just being there is enough. However if I catch the 60 you will know about it.
I recently went to a venue near Sevenoaks in kent, with my brother who was visiting from Australia, we didn't get a good swim and had a couple of bites but didn't catch anything. We had a lovely time, no hassle from other anglers or bailiffs, such a lot of wildlife to enjoy.
Red kites , kingfishers, Grass snskes. On the flight path for spitfires and mustangs. Sometimes its not just sbout the catching, but just being there. I will be going to a lake next week with a 60 in and if i don't get a bite i really don't mind. Sometimes just being there is enough. However if I catch the 60 you will know about it.
In reply to Post #6
Total opposite for me - it's about being there. Catching is a bonus.
Total opposite for me - it's about being there. Catching is a bonus.
In reply to Post #7
I hope you bag it Mark, or at least one of the other residents.
But why go fishing if it isn't about catching fish?
Never understood it myself, catch one, anyone, or target something special has to be the goal otherwise you've spent a load of money to camp which you can do for a lot less in the farmers field down the road.
Or take yourself off for a walk in a forrest, up a hill, through an ancient monument, etc, etc. loads of ways to enjoy our mighty countryside and nature by just being there.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore being surrounded by nature, this year I had the pleasure of watching sea eagles playing over my head quite an incredible experience which I will never forget and may never see again.
But the fish I caught on that day are what I photo'd and made the day a successful one.
Each to their own, but fishing not to catch fish doesn't make sense in my head.
I hope you bag it Mark, or at least one of the other residents.
But why go fishing if it isn't about catching fish?
Never understood it myself, catch one, anyone, or target something special has to be the goal otherwise you've spent a load of money to camp which you can do for a lot less in the farmers field down the road.
Or take yourself off for a walk in a forrest, up a hill, through an ancient monument, etc, etc. loads of ways to enjoy our mighty countryside and nature by just being there.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore being surrounded by nature, this year I had the pleasure of watching sea eagles playing over my head quite an incredible experience which I will never forget and may never see again.
But the fish I caught on that day are what I photo'd and made the day a successful one.
Each to their own, but fishing not to catch fish doesn't make sense in my head.
In reply to Post #7
Waterside?
Waterside?
In reply to Post #10
I would bet that Mark is talking about Moonscale, Ian. It's in a club venue in Kent. There's also the Medway Valley syndicate one. That got caught a couple weeks ago on an S2 by a non publicity angler so I can't show it. The other is also a syndicate fish in the Zoo.
Mark is from Kent and my guess would be Moonscale below. That young fish could well be the one to legitimately break the British record. It's a freak with an absolutely monster frame to get bigger.
Good luck Mark Hope you catch it.
I would bet that Mark is talking about Moonscale, Ian. It's in a club venue in Kent. There's also the Medway Valley syndicate one. That got caught a couple weeks ago on an S2 by a non publicity angler so I can't show it. The other is also a syndicate fish in the Zoo.
Mark is from Kent and my guess would be Moonscale below. That young fish could well be the one to legitimately break the British record. It's a freak with an absolutely monster frame to get bigger.
Good luck Mark Hope you catch it.
In reply to Post #9
Of course there's always a target, I just don't care if I blank. I fish tricky lakes, it goes with the territory. There are literally dozens of lakes within a 20 miles radius where I could catch fish all day long, but it doesn't appeal in any way, shape or form.
It could take me all day to prepare three rods depending on the venue, if it's weedy, deep, big, or if you can use a boat. I might need to look for them for six hours, or all day (and not find them). I get my enjoyment from angling, and everything that entails, spending time outside is an integral part of that.
Of course there's always a target, I just don't care if I blank. I fish tricky lakes, it goes with the territory. There are literally dozens of lakes within a 20 miles radius where I could catch fish all day long, but it doesn't appeal in any way, shape or form.
It could take me all day to prepare three rods depending on the venue, if it's weedy, deep, big, or if you can use a boat. I might need to look for them for six hours, or all day (and not find them). I get my enjoyment from angling, and everything that entails, spending time outside is an integral part of that.
The common that I caught from Theale Lagoon done well over 60+ a couple of years ago. This bloke caught it the very first time he cast out one of our hook baits. He'd caught no fish from the lake in the previous seven years I think it was. Got some GPB2 and caught that very first trip with them.
That thing is growing stupidly as well. It could be a lot bigger now the way it is going. I heard it never came out this year. I've never shown these photos. Two years down the line it's the first time I've ever posted them anywhere. It's on Facebook anyway.
Look at his face. Imagine fishing a 270 acre lake with 35 odd carp in for seven whole years.... First one you catch is that. That's joy on his face.
That thing is growing stupidly as well. It could be a lot bigger now the way it is going. I heard it never came out this year. I've never shown these photos. Two years down the line it's the first time I've ever posted them anywhere. It's on Facebook anyway.
Look at his face. Imagine fishing a 270 acre lake with 35 odd carp in for seven whole years.... First one you catch is that. That's joy on his face.
In reply to Post #9
No one goes fishing NOT to catch
It's just the cherry on top if one does.
No one goes fishing NOT to catch
It's just the cherry on top if one does.
In reply to Post #13
That's a great achievement
That's a great achievement