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Finding the joy
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Duratec

Posts: 145

#20 28 Sept 2025 at 8.21pm

Just back from a 48hr on a new lake, I'd never even heard of, let alone fished.

The magic is well and truly still alive.

In tow was my son (7), a good friend and his lad (14)

Will keep this short, but arrived on the Friday... Said, 14yr old pub chucked a solid bag on the first night for his PB a few hours later of 25lb 10oz (and the only fish of the entire trip amongst all of us!) and now consequently thinks he's the new Darrell Peck... Some sort of carp fishing goat. Whilst I had meticulously found the fish, went gentle on the bait, worked hard to find a spot with the marker rod...and still couldn't get anything remotely interested.

My lad caught 6 Perch on maggots and a float rod, and this evening is still telling his mum every little detail about it. He saw all sorts of wildlife you could never see on an iPad, from Rats to Roe Deer along with helping in the rescue of a Cygnet trapped in some knobbers discarded line.

Do I care? Absolutely not.

Fish are such an insignificant part of "fishing" - to me anyway.

The joy is just being out there, and creating memories along the way.

Canalcarper71

Posts: 1293

#19 27 Sept 2025 at 5.08pm

In reply to Post #18
Same as me to lake I mentioned earlier,I moved to this one as I’m fed up of the idiots coming up to me as it’s right in side of road and as soon as they see a Bivvie up it’s like a rush to come down to you,I even had an idian man come down late at night with what looked like a baby wrapped up in a blanket asking me questions,it’s just nice to get away from that have some time alone and chill too knowing the bites will come if you stick at it and build a picture up.
As I mentioned earlier I lost my mom early December wasn’t in a good place my brother told me I needed to get out and it was a week before Xmas and it was nice being out in the cold water with just my thoughts as I put the rods out

AndyClark

Posts: 5604

#18 27 Sept 2025 at 4.32pm

I visited a water about 10 years ago, fell in love with it, the scenery,the challenge,the wildlife, everything about the place. I did a few sessions on there and really enjoyed it but the time wasnt right...a young family,not enough money,not enough time so it was put on the back burner.

fast forward 10 years, kids are older and had a few mental health issues along the way my priorities have changed. waters alot busier, alot more idiots,alot less space and my necessity to catch every trip was no longer there. I started looking for peace tranquility,less anglers and more space. I chatted with a mate and my mind was made up...I was heading back to that little.piece of heaven I had discovered 10 years ago.

Ive done 14 sessions now,, ive been close to a carp,one nutted out over my spot.ive not yet had one though...im slowly building up the picture, summer has turned into autumn and the carp were quite active early September. ive managed 24hrs a week but had to miss last week and ive missed it badly...the place is under my skin. I only fish weekdays and its fairly quiet in the week....just me some weeks in 25 acres.

The wildlife is amazing, beavers,buzzards,sparrow hawks,kingfishers,stoats, the views are great, a small piece of heaven. For me the wildlife,the views,the lack of people come first, the carp are a bonus. its a lovely place and I intend on spending winter on there. it will be wet,cold and muddy, no manicured pegs...just how I like it.

The older im getting,the catching of carp becomes less important,I know my rigs work, the bait is decent...its just time on the bank and if the carp make an appearance its a bonus.....dont get me wrong,im not being lazy, and if a show happens over the other side ill move on to it, im fishing well and effective...40 carp in 25 acres isnt rock hard and there going to be chances. ill love it when I catch but until then I'll enjoy the journey.

Busted

Posts: 1800

#17 27 Sept 2025 at 7.59am

In reply to Post #1
I fell out of love with it years ago now, bit fish a few select matches and socials. I have a busy professional life and a young family, and whereas for many, the peace and being outside aspect is the bit they like, for me, for about a decade, its has been the puzzle aspect, and being in the mix competitively, hence the matches.

I fished a match a few weeks ago on the full moon. Id already worked out what I needed to be doing and was well in the mix, but after putting one back at about midnight, I realised how amazing the night was. Clear, silent, full moon, shooting stars, you name it. It sounds corny, but it felt like i was the only person in the world! So I put the kettle on, and stayed up until it got light, just sitting and really taking it in.

Reset complete, and im back in love with it again. Just in time for kid no.3 to make an appearance

0nslow

Posts: 982

#16 26 Sept 2025 at 3.09pm

In reply to Post #13
That is a magnificent fish 👌

Canalcarper71

Posts: 1293

#15 26 Sept 2025 at 2.17pm

In reply to Post #13
That’s a great achievement

framey

Posts: 4999

#14 26 Sept 2025 at 1.33pm

In reply to Post #9
No one goes fishing NOT to catch
It’s just the cherry on top if one does.

TCarper

Posts: 4189

#13 26 Sept 2025 at 8.36am

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.

RKB

Posts: 1503

#12 26 Sept 2025 at 8.33am

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.

TCarper

Posts: 4189

#11 26 Sept 2025 at 8.28am

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.

ip100

Posts: 12187

#10 26 Sept 2025 at 8.07am

In reply to Post #7
Waterside?

0nslow

Posts: 982

#9 26 Sept 2025 at 7.29am

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.

RKB

Posts: 1503

#8 26 Sept 2025 at 6.15am

In reply to Post #6
Total opposite for me - it's about being there. Catching is a bonus.

mark1009

Posts: 4591

#7 25 Sept 2025 at 7.51pm

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.

0nslow

Posts: 982

#6 25 Sept 2025 at 6.59pm

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.

Canalcarper71

Posts: 1293

#5 25 Sept 2025 at 5.55pm

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.

wandle1

Posts: 7322

#4 25 Sept 2025 at 5.32pm

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 '...

bentipping

Posts: 339

#3 25 Sept 2025 at 2.15pm

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.

Baitman

Posts: 4697

#2 25 Sept 2025 at 2.04pm

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.

bentipping

Posts: 339

#1 25 Sept 2025 at 1.15pm

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.


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