Friday Night Turns Social - Written by Geoff Rauf

So, the scene was set. I’d chosen to head back to ‘Lac De Frustration’ therefore at 3pm I was out of the office and into fishy mode. By the time id reached the lake it was indeed as if id never been away. Heading down that ‘path o fate’ rabbits jumped and sprang about spooked from the sound a hurried Carp Angler on a 2011 mission. The temperature was well into the 20s, hardly any wind too.

I’d been convinced that since this was only a 24 hour session i must do the social thing and fish with a couple of old buddies further up the lake in a spot called the ‘Copse’. I'd fished this many times in the past and knew the swim well. Its one of those places that is fairly uniform at around 6-7 ft deep. The weed, when in full growth can leave ‘carpy channels’ and multiple catches have in the past been recorded.

Once the insults and pleasantries were out the way (its a boy thing) i’d set up in no time and around 7 pm was lobbing the marker about trying to find the end of the drop off at around 110 yards.

The rods were made up with two having a Chod arrangement, Fluoro hooklink and White imitation soaked pop up, and the third having a snowman presentation using my dirty brown bottom bait. Once the rods were out the three of us sat down to put the world to right, and believe me we did!

After a takeaway courtesy of one mate we hit the sack around 1.30am, totally ******** – by the way I am not the only one who snores! Justin!

I was out like a light but rudely awoken just before 4.30am with the left hand rod bleeping in a very Bream like manner. After the rod had been picked up it was indeed evident this was a snotty. Not my favourite fish at all the culprit weighed around 7Ib, and was quickly unhooked and the rod recast. The next action came to Justin around 6am and this time a stunning 8Ib Tench. Still no Carp but at least something is happening.

Lovely big Gravel Pit Tench. Sorted.

After a few cuppas and a conversation on last night events we all set about discussing the forthcoming season and word in the street is that just ONE fish has come out since the beginning of the season. This doesn't exactly fill me with confidence but i guess the proof will be in the pudding…we shall see.

Tony was heading off early and with Justin planning to do another night in this swim i decided to go for a walk – actually i needed the loo, but that's too much info. The weather was already looking to be hot again, and id a feeling the first peg could be worth me spending a few hours in prior to my departure and appointment with Sky PPV and David Haye vs Wladimir Klitschko. Sure enough on approaching the swim which is extremely shallow i could clearly see fish mooching about in the Bird Island man made channels. This was all the evidence i needed. Mind was clearly made.

The Shallows in Peg 1

After saying my goodbyes to the lads i got everything repacked on the barrow and headed back down the path towards the carpark. Breakfast was required so once id reached Peg one i quickly set up the rods (minus bivvy and bedchair), then went about making my famous Cheese Toasties. Yum all i can say and you can pick these up in poundland. Simple yet excellent Carpy food.

Peg One is notoriously shallow with 3 ft being the deepest part towards the bird islands. A 40 yr chuck is all thats required, and if your lucky you can watch the fish swim in through the channels and head straight towards you. I spend all day in this swim and it was the first time id ever bothered to give it a go. One point i wasn't too happy with was the fact the margin was less than 6 inches deep. Not sufficient to land fish in really and certainly no good at all for sacking a fish at night. Combine this with the amazing amount of mozzies and i was already beginning to realise why so many have avoided it.

The carp were showing in numbers but completely avoiding my baits. I really do think they are heading towards spawning and this would certainly run in line with the fact only one fish has been caught so far. I was using PVA meshed pellets which worked perfectly in this situation. I could push the hook right into the mesh to avoid the weed surrounding the hook, and the trick here is NOT to pull back once your bait hits the lake bed.

Mixed Pellets from Norwood Angling. Nice.

By 1pm the public who have access rights to the reserve were really beginning to pee me off. Not only were they walking about all over the swim but also jumping down the high steps towards my rods to see the swans and cignets who seemed to have set up home nearby. I will now say that i have no issues with nature, at the end of the day we are in their back garden, and we are the invaders so to speak. The problem i do have is when Mr Swan , who i will now rename Lucifier swan, Mrs Luciifer and baby Lucifier decide they want a game of ‘lets swim over my lines and see if we can get tangled up’!

With a captive audience of joe public behind me there i was being bitten by mozzies, watching carp cruise by ignorring my baits and then to top it all off viewing the devil swans finally tangle themselves in 40Ib braid! The gasps of horror as my Sundridge alarms emitted fits of BEEEEEP, BEEEP BEEEP as i tried to free the big male who now looked like he was attempting ’come dancing’, flapping his legs with the line around him. Absolutely freaking out after a two minute tug o war he finally freed himself and all was recovered. I sat down in a heep to watch yet another carp ‘bosh’ out of the water sticking two fingers up at me.

4pm came and so my desire to do further battle collapsed when two ladies turned up and asked if they could set up a picnic on top of the swim. That, for me was the final bell, which brings me nicely around to the reason i'm cutting this first session short. The boxing. come on David Haye!