 |
 |
Session with a Hoodie - Week 7 |
Date: August 7th to August 8th 2010 |
|
|
Written by Geoff Rauf
This week I had to collect my son from Eastbourne on the Friday after work, so the session had to be 24 hours.
The weather had been much cooler, around 20 degrees with plenty of the wet stuff in 'downpour' form. I was hoping this would encourage the fish to feed but there was one problem that would hamper things, the wind. A constant South Westerly had once again been blowing throughout the week, keeping the fish in the ‘long distance’ end of the lake.
I’ve mentioned it many times before, but to reiterate this large gravel pit is very wind orientated, and those in the know are fishing on the end swims into that southwesterly wind. They are casting distances in excess of 180 yards, and this is reaping rewards big time, but for me the big chuck is impossible. My Century NG's will hit 120 yards, maybe 130, but won’t reach anywhere near the distance needed to be in the zone.
|
 |
 |
|
This week my son accompanied me, and I knew from last year he would be looking to Pike fish. He landed a number of 'Jacks' in 2009, his personal best being 9Ib. Using an 8ft spinning rod, coupled with a small fixed spool reel, 6Ib line, and a jelly lure this is an ideal 'light outfit', and guarantees some fun if he hooks into one of these 'mini crocodiles', as I so affectionately call them.
We arrived at the lake around 10.30 am, and were fortunate to find Peg 2 was vacant. This is the first swim on the lake and it’s been occupied every weekend so far this year. The first week of the season it threw up a 40Ib Mirror, and I’ve known this area to produce multiple fish on a good session. From this swim I had a 28Ib Common back in 2008. Since this was only a 24 hour trip I thought peg 2 would be ideal. While my son proceeded to do battle with the virtual world through his Ipod Touch, PSP, and mobile phone (bloody Hoodies), I had set up ‘Camp Blanker’ and was in Carp mode watching the water.
This large swim offers the possibility of presenting a hook bait in each of the bird-island channels to the right. Thick with weed, careful use of a Chod rig can reap rewards. I knew pop-ups were a must once again, so the first port of call was to get the marker rod out and find some spots. Straight ahead and at around 90 yards there is an underwater 'road' which runs from the bird island out into the lake. Naturally full of Canadian weed this can be a good holding ground for the fish, and is one of their patrol routes. With temperatures into the early twenties, low cloud cover, and a mugginess in the air, I thought it’s a good bet that a few fish would be inside of these bird islands channels.
First cast reached the top of the road, and I was in 4 foot - too shallow and the coots would more than definitely wipe me out. On pulling back I could feel the 4oz lead coming down the slope from the road, then start to drop down faster coming to a halt. Pulling back some more revealed gravel, and it was clear. The depth was 9 foot which is just at the bottom of the road. A few more casts confirmed there was a clear spot just inside of the road, but if you pulled back more than 8 to 10 feet further you were in solid weed. The first rod was positioned there, with a small 15mm White Chocolate pop up held in place by a grain of plastic corn which adds extra buoyancy.
The weather was deteriorating, and rain was falling as I thought about getting the second rod into place. I was sitting watching the water with a cuppa when it happened. Those Carp songs were back in my head. Nat King Cole, "When I catch a Carp...it will be forever", Elton John, "Caaaaan you feel the Carp tonight”. “Dad, I’m caught in the tree”. “Right...sorry son, I was away with the fairies there”. Thank god the moment had passed.
Rod 2 was placed into the mouth of the first channel to my right, just before a heavy weed bed. A few chopped up boilies were fired around the hook bait which was 20 yards away. Going off on yet another tangent, why do all guys like catapults? Did we walk about with one attached to our shorts as a kid? Are they the ultimate boys toy? Why aren’t they available in camo? Thinking back to last week maybe one of the big tackle companies will release a Pink Catapult soon...Oh stop this! 13 nights, for a blank, and I’m starting to loose my marbles fairly frequently. Are they marbles, or perhaps air dried pop ups?!
|
|
|
|
Rod 3 was cast onto the road too, but in deeper water, around 12ft. Although the weed was heavier here, I managed to find a clearer patch. Using a chod rig is perfect in circumstances like this. With the two buffer beads spread apart through the length of the lead core, your hook length will run up to the top of the leadcore, keeping the bait free of heavy weed. I also use PVA string to tie the hook length to the leadcore. This stops it spinning too much in flight, and you can be certain of no tangles whatsoever.
The rain really started to come down around 2pm, but luckily the trees in this swim offered good cover. As we sat there the swim looked really good. I always like fishing in thunder storms, and it looked like any minute we would get one. Nothing materialised but drizzle. I did however get some great shots of a rainbow that formed across the lake.
By early evening the rain had petered out, and we both sat back and enjoyed the view. Aaron had been unsuccessful in tempting a pike, so he returned to his virtual world of smash court tennis. I had decided to tie a few more rigs, and was also thinking about dinner. With no Scottish Bird here this week I wanted to stick to my promise of cooking healthier. Well, being honest we had burgers with cheese, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Oh well, maybe next week eh.
The wind had started to fade around 9pm, and bats were out in force chasing the mozzies about. I am a big fan of bats because one less mozzie in the world is one less bite for me to take. If you think about it in further detail (why you ask), what purpose does Mr Mozzie serve eh? Who can honestly say they enjoy that ‘bzzzz’ noise you hear while laying on your bed chair, and one flies past your ear hoping for a meal ticket ‘aka’ your blood? I hate the bloody things, and use everything from ‘Avon Skin So Soft’, to those Mozzie coils, or citronella candels to prevent bites.
Sunday morning came around, and after a debate with my son over snoring, and how it ‘must of the been the foxes’ we had some breakfast, and discussed what I had to do to extract a fish from this lake. The rods lie motionless, and had done all night.
Fourteen nights, and no fish, plenty of mozzie bites, a ton of Canadian weed, half a bottle of Avon’s Skin So Soft, Marmite on toast for Breakfast, and still I had produced nothing.
“It would be great to see you catch a fish Dad”, my son commented..”yeah thanks for that”…I don’t think I need to ay anything else do I!
I will keep things short, and be back next weekend.
Pub Chucker
Click Here to visit Geoffs Website
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
