Rob's day

Hi all

Today we were at Hall Farm's Large Lake in the middle of a mini heat wave with temperatures heading into the 20s. Hoping for a good day with maybe the fish feeding in the warmer water prior to spawning. Twelve on the match today, I drew peg 13 – not one I have fished before but with some form. Arriving at the swim several carp could be seen cruising around – mostly in pairs or groups and, as it turns out, mostly not interested in feeding.

I started on the pole at 10 meters on hard pellets and a few minutes in had my first carp around a pound and a half. This was the last fish on this line so concentrated on the reedy corner to my left. Eventually had a bite and landed a 3lb carp – hooked in the chin. This was a clue what was to happen later! Half way through the match I was on 3 fish – losing a couple. Phil opposite on peg 12 had a slow start but was starting to catch a few. Couldn’t see too much as to what was happening around the lake, but also seemed slow for Peter and Tony on pegs 10 and 8.

With plenty of fish swimming around the margins, decided to get the paste out for the first time this year and after an hour realized why I don’t like using it!!! Plenty of bites, but not clean ones and after an hour using it landed one fish and lost 8. Obviously not hooking them properly. Thing got worse with the hook length snapping on the next one hooked, then completely tangling the rig when pulling out of another. In frustration decided to pack the pole away and just chuck the feeder down the margin for the last hour. Didn’t help with the line somehow tangling around the inside of the reel and had to cut off and re-set up. Had one more carp at the death on the feeder and ended with 5 fish for 21lbs 4oz.

Elsewhere on my bank, Fred had a good day weighing 49lbs 12oz for top weight, Bill with 38lbs second from his favourite peg 20, and my 21lbs somehow good enough for third. Pegs 26 and 24 did not fish well for some reason. On the Low Bank Phil had a good last hour with some nice carp to top the low bank with 39lbs 11oz, Peter came second with 28lbs 15oz which included 15lbs of roach and one fish just over a pound. Terry finished third with 20lbs 5oz from peg 2. Maybe have to rethink the paste tactics, rigs etc for coming summer. Pic today is a very happy Bill.