As i moved the Picasso ( car not artwork) at 6.20am with a heavy shower beating down, and the car reading 2 degrees I had a feeling it wasnt going to be carp bagging territory.....as the rain hit the window.... it felt like madness but there was a glimmer of hope.....
Lakeview was chosen as the venue for the first session of 2012....almost guaranteed a few bites 9 we said that in summer) and to be fair expectations were low as we both knew how delicate the hardcore winter sessions can be.With four clothing layers on & the pegs chosen on the Pleasure Lake it was time to open the kit ....
mmmmm sure there was a feeder rod in here last time i looked.......doh!.....now wheres the landing net handle....doh!!....looks like pole all the way....then.....jesus what a start. organised as ever this year!!
When derek had picked himself up off the floor laughing i then fell over in my peg....smashed the already knackered knee....it didnt bode well. Derek set up his feeder rod which he had remembered!! and cast out....nothing.....Nico maggot and pole at 7m....roach....roach....rudd....roach.....i was getting bites from real fish!!!! Derek laughed it up, but was soon 7/8 fish down.....It was chalk v cheese really....Nico plodded on and started to build a small weight. Derek stuck at Corn / Pinkie / Maggot / Worm / Bread with little return for his efforts.....Nico caught a few more at 7m then decided 4m might produce also....it was mad really....2 degrees feet like ice and catching roach on the drop. the odd better fish keeping it interesting.
Derek eventually snagged a couple ( of rigs also) and all the bits Nico had caught began to fade...worrying times....A different top kit and a pellet sorted a decent skimmer first put in and then another....there are no skimmers in the lake according to derek nudd mind you.
Derek was caught between Stick & Twist and decided that F1 promise was too good to chop and change to pole....Nico meanwhile had snagged an F1 around 1/2 lb which made derek sit up and take notice....being enforced onto 1 method wasnt a bad thing in hindsight.
Here is Derek casting with little or no feelings in his hands or feet. A feat today....
It finished with Nico taking the glory despite a couple of better fish from Derek from the far side. Very Enjoyable day. Nico finished with 7.50 to Derek 4.50lb. Banter reigned supreme. Homage to Papa was made and summer days seems a long way off....commitments were made to fish Springlea in the Sunshine....been trying 3 years!!
With better focus it could have been more but it was bloody cold despite the sun. Dont let it kid you!!
With better focus it could have been more but it was bloody cold despite the sun. Dont let it kid you!! Derek had been to see the Smurfs in the Holidays hence the hat....
