It’s Sunday lunchtime, I’m in the car stuck in roadwork’s on the M25 and with over 100 miles still to go it’s not the start I wanted to my 3 night session.

Over 3 hours later and I finally pull up in front of the gate at the venue.  It looks like most of the weekend anglers have left and only 3 swims are taken, so if I can find some fish there is a good chance I can get on them.

After 2 laps of the lake and seeing nothing I decide to fish a swim that commands a lot of water, it has loads of bars in open water and to the right of the swim is an entrance to a large bay.  After a few casts with the marker I find that the water is quite shallow and also quite weedy.  This particular swim hasn’t been fished for over 6 weeks due to the weed beds in front of it.  I manage to find 2 spots that are reasonably clear, but due to the thickness of the weed I opted to fish inline leads with the lead core around the lead.  This way I knew I could loose the lead on the take every time helping me get the fish back through the weed without to many problems.  After a few casts at the marker and marking the lines, all the rods were out just as the light was fading.

The night came and went with only 1 bit of action but unfortunately it ended in a hook pull.  So, at first light the rod was cast back on the money with a kilo or so of boilies for good measure.  3 o’clock in the afternoon and I am thinking of moving when one of the rods is away at very high speed.  I bend in to the fish and it’s obvious the fish has a lot of weed around it, but this works in my favour and the fish doesn’t put up much of a fight and hits the net in no time at all.  I put it on the mat and begin to remove the weed to see my prize.  It was a short fish but quite deep and went 25lb 8oz on the scales.  All thoughts of moving are forgotten and the fish is returned.  The rod was put back out and I settle down for some food before dark.

The following morning I peek from under the cover to see the sun is just coming up over the trees when the same rod is off again.  I decide against putting on my boots and run straight out in my socks to strike the rod.  The rod hoops over and the fish starts to rip line from the spool.  I manage to turn it eventually, and after going in and out of a few weed beds it makes it to the clear margin in front of me.  It looks like a good fish and after a few more lunges its mine.  She sends the scales around to 35lb 8oz and after a few quick pictures she is returned none the worse for wear.  The rest of the trip ended without any more drama but I am more than happy with the action I have received.

Until next time good luck
Neil