As I write it looks as if Summer is over already! Storms have dropped the monthly average rainfall already! And the winds are feeling very autumnal!
Still not to be deterred, July had some lovely temperatures and it only takes a high pressure spell to push things back to where they should be. Summer time means big fish...Big fish equals paste! This month I visit a Lancashire water where the fish run big....very big!
As always, firstly let me cover off some recent success and milestones.
Action update July/August:
Towards the end of July I was back out with my Eight Bells A.C. club mates to a place called High Heys Farm in Lancashire. I didn't know much about the place except that shallow can be the way to go with one regular winning all the recent opens "slapping".
I instantly liked the look of the wide lake we had booked. A 35 yard chuck over to the empty pegs across and lots of open water in front. The margin had plenty of features to go at too. The day was pleasant but there was a stiff wind blowing into the car park end of the lake. If the fish followed the wind down that way I was in trouble.
As it transpired I had quite a pleasant day. Small barbel on the method across tight to the far bank, F1 carp shallow on the pole. 6mm skrill pellets "slapping" or using the "jigger" rig helped me put 35lb 13oz onto the scales. Although enjoyable, the day was slightly frustrating as I pulled out of a number of F1 carp at the net, I couldn't seem to get my hook right. I was switching between a size 16 and 18 but neither seemed to make a difference.
Eric Bagley was pegged down wind at the car park and smashed the match with a lovely net of barbel for a winning net weighing 65lb 10oz. My weight was actually good enough for second overall, but as Eric was in my section I did not pick up any prize money. Still 2nd keeps me consistent and in the running in the club championship points.
Part of the joy of fishing is being outdoors, and with that I decided to join some of my family on a weekend camping trip. Myself, Aunt and Uncle decided on a weekend at a place called Fell View not far from Preston in Lancashire. The camp site had a small pond with half a dozen pegs or so and as all 3 of us fish we had to give this unknown water a try.
This lake was a bit of an unknown quantity so I stuck to a pellet approach close in to see what I could muster. And the answer was Roach, Roach and more Roach. Good stamp too with them averaging 6oz. The problem was that Keepnets were not allowed, so when pleasure fishing without a net I would rather catch something that pulled back a little.
Next up I was back to the Glebe in Leicestershire. This was an invitational match which I have fished for a couple of years. My mate Harry Warren organises the day as a corporate event for his best suppliers and customers and I luckily get involved.
16 pairs contested the match with 3 lakes to go at on a points/section basis. As a starting point no matter where you draw, each pair will need a minimum 100lb per angler before even thinking about prizes. I drew peg 109 on lake 7 and decided to give my partner lake 1 for the experience as he had not fished it.
I was on an end peg and knew I would do OK, but I really wanted a breeze into my bank, however the day remained still and very humid.
Still not to be deterred, July had some lovely temperatures and it only takes a high pressure spell to push things back to where they should be. Summer time means big fish...Big fish equals paste! This month I visit a Lancashire water where the fish run big....very big!
As always, firstly let me cover off some recent success and milestones.
Action update July/August:
Towards the end of July I was back out with my Eight Bells A.C. club mates to a place called High Heys Farm in Lancashire. I didn't know much about the place except that shallow can be the way to go with one regular winning all the recent opens "slapping".
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| High Heys with 3 lakes is a nice complex. |
As it transpired I had quite a pleasant day. Small barbel on the method across tight to the far bank, F1 carp shallow on the pole. 6mm skrill pellets "slapping" or using the "jigger" rig helped me put 35lb 13oz onto the scales. Although enjoyable, the day was slightly frustrating as I pulled out of a number of F1 carp at the net, I couldn't seem to get my hook right. I was switching between a size 16 and 18 but neither seemed to make a difference.
Eric Bagley was pegged down wind at the car park and smashed the match with a lovely net of barbel for a winning net weighing 65lb 10oz. My weight was actually good enough for second overall, but as Eric was in my section I did not pick up any prize money. Still 2nd keeps me consistent and in the running in the club championship points.
Part of the joy of fishing is being outdoors, and with that I decided to join some of my family on a weekend camping trip. Myself, Aunt and Uncle decided on a weekend at a place called Fell View not far from Preston in Lancashire. The camp site had a small pond with half a dozen pegs or so and as all 3 of us fish we had to give this unknown water a try.
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| Lancashire countryside at Fell View was lovely. |
This lake was a bit of an unknown quantity so I stuck to a pellet approach close in to see what I could muster. And the answer was Roach, Roach and more Roach. Good stamp too with them averaging 6oz. The problem was that Keepnets were not allowed, so when pleasure fishing without a net I would rather catch something that pulled back a little.
The weather decided to change and rapidly blow across the fells. A change of tactic to Meat in 6 ft of water at 7 metres would hopefully single out the better fish. The trick worked and 5 good size Tench along with a number of Roach around the 1lb mark made things a little more interesting. My Uncle Mike caught a couple of Tench as well but nothing else apart from Roach. It was food for thought in terms of targeting an unknown water. We both agreed that there must have been very few Carp in the pond as none of us hooked anything substantial. Uncle Mike promised to take me to a much better venue next time...
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| Summer Tench from a virgin water. |
Next up I was back to the Glebe in Leicestershire. This was an invitational match which I have fished for a couple of years. My mate Harry Warren organises the day as a corporate event for his best suppliers and customers and I luckily get involved.
16 pairs contested the match with 3 lakes to go at on a points/section basis. As a starting point no matter where you draw, each pair will need a minimum 100lb per angler before even thinking about prizes. I drew peg 109 on lake 7 and decided to give my partner lake 1 for the experience as he had not fished it.
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| 109 Glebe 7 |
I was on an end peg and knew I would do OK, but I really wanted a breeze into my bank, however the day remained still and very humid.
My practising of casting the feeder is really paying off this year and I think I made only two poor chucks across to the far bank in the first two hours. A number of carp began to make their way into my net on the tip. Corn at 5 metres accounted for a few fish, but it was paste against the bank for the last couple of hours that made a big difference. 107lb 8oz gave me third on the lake and a couple of quid back. My partner on lake 1 struggled and our combined 10 points were miles off the pacesetters. The winning pair posted only 3 points and combined weight of 355lb
Back with the Eight Bells and our next stop was Wrightington Fishery. Last time we fished the canal, but this time we were on a lake called Rivington view.
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| Weather turned for the worse making a static bait presentation key. |
Another water I had not fished before and when I drew facing an island I quite liked the look of it. My main nervousness was a number of anglers had spare pegs around them, where as I was boxed in with someone either side. For an added bit of pressure my peg was also the bonus peg for the day.
I set up a small method feeder to fish across to the island and a couple of pole lines with Corn and Pellet hookbaits. The feeder mix was 50/50 Marukyu EFG150 and 2mm Skirll pellets.
I felt that with the water being very coloured then the high attraction skrill and high protein crumb would be the best bet. My tip kept busy with small barbel and carp, plus one bonus around 9lb. With the action steady, if not amazing I decided to stay on the tip. I just felt that the fish wanted a still bait and rather than struggle with the pole, keep fish going in the net with the rod and line. One change I made was to put a heavier method on to sit on the slope better. 60lb 8oz of Carp and Barbel was enough to sneak ahead of Chris "the raider" Pickering and secure me a section win and overall/bonus peg win.
I was particularly happy with this little victory as I have always dismissed "ledger" tactics. But this year I have made a conscious effort to get my casting right and increase the tools in my locker. It is working.
They're taking the paste!
After the fell view visit, my uncle promised me a visit to a water where I would get plenty of action off carp averaging around 8-10lb. Now these venues are few and far between in the North West. It was no surprise to find out the venue is a members only water, so when I was invited on I jumped at the chance.
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| This small members lake had some big surprises! |
Two days were to be spent on this very quaint half acre or so lake tucked away in Lancashire. Day 1 was very cold and bitter with temperatures struggling to get above 14 degrees with a chilly wind.
Uncle Mike had warned me it maybe a tough day but one or two carp could show and a few bites off silvers should keep things busy. Pellet should catch everything and the now very faithful Marukyu Skrill pellets came out of the bag. Paste would be used when I felt bigger fish had arrived.
There are 3 types of paste I like to use:
The Marukyu AFP range of 300 (pink: small fish), 310 (White: medium/mixed stamp) and 320 (Green: big fish). These are very simple and anybody can use them with a simple 1-1 ratio explained on the reverse of the packaging (Bottom right image). The Paste contains gluten and sticks together really well on the hook.
Paste is hugely popular as bait in the far east where they are experts are rearing and catching Carp. I tend to use paste July-September and these bags will easily last the 3 months.
Secondly, I sometimes use ground down pellets, nice and simple. Here you can add your own flavours depending on the venue when mixing it with water.
Thirdly, groundbait. I have used the same mix for the past 3 summers and it is called EFG150. Add as much water as you like to get the right consistency for the day (Bottom left image)
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With the wind difficult I decided to feel my way into the first day and see what popped along. I also wanted to give my margin pole a real good going over as it had not really been tested yet.
Keepnets were allowed for fish under 3lb so when I started catching one or two skimmers I thought I would pop them to one side. When bites from the silvers subsided then a piece of paste found 3 good stamp carp all towards or above double figures. Muscular fish that looked like they had never been caught before. 2 from down the edge and 1 from 5 metres where I had been catching the odd skimmer to tide me over. All on EFG 310 paste. Uncle Mike showed me the way with half a dozen carp and lots of Roach.
Paste Tackle:
With only around 3 feet of water in this part of the lake, the float doesn't want to be to big as the wind will pull the float across the surface skim and in turn pull the hook out of the paste. something around 0.2grm would suffice.
Line: 0.17 Guru N gauge
Hook: 14 Kamasan B911
Pole: Shimano Beastmaster
Elastic: Drennan Bungee 16-18 (Open water. 18-20 (Margin)
A paste pot is useful when fishing longer than a few metres out, as is a little pot of water to wet fingers and manipulate each paste portion when shipping out, plus it can be a messy business.
With the lake full of Lilly pads, The trick is to hit the bite then push the fish out to 8 metres and play them in open water. The puller kit also seemed to make these fish crazy, so I found that an almost old school way of "pole high" was the best way to subdue them.
Day 2 and despite overnight downpours the sun was out and very very warm. Hopefully this would get more fish on the move. Despite around 40lb the previous day it was quite difficult, but I felt a little more in tune with the venue and recognised a few errors.
First error I felt I was wasting time in the margins when the fish were not there. I decided to have a line at 5 metres for skimmers and only fish the margins when I saw signs of fish there. I.e. Tail patterns, lilies being brushed etc. So 6mm Skrill pellets were prepared. These would be the only particles I would feed. I also had some maggots for the hook.
The plan worked a treat, regular pots of pellets at 5 metres and a piece of groundbait paste or 5 maggots got me into steady skimmer action. All the while I fed close in at around 2ft depth. As soon as I see signs then a large lump of groundbait paste over the pellets.
A total of 15 carp succumbed to the paste. The biggest fish was a stunning common where I would estimate to be around 18lb. Along with many fish in the 12-15lb bracket. In addition around 35lb of Skimmers made the paste action all the worthwhile. Guesstimate would be in the region of 170lb of fish.
Uncle Mike uses similar tactics to me but stays fishing close in to the edge. He had a real mixed bag with lots of Roach, Skimmers, Tench and half a dozen carp. We both agreed that although location was the easy part, it was all about the feeding. It is not a case of piling in a load of pellets and plopping a dollop of paste over the top. It takes some fine tuning the feeding and reacting to what is going on, at the same time going through lots of bait...just not all at once.
The water should be a reasonable temperature for a few more weeks. Have a go on the paste, but think about how you feed and attract to the margins, and what to do when it goes a little quiet. Why not open up a silver line like I did.
Here is to a successful September and remainder of August.
Tight Lines
Dave
Keepnets were allowed for fish under 3lb so when I started catching one or two skimmers I thought I would pop them to one side. When bites from the silvers subsided then a piece of paste found 3 good stamp carp all towards or above double figures. Muscular fish that looked like they had never been caught before. 2 from down the edge and 1 from 5 metres where I had been catching the odd skimmer to tide me over. All on EFG 310 paste. Uncle Mike showed me the way with half a dozen carp and lots of Roach.
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| The margin pole was soon tested. |
Paste Tackle:
With only around 3 feet of water in this part of the lake, the float doesn't want to be to big as the wind will pull the float across the surface skim and in turn pull the hook out of the paste. something around 0.2grm would suffice.
Line: 0.17 Guru N gauge
Hook: 14 Kamasan B911
Pole: Shimano Beastmaster
Elastic: Drennan Bungee 16-18 (Open water. 18-20 (Margin)
A paste pot is useful when fishing longer than a few metres out, as is a little pot of water to wet fingers and manipulate each paste portion when shipping out, plus it can be a messy business.
With the lake full of Lilly pads, The trick is to hit the bite then push the fish out to 8 metres and play them in open water. The puller kit also seemed to make these fish crazy, so I found that an almost old school way of "pole high" was the best way to subdue them.
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| Proof of the paste pudding. "Average" 10lb fish. |
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| Around 8lb of Skimmers to go with my 3 carp. |
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| Mike with a Mid-double common |
First error I felt I was wasting time in the margins when the fish were not there. I decided to have a line at 5 metres for skimmers and only fish the margins when I saw signs of fish there. I.e. Tail patterns, lilies being brushed etc. So 6mm Skrill pellets were prepared. These would be the only particles I would feed. I also had some maggots for the hook.
The plan worked a treat, regular pots of pellets at 5 metres and a piece of groundbait paste or 5 maggots got me into steady skimmer action. All the while I fed close in at around 2ft depth. As soon as I see signs then a large lump of groundbait paste over the pellets.
A total of 15 carp succumbed to the paste. The biggest fish was a stunning common where I would estimate to be around 18lb. Along with many fish in the 12-15lb bracket. In addition around 35lb of Skimmers made the paste action all the worthwhile. Guesstimate would be in the region of 170lb of fish.
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| Margin dwelling mirrors |
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| Scale Perfect commons |
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| 30lb+ of Skimmer Bream. |
Uncle Mike uses similar tactics to me but stays fishing close in to the edge. He had a real mixed bag with lots of Roach, Skimmers, Tench and half a dozen carp. We both agreed that although location was the easy part, it was all about the feeding. It is not a case of piling in a load of pellets and plopping a dollop of paste over the top. It takes some fine tuning the feeding and reacting to what is going on, at the same time going through lots of bait...just not all at once.
The water should be a reasonable temperature for a few more weeks. Have a go on the paste, but think about how you feed and attract to the margins, and what to do when it goes a little quiet. Why not open up a silver line like I did.
Here is to a successful September and remainder of August.
Tight Lines
Dave
