The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Today was a perfect day for carp stalking, the forecast was hot, sunny and with a North East wind to keep me cool.

I prepared the top secret bait (Pedigree Chum mixer flavoured with Tutti Frutti) and chose my favourite Scottie carp rod and ‘Nobby’ Mitchell 300. I walked to the lake. I intended to catch a fish and move on, I didn’t take a chair, lunch, tea or anything else that would anchor me down.



I found a corner, set the rod up and carefully put the line through the rod eyes. I usually mange to miss an eye or thread the line through the legs of a ring. I tied my top secret, super new rig. I call it the ‘No helicopter, no chod, no blow back and no lead’ rig.



I crept around the bank using the rushes and trees to keep me hidden. I found a carp in the margins and lowered the bait so that the line was hanging off a leaf.



The carp took the bait within seconds and tore off loads of line (thanks Nobby). After an arm wrestle with the Scottie I drew it over the net cord. I released it from the net. It weighed about 6lb, a good start.



I moved on and found another carp near some rushes. I threw in a few free offerings of mixer and then an underarm flick put the bait right over a rush. The bait plopped into the water and the line was hanging off a rush. Lovely. The fish took immediately it saw the bait. I raised the rod and the carp shot off towards the roots of a willow tree. I bent the Scottie’s butt and turned the fish before he snagged me.





Walked to the village and had a couple of pints, a nice afternoon :-)

Cracking photographs, Sir !!!

great pictures and write up well done

now thats what i call a wonderful day

Awesome, great bit of stalking. The photo of the fish breaking surface as it is being played is superb, I'd get it framed. I like your writing style, simple, to the point, a bit like Ernest Hemingway! I loved the bit about going to the pub, what a great day you had you jammy so and so.....

Lovely write up SofaSurfer.

Thanks guys, I had about 20 fish and got so tired I just had to pack up and go to the pub. They are starting to group in the margins for spawning. I landed one female about 5lb and a male fish about 3lb followed her into the landing net !
If its hot tomorrow they will start spawning, the water temperature is just right.

Lovely and great action shots

Fantastic in every respect.

Absolutely fantastic ,wow those shots of your cane rod in full bend mode . Takes me back to when I once owned a mk 4 . Regards . Woolly bear .