2 July 2016 – Catch Report from: Alan & friends

A very good week’s fishing for this group of carp & cat veterans with 11 x 30’s banked to 38lbs 8oz

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of veteran carp & catfish anglers that have fished many different venues over the years. As ex-fishery officers and members of various Colne valley fishing clubs and associations, these guys take their carping very seriously! The lads got off to a good start and had six out by Monday including three low 30’s which was excellent. When I called in on Wednesday I was expecting the catch rate to have continued but they’d been smashed up a few times by our cats on standard carp gear. During cat season (June, Jul, August), you really need to gear up with 30lbs mainline for all rods if you want to have a chance at landing anything you hook. I know it may sound over the top to fish for carp with 30lbs mainline but trust me it’s not, not here at least.

After a slow start, Peter had a good session with four 30’s to 38lbs. Most takes came from the rock hard gravel bar that runs between the aerator and the island margin. Alan R. got off to a flyer but then the takes dried up. He really wanted a big catfish and did managed an 85lbs specimen but unfortunately it was fouled hooked. Alan M also had a slow start but finished well with 5 x 30’s. Like me these guys like to keep their carp fishing really simple: sharp hooks, basic rigs and good bait strategically applied are all you need to catch carp. All the carp came on straight forward, supple braided bottom bait rigs fished Beausoleil style. Bait wise the guys put their faith in our bait and by Wednesday supplies were getting low so I rolled them some more. Our carp are getting through an enormous quantity of bait right now and will basically eat whatever you give them which is great to see! It was really great to meet such a nice bunch of experienced carp anglers and to know that they appreciate what we do here.