The day started like any other normal fishing day. Arrived at Cottington Lakes near Sandwich at 7am. Got the day ticket and off I went to my favourite Alder Lake.Only a couple of pegs were taken so which one should I choose?
Suddenly I noticed that peg 11 was empty. Peg 11, where the last couple of times I have been to the lakes I have seen the anglers catch fish!
With my heart in my mouth and a bound in my step, I dragged my trolley of gear ever closer. I was there, me on magic peg 11!
Next thing was to set up the gear, getting a line out as quickly as possible. I had been reading about catching carp on a method feeder, so I had purchased these and sat to consider just how they fitted. With that job done it was now time to concoct my fiendish method mix!
Armed with an old kitchen bowl, in went the base powder, followed by a tin of sweetcorn (not in the tin), a couple of handfuls of fish pellets and half a tub of chilli powder. With a dash of lake water added I was left with this sticky and rather pungent mix.
Now to catch fish!!
With two rods out, just sat for a few hours admiring the wonderful scenery. The baby geese I had seen just a few weeks ago were now almost as big as their parents.
The sun continued to shine and the day became hotter. More anglers arrived and set up but I had peg 11. Two anglers I suppose aged in their late twenties or early thirties set up a couple of pegs along from me. Up came the bivvies and all the other paraphanalia we are lead to believe you need to catch fish. Even a stove to cook and brew tea on! What ever happened to a flask and a pack up of sandwiches?
It was just before 1pm that it happened. I had just cast my line out and was adjusting my my carp alarm when the fish took the bait, Reg's own method mix and a coconut boilie. (coconut flavour not size).
Instinctively I struck. IT WAS ON, IT WAS ON!!
I suspect that as the take was so quickly after casting I must have landed the whole ball of method mix on the fish's head and in a dazed condition it took the boilie.
With the fish hooked, my next thought was, "Oh dear now what do I do?"
I could feel the power of the fish as it made for the bank to my left. I could not reel it in as it's power was so great. The two young anglers to my left saw me and one asked, "Are you in?" Bloody silly question I though as I am out for the day. Fisherman's hat Reg, he means,"Do you have a fish?"
"Yes", I replied, subconciously thinking that using too many words may in someway impair my bringing this beast in.
They both came over to view the spectacle. This was the first take of the day anywhere on the lake and it was MINE!
"Need a hand", one asked. "Yes please", I replied and he duly took station with the landing net whilst his mate positioned himself as a spectator.
My heart was thumping and the adrenaline rising, unlike the fish that just continued to dive with increasing power.
After what seemed like hours the fish came near the surface. It did not ascend sufficient to catch a glimpse but the water swirlled as it turned and dived again.
Eventually and with painstaiking caution I managed to get it to break the surface. At last a split second glimpse, long enough though for us to see that this was a good fish and for me to realise it would be the biggest I had ever caught. Suddenly I felt the pressure. What if I loose it? After all I had SEEN it now.
I continued to work the fish with an ever growing caution and confidence combined. It broke the surface so many times and then just disappeared down again. "Take your time, don't rush", my new friends said. At that point rush was not in my vocabulary. I was prepared to wait as long as it took to get the lake to give up my prize.
Finally, and for the umpteenth time I steered the head of the fish towards the mouth of the landing net. My assistant scooped it in. "You've done it fella, congratulations". They were both genuinely pleased for me and I was so grateful to them.
I held this magnificent fish and we put it in the sling to weigh it. Twelve and a half pounds of superbe mirror carp! Beats my best of eight and three quarters by a mile. (anything under ten pounds and the odd quarter is an essential inclusion").
Then I posed for the picture. Even now this creature from the deep was not going to give in easily and I could feel the power still in it as I wrestled with it for a photo. As I stretched it out I slipped my thumb in it's mouth, always guaranteed to calm the fish down. I could feel it nibbling my thumb as my wonderful carp lay still in my arms as I cradled with all the care and love usually reserved only for babies.
My fish was then lowered gently into the water and, after a minute or two, turned and swam back to the home I had lured it from for my pleasure.
My hands and body were shaking long after my carp went back. In fact I found catching it was quite an emotional experience. I don't think non fishing types can quite understand that feeling of joy and elation in landing such a beautiful creature.
After the excitement, we all settled down for the rest of the afternoon, back to staring at our silent alarms that only spoke out when we recast.
As I left at 8pm I said goodbye and thanks to my new friends, whose names I never even asked.
I walked along the bank, past all the anglers with their hundreds of pounds of gear, getting set for the night. "Hear you got the big one today". "Yes", I responded trying and failing to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Twelve and a half". The only other carp caught that day was ten and a half. Not only did I triumph over the fish, but I did it with my beginners kit.
Overall though, I am sure that catching my big fish was more down to luck than anything else.
When I arrived home I showed my very impressed wife the pictures, after which I pondered the day.
I had today the most wonderful experience. Joy and happiness as I had outsmarted a FISH!
In fact the basis of angling is to derive pleasure in outsmarting fish. I suppose that said true angling types must be outside the norm so I prescribe Reg's therapy. It involves sitting still for hours on end on a lake or riverbank for a fleeting moment of excitement. I can't wait for my next fishing trip. Come on let's get the rods and go. Non angling types need not apply.
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