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Darrell Peck on the little things that make a difference, The Zig Master: Big-carp-catcher Jerry Hammond nails 'em in the upper layers. Bowler: Ip your chances of landing carp from snags. Win over £1,400 worth of tackle up for grabs. Plus top names including: Ian Stott, Mark Bartlett, Julian Cundiff, Iain Macmillan and Dave Magalhaes.
Citation preview
June 2013 | Issue 190 | £4.10
On sale May 22nd – June 19th 2013
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Martin Bowler on tackling snagsBoilie fi shing with Iain Macmillan48 hours’ free fi shing for everyoneEssential day ticket rigs revealed
craftycarper.co
craftycarper.coN
o.19
0 June 2
01
3G
et Crafty... GET
CATCH
ING
!
HIT THE SPOT EVERY CAST!Ian Stott on how to spod with pinpoint accuracy
DARRELL PECK ON THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
WIN!OVER £1,400 WORTH OF TACKLE UP FOR GRABS
The Zig Master!The Zig The Zig The Zig Why NOW is the time to fi sh up in the water, by big-fi sh expert Jerry Hammond
001_Cover_CC190.indd 1 10/05/2013 11:35
Crafty Carper /// Issue 190 /// June 2013 /// www.craftycarper.co
June 2013 | Issue 190 | £4.10
On sale May 22nd – June 19th 2013
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Martin Bowler on tackling snags
Boilie fi shing with Iain Macmillan
48 hours’ free fi shing for everyone
Essential day ticket rigs revealed
craftycarper.co
craftycarper.co
No.1
90
June 20
13
Get Crafty... G
ET CA
TCHIN
G!
HIT THE SPOT EVERY CAST!Ian Stott on how
to spod with pinpoint accuracy
DARRELL PECK ON THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
WIN!OVER £1,400 WORTH OF TACKLE UP FOR GRABS
The Zig Master!The Zig The Zig The Zig
Why NOW is the time to fi sh
up in the water, by big-fi sh
expert Jerry Hammond
001_Cover_CC190.indd 1
10/05/2013 11:35
What’s on this month’s cover...
6 Crafty Carper
82 The Finer PointsDarrell Peck
Darrell gives us the insight into the fi ner points
of his angling, his motto being, ‘It’s the small
things that make a big difference.’ Enough said!
CRAFTY COLUMNISTS
11 EditorialJames Turner
This month our esteemed editor
talks about the weather and how
the fi shing has picked up, and he
encourages you to get out there
and make the most of your time.
157 Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler
Julian Cundiff
Our Jules continues with his personal
carping, rocking, wrestling, and
the fact that he still manages
to hold down a full-time job.
OUT & ABOUT
13 The TravellerMark Bartlett
Bart heads to the Colne Valley to take
on the residents of Thorney Weir. Will
he manage to get amongst them?
86 TicketMasterWe profi le six of the
best venues from around the
country, including free fi shing at
two top day ticket venues.
92 Hot Holiday VenueWant to seek out carp on the
Continent? We take a look at a venue
that one of our team has already
encountered. Bring on Le Lac Caché.
INTERACTIVE
28 Crafty Catch ColumnChunks, lumps, units, lunkers,
whackers, kipperpotami – whatever
you call your captures, send the pic
to us, and you’re in with the chance
of a great Mainline Baits prize.
62 Competition – JRCIf you’re currently on the
lookout for a bivvy, we suggest
you take a look at this. We review
the TX2G Bivvy from JRC, as well
as giving away four of them.
71 The Question IsDo you have a burning
question you want answering
by our panel of experts?
145 Competition30Plus
We’re giving you the opportunity
to own a set of the new
30Plus Kodex luggage.
142 Subs OfferMarukyu
Fed up of going to the newsagents?
Let us deliver a copy of Crafty straight
to your door, and we’ll also give
you a load of Marukyu goodies.
Front cover: Jerry Hammond with a recent Zig-caught monster.
119 Keeping It TightIan Stott
Have you ever tried to fi sh all three rods
on the tightest spot possible? If so, you’ll
know it’s not easy. Stotty has done it for
years and has just about perfected it.
37 The Zig MasterJerry Hammond
Big-fi sh angler, and this month’s cover star
Jerry Hammond, takes us through an epic
month he’s experienced on the Zigs.
111 The Art Of Boilie FishingIain Macmillan
Ting Tong goes in-depth about all
things boilie-related. He loves fi shing
the boilie-only approach, so who
better to put you on the right track?
006-007_Conts_CC190.indd 1 10/05/2013 15:20
Crafty Carper 7
Contents /// June 2013
BEHIND THE SCENES AT CRAFTY CARPER
Highlights of the month…152 Inbox
Send us your letters, stories,
and pictures, and we’ll print the ones
we like. We’ve got news stories from
around the carping world, and Robbo
gives us his monthly thoughts.
FEATURES
19 Inside EdgeDave Magalhaes
If you want to target the margins
for some proper kippers, check out
the tips from Dave on page 19.
24 Rigs Under the SpotlightScott Day
Fox’s Scott Day gives the low-
down on how to set up an
in-line drop-off system.
33 The Great Crafty DebateIn the Great Debate this month,
our panel of knowledgeable carp
anglers air their views on whether
particles are for summer use only.
43 Crafty Carper Under-21s
Up-and-coming
young carp angler
Jack Hudson-
Edwards tells his
story this month,
and we touch
base with BYCAC
champion Josh Jones
for his monthly blog.
48 Angling Through The Seasons
Martin Bowler
Martin diarises another month of
his angling, and as ever, it really
will open your eyes to another
world. You’ll be glued to this one.
65 Hit ’N’ RunAndrew Endean
If you can only fi t in quick
overnighters between a hectic work
and family life, then this is the
place to go. Andrew does just the
same, and with great success.
77 Essential Day Ticket RigsMark Hogg
Northern lad Hoggy looks at
the three rigs he’d never be
without when day ticket carping.
Simplicity is the key, people.
96 BYCAC 2013With it being the 10th
anniversary of BYCAC this
year, we’re staying on
the nostalgic road, and
caught up with Jake
Taylor for a look at his
BYCAC experience.
126 Most Memorable
Richard Chapman
Derby-based carp angler Richard
relives the ups and downs of a
time spent on a local club water.
131 Choosing The Right RodDave Springall
It’s the old conundrum that many
anglers get stuck with – how to
choose the right rod for them.
138 Is Big Better?Rich Adams
There’s long been a debate about
whether big baits catch the
bigger fi sh, so we’ve asked Rich
Adams to give his opinion.
Lake Record For Issac
Team Crafty took to Merrington
recently for a practice
session before the next BCAC
appearance. Our Kris and partner
Craig Stannard were put to
shame by BYCAC 2012 runner-
up Isaac Johnson, who bagged
a new lake record at 30lb 4oz
– this kid knows how to angle!
Nige Off to Le Lac Caché
Carpworld assistant editor
Nigel has spent a week on Le
Lac Caché and has had a bit
of a result. After the shame
of Kris’s Ribière blank, Nige
restored the Angling Pubs
reputation with a stunning
50lb+ fi sh, catching the lake’s
second-biggest resident.
Comedy Tonight!
A few members of team Crafty
will be off to the Last Laugh
comedy club to see our Five-
Minute Interrogation star
Steve Shanyaski performing.
If you’ve not encountered Mr.
Shanyaski before, read his
interview on page 162 – trust
us, this dude is funny!
162 The Five-Minute Interrogation
Steve Shanyaski
Stand-up comedian Steve Shanyaski
is also a carp angler, and he takes
the hot seat this month. Get the
cotton ready because your sides will
defi nitely be split by the end of it.
CARP FOOD
55 Carp FoodWe’re back with another look
at some of the best bait products
around. Steve Broad looks at an old
favourite, Nash Scopex Squid, and
Joe Turnbull creates a food signal.
59 Carp Food SpecialSplashbaits: Factor VII
We take a look at the Factor VII
boilies from Splashbaits.
CARPERS’ KIT
99 Carpers’ KitA look at some of the new
tackle items hitting the shelves,
including a closer look at some quality
stalking gear from Prologic, and Team
Crafty reveal their indispensable
tackle items from the last month.
105 In FocusTrakker
We all know that the British weather
can throw in some rain at absolutely
any time, so we take a look at the
Downpour Jacket and Trousers and
the Aphex Jacket from Trakker.
106 In FocusFox International
We got a sneak peek at some of
the new Edges range from Fox
last month, and now here’s some
more – very impressive indeed.
149 Mega DealsFantastic offers from some of
the biggest and best retailers around.
48 Crafty Carper
MARTIN BOWLER | PART TWO: SPRING INTO SUMMERNow that spring is in full fl ow, it’s time to take a look at this beautiful season and see what it has to offer to our angling.
Carp fi shing affords many pleasures that cannot
merely be counted in pounds and ounces. Getting
close to nature is certainly one of these
and you will, if you keep your eyes open,
be afforded sights few birdwatchers
and walkers will ever see, because
if you stay in the same place for 24
or 48 hours, the natural world will
come to you. A kingfi sher sitting
on a rod with its azure blue jacket
illuminating even the dullest of days;
a robin keeping you company – even
being bold enough to enter the bivvy;
or, in my case, this spring an osprey
fi shing alongside me for 2 days. Having
migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter,
a pit stop was required in the south of England before
continuing on to the breeding grounds in Scotland. I was
certainly in the right place at the right time, watching it
hover over the lake, trying to get a fi x on a roach
whilst being mobbed by angry crows not
amused at having to share their air space.
Then, as the afternoon arrived and
the wind abated, it made its move,
wings folded, free-falling towards
a fl ank of silver scales. A spray of
water registered the impact and
momentarily it seemed stranded,
bobbing around on the surface, but its
majestic movement soon returned, and
with a beat of its wings it rose from the
lake, exposing talons full of roach sushi. Tea
had been served, to be devoured on top of a distant
treeline. A highlight indeed, alongside the carp caught.
Trouble in the sky as an osprey looked for
silver fi sh prey.
MAIN IMAGE The snags are simply a carp magnet.
048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 1 02/05/2013 14:19
Crafty Carper 49
“A SIMPLE APPROACHis always the name of the game for me, with
LOCATIONthe only thing thatREALLY CONCERNS MEwhen on the bank”
048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 2 02/05/2013 14:20
48 48 Crafty Carper
a robin keeping you company – even
being bold enough to enter the bivvy;
or, in my case, this spring an osprey
fi shing alongside me for 2 days. Having
migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter, migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter,
a pit stop was required in the south of England before a pit stop was required in the south of England before
Trouble in the sky as an osprey looked for
silver fi sh prey.
MAIN IMAGE MAIN IMAGE The snags are simply a carp magnet.simply a carp magnet.48
82
96
COMPETITION WINNERS
Trakker Competitionfrom Crafty Carper April issue 188The three winners each receive a Trakker Levelite Bed and Layers Sleeping Bag worth £440.00 each.
David Hawksworth, Richmond, Sheffi eld.
Terry Parsons, Cheam, Surrey.
Ian Johnstone, Bury, Lancs.
Taska Competitionfrom Crafty Carper March issue 187The ten winners each receive a Taska Baseline Terminal Tackle prize pack worth £60.25 each.
W. Hickson, Ashford, Kent.
Mr P. McDougall, Grimsby, North Lincs.
Eric Sprought, Dagenham, Essex.
Tony Morris, Luton, Beds.
Daryl Lucas, Bournemouth, Dorset.
Liam Benson, Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincs.
Christopher Cordingly, Coningsby, Lincs.
Alan Carruthers, Stanley, Co. Durham.
Rob Olford, Gillingham, Kent.
Robin Stow, Barrow-upon-Humber, North Lincs.
006-007_Conts_CC190.indd 2 10/05/2013 15:20
RIGSUNDER the SPOTLIGHT
Top carper and product development guru for Fox International, Scott Day, reveals how to construct the perfect in-line lead drop-off setup.
This month: In-Line Drop-Off Leads
24 Crafty Carper
ANGLER PROFILE
Scott Day
Age 36
HometownNorthwich
OccupationProduct development
UK PB55lb 12oz
Favourite venueRedesmere
RodsFox Horizon XTK
ReelsFox Stratos FS12000 Mag
AlarmsFox NTXr
BELOW Here are the components that Scott uses to construct his rig.
ABOVE Scott is a big fan of solid PVA bags, and often uses his in-line drop-off rig inside a Rapide bag.
Solid PVA bags play a large part
in my carp fi shing, hence why
I set about developing the
Rapide Load PVA System at the end
of 2011. When I stumbled across
that way of constructing a PVA bag,
it really was a eureka moment, and
one that has changed the way that I
fi sh with solid bags, as well as many
anglers across the globe. Like most
anglers who use solid PVA bags, I
prefer to use an in-line lead setup
and a lead of 3-4oz. The problem
with having a heavy lead on such a
short hooklink is that it can cause the
lead to work the hook free, and also
the lead can be a hindrance when
fi shing weedy or snaggy venues. I
therefore like to eject the lead on
the take; however, using the Fox
in-line leads with the soft rubber
inserts made creating an in-line
lead drop-off setup problematic, so
once again we set about designing
a product specifi cally for the job.
Leader
When using an in-line lead drop-off
setup, my preferred leader of choice is
the new Camo Leadcore in the Edges
range. I use the Dark Camo when
fi shing over dark lakebeds such as
silt and debris, and opt for the Light
Camo when fi shing over weed or
gravel. On venues where leadcore is
banned, my next choice is Submerge,
a lead-free leader, and if I’m tackling
a venue with a complete leader ban,
I use fl uorocarbon straight through,
naked-style. The beauty of leadcore
024-025_Rigs_CC190.indd 1 07/05/2013 16:14
“Over the course of the
rest of 2012 we decided to take our time and give the
system a thorough development
period”
Rigs Under the SpotlightScott Day
Crafty Carper 25
SET UP SCOTTY DAY’S IN-LINE LEAD DROP-OFF RIGIf you’re looking to dump the lead when using an in-line system, then these purpose-designed components make the process a doddle.
Cut 3-4ft of leadcore and slice an Edges Ring/Kwik Connector Swivel onto one end.
Next, thread one of the inserts from the Edges In-line Drop-off Kit onto the leader.
Take a Fox In-line Flat Pear Lead, remove the insert and cut off the thin tail.
1 2 3
Now place the thick grommet over the eye of the swivel on the leader, as shown here.
Place the grommet and swivel into the wider end of the in-line lead.
Run the leadcore leader around the outside of the lead and then place the insert into the top of the lead.
4 5 6
You can then slide one of the tail rubbers supplied in the kit over the insert, should you so wish.
Attach your chosen hooklink and the in-line drop-off setup is ready for action.
When the lead ejects you only lose the lead, and retain the other components.
7 8 9
LEFT A monster common banked
during the extensive fi eldtesting of the Edges
In-line Drop-Off Kit.
is that it’s incredibly
strong and abrasion-
resistant, is fairly
subtle (well this new
stuff is), and also
has great camoufl age
properties. It is
very easy to work
with and is something
in which I have total faith.
The Lead Itself
As previously mentioned, I tend to use
leads of 3-4oz when fi shing with a
solid PVA bag, and my preferred lead
is an In-line Flat Pear. These leads are
fantastic for solid bag work and due to
their shape they offer great resistance
for setting the hook, but because of
the soft rubber insert they have never
lent themselves to creating an in-line
lead drop-off. I have therefore had
always fi sh with the lead on the leader,
which at times has caused me problems
that I could have done without,
especially on very weedy venues.
development period (plus we had other
big projects on the go, such as the Supa
Brolly). We now have a fi nished product
that really does work a treat, and when
you look at the accompanying sequence
you will see just how easy it is to use.
When to Eject
You don’t always need to eject the
lead, so we have designed the
system so it can take more
pressure for the lead to
release. This is achieved by
simply placing a tail rubber
over the stem. If
Edges In-line Lead
Drop-off Kit
Way back at the
start of 2012, Fox’s
product development
director, Shaun
McSpadden, and I
started playing with
an idea to convert the Fox
in-line leads into something
that could be ejected on the take. In
the April of 2012 we were fortunate
to fi sh Rainbow Lake in France, which
has extreme snags. It was the perfect
venue for testing our new creation,
and we both managed to land 50 carp
between us, including 14x 40s, 13x
50s, two 60s, one 70-pounder and
two over 80lb (one each!). The system
worked a treat but a
few issues were
identifi ed in terms of
tolerance, etc., and so
over the course of the rest of
2012 we decided to take our
time and give it a thorough
you want to drop the lead immediately
on the bite then you would fi sh the
kit without the tail rubber – I do this
if fi shing with very short rigs under
4ins, and/or when fi shing amongst
weed and snags. However, if I am
fi shing with a longer rig without a
solid PVA bag, maybe a coated braid
and Snowman, then I would place
the tail rubber over the drop-off
stem. This means that the lead
will only eject when it comes
into contact with a snag, etc.,
or when more pressure
is applied. CC
024-025_Rigs_CC190.indd 2 07/05/2013 16:15
48 Crafty Carper
MARTIN BOWLER | PART TWO: SPRING INTO SUMMERNow that spring is in full fl ow, it’s time to take a look at this beautiful season and see what it has to offer to our angling.
Carp fi shing affords many pleasures that cannot
merely be counted in pounds and ounces. Getting
close to nature is certainly one of these
and you will, if you keep your eyes open,
be afforded sights few birdwatchers
and walkers will ever see, because
if you stay in the same place for 24
or 48 hours, the natural world will
come to you. A kingfi sher sitting
on a rod with its azure blue jacket
illuminating even the dullest of days;
a robin keeping you company – even
being bold enough to enter the bivvy;
or, in my case, this spring an osprey
fi shing alongside me for 2 days. Having
migrated from Africa where it had spent the winter,
a pit stop was required in the south of England before
continuing on to the breeding grounds in Scotland. I was
certainly in the right place at the right time, watching it
hover over the lake, trying to get a fi x on a roach
whilst being mobbed by angry crows not
amused at having to share their air space.
Then, as the afternoon arrived and
the wind abated, it made its move,
wings folded, free-falling towards
a fl ank of silver scales. A spray of
water registered the impact and
momentarily it seemed stranded,
bobbing around on the surface, but its
majestic movement soon returned, and
with a beat of its wings it rose from the
lake, exposing talons full of roach sushi. Tea
had been served, to be devoured on top of a distant
treeline. A highlight indeed, alongside the carp caught.
Trouble in the sky as an osprey looked for
silver fi sh prey.
MAIN IMAGE The snags are simply a carp magnet.
048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 1 02/05/2013 14:19
Crafty Carper 49
“A SIMPLE APPROACHis always the name of the game for me, with
LOCATIONthe only thing thatREALLY CONCERNS MEwhen on the bank”
048-052_Seasons_CC190.indd 2 02/05/2013 14:20
D A R R E L L P E C K
The Finer PointsDarrell Peck
82 Crafty Carper
This month Darrell takes a close look at some of the more technical points within his angling. We’re sure it will open your eyes to how the mind of this
carp-catching machine really works, as it’s the little things that make a big difference.
In this article I’m going to
go into detail about some
of the fi ner, more technical
points within my angling. I’ll
try to explain how and why I do
things the way that I do. Some
of this is my personal opinion,
and some of it is just stuff that
has served me well over the
years. What I’ll be trying to get
across is how I go about things,
so I can sit behind motionless
rods knowing for sure that I am
fi shing effectively, but most
of all, with total confi dence.
ANGLER PROFILE
Darrell Peck...........................Age 31...........................HometownChelmsford...........................OccupationAngling consultant...........................UK PB65lb 4oz...........................Favourite venueNorth Met Pit...........................RodsDF Infi nity 12ft 3.75lb...........................ReelsDaiwa QDX...........................AlarmsDelkim Tx-i
WATCH THE LEAD IN FLIGHTWe all know that a tangled rig is
counterproductive and should be avoided
at all costs. When thinking about rig construction,
it’s the anti-tangle properties that are my fi rst
consideration, quickly followed by the hooked-
to-landed ratio. This may sound obvious, but it
seems these days, some believe that a simple well-
constructed rig that never tangles isn’t enough to
outwit the wary modern-day carp. Well, trust me, the
carp don’t care if you’re using the latest wonder rig.
What matters most is that the carp can get at the bait
and the hook is able to catch hold within the mouth.
Even though I have extreme confi dence in the anti-
tangle properties of any of my chosen rigs, I still
watch the rig like a hawk during fl ight, just to be sure.
What I’m looking for is good separation between the
lead and the bait – a bait rotating on a fully extended
rig is generally not tangled. On the other hand, a bait
that is close to the lead can often be tangled and
would certainly warrant checking, for peace of mind.
Ever heard of the double plop? This is when you see
the separate splash of both the lead and bait. This
can’t be achieved in all situations, but when spotted
it gives me unrivalled confi dence. Look for it at short
to medium range, and especially with Zig Rigs.
082-084_Pecky_CC190.indd 1 10/05/2013 13:33
The Finer PointsDarrell Peck
Crafty Carper 83
MARK THE LINE AND USE THE LINE CLIPWhether I have just
fl icked out or I’ve marked up an area,
I always mark my line with soft pole
elastic. I do this next to the reel’s clip
or where I have trapped the line with
my fi ngers. This enables me to hit
the desired area time and time again
with the utmost accuracy by simply
recasting to a horizon marker. By
placing the line behind the clip at the
desired range, the distance I can cast is
predetermined. I make sure I anticipate
the impact and cushion the lead down,
which makes for a smooth cast. This
tactic can be super-useful when you’re
getting multiple bites or returning
to the same swim at a later date.
LOSE THE LEADI would never
advocate losing a lead
for the sake of it, but when I think
it’s benefi cial I do so. When fi shing
near snags or heavy weed, I very
lightly nick the tail rubber onto the
Hybrid Lead Clip. This setup has
always been very effective for me
in these situations and the lead is
always ejected when necessary.
The fi sh only has to shake its head
and the lead comes free. With
nothing to pull the fi sh down, they
often rise up in the water, helping
me to draw them over and away
from any subsurface obstacles.
WHIP LEVEL WITH THE HOOK’S POINTFor all my rigs and for
as long as I can remember, I have
always done this. I only really use
the Wide Gape and Choddy patterns,
which have a medium length shank.
I’ve found that when whipping level
with the point and with the top of
the bait brushing the bend, I don’t
suffer hookpulls, which for me is
very important. In my younger days,
I suffered a lot of losses when I
hadn’t whipped far enough down
and the bait then swung round
the shank. I don’t know why this
is, but I assume the bait somehow
impedes the hook, so I always make
sure the Hair exits the knot exactly
opposite the point after it’s been
tightened. This works for me on
basic Knotless Knot presentations,
using either braid or coated braid,
straight through with a soft Hair.
Mark the line.
BAIT TO HOOK SIZEI’ve found that
matching the hook
size to the bait size is key to a rig’s
mechanical efficiency, and also to
my hooked-to-landed ratio. I use
a Size 6 with 16-20mm baits and
Size 8 with 12-15mm baits. I vary
the hook pattern when fishing with
either a pop-up or bottom bait, but
the actual hook size is dictated by
the bait. When Zig fishing I use
a Size 10 or 12 Mixa hook with a
tiny piece of 8mm foam – it’s all
relevant and should
look like it works.
I vary the hook pattern when fi shing
with either a pop-up or bottom bait
I vary the hook pattern when fi shing
I vary the hook pattern when fi shing
pop-up or bottom bait
Match the hook and bait size.Whip level with the hookpoint.
Use your line clip.
082-084_Pecky_CC190.indd 2 10/05/2013 13:33
RICH CHAPMANWe’ve asked Derbyshire-based carp-chaser Richard Chapman what he recalls as being his most memorable. It’s one that will capture the imagination, as he seeks out a particular
fish from a local club water packed with original stock, many of them older than him.
Most MemorableRich Chapman
126 Crafty Carper
ANGLER PROFILE
Richard Chapman...........................Age 21...........................HometownBurton-on-Trent...........................OccupationSales Assistant(Mullarkeys Direct)...........................UK PB39lb...........................Favourite venueNeve Valley syndicate...........................RodsGreys Isofl ex 12ft 3lb...........................ReelsDaiwa Tournament ts5000t...........................AlarmsChub Neuron T5
126-128_MostMem_CC190.indd 1 29/04/2013 14:49
W henever anyone asks me
what my most memorable
capture is, I always struggle
to choose just one; some that stand
out are not really because of the fish,
but the strange situations that often
coincide with the capture. This one tops
the lot though, not only a mad little
lake, but a truly awesome fish to boot.
Going back a few years, I had just
passed my driving test and was looking
a little further afield for venues to
target with, hopefully, a few bigger
carp. Going on a tip-off from a mate,
I had purchased a cheap club ticket
with the intention of fishing a little-
known water with a low stock of some
really old fish. My ultimate target
was the Broken Linear, which, in the
past, had topped 40lb in weight,
although from what I could find out it
was normally around mid- to upper-
30s. Couple this with the fact that
it is jet-black and as old as the hills,
and it made it a truly worthwhile
adversary to pit my wits against.
The lake itself is not big, 3-4 acres
at most, and relatively shallow. The
gin-clear water allowed you to see
most of the lakebed, which was tinted
green with a carpet-like covering of
silkweed. Clear spots were non-existent
and the absence of carp sightings did
little to boost the confidence. The only
time you really got to see what you
were fishing for was when exploring
the marginal snags that provided
sanctuary for the wily residents.
You could get up close and personal
with the residents, but fishing for
them would be suicide in those
conditions. It would have to be a
case of waiting until they ventured
out into open water and setting
traps in preparation for their arrival.
The first year I had the ticket, I
Most MemorableRich Chapman
Crafty Carper 127
fished a couple of
nights with nothing to
show for my efforts.
One bank of the lake
has what can best be
described as wooden
huts, which are home
to a number of locals,
and let’s just say they
don’t mind a drink or two. One
night’s chances were cut short
when a couple of them, in a rather
intoxicated state, set sail in the club’s
boat. The end result
was a couple of wet
locals, a sunken boat,
and any chance of
catching well and
truly blown, so I
packed up in the
morning, feeling
rather dejected. On the following
session, as soon as I opened the car
door I could hear music blaring out
from across the lake. Undeterred, I
set up at the ‘quiet’ end of the lake,
hoping that the fish would have the
same idea, but by the early hours of
the morning it was clear they were
partying all night and I’d had enough – I
packed up and vowed never to return!
Time obviously numbed the memory,
and the next season I decided to go
back for round two. On my first session
I was lucky enough to turn up to see
a local angler landing a couple of fish
off the surface. They weren’t any of
the real biggies, but whilst taking
the pictures I couldn’t help but notice
how dark and stunning they were. I
left him to it, congratulating him on a
fine piece of angling, and left to get
myself set up for the night ahead.
I fished close in for the night, but
once again I woke
up with no fish to
show for my efforts.
I had waded out
the baits so knew
that presentation
wasn’t a problem,
it was just a case
that the fish hadn’t paid me a visit.
I had a rethink on my tactics whilst
I was away from the lake, and decided
the only real option was the humble
Chod. This was before it had become
as widely used as it is today and I
don’t think anyone else was using
it on there at the time, so knowing
I could fish anywhere
where anything showed
LEFT PAGE First fish from the water and my target. Get in!!
ABOVE Although small, the water brought its own set of challenges.
RIGHT You could find them in the snags, but catching them was another question.
BELOW Leadcore was the choice, but I think lead-free Downfall made a massive difference.
BOTTOM To my knowledge, nobody else was using the Chod on this water.
“it’s slightly slower-sinking and more supple,
so you can balance out the pop-up and get it to sit on top of even
the fluffiest of weed”
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