It turned out to be the hottest weekend so far. Probably the year!! The fish had just finished spawning and were just sunbathing.
I fished a different swim to usual and frankly wasnt confident.
Anyway found my baited spots and all three rods out two on G-Nut one on crustaceans. Nothing took place all night. Hardly surprised really. Wound rods in leaving one out. Went wandering the margins where plenty of carp were just lazing about. I put two rods on zigs whilst i free lined crust to a couple just in reeds, i just had to fish for them.....
They showed no sign of taking anything wot so ever. They were happy however to have a few photos in naturel environment.
Second night was as the first night, not even a liner.
On the monday morning about 6am as i was just starting to pack up my left hand was off to a bait that had been out for nearly 20hrs. It was small but indeed a carp. Happiest days!!
I was even more pleased knowing that the faithful G-Nut was still releasing some sort of attracters after being in water for so long.
Well done celticbaits for yet again producing 1st class baits.

One of 2 carp on my preparation  for the opening night of the new season on black swan Dinton

  I had them all on celticbait 18mm ss boilies out of the margins on blow back rigs with an handfull of 10mm 14mm 18mm ss boilies over the top.      

WINTONS FRANCE TRIP

Just a short commentary on my recent trip to wintons France as promised.

I can paraphrase the first 5 days of this "camping holiday" as to say rain rain rain blank flood rain. lol.

After over a month’s rain had fallen in the Normandy valleys in a week the local waterways and lakes could not hold back the pressure anymore and fields flooded and in turn caused the neighbouring lakes to flood, and indeed our lake to flood to the sound of 9780000 gallons of water raising a 10.5 acre lake by 3 foot.

Anyways after i decided that something had to be done, after only 2 fish had come out of the complex, I decided to go for a little stalk with my partner in crime.

Only expecting to hook a cheeky double cruising about in the new marginal areas created by the flood waters we set off. Within minutes of placing a bait behind a tree that only 5 days before had been on the bank the rod hurled off with a nice fat 26-00 on it. The fight was hard and dogged but with a good rod and a tight clutch the fish was bagged and what a beauty with golden colours and a very traditional English carp look about it . This would save the holiday for me and I felt that anything else was a bonus. However after finding a faaaaar to tempting lil hole in a tree line I decided to push my luck and have another go on the same setup and in 3 feet of water. My luck was in and within moments and I mean moments the clutch screamed and the rod was heading toward the lake. I hit hard and gave the fish a gentle bit of persuasion and as soon as it had started it was over. As I lifted up the net I knew this was the biggest carp I had ever caught and after a tussle in the sling she tipped the scale at 37-4. As u can guess I was over the moon a few snaps and the greedy beast was slipped back. We gave it a rest and went back for tea with the promise to return early morning. The following morning we tip toed back to the same spot using the same techniques and just crossed fingers. We waited an age, about 5 minutes, and off the rod went again. I used the same hit and hold techniques and after a really angry and tense fight yet another 30 went over the cord. So in less than 24 hours and within maybe an hour of angling I had an upper 20 and 2X30’s now that wouldn’t seem a lot for France but with conditions as they were I think it was a battle well won. The bait of choice you may ask, being France you would expect a 20mm boilie and a crazy anchor sized hook however all fish fell to a 10mm air dried g-nut with a tiny 8 mm pop up. Just going to prove bigger is not always better lol. I have a few weeks of family business now and then its back on the syndicate to fight another battle with my target of hitting into one of the 3 30's. So tune in next time. TIGHT LINES

First fish from my new pool on a quick four hour session after work on a celticbait ss 18mm boilie on a blow back rig.

Bexleyheath Bus Garage Angling clubs first match of the year took place at
Newlands Hall Park Lake 18/04/2012 . Only eight anglers braved the pouring
rain and high winds . The fishing was poor but everyone caught some fish and
eventual winner was Gary Boswell who was the only angler to bag double
figures for the day with 21lb 2oz mainly carp caught on celticbaits g-nut .
Big thanks goes out to Brian of Celticbait who supplied Gary with a couple
of kilos of chopped baits in various flavours ! Gary with his first ever
match win followed up with a third place at Hartleylands Nicks Lake . this
time the weather had much improved and the winning weight was over 80lbs  .
Gary still adapting to match fishing managed 70lb 6oz again mainly carp .
Next match is at Claygate Lakes in Kent Lake Eva .

A nice little Dinton Mirror