This year TheCarpCatcher social was held at Crystal lakes. A much smaller fishery than last year but with a much greater chance of anglers getting runs and not so far for me to walk around! Increasing the social from 24 hours to 48 ensured everyone got settled in properly and there was time enough for me to get around to everyone as well.
Over 50 carp were caught between the seven of us fishing over the three days with the best just under 20lb. Mostly commons but a couple of the rarer old mirrors were also caught by the youngest in our group, Louis. Louis had never carp fished before and so had a steep learning curve, so to side step all that I gave him the basics and then kept him supplied with rigs, leads and leaders for the rest of the session.
Grant and his partner Michelle showed the way by catching 15 fish in total, Neal got off to a fine start and carried on catching throughout. Nick and Christian kept me in coffee (i had loaned my cooker to Louis). Rick started off slow but soon caught up by the end of the social.
The bar-b-q went well with plenty for all and the rain stayed away for it to, unlike last year! All too soon is was all over and we were all packing up and moving off home.
My thanks to all who managed to attend and my commiserations to the three lads from essex who broke down on the motorway on route and had to call to cancel.
Huge thanks to everyone who attended coming from afar as Devon and Scotland, it was a good three days and one that will stay fondly in the memory.