This week saw me start on a new water, Embryo Anglings Big Broom lake midst the rolling hills of Bedfordshire. With 45 acres and 11 swims to fish from you have plenty of room and a lot of lake to fish. The swim i choose wasn't initially my first choice but i felt that with all the recent cold weather after spawning some of the carp would most likely be in the deeper water and that swayed my decision.
It took me two trips to do the one kilometer round trip to the swim with all the kit needed for a 72 hour session and by the time i had set up and cast out it was well past 3.00 PM some five hours after i had arrived. Problems started as soon as the first cast with a lead was made, the 10 year old shimano 10000 i was using seized up and wouldn't turn so i was already down to two rods.
This basically meant i had to put all my eggs in one basket, i had no third rod to fish an alternate area and this i think was crucial. After laying out a carpet of Crazy nut and putting both rods on it i settled back. I'd worked hard to try and find a cleanish area but it was impossible, the wind was hammering in and the kit i am currently using just isn't up to the job. I was fishing too far out and struggling in the north-westerly blowing straight at me.
By the second day things had improved, i'd got my rhythm back and was fishing well. The rigs were going out sweet and coming back good. The baiting was spot on and i felt that with the prevailing warm winds blowing at me, i was in with a chance.
On the third day it had become obvious that the fish were widely distributed around the lake and mostly in the shallower water still, or at least feeding there and i could see why, massive hatches going on all along the margins.
Fatigue, the very uncomfortable old bedchair i have and age took its toll on me, i stayed for the fourth day but should have gone home.
Forty-eight hours later and i'm just about recovered, have analysed my session and cannot wait to get back.
See you on the bank.