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TheCarpCatcher
A Carp Anglers Year - Part one
It's late October 2019 as I sit by my local pond and start to recall my year's fishing. But it's not just about the last year, it's also about the last forty years that I have spent carp fishing. So as I look back over the last year I also recall those years back in the early 1980's when carp fever first took hold.
We star... read more
It's late October 2019 as I sit by my local pond and start to recall my year's fishing. But it's not just about the last year, it's also about the last forty years that I have spent carp fishing. So a... read more
It's late October 2019 as I sit by my local pond and start to recall my year's fishing. But it's not just about the last year, it's also abo... read more
A Carp Anglers Year - Be lucky
I'm always determined to get out fishing and seek out fun and adventure. This last summer often it's been with just my Richard Walker MKIV Carp rod and the minimum of kit.
When fishing like this you can really get about, each time you move brings fresh hope and anticipation. You have to concentrate too but sometimes even t... read more
I'm always determined to get out fishing and seek out fun and adventure. This last summer often it's been with just my Richard Walker MKIV Carp rod and the minimum of kit.
When fishing like this you ... read more
I'm always determined to get out fishing and seek out fun and adventure. This last summer often it's been with just my Richard Walker MKIV C... read more
Later in the day
I managed a couple of day sessions at Cawcutts this week in search of a bite but the most valuable thing was spotting the carp and working out what to do next. There is a patten and even though it's an obvious one I missed it up until now. Temperature at this time of year governs the way the carp behave more than anything e... read more
I managed a couple of day sessions at Cawcutts this week in search of a bite but the most valuable thing was spotting the carp and working out what to do next. There is a patten and even though it's a... read more
I managed a couple of day sessions at Cawcutts this week in search of a bite but the most valuable thing was spotting the carp and working o... read more
Extraordinary things
We can all agree that when we are out fishing we see some extraordinary things and this is one of them. No your eyes do not deceive you, that is a small Pike of about two pounds leaping out of the water to grab that Gull.
It was around 3:00 PM and the rain had been pouring down since lunch when I glanced to my right. Hangi... read more
We can all agree that when we are out fishing we see some extraordinary things and this is one of them. No your eyes do not deceive you, that is a small Pike of about two pounds leaping out of the wat... read more
We can all agree that when we are out fishing we see some extraordinary things and this is one of them. No your eyes do not deceive you, tha... read more
Just like last week
The week started off as usual on sunday night with me scanning the weather forecasts and satellite imagery. Because of the distance I need to cast and to prevent tangles I spent half an hour or so tying stiffish combi rigs. Eight inches of korda 20lb IQ, Size 8 Ultra sharp Gripper from Specialist sharpened hooks with a 45 d... read more
The week started off as usual on sunday night with me scanning the weather forecasts and satellite imagery. Because of the distance I need to cast and to prevent tangles I spent half an hour or so tyi... read more
The week started off as usual on sunday night with me scanning the weather forecasts and satellite imagery. Because of the distance I need t... read more
TheCarpCatcher Social 2019
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 ev... read more
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... read more
This year TheCarpCatcher social was held at Crystal lakes. A much smaller fishery than last year but with a much greater chance of anglers g... read more
The far end of the lake
The last couple of weeks have been tough on Cawcutts with few fish coming out and bites hard to come by. Last week because I was holding my social I only managed one short session so this week I decided to try and get down more.
On Monday at 10:00 AM the rota started and I was down looking around, there were fish in the ba... read more
The last couple of weeks have been tough on Cawcutts with few fish coming out and bites hard to come by. Last week because I was holding my social I only managed one short session so this week I decid... read more
The last couple of weeks have been tough on Cawcutts with few fish coming out and bites hard to come by. Last week because I was holding my ... read more
A solid wall of resistance
This week I decided to continue where I left off from last week, fishing to the first island over a decent bed of bait. The weather was less favourable, plenty of sun was forecast and the south-westerly winds that had prevailed all summer had been replaced by a north-westerly. Now generally when this occurs I get on the sou... read more
This week I decided to continue where I left off from last week, fishing to the first island over a decent bed of bait. The weather was less favourable, plenty of sun was forecast and the south-wester... read more
This week I decided to continue where I left off from last week, fishing to the first island over a decent bed of bait. The weather was less... read more
Woolpack lake 8 special
Two sessions in late august 2018 on the woolpacks lake 8, the first a day session and the second an overnighter.
The fishing had been going well of late but it's always nice to have a change and lake 8 always presents a good challenge with the chance of a few nice fish if you get it right.
The swim I choose was one I knew... read more
Two sessions in late august 2018 on the woolpacks lake 8, the first a day session and the second an overnighter.
The fishing had been going well of late but it's always nice to have a change and lake... read more
Two sessions in late august 2018 on the woolpacks lake 8, the first a day session and the second an overnighter.
The fishing had been going... read more
I could see it was a beast
Since the beginning of August when I first secured a ticket for Cawcutts lake I've been doing short targeted sessions three or four times a week. Some sessions were spent in just one area and others spent moving around, as much as anything it's a fast way to get to know a lake. Luckily for me I have managed to pick up a few... read more
Since the beginning of August when I first secured a ticket for Cawcutts lake I've been doing short targeted sessions three or four times a week. Some sessions were spent in just one area and others s... read more
Since the beginning of August when I first secured a ticket for Cawcutts lake I've been doing short targeted sessions three or four times a ... read more
It all means so much
I've come a long way from that freshface lad who set out to fish the river with his first proper fishing rod in 1968. The memories of getting up before dawn and sneaking down to the river, cycling through the silent village streets. The absolute magic of it all and the complete sense of freedom it gave me still lives with m... read more
I've come a long way from that freshface lad who set out to fish the river with his first proper fishing rod in 1968. The memories of getting up before dawn and sneaking down to the river, cycling thr... read more
I've come a long way from that freshface lad who set out to fish the river with his first proper fishing rod in 1968. The memories of gettin... read more
Golden Commons
In 1952 Richard Walker caught a record Carp from Redmire pool using a split cane rod he built himself, the MKIV.
This was the very first purpose built carp rod.
That same year he commissioned B. James & Son to build the rods for him.
Over the years the rod went through a few small changes until they ceased building them ... read more
In 1952 Richard Walker caught a record Carp from Redmire pool using a split cane rod he built himself, the MKIV.
This was the very first purpose built carp rod.
That same year he commissioned B. Jam... read more
In 1952 Richard Walker caught a record Carp from Redmire pool using a split cane rod he built himself, the MKIV.
This was the very first pu... read more
Built like Mike Tyson
I did four sessions this week on Cawcutts lake. Monday's 10:00 am start saw me walking around with the minimum of kit and a single rod for a few hours, more in the way of getting to know the place again than anything else.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays sessions were spent getting to know one particular swim where I had ... read more
I did four sessions this week on Cawcutts lake. Monday's 10:00 am start saw me walking around with the minimum of kit and a single rod for a few hours, more in the way of getting to know the place aga... read more
I did four sessions this week on Cawcutts lake. Monday's 10:00 am start saw me walking around with the minimum of kit and a single rod for a... read more
Cawcutts Lake pictures
It was first stocked with carp back in the late 1980's by the club that held the lease. Many of the fish died off but the ones that remained grew to good proportions reaching high twenties within ten years. Then in 2016 it was taken over by Embryo angling and restocked, three years later in 2019 I secured a ticket.... read more
It was first stocked with carp back in the late 1980's by the club that held the lease. Many of the fish died off but the ones that remained grew to good proportions reaching high twenties within ten ... read more
It was first stocked with carp back in the late 1980's by the club that held the lease. Many of the fish died off but the ones that remained... read more
First fish
It was 15 years ago when I last fished this lake and back then I also caught a 20lb+ common so I guess it's apt that my first fish on my return should also be another 20lb+ common.
Right now I'm fishing short day/stalking sessions before or after work which is enabling me to get around the lake and in just a few sessions I... read more
It was 15 years ago when I last fished this lake and back then I also caught a 20lb+ common so I guess it's apt that my first fish on my return should also be another 20lb+ common.
Right now I'm fish... read more
It was 15 years ago when I last fished this lake and back then I also caught a 20lb+ common so I guess it's apt that my first fish on my ret... read more