Normally a Sunday would see me writing about my latest session on the bank, however because of various going ons in both my private life and work life that hasn't happened this week.
Because I'm on odd shifts at work for the next 5 days, today will see me sorting the gear out, preparing particles etc ready for the off straight from work at the slightly earlier time of 4pm on Friday.
I shall be flying down the M5 Clovelly bound ready to spend the weekend in the pub at various engagements and then on the Sunday shall be heading back up country to Oxfordshire to spend a few days chasing the "Big Girls" that lurk in the carpy waters.
The hemp is busy boiling away on the hob whilst I write this as I am preparing fresh batches of bait for the trip. I am always worried about particles going "off", I can't see it happening in this weather but being the over pre-cautious person that I am I have come up with a plan to keep them fresh whilst I am "busy" in Devon. The bait will be in the back of the van for two days before I even get to the lake, then will be on the bank for a further 3 days so I've decided to prepare the bait today and will keep it soaked in the hempy juices and put it into the freezer already bucketed. Then minutes before work on Friday will take it out and put it into the van with my theory being that the bait should be a solid block that will take at least 24 - 36 hours to thaw and still be cool, nice and fresh for my arrival in Oxfordshire.
I've taken no chances for this trip and have re-spooled my reels with the ever faithful krystonite. I absolutely love this line and to be honest I have no idea why I stopped using it at the end of last season, I'm guessing though as everybody who knows me personally will more than likely to tell you it's because I'm always looking for something better and a way to improve my presentation. Now I'm guessing a few of you are saying at this point "why use that? use ____?" Well I've tried them all and in my opinion this really does stand above the rest, it casts very well, sinks well although it states slow sinking..... it doesn't hang about and low visibility make it perfect for the angling situations I often find myself with anyway. I took all 3 reels up the "Beds Pit" last night and gave them a good chuck to bed the line in and it was fantastic, I'd forgotten just how good it really was and will be sticking with it from now on........and before you ask I have no ties with Krystonite whatsoever!
Boilie wise, I've just taken delivery of the usual FBI & Garlic aswell as some "Ninja" courtesy of Active Bait Solutions to keep them guessing, the very dark colour should give me a edge over the wariest of fish that inhabit the water and should also help combat any bird problems that I may encounter.
So for now I will sign off and continue getting myself sorted, hopefully next time I shall report back with news of a Oxfordshire lump!
Be lucky and enjoy the best time of the Carp Calender!
Smithy