It seems you can't pick up a magazine or surf the forums at the moment without reading about yet another one of the big girls going up to the great pond in the sky.
This last year has seen a huge amount of big fish including some of the most well known carp in the country passing away.
The Yateley Complex in Hampshire has lost arguably it's most famous fish "Heather The Leather" not to mention more old warriors including "Pearly" & "Chunky".
I've enjoyed reading about these old characters for virtually all of my angling career and had hoped one day in the not too distant future to try and outwit one myself. Many of the country's best anglers have put their wits against these old beasts, most failed but a handful did succeed and I'm sure these legendary fish will mean all the more to them now than ever before: "Lost but never forgotten".
Another high profile water to lose some of it's bigger residents is the Bluebell lakes complex home of the now late "Benson". This fish more than often caused controversy when you mentioned its name but when regularly topping the scales to 60 lb+ you couldn't help but look on in awe at this huge framed big common.
Even after its passing "Benson" was still causing controversy, this time surrounding the cause of its death, alot of people blamed poorly prepared baits, I however have my own opinions...but I will keep them to myself.
It's not just the high profile waters that have lost their bigger residents, I have been hearing of a few syndicates in Colne Valley that have lost fish well in excess of 40 lb+.
Obviously at this time of the year spawning has a huge impact on carp and sometimes it can be the case that these older fish can't cope with the ritual anymore and the stress associated with it, what it does mean is that when we do catch them at this stressful time of year we must take every precaution to ensure the well being of the fish we love so much.
After all, this last year has proved the dreams we have long read about will not be around forever.
Moving on, I've got a chance to do a few hours floater fishing tomorrow so hopefully I will be able to repeat my success from last week, here's hoping!
The "Islands" big girl "Single Scale" hasn't graced the bank in quite a while and many believe it is just a matter of time before she slips up, I'm not sure if she has ever been out witted on a floater but there's always a first I suppose!
After being lucky enough last year to fish 4 - 5 nights a week, I'm now finding it very difficult to even fit in a night a week so I think there will be a few more of these short sessions, I've certainly got to make the most of the little time I have.
Hopefully I will report back with some news,
Until next time,
Smithy