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

Well I've just returned from "Island" and had a very enjoyable session, a bit frustrating at times though I must admit!

I got down the lake at 4pm and was soon set up in the "Trees", I placed one of my baits by hand with a good scattering of hemp over the top, the other two were put on proven areas with the ever faithful "Ninja Rigs".

I was soon sat on the bedchair enjoying a coffee watching fish roll over my bait when Pete arrived and set up next door, a social was on the cards, and a huge Chinese delivered to the lake.....Perfect!

We sat up late into the night discussing anything and everything Carp related, before moving on and moaning about life in general.......the mood soon lifted though when the liners started and the fish started rolling in huge numbers over both of our swims, we both felt that it wasn't a matter of if but when we will get a take!

The liners continued all night, I didn't get any sleep at all and a few times I jumped out of the bag and straight onto the rods thinking it was going to rattle off!

Dawn soon arrived and we was treated to a stunning sunrise, a proper Carpy morning if ever I saw one.....the fish thought so too, the area I had baited with hemp resembled a Jacuzzi! There was fish everywhere, I scratched my head wondering why I hadn't had a take, I just couldn't understand it.

Pete lost a good fish in the weed at about 7:30am, I felt absolutely gutted for him......so much so that I got him to make me a Bacon roll!

At about mid morning I noticed a few fish starting to mooch about on the surface, I didn't have any floater gear with me at all so begged all the bits and bobs I needed of Pete, including 3mm floaters.

I managed to get the smaller carp feeding quite confidently close in, then typically just before I was about to introduce a hook bait the seagulls turned up and spooked them off whilst smashing the water to foam.

I spat my dummy out and just chucked the hook bait out somewhere into the lake, just after I heard a voice "you floater fishing bud?" it was Ian "dirtydog" Brown, "I'm trying, but I've had enough the bloody seagulls have ruined any chance I had" I said. Ian said "Come on we will get them going".

Ian pulled out a tub of what he referred to as his "magic mixers",they were about 8mm the same size I normally use (if I had brought them!), these were perfect as they could be catapulted further to where the bigger fish were showing just past the Island, Ian flicked single mixers out one by one for probably an hour, we both sat eyes fixed to the water, they were certainly getting a taste for them so I introduced a hook bait, seconds later I had a decent take but pulled out of it, 3 1/4 TC Torrix`s are really not built for floater fishing!

Ian started flicking baits out again then I introduced a hook bait it didn't take long for the bait to disappear as I struck there was a huge explosion as what was obviously one of the better fish tried heading to the nearest weed bed, I applied as much pressure as I dared but it was soon stuck solid in the middle of the lake at about this point Pete appeared he had watched the fish take from up a tree, I didn't even need to ask him.....he just said "I will go and get my waders!".

Me and Pete were soon wading out to the Island all the whilst Brownie was documenting the fight with my SLR, Once on the Island I managed to get the fish moving before it weeded itself up again this continued for a good 20 minutes....the Torrix was at full battle curve and I honestly thought I was going to lose it but inch by inch I managed to get it towards the bank before the fish and half a tonne of weed was expertly netted by Pete, we both knew at this point that it was "The Snub Nose Mirror" as Pete had caught it a few months ago, I actually photographed it for him and said I would love to catch it at the time, now it was my turn and I was chuffed to bits!

We both waded back to the bank, Pete kindly carried the fish as I was still sweating from the fight!

She behaved perfectly on the bank and we weighed her at 31.08, the photographs were soon done and she was returned to her watery home.

As soon as we had released her Pete's alarm went into melt down and he hooked into another powerful fish but again he lost it in the weed......I really felt gutted for him now, losing a fish is never nice but two on the bounce is awful!

We bid brownie farewell and both had a coffee before packing up, we had decided to go and have a look at another water close by.

In conclusion, it was a great 24 hours Carping with great company.....I just wish Pete could of been as happy as I was when we left, although the water we visited on the way home soon put a smile on his face! But I'm not going to say anymore than that.

And finally I just want to thank Brownie for giving me a kick up the bottom when I needed it and Pete for being an expert Gillie.

Until next time,

Smithy

Well normally I would be writing a brief article telling you about my planned session for the weekend, however since moving Jobs I will now be working every weekend.

Obviously this has its advantages like being able to fish when the lakes are at their quietest in the week but due to the split shifts I am working and with the late finishes an overnighter isn't always going to be possible......but a few sneaky stalking sessions will be on the cards I think, especially on the "Beds Pit".

I have managed to get Monday evening and all day Tuesday off so I plan to head straight to "Island" as soon as I finish work at 3pm on Monday, Ive got a few tricks up my sleeve that I hope will fool one of the venues bigger residents, if they work I will let you know what they are!

The venues big girl "Single Scale" is due out anytime, I wonder if I shall be one of the lucky ones that hold her up for the camera.......only time will tell, but I can dream!

You may of noticed that I have added "Chasing Myths TV" to this page, it currently has a video of Terry Hearn playing, however I shall be recording various videos on different subjects on a weekly basis so keep your eye out for those.

Well that's it for now, I apologise for this brief post but I really don't have much to write about at the moment, I will of course report back after my overnighter on Monday but until then I will leave you with this thought.......

Why do Carp Anglers bit*h more than women?

Take Care,

Smithy