I arrived at "Island" a little after mid-day, I had already been informed that it was very busy before I arrived so wasn't to shocked to see every swim taken.

I had a walk round to Kev who was set up at the top of "Island" he told me that a couple of guys were packing up soon and it just so happened that they would be vacating from my no1 & no2 choice swims......I smiled slightly, things were not so bad then!

I had a quick word with the guys leaving and they were more than happy for me to get my gear round and start setting up as they were doing the off very soon.

I went and loaded the barrow then pushed it round to the "Trees" swim before nipping over to Tesco to get a few bottles of cold drink as it was now roasting!

It didn't take me long to get set up and all the rods were on spots that I was more than happy with, I put out a scattering of bait with the stick then sat back in the shade and awaited events.

Kev kindly treated to me to a fish and chips supper and as I sat there scoffing it a few very big fish started rolling over my bait and this continued late into the night.

I went to bed confident of a take at any time, so it was no surprise when I was awoke at 5am by some voracious liners, fully expecting a take I sat next to rods with my eyes fixed on the baited spots, after an hour the liners stopped so I reluctantly got back in the bag for another hours kip.

I was wide awake at 7am, coffee in the hand fully expecting a take but unfortunately it never came.

By 9am the sun was high in the sky and the temperature soared! It was about this time that I noticed a large group of fish close in to the left of the swim, after climbing a tree I could see they ranged from the stockies to 35 lb+, it didn't take me long to get a Zig on them and fortunately managed not to spook them.

Cutting a long story short I spent the rest of the day climbing up the tree watching them almost play with the zig, it has to be one of the most frustrating sessions I have ever had, although it did get my brain working and I've got a few ideas ready to try next time.

I packed up just after 5pm, if I'm honest as I was glad to get away!

I'm not sure when I will manage to get back down I am going to have to juggle a few things to do it but I'm hoping Sunday evening for a very quick overnighter, after that I think it will be full steam ahead on the "Beds Pit"..........

Until next time,

Smithy

Well I returned home last night from my session on "Island", but I've been for a mooch about the "Beds Pit" today, hence my slow entry......I've got to make the most of my free time whilst I have some!

I got down "Island" mid morning on Friday and had a quick walk round the lake before popping into Tones' swim for a coffee and a chat, whilst sitting with Tone we saw a few fish showing in front of the "Lawns" as well as the "Car Park", both swims are at the opposite ends of the lake.

Whilst watching I noticed the fish showing in front of the "Lawns" seemed much larger, so I thought sod it, that will do.

I quickly walked round to the van, loaded the barrow and had a slow jog round to the "Lawns" before someone else jumped in it.

It didn't take long before all the rods were positioned exactly where I wanted them, so I sat back and took in the atmosphere which soon turned to rain and ever strengthening SW winds, blowing straight down into the "Car Park"! Great!.

My phone rang, It was Tone "stand up and look down the 'Car Park' mate" he said, so I did and couldn't believe what I was seeing, they were literally throwing themselves out of the water in huge numbers and not just the little-uns!, I said to Tone "you move onto them mate" he said he was happy where he was and if I wanted to I should go for it, before he had finished speaking my barrow was loaded ready for the move! Just as I was about to push the barrow at a very fast pace round the lake, the sky suddenly turned black and the heavens opened! Just what I needed, I got round to the "Car Park" in double quick time and chucked the rods out with the baits still attached from the last swim before getting the oval up and seeking some cover!

As soon as the rigs touched the surface the shows seemed to almost stop, although the liners continued.

It didn't take long for the sky to clear and we were greeted by a lovely evening, I took this opportunity to sort the rods out properly.

Russ soon arrived and set up in the social swim next door, we talked late into the night talking about all things "Carpy" before retiring to the bedchairs at about 1am.

I was awake a little after 6am with a coffee in my hand scanning the water when my middle rod melted off, I lifted into what felt like a good fish, it was kiting from left to right at quite a pace then all of the sudden the hook pulled, I was gutted......the air was blue lets put it that way!.

I repositioned the rod and a few hours later I landed a stockie and shortly after that another which was a scrapper double, not exactly what I was after in terms of size, but they looked immaculate and will be stunning in a few years when they are 30 lb+.

The rest of the session passed with nothing to note and I left at 7pm to get home and spend the rest of the weekend with my wife and son.

I shall be back down to Island tomorrow for the night hoping to try and get amongst the big-uns this time, so I had better sign off and get the gear ready!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and I hope to report back with some news Tuesday evening.

Take Care,

Smithy

Well Tomorrow night will see me on the bank with a good friend on a local water, its always nice to have a catch up and put the world to rights! We like a good moan!

And hopefully a few chunks will grace the net too!

I shall then be venturing over to the "Beds Pit" at some point for a quick overnighter, I'm not sure when yet I shall see how things pan out in the next few days.

I'm certainly looking forward to relaxing by the water, its been a really difficult few weeks but for some reason as soon as the baits are on the spots all life's problems seems to disappear, for the length of the session at least anyway.

The weather is looking much more carpy, I'm so glad the temperature has finally dropped and the bit of rain we have had with a nice low pressure has certainly been a vast improvement on recent conditions.

I'm going to have a sort out of the gear now and tie up a few rigs, but before I go I just wanted to mention that the Forum Sponsor "Active Bait Solutions" has just launched its brand new website and it is definitely worth a visit! www.activebaitsolutions.co.uk

Time to sign off now, enjoy your time on the bank if you are out and I hope to report back with some news.

Tight lines & One toners!

Smithy