The Sun Fades Away
Posted: 20th Oct 2013
The weather has been a massive stark contrast to the previous weeks weather, which was very mild and lots of fish showing and feeding. The week felt like winter with only the fog on the Sunday morning holding back our first frost.
Before I touch on the fishing this week I need to mention a Rig issue that took place a couple of weeks ago. Due to one thing or another I have not had chance to mention it but a fish was trailing a rig a couple of weeks ago that was caught with the rig in it's mouth. This is the first fish this season that has been "Trailing" but I do know of another fish that was catching anglers mainline with a trailing lead. The rig in question was a Helicopter Rig with a 3.5oz lead with a rubber bead top and bottom of the rotating swivel, the problem was the top bead stopping the hooklink from travelling up the tubing on the cast could not be moved by pulling with one hand and holding the lead firmly with the other. It's all common sense really that if a person can not pull the rubber bead off with force using two hands how the hell can a fish do so while dragging the whole set-up around the lake with its mouth? Yes it did cause damage which is so unnecessary with just a little thought and it's so avoidable. All our regulars know how we run the fishery, and the friendly relaxed environment has always been one of our attributes that makes us so unique, but please don't think I will allow abuse of our good nature, because you won't get back on the lake, Period. It's my job to know what the anglers are up to and there is more than one way to know if people are abiding by the rules other than me coming down and checking rigs in the dark, because that also does not make for a relaxed fishing week. Do I know the angler in question, of course, enough said!!!
Anyway back to fishing and the two new lads on last week had been around most of the main venues in France, they coun't catch a cold but plenty of laughs to be had (That's for Geriant and The Meat Monster, LOL) No joking aside the rain never stopped and it was a punishing week to be confronted with day and night of non-stop rain, soaking the lads from the moment they arrived. Being seasoned anglers they cracked on and only had postive words to say, and to get things rolling Steve in Peg 2 took the first fish of the week at 51lb 8oz (pictured) The rain was falling down in bucket loads so the lads were trying to photograph the fish while Ken was pulling a face like one of the local Farmers!!! Very few fish had shown most of the week until the sun made a half day apperance on the Thursday with fish all of a sudden popping up under all the far bank trees trying to get some sun on their backs. Ken moved from Peg 4 into 5 after hearing fish showing down in Peg 5, and he bagged a 44lb,37lb in 10 minutes of each other on the Thursday. One of the fish giving him one of the best fights he has had over the years. It's Funny because Steve said the same thing hooking a 41lb+ mirror on the Wednesday casting down into Peg 1 from 2, and he said there was no controlling that fish at all giving him a run of over 60 yards as it came powering back up the lake, flighting fit is what we want to see!!!
The week ended on only 9 fish which was a shame for the lads after the previous great weeks result, but a 51lb+ followed by 3 over 40lb+ upto 44lb. 2 x37lb+,1x 36lb+ & 2 x 20lb upto 26lb could not be sniffed at. Well done chaps for giving it 100% and a big thumbs up for Ken putting up with the abuse from Myself & Steve. He also lost a 40 quid bet for the largest fish and the largest Common with Steve not even making eye contact as he took it straight off him and into the back pocket (Harsh), I look forward to the revisit chaps. I think most of the fish came to a Fishmeal Boilie this week combined with a bright topper.
The two chaps on this week had a mother of all storms last night with heavy thunder, lightning and rain as a very warm southly wind has pushed up. The temps are back up to 18oc and it's set to be mild this week, if the rain holds off the lads could bag a few fish I hope. Fish could be seen showing this morning, so fingers crossed.
Back soon if I can get my digger off the lake bed of the 15 acre lake, if not it will be an expensive Island!!!
Team Sanctuary