37lb = 37 Minutes?
Posted: 19th Sep 2012
It's half way through week 24 and the fish are now having a feed-up for the autumnal change. 24 fish landed so far and hardly any losses which is good to see, and all 3 lads have caught good fish. Mr Grants Group came here 2 seasons ago so they were very surprised how much the lake had matured and settled down after the major lake bed work that took place in the winter/ spring of 2009/2010, and I have to agree that the lakes have never looked so good!!
All the fish are still fighting like absolute tigers and showing full vitality and health which is always reassuring for a fishery owner. I watched Andy play a 39lb mirror down in peg 5 for a good 15-20 minutes on Monday evening, the fish was in no more than 2.5 feet of water but the frightening thing was the sheer power of this fish as it tore line off a locked up clutch and just kept going & going, with Andy holding onto the rod on every run like a kid holding a chocolate bar. This scenario was repeated with George in Peg 3 having the most epic fight of his angling career with a pumped up 37lb+ mirror taking over 35 minutes to land, quality. Same again, I think he needed a good cup of tea after doing battle with it followed by another 37lb+ and a 32lb that night.
The better fish are coming to Clives rods down in peg 1, is it the swim? or has he been touched by the hand of God? I will let the other 2 answer that, but make no mistake, this lads water craft is exceptional, and he has already had 3 fish on the bank which I have not seen for most of the season, and a 41lb that I have not seen on the bank for 2 seasons. He has had a brace of 45lb mirrors followed by the 41lb. Most of the other fish are 30lb+ with a good % being upper 30's.
The crazy thing is the lads want to catch a Grassie and have not picked one up yet!!! Sod's law Hey.
The wildlife front is also slowing down with most of the birds already fledging for Africa. The swallows are still hanging around and the odd Raptor is seen circling the lakes way up high in the clear blue sky. Honey buzzard, Hobby, Tawny Owl and Barn are still to be seen but the Osprey & Booted Eagle are long gone now, but the Great White Egret and Night Heron can be seen working both lakes most evenings, it makes you glad to be alive!!!
Over & Out
Team Sanctuary