Looking Back on 2010.......

Well here we are at the back end of December, Christmas is out of the way for another year and hopefully the next one will be alot more enjoyable than the one just gone and that isn't me being a scrooge, I will just be glad to see the back of this year!
I always see this as a time of reflection as well as looking forward to the year ahead.
This time last year I was chasing the "The Big Linear" and after a baiting campaign lasting the entire winter on two spots, I caught my target off one of them back in March.

My Target Fish "The Big linear"

I've gone on since then to bank some cracking fish but can't help feeling disappointed in my angling for the second part of the year. If I'm honest I believe I got stuck in the same old routine and didn't ring the changes when they were needed and I know this has cost me fish.
I'm pleased that I took the opportunity to hone a few of my skills that needed improvement, particularly floater fishing and after picking "Brownies" brain I soon added another weapon to my armoury which was proven when I landed "Snubnose" off the top from Island.

"Snubnose" off the Top

As I sit here writing this I'm feeling exactly the same as every other seasoned Carper in the Country, the lakes have been frozen for what seems like an eternity and I am literally chomping at the bit to get on the bank and back behind the rods, I love my winter carping.......and most of the time I get the bank all to myself, peace and solitude.....perfect!

Not another Carp Angler in Sight, although the lake froze overnight!

So my plans for next year? Although I can't say too much at this point as there are a few things in the pipeline, I am definitely going to try and outwit Herons largest resident "Rudder" as well as "Single Scale" from Island........I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that may just do the deed.
With regards to the "Beds Pit" I am thinking of calling it a day on there, if I am honest I think I am taking on a bit too much hoping to outwit one of it's unknown inhabitants as well as targeting the syndicate.

Returning my old friend "Dumpy"

A water like the "Beds Pit" needs 100% commitment and I just don't have the time currently. I am sad to leave it before I have even begun but I'll keep an eye on it and who knows what will happen in the future......
It's been terrible year for Carp Deaths, many of the country's most prized fish have gone to the great pond in the sky and although it hurts me to say it I can see a few more going early next year, this hard winter will certainly take its toll that's for sure.

One of the Greats gone to the Great Pond in the Sky

All in all I don't think its been a bad year in terms of my angling but I do think that I could have done alot better. Next year I intend on being alot more open minded about my tactics and making the changes as and when required and being alot more mobile, something that I was good at in the spring but as the season wore on I got lazy again but that is something that I shall remedy for good going forward.
At the moment, the thaw has begun, we have had heavy rain overnight and the current temperature is 6c and it's not forecast to drop below 2c for the next week, so maybe, just maybe........

Have a great new year and until next time,

Smithy

Blood, Sweat & Tears.......

My apologies for the delay in recent posts, it's been a slightly depressing week all round with one thing and another going on and I find the cold and snow seems to bring out the worst in people, so much for Christmas Spirit. I for one am certainly looking forward to closing the door on 2010 and am hoping for better times ahead in the New Year. On a brighter note I have something in my private life to look forward to but can't say more than that for now.
I left you last time as I was getting ready for my Birthday Social on the "Beds Pit" with Martin & Pete. I think it's safe to say a great night was had by all despite the lack of Carpy activity. Plenty of whisky was drunk and we sat up late into the night under the clear sky talking about the past and making plans for the future.
I awoke on the Friday morning and dragged myself from the warm confines of my bedchair to see how the other two had faired in the few hours since I last saw them, my head feeling slightly "muffled".

Behind the rods on the "Beds Pit"

And with no activity to speak of other than a good fish rolling over Pete's left hand rod in the early hours I started to pack up and get ready for a night on the Town for the joint birthday do [myself, Martin and Stepfather all sharing our birthday on the 10th which happened to fall on a Friday this year]
As I left I baited up a deep margin spot with a Kg or so of 5th Element, the spot looked perfect and I was sure if I kept a bit of grub going in there for the next few weeks and then having a dabble at the end of January I may just trick one of the witty old "Cyprinidae" that lurk in the pit's crystal clear deep water.
We had a great night out and a good curry to celebrate another year on the planet, not to mention plenty of the "hoppy" stuff!
I awoke feeling slightly worse for wear on the Saturday morning and I have to admit that it actually took me the next 48 hours to recover!  Must be getting old!
It was back to "Work" on the Monday, but after finishing each day I was calling into the syndicate praying for some change, but unfortunately there never was any and the lid is still intact and is getting thicker by the day.

So we get to yesterday......

I awoke strangely early and decided to get down the syndicate to assess the situation, on my arrival I was greeted by the same sorry sight as I have these last few weeks but the problem was alot more clear in the daylight hours in oppose to my nocturnal visits. There is no chance of the "Thaw" beginning until the end of January, that's for sure!

It was a depressing sight.....

I had a walk round and took a few pictures then got back in the van to warm up and then headed back up the 509 towards home to sulk. Whilst on my way home the sky got darker and the first few flakes of snow started to fall, by the time I pulled up on the drive it was a full on Blizzard!

I was meant to be going to my works do that evening, I didn't plan on going but was talked into it by work "mates". I got myself ready and waded through the snow towards my van all the while thinking that it was a pretty pointless attempt as I would never make it in the deteriorating weather conditions.
I did however make it to the venue, it took me 2 hours to do the usual 20 minute drive!
I was the first one there from the company and I thought I was late! I waited a further 2 hours for the rest of the company to arrive.
Now initially when everyone arrived it was great, everybody looked stunning and we had a quick chat and some banter before "attempting" to sit down.
Now I say it like that because when I did attempt to sit with my "friends", all I got from someone else on the table was "sorry that seat is taken", not wanting to cause a scene I just said "that's OK, I will go and sit on my own" and and went and sat with a couple of lads that I didn't really know that well. If I'm honest I knew they would have preferred it if I didn't sit with them, but they were nice enough about it and made me feel welcome.
I quickly ate my dinner, not wanting to overstay my welcome and then made a silent exit out of the door with a feel of rejection.
Lesson learnt though, and I certainly won't be attending another one.....wandering round like a spare part isn't really me.

So that brings us up to date........

I'm sat at the Laptop typing away, the boiler has broken, heavy snow outside and a sick 2 year old son - combined with last night's events it has been a "Wonderful" weekend. So presently it's just a case of thinking what to do next week, but for now I will attempt to get the van out and go down the lake (ice rink) to clear the away the cobwebs and have a good think.

So for now I wish you all a Wonderful Christmas and New Year and here's looking forward to getting the rods out once the ice has thawed......

Until next time,

Smithy

Premature Return To The Beds Pit.........

It's Saturday afternoon and I have just returned from yet another Saturday Shift at work. I called into the Syndicate on the way home hoping for the lake to miraculously be fishable, however I was sorely disappointed as a sheet of ice over an inch thick covers the whole expanse of water. Although it's now showing signs of being thinner in places I can see it being a while yet before I can grace it's banks.

Praying for Change......

It's been 4 weeks now since I've managed to get behind the rods and like every other Carp Angler in the country I have pulled the last few remaining hairs out of my head and worn a trench in the living room carpet as I pace up and down waiting for the thaw to begin.
However after a call to my mate "Pete" on Thursday, it appears all is not lost.......

Having mentioned about my dilemma and frustration Pete fully understood my needs to get out again, and being a seasoned Carper himself he is just as mad for it as I am.
It was whilst telling me about his recent Chubbing Session on the Ouse, when the Beds Pit was suddenly brought back into my head - "The Pit that never Freezes", how I had forgotten about it? I have no idea but foolishly I had.......a plan was soon hatched!

A Glorious Summers Morning on The Syndicate.....

Now the Beds Pit is a head banger at the best of times, hence why I pulled off for the winter but desperate times, desperate measures and all that! It does also have a track record of producing a few chunks in the colder months......
So the Plan is to head straight down to the Pit on Thursday Morning to do the night on its overgrown banks with Pete and hopefully Martin too, and with a bit of luck landing a unknown warrior on my 25th Birthday, but whatever happens I'm sure a good Birthday social will be had and I can be sure of a Bacon Roll with a candle in it on Friday Morning what ever happens!
So until then I shall bid you farewell and wish you the best of luck if you manage to find your own secret piece of wobbly water.....

Smithy