tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10787464752672440232024-03-17T05:12:46.973-07:00Charlton Carper Paul WarrenCharlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-24564895481212761422024-03-05T01:47:00.000-08:002024-03-05T01:47:42.090-08:00The Carp Haven't Changed, The Marketing Has <p>Having taken a 5 year break away from the water, separating myself from the bullshit involved in carp fishing was such a refreshing feeling. This will be a theme that I'm going to continue to follow, I have zero interested in anything carp fishing related other than when I'm physically on the bank fishing myself. Having started angling in 1990 my frame of reference in regards to catching carp came from practical experiences which involved actually being by the water. You learn by doing, you don't learn fuck all reading forums and watching bullshit videos uploaded by tackle companies and self-appointed heroes. </p><p>The above statement might sound strange but let me explain, forums and videos on all subjects are full of people parroting and repeating what they've heard elsewhere. Original thought is a dying art, I look forward so much to the day that I can have a conversation with someone that actually has their own opinion and ideas as oppose to ones that have been implanted in their head by 'Team Korda" and all the other wankers that claim to be masters of the pastime. These people are salesman that fish and nearly everything they come out with is designed to remove your hard-earned cash from your ever decreasing wallet. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7d1SyBuXAQYddxh8nDpt00h9j-7hqyOkzmtdcVzDtlkImN0Lye_Gyr9kEXcqPApB9SrsSRHTsc9B3tn3ZD55i5fKtKYu_pmyp9vU0Vp9HcOT8KEDPe27AtVVdYIzKpRUYJeHtgdZzL1pvA5RHDzqQzKGZnkSCFIAPFLoy1j4qE3KrwE8FHKtrACg5bs/s480/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7d1SyBuXAQYddxh8nDpt00h9j-7hqyOkzmtdcVzDtlkImN0Lye_Gyr9kEXcqPApB9SrsSRHTsc9B3tn3ZD55i5fKtKYu_pmyp9vU0Vp9HcOT8KEDPe27AtVVdYIzKpRUYJeHtgdZzL1pvA5RHDzqQzKGZnkSCFIAPFLoy1j4qE3KrwE8FHKtrACg5bs/w225-h400/giphy.gif" width="225" /></a></div><p>Let us remember that marketing is perception control and over the last decade the 'marketing machine' within carp fishing has gone into overdrive, led by a bunch of clowns that started to fill the heads of the easily led with overcomplicated horse-shit that catches the angler more than it does the fish. Let us also remember that the carp haven't changed, it's the carp fishing industry that has, it's this that creates the illusion that the carp are the ones that have advanced beyond comprehension. Shortly before walking away from fishing I saw just how effective the marketing and mind control around carp fishing had become.</p><p>When the whole country was on Furlough/hush money, my new waters were overrun with guys all fishing exactly the same as each other. I'd sit there surrounded by leads and spods flying all over the place, everyone would turn up to their swims, cast a lead about looking for a "hard spot" and then proceed to spod kilos and kilos of bait over the apparent hard spot. The moment someone would vacate the swim the next guy would turn up and do exactly the same thing. It was a this point I decided I just couldn't be around such nonthinking bullshit so I walked away from my fishing until the cosmic indicated to me that it was time to start again. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfnm1_Qsinq3RvHqFa8gk2_Bm4fKBOTFeI3iozqqwrak-GMj_PawhPmLfSRzj3GtuNpFQvKpg92w1LvrSVh4NCrg7XFjWmJQG5WF-q3WbNfN4qt1P9ffeMQL-nvIBK8PYbKlq8oxG7Q-NfWZzDzqBCufjel4MDqmSXiJulFPRTpU3IiLrbo65eDyKwUQ/s4032/IMG_1293.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfnm1_Qsinq3RvHqFa8gk2_Bm4fKBOTFeI3iozqqwrak-GMj_PawhPmLfSRzj3GtuNpFQvKpg92w1LvrSVh4NCrg7XFjWmJQG5WF-q3WbNfN4qt1P9ffeMQL-nvIBK8PYbKlq8oxG7Q-NfWZzDzqBCufjel4MDqmSXiJulFPRTpU3IiLrbo65eDyKwUQ/w640-h480/IMG_1293.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It isn't by coincidence that everyone was fishing the same, it's because they're all consuming the same information which in turn controls their perceptions on how to catch carp. The same can be said for all these new rigs that are being pushed, there appears to be this belief that if you haven't got 72 pieces of end tackle incorporated into your rig then you ain't catching. Let us remember that the more you have on the end of your line, the more there is to go wrong. But the more you have on the end of your line, the more tackle firms make selling you shit you don't need. The simple rigs from the 80' and 90's are still going to catch you pretty much every carp that swims and I've proven this time and time again in this very blog. The carp haven't changed, they're still the same creatures that they've always been and the tried and tested methods will always work.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x3wlMgHQ6mV1_xxdrWfpw6hHgaYAEs1UNuEwyrOwIKyG8KAd6zAz6IBIhH20dgDgvPKlZMkYi8NQus5H2Qoh8CSIt4SKhxSIVXGp9Hgn54FQpFN1XfDdU7oCrE3OSw1G5JXJZdO0ho99gvXSpGZfQLr9jCjQB1ZG_SIOgIy15X7mhalZeUQFoFcJTZg/s1600/rig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x3wlMgHQ6mV1_xxdrWfpw6hHgaYAEs1UNuEwyrOwIKyG8KAd6zAz6IBIhH20dgDgvPKlZMkYi8NQus5H2Qoh8CSIt4SKhxSIVXGp9Hgn54FQpFN1XfDdU7oCrE3OSw1G5JXJZdO0ho99gvXSpGZfQLr9jCjQB1ZG_SIOgIy15X7mhalZeUQFoFcJTZg/w400-h235/rig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shocker Rig</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Their behaviour might change due to the pressure that they now receive, it's common sense that the more people fishing puts pressure on the fish and over time this can make them change their behaviour. But this is usually due to the amount of bait going in the waters, I believe if a lake limits the bait that's allowed to go in, then it doesn't matter how pressured the fish are. If they don't have an overabundant supply of bait being thrown in all the time it means you'd stand a far greater chance at catching them. It's anglers and their over-baiting that makes waters so much harder. BUT ... this isn't pointed out by all the companies out there because the more bait you chuck in the more money they're going to make. The same can be said for those who promote dropping the lead on every take, of course tackle firms and the sell out anglers that shill for them are going to be telling you to drop the lead because it's another constant revenue stream. <br /><p>Another observation I've seen in "modern carp fishing" is the focus on distance rather than the margins, the margins are the biggest feature on every lake. I grew up with a firm understanding of this, carp love the margins BUT .. it seems distance fishing is where it's at nowadays. <u>Why Is This?</u> because if you convince everyone they have to be fishing at 120 yards then you can sell them really expensive distance rods, spod rods, distance line and stupidly priced reels. Promoting fishing the margins or under the rods tips isn't going to benefit the leading manufactures because you don't need "specialised" tackle to fish this way. All in all there's a huge amount of horse shit in regards to how carp fishing is marketed in this day and age and those that have been at it along time can see it as clear as day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-puTlrZRoQD1dLxdVMQHK8P2jKmLzHhIJKm3Spfk7BOpzRof4lZ8r4nfsCoSJBrM9fdpFyQ19sXqCnSNlIA3zLJc4usqME-YYfxuZpi9U-7aZ5gAWUZg0uuDJhHN_2elhhH19j6J8LiNxJ6Cg_MGxIplF94o1D9DKWkNsCy4tYc9aayzy_38Fbcp0dW4/s1000/drop-off-main.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-puTlrZRoQD1dLxdVMQHK8P2jKmLzHhIJKm3Spfk7BOpzRof4lZ8r4nfsCoSJBrM9fdpFyQ19sXqCnSNlIA3zLJc4usqME-YYfxuZpi9U-7aZ5gAWUZg0uuDJhHN_2elhhH19j6J8LiNxJ6Cg_MGxIplF94o1D9DKWkNsCy4tYc9aayzy_38Fbcp0dW4/w400-h266/drop-off-main.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping The Lead Is Great For The Manufactures</td></tr></tbody></table><p>To sum up, carp fishing can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it and it can be as cheap or as expensive as well. It's important to understand that a lot of what you're told and sold is a load of bollocks and it's designed to make the leading manufactures as much money as possible. I actually find it's best to look back into carp fishing history to find inspiration as opposed to the "modern" way of doing things. Don't get me wrong, there's been some useful advancements and some of the latest tech products certainly help to make you fish more efficiently. Just don't believe everything you read and watch regarding how you "should" go about catching carp, let us remember that's there's many different ways to do this and it might just work in your favour to steer away from the popular approaches and try something completely different. </p></div>Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-52173968787722861002024-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:002024-02-28T06:10:22.227-08:00There's A Monster In The Water<p>I've taken 5 years out of fishing because I was both burnt out and jaded with the UK carp fishing world, I found myself hating being by the water, mainly due to other anglers that have no manners or consideration for others. It appears we're living in the age of the 'catch at any cost' twat that appears to be so fucking desperate to make a name for themselves they will do just about anything to put a fish on the bank. This whole attitude makes no sense to me at all, fishing is suppose to be a hobby not a career path. I decided to write this blog because the flame that got dampened by the stupidity is very much burning again, I've had a syndicate ticket for around 5 years now and it's time to start fishing the place. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlZDPLLWyGENviOOL7iSvkSaSZtVdCPR2o0h2dnKllDgjxILNqYgc5kp7tob7yJwc5fqnXoc-LrTLayViKzPhdXs__pa62_QiaZ9TiriVGr6A6V1_l0L6Q89Hm0MOpKzc8ME50C-wFEpaonci8fedmBeKQREShwPmgGAVgq_9SeMes0IKMD7YPBiJ-qQ/s4896/P1030783.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="4896" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlZDPLLWyGENviOOL7iSvkSaSZtVdCPR2o0h2dnKllDgjxILNqYgc5kp7tob7yJwc5fqnXoc-LrTLayViKzPhdXs__pa62_QiaZ9TiriVGr6A6V1_l0L6Q89Hm0MOpKzc8ME50C-wFEpaonci8fedmBeKQREShwPmgGAVgq_9SeMes0IKMD7YPBiJ-qQ/w640-h360/P1030783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>I have 7 years of blogs to write with loads of good fish caught .. BUT.. I won't be writing them all up, I'll pick a few standout sessions. So much time has gone by, even with the notes I've made, I genuinely can't remember most of my trips, so instead of writing half-arsed accounts I'd rather document the sessions I can remember. Stepping away from fishing is something I've done a number of times in my life but I've always come back to it. This time around I've feel I'm on the right waters, they're near deserted during the week so I'll be able to do my own thing without being disturbed by some bucket hat wearing wanker asking me "what time I'm leaving?" so they can drop in behind me and parasite off my hard work.</p><p>The session I'm writing up took place back in 2019, I was spending a lot of time on the stock pond down in Hoo, it was a a very hot August and with the sun now lower in the cloudless sky, I loved spending my time down there. You are surrounded by flatlands so there's always a light breeze, the clarity of the world around you is magnified. Despite the size of the water I wouldn't call the stock pond "easy fishing", the fish are quite wise and you have to approach it correctly otherwise you're going to struggle. Personally for me, solid bags worked exceptionally well, you can use them to "bait and wait" or cast to showing fish. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCROabK1IMF0XUy2VbYDfDTz4WJoOND4E5OYsizgusAItZloMAePGzItoGUo4VDZFuYMrumjVKDiYc2B8MW0pHcRfAQK24Y7yU62lW4STZLrFYlAzcIH2NIi6_8APgmA04ftmtw5c6Big7kSuxDTzF7do2ZwwB5zJWtytpoV8X2E_v5FXr6nfMS2KGE/s1842/IMG_0030.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1842" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCROabK1IMF0XUy2VbYDfDTz4WJoOND4E5OYsizgusAItZloMAePGzItoGUo4VDZFuYMrumjVKDiYc2B8MW0pHcRfAQK24Y7yU62lW4STZLrFYlAzcIH2NIi6_8APgmA04ftmtw5c6Big7kSuxDTzF7do2ZwwB5zJWtytpoV8X2E_v5FXr6nfMS2KGE/w640-h444/IMG_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught On A Solid Bag Under The Rod Tips </td></tr></tbody></table><p>I've actually lost count of the amount of carp I've caught out of the stock pond by casting at a showing fish, you can be sitting there all day without a touch, then a fish jumps, you cast to it and a bite can occur very quickly. This is pretty much what happened to me on the day of this session. I set up face to the wind, when the wind is fresh the carp have a tendency to get on the front of it. In these conditions I literally fish a couple of rod lengths out, back-lead and sit further up the bank. I alway like to sit a fair distance behind my rods and stay low because I want to stay off the skyline and be as quiet as possible. "Quiet" is something that isn't practiced by many anglers nowadays, I believe any unnatural noise can put the carp on the defensive, especially on a lake the size and depth of the stock pond.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a90lIH8y7_ZU2tDddEMkusXpxIVDDqH55x7rWPFcZnFK9OyDeDVzsp2OGLqAsIfe4RKyuVyBhVIH7mdeX0umKWpgI-5CrpyTDUUP2VTtxmxKQq4oRjGytwxyybk0O3fQHVi0Zwt1wXEaC9eNQeNPGj1oA6Lw0_gwLmoj84UTTDmbHueXNPgI97fkmvU/s960/IMG_2948.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a90lIH8y7_ZU2tDddEMkusXpxIVDDqH55x7rWPFcZnFK9OyDeDVzsp2OGLqAsIfe4RKyuVyBhVIH7mdeX0umKWpgI-5CrpyTDUUP2VTtxmxKQq4oRjGytwxyybk0O3fQHVi0Zwt1wXEaC9eNQeNPGj1oA6Lw0_gwLmoj84UTTDmbHueXNPgI97fkmvU/w400-h300/IMG_2948.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My PVA Bag Mix</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Around this time I was using a very fruity mix in my solid bags, it was a mix pellets, crushed boilies and small 10 mm boilies. Before casting out I'd inject some liquid feed into the bag so there was a nice explosion of flavour as it melted. The approach of the day was simple, I was going to keep one bag on the same spot without moving it and then the second rod I'd roam around with the intent of casting it to showing fish. I remember on this specific day, the sun was beating down really hard, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The conditions were pretty much the worst they could be for carp fishing . . <i> but .. hey .. you've got to be in it to win it .... right??</i></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzqB7QYz04brAu_hmpcqc-cJuzOkzFV75aWtRntBdCBjzHRLm6OLmTpSJMOpPKhU7uMSFqk9rD_XSuFMcJF495yDEQNE2NOmduP5XYaaHN1eWT0szlnunuIqIFRQl2tl0BQO7QCQ4hHKqhLCwTt4UxrCr_pR2iDy75M_P_qGrybmhIh9Syii8R9n5wWI/s4032/IMG_0524.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzqB7QYz04brAu_hmpcqc-cJuzOkzFV75aWtRntBdCBjzHRLm6OLmTpSJMOpPKhU7uMSFqk9rD_XSuFMcJF495yDEQNE2NOmduP5XYaaHN1eWT0szlnunuIqIFRQl2tl0BQO7QCQ4hHKqhLCwTt4UxrCr_pR2iDy75M_P_qGrybmhIh9Syii8R9n5wWI/w640-h480/IMG_0524.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conditions Were Not Ideal</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The day started and progressed in a fashion that I expected, no signs of fish, no line bites, no nothing, this was pretty standard for the stock pond. I knew I was going to have to sit it out until I was given a clue, no clues came in the morning and to be honest if I hadn't have been watching the water closely I would've missed the only show that occurred all day. By chance I walked over to the really shallow bay that was a long to right of my swim and as I did I saw the remanence of a vortex with some bubbles coming up. The fish was literally in two and half foot of water, I couldn't actually see it but I thought it would be worth quietly dropping a bag down there. </p><p>I split my bite alarms, now fishing each rod on two sticks, both with a bite alarm on, I tied a new bag up, crawled along the grass to stay off the skyline, got my sticks set up and literally lowered the bag exactly where I saw the vortex a few minutes earlier. Feeling the bag down, it was literally 2ft, if that, I sat up back from the water positioned in between both my rods. If either went off I wasn't too far away, it had only been a few minutes and the rod in the bay gave a few bleeps and <i>"BANG"</i> the reel was screaming, the eruption that took place was like a mini Hiroshima.</p><p>I clambered down and grabbed the rod, leaning into the fish, it instantly felt rather large, after the initial bolt it started to plod, silt was being kicked up from the bottom. The bay went from lovely clear water to something that resembled a dark soup. After a few minutes the fish started to slow down, it was at this point I caught a glimpse of it and it looked big, its back was so wide and its depth was crazy. Teasing the fish into the net it hit me that I'd caught one of the 30's, the largest I'd had from the water in the past was 29IB. This was clearly a different fish, its proportions were rather ridiculous. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkLQ1fFUixOGlRJz7rM3iAePeCT1-555fS1M_vTjTvYic46DQ3LT-kr2bjK-8PJqnTqkP4KyaMmYwBvdd70oFsQ5InuNcs6bbItt6d-KrsmLtZwQksiT6Yr03ihZF7SBz_LiFlBqbQVlF2R-7mpcXlAogInRzbSpVBItoXvmx1w9lyfgE1w2GBLBus2Q/s4032/IMG_0532.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkLQ1fFUixOGlRJz7rM3iAePeCT1-555fS1M_vTjTvYic46DQ3LT-kr2bjK-8PJqnTqkP4KyaMmYwBvdd70oFsQ5InuNcs6bbItt6d-KrsmLtZwQksiT6Yr03ihZF7SBz_LiFlBqbQVlF2R-7mpcXlAogInRzbSpVBItoXvmx1w9lyfgE1w2GBLBus2Q/w480-h640/IMG_0532.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rather Large Back</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I gently unhooked it in the net and managed to get it into my sling, when I tried picking it up it became apparent instantly that this was a heavy carp. I zeroed the scales, hung them on my weighing tripod and, rather awkwardly hooked the sling on, the scales sunk to 34.5IB. The thing that I remember the most about catching this fish was the slight disbelief that a carp like this could be residing in such a small water. It really was a lovely carp, almost perfect without a mark on it, I got a few photos done, got my shoes and socks off and walked out into the water to let it swim off. It wasn't possible to release it without going out into the pond because the margins were too shallow. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN5NrHw_CLbrzUdmq3ptsmjjBmLkw_3UhQBFcnxQEkrhFv_6fa_0yKMdVhyphenhyphengSamTBYuroGDIpH5A9L2NRNoWMn8wLDEvMiEL4oI8orXSQOqVT_R8g3EaRwoCDaBWSo40cgm_SmrJAIC_102hjtvAzXKsDvq8r3FmDJzZ2UO6fy4ynf7ubKI5883z-idM/s1944/69296048_2415170281895708_1860269920672022528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1944" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN5NrHw_CLbrzUdmq3ptsmjjBmLkw_3UhQBFcnxQEkrhFv_6fa_0yKMdVhyphenhyphengSamTBYuroGDIpH5A9L2NRNoWMn8wLDEvMiEL4oI8orXSQOqVT_R8g3EaRwoCDaBWSo40cgm_SmrJAIC_102hjtvAzXKsDvq8r3FmDJzZ2UO6fy4ynf7ubKI5883z-idM/w640-h426/69296048_2415170281895708_1860269920672022528_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">34.5IB</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It goes without saying I was pleased with this capture, it's always nice to catch a big fish ... BUT the size of a carp isn't my motivation, it never has been. I was fishing the stock pond because I love how fresh it is when on its banks. Because the sea isn't too far away you can smell the ocean when you're fishing, It has the bluest of skies and when the sunsets, if there's no clouds, you can see the stars. That's why I was fishing this specific water, the size of the fish I caught was pure luck and basically a byproduct of me enjoying my time on the banks of the stock pond.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG8m6o7xsRMTxRv1d4X1qARdsEsKOxcQU1-Mx1H7LuAAtIWt6TeGiPZVV_NNcSDgtUyUTkJKRUaM6RGV2XsagIbl_SiAdwgLwJBrCJDQxk5OC3ZSJbRMaOUdEA1kvA8mGBQ7vVyfOnjOYCSSdxwTSaNla9sT1AM30fsy6ymIlJ8-LV_PFyY7TZiC3BOQ/s1920/P1030818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG8m6o7xsRMTxRv1d4X1qARdsEsKOxcQU1-Mx1H7LuAAtIWt6TeGiPZVV_NNcSDgtUyUTkJKRUaM6RGV2XsagIbl_SiAdwgLwJBrCJDQxk5OC3ZSJbRMaOUdEA1kvA8mGBQ7vVyfOnjOYCSSdxwTSaNla9sT1AM30fsy6ymIlJ8-LV_PFyY7TZiC3BOQ/w640-h360/P1030818.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace</td></tr></tbody></table>Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-19226851275866218092020-11-28T05:37:00.001-08:002022-11-30T06:32:43.078-08:00Braxted Reservoir 'As The Matrix Slips'<p><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="360" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JB_7EnzZ-cs/XzZhKZhWrkI/AAAAAAAAenQ/wobF9fMAR58ka7IRKOXi42GEsrCvyrKDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w704-h444/giphy.gif" width="704" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Through the years of writing my blogs I've </span><span style="font-family: courier;">occasionally touched on a subject that I call the "fabricated reality". This concept isn't some 'hoodoo' that I read about on a crazy fringe website or in a dodgy 'new age' book. This is a theory that came into my mind well over a decade ago, coincidently, it was whilst I was on the bank fishing. If I remember rightly the whole concept came to fruition whilst chasing secrets down on Micklem Mere, it was early morning, I'd managed to get my rods out just before the sun came up. It was poignant because I was the only one on the water and the nearest human was fields away. As I watched 'reality' unfold before my eyes I realised that, within that moment, there was no outside influence to distort my perception of the world around me. It was simply me witnessing everything in its purest form, it was an undiluted example of a beautiful world. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">In theory that's what existence should be, unfortunately it isn't, it never really has been and I fear it never will be for vast swaths of the worlds population. In my head the idea of a 'Matrix' came to mind long before the films were ever released. For the Matrix to exist you need to keep the mass of the population under hypnosis, there needs to be certain mechanisms in place to maintain the collective trance. Firstly you need <i>"repetition"</i>, for example, <i>"boring repetitive jobs", "advertisements", "marketing campaigns", "radio playlists", "habit forming activities", "meaningless labels" that create division, </i></span><span style="font-family: courier;">the list goes on. From the elements listed above, over time, </span><span style="font-family: courier;">behaviour modification takes place. It's actually this form of modification that we're seeing now with this 'pandemic'. I believe </span><span style="font-family: courier;">repetition</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> breaks down your resistance, it literally dumbs you down both physically and mentally, turning may into docile unquestioning shells.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">R</span><span style="font-family: courier;">unning seamlessly alongside this is </span><i style="font-family: courier;">"thought control", </i><span style="font-family: courier;">this is the most important link in the chain, and it comes in many forms,</span><i style="font-family: courier;"> predominantly </i><span style="font-family: courier;">through information received. This includes the media in all its guises and the related cooperations, TV, movies, celebrities, algorithms, advertisements, social media, think tanks, and let us not forget the Tavistock Institute of human relations. Literally everything that makes up the "modern age" is continually bombarding both our senses and consciousness to the point where we are being programmed without even realising it. Because this has been part and parcel of our everyday lives since birth, our conscious minds are unaware that it's even happening, however our unconscious minds are soaking up everything, the subconscious never sleeps. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Answer me this, through everything listed above how the hell can you experience any real undiluted reality?. How can you not be influenced by the bullshit around you when you're literally subjected to it every waking second, and more importantly how can you not be influenced and moulded by everything you're seeing and hearing ... <i>and feeling</i>. All of the above is what's driving the current hysteria we're witnessing, all of the above is what's making people blindly follow ludicrous rules and regulations that, with a little common sense and logical thinking, you'll begin to see the absurdity in it all. Since this <i>'pandemic'</i> came to fruition I feel the crack within the walls of the Matrix has become painfully obvious, if you aren't starting to see it for yourself then I suggest you look a little harder. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wylptAOWONw/XzZ49odiaNI/AAAAAAAAenc/zdt81UNakHg_PX0tURRJr7UD_PCV0LxjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s480/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wylptAOWONw/XzZ49odiaNI/AAAAAAAAenc/zdt81UNakHg_PX0tURRJr7UD_PCV0LxjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/giphy.gif" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I believe for everything I've mentioned to be solidified into place you need one last element, "distraction". If you can keep people distracted with the meaningless then you can keep them blind to any form of reality or truth. Too me this is the real virus, it's a virus of the <i>"collective mind", </i>distraction falls in line with thought control, it's the same elements that </span><span style="font-family: courier;">perpetuate it, celebrity obsession, social media, alcohol, drugs, pornography, platforms that enhance self-obsession, narcissism and self focus, and of course, the media. In my mind 'repetition', 'thought control' and 'distraction' are the three main elements that keep the worlds population trapped within the Matrix. To see through it you have to start using your own mind, collecting your own thoughts, feel confident in your own observations, and most important of all, question everything, especially when it's the MSM version of things you're continually being force fed. The puppeteers behind the media are the same entities that keep the whole system/prison in place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JVhnY1xjgM/X8DgmpRoA-I/AAAAAAAAexQ/1ci3k8vM4C8DAuNKoNjIb6O7kxyA7uLQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s545/6AF09C6A-7F85-4455-AF8E-B97974E92E6B_Fotor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="545" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JVhnY1xjgM/X8DgmpRoA-I/AAAAAAAAexQ/1ci3k8vM4C8DAuNKoNjIb6O7kxyA7uLQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/6AF09C6A-7F85-4455-AF8E-B97974E92E6B_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I see the same patterns forming in modern day carp fishing, all these fashionable rigs, baits and items of tackle don't just happen. It's carefully designed marketing campaigns that are selling you the idea that a certain rig or bait will catch you more fish. Those with a modicum of sense will realise this is all just waffle, it's where you put your bait and rig that matters, not all the bells and whistles coming from the mags and DVD's. Through the years of writing my blogs I often get asked why I don't use <i>"modern"</i> rigs and my answer is simple. I see no benefit in changing from what I've been using for the past 30 years. Understanding the waters that you fish is one of the most important elements of carp fishing, for me everything else is simply a distraction.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So let us take a slight rest-bite from the madness and, 'through words', magically transport ourselves back to the Autumn of 2016 where I ventured up to Braxted reservoir for a day session. As I recall I was pretty <i>'down'</i> on the venue after my last trip, the small nondescript carp appeared to have taken over the place making it a shadow of its former self. The 'Res' use to be a venue that I got excited about, when I first joined Chelmsford, it was one of those places you could go to if you'd been struggling on other waters. It contained a fantastic head of 20's and you always knew you were going to have a productive day. Nowadays it's just not the same and over the past few years it has lost the appeal it once held for me. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">But not being one to shun a gut feeling I embraced the enthusiasm, threw everything in the van and headed up the A12 in the hope I could rekindle some of the lost magic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">My enthusiasm to get the rods out made the journey fly by and before I knew it I was pulling into an empty car park down by front lake. All I had to do now was take the torturous walk up to the <i>'res'. </i>Today I'd opted to use my little margin creeper rods, mini bait runners and my old TLB bite alarms. I was hoping without my normal<i> 12-footers </i>and stainless steel pod, it might just make the uphill journey that little bit easier. With a fast moving sky overhead and a slight bite in the wind, I clamboured up the muddy farm track. Finally reaching the top, I was met with a beautiful windswept landscape and best of all there wasn't a soul in sight. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">View From The Swim</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIHLcO7CJOw/X8EA13dQ9DI/AAAAAAAAexs/QBJKgH2ibJ0rQ86dkvRCHj_7JcipaJ_gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2432/P1000506%2Bcopy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="2432" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIHLcO7CJOw/X8EA13dQ9DI/AAAAAAAAexs/QBJKgH2ibJ0rQ86dkvRCHj_7JcipaJ_gwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h226/P1000506%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The wind was pushing nicely towards the dam wall, it made sense to fish on the front of it. It wasn't a particularly cold breeze and the carp do have a habit of getting on the front of the wind more times than not. Everything was going to be kept as simple as possible, I was going to fish </span><i style="font-family: courier;">small-ish </i><span style="font-family: courier;">PVA mesh bags with both crushed and full boilies in them. I was basically going to fish a mouthful at a time, hoping this might pick out the slightly better carp. I felt that if I started to pile the bait in the small carp would be on it in no time at all. Both rigs would be my usual 'semi-fixed' setups fished on 3oz leads - <i>"blowback"</i> style, my bait of choice was Tigernut & Maple. I wasn't going to be aiming for any particular spots, the rule of thumb would be one rod fished in the marginal areas and one chucked out into the open. I would only recast when and if I got a bite, there's a pretty heavy stock in the <i>res </i>and you can get bites from most places.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Mesh Bag Mouthfuls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9czgGiWFdMQ/X8EFlZlfXtI/AAAAAAAAex4/FHRCo3xFGMcVIp10gJI1nOYyBDqhUGGKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4896/P1000508%2Bcopy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9czgGiWFdMQ/X8EFlZlfXtI/AAAAAAAAex4/FHRCo3xFGMcVIp10gJI1nOYyBDqhUGGKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1000508%2Bcopy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Blow-Back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OU3zZgcpb8/X8EH--m24tI/AAAAAAAAeyE/nRUggS0PG_cUoYAY3yqEG221CSJRICvpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1000025_Fotor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OU3zZgcpb8/X8EH--m24tI/AAAAAAAAeyE/nRUggS0PG_cUoYAY3yqEG221CSJRICvpQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1000025_Fotor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So with both rods ready to go I deployed the 'mesh bag landmines' into the chaotic water before me, two very satisfying <i>'PLOPS' </i>occurred followed by the sweet <i>"DONK" </i>that indicates <i>'we're good to go</i>'. Having used 12ft rods for so long it felt a little strange dealing with my 8.5ft creepers but there was something endearing about them, matched up with my old skool TLB alarms and mini bait-runners, I was actually really looking forward to getting a bite. With the clouds racing overhead and the water fighting with itself in all directions, I took a much deserved seat under my brolly, taking refuge from the chaos. It was now the inevitable wait, I sensed I wouldn't have to wait too long though. I've fished the res in similar conditions to these many times before and it always manages to deliver a few fish. So, a few cups of coffee later and a hell of a lot of daydreaming, the conditions drastically changed for a moment or two, the clouds slowed down and started to disperse and the water became less confused looking. And, as if someone flicked a switch, within minutes, the clouds came back racing faster than before and with that, the water started to fight with itself again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">TLB's & Margin Creepers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ShTdafbq9Y/X8EaMbw809I/AAAAAAAAeyQ/KFLypteb1MYawhFUp5_DJ1T6bBbFIP1TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4896/P1000550.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ShTdafbq9Y/X8EaMbw809I/AAAAAAAAeyQ/KFLypteb1MYawhFUp5_DJ1T6bBbFIP1TwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/P1000550.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Because the res is up so high the weather tends to be a series of extremes, it's a sun trap in the summer and pretty dam unforgiving in the winter. Amid the juggling of conditions my righthand alarm started crackling and bleeping, shortly followed by a monstrous run. Grabbing the rod and leaning into the fish, the reel spun and I just let the carp race off. Every lunge and pull seemed magnified by the shortness of the rod, the fish was kiting all over the place, I could tell I wasn't hooked into one of the small ones, it felt pretty good. Slowly it started to tire and within the flat spots the carp was creating just under the surface I saw a large tail and a pretty decent set of shoulders. As it came in close I slid the net under a lovely looking common carp. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Beauty Of A Common</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBmMk_GsS00/X8EmmOIyhmI/AAAAAAAAeyc/Of8YYEFJYpYcP2BELAOD_YDEZmQCGpo0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/15138354_1165332676879481_3556968010603222711_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBmMk_GsS00/X8EmmOIyhmI/AAAAAAAAeyc/Of8YYEFJYpYcP2BELAOD_YDEZmQCGpo0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h432/15138354_1165332676879481_3556968010603222711_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This was such a clean fish and an utter pleasure to catch, this carp reminded me of <i>'the res of old' </i>where fish of this quality where in abundance. I slipped it home and fired the rod back out into the watery void, somewhere far below the bait landed and a <i>"DONK"</i> was felt. The rod was positioned carefully on the alarm, the bobbin was hung primed for another screaming bite. The day started to pass and I was in and out of minor hypnosis staring incessantly and both bobbins as they swung around in the wind. Occasionally one of them would slam against the bank stick, that sound was oddly satisfying. A couple of hours had past me by before the same rod shot off again, the bit was almost identical, the tip of the rod hooped round and my little bait-runner whizzed a like a pneumatic drill. I lifted the rod in my right hand and gently cupped the spool with my left, this felt like another good fish. The battle was pretty intense, I was fighting both the fish and the ridiculous wind smacking me straight in the face. Because the water level was so low I was standing where at least 5ft of water should be, as the wind blew, small waves were lapping on the tips of my boots. As the carp tired I eased another good looking common over the net. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A Lovely Mid Double</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLYol45vLlo/X8FI4l3plnI/AAAAAAAAeyo/H_sxi9AlO5UVLnC4NALt29V71W_1LdVFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/15156823_1165332693546146_2787589983127909051_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1000" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLYol45vLlo/X8FI4l3plnI/AAAAAAAAeyo/H_sxi9AlO5UVLnC4NALt29V71W_1LdVFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h460/15156823_1165332693546146_2787589983127909051_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This was another awesome looking carp, I took great pleasure in releasing it back into the chaotic water, paying close attention as it faded from view as it slowly swam away. No time was wasted, I put a fresh bait on, slipped the mesh bag onto the hook and launched it back out into the <i>'ball-park'</i> area I'd had the two fish from. My margin rod remained motionless, maybe the dropped water level had something to do with this. In theory I was actually setup where fish would usually be feeding. Thinking back I've actually caught carp from the spot that my rods were on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Low Water Level</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxZ8cM0VVa8/X8JEUrFfPFI/AAAAAAAAey0/__W-x8pz2hYjzi3CrF4Ye19FDtc_F4rGACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1000509_Fotor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxZ8cM0VVa8/X8JEUrFfPFI/AAAAAAAAey0/__W-x8pz2hYjzi3CrF4Ye19FDtc_F4rGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/P1000509_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: courier; text-align: left;">The afternoon started to close in, an hour or so past, the next rod to go was the one up the margin, this was a finicky take. The bobbin danced and then pulled up and slapped the blank. Picking the rod up, the carp had already shot right up the margin, as I applied the pressure it kited far out into the open water. It ran out of steam pretty quick and I soon found myself netting a spirited little common carp. This fish represented what you can expect from the res nowadays, the smaller fish have taken over, unfortunately CAA don't own the fish in any of the Braxted waters so they can't manage the stock in the same way they have on their other venues.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Common Number Three</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygKuF5Gwqzw/X8JIZJIJSVI/AAAAAAAAezA/2BFkD5GmCrckWaXEjFLZo_FJIt7naNwkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/15156961_1165332700212812_265241007067912263_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1000" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygKuF5Gwqzw/X8JIZJIJSVI/AAAAAAAAezA/2BFkD5GmCrckWaXEjFLZo_FJIt7naNwkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/15156961_1165332700212812_265241007067912263_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I put the fish straight back and got the rod back out, opting to fire it a little further towards the open water rather than the margin. The rest of the session was uneventful on the fish front but I always enjoy it when the light starts to fade. One of my favourite things about fishing this time of the year is when darkness falls. I like sitting under my shelter and watching the sunset, the only light that can be seen is from my stove if I use it or from my alarms if I get a liner or a run. I love the isolation of being alone on the water in the dark, there's no distractions, no outside influence it's just you and the surrounding planet, free from the Matrix, if only for a short time. I packed away about 7pm and made my way along the res, down the farm track and into the car park, I'd had a great day and my enthusiasm for <i>'the res' </i>had been rejuvenated slightly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Dark</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2ro_htaYs/X8JLk0TAniI/AAAAAAAAezM/oRBNmFMzzlskg4lDVRduhQYt8KExA7YJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4896/P1000555.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2ro_htaYs/X8JLk0TAniI/AAAAAAAAezM/oRBNmFMzzlskg4lDVRduhQYt8KExA7YJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/P1000555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><p></p></div></div>Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-29928714752495291382020-04-04T09:09:00.003-07:002020-04-18T09:31:03.630-07:00Starmer Baits '8 Years On'<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Those that have kept up with my blogs throughout the years will know that I don't follow fashions or trends, as an angler and as a human I do my own thing and I like to form my own opinions through my own experiences. Many will also know that I don't push or plug the products that I use, I don't really see the point, I might mention the bait in the context of the blogs but that's about it, constant plugging and promoting is one of the mind numbing aspects of modern carp fishing and I don't want anything that I do to fall into that category. We all have the right to make our own decisions on what we choose to use, if you have confidence in what you're using then you can apply the whole of your mind to the most important aspect in angling, locating the fish. It goes without saying that this blog is not a sales pitch it's simply a review and write up of all the new products that<i> Starmer Baits </i>have developed in the past 8 years since I've been using them. They've expanded as a business, now producing both wild bird food and aquatic feed but this blog is going to be about the <i>'fishing'</i> side of the company </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Going Strong Since 1976</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Things have moved forward quite a lot since my last bait blog, if you haven't read that one you can check it out here <a href="https://charltoncarper.blogspot.com/2012/05/starmer-baits-my-new-home.html" target="_blank">Starmer Baits Part 1</a>. We've seen a few baits disappear, not because they didn't catch fish, all the baits catch fish it's just the simple fact that some of the flavors sell more than others, so over time the poor sellers get phased out. The positive side to this is, with each bait that falls by the wayside another one is added to the range. One of the first new arrivals was a bait called <i>'TigerFish', </i>the signs were very strong early on that this was going to be a great seller because it caught from the off, new customers were genuinely getting in touch with their catch reports. I can vouch for its effectiveness because I've caught, and continue to catch a lot of fish on it, as do a few other guys I know that have been on it for a few seasons now. I'd like to emphasize that this isn't a <i>"wonder bait"</i>, there's no such thing, you still have to use watercraft and put the bait where the fish are. As we all know, you can't catch carp if they're not where you're putting your baits. I'm no bait scientist but the information I can give you is, it's rolled on a 60/40 birdseed and nut base mix and it has a hint of caramel to it, it's a great bait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tiger Fish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One of my favorite carp baits from the past was the Honey Nectar, this goes all the way back to the early 90's when Kevin Maddocks produced his own range of boilies. Honey Nectar was the bait I caught my first ever 20 on, all these years later I can still see that bite as clear as crystal in my mind. As time passed, many of the <i>'old skool' </i>flavors seemed to fall out of favor. When I was looking around for bait companies that still produced some of the classics, Starmer was the one that stuck out. You had your <i>'Strawberry'</i>, <i>'Peach'</i> and <i>'Pineapple'</i> but to my extreme joy they were the only ones producing the Honey Nectar. Throughout the past 8 years I used a serious amount of this bait to great effect. A couple of years back due to the <i>'Nectar'</i> part becoming hard to come by, it got phased out. A new boilie came along to take its place, thankfully still incorporating the vital <i>'Honey' </i>element.<i> </i>We now have the rather<i> 'sweetly'</i> titled 'Honey Nut'.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An Old Original Caught On The Honey Nut</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I jump to different baits like a madman, depending on the time of the year and what takes my specific fancy, but I decided to stick to the Honey Nut for a whole season. I had some awesome catches on it. It's very unique, again it's made on a 60/40 sweet birdseed base mix, to smell, it has the perfect balance between both the honey and the nut and it's a lovely <i>'unassuming'</i> washed out color, I've found it to be very versatile, having had good results on singles, stringers and large beds, even though I still miss the good old Honey Nectar, the Honey Nut is a great addition to Starmers back catalogue.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Honey Nut</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The next bait is literally <i>'hot off the press', it was </i>released last month<i>, </i>there was a fairly long period of both testing and tweaking to get it just right. It comes under the name 'Monster Peanut' and produced really well during the testing stage with carp caught both here and abroad to over 40IB. I was trialing it this winter and it produced some lovely fish for me. As I said before, you've got to put your bait in the right place to get the take, no bait magically makes fish appear in front of you. It's got a similar look to the 'TigerFish', it's rolled on a 60/40 sweet birdseed base mix and, to me, smells like peanut butter, it's a bloody lovely smelling boilie which I'm going to use a lot this coming season and beyond. If you want to offer the carp something completely different to the <i>'norm', </i>this might be the perfect bait to try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Monster Peanut</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to the final addition to the premium boilie range and another bait that I rate highly, Halibut & Tuna. It's made with a <i>fishmeal & betaine</i> base mix and it's black in color, it's very similar to the Coconut & Halibut that's now been moved over to the U.F.B range of boilies - <i>'I'll explain about the U.F.B shortly'. </i>Despite popular belief, combination fishmeal baits can be really effective all year round, I've caught carp on the Halibut & Tuna in the dead of winter on lakes with dark bottoms when, in theory, a bait like this isn't believed to be effective. Once again it's different to a lot of other baits on the market and worth a go if you want to offer the carp something different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That's pretty much covered the new additions to the premium range of baits, now we move on to one of the main developments that got me pretty dam excited when I first heard about it. A completely new range of boilies has been produced under the U.F.B banner, this stands for Ultimate Feed Boilie.<i> </i>These are a slightly cheaper range of bait but they're still high quality, when they first appeared I saw people slating them saying they must be full of cheap ingredients. I'd like to confirm that this is utter rubbish, no <i>"cheap"</i> ingredients are used in any of Starmers products, people are far too quick to judge. I have zero time for bait snobs and twats that slate companies they know very little about. The range may be missing the odd attractor that the premium boilies include, but they more than make up for it in other ways. You can literally customize these baits in any way you want. They've been specifically formulated to be used in conjunction with the glugs & new liquid feeds, they take on and soak up both these elements perfectly - <u><i>that's what they've been designed to do. </i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Candy Sweet Cream U.F.B Soaked In Honey Nut Liquid Feed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The U.F.B has a classic range of flavors <i>'listed below'</i>, most notably the return <i>'by popular demand'</i> of Garlic Mint. If you want a blank canvas to create your own unique boilie flavor you can buy the generic fishmeal & birdseed bait and use them to add your favored flavors to, between both the glugs, fish oils and the new liquid feeds, <i>which I'll write about shortly</i>, there are literally hundreds of combinations and options for you to experiment with. Two of the range that react very well to the odd 'tinkering' are both the Hempseed & the Bunspice. The possibilities are endless, don't be put off by the price, it's proper value for money and I've caught really well on the whole U.F.B range.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">U.F.B Flavors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Value For Money </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on, one slight grey area that suffered inconsistencies were the pop ups, this was a factor that everyone involved was aware of. If you're using cork balls/dust or other unnatural ingredients it's easy to get a really buoyant bait. However both Ian and Gareth at Starmer prioritize fish welfare above everything so the challenge was to produce a pop up that contained natural/safe ingredients. I'm happy to say that after a hell of a lot of trial and error, the old pop ups are a thing of the past. There is now a completely new 'buoyant' pop up that is not only safe for the fish, it breaks down after around 72 hours of being in the water, like all the bottom baits do. Last season I fished pop ups <i>'almost'</i> exclusively due to the weedy waters I was on. They performed perfectly, on the days where the baits had been out all day and a bite didn't come, upon reeling in they still remained buoyant. I'm personally really happy with this development, there's a huge amount of flavors to choose from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">New Revised Pop Ups</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Along side the development of the new pop ups a dedicated pop up base mix containing the exact ingredients has been put together that you can purchase and make your own at home. It comes in 4 different blends, Milk Protein, Fish-meal, Sweet Birdseed and Green Lipped Mussel. It has been designed so you can roll it on any rolling table, you can use any combination of flavor, color, additive etc. You simply roll the baits to your desired size, boil them for 2/3 minutes, leave them to dry or put them in the microwave and you're good to go. I'd like to stress the point that <u><b>you don't need to add extra eggs to this mix.</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pop Up Base Mix</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to another two great products, both 10mm and 6mm pop ups are now available, they come in a range of colors, both <i>'fluro'</i> and standard. Individually both these sized baits are extremely </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">buoyant, I was really surprised by this when I first used them. I find these great for solid bag fishing, you can create a 'mini snowman' presentation using both the 10mm & the 6mm combined. Not only that but they're perfect for topping off other baits, I personally think the 6mm range is a lovely touch. <i>You have to use your common sense when using a bait this small</i>, two tips I can give you to stop them splitting when threading, is to use the thinnest boilie needle you can get and always make sure the 'hair loop' is larger than usual. This will cure the problem of the bait 'splitting' on the knot of the hair loop <i>....... I hope that makes sense. </i>Both come in an array of different flavors ranging from</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> <i>tangerine & peach </i>to raspberry and krill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">10mm Mixed Pop Ups</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">6mm Mixed Pop Ups</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That pretty much covers all of the <i>'boilie bait'</i> developments, add that all to the existing lines and there's plenty to choose from and a lot of what is on offer is different to that of the mainstream companies. So I'd like to move on to one of the products that probably goes down as my current favorite, that's the liquid feeds. This was something that Starmer originally produced way back in the 90's a long time before most, but it never quite took off. Now with the popularity of spombing/spodding and zig fishing, liquids have had a huge upsurge in usage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Liquid Feed & Sloppy Zigs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The liquids come in a large variety of flavors ranging from Whisky, Indian Spice, Peanut and Pineapple, I've used these extensively and come to notice that as it enters the water it seems to both sink to the bottom and rise to the surface, creating an awesome slick. This is especially good for fishing slop over zigs, <i>'as you'll see in the image above'</i>. They're PVA friendly so you can inject them into solid bags, glug and soak your boilies, method mixes and pellets, a valid point to note is, they don't dissolve pellets they just make them a little softer. Along with all the above, as mentioned earlier they're perfect when combined with the U.F.B range, you can use a single flavor or add two or three together to create your own unique boilie flavor. All in all, they're a great product and I'm sure many out there will find them useful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Liquid Feeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to another giant step .... pellets, they've come on in leaps and bounds over the past couple of years, they're produced onsite and in-house by a <i>'mad scientist' </i>machine that both Ian and Gareth designed and built. Once again the use of pellets within carp fishing has surged due to the popularity of spodding. I love to use them in solid bags and <i>PVA sticks,</i> they come in 2mm and 5mm sizes and both low oil and high oil are available. Within the <i>'attractor'</i> pellet range you have flavors ranging from Coconut Cream, Hot Chilli Hemp and Tigernut & Maple. In the <i>'marine' </i>pellet range flavors range from Krill, Green Lipped Mussel and Tuna. You also have a <i>'mixed option'</i> this range contains a mix of flavors and sizes, one of my favorites from this is the black & white Coconut & Halibut pellet. Like all the other product lines there's lots to choose from, I've used all of the pellets off and on throughout my fishing and I find them effective and versatile.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Another unique edition to the pellet range is the <i>'pre-drilled' </i>halibut pellet<i>, </i>these
come in 22mm, 17mm and a monster 28mm. Ideal when fishing for catfish,
sturgeon and of course carp. These are a lovely product, super smelly
and really oily, being pre-drilled there's no problem when sliding them
onto the hair.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Coconut & Halibut</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That pretty much covers the new and latest products, when you put them alongside all the existing ranges you have a very large, comprehensive selection to choose from that pretty much covers any fishing situation. There's a few things I haven't written about but you can always check the website out. Like I stated at the start of this blog, I'm not trying to sell anything here, or trying to tell you that the bait is <i>"the best there is and you should get on it". </i>Baits are a very personal thing and you've got to use something that you feel confident in. In regards to the mainstream companies out there, I've never really been particularly interested in anything they've ever had to offer, not just in fishing, pretty much everything from music to books etc, I've always found myself steering more towards the independent or unknown. I've never really been interested in what anyone else is using or what apparently 'works' and what doesn't. Like I stated at the start of this blog, I'd rather form my own opinion based on my own experiences. If you fancy trying something different and a little <i>'off the radar' </i>then I can recommend Starmer as a good reliable <i>'port of call'. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://starmerltd.com/https://starmerltd.com" target="_blank">Click For Starmer Web Shop</a></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-63626341084987660802020-03-25T05:26:00.001-07:002020-05-08T11:28:55.905-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 14 <span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"It would appear that desperate times call for desperate measures and within these desperate times it seems that many people would rather step on your neck than hold their hand out to pull you through"</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><u><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Observations Of The Outside World </span></u></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">haven't written a blog for quite some time now, I've been preoccupied with life, work has been busy and I haven't really felt like communicating with the outside world at all. Not only that but <i>'via social media', </i>something I genuinely try to stay away from, the whole 'modern carp fishing' scene and the concept of social media as a whole has been grinding on me, so much so that I've decided to delete my twitter account, the jury is still open on the <i>'page'</i> I have on Facebook, not having an actual profile keeps me away from endless status updates, second to that, Instagram isn't so bad, I like the idea of sharing imagery. To me, it appears a vast majority of people out there are trying to be <i>"rock stars"</i>, <i>"angling gurus"</i> or <i>"social media sensations"</i>. Everyone's an artist, model, creative, dancer, writer, painter, sculpture, song writer and the most perplexing of all, a <i>"Mental Health Advocate"</i>. To me it all just comes across as an egotistical load of complete bollocks. Being so effected by mental health problems myself this </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"Mental Health Advocate"</i></span> term seems to be used by people that want to gain more followers because of <i>"their amazing contribution to mental health awareness"</i> which in reality usually ends up with them just continually updating everyone on how bad they feel all the time, thus creating a platform to get the attention they so obviously crave. This 'observation' might come across as harsh, but having suffered with severe mental health problems myself, and still do, it's a subject, I not only have a huge amount of experience with, but it's something I'm very sensitive about. I can assure you that when I was manic, psychotic, chronically depressed, delusional and suicidal, the last thing on my mind was updating my social media informing everyone of my condition. But alas ........ we now live in a very narcissistic and shallow world and people will do just about anything to get that dopamine hit they continually require. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Habitually Distracted</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The way I see it, this continuous obsession with followers, likes and retweets is contributing towards the erosion of rational thought. However hard I tried I found myself preoccupied with the meaningless, I needed that notification fix, it's like my consciousness was split into two halves, one half was in the real world, the other, tangled in a virtual universe that held no baring on reality. I found myself looking for validation off of a bunch of strangers I'd never even met.<i> HASH-TAGS </i>were becoming a new language, all my thoughts had to be edited down to fit into 280 characters or less, my phone became an interface to access a reality that held absolutely no weight in the material world. I personally think social media is a virus within itself, it's a new form of mental illness and since quitting, all of a sudden the <i>'white noise'</i> has fallen silent and I can, once again, think clearly, not be a victim of social engineering and not deprive myself of reality. Unplugging myself from <i>"the Interface" </i>is a beautiful feeling. These blogs will be my smoke signals to the outside world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the interface<br />
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a vast junkyard of wasted humans, <br />
forgotten geniuses eaten away <br />
by their own genius, <br />
derelict hosts once so nuanced <br />
prescribed an ‘overdose’<br />
I’m living a counterfeit life<br />
all seems real to an untrained eye,<br />
it’s the era of the ‘death of self’<br />
familiar imagery, thousands <br />
having mastered mimicry<br />
I haven’t heard one true voice<br />
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since we’ve wired ourselves <br />
into the interface<br />
we’re forced to participate,<br />
the mob can’t wait to retaliate <br />
to opposing views that challenge<br />
their delusion, I feel the confusion,<br />
it all seems such a waste,<br />
I’ve spent years trying to cut <br />
my connection to the interface,<br />
it’s malpractice, a database<br />
used to debase, a tool<br />
to develop our predecessor<br />
a freedom oppressor</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx699rHZWPM/XnoKjb018TI/AAAAAAAAeVo/n5q4Wkb8B6UlZZ80RzQ6MOtZ_0doL8MgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/https%2525253A%2525252F%2525252Fspecials-images.forbesimg.com%2525252Fdam%2525252Fimageserve%2525252F1096227330%2525252F960x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx699rHZWPM/XnoKjb018TI/AAAAAAAAeVo/n5q4Wkb8B6UlZZ80RzQ6MOtZ_0doL8MgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/https%2525253A%2525252F%2525252Fspecials-images.forbesimg.com%2525252Fdam%2525252Fimageserve%2525252F1096227330%2525252F960x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now I've finally decided to put <i>"finger to keyboard", as you all know, </i>I'm writing to you from a very different world, a somewhat uglier world than it was before, if that's possible. As you're aware, there is a virus, <i>'which I believe has been released on purpose' </i>that is <i>'apparently'</i> infecting thousands of people all over the planet. People are <i>'apparently'</i> dying <i>in numbers and with the help from the scaremongering media, ..... social media being the other main culprit yet again</i>, .... we are now witnessing hysteria at a level never witnessed before. I've always said that <i>"the true measure of the man is how he deals with a crisis"</i>, everyone can be a great thoughtful person when everything is going well. But when the shit hits the fan you tend to see people for what they really are. What I'm witnessing by the majority disgusts me beyond belief, the general public are like a pack of jackals scrambling over each other, tearing metaphorical flesh from the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">metaphorical bone as they strip the supermarket shelves and shops of anything and everything, caring, <i><u>not one jot</u></i> for those around them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Living in London you tend to see far more <i>'pond life'</i> than you do if you're living out of town in more rural areas. But right now, human behaviour in every town and city has shown me that disconnecting from the masses and the fucked up social conditions that molds everyone's thought's and personalities has been the right decision to make. It's proven that in a crisis the majority turn into savages who are only looking after number 1. I'm sure there are some considerate people out there but I'm yet to meet them. I have no desire to communicate with those that have no thought for anyone other than themselves. I have nothing in common with those that take the moral high ground only went it suits them, I like people to be real not fake or a different person depending on whatever situation they're currently in. So whilst mankind continues to demonstrate that the distance between the evolution of the amoeba and the human is a lot less developed than one might think, I'll continue to <i>'stay down amongst'</i> until this all blows over. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvYRlZ-9YiI/XnnouP5HB8I/AAAAAAAAeVI/e4Sv5_ki6YMOVVIEmQI9iGgMoUoDkHAQACEwYBhgL/s1600/quote-selfishness-is-the-greatest-curse-of-the-human-race-william-ewart-gladstone-232207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvYRlZ-9YiI/XnnouP5HB8I/AAAAAAAAeVI/e4Sv5_ki6YMOVVIEmQI9iGgMoUoDkHAQACEwYBhgL/s640/quote-selfishness-is-the-greatest-curse-of-the-human-race-william-ewart-gladstone-232207.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So moving on to more positive things,</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">over the winter I took a step back from fishing more than I'd done for a good few years, to be honest this worked in my favor. Not only did I enjoy my time on the bank more I also had some really productive sessions resulting in some really good fis<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">h</span>, most notably the awesome mirror below. I don't know exactly what the driving force was but everything just fell perfectly into place. All my casts seem to be spot on, all my freebies were hitting the target and all the carp appeared to be playing ball. Compared to recent years we've had a pretty mild winter so I'm sure that this played a big part, marry that with the waters I chose to fish, it's no real surprise the bites came along.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Cold Water Carp</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So let us take the final journey back to the last two sessions that I did in the bottle-neck swim, all my recent blogs from the <i>"Echoes From The Valley Series"</i> are focused around this specific area of the water. It was a swim I was determined to make work for me, it turned into a complete single minded obsession. Results started off slowly but with a little persistence it started to fall into place. If you missed the first blog in this specific installment you can read it here <a href="https://charltoncarper.blogspot.com/2019/05/burrows-echoes-from-valley-part-11.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">. This blog will be accounting for my last two short sessions before I moved on elsewhere. The reason the last two sessions ended up being relatively short was due to the fact that most of the bites I'd had ended up being between 3:30 & 4:30 in the afternoon. Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn and waiting all day for the bite, it made sense for me to turn up just before bite time and leave once the take had materialized. It became clear to me that the swim was a bite a day if you approached it correctly. I think my first session was an exception, two bites came because it was very clear that carp were feeding there in numbers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TnrOtgBNPI/XnslMFC7W-I/AAAAAAAAeV0/y4fficXu5Okbd2Wpd6hVzyKlKSoygVQiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1000447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TnrOtgBNPI/XnslMFC7W-I/AAAAAAAAeV0/y4fficXu5Okbd2Wpd6hVzyKlKSoygVQiACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/P1000447.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the day of my fist session I arrived at the water around 2:30 in the afternoon, the sun was shining, overhead the clouds were broken and there wasn't even a whisper of a breeze. The world seemed pretty dam perfect, fishing this area had now become second nature. I got my alarms and pod sorted, constructed the rods, rigged up and got both baits out with zero fuss. Today I'd decided on a bait change, I was using Tigernut & Maple, it's another bait I have a huge amount of confidence in. Just like all the sessions before, I baited relativity heavy over both rods, with the bait change came a rig change as well. Bottom baits had served me well but taking into consideration that both spots hold a lot of silt I decided to fish a pop up on a <i>'Withy pool rig'</i>, this would be fished on a helicopter system. The '<i>Withy</i>' is such an underused rig nowadays. To be fair I haven't used it a great deal in recent times, mainly because I'm fishing waters where I don't need to use pop ups, but it's definitely one of my favorite ways to present a popped up bait.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Withy</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2IYvguAqQA/XnspZdOSdJI/AAAAAAAAeWA/gD99YnrQFDojHVIN1PGoOYoUT9uVEu7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1040936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1563" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2IYvguAqQA/XnspZdOSdJI/AAAAAAAAeWA/gD99YnrQFDojHVIN1PGoOYoUT9uVEu7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1040936.jpg" width="312" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Anytime I'm using a Withy or something similar I always set it up so the bait sinks through the water nice and slow, this ensures that the rig will sit over any debris or silt that might be on the bottom. I create my own curves so I have them in a variety of heights and lengths, some are more aggressive than others, basically I make sure I've got options depending on where and what I'm fishing over. Once all the freebies were deposited there was nothing left to do other than wait for that bite to come. Once thing I love about this specific swim is the tree cover you have, it's the perfect place to sit in the shade, and as the wind blows, the leafy branches above gently sway and occasionally create an opening where the sun can fire through. Sitting there with the warmth of the sun on my face made me realize what a multifaceted pass time angling was, without sounding too obvious, it's not all about catching fish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It didn't take long for the time to pass and before I knew it 3:30 was upon me and the prospect of a bite was edging ever closer. The breeze started to pick up and just like clockwork, I started to get liners off of both rods, with some careful observation I could see evidence of feeding, mainly over my right hand spot. Just as 4:00 approached my right hand rod sprung into life ..... result, gently lifting into the fish, the rod arched round and the clutch whirled and ticked. This felt like a good one, I took it easy, there was no reason to panic, I let the fish lunge, pull and thrust, gently cushioning each blow. It really woke up under the rod tip and made ample use of the deep margins, as it began to tire I started to see a fleeting glimpse of a lovely looking common carp, it was deep bodied and almost perfect looking. A touch more patience saw it in the net, as I looked down at my prize, it was clear I'd caught another one of Burrows beauties. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Classic Common</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWDZ8VOsCMc/Xnsv_IhFC1I/AAAAAAAAeWM/8zsVxQUWCX8LWHx82dIdL3dZ5gcpIjUyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/14589742_1126708954075187_1394960366370840588_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" courier="" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="960" font-family:="" height="442" monospace="" new="" quot="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWDZ8VOsCMc/Xnsv_IhFC1I/AAAAAAAAeWM/8zsVxQUWCX8LWHx82dIdL3dZ5gcpIjUyACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/145897%0A%3Cspan%20style=" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My hunch about the bite time had been confirmed again, it appeared they definitely seemed to visit this spot to feed later on in the day. I believe the one main point that helped the area remain productive was the simple fact I'd be fishing it consistently over a period of time and a lot of bait had gone in. I didn't see the point in staying any longer, a second bite rarely comes, the plan was to come back the next day and pretty much replicate what I'd done today.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Back Tomorrow</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI_zD6k3UWA/Xns5QSlekcI/AAAAAAAAeWY/iv1liwoQt0IrjnhkWCmTXFCz7bR_xmY8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1000456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI_zD6k3UWA/Xns5QSlekcI/AAAAAAAAeWY/iv1liwoQt0IrjnhkWCmTXFCz7bR_xmY8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/P1000456.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After getting some odd jobs done in the morning I headed down to the water for about 2:30 again. The conditions were slightly different to the day before. There was more of a breeze on the water and it was way more overcast, it felt nice and fresh. I got both baits out straight away, placed the rods on the floor and then proceeded to set both my pod and alarms up. I reverted back to bottom baits on both rods, there was no real reason for this, I was baiting the swim with Tigernut & Maple but I was fishing Green Lipped Mussel on the hook with small mesh bags of crushed <i>GLM</i> and Bio CP2 Amino crumb. Again, there was no real reason for the hook bait change, I just fancied trying something different. There are times when I have a short attention span over a certain approach or bait, I have 100% confidence in all the different baits I use, hence why I do switch them around quite often.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4hJwGfTAAU/Xns8QqbpUkI/AAAAAAAAeWk/YflwbCJ_6VgJ1_dSwa_uXGEYy-mGBBKqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4hJwGfTAAU/Xns8QqbpUkI/AAAAAAAAeWk/YflwbCJ_6VgJ1_dSwa_uXGEYy-mGBBKqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/swim.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">GLM Hook Bait & A Crumb Mesh Bag </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWEoO-rnMnE/Xns9epofkvI/AAAAAAAAeWw/7VPNw6h4JgEZl-gG8PzFn5p5WKnynxfRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1000454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWEoO-rnMnE/Xns9epofkvI/AAAAAAAAeWw/7VPNw6h4JgEZl-gG8PzFn5p5WKnynxfRACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/P1000454.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> GLM & Bio Cp2 Amino Crumb</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVlIHfDBgY/Xns-KMUdHpI/AAAAAAAAeW4/lQVDRO4BO2sQXCAfzAn7EjmlRr05XuSUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/crumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVlIHfDBgY/Xns-KMUdHpI/AAAAAAAAeW4/lQVDRO4BO2sQXCAfzAn7EjmlRr05XuSUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/crumb.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So just like the day before I twiddled my thumbs until around 3:30 and once the magic hour arrived I sat on my chair watching closely for signs of feeding fish. On cue I started to get liners and I could see streams of bubbles coming up from the right hand area again. After another few minutes of <i>'fidgeting', </i>the rod fired off, a huge explosion of bubbles erupted from the spot at the split second the alarm screamed. Making contact with this fish I could feel that it was decent, they were slow powerful lunges and it plodded about in a <i>'hippo like fashion'</i>. As usual, underneath the rod tip was where it really woke up, after a fair <i>tug-of-war </i>I netted a large pale looking mirror. I knew instantly that I'd had this carp before, if my memory served me correctly it was about 22IB. I didn't bother weighing it but I suspected it was of a similar weight. It's certainly not the best looking fish Burrows has to offer but it was appreciated none the less. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Repeat Capture</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VemHYa61WyA/XntGryodd9I/AAAAAAAAeXE/XU_Fyr9xTMc5YGr4B1NXDoSgpNCtxL1sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/14753331_1134834533262629_5740945030972440911_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VemHYa61WyA/XntGryodd9I/AAAAAAAAeXE/XU_Fyr9xTMc5YGr4B1NXDoSgpNCtxL1sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/14753331_1134834533262629_5740945030972440911_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish signaled the end of the session for me, not only that but it closed my time fishing the <i>"bottle-neck",</i> I was really happy with all the fish that I'd had but I wanted to move on to some different waters now. This whole period of time has shown me that if you stick to a certain area, keep the bait going and plug away, it's possible to get steady results. Taking into consideration I couldn't buy a bite from this swim in the past, I was more than happy with the outcome. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mission Accomplished</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLTaLeysl8U/XntIMedWssI/AAAAAAAAeXQ/K-gGHBQk1aMle2wKvKCUtvDZB3QEeth1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLTaLeysl8U/XntIMedWssI/AAAAAAAAeXQ/K-gGHBQk1aMle2wKvKCUtvDZB3QEeth1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/mission.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-75742642920170517832019-12-24T03:26:00.000-08:002019-12-24T03:49:05.254-08:00New Direction S9 Bite Alarm Review<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"As in all my reviews I'd like to start by stating that I'm in no way connected to<span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span>new direction tackle.
This is an independent write up that I hope might help you out if
you've been thinking about purchasing the New Direction S9 bite alarms".</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I tried not to do it but temptation got the better of me, I think it's time to admit that I'm a bite alarm junkie. However, when I purchase new alarms my older ones don't get relegated to the top shelf to gather dust. They're kept in a prime position amongst all my fishing tackle and will be used again when they take my fancy. I rotate all my alarms depending on what mood I'm in, there are days when I want to get my original chunky old <i>FOX DXR's </i>back on the buzzers, the classic 'micron' sound holds many fond memories for me. Then there are times when I want to down size and use my ATTs, it's <i>"horses for courses". </i>As we all know 'bite alarms don't catch us fish', but there's a buzz about looking at something different and hearing a different sound that seems to push the <i>'pleasure zone'</i> button. The first thing that caught my eye about the ND S9's was the size and shape, they looked sturdy and compact and with a design that looks reminiscent to the head of a <i>"decepticon transformer", </i>I was pretty much sold straight away.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">S9 Bite Alarm </span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEHjjd-sHQ/XfzMRn2ZWmI/AAAAAAAAeMc/pefgOh-ktYQ08jP26A76n2fTcrLnFGTIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="967" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clEHjjd-sHQ/XfzMRn2ZWmI/AAAAAAAAeMc/pefgOh-ktYQ08jP26A76n2fTcrLnFGTIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/s9.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Decepticon Logo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0rlWcTvnko/XfzMnOClR0I/AAAAAAAAeMk/EcTMnIOKk40VP9J3XFUSBE7yzoiiF9z6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s-l1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="881" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0rlWcTvnko/XfzMnOClR0I/AAAAAAAAeMk/EcTMnIOKk40VP9J3XFUSBE7yzoiiF9z6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/s-l1000.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After a short while arguing with myself if I really needed another set of alarms, I bit the bullet and made the order. The anticipation of their arrival got pretty intense but before I knew it a few days past and a parcel landed on my doormat. I decided to order the presentation set that included 2x S9 bite alarms and receiver, this set me back a mere £95.90. In all of three seconds, I tore the packaging open and proceeded the 'grand unveiling'. The alarms arrived in a tidy little protective case, in a little mesh compartment housed in the lid were the USB cables that you use to charge both the alarms & receiver. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Presentation Case</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1dC0sKGGcU/Xf9TPnkvwqI/AAAAAAAAeM8/Sh5In3NNjoomEDBpdCzuLxBY_01NHCIDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="419" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1dC0sKGGcU/Xf9TPnkvwqI/AAAAAAAAeM8/Sh5In3NNjoomEDBpdCzuLxBY_01NHCIDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/case.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Opening </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coTNePWc-iA/Xf9WzO94IoI/AAAAAAAAeNI/TnsvN9QlJosyGDPYOOglweRqZAveFC9UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/case2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coTNePWc-iA/Xf9WzO94IoI/AAAAAAAAeNI/TnsvN9QlJosyGDPYOOglweRqZAveFC9UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/case2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One nice little touch were the extra 'pull out' compartments that, if you decided to buy another alarm or two, you could safely house them all in the one case. Slipping one of the alarms out I was struck by how solid it felt, it didn't feel cheap and tacky. Same went for the receiver, it felt good in the hands, the receivers aerial simply screws on and it's ready to go. Everything came charged up but I decided to plug it all in to make sure all the three pieces were fully charged and functioning correctly. Both the S9's and receiver contain a '500mAH Lithium-ion Battery' that you charge with a USB cable, you don't have to worry about buying and changing batteries. The neat little screen on the receiver tells you the percentage of battery life left in each unit. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Receiver Screen</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhCPqTYqlOs/Xf-rNo6HfmI/AAAAAAAAeNw/bN8pUjlknpwcVy4mCKX5im41e6JzADJNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/led.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhCPqTYqlOs/Xf-rNo6HfmI/AAAAAAAAeNw/bN8pUjlknpwcVy4mCKX5im41e6JzADJNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/led.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The stated standby time for both the alarms and receiver is 900 hours, it's hard to confirm if this is exactly right, I've been using them a lot since I purchased them and I've only had to charge one of the alarms once and that was only because it switched on in my bag without me knowing. I still have plenty of battery life left in the alarm I didn't charge and the receiver. Taking into account I made the purchase in August, I think that's pretty good going. When charging the heads you'll get a flashing red light that will switch off when fully charged. When charging the receiver each individual LED will flash and then go solid, this occurs with all five LEDs. When the receiver is fully charged all the LEDs will go static and stay on. The one flat alarm that I had to charge took about 35 minutes to be fully operational again. I have to say that I'm really impressed with the overall battery life, I can't fault it at all. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">USB To Charge</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGll1R5N7uw/Xf9ko9eBLGI/AAAAAAAAeNU/DnkWATMSUR8OpwSipd7kzTQ23IBUMt6aACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/USB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGll1R5N7uw/Xf9ko9eBLGI/AAAAAAAAeNU/DnkWATMSUR8OpwSipd7kzTQ23IBUMt6aACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/USB.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Taking a closer look at the alarm itself, you have two tidy little snag ears that can be screwed on and off, you have a single button, a small speaker hole and one LED. It's pretty much as minimal as you can get. Looking at some of the older bite alarms <i>New Direction </i>produced, to look at, they were all singing and all dancing with loads of buttons and flashing lights. The stripped down, <i>'no thrills'</i> look of the S9 appeals to me a lot more. Also there were a lot of complaints in regards to the battery life of the older models. It's clear this time around they've stripped away the unnecessary 'cosmetic' features that could of lead to the problems with the battery life in the past, opting for simplicity. The single LED and the 'buzz' of the buzzer itself isn't going to be running the power down in a hurry. As with the JRC Radars, it took a few models before they really got it right. I believe New Direction have got it right this time around with the S9 series. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dimensions</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eFqc8Ry2l4/Xf-OUqH_wfI/AAAAAAAAeNk/f20fKCeArHgDri1KgVrmEy2akdIFb6WiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/P1040142.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now lets take a closer look at the <i>'SPEC'</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bites are detected via roller wheel, there are 10 settings of sensitivity. I use it on the highest which is exceptionally good, if you gently flick the alarm body the alarm will buzz. I'd probably go as far to say that it comes close to being able to detect vibration. The volume has 7 settings including silent, I always have my heads muted or on a low volume as not to disturb anyone, relying on the receiver to alert me. I can confirm that both the speakers in the alarms and receiver are nice and clear. For me personally, I can't see me using many of the 'higher volume' settings. In regards to the <i>'tones'</i>, you have seven to choose from, starting with the lowest up to the highest. The sound of the buzzer is unique, and on the lower settings gives a very satisfying <i>buzzzzzzz!!!!. </i>Not only that but the receiver will mimic perfectly the tone you've chosen for each head.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sensitivity Settings</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BV5DlMWt5U/XgCPFV5-ixI/AAAAAAAAeOQ/AvraAedVGRsv_zehd08rnnWUzfz8jCCrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BV5DlMWt5U/XgCPFV5-ixI/AAAAAAAAeOQ/AvraAedVGRsv_zehd08rnnWUzfz8jCCrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sen.jpg" width="286" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i> </i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One feature that I really like is the fact that you can change the colour of the LED, you have five colors to choose from, you've got Blue, Red, White, Green and yellow. You assign the colour you want to the S9 head and then pair the receiver up with the same colour. You change the colour on each alarm by simply <i>'double tapping' </i>the button on the alarm,<i> </i>this then allows you to shuffle through the colour options. Once you've decided which one you want, you move the roller wheel to assign and set it, it's very simple. Another feature that the button on the alarm commands is the option to <i>'MUTE' </i>the head for 30 seconds. This gives you ample time to make adjustments to your bobbin. One point to take on board is, for the <i>'MUTE' </i>to be effective you have to turn the receiver off as well. I find it quite annoying having muted the head only for the receiver to be firing off.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">S9r Receiver 'The Control Center'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AepgiAW7FgQ/XgCarWn4cJI/AAAAAAAAeOc/5PsRjDq8KVMBOdPLrHOScJt1m4npDz3DACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AepgiAW7FgQ/XgCarWn4cJI/AAAAAAAAeOc/5PsRjDq8KVMBOdPLrHOScJt1m4npDz3DACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/rec.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lets now move onto the S9r receiver, this is a nice solid piece of kit with a magnetic back. To be able to access all the features on the alarm comfortably I recommend you purchase it. If you don't fancy the added cost you can download the 'New Direction' app onto your phone and connect to the alarm via bluetooth. But to be honest I wouldn't recommend it, I wasn't impressed with the App at all, it seemed very 'buggy' and it drained the battery on my phone at a scary rate. Adjusting the settings of the alarm is so much easier with the receiver. Everything is controlled via a small 'joystick', this allows you to remotely set the volume, tone and sensitivity of each alarm head. Not only that, it allows you to adjust the volume of the receiver itself and scroll through all the different menus. When I initially set everything up I found it a little complicated but it didn't take long for me to suss it out. Adjusting the settings wirelessly from the comfort of your day shelter when the rain is hammering down is a luxury and it works faultlessly. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKtYniodk3s/XgHj6WS374I/AAAAAAAAePU/sXgQYxYYmDApyNuVsZXKYlqYd9a0oyvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sound.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKtYniodk3s/XgHj6WS374I/AAAAAAAAePU/sXgQYxYYmDApyNuVsZXKYlqYd9a0oyvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sound.png" width="296" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The screen of the receiver is nice and bright, as are all the 'mini' LEDs, you can set both the time and date, check the battery level of each alarm and it even has a tidy little feature that tells you how many millimeters of line has moved through the roller wheel if you get a liner or a full blown take. Along with all the above it has a silent/vibration option, a 'drop back differentiation' setting and a 'range testing mode'. I haven't used this specific feature because I'm close to my rods at all times, however I've never had a problem with the receiver not connecting to the alarms. If you're into your tech you can also purchase a 'smart band' this connects wirelessly to the S9 alarm heads, the band then acts as a covert little receiver that can be worn on the wrist, it has small little LEDs on it that you can pair up with the LED colour of each alarm and it vibrates. I haven't purchased the smart band and I don't plan to but it looks like a pretty good idea.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1084" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0n4-SjRRus/XgHmhjsNzPI/AAAAAAAAePk/3vauaromi7UHILU25roSAsxYuDTkK3AUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/smartbandbig.png" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I've had these alarms in constant use since August 2019, it's now December and they haven't missed a bleep. They've been out in torrential rain, baking sun and ended up in the lake after a violent take, they work as perfect as the day I got them. In regards to the alarms weak points, I'm hard pressed to find any, the only niggle is the brightness of the LED on the alarm itself. On a bright day you genuinely can't see any illumination, but if you're using the receiver then this isn't an issue at all. Also New Direction are yet to produce a dedicated protective case for the S9 range, this is a little annoying and is the reason one of my alarms turned on in transit without me knowing. I think that pretty much covers everything, for the price you're getting alarm that stands up to other models at twice, even three times the price. New Direction have out done themselves with the S9 series, if you're in the market for a new set of buzzers that don't strangle your bank account then look no further. I rate them 10/10.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-31416288356507857652019-09-25T12:50:00.000-07:002019-09-25T12:50:17.077-07:00Micklem Mere 'Fishing For Mysteries' Part 5<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the past couple of months with all my focus having been applied to one lake and one swim I decided to go <i>'off-piste' </i>for a day. I literally felt like my thinking was coming to a stand still, I could feel my <i>neural pathways</i> short circuiting, I fancied a change. I decided to take a trip up to Micklem Mere because I hadn't fished the place for quite some time. To me, Micklem is/was a special water and a completely different prospect to all the other venues I have available to me. The <i>'Fishing For Mysteries' </i>series is ongoing and will document all my sessions fishing on the mere, if you missed the first in the series it can be found by clicking this link <a href="https://charltoncarper.blogspot.com/2015/10/micklem-mere-fishing-for-mysteries-part.html" target="_blank">Fishing For Mysteries Part 1</a>. Writing about the water how it was way back in 2016 is something that still inspires me, hardly anyone fished it because nobody really knew what was in it. Fast forward to the current day in 2019, in my mind, the water is a shadow of its former self. Once word got out that there were some rather large carp getting caught, with the help of the digital disease called <i>"social media",</i> people started flocking down in numbers. Unfortunately its now started to become like every other water out there, far too busy, way too pressured and, to be expected, the once pristine beautiful fish are starting to suffer mouth damage. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Utopia Banished</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brfbneoD13I/XVZ--rqtAvI/AAAAAAAAdUg/llfaFewwPaMyG8yh-DX31bbY-o_tJfH6ACLcBGAs/s1600/m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brfbneoD13I/XVZ--rqtAvI/AAAAAAAAdUg/llfaFewwPaMyG8yh-DX31bbY-o_tJfH6ACLcBGAs/s640/m.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I've mentioned it before in so many other blogs but there's just no excuse for mouth damage, there's no excuse for any damage inflicted on any fish. I understand that we all get the odd dodgy hook hold but what I'm seeing goes far deeper than that. I'm genuinely running out of places to fish that contain clean carp, the amount of waters I've turned my back on due to this problem is mounting up. I put this down to a lack of education, tackle firms will piece together 5 hour <i>DVD's</i> designed to market new products. But won't take 10 minutes to explain the concept of the clutch, the test curve and the relation these two elements have in landing a fish safely. So ... going back to Micklem, here in the current day it has become a casualty of the carp fishing circus. Anyway, lets put all the above behind us and magically transport ourselves back to October 2016. The aim was to get up just before first light and zoom out of London and up into Essex at a <i>'questionable'</i> speed to get to the water just as the world was waking up. This was successfully achieved and as I pulled up to the gate to punch in the combination that gives me access to <i>'the other world'</i>. I was feeling pretty dam excited, it felt good to be fishing a different water.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xJlf3SmBAM/XVaED-T3LqI/AAAAAAAAdUs/PaYEtnhqgwYGfvqLg_5Unm-TXTD44OkhgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1000302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="1600" height="48" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xJlf3SmBAM/XVaED-T3LqI/AAAAAAAAdUs/PaYEtnhqgwYGfvqLg_5Unm-TXTD44OkhgCLcBGAs/s640/P1000302.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There's always a slight apprehension as the car park comes into view, I was pleasantly surprised to find it empty. It was looking like I was going to have the whole place to myself. Looking down from where I parked my van, the mere rests sunken in the landscape surrounded by a thin covering of trees and bushes. It always looks perfect, loading the barrow and trundling down the field I could literally feel the world on the other side of the gate disappear. The closer I got to the water the more obsolete the <i>'real world'</i> became, very few waters have this effect on me. The fact the place was totally deserted played a huge part. I can assure you, if spods were flying and bivy pegs were being hammered in the ground, I probably would of turned straight around and left. I wasn't in a huge rush to get setup so I decided to take a wander and see if any carp were going to give themselves away. Placed periodically around the bank side are wooden benches, they're positioned perfectly so you can take a stroll and then take a seat to watch the water. I made my way half way along the car park bank and took a seat. Below is a very rough map.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From Above</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="500" height="363" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsZjJgRNCCs/XVaX6I-4WJI/AAAAAAAAdVg/iUSYhlItChQGo0h4IE71HZ7O7leuVylpwCLcBGAs/s400/micklem.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The wind was pushing down into my face, it was warm and fresh, now with the sun peering over the distant trees, I knew it was going to end up being a nice bright day. I'm always reluctant to fish the swims on the car park bank during the warmer months, mainly because, no less than a rod length out, it drops down to 18/19ft. I usually like to focus my attention up the other end which has some of the shallowest parts. After minor observation I carried on walking round and up along the road bank, the sun was now rising fast, the morning was dawning and as the light of the new day started to spread across the mere, with it came a clear sense of new possibilities. I still hadn't spotted any fish so I continued up past the back bay and onward into the <i>'out of bounds'</i> area. The out of bounds area is pretty much 'jungle warfare', there's no clear path so you just improvise. It's pretty much just marshland, the long grass cracks, crumples and squelches under foot. Perched within this part of the landscape is an old derelict shed, its wood is weathered, its hinges rusty and broken. I can only assume this is a leftover from when the mere was a trout fishery. Whatever it was it looks a little too <i>'Blair Witch'</i> for my liking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Last Swim On The Field Bank 'The Shallows' </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6r33OJS23Ug/XWjuz2XgHGI/AAAAAAAAdW0/mu4yX_uoOjMMA2m0ZKWDjfE690GVGbkXQCLcBGAs/s1600/shallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6r33OJS23Ug/XWjuz2XgHGI/AAAAAAAAdW0/mu4yX_uoOjMMA2m0ZKWDjfE690GVGbkXQCLcBGAs/s640/shallow.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Walking from the out of bounds area the lake suddenly comes back into view, the first swim you come to is what I call the shallows. This part of the water is quite interesting, to the left you have a lovely silt area that stretches out a fair distance in front of the treeline. The water directly in front is around knee height and you can literally walk out right up until the point of the trees on the right hand side, <i>'check the photo above'</i>. From the point of the tree the back bay begins and the depth falls away to around 9/10ft. On those early mornings when the sun is warm and the wind is pushing up, the carp have a tendency to group together a short distance out. Carrying on down towards where I started, I was yet to see anything showing, with a few more minutes of deliberation I decided I'd fish on the front on the wind. It wasn't exactly blowing a gale but there was enough of a breeze to convince me that a few fish might just be milling around the area. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Perfect Morning 'No Breeze'</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORdkTw4oOws/XWj70kDaQqI/AAAAAAAAdXA/MCPX5kgupLYItEa1ReQZLMWN4kASnznvgCLcBGAs/s1600/mik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORdkTw4oOws/XWj70kDaQqI/AAAAAAAAdXA/MCPX5kgupLYItEa1ReQZLMWN4kASnznvgCLcBGAs/s640/mik.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with the morning sun high in the sky any clouds that were hanging over head were burning away fast. The little breeze there was died, the swim I decided to fish is quarter of the way up the field bank. It has a lovely feature in the shape of a slope that, very gradually falls away to around 11/12ft. My plan was to fish half way down this slope with both rods positioned about a rods length apart. To start off with I wasn't going to bait particularly heavy, opting for 4 bait stringers with a small mesh bag of crushed boilie. Around this I'd scatter a handful of freebies, baiting heavy straight away didn't feel like the right way to go. Bait wise I was going to be sticking with the green lipped mussel, my rigs were going to be simple semi-fixed setups with short hook links. Those that have read my blogs for quite sometime now know that I like to keep my rigs as simple as possible. I see no sense in complicating things, the rigs I use today are pretty much the same ones I've been using for the past 29 years, give or take the odd tweak.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bait Tools</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mht3SrPuCDE/XWj_bIzdxqI/AAAAAAAAdXU/-WXNX18cOO0mRez-Pnsd7cNzLH5lLbGwgCLcBGAs/s1600/tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mht3SrPuCDE/XWj_bIzdxqI/AAAAAAAAdXU/-WXNX18cOO0mRez-Pnsd7cNzLH5lLbGwgCLcBGAs/s640/tools.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the image below you can see the shallow water that stretches out a few feet in front of my rod tips, it's easy to make out where the slope starts because the bottom literally disappears. When I first started fishing Micklem this was an area that I pretty much ignored, having done a lot more research between this specific session and the current day. I have a strong reason to believe that I'm fishing on the road that the trucks used to excavate the gravel. I remember finding the same sort of <i>'road'</i> when I was fishing Chase back lake, I had a lot of fish off it. Old roads and pathways hidden under the water in gravel pits can end up being great features to target. When the carp are actively showing themselves then fishing to hidden features doesn't enter my head. I just want to make sure I'm putting my bait where the fish are, on those days when the visual side of things resemble a <i>'tumble weed'</i> I find targeting underwater features can be the difference between a blank and a bite. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over time I've built a pretty solid picture in my mind of all the waters I fish, I go through the same process with every venue. As the years go by I try to build a complete map, this map stays in my head, this vision in my mind may not be 100% accurate but it's something to work with. During the winter I might take some time after a session to mark up specific areas of interest. Approaching the waters in this way gives me a chance to really think about the best places to put a bait. I know that many nowadays use deeper sonars to help them suss things out, for me though you still can't beat a marker rod, a bare lead or a lead and float. I get a far greater thrill feeling the lead banging and juddering when I'm over a hard spot rather than the idea of relying on a piece of technology that may or may not be accurate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpOczQXRGJU/XWkEewJvm9I/AAAAAAAAdXg/uR7PxImnjpwjhEz4MTJwkCc0Rno-qcrygCLcBGAs/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpOczQXRGJU/XWkEewJvm9I/AAAAAAAAdXg/uR7PxImnjpwjhEz4MTJwkCc0Rno-qcrygCLcBGAs/s640/swim.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Even though I wasn't fishing a great distance I still wanted to wrap both rods so I was hitting the exact same mark on each cast. It worked out 7 rod lengths to the spots I'd chosen, this put me in 7ft of water. The bottom was hard with lightly scattered weed, I opted for slow sinking and low lying pop ups, this was to ensure my hook baits didn't get obscured by any weed they might land in. There's patchy weed scattered all around Micklem, none of it's really a problem to present a rig in. So after a rather lazy start I finally got both my rods out, 7 rod lengths is a tricky distance to cast without getting a bit of <i>'bounce back'</i>, but I managed to cushion them perfectly with the help of my Bruce Ashby <i>'BALLISTAS'. </i>The back leads were slipped on, the bobbins were set and a handful of bait was deployed over both rigs. It was now time to sit back, 'try to relax' and see what the day was going to produce. I was under no illusion, your typical Micklem session is normally packed with the small stuff. I like to refer to them as <i>'future kings'</i>, they come in the shape of perfect looking common carp and if you're lucky a mirror or two. If the heavens are smiling down on you, you might hook into one of the secret monsters that, very occasionally reveal themselves. It's this prospect that keeps me coming back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Faithful 'Stringer' - Underused Nowadays</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsfqXNAE3GM/XWk70bhM9YI/AAAAAAAAdXs/SL_2xEmJDvkUqxO8hhn_46qDVvhWCoG5ACLcBGAs/s1600/stringer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsfqXNAE3GM/XWk70bhM9YI/AAAAAAAAdXs/SL_2xEmJDvkUqxO8hhn_46qDVvhWCoG5ACLcBGAs/s320/stringer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was literally a few minutes before the bobbin on my left rod whizzed to the top and smacked the blank. I knew instantly that it was one of the small fish, when one of the larger <i>'secrets'</i> pick your bait up the clutch will whizz and the alarm will sing. I lifted the rod up gently, the tip was knocking and the scamp on the other end was whizzing around like a bottle rocket. I slowly reeled it in, carefully unhooked it and sent it straight back. I always try to be as careful as possible with the small carp, they're delicate and I don't want to be damaging them. We're wanting all these fish to grow up as pristine as possible. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Future King One</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJbCP6C4nmw/XWk-pli1p-I/AAAAAAAAdX4/b6p5M_gUE3ICGG2qyEbnW91KdPYXr5qfQCLcBGAs/s1600/s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJbCP6C4nmw/XWk-pli1p-I/AAAAAAAAdX4/b6p5M_gUE3ICGG2qyEbnW91KdPYXr5qfQCLcBGAs/s640/s1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As soon as I got the rod back the right one was away, just like the bite before, the bobbin shot up to the top and slapped the blank, however this fish managed to take a little bit of line. The additive <i>'whirl'</i> of the clutch kicked in for about 5 seconds, I could feel that it was a slightly better fish, it was putting up a fair fight and as it came into view it was clear that this one was a pretty decent low double. I decided to unhook it in the net and send it straight home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Future King Two</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkHHyxJBYvs/XWl7lo3xmwI/AAAAAAAAdYc/rKYGjvdPtU8ICPsCVgUhku6lTxt9PgL5ACLcBGAs/s1600/s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkHHyxJBYvs/XWl7lo3xmwI/AAAAAAAAdYc/rKYGjvdPtU8ICPsCVgUhku6lTxt9PgL5ACLcBGAs/s640/s2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> I suddenly had a change of thought regarding my baiting approach, if I wanted to stand a chance of hooking one of the better ones I needed to attempt to draw as many carp into the swim as possible. In my mind, the more bait I put out the higher the chance I had of a potential monster coming along. I reeled both my rods in and ran up to the van to get hold of my pellets and method mix. <i>I always keep a few 'auxiliary' bags in the fishing wagon.</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Multi-Mix Pellets With Beastie Ball Method Mix</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkqU4OPZux0/XWlSJgTUGgI/AAAAAAAAdYE/nXwvi5v8v-4u1PlRHDyti0DfkEVEzNDbACLcBGAs/s1600/method.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkqU4OPZux0/XWlSJgTUGgI/AAAAAAAAdYE/nXwvi5v8v-4u1PlRHDyti0DfkEVEzNDbACLcBGAs/s640/method.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I knocked up a quick recipe that consisted of multi-mix pellets and <i>beastie ball </i>ground bait, to this I added some salmon oil. This was all blended together to make a nice 'tacky' consistency that would sit well in a mini spomb. I was going to keep the swim topped up with the pellet and ground bait, sticking with the same minimal feeding approach with the boilies. The attraction within the <i>recipe</i> I'd just concocted was more than enough to keep a scent in the swim. The mini spomb was clipped up to 7.5 rod lengths, I introduced 10 little rockets of bait and then got both my rigs back out. I'd feed the swim as and when, the bulk of the bait would be reintroduced after each bite. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Subtle Missile Of Flavor</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vApkNkz5o2U/XWlTxPV84nI/AAAAAAAAdYQ/dFkb8b9sQjsSQVzID0-8AOqzZLFJN557gCLcBGAs/s1600/spod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vApkNkz5o2U/XWlTxPV84nI/AAAAAAAAdYQ/dFkb8b9sQjsSQVzID0-8AOqzZLFJN557gCLcBGAs/s640/spod.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with my new baiting plan executed the bobbins were clipped on, the bite alarms were<i> 'set to stun'</i> and I was ready to go again. I started to get lots of little knocks and indications on both alarms straight away, within minutes my left rod fired off. The bobbin fumbled about and then tore up and smacked the blank, upon lifting the rod up I could barely feel anything on the other end. I wound in slowly and as the lead came into view I could see a small fish rolling around, just like all the previous bites, I unhooked it gently and sent it home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Future King Three</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9w5Glz-Hoc/XWzoQdcDiCI/AAAAAAAAdY4/bbYo2HwWRN4cxmtSF8vf7ggAw5abcoOVwCLcBGAs/s1600/fk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9w5Glz-Hoc/XWzoQdcDiCI/AAAAAAAAdY4/bbYo2HwWRN4cxmtSF8vf7ggAw5abcoOVwCLcBGAs/s640/fk3.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> This rod went back out I didn't even bother changing the hook bait, over the top of this I dispensed 5 mini spombs. I started thinking back to previous sessions and there seemed to be a pattern, the better fish had a habit of coming along towards late afternoon and early evening. Before I'd even managed to sit down my right rod was the next one to go, the bite was practically identical to the last. Carefully winding in, I was met with another perfect looking common, it was barely a couple of pound but it had lovely red fins, when/if this fish grows on to be a monster, it's going to end up looking pretty special. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Future King Four</span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axoXg6PvPIY/XWzssaei1NI/AAAAAAAAdZI/Ihf29NQbmlUbk8BzWjmTDBF6S_hkUYWrACLcBGAs/s1600/fk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axoXg6PvPIY/XWzssaei1NI/AAAAAAAAdZI/Ihf29NQbmlUbk8BzWjmTDBF6S_hkUYWrACLcBGAs/s640/fk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The fish was returned, the rig went back out followed by another 5 missiles of feed. Things started to slow down from this point, the sun was now beating down hard. The liners ceased and both alarms stayed silent. To be honest I wasn't too bothered, this was usual practice for Micklem, I decided that I'd introduce 5 mini spombs every 45 minutes or so throughout the day, I knew the carp would come back around, you just had to be patient. In the meantime it gave me a chance to put on<i> 'the all important kettle</i>' and soak up the sights and sounds. Because no one else had turned up I felt like I had my own private lake. Sitting there waiting for the kettle to boil, I was scanning the waters surface for any signs of fish. I started to think back to the first time I cast my lines into Micklems water, it appeared so vast and the prospect of catching any fish at all felt like an impossibility. But like every water I've fished, once you start to work it out it's as if the place shrinks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Clarity</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUja995iYxk/XXDNftdbWyI/AAAAAAAAdZc/cVoKXFssGngeASYPTxRaP7yCCNUuYVTpgCLcBGAs/s1600/micklemsun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUja995iYxk/XXDNftdbWyI/AAAAAAAAdZc/cVoKXFssGngeASYPTxRaP7yCCNUuYVTpgCLcBGAs/s640/micklemsun.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The hours slowly started to pass me by, I sat transfixed on the water and the distant horizon. I was drifting in and out of a daydream. I started to think about the confusion and conflict that was going on in the <i>'other world'</i> beyond the gate and over the horizon line. I sat motionless with not one care in my mind at all, which is rather a rare occurrence. I started to think about the minor culture shock I feel when I've spent a day on my own in the middle of nowhere, and then I drive back to London to resume my existence. The pace quickens and before you know it the stress relief the day had provided is quickly undone as you find yourself fighting through the unforgiving streets of the city. For now though, I needn't concern myself with <i>'the normal' or 'mundane', </i>I was craving the abnormal, I wanted a creature from the deep to pay me a visit. Both contemplation and questions about the possibility of extraterrestrials running the world saw the remaining hours of the afternoon fly by.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Come 5pm the feeling around the mere changed, even though I hadn't seen any indication of carp anywhere near me, I knew I was 'back in business', a bite wasn't far off. With the late September sun quickly cooling off it wasn't long before a few fish started showing themselves, some jumped up towards the back bay and another couple towards the middle out in front of me. I took this as a good sign, I was willing one of my alarms to go screaming off. I added 5 mini missiles to top my swim up and sat poised on the edge of my chair. My right rod sprung into life literally seconds after I'd put the extra feed in. The bobbin flew to the top and stayed there, I picked the rod up and gently wound in slowly, I could feel it was another little carp, as it came into view it was literally a couple of pound at most. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Future King Number 5</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-V_ZkZAFsc/XYt0xgqz7DI/AAAAAAAAdbs/P-r_UEduhTcKWqV0sCgRMtcyVYg6Lk6gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-V_ZkZAFsc/XYt0xgqz7DI/AAAAAAAAdbs/P-r_UEduhTcKWqV0sCgRMtcyVYg6Lk6gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I slipped it back during which my left rod went off, the bite was literally identical to the one I just had. Lifting into this fish, it at least put a small bend in the rod, it was darting around all over the show fighting like a fish at least double the weight it ended up being. I netted a lovely long common that had a unique tinge of orange to its appearance. I got it back straight away and worked on getting both rods out as quickly as I could. Once the bobbins were set I topped the swim up with a few more spombs hoping that one of the mere's secrets was going to pay me a visit before I had to leave. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdhjb1z-3-Y/XYt3qNexw2I/AAAAAAAAdb8/QfX3B2zTdKU5auvFAkPhH1mcuoviL2REgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdhjb1z-3-Y/XYt3qNexw2I/AAAAAAAAdb8/QfX3B2zTdKU5auvFAkPhH1mcuoviL2REgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After the two quick bites the action stalled, I was convinced it was all going to 'kick off' like it had so many times in the past round about this same sort of time. Micklem can be so bloody unpredictable, I was happy with the carp I'd had but I was certain that something special had to come along at some point. I sat tight, the September sun was dropping towards the horizon line and with it, a chill moved in that very much indicated that summer was well and truly on the way out. Looking at the time it was 18:30pm, I was going to give it until 19:00pm, any later than that and I was going to be getting home pretty late, I had to be up early for work so I didn't fancy rushing around when I got home. I was looking at the clock on my phone as if it was a countdown to <i>the end of existence. </i>Time was ticking by way too fast, I literally had 10 minutes left and then .... <i>"BANG", </i>my right rod was away only this time it was a proper take. The tip of the rod hooped round sharp to the right and both the clutch and alarm sung, these two sounds in unison was what I'd been wanting to hear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rushing to the rod and lifting into the mystery, the blank arched round and I was into the first proper fight of the day. <i>'Last knockings'</i> had paid off, the carp bolted straight out into the open water diving down deep. I savored the moment, I'd waited long enough for it to happen. I started to gain ground and as the fish edged closer it was bolting from left to right, it put up one hell of fight. Now literally under the rod tip it was using the depth close in, keeping well out the way of netting distance, I was dying to get a glimpse, the bigger fish from Micklem are always special. Soon enough it was ready, a perfect looking common carp resigned itself to the net mesh. It was a classic looking Micklem fish, it had a lovely high back, a large clean mouth, perfect proportions and it looked completely untouched, the setting sun reflected perfectly off of its spotless scales. I wasn't interested in the weight, weight is something that means very little to me nowadays, it's just about getting out there and trying to suss the equation out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiKqlRvBKPM/XYuMq_4H6KI/AAAAAAAAdcI/VXiDom-BSIQwSB3_DnF4Pb1Dkz6LfIbKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/14468680_1114900308589385_4797230185578990757_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiKqlRvBKPM/XYuMq_4H6KI/AAAAAAAAdcI/VXiDom-BSIQwSB3_DnF4Pb1Dkz6LfIbKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/14468680_1114900308589385_4797230185578990757_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With the sun setting and the light fading I sent the fish back home, I watched as it morphed into nothing as the mere swallowed it whole. I had no <i>head-torch</i> with me so it was a pretty undignified pack down. I scrambled along the bank and back up the hill to the car park, I literally threw everything in the back of the van in one quick motion. Upon locking the back door, I turned to give the mere one last look, I could just about make it out. I reluctantly drove back to the gate, I knew the minute I opened it I'd find myself back in the 'real' world, a place that, as the years go by, I find I'm withdrawing from more and more, it's uninspiring, a hamster wheel of repetition, a place where the ego is given way to much importance, where style overrides any form of substance. Nowadays it's more about survival for me than anything else, I wish I could look upon everyday life in a more positive way but I can't. On the upside though it was looking like I was going to only have to put up with it for a few days because I'd find myself back down Burrows fishing the bottle-neck once again.</span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-38081994107712201222019-08-15T04:28:00.000-07:002019-08-15T04:28:17.914-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 13<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"This blog will be accounting for two separate sessions in the 'bottle-neck' swim on Burrows towards the end of summer in 2016". </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><u><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">First Session September 8th 2016</span></i></u></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Since my last documented session I'd made two <i>undocumented</i> trips that resulted in blanks. One was completely uneventful, the second is going to be a session that will haunt me for a very long time, let me explain. I arrived at the water mid morning and got both my baits into the usual positions. For some reason I had this feeling that, at some point, I was going to land one of Burrows bigger carp from this area of the water. <i>Why did I think this? - </i>because the swim sees very little pressure, on the day of <i>the occurrence </i>I'd loaded both spots up with bait, even more so than I'd done before. The day was meandering along like normal until around mid afternoon, I got a blistering take on my right rod. As I lifted into this fish I knew instantly that I had something special on the end, it was a dead weight moving at such a pace. I knew I had to keep the pressure on because it was driving towards the sunken posts that were hidden in the water a little way up to my right hand side. I tightened the clutch as much as I thought I could get away with, the rod was locked on its <i>'maximum curve'. </i>None of this made a blind bit of difference<i>, </i>the fish powered into the posts and ... <i>PING! </i>the line parted. All of the above happened in the space of about 45 seconds to a minute, when the line parted I felt complete and utter sickness leak through my body and take refuge in the pit of my stomach. I knew that I'd lost one of the <i>"big"</i> carp that, for all these years, had evaded my capture on this specific lake.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbpvOjk3hSE/XVPVyulV3QI/AAAAAAAAdRk/j3HAi3xw-UEYzW3BU4seZMmSLjcESLsjQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1010162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="1600" height="54" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbpvOjk3hSE/XVPVyulV3QI/AAAAAAAAdRk/j3HAi3xw-UEYzW3BU4seZMmSLjcESLsjQCLcBGAs/s640/P1010162.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know we all have that default setting inside of us that when we lose a fish it's always <i>"the big one"</i>, <i>"the monster"</i>. Only this time around I knew it was, it took me a good few weeks before the frustration subsided. I think I played the scenario out in my head thousands of times visualising what I should of done and how I could of prevented the fish from getting to the sunken posts. With this occurrence at the forefront of my mind I got back down to the waters edge the following day in the hope that, if I catch another fish, it might just take the sting out of the lost monster. Reviewing the times that the bites had been occurring I decided to head down to the water for midday and fish the afternoon into early evening. A pattern was starting to emerge, bites came mid afternoon, it appeared that the carp had a tendency to pass through the bottle neck later on in the day. My approach was going to be exactly the same as my previous trips, I wasn't going to be changing anything during this little "bottle-neck" stint other than the bait. Today I was back on the <i>tiger-fish, </i>the only slight modification from my last session was a brightly colored fake maggot, <i>a little touch I'd included on my first trip,</i> only today I was going to fish a different colour on each rod. Along with that a small PVA mesh bag with some crushed boilie and a stringer would be slipped onto the hook for the cast. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Colour Combination</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTi_QCsTmFg/XVPXImHTafI/AAAAAAAAdRw/udbgTpjNh2sgFeiEYG0VojHbdRwHY7xCQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1000292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTi_QCsTmFg/XVPXImHTafI/AAAAAAAAdRw/udbgTpjNh2sgFeiEYG0VojHbdRwHY7xCQCLcBGAs/s320/P1000292.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Having arrived at the water bang on midday both rods were out within half hour of arriving, due to my previous sessions, I knew exactly where I wanted to place both baits. Setting up and casting out was becoming quite mechanical, both rods went out perfectly and the cushioned <i>'DONKS'</i> from both casts indicated that I was in the silt. The only hard sections where running central between me and where I'd cast both rods. I saw no sense in positioning both rods on the hard stuff, past captures have show that they clearly like to grub around in the silt. In regards to <i>'hard spots', </i>I've never quite understood the obsession some people seem to have with them. Just because you find a hard area it doesn't necessarily mean it's a feeding spot. I believe a lot of the time it's got more to do with the fact that hard spots '<i>in the mind of many'</i> are easy to present a rig on. This is obviously correct, personally, <i>'unless your fishing a gravel pit'</i>, if the silt, clay and weed isn't the nasty stinky stuff, I'd rather put my bait in it, or at least near it. Lots of naturals can be found in those three substances and where there's naturals, the carp aren't usually too far behind. Secondly if everyone is always fishing the hard areas, avoiding them<i> 'could'</i> produce more bites - <i>it's all down to personal preference.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Auhwiw4WYFM/XVPnIaE5twI/AAAAAAAAdR8/2GC0i6NVEIMKeW8lcfUzEvmXXGSw5ulVACLcBGAs/s1600/P1000290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Auhwiw4WYFM/XVPnIaE5twI/AAAAAAAAdR8/2GC0i6NVEIMKeW8lcfUzEvmXXGSw5ulVACLcBGAs/s640/P1000290.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With both rods and the bait having been deployed there was nothing left to do other than set up the rest of my swim and wait for some action. Sitting there looking over the water my mind kept on replaying the loss of the previous session. I know it sounds stupid but I felt that I'd blown my chance at hooking a <i>'potential monster' </i>from this swim now. My instinct was telling me that I'd get one chance and one chance only, I'd made up my mind that I'd continue to fish these spots for the next month or so and then I'd head back up to some of my Chelmsford waters. The day ticked on by like any other, the same breeze pushed down through the swim and on towards the muddy double. I knew it was just a matter of time before the fish would follow. Periodically I'd fire a few fresh baits over both rods, I wanted to keep the bait going in. There was part of me that felt that I couldn't actually over feed this specific swim. My attitude towards the baiting was pretty <i>'Gung-Ho'</i> but I knew that approaching it this way was going to get me results.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Everything remained motionless until around 3' o'clock, I started to get some indications on both of my rods. The bobbins start fidgeting and the alarms where spitting and crackling like encrypted morse-code. They were clearly trying to tell me something, if I was to hazard a guess they were saying, <i><u>"Paul get into your strike position, a bite is imminent".</u></i> I got my binoculars out and scanned around the area, I could see clear signs of feeding, mainly over the left hand rod. Just like last time, concentrated streams of bubbles were rising to the surface, when you looked closely you could see the clay/silt intertwined within them. My heart started pounding and as I sat perched on the edge of my seat, waiting, the patches of bubbles started to intensify, it was now very clear that a number of fish had moved in and they appeared to be hoovering up. My eyes were now firmly on the water, occasionally my attention was swayed as my bite alarms gave off a 'crackle and 'hum'.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Morse-Code & Smoke Signals</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Second by second the feeding was clearly moving closer to my hook bait, there looked to be a fish literally on top of it. The bubbles inched closer and closer and then they stopped, time stood still and then <i>'BOOM'</i>, the left rod was away like lightning. The <i>'battle procedure'</i> commenced, the rod hooped round and the clutch started ticking. The fish bolted at such a rate that all the silt and clay around my spot whipped itself up, the mix of the dark silt and emerald green of the water blended together to make a <i>'chocolate milkshake'</i> like consistency. The fish was ploughing along the shallow margin, propelling itself down towards the muddy double. My line was seriously tight to the left, I had to try to pacify it quickly otherwise the line was going to be at such a tight angle it was going to come in contact with the tree branches down to my left. I tightened the clutch as much as I thought I could get away with, sunk the rod low in the water and applied the pressure. This seemed to work, very slowly, I managed to turn the fishes head, with each <i>'pull & wind'</i> the carp edged closer. Once under the rod tip it used the deep margins, careering left and right around in a circle and back again. This <i>'last gasp'</i> lasted for a few minutes before a solid scoop saw the fish engulfed in the net mesh.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This was a beautiful looking mirror, once again the left hand spot had produced, each fish from this specific swim had been unique in its own way. I'm not sure if this was just coincidence but there was a part of me that felt the swim was producing the better fish because they're not really use to being fished for much in this specific area. Looking at the time the bite came, it fell in-between 3:30pm & 4:30pm, that was in the same time frame as the last bite I had off of that rod a couple of sessions back. A few shots were taken, the fish was sent on its way and I got the rod back out for the remainder of the day. As expected, nothing else came along, the aim was to get back down as soon as possible, but it worked out, due to work commitments, it was going to be nearly a month before I could get back again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>Second Session October 5th 2016</u></i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the past few weeks work had taken up most of my time to the point where fishing had become a distant memory, it worked out around a month later that I finally had a day to get my rods out. A lot had changed in that time, the remains of summer was now just simple fragments in yesterdays wind and the looming claw of Autumn was starting to scratch the surface of the landscape. Arriving at the water it all became very clear, the leaves were thinning and the familiar shades of brown and bronze were starting to show in the foliage. I do enjoy my Autumn fishing but more times than not I find myself struggling with my mood, some lakes can be inspiring to fish as the colder months move in. However, there are a few waters that I find depressing to be on, I have to choose wisely. When the clocks go back and the dark starts to creep in come 4pm, it feels like the nights last forever. Summer seems to fly by, Autumn and Winter seem to last an age. So with all this mind I sorted my rods out, finished setting up my swim and cast both baits into the 'colder' looking blue. Everything was exactly the same as last time, same rigs, same spots only this time around I was using Green Lipped Mussel as bait. A small mesh bag of crushed boilie was put on the hook for the cast along with a 3 bait stringer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Both rods went out perfectly, with the slight chill in the air and moody looking skies above. I decided to put my umbrella up, chuck all my kit underneath it, push the chair as far back as I could, spark the kettle up and observe the world from the safety of my shelter. There was a very light breeze on the water, other than that everything looked pretty ghostly. The atmosphere changed greatly as midday arrived, the sun started to poke through the clouds and the slight chill of the morning lifted. I was still reluctant to come out from underneath my brolly, just like all my last sessions, I wasn't expecting anything to happen until mid afternoon. Thinking about it I was putting my money on another bite between 3:30pm and 4:30pm. There definitely seemed to be a pattern emerging, the carp seemed to move through this section later on. That's one of the aspects that I like about fishing the same swim for a certain amount of time. If you stick to the same approach, after two or three sessions, there's a very high chance that you'll start to see a pattern emerging. I was seeing a very clear pattern within this swim, gone were days of wondering if I was going to get a bite, it was a question of <i>'when'</i> - <u><i>and to be honest I could pretty much predict when.</i></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Waiting For A Blue Light</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After a couple of hours staring at the water I felt like I was under some strange hypnosis, occasionally the odd <i>bleep</i> of a bite alarm would snap me back to reality. Only for a short while though, then, not before too long, I'd be staring into existence once more. It's a strange sort of concentration, I was getting a weird buzz from the copious amount of caffeine that was coursing through my veins. But the buzz was dulled by the remnants of prescription medication - <i>'downers'</i> that were still haunting my system. All in all I was feeling rather strange, I guess it adds to the escapism that I seek in my angling, <i>'F**k' the real world, I can do without it. Give me slight disorientation and the prospect of a fish any day of the week</i>. Come lunchtime the sun was bright and beaming down through the trees, the prospect of Autumn that came with the morning felt like a lifetime away. It was around 1:30pm that I decided to apply some more bait to both spots, I wanted everything primed and ready come the magic hour between 3:30pm & 4:30pm. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RGvgq9Dw6Y/XVUhDOTzXqI/AAAAAAAAdTY/BrHwIDgAGUcWJWULgrjf_nqdBlVDty3KQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1010162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="1600" height="54" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RGvgq9Dw6Y/XVUhDOTzXqI/AAAAAAAAdTY/BrHwIDgAGUcWJWULgrjf_nqdBlVDty3KQCLcBGAs/s640/P1010162.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Nearing 3pm I decided to get my binoculars out and start scanning the area, everything seemed pretty motionless. Just as 3:30pm approached, completely out the blue, a carp suddenly appeared on the landscape as it jumped clear of the water, literally over my right hand rod. It didn't just show once, it showed multiple times, it cut through the waters skin so smoothly, there was serious <i>"THWACK" </i>as it collided back into the water. I knew that a bite was imminent, there was no way it was going to miss my carefully placed offerings. Five or so minutes past, then ten, as I got my binoculars back out and focused carefully on my spot I could see the bottom was getting churned up. My heart was now in my mouth, checking the time, it was 3:45pm, we were officially within the magic hour, something surly had to happen. As the feeding bubbles intensified and moved closer to my hook bait, the fish surfaced again only this time it wasn't a jump. It looked to cut the surface sideways and then dive straight back down to continue kicking the bottom up. A few liners crackled through my micron DXRs and <i>"BANG" </i>the right rod was away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">View From The Swim Two</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fu4RKojdvg/XVUkJEMBDjI/AAAAAAAAdTk/plh-AMB9vwYvN86gojK8IFLrIA9gCZKggCLcBGAs/s1600/view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fu4RKojdvg/XVUkJEMBDjI/AAAAAAAAdTk/plh-AMB9vwYvN86gojK8IFLrIA9gCZKggCLcBGAs/s640/view2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As I lent into the fish there was no doubt in my mind that the carp that showed itself was the one that took the hook bait. These poetic moments don't tend to happen a great deal but when they do it's like a strange alchemy of circumstances fuse themselves together. The fish had swam towards me at speed and was using the deep run down the center of the swim to its advantage. Clutches were ticking and rods were creaking, as the fish came in close and started circling it definitely appeared to be the carp that jumped, it was a pale looking common, short and dumpy with a fair bit of depth to it. A minor tussle under the rod tip soon saw it in the net. As I lifted the mesh up a very unique looking carp came into view, yet again this swim had produced another <i>'grade A'</i> bite. This fish was very strange looking, it was rather short, stocky and circular with a very high back and small mouth. If anything it reminded me of a crucian, it never quite ceases to amaze me the variety of fish living in Burrows. I've fished the place for near on a decade and it still has a habit of surprising me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Odd Ball</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">After returning the fish and checking the time, now true to form, the bite had come exactly as expected. It appeared 3:30/4:30 was definitely the magic hour, I had no doubt. I got the rod back out even though I knew it was going to be uneventful, sure enough nothing else occurred. It didn't matter how early I got here or how late I stayed, it appeared that 9 times out of 10 this was a bite a day swim at most. I'd already decided on my next session that I'd get down for 2:30pm and make sure everything was set to cast out for 3pm sharp. I saw no sense in arriving at the crack of dawn to wait all day for the bite to come when I knew mid afternoon was when the <i>'transaction'</i> would take place. Come 5pm the feeling of Autumn started to creep over the hills in the distance. The sun died and a chill embedded itself in the air, I decided to stay an hour or so after dark. It was hard to believe that winter was literally a matter of weeks away. I planned to get down for my '<i>micro-session'</i> in about a weeks time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Art Of Darkness</span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-774345218361204112019-08-03T03:48:00.000-07:002019-08-03T03:48:00.829-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 12<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Five days had past since my last session, due to the result I'd had on my previous trip I was itching to get back down and pick up from where I'd left off. Waking on the morning of my trip I was met with bright sunbeams spearing themselves through a gap in my curtains. As I pulled the blinds up, those same sunbeams moulded into one giant 'asteroid' of light, it took my eyes a while to adjust. I was still half asleep, there's something strangely satisfying inhaling the air of a new day when you aren't fully awake. After shaking the cobwebs from my head and having to acquire the assistance of two rather large cups of coffee to wake up properly, I started to sort through my tackle. Everything was in good shape, fresh rigs had been tied, PVA nuggets had been replenished and I'd swapped my rods over from my 3IB Ballistas to my 3IB Mirage. The Mirage blank is what I'd call a true <i>'through action'</i> rod, it's literally a spiritual experience playing fish on them. To go with that, the blank is a lovely chestnut color that has subtle green whipping down by the handle. When I'm fishing with these rods I'm not so much casting but sketching with my rig and bait onto the landscape in front of me. Having amassed a rather large collection of Bruce Ashby & Sportex rods, I find myself rotating what I'm using on a regular basis. Both Bruce Ashby & Tony Fordham rods are something special, each has its own unique action </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mirage 3IB Test Curve</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I arrived at the water around 11am, making my way down the woodland path to the <i>'bottle neck'</i> swim, I was semi apprehensive, I was hoping it was going to be vacant, sure enough it was. Deep down I knew it would be but I seem to have a habit of attracting <i>'sods law' </i>when I least expect it. The swim looked great, the water was a lovely emerald color and there was an inviting chop coming down from the cages. I had visions of carp hitching a ride on the wind, sailing down the main body of water and then 'squeezing' single file through the bottle neck where they'd come across my bait. I was hoping that all this visualization was going to harvest a result. With my swim set up and my rods rigged and ready for the chuck, I made two measured casts. Both rods were going to be fished around the same areas as my previous trip. The placement was going to be the same, the rigs were also the same. The only thing different was the bait, instead of the tiger-fish I'd opted for <i>'garlic sausage'.</i> The reason for the bait change was simple, I'd found a small bucket of garlic sausage that I didn't know I had. It's a killer bait and I thought I'd empty the whole bucket into the swim during this session.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Perfect Day</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDJo0_5wyC8/XOaPWuRe9yI/AAAAAAAAciE/K8mqmmQiggwln958DWeSCOq6Jh8FEX2eQCLcBGAs/s1600/bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDJo0_5wyC8/XOaPWuRe9yI/AAAAAAAAciE/K8mqmmQiggwln958DWeSCOq6Jh8FEX2eQCLcBGAs/s400/bottle.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As explained last time, piling the bait into this specific part of the water made complete sense to me. To attract the carp down to feed, there had to be a big enough spread making it literally impossible for a passing fish to not come across it. There are many occasions within my fishing where I operate on <i>'gut-feeling'</i> alone, and this was definitely one of those occasions. I got my <i>'short range'</i> throwing stick out and littered the whole swim with <i>'garlic sausage'</i>. My confidence was sky high, the conditions looked spot on and I knew that the carp weren't going to pass up the bait, the <i>'garlic sausage' </i>absolutely stinks. Both rods went out perfectly, there was nothing left to do other than set the rest of my swim up take a seat and watch the day play out. I was going to keep my eyes firmly on the water to see if I could spot any signs of fish feeding when/if they move in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bait Positioning</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">By the time the initial <i>'faffing around' </i>had been done it was approaching 1pm, realistically I didn't expect anything to happen until a little later on. On my last session bites came relatively quick<i> </i>but that was because fish were clearly feeding in the area when I arrived. I sparked the stove up and got the kettle on, a nice strong cup of <i>'Colombians'</i> best was concocted and thoroughly enjoyed whilst I sat surveying the swim. There was still a constant breeze pushing through and down towards the 'muddy double', I knew it was just a matter of time before a few fish would be passing through. I got my binoculars out and started scanning the swim meticulously, I was looking for any tell-tale signs that fish were starting to feast on my <i>'michelin star' </i>offerings. After a good 10 minutes of anal observation it all appeared very quiet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Garlic Sausage</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1108" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs0ntLFNoBw/XUQWSEPb2UI/AAAAAAAAdQA/3gY0jKunmMskZ3l8dTcrF_TjhDPf56hywCLcBGAs/s400/garlicsausage.jpg" width="276" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over head the clouds flew through the sky at pace, periodically the warmth of the sun would beat down on my face. I had the whole lake to myself, for the first time in a long time I felt pretty balanced <i>- this is no easy feat.</i> As the afternoon slowly ticked on by I started to receive a few nudges and knocks off of both rods. It was clear that a few fish were obviously moving through, a vague feeling of excitement started to work its way through my body. Scanning the swim again with my binoculars, there still weren't any sure signs of fish action. The liners soon ceased, for good measure I decided to top up the swim with a few more fresh baits. <i>Was I overfeeding?</i> - no I don't believe I was, Burrows has always been a water that I've used a lot of bait on. If I'm fishing the obvious areas, close to the overhanging trees or tight to the margins. I don't tend to use as much because you can pretty much guarantee that carp are going to be patrolling these spots at some stage during the day. On spots that aren't so obvious, open water etc, I look upon creating a feature with the amount of bait I use. There are many waters that I fish where you couldn't get away with doing this, on Burrows I knew I could.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Spearing Sunbeams</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The afternoon continued to pass and come 3 o'clock I really felt like something was about to occur. I started to receive liners on both my rods again, only this time they were accompanied by streams of bubbles, mainly over my left spot. Fish had moved in and it looked like they'd come in numbers, multiple patches of silt and bubbles starting breaking the surface. Seconds turned into hours, the left bobbin was fidgeting up and down. I was paranoid that the fish might spook off the line so I decided to slacken it right off. Judging by the positions of the bubbles the carp were mopping up the freebies and were only a short distance away from where I placed my hook bait. I sat with my eyes literally crawling down inside my binoculars, slowly and surely the bubbles edged closer and closer to where my hook bait was sitting, still nothing happened. <i>Had they sussed the rig? Was the bait presented OK? - </i>questions started leaking into my head. <i>And then ...... bleeeeeeeeeeepp !!! </i>the alarm screamed, the rod tip was bending beyond belief and the clutch whizzed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lifting the rod up and turning the handle to <i>engage </i>the bait-runner, the rod arched round into a perfect curve. I balanced my attention between playing the fish and admiring the proper <i>through-action</i> that the <i>'Mirage'</i> possesses. The carp was powering down using the depth of the water to its advantage, I let it take line when needed and pretty much let the rod do the rest of the work. As I slowly eased the fish closer the reflection of the sun on the water was near blinding, I couldn't see a thing. I slowly peeled some line off of the spool and precariously walked backwards to grab my polaroid glasses, they were just about in arms reach. I then reeled in the slack frantically and continued the task of trying to land the fish. Now with the glare off the water, as the fish came in close, I could clearly see it, the suns rays reflected off its scales. It was a beautiful looking mirror, it had a charcoal grey back, a white belly and scattered scale patterns. Once again it looked like Burrows was going to reward me with another unique looking fish. It slowly tired, slid up on its side and casually drifted across the waters surface into the net. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Fine Prize</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFhqFiNdy-Y/XUR03_QX96I/AAAAAAAAdQc/XKa6JbCDMmg8NCn14IL7-oPzsStJf8yUQCLcBGAs/s1600/gs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="960" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFhqFiNdy-Y/XUR03_QX96I/AAAAAAAAdQc/XKa6JbCDMmg8NCn14IL7-oPzsStJf8yUQCLcBGAs/s640/gs.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once in the net a huge amount of relief washed over me, it was now time to take a proper look at my prize. This was a beautiful carp, the combination of the grey and white, along with the scattered scales gave this fish a very unique look. This was, without a doubt, one of the best looking mirrors I'd caught out of Burrows. After a few quick photos I bid her farewell, I had a few hours left so I got the rod back out. I didn't go crazy with the bait, I applied a few handfuls, set the bobbin and took in the remains of the day. Nothing else occurred, I was happy though, I'd managed another fish from a section of the water that I'd struggled with so many times before. As the sun started to set I got all my gear together and made my way home. My mind was already thinking about my next session - <i>"carp fishing, it's a beautiful obsession"</i>. </span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-78278061342147903182019-05-18T11:01:00.002-07:002019-05-18T11:01:41.459-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 11<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">These next set of blogs are going to be accounting for a series of sessions down on Burrows, it's these <i>'last'</i> few sessions that will see me leave the water indefinitely. Part of me feels like it's a shame to walk away, I've fished the place for over a decade and it's the one place that I seem to have a special connection with. My reasons for pulling off are pretty simple really, firstly, I don't agree with what has been done with all the swims. The banks went from looking rough, ready and natural to suddenly having timber planks and wood chip thrown everywhere, not only that but the addition of a few extra pegs and their positioning has now created plenty of opportunity for stupidity in regards to anglers fishing on top of each other. Along with that, once a few 30's got caught and were plastered all over social media, anglers that usually didn't fish the place came flocking down. Finally, for the first time in ten years, me having two arguments in one week with two pricks who clearly didn't understand the concept of manors. I finally decided that it was best that I moved on and focused my attention elsewhere, when the carp circus comes knocking I've got to find the exit quick.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So let us turn the clock way back, the day of my session pretty much started out like any other. I arrived at the lake nice and early and decided to make my way round to where I'd had all my winter bites from. I was going to keep everything simple, pretty much just mimicking what I'd done all winter. Whilst I was slipping, sliding and wrestling with the barrow, I kept my eyes on the water, down past the muddy double and onward up the path. I came to a stand still to catch my breath opposite a swim that I call the <i>'bottleneck', </i>this is an area of the water that I've never had much luck from. It use to be a <i>'hot spot'</i> but over the years it seemed to dry up. Looking down in the edge there appeared to be several patches of silt that had clearly been kicked up. The water had both the look and consistency of soup, milky looking bubbles still lingered on the surface. Carp had definitely been feeding there, after witnessing this, my plan instantly changed. I was working on the basis that if carp <u><i>'had'</i></u> been there then there's a good chance they might still be in the area. I dipped into my bait bucket, showered the area with some <i>'tiger-fish'</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">, </span>did an <i>'about-face'</i> and made my way back up the path down through the woods and into the <i>'bottleneck'</i> swim.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Swim Position 'Birds Eye View'</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was going to be a straight forward approach, I'd place both my baits a rod length or so either side of where I'd seen the silt patches. Any ounce of <i>'cool' </i>I'd been exhibiting had very swiftly vacated my body, I was in a minor panic, mixed with a crazy excitement. If carp were still about I wanted to be getting my baits out as soon as possible. If today was to end in a fish I'd already made up my mind that over the next few weeks, in between my other sessions, the<i> 'bottleneck'</i> was the swim that I'd focus all my attention on. Just like my winter approach, I'd come down on a regular basis and put my baits on the same spots. With most of the other swims on the lake, you can pretty much guarantee that a lot of different bait will be going in and a lot of different anglers will be fishing all the obvious <i>'go-to'</i> areas. Because this specific part of the water gets very little pressure, I knew that 9 times out of 10, when I'd come down to fish, this swim was going to be vacant. If I stuck to week days I could <i>'covertly'</i> get on with my own thing, build the swim up and hopefully get some results. It was all dependent on how today was going to work out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlUa3CnZQY/XNlCKoYR3TI/AAAAAAAAcdk/RNrwV8cAKY4-iER6w99NVFVVfHz4BN7cQCEwYBhgL/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlUa3CnZQY/XNlCKoYR3TI/AAAAAAAAcdk/RNrwV8cAKY4-iER6w99NVFVVfHz4BN7cQCEwYBhgL/s640/swim.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the weeks that followed, I started to get a feel for the make up of the swim. There's a fair amount going on and I found it interesting. The marginal areas to the right hand side of my spot were surprisingly deep close in and then it gradually sloped down to 8ft, the bottom of the slope worked out to be just over half way across. I wanted to be positioning my bait no deeper than half way down the slope. I wasn't getting any real <i>'DONKS'</i>, it felt like a mix of silt & clay. Directly opposite me where the silt had been kicked up. It was about 3ft close in, about half a rods length out it fell away sharply to 5.5ft then gradually sloped down to 7-8ft. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The left hand side of the swim fell away in 3 sections, it was relativity uniform close in and had a couple of sloping drop offs until it fell away to the deeper water. I wanted to be fishing the shallow sections of this area, it made no sense in targeting the deeper parts. From the communication I was getting every time the lead 'thumped' on the bottom. It appeared to be to same make up as the right hand spot, which was silt & clay. It's in these situations a deeper sonar would be an amazing tool to map the swim quickly but casting a bare lead about really helps to build up a mental picture. How accurate that picture is, it's hard to say but I feel better having something in mind to work with.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tiger-Fish With A Fleck Of Color</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with everything setup and ready to go I made one 'roughly judged' cast with each rod, both landed pretty much where I wanted them to. Having already chucked a couple of handfuls of bait in the swim from the other side, I opted to <i>'go relatively heavy' </i>and scatter about half a kilo around the whole area. The reasoning behind this was <i>'instinct' </i>more than anything else, feeling the </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">temperature of the </span>water and judging by the low clouds and atmosphere, I just knew in my gut that the conditions were right to bait heavy. Also from a <i>'passing thought point of view</i>', I wanted enough bait out there to pull whatever fish might be ghosting around down onto my bait. If they didn't feed here on a regular basis I knew I had to keep the bait going in, with the hope that it would end up being an area that they got into the habit of visiting with the intention to feed. Obviously <i>'all the above' </i>was wishful thinking but with a little bit of conviction and <i>'single bloody mindedness'</i> it might just work out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Long Hairs</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Rig Talk </u></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For the last 4 years or so I've been using an extra large rig ring on my blow back rigs. I've been asked a number of times why I do this, I'll explain. I personally think the more movement you give the hook bait the better the hooking potential. Through the years I've both read about and witnessed with my own eyes, carp picking up a hook bait and instead of bolting, sitting there blowing and sucking on the boilie trying to eject the hook. This was something I was told about many many years ago by Graham at Crowborough tackle. He explained that, on one specific local club water called 'Wirgol', the carp had a tendency not to bolt, instead they'd sit still sucking and blowing using the boilie as a tool to dislodge the hook. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To be honest I didn't really believe him and wrote it off as bollocks. This was until I had a very strange occurrence up Wirgol on a session not too long after the conversion. I can see it as clear as crystal in my mind. There I was sitting behind my motionless 'mixed matched' rods with my 45p orange bobbins clipped onto my lines. It was a really bright day, I was using a Richworths boilie called 'Meaty Mix' I can literally smell it as I type these words. I hadn't received one bleep which was hard to believe considering the pond was about an acre in size.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Towards mid afternoon I decided to reel in for a recast, as I picked up my right hand rod I was instantly met with a heavy weight. Whatever was on the end bolted off at pace, my old Sundridge rod was bent over double, not because it was a 'through action', because it was a 'shit action'. Anyway .... after a violent tussle I slipped my first ever fully scaled mirror over the net, weighing in at an awesome 13IB. At the time that was the biggest mirror I'd ever caught, the capture stayed in my mind for two reasons, firstly the size of the fish, secondly the fact that the carp had clearly picked the bait up and hadn't bolted. After what Graham told me I had no doubt in my mind that the fish was trying to ditch the hook, god knows how long it had actually been sitting there trying to do it. This was an experience and conversation that has stayed with me ever since, not all carp are the same but I think some are a lot smarter than what we give them credit for.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Large Rig Ring For More Free Movement</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhIXvnjPXXw/XNlQaofP6OI/AAAAAAAAcd8/-s3CKKd-cA4zmbYhyxIQcrZ-ehGHCqkwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/5.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhIXvnjPXXw/XNlQaofP6OI/AAAAAAAAcd8/-s3CKKd-cA4zmbYhyxIQcrZ-ehGHCqkwgCEwYBhgL/s400/5.3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is when the 5.3mm rig ring came into my mind, I wanted something that would stop the carp being able to use the hook bait to ditch the hook. I've found nearly 9 times out of 10, when you're using a large rig ring that can slide right up the shank and over the silicone kicker. The hair and boilie seem to tangle/lasso around the hook link, thus stopping the carp from being able to get the boilie back in its mouth. The bait basically tangles and stays well out the way. 'The white arrows on the image above shows the direction the bait has a tendency to travel when ejected'. I find this size ring combined with a long hair gives me really good hook holds. This is not in my imagination, I've genuinely seen a massive difference in the quality of the hook holds and I haven't lost a fish due to the hook coming out. Combined with a long hair, I have 100% confidence in this setup.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Back To The Session</u> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bait of choice as mentioned before was the faithful <i>'Tiger-Fish'</i>, combined with that I was going to be fishing semi-fixed inlines with bottom baits. Attached to the hook on the cast would be a small mesh bag of crushed boilies, the hook bait would be topped off with an imitation orange maggot. The bait is of a dark tinge so adding a fleck of color might just help to entice a carp into picking it up. To finish off, my hook-links were made up of <i>'Nash Trigga-link'</i> in 25IB combined with <i>'Kryston Silkworm' </i>in 25IB. Many will know from past blogs that<i> </i>I love using the <i>'Trigga-link',</i> I genuinely think it confuses the carp, you can tell by the bites you tend to get on it. You can literally see the confusion in the movement of the bobbin, not only that, if you're fishing for 'cute' fish that use the weight of the lead to try and ditch the hook. I think the 'spring' like quality of the <i>'Trigga-link'</i> renders the whole <i>'head shake escape'</i> useless. So now with both rods out I got my brolly up and set my swim out nice and tidy. Looking at the skies above I was definitely in for some rain, it was time to get the kettle on, sit back and hope that the fish that were in the area earlier weren't too far away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Nice & Secluded In The 'Bottle Neck'</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Why do I call this swim the bottleneck?</i>. It's pretty simple really, this is the one part of the water that narrows. In my head Burrows is a lake of three sections, up the far end you have the cages. Then you have the main body of water which narrows through the bottleneck, opening back up at the 'bowl' end where the muddy double swim is located. You'd think that carp would be passing through the bottleneck all the time but, as mentioned before, the only bite I've ever had out the swim has been on a 7ft zig. Maybe they're moving through on a regular basis but they're mid-water, that would explain the zig bite. Also, lets not forget that I only fish days, maybe I would've had more of a result doing nights and longer stints. But as documented many times before, I can't stand camping, my night fishing days are very much behind me. I personally think that you put way more effort into what you're doing when you subtract night fishing out of the equation. I think it takes far more dedication focusing on just days, especially if you're going to be fishing consecutive sessions. I know there can be downsides to 'days only' but on each lake I fish I have to try to find a way to get a result in the time I have available to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fish Feeding</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with the steam from the kettle spluttering out the spout and the soft <i>'pitter patter'</i> of the rain lightly hitting my umbrella, I sat quietly gazing out over the water. All the trees and branches were in full bloom, it felt like I was sitting in a strange 'hollow' within a lost woodland. The trees tower overhead and a small gap within the foliage gives you a partially obscured view of the water. As I sat staring out over my swim I started to see some activity, small streams of bubbles started to appear. At first I thought it might've been the mallards, but they were calm and hadn't made any commotion. I got my scope out and took a closer look, there was no doubt in my mind that carp had moved in and were very clearly kicking the bottom up. Now with my eyes fixed on the skin of the water, bubbles were hitting the surface in multiple spots, all the minor explosions were reminiscent of smoke signals. Coinciding with this, my right buzzer was signalling some movement, I sat transfixed, my heart was pounding in my chest, it was resonating in my head, <i>boom .. boom .. boom ... booooom .... sccrreeeaammmm !!!!!</i>. Before I could clock what was happening my right rod was away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As the fish bolted off, multiple explosions could be seen, it was clear to me that the carp that had been feeding there in the early morning had come back. I lent into the fish, minor euphoria gripped my whole body, from all the years of fishing Burrows this was the first bite I'd had from this swim off the bottom. The fish bolted hard to the right, it was clearly heading for the sunken posts that </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">ran up the the right side edge<i> </i>of the swim. You could just see the top of one poking out the water, this carp was firing on all cylinders to try and reach it. I had to put some serious pressure on to stop it, amid the battle I lowered my left rod off of the buzzer and sunk the tip so the line was well out the way. I continued to try and pacify the fish I had on, I'd managed to get it clear of the posts and I now had it 'comfortably' out in the open water in front of me. I started to relax a little, glancing down at my left rod still half sunken in the water, I saw the butt section jolt sharply to the left. Checking where both the fish and my line were, neither were anywhere near the rod. I had an awful feeling that I'd had a second take and I didn't have a second set of arms to land it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fish Number 1</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> I applied a little more pressure managing to get the first bite in the net, once it was safe in the mesh, I rushed to pick up my left rod and wound in the slack like a madman. I kept on winding until the line went tight, turning the reel and lifting the rod up high. It instantly pulled down to my right, I could feel a carp on the end but it had clearly bolted for the posts and succeeded in snagging itself around one of them. I couldn't believe it, I'd had a double take from a swim I couldn't buy a bite from in years. You could just about see the top of the post vibrating and pulsating as the fish was trying to flee. I kept the pressure on for a good few minutes, after which, I couldn't feel the carp anymore, looking at the post, it appeared motionless. I tighten right up, cupped the spool and walked back slowly, stopping for a few minutes as I went. The line was bow tight, pinging like a guitar string, suddenly everything gave way. I'd managed to bend the hook out and get all my terminal tackle back. I was obviously blown away with the fish waiting for me in the net. However having a second take and not being able to do anything about it left a sour taste in my mouth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A 'Bottle-Neck' Beauty</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lifting the net slightly so the fish came into view, I was met with a beautiful chestnut colored mirror, this carp really was an amazing creature. A couple of photos were taken and I slipped her home, I had a feeling that all the commotion probably spooked whatever carp might have been in and around the area. However I wanted to witness the day <i>'play-out'</i>, this part of the water was new to me and I find simply sitting, watching and thinking about the swim can nurture new ideas for future sessions. Nothing else occurred but that didn't bother me, due to the result, I'd made up my mind that over the next couple of weeks I'd focus solely on this swim. I still didn't think it was an area that the carp fed in a great deal. I was going to approach it <i>'heavy-highhandedly</i>, I'd <i>'fill it in', </i>I didn't think a mouthful was going to cut it. If carp were passing through, which I believe they were, then enough bait had to be out there to attract them down. Before leaving I spread a good kilo and a half all around the swim with the plan to come back later in the week and give it another go. This little mission I'd set for myself was going to be a mini marathon, not a sprint. </span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-7320603395662872002019-05-08T02:02:00.000-07:002019-05-10T09:36:51.817-07:00TF Gear Force 8 Rapid Day Shelter Review <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"As in all my reviews I'd like to start by stating that I'm in no way connected to Total fishing gear. This is an independent write up that I hope might help you out if you've been thinking about purchasing the</i></span></span> Force 8 Rapid Day Shelter"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Many of you that read my blogs will be aware that I'm not a follower of fashion, simply put, I buy things that I like not what I'm told I should like. Nowadays I feel carp fishing is very much <i>'fashion led' </i>and I get the feeling that many newcomers to the sport are more bothered about what they look like when they're out on the bank, as opposed to understanding and applying their minds to the art of angling as a whole. The longer I'm in this game, <i>'29 years and counting'</i> the more I've come to understand that all the <i>'extras'</i> that come with carp fishing, the tackle, the bait, the rigs etc are nothing more than distractions. It's the mind of the angler that puts fish on the bank not what bivvy one should choose or big pit reel one might prefer. There's far too much snobbery when it comes to 'brands'. I'm finding some of the major companies are relying on past reputation, many now churning out overpriced tat. I find the less popular brands are the ones producing reliable and reasonably priced gear, this is because many of them still have something to prove.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to the review, my '<i>Korum fibre-shield' </i>had finally given up the ghost after many years of reliable service. Korum had discontinued it so I started scanning the internet for day shelters. If I'm not remaining mobile during a session I nearly always like to use some form of shelter, rain or shine, being nestled underneath something adds to the escapism and sanctuary that angling provides for me. Even though I only do day sessions, once I've arrived at the water it always feels nice to setup camp for the day, get my swim tidy and house all relevant items under cover. When I started to think about what I actually wanted from a shelter there were four main points. It had to be lightweight, built well and simple to setup and take down. I stumbled upon the "TF Gear Force 8 Rapid Day Shelter" when I was fishing with my friend Danny. It was a warm bright day and the wind was nuts, Danny disappeared for a few moments and suddenly reappeared again with what looked to be a small lightweight piece of material. With a quick <i>"check this out", </i>he performed some <i>'hocus-pocus'</i> and within moments we had a home over our heads. I was pretty much sold straight away and I'd made the decision that when I needed a new <i>'portable fishing home'</i> I'd be looking closer at the force 8.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Force 8 In Action </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hee9_VNtnjU/XNF_fH-SOII/AAAAAAAAcZE/fEVeixXHY7QNm1ADLvPvk-sSR-cQ6kLpACLcBGAs/s1600/force8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hee9_VNtnjU/XNF_fH-SOII/AAAAAAAAcZE/fEVeixXHY7QNm1ADLvPvk-sSR-cQ6kLpACLcBGAs/s640/force8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before I continue I'd like to point out that I'm under no illusion that TF Gear aren't exactly what you'd call a 'trendy/cool' company. I think I'd go as far in saying that they haven't exactly got a great reputation in regards to some of their product lines and I know many out their wouldn't be seen dead using any of their gear. But none of that bothers me in the slightest, I've got to say that I own their trail-blazer barrow, chair, stove and some of their luggage range and for build quality and performance it's without a doubt the best I've owned by a mile. Before I continue I'd like to add that this review is for the 'force 8 rapid' day shelter, this is an updated version of the original 'force 8' that they produced a good few years back. So first impressions, the shelter itself is £59.99 and you get a lot for your money. It's neatly housed within a 'tie-top' bag with a handy shoulder strap. The point I like about this is the fact that the bag is a lot larger than the actual shelter. This means that you don't have to be messing around after a session trying to pack it super tight, you literally roll it up and slide it home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over Sized Carry Bag & Shoulder Strap</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_RT12mk4j8/XNGPW1G_BSI/AAAAAAAAcZQ/T4GkZ7QKxFwKiVsLw3jgb4GwbDNMnBugACLcBGAs/s1600/carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_RT12mk4j8/XNGPW1G_BSI/AAAAAAAAcZQ/T4GkZ7QKxFwKiVsLw3jgb4GwbDNMnBugACLcBGAs/s640/carry.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The shelter in its rolled up form takes up about as much room as a standard brolly but it's much lighter. Removing it from the bag, it's nicely clipped up tight with a supporting strap, when you get it out you'll notice a mechanism attached to one end, this is the top of the shelter. It's this mechanism that you're going to use to erect it, it's a tidy little design and once you get the hang of it, nothing could be simpler. In the picture below the white arrow is pointing to the mechanism, it's here where all the magic happens.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Mechanism Situated At The Top Of The Shelter</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP-99s1H8cw/XNGSn5ib2iI/AAAAAAAAcZk/mK-rW42ZnQAuekFKLX9SmzHjP_Pl5margCLcBGAs/s1600/carry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP-99s1H8cw/XNGSn5ib2iI/AAAAAAAAcZk/mK-rW42ZnQAuekFKLX9SmzHjP_Pl5margCLcBGAs/s640/carry2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>"I have images below demonstrating what I'm about to describe in this paragraph".</u> To set the shelter up you lift it off the ground 'mechanism first', making sure that all the legs/stems are laying down on the floor. Then you're going to pull the protruding bar downwards 'number 1 in the image below' and clip it onto the long black bar 'number 2 in the image below', bar number 2 creates the shelters peak. From reading up online, some people find this a little tricky, from my understanding, this is because they don't apply enough force to the 'number 1' bar. My advice to you is, don't hold back, nothing is going to break. Pull it down hard and clip it in - job done !.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Clip Bar 1 to Bar 2 - Use Force</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sJon_mfmY9k/XNGV3dldxhI/AAAAAAAAcZ0/lMFoZ_GTcEYs7qXtdUiVy2FLxcqdCjyLgCLcBGAs/s640/bar1.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finished Position</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1508" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OywyoA5Gdnc/XNGXVfY43sI/AAAAAAAAcaA/AkQmE6BbAr8QUOuRIg0SLrtA8XEG8cAVQCLcBGAs/s640/bar2.jpg" width="601" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once the main bar has been clipped into place the shelter should've taken shape, the next thing to do is to push the central shaft 'letter A in the image below' into the central part of the mechanism 'letter B in the image below'. Upon doing this you'll hear a <i>"CLICK", </i>once this has been done slide the two small rods forward 'letter C in the image below', this locks everything into place and will ensure the central shaft doesn't come out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Click Central Shaft Into Place </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N91EV1bAQ0I/XNGuOAfpdvI/AAAAAAAAca4/n8b5B8ykRTMwUzlc5iMDrqDec2k9ov-7wCLcBGAs/s1600/clip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N91EV1bAQ0I/XNGuOAfpdvI/AAAAAAAAca4/n8b5B8ykRTMwUzlc5iMDrqDec2k9ov-7wCLcBGAs/s640/clip.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i> </i>The above paragraphs make it sound like a drawn out process but the whole procedure literally takes a matter of seconds. The main thing is having the confidence to pull and clip the bars together. Once you've got this down the shelter pretty much puts itself up. Below is a time-lapse video of both the setup and pack down.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Setup & Pack Down </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HBduHW8iuc8" width="560"></iframe><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now we've covered the art of setting it up lets get down to the <i>nitty-gritty. </i>First off, it's made with a very lightweight material, I've fished with it in heavy rain and sunshine and I can confirm that it dries really fast without holding any moisture. All of the stitching is heavy duty especially around the four main pegging points. In regards to the pegs, you do get a bag with the shelter but they're of a very low quality and I'd advise you to replace them. I don't quite understand why TFG would create such a handy product only to supply substandard accessories. You can buy good quality pegs from most tackle shops. Moving on to the shape, to some people it may not look <i>'carpy'</i> enough to be seen sitting under. Firstly <i>'carpy' </i>is a stupid word, secondly I actually really like the shape and from an aesthetic point of view it hasn't looked out of place anywhere that I've taken it. The extended peak is a nice touch, it makes the overall appearance quite streamline, not only that, it helps to keep the rain out. Due the the sharp angle on each side of the peak, the water doesn't have anywhere to gather. It simply glides off and splashes to the floor a foot or so away from the front of the shelter, it doesn't drip inward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Solid Pegging Points</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaXropYS4EM/XNGfrexX0wI/AAAAAAAAcaY/Rj82ChywM0wm77mE6HtqGvOef8qLe9H2ACLcBGAs/s1600/pegging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaXropYS4EM/XNGfrexX0wI/AAAAAAAAcaY/Rj82ChywM0wm77mE6HtqGvOef8qLe9H2ACLcBGAs/s640/pegging.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When I was researching the product one of the main gripes I kept coming across was how wobbly and bendy the shelter can be in blustery winds. Due to its shape and design it isn't going to be as stable as a brolly and I've been getting a bit of <i>'wobble'</i>, especially in <i>'heavy weather'</i>. However this can be partially solved, <i><u>This next point is important</u></i>, <u>it's all to do with how you peg it down</u>. When pegging your four main points, make sure you're pulling the shelter tight. Along with these main pegging points you get secondary support cords, you have one on each side and two located on the back. To ensure the shelter holds ground well in strong winds it's vital that you use all of the pegging points available.<i> </i>When the pegging down has been done correctly it should be nice and stable, you will still get a little bit of movement if the wind is strong but that can't really be helped. One down side that, again I find strange, there isn't a primary pegging point located on the back panel, this doesn't make a great deal of sense to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Side Pegging Cord</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqqPhlw1-o/XNGxscXqjzI/AAAAAAAAcbE/3agMvPo-DKIp6sShA4J0zm4lt8Vwk-cEgCLcBGAs/s1600/cord-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIqqPhlw1-o/XNGxscXqjzI/AAAAAAAAcbE/3agMvPo-DKIp6sShA4J0zm4lt8Vwk-cEgCLcBGAs/s640/cord-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Back Pegging Cords, No Primary Pegging Point</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1eJBYTwd2s/XNGi0kJVjMI/AAAAAAAAcak/sAFeOZthao0iOvNHVghN_nkZaxlXvaUTgCLcBGAs/s1600/pegging3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1eJBYTwd2s/XNGi0kJVjMI/AAAAAAAAcak/sAFeOZthao0iOvNHVghN_nkZaxlXvaUTgCLcBGAs/s640/pegging3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to the overall size, there's a surprising amount of room once you're inside. From the outside it genuinely doesn't look like it takes up a particularly large foot print. I've managed to fit it in all of my chosen swims so far and some have been pretty tight. You have plenty of head room and even on a relatively high chair you don't feel cramped. Me and my mate have spent a good few sessions in it hiding from both the wind and the rain, it doesn't feel like there's a lack of room. I would say it's perfect if you're fishing on your own and you want to fit your barrow and other items of tackle underneath to keep it all dry and out of the rain. This is where I think a shelter like the force 8 weighs in slightly over a brolly. As much as I loved my <i>fibre-sheild</i> I always felt I was hunching down, even when sitting and, apart from my seat and maybe my large tackle bag, you really couldn't fit a great deal under it at all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Force 8 Dimensions</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLj71foJWQQ/XNHYyvK-VnI/AAAAAAAAcb4/9llpAP1qKHkuHCKKCmW1mHAvmCdD_gAqQCLcBGAs/s1600/mes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLj71foJWQQ/XNHYyvK-VnI/AAAAAAAAcb4/9llpAP1qKHkuHCKKCmW1mHAvmCdD_gAqQCLcBGAs/s640/mes.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A
couple of nice little touches regarding the inside of the shelter,
you've got a sewn in plastic ring in the center of the ceiling which you
could hang a torch or small light from and you have two sewn in pockets
on either side. I've found these useful to keep a catapult, phone,
sounder box etc in. Another nice touch is the option to open the back panel, this can be used to improve airflow on hot days or come in handy if you're pole fishing and it's tipping it down outside.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Optional Air Vent</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZRvXBH1lkM/XNG4pld2p2I/AAAAAAAAcbc/Bj9zeqjNHiMkCMr5v-_uKgMU1_Evnz3YwCLcBGAs/s1600/vent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZRvXBH1lkM/XNG4pld2p2I/AAAAAAAAcbc/Bj9zeqjNHiMkCMr5v-_uKgMU1_Evnz3YwCLcBGAs/s640/vent.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Focusing on the force 8's negative points, firstly as mentioned before, you're going to need to replace the pegs provided, they're really not great. In regards to the design, one aspect that bothers me is the fact that the side panels don't go all the way down to the floor. There's a small gap of a few inches, this is particularly annoying if you've got a cold wind because you tend to get a bit of a draft firing in underneath. From a design point of view I really don't understand why they didn't make sure it went nice and snug all the way to the ground. Not only does the gap prove a drafty annoyance but when it rains some of the water tends to run down the sides and come in underneath creating wet spots, again if the shelter went all the way to the floor this wouldn't happen. One other point, <i>'mentioned before',</i> is the lack of a main pegging point on the back panel, you have two extra pegging cords but no main pegging point. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In regards to the overall stability of the force 8, if pegged down properly it is stable but it's not solid, I do find that I get a lot more <i>'wobble' </i>and movement compared to my old brolly, but this is to be expected because of the shape and the height. It's hard to say at this stage how it will fair in proper gale force winds and rain. I personally think it's suited more to less brutal conditions, like spring showers and moderate winds. I can see myself using it as a shelter to get some shade on a hot day, also because it's so quick to setup and take down it would be perfect on a pit or a river if you're going to be roving around. One last thing that I personally thought would of made a great addition would've been a couple of velcro straps to be able to clip your rods into whilst re-baiting or changing rigs. That's something that my <i>fibre-shield</i> had and I thought they were a really nice touch. All in all none of these gripes are particularly huge, if anything it's just me being a little pedantic. But as in all of my reviews I like to give an honest and rounded opinion. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Onsite With The Force 8</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So to sum up, despite the odd gripe I actually really like my force 8 shelter, it's super light and super easy to put up and take down. I just really like the idea of having a home from home that you can put up in seconds. As mentioned before, I love the 'escapism' part of my angling and being tucked under a shelter enhances that feeling for me. If you're thinking about the force 8 as an option, you're not exactly buying a super luxurious engineered bit of kit, it's a little 'rough & ready' and it has its weaknesses. But gear is to use and abuse and for the money you can't really go wrong and you ain't going to feel too bad abusing it. I think it's pretty obvious that if you're a self-confessed tackle tart and follow both leading fashions and brands then a shelter like this isn't going to be anywhere near your radar. However if you're the type of angler that doesn't care for fashions and you just want a good reliable bit of kit that doesn't break the bank, then the TFG Force 8 rapid day shelter might be worth looking into. It's a piece of kit that I've already used loads and I'm really happy that I decided to purchase one. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Rating 7/10 </span></span></span><br />
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-56231006595751032582019-03-23T10:11:00.001-07:002019-03-23T10:58:06.417-07:00Braxted Reservoir Part One 'The Trance & The Hypnotists'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This blog is going to be in two parts, in the second part I'm going to be accounting for a nice relaxed session up on Braxted Reservoir. <i><b><u>There's a link at the bottom of this post that will take you directly to the session blog</u></b>.</i> In this first part I'd like to try and explain to you my viewpoint on <i>"the outside world". </i>I refer to <i>"the outside world"</i> as the place beyond the sanctuary of the waters and rivers we fish. What effects society has a tendency to bleed over into angling, I hope you can see the connection I'm trying to make. <i>Some of what I'm going to say might sound like the ramblings of a madman, I'm fine with that, sanity is overrated.</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Having spent the last couple of months focusing </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">solely</span> on Cants I felt inspired at the prospect of shifting my attention elsewhere. In some respects I'm my own worst enemy because I never consistently stick to one water for a long length of time, once I start to catch regularly, I have a tendency to move on, coming back to <i>'said water'</i> when it takes my fancy. I like fishing this way because it widens my perspective and keeps me thinking, I don't get bored. As we know, every water is different and the more scenarios you find yourself up against, the more your knowledge base expands and alters as does your experience. As mentioned before, I'm still writing my 2016 sessions up, existing as an angler in 2019 my viewpoint has taken a major shift. I'm starting to get the urge to branch out further afield, I mentioned the slight frustration I was feeling in my previous blog. I'm seriously considering taking on a big pit of some kind, something that I can really focus on and get into a rythm of fishing on a regular basis. I like the idea of bleak wide open spaces with little, to no knowledge of what the water contains. Part of me feels that my 'club water days' are slowly coming to an end. Over the next few months I'm going to be considering my next move very carefully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In regards to big pits, I feel the seed was planted decades ago but its just taken a while to firmly root. Many moons back in the days of the VHS video I remember watching a film of Andy Little and David Seaman fishing a huge desolate water, it was a deep old gravel pit with an unknown stock. The film documented 7 days of fishing, I recall the endless thought process they went through to try and extract the mystery that lurked within its eerie depths. They worked tirelessly to try and make something happen, it was on the 6th day that a breakthrough occurred. For a good few days they'd been constantly feeding their swim, both of them stood there, each with a throwing stick and they just kept on applying bait. Carp finally started to show, I can literally see it in my mind now as I type these words, out across this huge hostile landscape, life was emerging. Single shows turned into multiple acrobatic displays. The bottom was clearly starting to get kicked up and then ... <i>'BANG'</i> .. it all kicked off. There was something about extracting life from something so wild and untapped that had a long lasting effect on me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Below The Surface</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I had a recent conversation with a friend when we were discussing the very simple subject of existence, one point I made, which pretty much sums up where my mind is at was, "my interest is focused below the surface, dry land is far too obvious" - What I mean by this could be seen as complicated, "try and bare with me whilst I go off on a rather long tangent"</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Lets Take A Trip Down The Rabbit Hole</u></span><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On a day to day basis you pretty much know what's going to happen, we wake and we work and we abuse ourselves trying to get by. We're all continually chasing after something, an idea of happiness that's been cleverly implanted in our minds by a number of influences, a happiness that may not actually exist. Personally I'm still trying to work out what that <i>'happiness'</i> is, one thing I'm certain of, it doesn't involve expensive cars, big houses and loads of money. I believe <i>'it'</i> contains a far greater amount of substance than anything material. Along side that, you can literally predict the day to day conflict, it's completely out of hand, a massive majority are now so divided in their views and opinions that it's almost irreparable. In reality this shouldn't cause problems, but it does. Due to the current <i>'political climate'</i> in the UK, never before has a line been drawn so deeply between the population. I'm hearing all these <i>'slogans'</i> and <i>'buzz terms' </i>that in theory, don't actually exist. Through the years they've been made to exist, I see this as a product of <i>'social engineering'</i>, many think they have their own mind and their own opinions, it can come as quite a shock when people wake up and realize they don't. Your opinions are formed and shaped by the information you're exposed to, I believe a vast majority of this <i>'information'</i> is manipulated and designed to get a reaction and create friction. I started to write a poem about this and there's a line in it that says, <i>"We're all infected with a virus, it's called media bias"</i> - this line resonates with what I'm seeing around me, not just in the UK but all over the world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's Us Against Us</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">More than ever before people are defining themselves by meaningless labels, no longer do we use our names, you're either <i>'Conservative'</i> or <i>'Labour'</i>, you're a 'Remainer' or 'Brexiteer', you're <i>'left-wing'</i>, <i>'right-wing'</i> or <i>'center'. </i>All these terms don't exist, they've been made to exist and each one has been given a meaning as a mechanism to divide and split the collective consciousness<i>. </i>There really doesn't need to be any divide because we're all sharing and existing on the same frequency, we're experiencing the same consciousness.<i> </i>A prime example I can give of the <i>'collective mind' </i>operating as one was during the last world cup. I sensed a huge shift in peoples attitudes towards one another, we were all supporting the same thing. This produced an overall feeling of unity and it gave us all an amazing feeling of hope, for those that control, hope is a very dangerous thing. Once England got knocked out it took a matter of days for the usual divides to take hold again, the feeling in the air literally changed over night. But this gives us a glimpse of what society can feel like when our collective consciousness comes together. The more I observe the world, the more I believe that we're living in an engineered reality and as humans we're literally trapped in a collective trance that we can't break out of. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lead, Don't Follow</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The creators of this trance are what I call the <i>'hypnotists'</i>, these are the mechanisms that keep us dumb and fixated on the <i>'unimportant'</i>. They include the corporations, the media in all its forms, Hollywood, the music industry, the entertainment industry, the television companies, think tanks, celebrities, the list goes on, they're all around us in every area of our existence. It's these <i>hypnotists</i> that influence us on a day to day basis and many are completely unaware that this is the case. They form our world view, tell us how we should think and what we should feel, who we should like and who we should hate, what we should have and what we shouldn't. They do the thinking for us and many just take it all onboard without question. I believe the less self-belief you have the easier you are to influence, if you believe in both yourself and your actions, you'll have a natural resistance to this hypnosis. We have our own minds for a reason, and that's to use and develop them. The saying, <i>"if you don't use it you loose it"</i> rings very true here. And looking at society and the world in general, I think more people are losing their minds as opposed to using them. Before the worldwide web and smart phones it was far easier to remove yourself from the thought-control, but nowadays it's almost impossible.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>Until we break this trance the conflict and ill feeling is just going to escalate further. <i>So how do we wake up?</i> I don't think it's possible, as a race we're too far down the rabbit hole to be able to claw our way back out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Down The Rabbit Hole</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdDBCrlUbEs/XHg4r1LhmQI/AAAAAAAAcH4/EVVDBKMDipo1ojdeavTGa-DS_Dk2gefIACLcBGAs/s1600/giphy-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="495" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdDBCrlUbEs/XHg4r1LhmQI/AAAAAAAAcH4/EVVDBKMDipo1ojdeavTGa-DS_Dk2gefIACLcBGAs/s400/giphy-1.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The idea of a <i>'trance'</i> might sound utterly ridiculous to some of you out there, I can understand why. <i>Surely to be in a trance we have to be asleep?. </i>This isn't necessarily the case, both <i>'shock'</i> and <i>'trauma'</i> create a sleep like state even though our eyes are wide open and we're fully conscious. There are forms of hypnosis that can put you in a dream like state whilst you are completely aware of your surroundings. It's this form of hypnosis that our television set provides. How many times have you been watching TV only to realize that the hours have past and you've literally lost all sense of time. Another common symptom of how effective TV is as a trance inducing tool, how many of us find ourselves falling asleep in front of it, only to find that when we go to bed we can't seem to fall asleep as easily. Surfing the web has a very similar effect, I find that your awareness is locked so firmly on your screen that you're blind to anything else. If you're not careful a whole day can disappear and all you've got to show for it is a dozen or so carefully edited and choreographed social media updates. We're looking in the wrong places for substance, the term <i>'habitually distracted'</i> comes to mind, we're so preoccupied with the <i>'meaningless' </i>that we've lost sight of the 'meaning'. None of this is our fault, we're up against a finely tuned machine. Billions of pounds have been invested into learning about the human mind and how to manipulate it. <i>Why is the trance so successful?</i> There are many layers to this question but I have a main theory, it's perpetuated by targeting the lowest common denominators in our psyche. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Don't Question, Stay In The Trance</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few of these denominators include the ego, vanity, greed, envy, anger and possibly, delusion. I believe we live in a society where these traits are being continually targeted and massaged. The more they're stimulated the more prominent and <i>'normal'</i> they become within us, they're like muscles, the more they're worked the more they grow. When it comes to an outer influence stimulating the higher traits such as honesty, courage, imagination, loyalty and</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd"><b> </b>dependability, I see very little working towards bringing these to the forefront, it seems these traits are continually getting buried. The trance isn't contained to just one area of our lives, it's functioning in every aspect. In recent years angling has become infected, I think it's safe to say that, back in the late 70's and 80's, carp angling didn't really contain any 'hypnotists', it was all pretty much below the radar and only those on the waters knew what was going on. Unfortunately nowadays it's a very different story, the corporate machine has come and raped every ounce of honesty and beauty that carp fishing once held. We now have master </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd">hypnotists controlling and dictating to a 'mass' that's so consumed by the trance that a vast majority of independent thinking has been removed from the equation completely. Looking back over the lowest traits listed above, I see them all within modern day carp angling, ego and envy being the strongest by far.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd">Drop The Lead, You'll Land More Fish</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kmNVYmMrHs/XH_oZPQbc9I/AAAAAAAAcKM/PuOJc_UAVSYqx4u3HSqoRm_pAv1x0J1wACLcBGAs/s1600/l4Ki4Ks1uzGOtPvr2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kmNVYmMrHs/XH_oZPQbc9I/AAAAAAAAcKM/PuOJc_UAVSYqx4u3HSqoRm_pAv1x0J1wACLcBGAs/s320/l4Ki4Ks1uzGOtPvr2.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="ILfuVd">It's at this point in this post that people may well disagree with what I'm trying to say, or they simply don't quite understand the point I'm trying to make, which is fair enough. But lets try and step outside of our angling minds for just a moment. One consequence of the trance that I find utterly absurd is dropping the lead on the take, I understand there's an argument that it's safer for the carp if you're fishing near snags or in weed. However, I don't think it should be dropped in any situation, if the weed and the snags are that bad then you shouldn't be fishing in that specific spot in the first place. But <i>.. alas ..</i> the <i>'catch at any cost'</i> mentality is another symptom of the trance. When you look at it in the most straightforward way possible, we're traveling out into the countryside to occupy a place of beauty. We're placing ourselves in and amongst many living creatures and casting our lines into waters that contain their own ecosystem and universe. I was under the impression that anglers respected their environment and we simply slotted in and out without leaving a trace. But it would appear not, now we're dumping a highly toxic material in the waters in the name of <i>"fish care"</i>. <i>Does anyone actually understand just how ridiculous that sounds? </i>unfortunately many many people don't see it as a problem. The master <i>'hypnotists'</i> in modern day carp angling have such a huge influence that people are blind to the fact that we are slowly destroying the one thing that we're all suppose to love and look after. <i><u>Is this statement over the top?</u></i> ... no I don't think it is. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Monkey See Monkey Do</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is where <i>'celebrity obsession syndrome'</i> rears its pathetic head. Through my eyes <i>'celebrity'</i> is another meaningless word, it creates division, it's us, 'the lower' & them, 'the higher' - it's an illusion. It would appear if someone is on the television, in the movies, in the magazines and now on <i>You-Tube or Instagram</i> with millions of followers, all of a sudden they're elevated into a supreme being. They're propelled into the stratosphere, untouchable by us mere mortals. Suddenly everything they wear is a <i>'must have'</i>, everything they do has to be copied and everything that they say is gospel and, of course, 100% the truth. People will blindly follow <i>'celebrity'</i>, as if in a <i>'trance'</i>, and that's exactly what it is, all these apparent celebrities are just different examples of the <i>'hypnotists'</i> I'm talking about. It's these same <i>'hypnotists'</i> that convince hundreds of impressionable girls & boys to look a certain way, even if it's detrimental to their health. It's these same <i>'hypnotists' </i>that distort their face with botox, thus inspiring many a 'beautiful' young person to do the same thing, disfiguring themselves in the process. In my eyes 'celebrity obsession' has an awful lot to answer for in this day and age. People need to develop their own mind and their own sense of self and stop relocating their self belief in a <i>'tin god'</i>. Let us not forget that it's this same 'celebrity obsession' that influenced hundreds, if not thousands of <i>'anglers'</i> that dropping lead, a poison, into the water ways is exceptable and a new <i>'cool approach'</i>. It's these same <i>'hypnotists' </i>that teach you how to spend your hard earned money on outrageously overpriced tackle that you don't really need - <i>just so you look the part out on the bank</i>. However, one thing that's become very apparent, they certainly don't teach you manors, etiquette and consideration, these are all the good, valuable traits that, as mentioned before, aren't stimulated nowadays in any way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So let us go all the back to my original point </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>"my interest is focused below the surface, dry land is far too obvious"</u> </span></i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The above paragraphs explain how I see the world, it's not a forced viewpoint, I wish I had a far more "happy go lucky" way of looking at things, unfortunately I never have and that isn't going to change now. I find everything I see in the world around me to be an 'obvious' symptom of both the system and the collective trance. When I look to the waters, especially the idea of huge desolate pits and the possibilities that they hold, there is no trance, there is no <i>'left'</i>, no<i> 'right'</i> or <i>'center'</i> and there is no divide. The information we receive when we're out in the wild isn't <i>'engineered'</i>, it's real, you don't know what's going to happen, nothing is obvious, there are no forces controlling or manipulating the outcome, only nature itself. I've spoken about all this many times before, those of us that fish are lucky, our <i>'get out clause'</i> from the bullshit is when we cast those lines into infinity. Uncertainty in any other area of our lives is a stressful situation, but it's that same uncertainty that fuels us to get out and fish, it's that uncertainty that keeps us fixed behind our rods for countless hours, days and weeks. When you're away from the bullshit<i> </i>you can actually discover yourself and get a little bit closer to understanding who you are and what you want out of your life. How many people say they go fishing to <i>"get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life".</i> Have you ever asked yourself why you feel stressed and strained?, it's because our lives have been engineered to be that way, and since <i>'day one'</i> its become normalized and<i> </i>accepted<i>. When you get the time, cast your lines and break the trance. </i></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://charltoncarper.blogspot.com/2019/03/braxted-reservoir-part-two-escaping.html" target="_blank">Braxted Reservoir Part Two 'Escaping The Trance'</a></span></b></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-50960204821602153132019-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:002019-03-23T10:22:51.079-07:00Braxted Reservoir Part Two 'Escaping The Trance'<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a cloud in sight, it was a good day. I had a chance to escape the system/trance for a short while, I'd made the decision to head up to Braxted reservoir, it's a water I like to fish when I don't want to fry my brain thinking too deeply about trying to get a bite. When I first joined CAA the reservoir was a water that I'd get really excited about. It contained a lot of 20's with a large stock of upper doubles. You could always guarantee that you where going to have a great day. Unfortunately in recent years I've found <i>'the res'</i> has become a shadow of its former self, it's now overrun with hundreds of small carp and they've really effected the biomass of the water. Because the club don't own the fish they can't manage the stock like they did so brilliantly on Cants mere. This blog is from summer 2016, it was around this time that I started to see the waters deterioration. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After a few more visits during 2016 & 2017, come 2018, I'd pulled off the place all together. As I sit writing this, I haven't fished the reservoir for well over a year, and to be honest I don't plan to fish it again, which is a real shame. But putting all that aside, it feels good to revisit the <i>'res'</i> having not fished it for so long. A week or so before this session I'd taken a trip down to Burrows for literally a few hours. The session was so short that it wasn't really worth writing about, it was a lovely warm evening and I just felt that I had to cast a line. It was an <i>'off the cuff'</i> decision that produced an <i>'off the cuff' </i>common, it was a beautiful carp caught close to a sunken tree. It proves that sometimes it pays off to just go to the water, keep everything as simple as possible and see what happens, overthinking and over planning isn't always the way to go - <i>I was very pleased with this capture.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Short Trip Success</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyXi2gx1TEM/XIT8PwZCskI/AAAAAAAAcLE/Ng7x-Fa76a0_xm2Wf5R6230o7ruxBOisQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1117" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyXi2gx1TEM/XIT8PwZCskI/AAAAAAAAcLE/Ng7x-Fa76a0_xm2Wf5R6230o7ruxBOisQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3242.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the morning of my session I felt lazy, I didn't see the point in rushing, the 'res' is good for a bite at most times during the day. To keep my head clear and avoid the possibility of <i>'thought pollution'</i> I kept both the television and radio off, my wife had gone to work so I opted to eat my breakfast in silence thinking about the day ahead. The windows of both my front room and bedroom where wide open, the sun was beaming in, the net curtains were swaying as the breeze flew through my front window then exiting out the back. In the distance I could hear the sounds of the city, there were sirens, a constant hum of traffic and the occasional rumble as the train trundled along the track that's situated just a short distance away. I love mornings like this, especially when I can get <i>'the hell outta dodge'</i>. Once the van was loaded I eased my way through the roads of SE7 and down onto the Woolwich road. The traffic was awful and as I looked into the distance I could see that the Woolwich road flyover was jammed right up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Living in London, this is the price I have to pay for not getting up at the crack of dawn, from feeling so relaxed I now started to feel wound up. Sitting in a static jam with a thousand exhaust pipes spitting poison, it was clear I needed to get out of the city before it got the better of me. As I looked at all the cars and all the people in these cars staring lifeless ahead of them, I couldn't help but think they were all in the trance that I'd spoken of in my last blog.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> So here I was desperately trying to escape the system, trapped motionless with a lung full of poison, as me and hundreds of others sat contained in our <i>'four wheeled'</i> prison cells. I had no choice but to just sit there, silently wishing that those around me would just evaporate. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After
a very slow crawl I eventually found myself engulfed by the tubular
hell that is the Blackwall tunnel, I can't put into words just how much I
detest this <i>'eyesore'</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Rat Race</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXHSE_4bi-c/XIUGxm8uW9I/AAAAAAAAcLY/vLnq3N3QAb0RMHrJXiUTtYzRd59w46VCQCLcBGAs/s1600/jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXHSE_4bi-c/XIUGxm8uW9I/AAAAAAAAcLY/vLnq3N3QAb0RMHrJXiUTtYzRd59w46VCQCLcBGAs/s640/jam.jpg" width="640" /></a>Going northbound through the tunnel never feels quite right, I'm heading towards the city and everything gets really claustrophobic. The buildings tend to swallow the sky and everyone is fighting their way through the streets. Coming back southbound has a completely different feel about it, it's as if I'm escaping. Living on the outskirts of the capital is the perfect place to be, you generally don't feel trapped, everything appears more spread out and I have an exit route to the waters literally at the end of my road. Exiting the tunnel and now moving at pace, London was soon a speck in the rear view mirror. I opened the windows of the van and let the warm fresh air blast all the cobwebs of the city out of my ears. The journey flew by and as I turned off the A12 and on to the final stretch to Braxted, I was feeling excited. Pulling into the car park it was practically empty. Taking a quick wander, there were a couple of guys on back lake, front lake was empty. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Walk Of Doom</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="382" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yhPuYFZbFg0/XIo94TxoE6I/AAAAAAAAcME/nSTH8csl87kBjKtK0TpSEjRruCAidbtFgCLcBGAs/s400/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-11.32.jpg" width="348" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once my barrow was loaded I took a moment to prepare myself for the killer walk up to the reservoir. There's no easy way of doing it, it's a long hike, mostly up hill and just when you think you're getting to the top. You turn a corner and the hill gets progressively steeper, it's at the top of this final slope that the prize awaits and the dam wall end of the <i>'res'</i> comes into view. As I stood at the peak of the hill I was hit by a lovely warm breeze that was firing down from the shallows, I took a few very deep breaths, I really needed them after the crippling walk. The res is surrounded by farmers fields so the wind can really pick up, when it's warm the carp have a tendency to get on the front of it. I didn't bother walking the water before setting up, I decided to be 'predictable' and fish tight to the dam wall over a heavy spread of bait. It's not brain surgery extracting the carp from the <i>'res', </i>keeping it simple was the way to go. My bait of choice for this session was the <i>'tiger-fish'</i>, I'd been doing really well on it. Before even setting my rods up I put out about half a kilo making sure I spread it all over the area that I was planning to put my baits. Today was going to be pure boilie fishing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHnewYyuB_U/XIpHjRonm0I/AAAAAAAAcMQ/PmsqspHgpkUfl_RKFULJqXPuBVxNftGfQCLcBGAs/s1600/dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHnewYyuB_U/XIpHjRonm0I/AAAAAAAAcMQ/PmsqspHgpkUfl_RKFULJqXPuBVxNftGfQCLcBGAs/s640/dam.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Regarding my rigs, I fancied a change, I'd been using my semi-fixed setup for so long. It works fine and I'm 100% confident in it, I just felt like using something different. I decided to revert back to the good old running rig. I feel this specific setup is so underused nowadays, I'd always done well on it. I can't help but wonder if some of the fish living in the more pressured waters are starting to get use to <i>'bolt-style'</i> setups. I think this is something I'm going to explore over the coming months, when you think about a fishes instinctive reaction to bolt upon feeling resistance. How long does it take for a carp to go against its instincts and simply eject the bait upon feeling the weight. When I first started carp fishing I used the running rig exclusively. In past blogs I've made it no secret that initially I just couldn't get my head around the concept of a bolt rig. I was totally convinced that upon feeling the lead the fish simply dropped the bait and buggered off. Personally I believe this happens more than we think, are those single bleeps really just line bites or has a carp just ejected us, I guess this is something we'll never truly know. In the meantime I think a running setup is something I'll be moving over to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Simple Running Rig</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjBHRe_Z2qs/XIpKUFc9lgI/AAAAAAAAcMc/ecIOD9qfuAor6sndHFL7qqRJZCT8wTStQCLcBGAs/s400/running.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With both rods now rigged up I was ready for the casts, I wasn't going to bother clipping up. The area that I'd baited was large, I felt that I didn't really have to worry about being super accurate. I knew that when the fish move in they're <i>'sure as hell' </i>going to find my hook bait, they have a tendency to be in groups and they seem to feed heavy. Both casts were executed, both rigs plopped into the water and a soft <i>"DONK"</i> was felt as each came to land on the bottom. The make up of the bottom near the dam wall is mostly soft clay and silt, I love this specific area because you can literally see the carp moving in and feeding. You can almost predict when the bites are going to occur, you'll get a mass of <i>'fizzing' </i>and then all hell breaks loose. Now with both baits in position I proceeded to put out another large helping of tiger-fish. I must admit, I've got to be careful because I find myself getting strangely addicted to using the throwing stick. I get a real sense of satisfaction listening to the sound the boilies make as they whizz out the end of the tube. To aid accuracy I like to give them a dip in lake water, they tend to exit the stick better than when they're dry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Give-em A Soak</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNVxeSW5G1E/XIpesZv1OcI/AAAAAAAAcMo/4c0xltMUIzA9e56qDm4pdqHey1cCOt2qgCLcBGAs/s1600/tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNVxeSW5G1E/XIpesZv1OcI/AAAAAAAAcMo/4c0xltMUIzA9e56qDm4pdqHey1cCOt2qgCLcBGAs/s400/tiger.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With the rods out and the bobbins clipped onto the lines, I got my swim organized and took a much needed seat. Looking through my scope I could already see some fizzing coming up in several areas where I'd put the bait in. My left hand rod which was positioned slightly further along the dam wall was bleeping and knocking. Within a matter of minutes it was away, I was on it fast and as I lent into the fish it bolted hard up towards some low lying branches. I could tell that this was a good carp, it was heavy, before I even managed to gain proper control, it had bolted under the branches. Everything went solid, as fast as the fish was on, it was gone, leaving me with a sick taste in my mouth. The rig was now very clearly stuck, I suspected there was probably a <i>"get out clause"</i> underneath the branches that the carp use to ditch many an angler. I cupped the spool and very slowly walked backwards keeping the pressure solid and consistent. Further and further back I walked, the mono was literally as tight as a <i>'military style'</i> tripwire. I kept walking backwards, then ..... <i>'ping', </i>the rig was free and as I retrieved it, thankfully I'd managed to bend the hook out leaving zero tackle in the water. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Red Arrow Points To <i>"Get Out Clause"</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In my mind this was a false start so, after taking a long deep breath, I tied on a fresh hook-link and propelled the rig back out.<i> </i>Give or take a few inches, it pretty much landed in the same position. I now knew where the fish were going to head if that rod went off again, I decided to lock the clutch right up, I didn't want to be giving an inch. I put some more bait out, concentrating on spreading it right up to the spot the carp had ditched me. With the throwing stick still in hand, my right rod tore away. This fish bolted sharp to the right and headed straight towards the corner. I applied some serious side-strain to pacify its initial run. After an early explosion of energy the fish came in pretty easy. I had a feeling this carp must visit the bank a lot, it literally waved the white flag and jumped in the landing net. I felt slightly underwhelmed, it was a nice surprise to see a mirror engulfed in the mesh, considering most of the carp in the 'res' are commons. Unfortunately it was pretty beaten up, I took a few quick shots, applied some <i>"propolis" </i>to some of its old battle scars and quickly slipped it back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Weathered Looking Mirror</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zD6I-i0R7pY/XI04DJV0zfI/AAAAAAAAcNQ/aGrKJHqavFYef7SfGdQ15h3lQhrsBgeGgCLcBGAs/s1600/r1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="960" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zD6I-i0R7pY/XI04DJV0zfI/AAAAAAAAcNQ/aGrKJHqavFYef7SfGdQ15h3lQhrsBgeGgCLcBGAs/s640/r1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I got the rig back out followed by another helping of bait, during all this I'd been receiving liners on my other rod. There were definitely carp in my swim, it hadn't taken them long to move in at all. I reckon due to the wind direction there were fish milling around the area before I'd even turned up. With both rods back out I took a seat and continued to peer through my scope, I could see fizzing all over the place, it wasn't long before both alarms and bobbins were fidgeting like crazy. It was my left rod that was the next to go, the bobbin shot to the top and the rod started to get dragged off the rest. I was on it before <i>'panic mode'</i> kicked in, the fish shot up fast towards the <i>"get out clause", </i>I managed to steer it away easily, this fish clearly wasn't as large as the 'escape artist' that had imitated <i>'Houdini' </i>earlier on. It kited right out into the deeper water directly in front of me, I just let it run and slowly eased it towards me. I was enjoying this fight, the fish was frantic but it was a very pleasurable experience, thanks to my <i>"3IB Ballistas". </i>After a spirited tussle I slipped the net under a little silvery common.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bite Number Two</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MV-Fk3CZjmw/XJEZBRDDyVI/AAAAAAAAcOk/mSOVyJGZRsshkf9VBwonstHv2BQEPKQpgCLcBGAs/s1600/r2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="960" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MV-Fk3CZjmw/XJEZBRDDyVI/AAAAAAAAcOk/mSOVyJGZRsshkf9VBwonstHv2BQEPKQpgCLcBGAs/s640/r2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before taking a few photos I fired another couple of handfuls of bait into the swim. My other rod was bleeping and knocking so I slipped the carp back quickly just in case it went off, I didn't want to be juggling fish. I got the rod back out, hung the bobbin and sat there peering through my scope. There were clear signs of fish in the area, from a distance the swim looked pretty lifeless. It shows the importance of having a scope or binoculars of some type. I've got into the habit of using <i>'magnification'</i> most of the time, it's amazing what you can see if you really look, there have been times when I was going to reel in and reposition my rigs, when on closer inspection with a scope, you could clearly see that there were carp in the vicinity. So there I was sitting on the edge of my seat peering through my </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'magnification', </i>both rods where crackling with liners. It was tense stuff, I knew a bite was imminent, sure enough my right rod screamed off. Picking it up I suspected this was one of the smaller carp, there was no pull and it was <i>zigzagging</i></span> all over the place, it wasn't taking any line, I even loosened the clutch just to hear the addictive <i>'ticking'</i>, it came in close and literally jumped into the net. It was another <i>'weathered' </i>looking fish. For some reason, with each bite that came I was feeling more and more uninspired.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Uninspiring Third Bite</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I slipped the fish back fed the swim some more and got the rig back out. I don't know exactly what it was but I was starting to feel somewhat deflated. This was very odd for me, it was lovely being out on such a warm and bright day but the overall feeling of the <i>'res' </i>and the fish I was catching appeared to be putting a dampener on proceedings. Even though the session was suppose to be a laid back affair. I couldn't help but think that I now wanted far more out of my fishing than waters like the reservoir provide. I wasn't enjoying catching these carp, it had nothing to do with the size of them, it was the condition that was getting me down. I think the carp in the 'res' are so pressured and many of them have been caught loads of times before, add the amount of small carp living in the water to the equation, and it all just feels a bit crap. The magic I felt when I first fished the place had clearly vanished. Whilst I sat contemplating the situation, my left rod tore off. Just like the bite before, it was shooting from left to right but it wasn't taking any line. Only when it was under the rod tip did it wake up, as it surfaced I caught a glimpse of another nondescript common. As I lowered the net it made a last ditch attempt to escape but was soon engulfed in the mesh.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">More Of The Same </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Slipping the fish back I decided to reel my other rod in and stop fishing for awhile, I suspected that a large-<i>ish </i>shoal of smaller carp might be sitting on my bait. The plan was to let them clear me out and hopefully they'd move off, then later I'd cast a couple of singles back out and see if I could tempt a better fish. The large carp always seem to come later on in the day. It was 3:30pm now so the plan was to cast out at 5pm, I put the kettle on, brewed a coffee and decided to go for a walk around the water. I made my way up towards the shallows, looking out over all the fields, there wasn't any sign of another human anywhere, I had the whole place to myself. Just for a second I wondered what it would feel like to own my own lake, it's always been a dream of mine, being all alone with only the water as company, I imagined that both the reservoir and the fields that surround it were mine. I think it would feel pretty special to own your own secret water, you could hand pick the carp and give them a good home, I wouldn't fish it. I'd leave them alone to grow up and have a peaceful life. I imagine time spent watching both the fish and the water mature would be a very cathartic experience. There would be no restraint or control, nature would simply take its course.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I reached the shallows I half expected to see loads of fish milling around, it was surprisingly quiet, I spotted a couple but nothing to really write home about. Sipping my coffee whilst the odd twig cracked underfoot, I felt better just existing by the water than actually having my rods out. Now on the opposite bank from where I'd set up, my swim looked a mile away and the dam wall looked huge. It's amazing how the perspective of both the swims and the water can change depending on where you're standing. I made my way down the bank and onto the stretch of the dam wall, all the branches were overgrown and obstructing the path. I clambered through until my swim was in view, with the mini expedition over I daydreamed and watched the water right up until 5pm. Then both rigs, each with a single hook bait, got launched back into the swim. Now with the bobbins hung and a newly found enthusiasm, I sat static staring across the water. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The early evening is by-far my favorite time, activity on the water tends to increase and the <i>'magic-hour', more times than not, </i>tends to produce a take or two. It was dead on 6pm when my left rod ripped away, this was a violent bite, I immediately it was a better fish. As I lent into it my 'Ballista' arched right over, I swear I heard the blank give off a<i> 'yelp'</i>. With the clutch humming, the carp made its way across the open water at a serious pace. This was the first bite of the day that I felt excited about it was <i>pile-driving, left, right and center, </i>I was embroiled in a real battle. With the sun slowly lowering, I was still totally alone with the water to myself, standing connected to a mystery that was minutes away from coming into view. As the carp came in closer, it surfaced, it was a long looking common with a lovely grey back and white belly. Catching a quick glimpse, I was eager to get it in the net, closer and closer it came, it was now in spitting distance of the landing net. After one last run around I was soon netting a beauty of common carp.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once the fish was safe in the cradle I took time to admire it, there was one slightly damaged scale that I treated. Apart from that it was spotless and a solid reminded of why I use to love the <i>'res'</i> so much. I know that between the hoarders of tiny carp that now inhabit the place, there's always going to be a few secrets swimming around somewhere. I decided not to cast out again, instead I reeled both rods in and slowly packed away. With the sun lower in the sky than it was an hour ago, I took one last look at the 'res', the mallards were fighting and the coots were skipping along the waters skin. I trundled down the hill and onward through the farm yard, the scent of cow poo hit me as I past the the cattle buildings. It had been a strange day, it was only towards the end that I started to feel inspired. I just genuinely feel like I've grown out of the place, it would be November when I'd revisit the res for my next session. In the meantime, in the <i>short-term, </i>I'm going to be heading back down Burrows for a series of sessions where I concentrate all my efforts on a section of the water that I call the <i>'bottle-neck'</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The journey home was easy, I flew down the A12 at a leisurely pace, I was driving towards the sun, minute by minute it slowly fell below the horizon line. As I edged closer and closer to London I could feel the traffic getting heavier, I could feel the system closing down around me. To avoid the <i>'thought pollution</i>' I kept the radio off, once home I didn't switch the television on. Between now and the next session I was going to do my best to avoid the 'psychological ball & chain' the media like to put on our thought process. But I knew it was going to be tough, it just a matter of time before both <i>'the trance'</i> & <i>'the hypnotists'</i> would do their best to muddy the waters, to continue to divide all of us. I was counting the days till I could, once again, make my escape and leave our engineered reality behind. It turned out I'd be back out within the fortnight, I look forward to sharing the next set of sessions with you. It's and interesting section of water that I focused on with some equally interesting results. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"When you get the time, cast your lines and break the trance". </i></span> </span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-80741591171732303472019-02-21T09:04:00.001-08:002019-02-21T09:04:28.387-08:00Cants Mere 'Goodbye For Now'<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A month or so had past since my last successful session up on Cants, I'd managed to squeeze in another 4 trips, unfortunately each ended up in a blank. Now with the warmer weather taking hold conditions were changing and more anglers where appearing on the water. I sensed that the word was starting to get out regarding the fish the mere now contained. As usual, when the crowds start to come I find myself wanting to vacate to another venue that isn't seeing so much pressure. Nowadays due to the current popularity of carp fishing I'm finding it harder to track down waters that aren't overcrowded and over-fished, even harder still is finding a venue where the fish aren't beaten up with mouth damage. I'm seriously starting to consider trying to find a nice quiet syndicate, a place where I don't continually feel like I'm trying to escape the ever growing carp angling circus. I'm wondering if a place like that even exists anymore and if they do they usually have huge waiting lists. My early sessions seemed like distant memories, there I was on my own surrounded by <i>'still life' </i>with only the mallards as company. Now I was finding myself hemmed in-between other anglers lines and dodging spods, I really felt like this was hindering my chances so I decided I'd give the water one last shot and then evacuate quietly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ6Z0d_A7_U/XGvjS9DkZhI/AAAAAAAAcEk/DpZyezLg9FYhrxMdEDPC7QAW5uStRHbVgCLcBGAs/s1600/C85FE7AD-ACE7-48F3-B916-6FF4AADE50E4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ6Z0d_A7_U/XGvjS9DkZhI/AAAAAAAAcEk/DpZyezLg9FYhrxMdEDPC7QAW5uStRHbVgCLcBGAs/s640/C85FE7AD-ACE7-48F3-B916-6FF4AADE50E4.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the day of my session I was in no rush to get to the water, previous bites had a habit of coming later in the day so I decided to have a well deserved lie in, get some breakfast down me, brew a few cups of dangerously strong coffee, peruse over my tackle and then ease myself into the journey up to the water. As I opened my front door to the world, I instantly felt invigorated as the sun and clear blue sky hung overhead. I didn't want to speak too soon but I felt pretty happy to be existing, I love fishing on days like this. Leaving London and heading off up into the Essex countryside is a necessary escape, I never tire at the thought of casting my lines. I did have a passing thought that Cants might be busy, I was just going to take it easy, get to the water and work with what I had available to me. After a relatively pain free journey, I stopped off at Boreham services to grab a few essentials<i> </i>and onward to the water, I arrived at around 12:30am. There were a few cars in the car park but it appeared most were fishing Blunts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before unloading I decided to go and have a quiet walk around both Blunts and Cants, the weather was so warm and the day so bright, it was impossible to feel any sense of urgency. Blunts was fairly busy but it looked lovely, there was a light ripple on the water with some very inviting looking scum lines molding themselves around the margins. On closer inspection I spotted a few dark shadows cruising just under the surface. The carp appeared to be in small groups causally milling around, I sensed they were aware of my presence but they didn't seem to care. Walking up along the path and around to the back channel, I counted at least 15 fish cruising in the upper layers, some appeared to be mouthing at the tiny objects that were resting on the waters skin. It was a pleasure to watch and, strangely enough, I had no desire to try and catch these fish. Watching carp is just as enjoyable as trying to catch them. After observing Blunts I made my way down to Cants, all the angling pressure seemed to be up the far end. Looking at where other anglers lines were stretching, it seemed most the water was sewn up, not only that but it looked completely dead, there were no signs of carp anywhere. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhYTiX9tckA/XGvrrg5atTI/AAAAAAAAcEw/9xwaQjBwlfMjdpNeBPdkdYkDYF5c6nUkQCLcBGAs/s1600/surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhYTiX9tckA/XGvrrg5atTI/AAAAAAAAcEw/9xwaQjBwlfMjdpNeBPdkdYkDYF5c6nUkQCLcBGAs/s640/surface.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I headed back up towards the car park keeping a close eye on things as I went. It became apparent very quickly that the bulk of the carp were down the front end. Loads of fish were quietly cruising around, I had no doubt they were avoiding the lines, I fully believe that carp know exactly what an anglers presence sounds like. They were clearly avoiding the activity opting for the quieter end of the water. Most were congregating in the open in front of swim 8, I decided that this is where I was going to fish. I'd had most of my bites from this swim so it made perfect sense to give it another go. Loading the barrow up I quickly realized that my <i>auxiliary</i> bag of dog biscuits that I usually keep in the back of my van wasn't there. Not only that but I had no surface tackle whatsoever, this was a real bummer. It looked like I was going to have to wait for the fish to go down - <i>'note to self, always bring surface baits and tackle'</i>. This was so frustrating but in the same breath I needn't rush in getting my swim set up. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pineapple CSL & Pellet</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmB8BYjxsvw/XGv_f1Y-STI/AAAAAAAAcE8/OytcvBBQN_0PeMuGsyBWUUg54JUQfSzygCLcBGAs/s1600/CSL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmB8BYjxsvw/XGv_f1Y-STI/AAAAAAAAcE8/OytcvBBQN_0PeMuGsyBWUUg54JUQfSzygCLcBGAs/s400/CSL.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All of my previous sessions involved a lot of bait, today I wasn't going to adopt the same approach. I was working on the basis that a lot more bait was now going in the water so the fish might not be so inclined to hoover up a load of boilie. Tiger-Fish had been my bait of choice and I'd done well on it but I decided I was going to revert back to Pineapple CSL. This was the bait that produced the big hit of fish I had on my first ever session, today I was going to keep the baiting to a minimum, I wasn't going to be putting any boilie out as loose feed, I would be fishing single pop ups and feed a single small spomb of pellet and ground-bait over the top. There was no point in setting the swim up for a big hit, it was nearing 1:30pm so I didn't have a great deal of time, not only that, the vast majority of the lakes stock were clearly up in the surface layers. Those that have read my past session blogs will know that, from this swim, I've had all my fish from the bars that run down both sides of the island. Today I was going to try a different spot, I see no sense in coming to a water to fish the same swim in the same way all the time. To expand your understanding you have to be prepared to try new things. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Minimal Bait</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I've always been interested in the island but I've never bothered fishing it, I just feel it's too obvious, however, fishing towards the bottom of the slope that runs down from the island could be an idea that's easily overlooked. I attached a 3.5oz lead to my marker rod and clipped up as close to the island as I could get. I was literally kissing the branches on the cast. I got a nice clean <i>"DONK"</i> close in and as I proceeded to carefully drag the lead towards me I could feel I was pulling over hard gravel. As it started to<i> 'scoot'</i> down the slope I could feel that I was on silty/clay, it slid so smoothly producing a defined line of tiny little bubbles that released and broke the surface. As I hit, what I believed to be the bottom of the slope, the rod started to lockup, I had a hunch that there could be slightly larger rocks and stones sitting directly at the bottom of the drop off. This made sense to me, through the years I'm sure various rocks and larger <i>'projectiles' </i>had slowly made their way down the shelf. I retrieved the lead and made a second cast to confirm what I'd initially felt, I clipped up as soon as the rod started to lock up - <i>that's the spot</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlfaUZjY6kM/XGxaCQoAEtI/AAAAAAAAcF8/O97Co7kIxeoQPv984EnPGDiNp1Y_qCpIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlfaUZjY6kM/XGxaCQoAEtI/AAAAAAAAcF8/O97Co7kIxeoQPv984EnPGDiNp1Y_qCpIgCEwYBhgL/s640/swim.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I felt happy with my chosen area so I got to work on setting my rods up. I came prepared having pre-tied a few pop up rigs using tigga-link, these would be fished 'semi-fixed' on 3.5oz leads. I was going to keep both hook baits relatively close together, looking at how all the carp on the surface were swimming around in small groups, I saw no reason why they wouldn't do the same when/if they make their way down to feed. I had a feeling that fishing both baits a short distance apart could produce two quick takes. Both rods went out perfectly, as usual I felt a minor feeling of <i>"euphoria" </i>as the clips were hit on each cast. Because I was using rods that were soft in the tip the casts were cushioned perfectly, I never get any <i>'bounce back'</i>, they absorb everything. Once the bobbins were set I clipped the spomb up, my mix consisted of 5mm multi-mix pellets, halibut marine ground bait and a touch of halibut oil to bind it all together. The spomb was loaded, and with a subtle little flick of my spod rod it flew gracefully through the air, delivering my <i>'tempting mouthful'</i> accurately over both rods. All I could do now was wait for the fish to disappear from the upper layers and make their way down to the depths, at the moment it didn't look like that was going to happen in a hurry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Trigga-Link Pop Up Rig</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There was no guarantee that the fish in front of me would be up for taking a surface bait, but that didn't pacify the frustration of not being able to fish for them, I was annoyed at myself for not coming prepared. I took a seat, the sun was beating down on my back, I was in a strange sort of hypnosis observing the carps activities. I tried to spot a pattern in their movements but they just appeared random, all I could do was watch helplessly whilst these long dark shadows basked in the bright afternoon sun literally meters away from me. The kettle came out and the coffee was concocted, the caffeine hit the spot. The afternoon started to pass me by, come 3:30pm the atmosphere started to change, sporadic cloud came in over head periodically masking the suns rays. A cool weather front clearly started to move in, I literally felt the air pass through me. A change was afoot and with it came a sudden chop on the water, looking far into the distance the clouds looked dubious. I set my brolly up, I had a feeling rain was on the way and it looked like it was going to be violent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And The Rain Came</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Within the space of 15 minutes the cloud had covered the sky and the rain started to fall like lead bullets. I couldn't quite believe it was happening, the day had literally turned into the complete opposite of what it started off as in the morning. The wind really picked up, I sat tucked under my <i>'fibre-shield'</i> hanging on for dear life. Looking out over the surface of the water it became clear very quickly that the carp were dispersing, this break in the weather might just end up being the event that pushes the fish back down to the bottom. As quickly as the rain came it had gone, the air felt fresh, the world appeared silent, all I could hear was the million and one raindrops falling off all the trees and branches around me. Looking out over the water, the surface was deserted, I couldn't spot any carp anywhere. The <i>'wait'</i> had now officially begun, I genuinely felt like anything could happen from this point onward. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The afternoon came and went in no time, it remained cool and overcast, with the sun now lower in the sky it felt like bite time was fast approaching. I was watching the water like a hawk, my right rod gave off a few minor bleeps before roaring off at speed. All the the bites from Cants explode from out of nowhere, I picked the rod up and gently lent back, the rod arched around and the clutch started to <i>'whirl'. </i>Adrenaline was firing through my veins at an alarming rate, the fish was moving at a serious pace, I held on tight letting it tire itself out. It clearly wasn't going to give up easily, very slowly it began to lose its steam, I tightened the clutch up slightly and let the rod do the rest of the work. It was slowly coming towards me, when it was under the rod tip it lunged tight to my left making a desperate attempt to lose me in the snags. Side strain saw it clear and as it came up, signalling defeat, I slipped a lovely dark bronze colored common over the net. It was one of the slightly smaller residence but you wouldn't of thought that from the fight. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Fighter</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cS_3fOFR81I/XG1qCm6SN2I/AAAAAAAAcGU/h9wcJPQE2IkGl0nRMhSba8Xiwyociu0mQCLcBGAs/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="960" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cS_3fOFR81I/XG1qCm6SN2I/AAAAAAAAcGU/h9wcJPQE2IkGl0nRMhSba8Xiwyociu0mQCLcBGAs/s640/c1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This was a lovely carp that had a subtle bronze tinge on its belly and a nice dark back, a few shots were taken and I gently lowered her home. I checked the hook, it was still nice and sharp, I then proceeded to carefully thread another Pineapple CSL pop up on to the hair, remolded and readjusted the tungsten putty and went to clip back up. This process was abruptly interrupted by my other rod firing away, it caught me by surprise, it appeared my <i>"quick two bite"</i> theory wasn't so crazy after all. The tip of the rod was bent right round and the clutch was melting, I knew that this was a better fish than the one I'd just returned home. I rushed to the rod, lent back and .... <i>"BOOM" ..... </i>the connection I'd made was instant, the sheer power had to be felt to be believed.<i> </i>With my<i> 'players rod' </i>bent double I held tight, vision of hanging on a cable behind a speedboat shot into my mind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish powered fast to the left and just carried on going, it was heading towards the sunken branches right down in the left hand corner. I started to feel minor panic, I held the rod out over the water as far as I could stretch and sunk it down low. I wanted to keep the line well out the way of any <i>'rogue'</i> branches, I cupped the spool to try to slow the fishes momentum down. It was working, I decided to apply as much resistance as I thought I could get away with. It was a tense moment, I literally held my breath and steadily increased the pressure, the rod was still bent double. The fish started inching towards me<i> .. result! .. </i>I managed to turn it in my direction. All I had to do now was keep the pressure on and guide her towards the net, I lowered the mesh into the water, the carp was close, inching towards me. Now under the tip it surfaced onto its side ... <i>game over</i>, the mesh engulfed a beautiful looking common. I left it resting in the net to recover, I also needed to recover - <i>what a fish!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Quick Bite 'Number Two'</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imQG9E-SBfQ/XG22Nq94mnI/AAAAAAAAcGs/YnfOlNDvPSIjvRo8lVeNbHLoe6q-OOjrACLcBGAs/s1600/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="960" height="402" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imQG9E-SBfQ/XG22Nq94mnI/AAAAAAAAcGs/YnfOlNDvPSIjvRo8lVeNbHLoe6q-OOjrACLcBGAs/s640/c2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As expected, this fish blew me away, it was perfect looking, its scales were the colors of chestnut and it had some serious length to it. Once again Cants had delivered another two awesome fish for me, it started off looking like it wasn't going to work out but with the sudden change in the conditions it slowly all fell into place. It felt great to have a few after my recent blanks, having said that, I don't mind blanking, if I caught all the time I'd get bored. When sessions don't work out it just makes me more determined to get a result, not only that but it can force you to think about your approach. Take today for instance, fishing at the bottom of the slope of the island produced the goods, I might not of tried that if I'd caught on every session. I didn't see the point in casting back out, time was getting on and I had to be up early the next morning. I was going to bid farewell to Cants for the time being, I'd had some nice fish, little did I know it would be two years before I returned. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Eric Enjoyed His Day Out</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT9jELrUJUE/XG686Ii2eUI/AAAAAAAAcHE/bfoV6epBmJsdM2ceC1oFttzk_5rjirFxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT9jELrUJUE/XG686Ii2eUI/AAAAAAAAcHE/bfoV6epBmJsdM2ceC1oFttzk_5rjirFxgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0086.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-12867796904633844922018-12-07T02:55:00.000-08:002018-12-09T11:04:24.844-08:00Charlton Carper 'The Cell' <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"In this blog I'd like to step away from fishing and cover a subject that many may feel uncomfortable talking about. I have no problem with putting this out in the public domain, and in doing so I hope it will help others.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So here we are in December 2018, I've been stupidly busy with my work so my fishing has been on the back burner since September. I've managed to squeeze a few short trips in here and there but I've found myself scratching for bites. I'm not necessarily helping myself with the waters I'm choosing to fish but, I'd rather sit it out for one good bite than cater to my ego fishing a runs water. Looking back now, I can't help but think the prime Autumn 'bite time' has past me by and with the temperatures starting to fall, it's looking like I'm going to be struggling as the year comes to an end. Having said that, my last few fish have been pretty special, topped off with a mythical 33IB common, so I can't really complain. In regards to my blog writing,<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>it turns out I'm about a year and a half behind, it's crazy looking back that far, I'm a very different person now compared to who I was back in 2016. I have stacks of note pads and sketch books full of session notes, it's going to be interesting knocking them all in to shape. This post isn't a session blog, instead I've chosen to cover something that I feel is very important. I've said many times before that I write with honesty about my own reality. In this synthetic, edited and filter world we're now forced to participate in, I'm finding these two elements hard to come by. - <i>so please try to bare with me on <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this post.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Into The Bleak</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTht7iN_Jc/W_1mZT3PXuI/AAAAAAAAbz8/IdZnIZf2BhESjV8DdBSsRgQFvwT0tbVlgCLcBGAs/s1600/bleak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTht7iN_Jc/W_1mZT3PXuI/AAAAAAAAbz8/IdZnIZf2BhESjV8DdBSsRgQFvwT0tbVlgCLcBGAs/s640/bleak.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Time seems to be accelerating at such a pace that I'm finding it hard to process. To be totally honest, I feel so down that I can barely find the energy to type these words. However, that within itself is reason enough to take the time to write about how I feel. I seem to have hit a wall which finds me questioning everything, mainly the world around me and where I actually fit in. I've always had this underlying feeling, but since vacating my drums as my lifeline and survival, there's no real outlet to beat all the unwanted thoughts into oblivion. I'm finding the simple task of <i>'existing'</i> so bloody exhausting, I feel like the system we're forced to live in is reminiscent of a 'hamster wheel'. We're kept in a perpetual state of confusion and our senses are being constantly bombarded from all directions. There's mindless junk on the TV screens, continuous propaganda and misery projected in all forms of media, and it appears, both technology and social media is erasing basic human interaction. There's a huge shift occurring that's changing the way the human race is conducting itself. Vast amounts of the worlds population are now relocating their consciousness on to a collective hard drive. Two realities have been created, a life both on and off line, I personally don't believe this is progress, if anything, parts of our psyche are regressing. If you're the type of person that's very sensitive to both their environment and the world around them, you're going to find yourself having a hard time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I look upon myself very fortunate, being self employed I have a lot more control over my life, I'm in a very unique position which I both respect and appreciate very much. Unfortunately, and this is hard for some people to understand, when you struggle with a mental <i>'dis-ease'</i>, all the good things in your life can become insignificant, almost meaningless. They can't break you out of the <i>'cell'</i> that comes slamming down around you, the worst thing about this <i>'cell'</i>, you're the only one that can see it, it can come at any time and you don't know how long your sentence is going to be. The creation of this <i>'cell</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'</i> is not your fault. Some people are born with a happy brain and others aren't, our brains are a universe of connections, pathways and chemicals. It's all very delicate, it's common sense that things can and will go wrong in some of us. One of the biggest misconceptions about mental illness is that you're doing it to yourself, that it's your fault. I can tell you now that it isn't and you have nothing to feel ashamed about, unfortunately both shame and self loathing walk hand in hand when you find yourself trapped in a psychological prison that you can't get out of. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Welcome</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-Rb9Mk52ns/W_1s8rmPzyI/AAAAAAAAb0U/8OLnBafKwc8HLJs9MPHT4a08eTgFZlxzgCLcBGAs/s1600/og_asttso-nerkayutyuny-hivandi-kyanqum-6051-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="919" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-Rb9Mk52ns/W_1s8rmPzyI/AAAAAAAAb0U/8OLnBafKwc8HLJs9MPHT4a08eTgFZlxzgCLcBGAs/s640/og_asttso-nerkayutyuny-hivandi-kyanqum-6051-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"I know there's millions of people out there suffering with mental illness, I understand the isolation you are feeling. I understand the fear and confusion that you are going through. I know what it feels like to see no way out. I understand how desperate you feel, that you will literally do anything to feel better. I know there are many voices out there that claim to offer help and a solution to <u>your</u> problems - when in fact they're just preying on the desperate and vulnerable. I realize that you may have anxieties about antidepressant medication, I also understand that some of you, who thought they had lots of friends, have came to realize that they actually don't have any - because the first time you <u>really</u> needed them, they were nowhere to be seen, I know you feel totally alone - I could go on, I think you get my point". </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>I Want To Describe Part Of A Journey.</u> </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As we proceed to exist in our own personal<i> 'cell'</i>, it all starts to become very real, its foundations strengthen, the darkness starts to get really dense, the outside world proceeds to shrink and become smaller until it disappears into nothing. The walls of your cell now act as an 'echo chamber', an amplifier for the sticky thoughts that are looping <i>round and round</i> <i>and round</i> inside your head. Your train of thought disintegrates to the point where rational thinking disappears. These limited thoughts won't stop, they're like a song on an old vinyl record that's stuck on repeat. The longer it rotates the deeper the needle sinks, there isn't an off switch and the mechanism that lifts the needle up is broken. You get to the point where your <i>'mental stylus'</i> is stuck so deeply in a <i>'groove' </i>that it has no way of getting out. It has no other choice than to keep playing the same song/thought process over and over and over again, you can't stop what is happening to you. It turns into self-hypnosis, you're now living in a trance, the longer this goes on, the deeper you fall, you are not in control of the situation, it's in control of you. The longer you're on this mental carousel, the harder it is to get off, you start to become an expert, a master craftsman, you're perfecting the art of complete isolation, you're making all these <i>poisonous</i> thoughts as solid as concrete. Your prison cell is now complete and this will start to effect the way you participate and translate the world around you<i>.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sticky Thoughts That Won't Stop</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You're now regressing further and further inside your head, you're physically present in the world but you're not taking any of it in, it's meaningless to you. The days and nights are now morphing into one, you may have been awake for days, maybe even weeks. You have no defenses left, you don't know what day it is, more importantly, you don't care, you're scared, frightened and confused. Depending on how you are functioning, if at all, you need to get help. You should of looked for help long before it got this bad but if you haven't experienced anything like this before, you have absolutely no idea what to do or where to go. The term used when you've arrived at a point where everything has completely fallen apart is called <u><i>crisis</i></u>. You can't function, you can't control your emotions and your <i>'fight or flight'</i> system is attacking you on all levels. You desperately want someone to help you but the people around you don't have a clue what to do either. They've probably never dealt with a situation like this before. <i>Do you go to your local GP? What happens if they want to put me on that evil medication everyone talks about?. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You decide to give the doctors a miss and try to continue to deal with it yourself,</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> you start to try and think your way out of it, <i>but that isn't going to work</i>. It was thinking that got you in this mess in the first place, but you don't see it that way, so you continue to think, trying to find the key that will unlock your perfectly constructed <i>'cell'</i>. It's around this point where you might feel the urge to stop talking and communicating with everyone. You don't need to talk, you've got way too much to think about, not only are you completely locked inside yourself, you've become mute, talking is just way too much effort. It's at this stage of this god awful journey that people might start telling you to <i>"snap out of it"</i> or <i>"pull yourself together". </i>These are literally the worst things anyone could say to you in this particular situation. Firstly, you can't do either of those two things, secondly those two statements alone make you feel responsible for the position you've found yourself in. I'll repeat this again - <i>you are not responsible for what is happening to you.</i> <i> </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There Is A Stigma - There Always Will Be<i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Weeks have now passed, you're dragging yourself out of bed after another sleepless night. Your days now consist of sitting on the couch staring at the wall, desperately trying to break out of your <i>'cell'</i>. Through severe desperation you finally decide it's about time to go and see your doctor, surly they can help you. Once you've actually managed to get an appointment, you do your best to try and explain how you're feeling. After a short 'robotic' conversation you're presented with two leaflets, one with <i>"Time To Talk" </i>written on it, the other listing all the side effects and problems that antidepressant medication can cause - no benefits are listed. You leave the appointment no clearer on anything. One things for sure though, you're giving the medication a miss because all the information you've been given has put the fear of god up you. The only option you're left with is to call the number on the <i>"Time To Talk"</i> leaflet. After another soulless conversation with someone on the end of the phone, you discover,<i>'ironically'</i>, that you can't <i>'talk to anyone'</i> for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Not only that, when you can, you only get 20 minutes a week for about a month, <i>so what the hell are you going to do with yourself whilst you wait to talk to someone?</i>. I'll tell you what you do, you get worse, you get so bad that you start to lose the will to live. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Truth </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkmp1gKJsQQ/W__A_ZaPZvI/AAAAAAAAb1M/So3_UbSdt0ca71CET-B3mmk_2GWTVhgiACLcBGAs/s1600/tumblr_n0fcivNPub1rpu8e5o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="500" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkmp1gKJsQQ/W__A_ZaPZvI/AAAAAAAAb1M/So3_UbSdt0ca71CET-B3mmk_2GWTVhgiACLcBGAs/s400/tumblr_n0fcivNPub1rpu8e5o1_500.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The days continue to pass, you now haven't slept for about 6 weeks, your <i>'cell'</i> is shrinking at an alarming rate, not only that but the one window you had has been bricked up. You yearn for peace, preying to god for a second of rest. It's clear you're finally going to have to take the plunge, medical intervention is needed. <u><i>"Before I continue I would like to state that medication should only be considered if you are barely functioning, I believe it's a last resort and you should think very carefully before taking the plunge, there's a big difference between 'mental illness' and just "feeling fed up".</i></u> So, you go back up to the doctors and commit to taking some form of drug, you're prescribed an anti-depressant along with some sleeping pills. You're told it takes at least 6 weeks for the anti-depressant<i> meds</i> to start working. So in theory I should feel the benefit around the same time I get to talk to someone for my 20 minutes a week - <i>perfect <span style="font-size: x-small;">'sarcasm'</span></i>. The one thing that you aren't told is that your local GP has very limited knowledge regarding both anti-depressants and mental illness. They have a choice of about 5 pills and there's a very high chance that none of them will actually suit you. The 'default' prescription they hand out is usually a drug called <i>'Citalopram'</i>. This specific drug can actually make your symptoms worse before they get better, so if you're struggling with acute anxiety I would recommend an antidepressant with a 'sedative' in it - like <i>'Mirtazapine'</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It turns out that </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'Citalopram' </i>and sleeping pills react really badly with each other and you end up in a bigger mess than you were in before you went to see your GP. You return to the doctors to explain the situation and he simply asks for the tablets back. There were no suggestions or talk of any alternative so you're sent home empty handed. </span>You find yourself back at square one but now you've been awake for around 8 weeks and you're genuinely starting to lose your mind. The brain hasn't had any rest for so long, it starts to have indescribable effects on your bodily functions. What you're experiencing now adds a whole new level of fear and panic to a situation that you thought couldn't get any worse. What you're feeling is 100% real but when you try to explain it to anyone, you get looked at like you're a madman - this is when the word <i>'delusional'</i> starts to appear. When the 20 minutes of CBT a week finally comes around, you find it's a complete waste of time. When you're trapped so perfectly inside your cell, this kind of talking therapy achieves nothing. I believe CBT maybe of some help to those who are stuck in unhealthy thinking habits but for <u>severe</u> mental illness I see no point in it at all. <i>I'll explain my viewpoint in the paragraph below. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Abyss</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For any talking therapy to be effective you have to be at a certain level of thinking to be able to adopt and take onboard what you're being told. You can't rationally take any information in when you are incarcerated inside your mental<i> 'cell'</i>. The standard practice at this point is .... once you've been prescribed the <i><u>correct medication for you.</u></i> You'll find the walls to your <i>'cell'</i> will, very slowly, start to crumble. Your sticky thoughts will eventually loosen and you'll find that your mind will start to let the outside world in once again. In regards to the correct medication, you need to be diagnosed by a <u>proper psychiatrist</u> not a GP. If you're at a point where you really feel that you are on the verge of fracturing, don't wait. Go and see your GP quickly and ask to be referred to a psychiatrist straight away, don't take 'no' for an answer and don't be convinced to go through the NHS, it might cost you more going private but you will get the help you need quicker, I can't stress this enough. I ended up at the Priory. What I went through with the NHS is beyond words and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, if I was to even begin to describe my journey, this blog would turn into a book. Just the idea of writing about it actually gives me anxiety, it was pure hell. Once you have a diagnosis by a <u>proper </u></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">psychiatrist,</span></i></u><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> if they see it necessary,</span> they'll put you on a combination of medication that helps <u>your</u> situation. They have a far greater understanding of what meds work well in accordance with each other, compared to any local GP. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finding The Balance</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Going back to the subject of 'sticky thoughts', these are the cement that helps to build and strengthen your mental <i>'cell'</i>. I would say that these are the first elements in its construction. So it's common sense that these need to be the first thing stopped to encourage the walls of your <i>'cell'</i> to topple. To loosen sticky thoughts an <i>'anti-psychotic'</i> drug maybe prescribed. I know that the word<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'anti-psychotic' </i>sounds scary, I can assure you that there is nothing to be afraid of. The purpose of these drugs is to slow your thought process down, they help to break the mental trance you've been trapped in. Antidepressant medication has a different job to do, this lifts your mood, they stop you from remaining in a bottomless pit of despair, they help you to rebuild your foundations. They will allow you to gain control of your emotions and genuinely help to make you feel better, but this takes time. You mustn't rely on the pill to do all the work<i>, <u>'you have to work with them'</u>. </i>What I mean by this is, don't take them and wait to feel better, it doesn't work like that, it's down to <i><u>YOU</u>, you </i>have to work towards feeling better. The pills act like a 'walking stick', they'll accompany you and support you to get back to a level of normality. It was during this critical stage that I dreamt up the idea of the 'Charlton Carper blog', writing about my carp fishing helped me to break down the <i>'cell'</i> walls and project my thoughts out of my head. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know you may have some anxieties about medication - for instance.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. <i>What are the side effects?</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>2. What will people think? </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>3. How will I come off of them? </i><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>4. Are they addictive? </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>5. Will they dumb me down?</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can only answer the above questions by my own experience.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>What are the side effects?</i> - there are bound to be side effects when anything unnatural is introduced into your system. I believe we all respond differently, I do find myself feeling dopey and lethargic, some days it's worse than others, but I don't entertain any of these feelings. If you're going to spend the whole time monitoring yourself and clocking the way you feel it's only going to make things feel 10x worse. The key to living on medication is to accept your situation and get on with your life, don't give it a second thought - this can be hard at first but you have to work at it<i>. If you are experiencing an acute reaction, go back to your </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">psychiatrist ASAP, sometimes it can take a while to work out what is best suited for you.</span></i></span> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i> </i> <i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>What will people think? - this can be a common thought, </i>who cares what anyone thinks, you have to understand that people who have never experienced severe mental health problems don't have a clue about what you're going through - or what they're talking about. You'll find everyone will have an expert opinion if you let them, it's easy to give <i>'great advice' </i>when you don't have a problem. Never let anyone make you feel like you're doing the wrong thing by taking any form of medication. You've made the decision yourself, <u>you</u> have been brave enough to do everything <u>you</u> can to help yourself, that makes you a strong person.<i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>How will I come off them? - </i>you don't need to worry yourself about this, the priority is to feel better and get yourself back to a level where you can start living again. Don't concern yourself with the future, live in the now and deal with things as and when they arise. <i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Are they addictive? </i>- this is hard to say, as mentioned before, anything going into your system on a regular basis will need to be phased out correctly if and when the time is right. I do believe that there is a risk of becoming psychologically addicted/reliant on them. If you have a naturally addictive personality you could find yourself having problems. This question falls into the one above, cross the bridges as you come to them, don't create problems that don't exist.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Will they dumb me down?</i> - yes they will but you have to be brave and work through it, if you keep both mentally and physically active then you shouldn't feel too bad. As mentioned before, if you're going to pay complete attention to how well you're feeling 24/7, then you're only going to feel worse, you're spending too much time inside your head, your aim is to get as far out of your head as possible. Be defiant and be strong, deal with your situation and get on with living your life. The more you live, the less mental space you'll have for any possible side effects and/or negative thoughts & feelings.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br />
</span></span></span></span> <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now we've finally started to take the right steps to help our recovery, this can be a long and hard road, you have to stay resilient and determined. At this stage, there are two major points that I feel are very important to touch on. Number one, don't spend your time on the internet researching any medication you've been prescribed, this is utterly pointless, you're always going to find horror stories about everything online, most of it is utter rubbish. Number two, I would advise against joining online groups and forums associated with mental health problems. I don't believe these places help you in any way, by participating in them, you are continually focusing on, and validating your condition. You don't want to be doing this, you want to be living your life and getting on with what you have to do, you shouldn't be giving your condition any acknowledgement at all. I can't help but feel that some people wear their illness as a badge of honour and use online forums and social media to acquire some kind of attention and sympathy. **CK attention and **CK sympathy, live your life and work towards carving a healthy existence for yourself. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As the days go by you'll start to feel yourself aligning with the world around you. I found myself seeing the simplest of things in a completely different way. It was such a relief to be functioning again, for the first few months I was severely medicated, it was actually a miracle that I managed to get out of bed. This was where my fishing played a vital role, I fished a lot, traveling all over the place to different waters. During this time I started to blog and account for the sessions I was doing, if you go back to my early blog </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">entries you'll notice my pupils are the size of bowling balls. This was caused by the amount of pills I was on, mainly <i>'Diazepam'</i>, my blog was now my life line and inspiration. Carp angling had always been a big part of my life but now it took on a greater role, it was saving my life. Now with my thoughts flowing again, it was </span></span>time to find <u><i>'the right'</i></u> therapist. I can't stress how important it is to find someone that understands you, you don't want some 'robotic' clock watcher that provides you with a load of generic <i>'by the book' </i>antidotes<i>.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was given a contact through a friend, I ended up seeing an amazing lady that helped me stitch both my thoughts and my life back together again - it took at least two years. For therapy to work you have to commit to what you're being told and apply it to your life. Just like the medication, it's up to you to work with it and help yourself. There's no rush with any of this, move at your own pace, there's no need to put any unnecessary pressure on yourself. It takes a long time to change the way you think about things, the mind is a muscle, when it has been operating in a certain way for so long. It's common sense that it's going to take a fair amount of time to change the way it functions. Without realizing it, we've all mastered our own <i>'default'</i> responses and reactions, perfecting our own way of thinking that's been fine tuned over our lifetime. These <i>'defaults' and 'ways of thinking'</i> might actually be major contributors regarding the construction of our prison '<i>cell'</i>. If you can change the way you think, along with your 'default' <i>'responses'</i> and 'reactions', you can work towards creating a mental environment that makes the construction of the <i>'cell'</i> much harder.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Where Do We Go From Here.</u></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There's no specific time frame when it comes to recovery, there's so many factors involved. I think it has a lot to do with just how far you fell in the first place. Everyone's journey is different, my situation is a little more complicated because some very odd things happened to me due to the extreme sleep deprivation. I'm now at a point where <i>"this is as good as it gets"</i><i>.</i> If I knew what I know now things wouldn't have got so out of control, that's the reason why I've decided to write a blog on this subject. If what I've written helps others and gives them an understanding of what they need to do if they find themselves in a similar situation, then the purpose of this post has been achieved. Continuing on the subject of recovery, even with both medication and therapy on the go, there will be periods of time where you will find yourself struggling. Don't worry about this, it's just a natural response to everything you've been/going through. There's nothing wrong with feeling down, just don't let it get to the point where it's overwhelming you. If you want to feel pissed off, sad or angry, you're within your right to do so.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Emotions are like waves, let them break and wash over you but don't let them pull you under. <i>"Imagine if a wave was kept from breaking, it would build in size to such a degree that when it eventually does break, it would wipe out half the planet".</i> This sentence describes our emotions perfectly, <i>"If you ignore the way you feel, eventually those feelings and emotions will be unstoppable and the effect they could end up having on you when they eventually come to the surface, could be irreparable". </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u><i>I'd like to end this post with one last point</i></u> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This can effect you at any point in your life if you've had a breakdown or something similar. I still have a terrible time with it 6 years on, it's called <i>"the mental scar". </i>This is something that can be tricky to understand, when you get injured physically, depending on the wound, you can be left with a scar. This can act as a constant reminded of the event, every time you look at it you find yourself revisiting the injury. This works in the exact same way with mental illness but you don't have a physical scar, you have a mental one. The more traumatic the experience the deeper the wound, anything can reopen it. It can be as simple as a thought or a feeling, a location, a memory, a specific time of the year, or maybe even anxiety about a relapse occurring. For me it comes in the form of anxiety and extreme sadness. I find these bouts can last up to 48 hours, dealing with them can be tricky, they seem to come at any time. I can literally feel my <i>'cell'</i> slam down around me and I have to apply everything that I've learnt and been taught through my experiences to shatter its foundations before its had a chance to lock me in. I understand that this is just the minds natural response to a traumatic situation. However, this doesn't make it any easier to live with. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I believe many many people that have suffered an <i>'episode'</i> in their life can go on to make a full recovery. However I also understand that many will have to manage their condition for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately I fall into the second category, things were left for far too long with me, I had no idea what to do and the system that was supposed to help me actually contributed to nearly killing me. If my human spirit and personal resilience was weak, I wouldn't be here now, I wouldn't be writing these words. <i>"Life Is As Life Does" -</i> what I mean by this is simple, in this life you can't predict what's going to happen to you or the people you love<i>. </i>The most important element within it all is your ability to deal with whatever comes your way. Everyone can be a decent person when life is going smoothly, the real test is when the shit hits the fan, <i>how you handle it is the measure of the man</i>. If you've made it this far I'd like to genuinely thank you for taking the time to read what I've had to say. I hope that this post reaches far and wide and it might just help a few people to make the right moves at the right time. <i>"Believe me when I tell you that you have the strength to break the walls of any 'cell', believe me when I tell you that you can and will get well". </i></span></span></span><br />
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-38778276223577946412018-09-16T02:06:00.001-07:002023-04-27T13:40:43.073-07:00Cants Mere 'Finding Your Frequency' <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There is no death of matter, for throughout the infinite universe, all has to move, to vibrate, that is, to live.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">~ Nikola Tesla</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few days ago I decided to pay a visit to a water that I hadn't fished for quite sometime. The temperatures were way up in the low 30's, I knew it was going to be a slow day. However, I managed to get an early bite which resulted in a lovely mirror just shy of 18IB. Nothing else came along but I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable and profound days I'd spent out on the water for quite some time. Looking back through the years and the hundreds, if not thousands of sessions I've been on. There's always a handful that seem to be far more memorable than others, strangely, these aren't always the ones where I catch a fish. I've spoken before about being <i>"in sync"</i></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">or</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"aligning"</i> yourself</span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">with the waters, this isn't something you can't teach someone or really even explain, <u><i>periodically</i></u> it just happens. I personally think it has a lot to do with </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">how you translate the world around you.</span> Simply put, it's those moments in time when every single aspect, both inside and outside of your environment, appears completely perfect. I'm not strictly talking about just fishing, it can be at any time and in any location. Being one to regularly tie myself in the knots of my thoughts, I wanted to try to suss out why and when these moments of perfect harmony happen. I believe it has a lot to do with vibration, frequency and resonance, that might sound rather ridiculous but I'll try to explain it the best I can. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Constant Motion</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Every single solitary thing in existence is vibrating at varying levels, and as still as everything may seem, nothing is truly resting. This also includes us as humans, I believe that, just like our DNA which is unique to us, we also have a unique frequency that we operate at. Depending on both your health and some external factors, these frequencies can fluctuate from time to time. When this happens I think that we're much more susceptible to illness, both mental and physical, we all have moments where we just don't feel in tune with ourselves. Lets take a look at color, each individual color vibrates differently to the next. Red has the lowest frequency whilst violet has the highest, <i>why do we all have favorite colors?</i>. <i>Is this because our own personal resonance is very similar to that of the color we are attracted to?. Why do we get on well with certain people, and not so well with others?. </i>Maybe the people we connect to straight away have a very similar vibratory rate to our own. The people we tend to dislike or clash with might be existing at a resonance that may well clash with our own, thus creating a <i>'discord'</i> in the way we relate to each other. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> <i> </i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sonically discords can be beautiful things, a discord in the right place can make a song sound fantastic. It can change the whole feel of a tune especially when it's followed by more straightforward <i>'standard'</i> chord changes. However discords you can't necessarily see, in a spiritual sense, can be very damaging, maybe the origins of mental illness and other <i>'invisible'</i> ailments are simply a discord/<i>dis-ease</i> within our own unique <i>'vibratory'</i> rate or system. A perfect example of a discord or <i>'frequency clash' </i>that we can all witness is the opera singer with a glass. Trained opera singers can sing a note so high with so much power that the frequency they reach clashes with that of the glass resulting in it to crack. That's a perfect example of how damaging certain vibrations that are not compatible with one another can be. However, taking the term <i>'opposites attract' </i>into account<i>, </i>every so often two people or frequencies with opposing resonance can connect in some strange disjointed way resulting in the perfect fit. I can equate this to a standard chord progression in a song where you overdub and mix the corresponding discords in. In theory this shouldn't really work but 'sonically' it sounds and feels great.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When you look at music and musical instruments as a whole, it's all built up on resonance, vibrations and frequency. Music is, and will always be a universal language, it connects people all over the world. It bypasses language, reaches around the globe a million and one times - <i>why is this?. </i>Because it makes people feel something deep inside, something that they can't explain. This makes me realize that there are moments in life where it's far more important how something makes you feel as oppose to what it makes you think. Next time you listen to a certain song that makes your hairs stand up, focus on that feeling, there's a reason why that's happening, it's all got to do with a connection being made that doesn't need to be understood. One example I'd like to use is the song 'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd, here's a tune that has connected, and continues to connect with millions of people everywhere. Not only that but it spans across generations and will continue to do so, now in 2018 it's still one of the most played songs on both the radio and streaming services. When it was written, you can almost guarantee that the band would've had absolutely no idea just how far that song was going to fly. They hit on something at a random moment in time where the stars aligned and something magic happened. Music is simply a variety of vibrations and frequencies that we can actively hear and feel, it must work the other way around, there must be frequencies and vibrations that have an equal effect that we can't actively hear or feel. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>So what has all of this got to do with carp fishing?</i> When I'm on the bank, profound things can happen, not only is there the constant possibility of landing a potential monster, you've got the dawn, the sunset and many possible <i>'poignant'</i> moments that come in so many different forms. But for me, the most important thing of all is the connection, the '</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>aligning' </i>of oneself to the environment and really feeling it. I believe this happens when your own personal resonance connects perfectly with the world around you. As mentioned earlier, this doesn't happen all the time, it's on the odd occasion and I put this down to the fact that, on the occasions when the frequencies in all the living things fluctuate and become closer to yours, you connect to them in a way you've never felt before. Your connection to the environment around you isn't something you achieve by thinking about it, just like music, it's something that you feel first and then from that feeling your thoughts will follow. Next time you're out on the bank and you hit a peak moment of complete peace and <i>'oneness'</i> hold onto that moment, something profound is happening. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So moving onto the session, this blog is going to account for another short trip up to Cant's mere. Due to work I was having to make the most of the time I had available, taking into consideration that on my last two visits, all bites had a habit of coming later on in the day. I didn't feel I was missing out on a great deal not turning up at the crack of dawn. After a quick job in the morning that saw me wrestling my way through the city streets of London. It was around 11:45am when I attempted to make my escape, as expected, it felt like whole world was doing it's best to stop me reaching the water. There was grid lock, road closures, road works, pretty much every obstacle imaginable. I sat tight, gritted my teeth and painfully limped towards the outer reaches of the city. Eventually the signs for the M25 came into view, I was getting closer, it was just a matter of propelling myself onward and up onto the A12. Once on the motorway the knot in stomach started to loosen, the concrete surroundings started to exchange themselves for lush green fields and meadows. I was starting to feel somewhat human again, just. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">From The Capital To Countryside</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For people out there that don't understand the slightly 'unhinged' mind of a carp angler, this may come across as an awful lot of effort to go through just to catch as fish. They may well be right but I don't have any waters local to me and I'll travel anywhere if I know the conditions are right and there's a chance of a bite. Today the weather was fresh, nicely overcast with the occasional spot of drizzle, it screamed <i>'carp'</i> so I had to go and get my fix, whatever obstacles stood in my way, denying myself the chance to cast a line just wasn't an option. By the time I arrived at the water it was early afternoon, I planned to fish until 7pm. I got all my tackle together quickly and made my way around to peg 8. I walked a lap of the lake just to see if I could see any obvious signs of fish. It all appeared quiet, due to the time constraint I decided I'd fish peg 8 again and approach it in the exact same way I had over the previous sessions, at this point "if it ain't broke, then there's no point in trying to fix it".</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few casts with a bare lead on braided line saw me locate both the bars that run from both points of the island. The right hand spot was still nice and clear, the left spot locked up slightly on the retrieve, that told me the weed was still there. If anything it actually felt like it had thickened up a little more since my last visit. I didn't want to fish a pop up so instead of messing around trying to find a slightly clearer patch I though I'd make own. I got my trusty 5oz Fox 'Grappling' lead out and gave it a few casts thinning out a nice little area to place my bait. The lead brought back some hefty clumps of weed, it was fresh and smelt good, no wonder I was getting a lot of bites from that specific spot. I had a very strong feeling, that if I was going to get a bite today it would be from the rig fished within the weed. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fox Grappling Lead 5oz</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bait wise, I was sticking with the Tiger-Fish, this has been producing the 'goods' for me lately so it was a '<i>no-brainer</i>', to add something a little different. Both baits would be topped off with a single white 6mm 'Coconut Cream' pop up. This would add a nice little<i> fleck </i>visually, I like the idea of topping off slightly darker baits with a little bit of color. My rigs we're going to be the usual semi-fixed inlines, this session I'd upped the lead to 3.5oz. Both hook links were combi rigs using the 'Trigga-Link' in 30IB and Sufix 'Magician' in 25IB. These two specific materials blend really well together, I'm finding myself using more of the Sufix range since it all went a bit strange with Kryston. Once my old Kryston stock has been used I think I'll be using Sufix exclusively. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I've been more than impressed with what they've got on offer, I'll be writing about some of the other materials they produce in future blogs. As most know, none of my rigs and presentations are complicated, however I find myself getting rather anal in regards to the end tackle that I'm prepared to use.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I don't want to be using something that isn't tried and tested, I'm not sure if the 'newly packaged' Kryston range is the same as the original. The original range was outstanding and it didn't need changing, it had years of reliability behind it. To be honest I'm becoming more and more disillusioned with what's coming out on the market for carp anglers, prices seem to be going up and quality is definitely going down. We're pummeled with 'gimmicks', 'fashions' and 'buzz items' that don't usually stand up to the job they're supposedly designed for, in my mind a lot of it is just cheaply made shit. That's why I've been finding myself looking at some of the 'lesser known' brands, it's these guys that have something to prove. Unlike the mainstream brands that appear to be resting on their laurels. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Perfect Combination</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Separation</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Both rods were clipped up and ready to deploy, I flicked the left one out first, the rig sailed through the air, kissed the clip and disappeared into the void. I waited, a few seconds later I received the 'DONK' I was looking for. The same procedure was repeated with the right rod, the rig sailed, kissed the clip, disappeared and delivered another perfect 'DONK'. Back leads were slid down both lines, I tightened up, hung the bobbins and proceeded to position myself for the inevitable wait. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On all my previous sessions I'd got a little <i>'trigga-happy'</i> with the throwing stick. Today I was going to adopt some constraint and opted for two heaped handfuls over each rod, I didn't have a great deal of time so I wanted just enough bait out there to pull them in. To be honest when Cants starts to receive a lot of angling pressure, which due to the fish it contains, is inevitable, I can see myself cutting right down on the amount of bait that I use. This has already started to happen on a few of my other waters. So much goes in all the time and I think it's starting to have a reverse effect, I personally think it makes the fishing a lot harder than it needs to be. When the carp have so much bait to chose from and get through, it's logic that the fishing will slow right down. I'm finding that a mouthful in the right location is proving far more productive nowadays, than shoveling it in. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> The afternoon crept along, the skies above were changing fast from gloomy heavy clouds with drizzle, separated by the occasional sunbeam piercing down on the surface of the water. It was one of those days where everything felt fresh and clean, it's hard to believe that only a few hours ago I was clawing my way through the rather unforgiving streets of London, this was literally a world away and it's a world that I feel very thankful for. It's impossible to feel grounded living in the city, everything around you creates friction, there's endless souls clashing into one another. Every where you turn people are racing around within an inch of their life chasing after 'the wage', 'the promotion', that one leg up that might just get them out the rut of it all, many though are working all the hours under the sun and still don't have another money to forge some kind of meaningful existence. When I witness this going on around me, very little of it makes sense and I find myself questioning exactly why we are put here. I'm positive it certainly isn't to work yourself into an early grave. Just as I started to sink into an abyss of contemplation, my right rod was away. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The bite alarm was screaming, the clutch, equally as loud, the rod was bending round so tight, I could literally hear it moaning, all the bites from Cants go the same way, from nothing to chaos in three seconds flat. As I lifted the rod up I had no other choice than to just let the fish take line. It whizzed off to the left kiting tight towards the nearside margin, it was gunning for all the marginal snags. I sunk the rod to keep the line low and started to apply as much pressure as I thought I could get away with. I was slowly gaining a bit of ground but it wasn't really having any of it. Bolting out to the open water, it was darting all over the place, every time I thought I was starting to win, it would tear off, striping line as it went. Closer it came, I lowered the net into 'scooping' position and teased the carp towards me. This was a bad move, the second it spotted it, it fired off back out into the open. I was starting to get a little impatience but, from experience, the worst thing you can do is try to rush the situation. I held on, applied some more steady pressure and eventually eased a bloody lovely looking mirror over my net.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My First Cants Mirror</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was totally blown away with this fish, its lovely chocolate color complimented its majestic scale pattern perfectly, not only that, it put up one hell of a fight, one of the hardest I'd experienced from any previous Cants fish. A few pictures were taken, a <i>'thank you'</i> was exchanged, and back she went. It was a really good call to clear a bit of the weed away to create a clearer spot to put my rig. I clipped up and <i>pinged</i> the bait back out, followed by another couple of handfuls of freebies. An hour or so past and with that came multiple shows very close to both my rods. It was clear that a few fish had made their way down, I sat quietly watching, poised on the edge of my seat. These situations can be both magical and tense all at the same time, you can't make those fish take your bait. You can only hope you've done enough right to help produce the desired end result. As the minutes continued to tick by the fish action increased, the wind picked up and the skies started to darken. Two things were going to happen, I was going to get another bite and leave victorious, or this magic moment would pass and I was going to get a drenching of a life time. Peering behind me, the clouds creeping ever closer in the distance were looking rather threatening.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Possible Armageddon</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ai4d-76-S8/W505-H0bMOI/AAAAAAAAbsQ/ZvxSgycH-8Y7EmJDcqzVYbSuoSPCRgCfwCLcBGAs/s1600/weatherfront.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ai4d-76-S8/W505-H0bMOI/AAAAAAAAbsQ/ZvxSgycH-8Y7EmJDcqzVYbSuoSPCRgCfwCLcBGAs/s640/weatherfront.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I was sitting there visualizing the possibility of a Tsunami washing me down the proverbial drain, my left rod fired away .. result!. I was on it like lightening and another immense battle commenced, this fish pretty much mimicked the one that came before. The initial take was nuts, you couldn't really do anything, then it shot tight down to the left towards the snags. Just like before, I lowered the rod down into the water and applied side strain, holding my breath as I went. This fish was so close to getting under the branches, if I allowed that to happen I may as well kiss it goodbye. It was so tense, I felt a bit of grating on my line, I prayed that everything would stay intact. Gently it was coming closer, now out of the danger zone I lowered the net down and as the fish surfaced just out in front of me, I performed the penultimate <i>'scoop'</i>, in she went. The relief I felt was marginally indescribable, with the heavy weather moving ever closer I peaked down into the net to lay my eyes on the prize. It was an immaculate common carp, a fair sized one at that.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Minutes Before The Downpour</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k--DCQB8et0/W51Bu3UoowI/AAAAAAAAbsc/CPfoJ6iCi6Irh1NaOJQTbxVlM3MaK-iqgCLcBGAs/s1600/13524498_1075084579251783_662454076147716129_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k--DCQB8et0/W51Bu3UoowI/AAAAAAAAbsc/CPfoJ6iCi6Irh1NaOJQTbxVlM3MaK-iqgCLcBGAs/s640/13524498_1075084579251783_662454076147716129_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This carp was long, lean and as clean as you could get, a few pictures were taken and she was gently slipped back home. It was now my turn to slip back home, I had a sense that if I wasn't quick I'd be sailing. I got all my gear together and packed away in a very undignified fashion. I was half way between the lake and the van when the sky fractured and the heavens started dumping all its unwanted sins on my head. I slipped and slid back to the car park, threw everything in the back of the wagon and leapt into the driving seat. The rain drops were like bullets on the windscreen, I got another good soaking opening and closing the gate. The drive back to London was pretty treacherous, I had the fan going full blast to keep my windscreen clear, I was literally surfing along the surface of the A12. It had been a busy day, there I was in the teeth of the city, I escaped deep into the country, caught two pristine pieces of the wild and I'd literally sailed home. If anyone ever tells you that fishing is boring ....... <i>don't listen to them.</i></span></span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-30169866628133395522018-07-25T05:41:00.000-07:002018-07-25T05:41:09.777-07:00Cants Mere 'The Perfect Sky'<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So here we are in the middle of a heatwave, the world outside my window is burning up in more ways than one. There's discontent, a distinctive sense of unease as the perpetual propaganda machine insists on keeping the population fighting amongst itself. London town feels more like a concrete desert rather than a buzzing metropolitan city. It's during these periods where I usually grab my rods and get the hell out of town, but with the severe heat continually pounding down on the waters. I'm finding the carp are literally fixed in a docile trance - <i>'which in turn puts me in one as well</i>'. I need adrenaline in my life, something to get the blood flowing and the heart pounding. Angling provides all these things for me and without it I really don't feel right at all. However, part of angling is to understand when you're using your time wisely and when you aren't. I've said it before, but you've got to go when you know the fish are up for it - whatever the weather. Summer can be a very misleading part of the season, it might be nice out on the banks, you can get a nice tan and sunbathe, but the long and short of it is, it really isn't the best conditions, especially when carp are involved. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the whole, it has been really tough, I've managed to pick a few off but, for the most it, I feel I've been 'flogging a dead horse'. This can have a few downsides, from an angling point of view, you can burn yourself out easily when it's clear that it just isn't happening. Secondly, and on a more personal level, with no means of escape, I'm subjected to the painfully ordinary 'everyday' that I've spent my life trying so hard to avoid. The days just seem to drift on by, I work and try to write but if you're not stimulated then there's nothing to really write about, all in all it's a very frustrating time. So to ease my slightly 'shackled' feelings I'd like to take you back to a <i><u>'short'</u></i> afternoon session that I did up on Cants mere. This blog harks back to the start of summer in 2016, it's hard to believe that so much time has passed me by but when you're in a perpetual state of 'pursuit', time just doesn't come into it, you're forever focused on the next water, the next cast and the next potential piece of the wild being eased over the landing net cords. Factor in the constant search for words, both poetically and for the blogs, you really don't have much mental space for anything else. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Escape The Monotony</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvReuBKQ4PI/W1cGBUfsTWI/AAAAAAAAbdw/w9Z3hF26oU0Qj4thEV_FKvVSKNwKY6jVgCLcBGAs/s1600/giphy-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvReuBKQ4PI/W1cGBUfsTWI/AAAAAAAAbdw/w9Z3hF26oU0Qj4thEV_FKvVSKNwKY6jVgCLcBGAs/s320/giphy-2.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My past sessions on Cants had been successful and I knew there were some more good fish to be had, word still hadn't really got out about the size of the carp that now resided there. I was sticking to my original plan, I'd focus on the water hard and when the crowds started to arrive I'd simply ghost off and start fishing somewhere else. Over the last year or so I've started to choose my waters carefully. When the banks are heaving and everyone is chasing the same prize, it sucks every ounce of enjoyment out of it for me. Hence why I don't just jump on the day ticket circuit, the idea of turning up to Linear or Farlows and hemming myself in between hundreds of other lines is my idea of hell. I value isolation and peace far more than the chance of a 30/40IB fish. There's part of me that feels if I did fish these types of places I may well have a few bigger carp underneath my belt, but I've got to stay true to myself. Part of my own fishing is the continuous search for the perfect space. That destination between the 'here and now', that feels like the perfect home, it's a location you can't really describe in words, but you know in your heart when you've found it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Perfect Sky</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sD9Q3bSeXRw/W1c0dVFtAgI/AAAAAAAAbd8/RD6DfIbktEYX6vR1BuNuEF8cErlG0mzogCLcBGAs/s1600/overcast_sky_by_zozziegirl-d50yjw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="630" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sD9Q3bSeXRw/W1c0dVFtAgI/AAAAAAAAbd8/RD6DfIbktEYX6vR1BuNuEF8cErlG0mzogCLcBGAs/s640/overcast_sky_by_zozziegirl-d50yjw1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the day of the session I was pretty eager to get going, for two main reasons. Firstly the conditions felt spot on, it was really overcast with rain showers and a lovely strong wind. As I stepped foot outside, hung right above my head, was the perfect sky. I've fished under this type of sky before and I've always had a good result. Secondly, after the best part of 25 years of searching, I'd finally managed to get hold of a mint set of the original Tony Fordham, Sportex Kevlar carp rods. I'd always dreamt of having a set of these from the moment I'd laid my eyes on them, harking way back to the days of Crowborough tackle. I managed to pick up a set of three for an amazing price, they've got a super thick blank, they're as light as hell and they have the classic purple whipping that was the first thing that caught my eye. I think it's safe to say that another part of my angling life is very much complete owning a set of these rods. I was itching to use them and I thought that Cants would be the perfect place to give them a good go. If they could withstand the crazy thrusts from some of those long commons then they could survive anything. The tackle was packed and I was soon <i>'zig zagging' </i>up the A12, the rain was beating down the windscreen and, <i>every so often</i>, a gust of wind would catch the van, it was pretty treacherous but when the water is calling you, you've got to listen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Dream </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As expected, when I arrived at the venue the car park was empty, the rain had eased and the wind had dropped, this gave me enough time to do a quick lap of the water and get myself setup. Looking at the clouds gathering in the distance it was clear that I was going to be getting a right old soaking today. But I knew the fish were going to be feeding so I was prepared to <i>'take it on the chin'</i>. After a quick scout about it was clear to me that there were some fish tucked up in the back bay. I could see at least five separate patches of fizzing, it was a '<i>no brainer'. </i>I picked the swim directly opposite, this gave me a lot of options. Because carp were clearly in the vicinity, I'd give myself one cast with each rod. They'd be no clipping up or faffing about, both rigs would go straight out followed by a couple of handfuls of bait, this would be spread around the whole of the bay area. I wasn't going to feed directly over the top of each rod. The fish were there so I wanted to get them rooting about, if I was going to start piling it in I could kill the situation before I'd even started. I was going to take on the role of an <i>'angling sniper', </i>get everything in position as 'covertly' as possible without alerting the carp to my presence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Bait-wise </i>I'd opted for the 'sweet plum seed', it's super effective and one that I want to start using more. Because I wasn't familiar with this specific section of the lake I was going to ditch the bottom baits and fish <i>low-lying </i>pop ups. Judging by the amount of trees surrounding the bay, I suspected there was fair amount of junk on the deck. <i>Rig-wise</i>, as usual it was straightforward, I'd be fishing 1.5oz inline leads with a relatively short hook-link. This might sound a little odd for fishing over possible debris, but I didn't want to give the carp an inch. There have been at least two separate occasions in the past where I've witness carp ditch a pop up on a long hook-link. I wanted everything short, compact and discreet. I fish this rig on various hook-link materials, my favorite being a <i>'Trigga-Link'</i> combi. Today I'd opted for the </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">'Rig-Morale' hydro link in 25IB, I'd cut the fluorocarbon inner core out, just short of the hook eye, this created a lovely hinge effect. Add a PVA nugget on the cast and that should ensure it lands well and sits primed ready for a carp to come along.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Simple Pop Up Presentation</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So with both rods ready I now had to gauge the correct amount of <i>'oomph' </i>to put into each cast. I hadn't really helped myself opting to use a set rods I'd never fished with before, I was going to go on instinct here. Picking up the first rod and preparing for the penultimate casts, it felt slightly odd, the old Sportex blank is much thicker than any rod I've used before, and it's incredibly light. Raising the rod above my head, I really felt like I had <i>'history in my hands'</i>. A short sharp jolt saw the lead fly seamlessly through the air, as the rig cut through the waters skin, I waited for a <i>'DONK'</i>, I didn't get one. The impact of the lead hitting the bottom kicked up a small explosion of bubbles, I was definitely in the silt. The second rod went out as poetically as the first, I was now fishing. I catapulted roughly two handfuls of bait all around the bay, I wanted the fish to start actively seeking out each individual boilie. If they started to get into a rhythm, I had no doubt that one would trip up on my hook bait.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As the heavy clouds started to move in overhead I just managed to get the brolly up before the heavens fractured. It happened within seconds, the sheer power and velocity of the rain was unbelievable. If I was on a ship it would of sunk, never to be seem again. I perched underneath my fibreshield clinging onto the storm poles. It's seen me through many storms before, the gusts of wind where rocking it backwards and forwards. For a second I though that <i>'Armageddon'</i> might've finally arrived, coming to take back a planet that's rightly his. In all fairness I wouldn't blame it if it did, when I look at the sheer misery and destruction that the human race has inflicted on the earth, it makes perfect sense to me that <i>'the powers that be' would </i>want to take back what is inherently theirs. Whilst the chaos continued I held on for dear life and tried to focus my mind elsewhere. Through the madness that was unfolding I could see clear feeding bubbles coming up all around the bay, the fish were clearly feeding heavily. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Armageddon</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I sat still clinging on as if my life depended on it, the water started to flood in underneath my brolly, within a few minutes there was a small stream running under my feet. It was all strangely exhilarating, all the colors of the trees were so vivid and the air was clear and fresh. The concrete desert of London seemed a million miles away and I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be able to escape it every so often. Eventually everything started to ease, the rain, that minutes ago resembled bullets, was dispersing, the clouds that resembled my perfect sky started to clear, and before I knew it. The sun was shining and it felt like a completely different day, it's as if the world had cleansed itself of all the wrong doings. As I crawled out from underneath my shelter, I soaked up the atmosphere, paying close attention to the million and one rain drops dripping and <i>'plopping'</i> off the trees and thumping onto the ground. I had such a profound sense of clarity, now all I needed was a carp to complete the picture. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cleansed</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Peering out across the water it appeared that the feeding had slowed down, I really hoped that the sudden sun was going to throw them right off. I've experienced this before, everything is perfect, it's looking like a bite is on the cards. Only for the sun to start beating its heat down, thus moving the goal post considerably. A few hours past and the conditions stayed exactly the same, there was no point in me recasting or applying anymore bait. The swim was setup perfectly, patience was the key. The afternoon was swallowed up in a blink of any eye and I really started to doubt that anything was going to happen. I watch the water, the rod tips and waited, I was urging something to happen. Just when I thought that all was lost, two fish topped in the bay, they were perfectly synchronized. Directly below where they showed, streams of bubbles starting flooding to the surface. I was on edge, it all seemed too perfect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The world fell silent .. then ... <i>'BOOM', </i>my left rod was away, a huge eruption came from where I'd placed the bait. This was a big fish, I could feel it in my bones. I lifted into dead weight, the fish powered off to right with such force. I tinkered with the clutch, the 'Sportex' blank was not arched right around. Every so often it would creak - <i>which was slightly worrying</i>, I put this down to the fact that they really hadn't been used and the varnish/resin was expressing its disgust as they were forced out of retirement to handle such a beast on their first outing. The rod handled the carp beautifully, I was making good ground and with some careful consideration the fish was slowly coming my way. Not before too long I finally had it in netting distance, I still hadn't laid my eyes on it. All of a sudden it surfaced, it was a common and it was rather large. With my legs shaking and my arm aching I slide the net into position, <i>'slowly does it'</i> ....... <i>'RESULT'</i>. Peering down at the beast that laid waiting in my net, it was clear that it was a very big fish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After The Storm, The Beast Arrives</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To be honest I was totally speechless, this was a serious creature, it's as if the violence of the weather I'd experienced earlier had manifested itself into the shape of carp, and I'd gone and tamed it. The width of its back was crazy and both the color and proportions were nothing short of perfect. A few shots were taken and I slipped her back home, it was a surreal experience watching it gently glide off into the nothingness. I didn't bother casting back out, my expectations had been surpassed so I thought I'd leave on a high. It had been a short, crazy day, <i>'</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Armageddon'</span> </i>had arrived<i> </i>in the shape of a beast, a cleansing of the world through biblical rainfall had washed all the <i>'ills'</i> away, and I had a chance to use a set of rods I'd been obsessing about for the best part of two decades. <i>Who said fishing was boring?. </i>The low evening sun accompanied me on the journey home, and as I approach London town I saw Canary Wharf<i> </i>looming on the skyline in the distance. I knew I was entering back into the apparent <i>'real world', </i>a land of confusion, a place that offers a strange sense of isolation, the polar opposite to what angling provides. I would do my very best to survive until the next opportunity came for me to make my escape. I sensed it wouldn't be too long before the water was calling me once again.</span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-79901777203840983122018-05-16T02:55:00.000-07:002018-05-16T02:55:32.240-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 10<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few weeks had gone by since my last session, I'd been really busy with 'life' and it was stopping me from getting out. Times like these can be very frustrating and we can all relate to them. You can feel your 'angling' life slowing passing you by and all you can do is observe as the perfect days and evening bite times get replaced with fighting your way through the city streets and the system. Real life doesn't move and pass in the same way as time on the bank, it drags, splinters and keeps you chained to <i>'the wage'. </i>We're continually being <i>'tapped'</i> to consume, we're cleverly drawn into the theater of politics and mundane current affairs. We're presented with elections and referendums that are simply an illusion to make us all feel that we actually have some say over our existence. I've come to the conclusion that we don't, so it's up to us to try and create both opportunities and situations where we do. For the 'angler' those times are when we're scoping a water out, deciding where we're going to fish and putting as much thought as possible into getting the end result we want, a piece of the wild both in our nets and hands.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You can't control the wild, it has no race, no language, no system, it is what it is and it will continue to do exactly what it wants. That is why slipping ourselves into it and taming just a small piece is such a big achievement. So as I worked and tried desperately to navigate myself in and out of the everyday, my angling mind was busy hatching a plan. I was thinking back to my Winter down on Burrows and how I religiously stuck to one spot. I started to think what that spot would fish like in the warmer months, out of all the marginal areas, it's a apot that gets ignored a lot of the time. I had a feeling that it wouldn't have seen a great deal of pressure since I was last there. I thought it might just be worth a shot, to be honest my days on Burrows were slowly coming to an end. This blog along with a few that I did later on in the year will signal the end of the journey. There's a number of reasons why, which I won't bother going into now, but for the time being I was eager and inspired to get back down there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with the warmth in full swing and the days sunny and bright, come the morning of my session, I got out the house nice and early. Days like these aren't worth wasting and it's only in recent years, being alcohol free, do I realize just how many perfect days I've wasted nursing a poisonous hangover. I love the early mornings and nothing beats the sunrise, the air is still and acutely clean, the sky is sharp, free from smog and the morning dew temporarily drapes over everything until it's forced to evaporate into nothingness. Thinking back, one thing I miss from when I use to night fish were the sunrises, I have great memories of peering out my bivy door as the mist rose off from the skin of the water. There was a stillness and a peace that you couldn't find anywhere else. However, I don't miss the extreme tiredness, the damp bivy and the feeling of a new day starting having been awake for nights on end. There's nothing worse than a dawn chorus when you haven't split the night into day with sleep. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I arrived at the water just as the sun started to appear over the treeline, there wasn't really anyone about, I suspected the handful of cars in the car park belonged to anglers that were fishing the Pollard. As I pushed my gear down the woodland track it became clear that Burrows was empty - <i>result!. </i>As usual, everything looked perfect, it always does and as I made my way down the clay paths to my chosen swim, I couldn't help but stop for a few minutes, just to take the atmosphere in. As I've mentioned hundreds of times before, you've got to go a long way to find a better looking water and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly I get pulled to its world. It obviously helped that I was the only one on the water, it's amazing how the feel of a lake can change when you've got lots of people about. The serine peacefulness can quickly get replaced with the annoying sounds of civilization.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I wasted no time in getting setup, it was pretty much second nature considering I'd spent my whole Winter in this exact swim. The rods we're clipped up at 12.5 lengths, both the casts saw me kissing the branches over on the far bank. They landed perfectly, I was so confident in their positioning that I wasn't going to recast until I'd had a fish off of each rod. Once the bobbins were set I proceeded to get a good helping of bait out, my short to medium range Gardener<i> 'Skorpion Stick'</i> made easy work of this, the best £8.99 I've ever spent. My chosen bait for today was the 'Sweet Plum Seed', this is a highly effective bait. It's a combination <i>fish-meal</i> that comes in a lovely dark red color, not only that but it smells amazing. Just to add a slight twister to things, I was going to fish a small mesh bag on each rod that contained some crushed sweet plum seed boilies and a smattering of 'high' oil tuna pellets. At first this struck me as a strange combination but when you smelt both the flavors together, the aroma was strangely satisfying. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sweet Plum Seed & Tuna Pellets</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One of the main questions I seem to get asked a lot is regarding the bait that I use, many people want to know why I don't just stick to one flavor. The answer to this is simple, I have 100% confidence in all the baits that Starmer produce. I know that they all work so I don't have to give it a second thought, there is no magic bait, it's all about how you present it and where you put it. Also I believe that certain waters respond better to certain flavors, this was something that I came to understand years ago. Graham at Crowborough tackle told me about this way back at the start of the 90's and through the years it really has proven to be the case. Going way back, and using my Bax Farm stint as an example, I couldn't get a bite for love nor money on fruity baits. The minute I changed to fish meal I started to catch straight away and there's been a number of waters where this has worked the other way around. Fruity baits dominated whilst <i>fish-meal</i> & spicy flavors didn't get a look in. Through years of chopping, changing and making notes, you start to get an idea and an understanding of what the fish tend to respond to on specific waters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Regarding my rigs for this session, as usual they were straight forward, semi-fixed inlines fished with a 2.5oz lead, the hairs were long, the material was a <i>semi-stiff</i> coated braid stripped back a few inches above the eye of the hook. To enhance both the 'hinge' and 'shock' effect I placed a heavy tungsten bead where the stripped braid meets the coated section. Once again, this little touch was something else I learnt from Graham at Crowborough tackle. Back in those days, because there weren't any tungsten beads on the market, we'd use a shot instead. I was going through a stage where I seemed to be getting finicky bites, he said the shot on the braid seemed to shock/surprise the carp, thus making them bolt. I know that some might think this theory is a load of rubbish, mainly because all your 'famous' anglers haven't mentioned it, but I can confirm that it works very well and its something that I've been doing periodically for a very long time. So with a bait I have 100% confidence in and a rig that's very effective and simple. It really was just a case of waiting and hoping that the carp would come and visit my 'underwater' dinner table.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So with the technical aspects out the way it was just the 'inevitable' waiting game. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago I was sitting in this exact same swim freezing. The lake was gloomy and bleak with very few signs of life. Today I was in another universe, my brain couldn't process just how many colors lay around me and with existence in full flow. I sensed the time was going to pass very quickly, I'd simply observe the world around me until I received an indication that one of the residence below the surface was willing to pay me a visit. I started to wonder exactly what was going on under the water, <i>does every single carp have a routine?. </i>Do they participate in the carp equivalent of <i>'the morning jog'</i>, or meet up in a certain spot and have a chat about recent goings on whilst sipping on some carp equivalent of coffee. <i>Were there gangs of fish that others feared? </i>maybe there's some kind of postcode war going on, hence why, on occasions the same fish gets caught from the same spot multiple times. Maybe the fish we catch with injuries aren't inflicted by anglers at all, they may have just be victims of <i>'carp crime', </i>having been in the wrong place at the wrong time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Whilst I sat there deep in pleasant fiction I abruptly got alerted to my right hand rod, I received two savage liners. The bobbin shot up and dropped right back down twice within seconds of each other. This caused my heart rate to fly through the roof, within moments it was away, as I sprung out the chair my heart literally shot into my mouth. It doesn't matter how many times your rod goes off, it never ceases to send a crazy adrenaline through your whole body. As I lifted into the fish I had a passing thought that, whatever was on the end, had clearly finished its morning jog and coffee and clearly fancied a bite to eat. As expected the fish bolted for the sunken post but I managed to steer it well clear, landing carp from this swim felt like second nature. Like all the carp in Burrows, it kited all over the place and refused to give up, once under the rod tip, it circled and pulled, kicking up the silt in the process. But with steady pressure and a little patience, <i>through the murk</i>, appeared a lovely looking mirror carp.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An Early Bite Came Calling </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few photos were taken and I slipped her back, I hoped that she wasn't going to make her way back over to my carefully prepared dining area and warn all her mates about the potential trap. A fresh bait was carefully threaded onto the hair, the rod was clipped up and a recast was performed. The clip was kissed, I waited for the addictive<i> 'DONK'</i>, I was primed and ready for the next fish. At this point all the remaining clouds cleared and the sun came shining down, the water was such a brilliant blue, it was one of those days where you just couldn't imagine yourself existing anywhere else. And best of all I still had the whole lake to myself. Before I let my mind sink back into some kind of day dream, my <i>'throwing stick hand'</i> started to itch. Considering I'd already had a fish, it made sense to top the swim back up, all in all I introduced about 5 large handfuls, these were spread in a wide area around both of my rods.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the next hour of two the heat of the day really started to beat down on my back and with the sun high overhead, I sensed that the carp probably weren't spending a great deal of time on the bottom. I contemplated zigs but decided I'd just sit it out, I suspected some action would come towards late afternoon. I've had some success on Burrows using zigs but I feel that the only way to really use them is when you commit 100%. It isn't an approach that you try halfheartedly, not only that but there genuinely wasn't any evidence that the fish were in the upper layers or near the surface. If carp were topping, twirling and showing then that probably would've swayed me. I was happy to just watch the world go by and wait for my alarms to start singing, I knew that they would. I've fished this water enough to know, that if I keep the bait going in then there's a high chance that a group of fish will come across it. If this happens then you can find yourself having multiple takes in a very short space of time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Burrows 'A Different Space .. A Different Time</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The hours came and went and before I knew it mid afternoon was crawling towards me, the heat of the day started to ease off slightly. A lovely light, cooling breeze arrived, I started to get a sense that bite time was close. It's a very familiar feeling, there's a deafening sense of quiet and everything around you, including the water, has a certain stillness to it. It's as if the world slows down whilst the water wakes up. Come 4 o'clock, fish started to show just down to the right of my baited area, they were super close to the margins. It was <i>'bite-time', </i>I could feel it in my bones. Minutes later I started to get some small indications, both alarms were fidgeting, I had a sense that more than one fish had come across my bait. Moments later the right rod fired off, I was on <i>'automatic pilot', </i>I lifted into it and applied steady side strain to the left, as expected the fish bolted sharp to the right towards the post. I steered it clear, it then shot towards me super fast, I was reeling in the slack like a bloody madman. A short intense tussle under the tip saw my net engulf another lovely looking mirror.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Let Bite Time Commence</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish was very broad, I had a feeling that in a few years it was going to go on to be a very large resident, a <i>'future sage'</i> of the water for sure. Back it went, I got the rod back out quick, speedily followed by another good helping of bait. If there were fish about I wanted to keep them feeding, if I didn't cash in now I knew the chance of a few more could pass me by. Moments after the bobbin was hung my left rod flew off at speed, I was on it quick, as expected, it bolted towards the post. It just goes to show that the carp know exactly what they're doing. They're masters of their environment and if there's a 'get out clause', they're sure as hell going to know where it is. Another nutty fight commenced and as the fish signaled 'retreat' I netted another good mirror. This was an awesome looking fish, it had clearly been sunbathing, its back and shoulders were a dark 'pastel grey' color with a lovely bronze <i>'rustic'</i> coloration to its tail. I don't know if it was just my imagination but it appeared to be smiling. <i>'check image below'</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pastel Grey</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The rod went straight back out followed by another load of bait, if I was to get another fish I'd stop topping the swim up. I felt that the area had a few more bites left in it so there was no need to 'overfeed'. Reducing the amount of bait available can speed the takes up. You just have to gauge the situation, when you've fished a water a lot, over time you start to see patterns of behaviour and when you hit a moment in the day where bites are coming fast, you've got to make the most of it, you've got to play the cards right. I finally managed to take a seat, my sleeves were soaked, I now officially smelt of carp. Whilst I was taking a moment to savor the 'stench' the right rod was away again, this was a steaming take, a proper 'blank bender'. It was exactly the same drill as all the previous fish, a fast run towards the post, side strain, and then a drawn out dose of utter chaos right up until the 'white flag' was waved. Peering down into my net, another <i>'classic Burrows mirror'</i> was waiting for me. This was a dumpy looking fish, a proper little character.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dumpy</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After slipping her back, a clean cast kissed the clip, I held off on the bait. I had about an hour or so left, I knew there was probably enough bait still out there to keep the carp mooching about. Time past, the action had slowed down, I started to pack up the non-essentials, it was during the closing minutes that the right rod screamed off. It was clear as I lent into this fish that it was a larger one, it didn't bolt for the post, opting to take me out into the open water. The initial run was long and slow, this fish was plodding instead of frantically darting left, right and center. Applying steady pressure, I managed to ease her towards me, it surfaced a short way out, it had a serious set of shoulders on it. Soon enough, I slipped the net under a rather unique looking carp, it was another mirror, its back was really broad, looking closely I think I'd had this one before back in the winter. It was good to see it again and in top condition. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Closing Bite</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The moment was savored and the 'release' was performed, this fish signaled the end of the session, I was soaked and the swim was a right mess, these are the markings of a great day. The last few hours were pretty intense, clearly a group of fish had moved in and I'd managed to keep them there. I've had a fair few sessions on Burrows like this, for the time of the year and accounting for the way the water seems to play out. I don't bother fishing for a bite at a time, loading the swim up and working on a <i>'hit'</i> has always been the way to go for me. This approach doesn't work on all waters, the trick is to suss out which ones respond to it. There are certain factors to take to into account. <i>Are the carp solitary? Do they move around in groups?, </i>waters were the fish move around in shoals tend to respond better to this way of fishing. I got all my gear together, it was a slow packed down, the evening was perfect and I wasn't in rush to wave it goodbye. It had been a great day, 5 bites, 5 fish landed, my curiosity about my 'winter' spot had been pacified. I could now re-enter the 'system' a satisfied man, however I was wondering how long that would last, I knew that somewhere deep in my head another obsession was rooting itself. I guess I was going to have to wait to see where it took me. </span></span><br />
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-14273338707299002502018-05-08T11:38:00.000-07:002018-05-08T11:44:05.754-07:00Cants Mere 'Head In The Past' <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Its been a while since I've had both the time and focus to take a seat and put <i>'fingers to keyboard'</i>. Now with Spring finally in full form after, what seemed like a very long, cold and miserable Winter, my head is well and truly lost on the waters once again. This year I've joined a new club and I've been totally obsessed with working out the two venues I've chosen to focus on. I managed to get a few Winter trips under my belt, not as many as I would've liked, however I was lucky enough to land some nice fish. When the temperatures really dropped and the snow came, it pretty much killed off all the action. I used this time to get on with work and bury my head in some <i>'carp fishing literature'</i>. Every so often I have to revisit the past to help me understand how certain things have evolved, not just in fishing, both music and drums as well. Looking back can help you see things in a simpler, less confused way, and because the past is now very much ignored, taking inspiration from it can change the way you view what you're doing in the <i>'here and now'</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I found myself reading Kevin Maddocks <i>'Carp Fever'</i> for the 30th time and getting totally sucked into 'Carp County - Kent and the Evolution Of Carp Fishing'. Both of these books hark back to the <i>'wonder years'</i> of carp angling and it became apparent,<i> 'as I was getting lost among the pages'</i>, it's the distant past of our beloved sport that inspires me the most. I find this puts me in a weird place because, the now over-saturated and extreme commercialization of carp fishing has turned it into a very different beast, one that bares no resemblance to what it once was. You've got to be careful when it comes to <i>'nostalgia', </i>you can look back through rose tinted glasses and convince yourself that things were so much better 'back in the day'. When in reality that isn't always the case, however I feel with carp fishing, the best days are very much behind us. I consider myself lucky because when I started at the beginning of the 90's, I feel that I experienced the tail end of the 'glory days' and those early years will stay with me forever. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Those Days Of Magic</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I understand <i>'progress'</i> but like I've mentioned many times before, <i>'progress'</i> doesn't always make things better. I know it depends on what specific field we're speaking of. Obviously <i>'progress</i>' in both science and technology has been, and remains to be both unbelievable and invaluable. But in other areas it can tear the <i>heart and soul </i>clean out of the issue. For me elements of apparent <i>'progress'</i> in carp angling amount to simple 'convenience'. The main aspect that really catches me about the<i> 'pioneers' </i>of the past was the sheer determination and focus to catch. Size didn't come into it, it was simply about getting the bites, if a monster came along in the process then that made it all the sweeter. But the true fundamental was learning the 'craft' of real angling and enjoying the whole experience and journey. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When you read the two books I've mentioned above, the enjoyment, the journey and the friendships made along the way were on par, if not more important than the fish they caught. Each element fueled the other, there were no distractions, marketing campaigns and a barrage of unnecessary products to pull you away from the essence of what you were doing. Reading about how excited these guys got landing singles and doubles is where the real honesty lies for me. The gear they used was basic, with a vast majority of it being homemade, the clothes they wore were standard, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">completely unfashionable</span> and usually not up to the job. But none of that mattered, it was about the waters and the fish that lived within them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Nowadays I think for many, this has got completely lost somewhere down the line. I'm personally having a hard time trying to find inspiration. So many waters are over fished and from what I'm seeing the carp are suffering for it - <i>this is something that I will be touching on in a future blog.</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> I've come to understand, for me to feel inspired about my own fishing, I have to keep my head well and truly out of the <i>'modern day</i>', and quietly continue to try and walk my own path. Paying too much attention to the 'current carp circus'<i> </i>can really muddy my perspective. I find this leads me to stray away from the 'circuit/named fish waters', targeting places that may only contain a few larger fish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But to be honest, I prefer it this way, not only does it make it special when you catch some of the larger residence. It minimizes the stupidity and contact that you can come across when a water is full of big carp and everyone is chasing them. In regards to the magic I once felt back when I first started, I do feel it's still possible to obtain. I just think you've got to put more effort in trying to find it. So, to all you guys and girls out there that love their fishing, who sometimes find themselves void of inspiration. I urge you to dip back into our angling past every now and again, I'm sure you'll find something that will connect with you and help to keep your flame burning bright. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Innovation - Not Imitation</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In this blog I'd like to account for an afternoon session up on Cants mere, after my last trip being such a success. I was itching to get back with the hope I could trick a few more carp into taking my carefully positioned treat. After a quick job in the morning I headed up to the water for midday, the conditions were very different to last time. It was warm and bright with a very light breeze, this helped take the edge off the heat from the sun. I was scooting up the A12 with the windows of the van fully open, the further I got from the city, the sweeter the smell. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I left London I was clearly inhaling the fumes from a thousand engines, you could see a giant cloud of smog looming over Canary Wharf. There were sirens, car horns and a general mood of frustration, this all slowly melted away when I hit the back roads just a few miles away from Cants. The air was clear, clean, with the occasional <i>'whiff'</i> or horse manure, if I could blend the smell of 'carp slim' into the mix then it would almost be the perfect aroma. Finally arriving at the gates to Cants, I shuffled the padlock in my hands, opened it and proceeded to drive up the bumpy path to the car park. I was now in a 'secret world' only a few knew of, best of all, I was the only one on the whole complex.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dumping everything on my 'ever deteriorating' MK11 carp porter, I made my way down to the banks of Cants, passing Blunts on the way, I couldn't help but stop and take a moment to observe the peace. I spotted a few dark shadows just under the surface of the water, I stood there transfixed until they slowly glided out of view. As the first part of Cants came into view, I could see a lovely gentle breeze pushing down towards the car park bank. I made my way around to swim 8, left my gear and then took a slow walk around the lake. Everything appeared to be quiet, I couldn't see any fish in the upper layers which was surprising considering the warmth and scum lines that were developing. I decided to keep it simple and approach the water exactly the same way as I did last time. Swim 8 gave me access to the two bars that ran down either side of the island, they produced for me before so I saw no reason why they wouldn't again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tiger Fish</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I'm not usually so one dimensional but considering this was my second session on the place, I wanted to work my way in slowly. For those that may have missed my first session, you can view it here <a href="http://charltoncarper.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/cants-mere-find-that-feeling.html" target="_blank">Cants Mere Part 1</a>. My approach was going to be exactly the same as the previous trip, simple semi-fixed bottom bait rigs with a nice spread of<i> boilie</i> over each rod. My hook-link material was my ever faithful 'Trigga-Link' combined with 'Sufix' Camfusion. The hairs were long, fished on a 'blow-back'. As usual I'd opted to use my 5.3mm rig rings, these provide perfect separation and free movement of the bait. I'd run out of Pineapple CSL so I'd chosen to use the <i>'tiger-fish'. </i>To finish the whole thing off I was going to use small mesh bags containing 'multi-mix' pellets with a sprinkle of hot chilli hemp ground bait. This would not only spice up my hook bait but also add a nice dash of color.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mesh Bag Contents</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few measured casts with a lead and braided line saw me locate the bars super quick, both rods were clipped up and pinged out with no fuss, I then spread a fairly large amount of bait around both areas. I wanted enough out there to attract any carp that might be passing through, today there was no time for subtleties. Large beds of bait worked very well last time so I was hoping to mirror the success in the short time that I had. I may only be fishing to what amounted to 5 or so hours but I sensed the carp would be up for a fair bit of grub, everything in the <i>'ether'</i> felt right. Bobbins were hung and the alarms were switched on, I was now officially 'angling' and it felt really good. It seemed like an age had past since I was last out and if there's one time in my life where I can clear my mind and align myself with the world, it's when I'm perched behind <i>'the carbon'</i>, watching, thinking and waiting.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The universe around the lake was buzzing with life, the trees were creaking, every branch was stretching towards the sun, the bees and insects were buzzing incessantly and the continuous politics from the geese and ducks were whipping up the waters surface to a foam. All these things might seem obvious for some but when you live in a void of continuous bodies and industrial clutter like London, you learn to look, listen and appreciate all the tiny little aspects you're so often starved of. I consider myself very lucky that, literally, just at the end of my road I'm straight onto the motorway, turning right is my escape route up to <i>Chelmsford</i> and turning left takes me right into the heart of 'Carp County' itself, <i>Kent</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> View From The Swim</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43WAnJ568sI/Wus3QGeMFnI/AAAAAAAAbGE/Ew40_G8HM78P2dWx_nIX58yUqd7URZ0oQCLcBGAs/s1600/swim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43WAnJ568sI/Wus3QGeMFnI/AAAAAAAAbGE/Ew40_G8HM78P2dWx_nIX58yUqd7URZ0oQCLcBGAs/s640/swim.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sitting back in my chair, it took all of three seconds for me to get locked into my usual ritual of watching both the water and my rod tips. My focus would move from the waters skin and then to the tip of the blank and back again. I started to get visions of those old <i>'cat'</i> clocks with the eyes that moved back and forth, no wonder when I leave the water at the end of each session my vision is distorted as if everything appears to be rippling. The reason I do this is pretty straightforward. I don't want to miss anything and there's been so many times when my tips 'nudge' and 'knock' without registering on the alarms. Anything that signals to me that fish are about is valuable information. It turned out that I didn't have to be so acute in my observations because I started to get some major liners on my right hand rod almost straight away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> The Tips, The Water, And Back Again</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBBGaXD7Pks/WvFV38U-DbI/AAAAAAAAbH4/LpGlEvFfpagGX80anIpLSf4HGSAD0NSRQCLcBGAs/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="498" height="289" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBBGaXD7Pks/WvFV38U-DbI/AAAAAAAAbH4/LpGlEvFfpagGX80anIpLSf4HGSAD0NSRQCLcBGAs/s320/tenor.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Through the next 20 minutes or so the liners kept reoccurring and I had absolutely no doubt that fish were feeding on my freebies, I knew it was just a matter of time before my rod went off. I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for the imminent chaos to occur, I knew I had to be on my rod quick because, for experience, the carp in Cants fire away like rockets. Sure enough the bite came, the rod melted off at such a pace that, even though I was expecting it, it still surprised me. I was on it fast, as expected the rod arced round and the clutch 'whizzed' and 'whirled', I let the fish run and take as much line as it wanted. The first minute or two I let the fish <i>'blow its initial load', </i>then I started to tease it my way. Due to the deep margins, when it came in close it was powering downwards. There were a few tense moments involving the marginal snags but eventually I eased the fish over my net cords. It was a lovely looking mirror, long with a dark bronze coloration.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cants Bronze</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjK_lLsBjOA/WvFoPe48IhI/AAAAAAAAbIw/ujjuVb_JH-MFjzHuLXYjMtqIGc_w759GQCLcBGAs/s1600/13239346_1051448301615411_2308481368319297677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="960" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjK_lLsBjOA/WvFoPe48IhI/AAAAAAAAbIw/ujjuVb_JH-MFjzHuLXYjMtqIGc_w759GQCLcBGAs/s640/13239346_1051448301615411_2308481368319297677_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was nice to catch a mirror considering they're pretty thin on the ground in most of the Chelmsford waters. It was clean all over and scale perfect, however it did have some mouth damage which was sad to see. I treated it with my Propolis and speedily got it back home. I'd like to use this time to express my concern about the increasing mouth damage that I'm coming across. It really does appear to be getting worse and to be totally honest its starting to get me down a lot. I understand that sometimes it's unavoidable, we all occasionally get dodgy hook holds and some hook-link materials have a tendency to cut more than others, but I don't think that the damage I'm seeing is purely down to that. I think its got more to do with some people having no real understanding of how to <i>'play'</i> a fish correctly. I feel this is down to lack of education, the mags and DVDs may promote how to look after your catch whilst on the bank but few, if any, actually demonstrate how to 'play' a fish safely.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>Side Thought</u></i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Nowadays with the mind control-fashion of 3.5 test curve rods, heavy lines, cluttered rigs - and instant anglers, it's no surprise that the fish are suffering for it. In my mind these types of rods are solely designed for distance and maybe solid bags, you can land all sizes of carp on a 2.5 - 2.75 - 3IB test curve rod with no bother. If anything you have more chance of landing it because the blank is far more forgiving so the chance of the hook 'tearing' out is minimized greatly. Not only that but the fight is far more pleasurable and instinctive because you can feel every tug and pull. The whole point of playing a fish is to tire it out, if this is done correctly then the whole procedure of unhooking, weighing and taking a few photos is made much easier. If the carp is tired it wont be flipping about, thus minimizing the chances of it getting damaged whilst out the water.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I find when a fish is ready for the net it will signal this by going up on its side, yanking, hurrying and rushing it in is <u>not</u> the way to do it. Remember that any damage or deformity that you inflict, the carp will have to live with for the rest of its life. Not only that but it spoils the whole 'catching' experience for the anglers out there that want to be seeking out well conditioned fish. I feel that, as anglers, when we catch a fish, the whole point of the procedure is to return it as if untouched. I think that all of us should keep this in mind and aspire to achieve it, when I have a session where all the fish have been returned to their home in the same condition they came out, then I feel I've not only achieved what I set out to do but it makes the whole experience far more fulfilling for, not only myself, but for others that will go on to catch those fish in the future.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><u><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Back To The Session</span></u><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After a few quick photos I slipped her home and got the rod back out. I held off on putting anymore bait out, I only had a short time left so I didn't see the point. In true angling style, the time was running away from me and before I knew it, it was early evening. Half day sessions can be very frustrating because when you're just starting to get into it, it's time to pack up. I decided to wait it out until later, the chance of another fish was too tempting, even if it meant getting home late. It was a pleasure to watch the day play out and as the sun started to lower slightly, and the breeze evaporating to nothing. The atmosphere of the water completely changed and I had a very strong feeling that something magic could happen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Closing The Day On Cants With Eric</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1jl08GrHAc/WvHGURVti2I/AAAAAAAAbJM/8fmS_RIZfo89UDBUwmMIvHADoT0R9BHZwCLcBGAs/s1600/CjI2sQRWgAICTXz-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1jl08GrHAc/WvHGURVti2I/AAAAAAAAbJM/8fmS_RIZfo89UDBUwmMIvHADoT0R9BHZwCLcBGAs/s640/CjI2sQRWgAICTXz-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Last knockings started to crawl towards me but I sat tight, I'd had a few 'bleeps' on my left rod but nothing came from them. Strangely, 15 or so minutes later, my right rod started to pull and knock, the bobbin would gently rise and drop again. I was now completely transfixed on both the water and my rod tip as if, in some strange way my intense concentration might magically make it go off. It just so happened that a few minutes later, it did. The alarm screamed and the rod tip bent tight round, the fish had bolted straight towards the snaggy channel to my right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I picked the rod up it was 'pile driving' towards the snags, I tightened up and gave as much side strain as I could. I quickly found the sweet spot on my clutch so, just as the rod was about to lock up, it would feed off just the right amount of line. As mentioned previously in this blog, no 'yanking' or 'heaving' took place, I didn't want to get this carp in to find that I'd cut its mouth up. Steady, sensible pressure was maintained until I managed to turn the fish towards me, it was a crazy fight and right down to the last second it gave everything it had. The fish revealed itself as it slowly went up on its side to signal defeat, it was a long dark common, easily in the low to mid 20IB bracket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Truly Incredible Carp </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvJQYzHqLfA/WvHLMiVycKI/AAAAAAAAbJg/7_EGrhR0pNAMXTX1OG-KFdgWo7vrh-8VQCLcBGAs/s1600/13266084_1051448478282060_1596411827013635214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="960" height="344" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvJQYzHqLfA/WvHLMiVycKI/AAAAAAAAbJg/7_EGrhR0pNAMXTX1OG-KFdgWo7vrh-8VQCLcBGAs/s640/13266084_1051448478282060_1596411827013635214_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This was a serious fish and the photo above really doesn't do it justice, firstly and most importantly, the hook hold was nice and clean, it was super long, dark and each scale was perfectly positioned. The sheer power in the fight was nothing short of 'spectacular', last knockings delivered me with a prize that I'd never forget. I took a minute to admire it, got some shots and sent her back home - <i>in exactly the same condition she came out</i>. In my mind I'd accomplished exactly what I set out to do, I packed up slowly and as I made my way back to the van the sun was starting to fade, the heat of the day had ceased and the world was a few hours away from sleep. Driving back down the bumpy track to the gate, I shuffled the padlock once more, which gave me entry back into the apparent 'real world', a place I'm not so keen on. Locking the gate behind me, I had a vision that the time on both Blunts and Cants would simply stop and slip into some kind of strange cryogenic trance, and upon my return they'll wake and everything will spring back into life once again. </span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-475049645909380692018-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:002018-02-22T09:25:07.939-08:00Braxted Reservoir 'The Spinning Coin' <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I woke up under the clearest of skies, above my head the deepest of one hundred thousand blues. The sun was bright and high in the sky, the breeze was light and warm, I love days like these so much. The conditions were perfect to be out on the water, however I was up and out early for different reasons, I had work to do. Walking to the van without my tackle felt odd and very frustrating. Hopping up into the cab and reluctantly turning the key in the ignition, I suddenly had a wild thought. I was heading up to Colchester but after that my day was free. It occurred to me that on the way up I pass by Braxted. If everything goes according to plan, once I'd done my work I could swing by the waters for an afternoon session. I wouldn't have a great deal of time but it was worth a shot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One Hundred Thousand Blues</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rObWR-iS8Kg/WovmtpmDa1I/AAAAAAAAa4o/IXjrginLXSgU0Nw-Stg14vMj1LeuPyMqACLcBGAs/s1600/shutterstock_1014579761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="620" height="369" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rObWR-iS8Kg/WovmtpmDa1I/AAAAAAAAa4o/IXjrginLXSgU0Nw-Stg14vMj1LeuPyMqACLcBGAs/s640/shutterstock_1014579761.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before I'd even finished that thought I was racing back into my flat to get my tackle. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was all very undignified, I literally grabbed everything by the handful, dragged it out the door and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">'carefully' </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">threw it all in the back of the van, smelly fishing clothes included. Now with the engine humming, I opened all the windows fully, cranked the stereo up to </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">'ear bleeding'</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> volume and made my way out of the city. I whizzed up the motorway and on towards the Dartford tunnel, the music was pumping hard. I had no doubt that the </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">monstrous</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> riffs of the </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">'self-titled Killing Joke</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> <i>album</i>' were battering everyone within a mile radius. As I entered the tunnel, the music carried and reverberated to crazy levels, I instantly got flashbacks to <i>'Donnington Monsters Of Rock' 1993. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I reached the A12 I had a head full of carp and music, the adrenaline was racing through my veins and my thoughts were already at the waters edge. <i>How was I going to fish?, Should I fish zigs?, </i>both of these questions couldn't be answered until I was in my swim and ready for the casts. I simply couldn't wait to get to the lake, however, I still had to hold onto some kind of reality, I was forgetting I had a job on. The journey seemed to last forever and as I past Braxted on the way up, I started to get pretty dam impatient. The miles limped by, the minutes felt like hours. After what felt like a lifetime I eventually rolled into my destination, <i>'Status-Graphite'</i>. It's a small family run business that builds both guitars and basses out of wood and graphite, they supply to some of the biggest touring bands in the world. What they produce is total quality - if <i>'Status'</i> built fishing rods, <i>'I'd take 12 sets'</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Task Was Easy </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0BbBrra3l8/WohpQ3CFFZI/AAAAAAAAa38/WSQEMWnuJa4OgkNeEe1TfwIUrB629H8cgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen-Shot-2018-02-17-at-17.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="766" height="508" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0BbBrra3l8/WohpQ3CFFZI/AAAAAAAAa38/WSQEMWnuJa4OgkNeEe1TfwIUrB629H8cgCLcBGAs/s640/Screen-Shot-2018-02-17-at-17.11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The place has a strange connection to my fishing, one of the craftsmen that works there is the son of the late great Roger Heaton who was bailiff on Kingfishers Hoo complex. I always have a coffee and we have a little natter about all things angling, sadly Roger passed away December 2017. I will miss him very much and the lakes just wont feel the same without him around. So after much conversation, coffees were finished and the guitars were left for servicing, my next destination was the water. I sparked the vans ignition, opened the windows fully again, set the stereo to <i>'stun'</i> and I was on the road once more. The journey back flew by and before I knew it I was winding down the old farm track to the Braxted car park. As I pulled up, to my surprise, the whole complex was empty, there were no cars and no signs of another human anywhere. It was looking like I had the whole place to myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I hopped into the back of the van and covertly changed into my 'stinky' fishing threads. I then took a slow walk around both the front and back lake. By this time some heavy cloud cover started to move in over head, this changed the feel of the day drastically. I had a feeling though that it might actually improve the fishing. Back lake looked lovely and I was tempted, however I knew that come 5:30 it would start to fill up with anglers <i>'that are only after the big one'</i>. I didn't really want to find myself hemmed in between lots of guys casting out to their <i>'pre-baited'</i> spots, some of whom think they own the lake. I decided to give it a swerve, the choice was now between the res or front lake, I really couldn't make up my mind. After a good 15 minutes of juggling random 'pros & cons' around in my head, I decided to flip a coin, heads<i> 'the res'</i> & tails <i>'front lake'</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPoz2iIxGsk/Wowk9qeewkI/AAAAAAAAa5A/1JEntOPBu6ApqXgiZ1QBiHZ_rX16zOvYQCLcBGAs/s1600/tumblr_muftjhx9vP1rk0k2jo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="500" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPoz2iIxGsk/Wowk9qeewkI/AAAAAAAAa5A/1JEntOPBu6ApqXgiZ1QBiHZ_rX16zOvYQCLcBGAs/s320/tumblr_muftjhx9vP1rk0k2jo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Prising out a slightly discolored two pence piece from my wallet, I flipped it off my thumb and waited for the decision to reveal itself to me. The penny<i> </i>twirled in the air for a second or two and then hit the floor with a muted thud. It was <i>'heads'</i>, the 'res' it was, the idea of the back breaking walk up wasn't inspiring me much but the coin had spoken. I began the killer journey, it really doesn't get any easier, as usual, by the time I got to the top I was seeing double. This was actually an improvement, usually I'm on the verge of blacking out. By this time it was mid afternoon so I was looking at about 4/5 hours of fishing, that was more than enough to tempt a bite or two. Being the only one up there felt inspiring, it was like a doorway to another world that only I had the key to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPFiekBtdcA/Wo6WXnajzpI/AAAAAAAAa6c/KKANAjUk3UcqDLkjKqSyowhhgtR9llSDgCLcBGAs/s1600/wasp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="1600" height="64" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPFiekBtdcA/Wo6WXnajzpI/AAAAAAAAa6c/KKANAjUk3UcqDLkjKqSyowhhgtR9llSDgCLcBGAs/s640/wasp.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I did a quick lap before deciding where to set up, surprisingly there weren't any signs of fish. This was very rare, the carp in the res are usually pretty clumsy at giving their location away. The water looked dead so I thought I'd follow the wind. It was pushing nicely down towards the dam wall, I'm usually reluctant to fish the dam swim because it gets hammered, but I thought it was worth a go. I was now in two minds whether to fish zigs or bottom baits, I was having a day of extreme 'indecisiveness' so instead of spending more time tangled in thought. I got the <i>coin</i> out again, heads 'zigs' & tails <i>'bottom baits'. </i>A nice sharp <i>thumb flick </i>saw the coin <i>twirling</i> in the air once more, it hit the deck on tails, the coin had spoken, I'd be fishing on the bottom.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The dam wall swim has a few "go to areas" but I wasn't planning to target any of these. I wanted to get a spot going in the slightly deeper water, the plan was to fish both rods close together and load the swim up with a lot of bait. Taking into consideration that I didn't have a great deal of time, it might sound stupid to be fishing with a lot of bait, but I just a had a feeling that it was the right way to go. There's a pretty high stock of fish in the res and I always use a lot of bait when I'm fishing on the bottom. As usual everything was going to be kept really simple, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I'd be fishing running rigs in combination with bottom baits. My bait of choice was 'Tigerfish', I'd be fishing a single boilie on the hair with a small mesh bag containing crushed Tigerfish and a few high oil pellets. This would add a little bit of extra attraction around my hook bait. </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I performed a few measured casts in the 'ball park' area I was planning to target. Both rods were then clipped up to 13 rod lengths, I made the penultimate casts, both landed perfectly. It worked out that both rigs were roughly a rod length away from each other. I then proceeded to spread about a kilo and a half of freebies in and around the area. It was a proper big spread, I didn't keep it too tight, I wanted to draw the carp in and get them feeding confidently. Working on the basis that over the past year or so, a lot of smaller fish seemed to be coming through. I wanted enough bait out there to, 'hopefully' attracted the slightly larger ones. Both alarms were flicked on, bobbins were hung and I could finally take a seat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HCLnQvWCJU/Wo6VUWffgtI/AAAAAAAAa6Q/SjSJuUIeuCIEnTroJlOC-j6QN1ujb54DACLcBGAs/s1600/resswim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9HCLnQvWCJU/Wo6VUWffgtI/AAAAAAAAa6Q/SjSJuUIeuCIEnTroJlOC-j6QN1ujb54DACLcBGAs/s640/resswim.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It had been a pretty busy day and it seemed like a hell of a lot of effort for what would only amount to a couple of hours. But I'm always up for getting the rods out whenever possible, you don't have to be doing long haul sessions. Within twenty minutes of setting up all the clouds cleared and it was bright sunshine once again. My favorite kind of day had returned, I sat there alone by the water watching everything around me. The light breeze continued to push down towards the dam, gulls cut through the sky above and the usual politics was occurring between the mallards and coots, they appear to be forever at war. Sitting surveying everything around the water, the real world seemed like it was a million miles away, which was fine with me, for the next few hours I had no interest in it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the next hour or so I started to receive a few liners and a couple of carp topped towards the back of my spot. There were definitely fish moving in on my bait and all the signs were pointing to a bite. I grabbed my binoculars and started scanning the area, I clocked a few patches of bubbles. They were quite hard to see because the ripples were obscuring them but I counted at least five separate patches. Now with a slightly raised heart rate I sat as still as a statue and focused on my rod tips, one could go at any second. More line bites started and as my attention went from my tips, to the water, and back again. A huge eruption appeared directly over my right hand rod, you could literally see the silt clouding in the upper layers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OCFW6K3BO8/Wo6k5SIOlHI/AAAAAAAAa6w/Hpt49gfFn6Y3TaFR1D-DVhqvZtZhyuGDACLcBGAs/s1600/tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="443" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OCFW6K3BO8/Wo6k5SIOlHI/AAAAAAAAa6w/Hpt49gfFn6Y3TaFR1D-DVhqvZtZhyuGDACLcBGAs/s640/tips.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>BANG! </i>my right rod exploded into life, the buzzer screamed and the clutch <i>whirled</i> and clicked, grabbing the rod and leaning into the madness. The blank arched round and I was connected to, what felt like, a really good fish. It was steaming at speed out into the open water, I held on tight, with the sun low over head I was being blinded by the reflection on the surface of the water. I literally couldn't see anything, I clambered up holding the rod in one hand and managed to grab my polarized sunglasses with the other. Waiting for the bright blotches to disappear from within my eyes-balls, I was 'back in the game'. At this point I hadn't gained any ground so I decided to let the carp <i>'blow its load'</i> and then start to tease it back towards me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I wasn't in any rush, this fish felt heavy so I just braced for the ride, after another 10 minutes or so I finally started to guide her my way. It was now only a short distance out and as it fought for every inch of its life, just below the surface, the suns rays suddenly reflected off a huge flank of large mirror scales, that's a moment I'll never forget. I instantly knew which fish it was. A few years back an angler I got talking to on the bank had showed me a photo of this specific fish. To say that it's unique looking is an understatement. I was now feeling really nervous and as I lowered the net down and went for the final <i>scoop, </i>I prayed to god that it would go in with no fuss. To my relief the carp cruised over the cords with no sudden bid for freedom. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exjJg2QJ2Bs/Wo7BSeIwSPI/AAAAAAAAa7A/rXsBexKk_Lc37uiNniD1dFgWyAwVXyaiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ci5pPqxW0AA0m2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exjJg2QJ2Bs/Wo7BSeIwSPI/AAAAAAAAa7A/rXsBexKk_Lc37uiNniD1dFgWyAwVXyaiwCLcBGAs/s640/Ci5pPqxW0AA0m2C.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I couldn't quite believe what I was witnessing, this was an incredible example of a mirror carp and I can safely say that it was way up there with one of the best I've ever caught. It was an honour to be able to hold such a mind blowing creature. It seemed that passing both my choices and decisions over to a measly, discolored two pence coin really paid off. It wasn't something I was going to make a habit of but fate had definitely dealt me a winning hand. I gave the fish a good soaking with some water, checked its mouth which was perfect - <i>'due to the fact I hadn't bullied it'</i>. Now it was time to get a few shots, preserve the memory and then send her back home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pure Perfection - <i>in every sense</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vz9nwUIUbQ/Wo7DXDuJ2-I/AAAAAAAAa7M/IVRUp7A7sp8Hz9EXAWBpyB3Niaytn8sjwCLcBGAs/s1600/resprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1500" height="392" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vz9nwUIUbQ/Wo7DXDuJ2-I/AAAAAAAAa7M/IVRUp7A7sp8Hz9EXAWBpyB3Niaytn8sjwCLcBGAs/s640/resprize.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To say I was happy would be dishonest, I was blown away, I was so pleased that I'd decided to make the effort to fish today, this capture wouldn't of happened otherwise.<i> </i>It just goes to show, like many times before, short sessions can pay off. If the fish are feeding and you drop in on them then you can get quick results. The rest of the afternoon passed me by without another bite, this really didn't bother me, to be able to sit and watch the day slowly decay into evening was a simple pleasure, I packed up <i>'a happy man'</i>. The long walk back down to the van was a blur and as I started my journey home, with both windows wide open and the stereo pumping out some hard and heavy riffs. I once again felt lucky to have angling in my life, you just never know what might happen. This short and 'indecisive' session will be one that I'll remember for many years to come. <i>Where will I end up next?</i> I might just let the coin decide.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV79Ub4Nlyc/Wo7m_a5fzfI/AAAAAAAAa7g/uqEKQ69p_GgosA6eZOLoweBwEC1ZSTsnwCLcBGAs/s1600/240_F_136981899_lv79ktop2HCjQDR84yNSab8jBMXo1SAc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="361" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV79Ub4Nlyc/Wo7m_a5fzfI/AAAAAAAAa7g/uqEKQ69p_GgosA6eZOLoweBwEC1ZSTsnwCLcBGAs/s320/240_F_136981899_lv79ktop2HCjQDR84yNSab8jBMXo1SAc.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-27148612666619665762018-02-08T09:12:00.001-08:002022-11-21T06:37:45.439-08:00Technological Advancement, An 'Orwellian' Future & Carp Fishing<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"all thoughts are chipped, tracked, removed from our minds, harvested countless times inside of the machine" <span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An Extract From An Earth Synthetic By Paul Warren 2018 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="st" data-hveid="104" data-ved="0ahUKEwjLudzLxJbZAhWrC8AKHc97COsQ4EUIaDAM"> ©</span></span></i></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We're living in an age where <i>'tech'</i> has been embedded into every aspect of our existence, to such a degree that many just can't seem to function without it. Everywhere I turn people are fixated on some kind of device. There's part of me that feels like this was the plan all along, if you can get the worlds population addicted to technology then it can, very easily, be implemented in a way to dictate and control everything we do - <i>we're pretty close to that being the case already.</i> Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that it has improved so many things within many industries to levels we could only of dreamt of, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the <i>'tech'</i> that's marketed towards us - <i>the masses</i>. I feel that it's mainly designed for convenience. It's providing us all with an 'instant' fix, we have the world at our finger tips. If you want music you simply press a button and it's downloaded within seconds. If you want <i>'take-out'</i> you press a button and your doorbell rings 45 minutes later with your order. Virtually anything you could possibly want is just one click away, very little effort and thought has to go into anything when you've relocated your existence into a virtual reality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The idea of a <i>'virtual reality'</i> might sound rather far fetched, but think about it. Most people spend more time on both social media and the internet than they do here in the real world. Creating profiles and <i>'virtual personas'</i> seems to be of top priority nowadays. Some of us are spending more time creating a reality that doesn't bare any resemblance to our real lives, than actually living in the here and now. Pictures and images are edited, selfies are doctored and filtered, the mundane is presented in such a way that it's made to look like some life changing achievement. Likes, retweets and shares seem to have overtaken the want for basic human interaction and conversation. If you're not careful these types of platforms can create such acute <i>'self-focus'</i> that you can become totally obsessed with self image. I think some forget that looks will eventually fade and what you're left with then is your <i>'character' </i>and your <i>'mind'. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Developing your mind and your character is a huge part of being human, if you've spent your whole life totally and utterly preoccupied with the way you look, <i>what are you going to do when you just don't think you look good anymore?.</i> Current trends would suggest you then pump your face full of <i>BOTOX</i>, it appears that this has become the new idea of <i><u>perfect looking</u></i>. Sorry, but I just don't see it, I feel it's just a distorted, visual representation of the <i>'said persons'</i> frame of mind. The lines on your face show a map of your life, the imperfections can be unique perfections when looked upon by those that have the ability to see what's below the surface. Part of growing and understanding life is to be able to deal with self change and deterioration. The life you are living now can't be cropped, rehearsed, rewound or buffered, it's what you do in the here and now that counts. As time passes and the years fade, the internet will be littered with thousands upon thousands of digital ghosts, including me and this blog. Will any of it really mean anything to anyone living in the real world, I don't think it will. However, who knows what the 'real world' will look like in the next 100 years.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So this leads me to the question - <i>has this form of technology actually improved our lives?. </i>Like everything, I think it depends on the way that you use it and what you're personally wanting to get out of it. For me all my social platforms are really just an extension of my blog with a little bit of music and drumming thrown in. I feel privileged because a lot of people have connected to me through my angling and my writing, we all share a common interest. I'm very conscious of how much time I spend on it all and if I feel like it's starting to dictate any part of my day, I switch it off. The long and short is, if it's used to stay in touch with friends, family or connect with people that you meet along the way who share a mutual interest, then it can be very beneficial and a pretty pleasant experience. It can also be a life saver for those with disabilities or conditions that don't allow them to get out of the house and socialize. If however you're using it to become some kind of internet celebrity that needs constant validation, who adds thousands upon thousands of people that you don't know, who many, you probably wouldn't get on with in real life, then I think it can be very damaging. I don't believe you can use this type of <i>'tech'</i> to try and fill a void within your real life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving on to the development of 'artificial intelligence', there's part of me that actually thinks both the internet and social media were initially designed to aid the development of this. This might sound like some kind of conspiracy theory, but lets take a closer look. The internet is being used by literally everyone all over the planet all the time, it never switches off. Every thought and action is being logged and recorded, reactions, emotions, habits, languages, it's all data that can be converted and used. How do we know that it isn't being used and harvested to create 'A.I'. There's no better place to go to collect every single element of the human psyche than the internet. You only have to look around you to see technology is getting closer and closer to us all of the time. We started off with huge computers, eventually they went from taking up a whole room to sitting on a desk top. Phones went from cumbersome great things that could just about make calls, to slim, sleek little devices that can pretty much do what most computers do and more. They contain our lives, our location, our habits, our secrets, the list goes on and on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's at this point that technology takes another step closer, possibly its biggest step yet. We now have 'wearables', small gadgets that we can attach to ourselves. These are sold to us in a very clever way, they're designed to help us stay fit and healthy, recording how far we walk or run, telling us how many steps we've taken and how many calories we've burnt, I have no doubt they can also pinpoint your movements and exact location as well. I'm interested to know exactly how safe it actually is to be wearing such devices over a long period. No proper research has been done to test what the effects are to the human body in regards to wireless frequencies and any possible radiation they might emit. So whilst many are using these 'wearables' to stay healthy, they could be damaging themselves in other ways.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>So whilst we're all distracted with our smart watches, phones and VR headsets, A.I technology takes a step closer still. It's now in our homes, the main example being the 'Amazon Echo'. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lets take a closer look at this item, <i>"<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it'</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>s capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do
lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audio books, and
providing weather, traffic and other real-time information. It can also
control several smart devices acting as a home automation hub"</i>. It's pretty unreal when you think about it, but to me this is just a softening up tool to get us use to both communicating and living with A.I. On one level this is all obviously very helpful but on another, we're not only now communicating with A.I we're also handing certain responsibilities and tasks over to it, all in the comfort of our own home. So whilst we sit on our sofas in the warm where we can shop, download, project a false reality, stream movies, keep an eye on what everyone else is doing and thinking etc ... A.I and machines are starting to take our jobs. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no5Wsd5LjIY/Wnlt4k2MGRI/AAAAAAAAayA/Y0yVjcDySlEEaxbXN8SHush1ODq9sp57ACLcBGAs/s1600/Robot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="1304" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no5Wsd5LjIY/Wnlt4k2MGRI/AAAAAAAAayA/Y0yVjcDySlEEaxbXN8SHush1ODq9sp57ACLcBGAs/s640/Robot.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One example is self service check outs in supermarkets, when I first saw them I though they were pretty useful. I ditched the long cues and sorted my own shopping out. In my local supermarket there are about 15 self service points, in reality that's 15 people that don't have a job anymore. The same can be said for banks, gone are the days of getting in line and waiting for an age to be able to pay a cheque in. Now you simply feed them into a machine, it reads the amount, deposits it and you're good to go, you can do this without even having to look or talk to another person. These are only two examples but other jobs taken over by <i>'tech' </i>also include<b> </b>switchboard operators, lift operations, film projectionists, bridge and toll collectors, train sales assistants and factory workers, to name but a few. The list goes on and on and I have no doubt that there's more to follow, especially when you take <i>'driverless' </i>technology and put it in the equation.<i> So where does it all go from here? </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>My Vision Of The Future</u> - brace yourselves</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have a pretty grim vision of the future where technology is concerned, I think it will eventually be combined with human consciousness. This is what the whole <i>'Transhumanist' viewpoint </i>involves.<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"Transhumanism is </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>the belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its
current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science
and technology".</i></span></i> <i>Google & Facebook</i> are two of the main <i>'players'</i> in the <i>Transhumanist</i> movement. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This makes complete sense considering the position they both hold in communication technology. In my mind I have no doubt whatsoever that the next phase will be implanting some form of <i>'tech'</i> inside of us. This is when I think things are going to get dangerous, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I believe it will come in the form of a microchip and it will be sold to us in such a way that it will be almost impossible to refuse. This has already been used on dogs, the next logical step is humans. Only the chip that we'll have will house many more capabilities. I think the initial implant will go in either the hand or the wrist. It will eventually get to the point where everyone will be forced to have one and it will be impossible to exist in the modern age without it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4wpxK0Jq5A/Wnw_nWhqRZI/AAAAAAAAa10/QN-CJN5XDCMQAoa_PBhnbmcwCMF7meQsQCLcBGAs/s1600/humans-and-robots.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="770" height="329" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4wpxK0Jq5A/Wnw_nWhqRZI/AAAAAAAAa10/QN-CJN5XDCMQAoa_PBhnbmcwCMF7meQsQCLcBGAs/s640/humans-and-robots.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I believe it will contain all of our information, very similar to our mobile phones. There will be no need for passports or similar <i>'red tape'</i>, you'll simply get scanned as you check in for your flight, transactions will be made by running your hand or wrist over a scanner. This is already the case with both phones and bank cards, forget your <i>PIN </i>number, one swipe and you're done. It's as if you're not actually spending any money, nothing physical changes hands. This is when I think currency will stop being a material item completely. With the introduction of a virtual currency then it will be so much easier to keep track and control of peoples finances. Surveillance will move forward in leaps and bounds, gone are the days of trying to identify criminals by their appearance. Cameras will use the same technology as number plate recognition. Instead of your number plate being recorded, your chip number will be detected and run against a central database that contains all of your details.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="743" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWki4d5eHbY/Wnl8-4QUpiI/AAAAAAAAayQ/PcvIuyN6Coset5HH36cdo0oyKoIUGQyTwCLcBGAs/s400/human-barcode.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Eventually a similar implant will be designed, only this one will have the capabilities to work in unison with our brains. This will enable humans to advance and learn at alarming rates, if you want to master something new then it simply gets downloaded. Practice, study and hard work will be a thing of the past, at a touch of a button you can fly a plane, become a doctor, the sky will literally be the limit. I sense that things will eventually take a very dark turn with half man, half machine type entities. This may sound like something of <i>'science fiction' </i>but at some stage it's going to become <i>'science fact'</i>, everything is leaning towards this becoming a very real possibility. I think that only the wealthy will be able to afford this technology at first which will increase the divide between rich and poor, even more so than it is today. I know that this is sounding all far fetched and you'll probably thinking I've lost my mind. But this is genuinely the way that I see things going at some point in the years to come. If I'll be alive to see it all implemented, well, that's another story. So let us now move away from my grim <i>'Orwellian' </i>vision of the future and move on to the lighter subject of fishing <i>'tech</i>'.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Technology and carp fishing can be a very divisive subject and I feel it's something that isn't going to be resolved anytime soon. I've decided to finally express how I feel about it and I've chosen to keep my mind well and truly open. I've been one of the many anglers to start shouting about the death of our sport through gadgetry and 'tech'. But is it really as bad as all that, I'm starting to think that it isn't. I don't really class myself as a <i>'purest' </i>when it comes to my fishing, I don't really know what that means. However I feel that there are a series of elements in everything we do that have to be learnt, understood and mastered. I don't believe in short cuts and I certainly don't believe in using technology to 'bypass' or 'replace' any part of the learning process. But I see no real issue with combining or using it to enhance something that has already been learnt and understood.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My Predecessor <i>'Apparently'</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecKvUILfqes/Wnnmam-RU-I/AAAAAAAAayk/F3WRRnylhbEOjQprvqjcZ-HqBTYG0FdHwCLcBGAs/s1600/sqns7ochfcz7iaznwakl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="453" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecKvUILfqes/Wnnmam-RU-I/AAAAAAAAayk/F3WRRnylhbEOjQprvqjcZ-HqBTYG0FdHwCLcBGAs/s400/sqns7ochfcz7iaznwakl.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Take drumming for instance, was I at all bothered when the drum machine turned up and I had people joking to me that I'd be out of a job in no time. The answer to that was <i>'NO' </i>drum machines have their place in certain styles of music, especially electronic. I knew that when it came to bands that actually played their instruments they wanted and required the human element within the rhythm. I also never had anything against sample pads or triggers. When these two elements are mixed in with acoustic drums you can create all kinds of crazy layers and <i>FX</i>. Triggers and sample pads used to enhance standard drums made things interesting. However if you use them to cover up an inability or a bad technique then you are kidding yourself. That's not the way to go and that's exactly how I see technology within carp fishing, it's to enhance, not replace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Fine Invention </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro0T9FHPPJk/WnnxaHZgGCI/AAAAAAAAazI/R_JDvr7t6T4berYJScn89Z1BxaELz44AQCLcBGAs/s1600/150804_214959_5523_282692_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro0T9FHPPJk/WnnxaHZgGCI/AAAAAAAAazI/R_JDvr7t6T4berYJScn89Z1BxaELz44AQCLcBGAs/s400/150804_214959_5523_282692_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lets look at bite alarms, when they first came onto the market many considered them cheating. When I first started fishing I actually couldn't afford any, there I was with two cheap bank sticks and a bright orange 45p bobbin attached to my line. I'd be sitting there float fishing with one rod and ledgering with the other. All of a sudden there was an almighty <i>'TH-WACK'</i>, the bobbin would slam against the blank and all hell broke loose. I have very clear memories of what it was like fishing without them. When I eventually got my first set it felt like a luxury. Now I could happily sit by my rods, let my mind wander and go for the occasional <i>'call of nature' </i>without worrying that a fish might take my bait undetected and proceed to find its way into the closest snag or weed bed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I personally think that using bite alarms are a sign of responsible angling, if you're fishing long sessions and nights there's just no way that you can sit inches from your rod watching it every second and waiting for something to happen. Bite alarms not only tell you what's going on, they can also tell you what might happen at any moment. A few liners and bleeps could signal that a take is imminent, this is especially important if you're snag fishing. You can hover over the rod with your striking arm at the ready to ensure, that if a take occurs, you're on it as fast as possible. So in regards to cheating, do bite alarms actually catch the fish for you, do they locate where they are and cast your rod out. Clearly not, they simply alert you when you get a take, and from a 'fish safety' point of view, I think that's very important. <i>'Just remember to turn them off when setting your bobbins'.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cheating Or Not? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sM0AqfMtvZE/Wnn7ZuAhK6I/AAAAAAAAazY/bwV56_rpLdAHuZlnzIJ9TjyvMcdIChdzQCLcBGAs/s1600/SB3%2BPro%2Bbaitboats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sM0AqfMtvZE/Wnn7ZuAhK6I/AAAAAAAAazY/bwV56_rpLdAHuZlnzIJ9TjyvMcdIChdzQCLcBGAs/s400/SB3%2BPro%2Bbaitboats.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So moving onto an item that seems to inflame many debate, <i>'Bait Boats'. </i>I don't have any experience in using them, the only contact I've had a fair few times is when someone sails one straight through my swim and then proceeds to drop their rig and bait over my rods. That highlights the main issue for me, the problem isn't the bait boat itself, it's who's operating it and the attitude they have towards everyone else they share the water with. <i>So can using a bait boat be regarded as cheating?</i> I feel there's many answers to this question. If you haven't developed a casting technique and you're using a boat to compensate for the fact that you can't cast, then I don't agree with them. That highlights my earlier point about using technology to bypass learning. However I understand that there are many scenarios where they can be a great help. Firstly if you have a disability that hinders you from being able to cast then they're a invaluable tool and I agree 100% in their application.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There's A Time & A Place </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you're fishing a big pit or the equivalent of an inland ocean, here or somewhere abroad, where the carp stay out the range of the longest cast. Then it makes complete sense to use either a boat or a bait boat to get your rigs out to where the fish are holding. That's not cheating it's just common sense, what's the point in fishing a venue where there's just no chance of getting your baits to where the fish are, that's just a waste of time. However I don't see the point in using one on your standard sized club water or day ticket. <i>What's the point if you can cast comfortably to any spot on the lake? </i>that to me is just pure laziness. Add that in with intruding into other anglers water, and/or placing your bait on spots where it would be, almost impossible to land a fish from. Then I can see exactly why they rub people up the wrong way. There's a time and a place for bait boats and if they're being used responsibly and in the right circumstances, then I have no real issue with them at all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now I'd like to move on to a relatively new product known as th<i>e 'FishSpy'. </i>To be honest when this first came out on the market I paid absolutely no attention to it whatsoever. The minute I heard that a camera was involved I pretty much switched off. Part of the attraction of angling for me is not knowing what's going on under the surface. Its always been this magical unseen world that continues to fuel my imagination. I'm not interested in a product that allows me to peek into it. As you sit looking out over the water, you can only really dream of what might be happening below the surface and I believe it should stay that way. However, when I started to research this particular piece I was pretty impressed with what it claimed to do. I haven't used one so I'm going on what I've read and watched.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Marker With A Difference</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYHhvejxGus/Wnq77qvt8OI/AAAAAAAAa0E/E1jhLD8eeKoEDOleIyeEHtFirRk5VlTXgCLcBGAs/s1600/fishSpy-trans-fin3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="400" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYHhvejxGus/Wnq77qvt8OI/AAAAAAAAa0E/E1jhLD8eeKoEDOleIyeEHtFirRk5VlTXgCLcBGAs/s400/fishSpy-trans-fin3.png" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundamentally what we have here is a marker float with a camera, you use it in the exact same way as a standard marker float but it allows you to take a look at the spot you're thinking of fishing. When you really think about it, that's a pretty amazing invention and credit goes to the guys <i>& girls</i> that came up with it. <i>Can this be classed as cheating?</i> again, it all depends who's using it and what they're wanting to achieve. If you're going to be casting this about like a madman hoping that you might be able to find some fish, then I think you're dreaming. The float weights 96 grams, add a 3 - 4 oz lead to that and you're casting one hell of a weight. No fish in their right mind would hang around for long if that comes and lands on their head. However if you're going to use it in the exact same way you would a marker float, with the added extra of being able to take a quick look at what you're fishing over. Then I think it could be a pretty decent edition to your approach. This isn't replacing a skill, it's simply aiding it and, at the same time, it isn't giving to much of the <i>'secret world'</i> away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fish-Spy Footage</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3nUhv8pq5Q/WnrA66c70LI/AAAAAAAAa0U/Iiuxdwf4VBE2NRPc9Kfbj7dinJZjBcGKQCLcBGAs/s1600/FishSpy-6-1024x768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3nUhv8pq5Q/WnrA66c70LI/AAAAAAAAa0U/Iiuxdwf4VBE2NRPc9Kfbj7dinJZjBcGKQCLcBGAs/s400/FishSpy-6-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">From a curiosity point of view I'd find it pretty interesting to be able to view the spot I'd chosen before casting my rig out<i>. </i>For the first time you're actually getting a visual representation of what you're feeling through the rod blank. This to me could be a real eye opener. The only possible problem I can see arising is if someone wants to try and film fish feeding over their spot or taking their bait. If you're going to leave it out submerged under the water for hours, then I think that's irresponsible. Just say you do manage to film a fish getting caught and it decides to bolt. There's a very high chance it could end up getting tangled in the marker braid, taking the lead and fishspy with it, this could cause all sorts of problems.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>To conclude, if you understand how to marker a swim with a lead and float and you use the fishspy to have a quick check of your chosen spots. Then it could end up being a very interesting piece of technolo<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">gy<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Love It Or Hate It </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbgaTQTHVo4/WnwSNAvEWvI/AAAAAAAAa04/5-8GjMVx0KA-lElJ89_M7QZ35YJVME6FACLcBGAs/s1600/deeper%2Bpro%252B-500x500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbgaTQTHVo4/WnwSNAvEWvI/AAAAAAAAa04/5-8GjMVx0KA-lElJ89_M7QZ35YJVME6FACLcBGAs/s320/deeper%2Bpro%252B-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So let me move onto the final item and one that has caused all kinds of arguments since its inception. The <i>'Deeper Pro Plus', </i>when this first came out there was no real middle ground. People either loved the idea or hated it, I totally understand why there was so much negativity. A lot depended on the way many looked at it and how they were planning to use it, for some, it was catering towards the <i>'instant</i>' generation. As mentioned before, we're living in an instant world. Technology has made us pretty dam lazy, tomorrow just ain't good enough - <i>we want it now with the least effort</i>. So when you take the <i>Deepers</i> fish finder facility into account, it's really not hard to imagine why some are looking upon it as the devil. If we take a moment to move away from the cheating or not cheating debate. Lets look at exactly what it does.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To Sonar Or Not To Sonar </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Here we have a castable sonar device that you can connect with wirelessly through an app on your mobile phone. It maps what's below the surface in great detail providing a visual representation of the lake bed. Not only this but it shows you weed, hard spots, soft spots, water temperature and depths, and of course, it has a fish finding facility - <i>however you don't have to have this switched on. </i>When a fish swims under the device it notifies you of the depth it's swimming at from the surface of the water downwards. There's an option to show the fish as raw data or as a symbol, the raw data image can give you an idea of the size of fish. When you remove actual fishing from the equation and just look upon this as a new piece of technology, I personally can't help but be impressed.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But like all the items mentioned in this post, it all depends how you're going to use it and what you're attitude is in regards to those you share the water with. If you're going to turn up to a lake, taking absolutely no notice of those around you and start casting this left, right and center until a fish pops up. Then I think it's not only irresponsible and selfish but it's also pointless, firstly, fish move, and secondly you are learning nothing. You are relying solely on the device, you're ditching watercraft, and in the end I think using it would become a thing of habit. There's a danger that it would end up dictating every session, you'll be spending more time faffing around with it than actually fishing. I personally don't believe the Deeper was designed as a fish detector. In my mind it's an <i>'overview'</i> item, what I mean by this is, when combined with all the other elements within carp fishing, it's providing you with, just that little bit more information that you couldn't acquire before. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For example, you can combine the Deeper into your marker work to gain far more useful information. We all know how disruptive casting a float and lead can be. Not only that but 'traditional' marker techniques can only provide you with a limited amount of knowledge. We're acting on a lot of hunches and assumptions. Arriving at a lake and casting the Deeper out a couple of times is not only less intrusive but it's going to provide you with far more insight. Once you've had a few casts and you've spotted some features of interest. You can then get your marker rod out, locate them, get the rod lengths, horizon markers etc, make a note and then you know exactly what you're aiming for on future sessions. If you proceeded to do this in all your favorite swims, it really wouldn't take long to build up a very accurate picture. Once this work has initially been done you wouldn't actually have to use it on <i>'said-water'</i> again. Applying the Deeper in this way isn't replacing, cheating or bypassing any element of angling, it's simply enhancing it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Another scenario, take <i>'Zigs', </i>if you turn up to a water on a lovely warm day where the carp are in the upper layers or clearly on the surface. Casting a marker float out to get the depth is going to kill the situation before you've even started. A few covert casts with the Deeper would give you the exact depth so you can then target the fish effectively from the get go. In my mind this isn't cheating either, it's just being far more efficient than before, especially if you're a short session angler and you just don't have a great deal of time. So, <i>is the Deeper Pro Plus really cheating? </i>if you're buying this with the mindset to use it just as a fish finder and compensate for your inability to use a marker float or locate carp. I'd say 'yes', you're clearly getting it for </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">completely</span></span> the wrong reasons. Also if you're buying it in the hope it will shortcut the capture to all the big named fish in your waters, which in turn would get you in all the mags - making you the next amazing ego driven carping celebrity, then I think you're kidding yourself. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Never Bypass The Fundamentals</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Without
taking the time to learn the fundamentals, you'll only go so far before
you've got to go back to the drawing board - there are no short cuts to<i><b> </b></i>the learning process.<i> </i>If</span></span> you're looking to get a Deeper to enhance your understanding of the waters you fish and you use it in edition with all the other disciplines and techniques you've learnt. Then I really don't consider it an issue, it's just enhancing and allowing a greater understanding, and to be honest that can only be a good thing. With all technology it's about using it responsibly and in the right situation, if you want to stick to a traditionalist route then there's nothing stopping you from doing that. If you want to get some of the latest tech to aid you in your quest, then there's nothing wrong with that either. At the end of the day it's all down to personal preference. I'll leave you with one last thought, '<i>SAT-NAVS'</i> are an amazing invention, they make getting about so much easier <i><u>but</u> </i>you really should learn how to use an <i>'A to Z</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-61153746475871923332018-01-01T06:50:00.000-08:002019-01-13T23:42:19.434-08:00JRC Radar CX Bite Alarm Review<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"As in all my reviews I'd like to start by stating that I'm in no way connected to<span style="color: #cccccc;"> JRC </span>Tackle. This is an independent write up that I hope might help you out if you've been thinking about purchasing the JRC Radar CX bite alarm."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have a real soft spot for bite alarms and through the years I've built up a rather impressive collection, I use them all and will continue to do so. I go through stages, sometimes I get completely stuck on my old DXR's, and as quick as the wind changes I'll find myself digging out my old TLBs or Micron SX's. The main aspect I always look for is reliability, this is far more important to me than endless fancy features that, most of the time, I never really use. I've always swerved the latest fashions and <i>'buzz'</i> items, opting more for what I personally like the look of, both names and brands really don't mean a great deal to me. Regarding bite alarms, I think it's very easy to get blinkered by the mainstream companies such as Delkim and Fox, that many just don't consider looking elsewhere. I find that overtime <i>'in any industry, not just angling'</i>, the mainstream companies can get complacent with their standards, but they know that on <i>'name'</i> and past <i>'reputation'</i> alone', whatever they bring out they're still going to shift shed loads.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCbf7tHzONc/WkjeIyrxjiI/AAAAAAAAapY/JW_sI4Tym0wW4I_hBs36bX3Bzf3RnERhACLcBGAs/s1600/jrc_radar_cx_bite_alarms_-_coarse_bite_indication_kit-orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="459" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCbf7tHzONc/WkjeIyrxjiI/AAAAAAAAapY/JW_sI4Tym0wW4I_hBs36bX3Bzf3RnERhACLcBGAs/s320/jrc_radar_cx_bite_alarms_-_coarse_bite_indication_kit-orange.jpg" width="146" /></a><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is where I feel that it can pay off looking at what the smaller companies have on offer, they've got something to prove so it's within their interest to bring out something of <u>quality</u>. I've always brushed my eyes over the JRC bite alarm range and the one feature that always caught my eye was the <i>LED</i> bar, I loved the idea of the <i>LED</i> moving in the direction of the line. <i>Would this feature help me catch more fish?</i> - of course not, but it's something very different to anything I'd seen before and I genuinely really liked it. The thing that always put me off buying them was the shape. However when I saw that they'd released a new model, the <i>Radar CX, </i>I was instantly taken with them. Visually they're very understated, and I really liked their unique design. The CX range are slim, sleek and very clean looking, I understand the way a bite alarm looks comes down to personal taste, but for me they ticked all the boxes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The RRP on a single head is £49.99 but if you scout around you can get them much cheaper. Both mine, brand new cost £23.99 from ebay and for that price you get one hell of an alarm, even for the original price I believe you're getting a product that equals those of double, even triple the cost. <i>So where do I start?</i> - firstly, the alarm comes with its very own hard case that slips off and on with ease. On closer inspection of the alarm itself, it's all very minimal, on the back you have an <i>'easy to access' </i>compartment that houses a single square 9V battery. Once the battery is in, the head feels very solid in the hands, it doesn't feel cheap and tacky.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It has volume, tone and sensitivity, the knobs are large, perfect for those with fat fingers, and they're very easy to turn. Its on/off switch is located on the bottom left. Switching it to the right turns the alarm on, you'll get 3 <i>bleeps</i> and the LED will travel upwards. This indicates that the alarm is now functioning and ready for use. If you click the switch to the left, this puts it into 'manual night function', meaning that the top of the LED strip stays on omitting a softer light, this setting makes it easier on the eyes when using it in the dark. Having now spent a lot of time out on the bank using them, I've had ample opportunity to mess about with the settings. There's an array of different tones ranging from the very low, through the mid, right up to the high range, the volume can be set to near silent or cranked right up if need be. T</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">aking into account that it's a roller wheel system</span>, the sensitivity is very versatile and more than you'll ever need. On its most sensitive I've found that it detects the smallest of liners and, having recently been braving the banks in the current gale force winds, I've had no issues with false bleeps when using the lower regions of the sensitivity settings.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Slim & Solid</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving up to the top section of the alarm, you have the LED strip housed on the left, it's very easy to see and even on bright days it's very clear. I've found on some alarms the brightness of the LED can be effected negatively in the sunlight, this is not the case with the CX. The little 'groove' that holds your rod is nice and snug and it has small rubber pads built in, these help to grip your rod. One downside I'd like to mention is the use of snag ears, due to the shape of the alarm around the battery housing, it's not possible to use snag ears with them. To be honest though, you'd need to be fishing locked up and super tight to either your left or right to stand any chance of the rod being pulled off, I personally don't think you need snag ears with these alarms. Moving onto the Radars sound, the clues in the name, it literally sounds like a radar or a sonar blip. I haven't heard another bite alarm like it, for me this is yet another aspect that really separates the CX from other alarms out there. The other thing that I'm really impressed with is the clarity. The sound is super clear, to get this clarity JRC state the alarm has a <u><i>"Magneto-dynamic speaker with digital amplifier for superior sound quality"</i>.</u> I'm not quite sure what that means but I can confirm that the sound is super clear and clean.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Blue - Red - Green - Orange</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So now I'd like to move onto the finer details of the alarms indication - <i>bare with me, there's a lot to explain</i> <i>and I didn't realize they were so technical</i><i>.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Firstly, when the line pulls forward the alarm will sound and the LED will move in unison upwards. If it's just a single bleep, the LED will shoot to the top and stay fixed for 20 seconds. When you get a small single <i>'drop-back' </i>the bleep is a semitone lower and the LED drops to the bottom, it will then flash for 20 seconds. When you get a full blown take forwards, the LED travels from the bottom to the top and repeats. When you get a full blown drop back the LED travels from the top to the bottom and repeats. It might sound all a little <i>'overkill'</i> but with all these little features combined, it gives you a very clear indication of what's going on.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> To my knowledge I'm not aware of another bite alarm on the market that communicates things in such detail. Truth be told, you don't necessarily need all this, I've always said that you know full well when you've got a carp on the end of your line, but it's all very impressive and well thought out. <u>There's a short video below to demonstrate what I've explained in this paragraph.</u></span></span></span><br />
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</u></span></span></span> <span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Alarm Specifications</span></span></i></span><br />
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</span></span></i></span> <span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Designed, engineered & tested in the UK<br />
Traveling colored LEDs<br />
20 second latching LED<br />
Step-less adjustable volume, tone, and sensitivity<br />
Magneto-dynamic speaker with digital amplifier for superior sound quality<br />
Housing made from high impact ABS material<br />
Range of 150m+<br />
Manual nightlight function<br />
All weather proof, double sealed electronic parts<br />
Long battery life<br />
Rubber inserts to keep the rod from sliding<br />
Low battery warning<br />
Operates on 1 x 9V Battery (not included)<br />
Manual power on-off<br />
Power out socket<br />
Rolling code ID function<br />
Prevents interference by other alarms on the same lake</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"> <iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sK--OuPXqrE" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Moving away from the alarm itself, another huge advantage to the CX range is the capability of being able to use a wireless receiver. JRC have designed one dedicated to the Radar CX alarm range. The RRP on this is £34.99 but if you scout around you can find it cheaper, I purchased mine for £26.99. The unit is small, compact and solid in the hands once the batteries are installed, it runs off 3x AAA. It's capable of pairing up to 4 alarms. Just like the CX heads, it's very understated, it has a single volume knob that's very easy to adjust. The on and off switch is located on the top of the unit, if you flick the switch to the left the receiver will beep three times and all four LEDs will flash in unison. This indicates that it's ready for use, on <i>'volume'</i> mode. Switching it to the right sets it to <i>'vibration</i>' mode, all four LEDs will flash once to indicate this, the receiver will vibrate three times in unison. When it's set to 'vibration', no sound comes out the speaker. It's very easy to pair up with your CX heads, this is done using the small button that's located on the top right of the unit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Radar CX Multi LED Receiver</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The volume settings are very versatile, it can be set to silent so no sound comes out at all, however the LEDs will signal any occurrence. On those really windy days when alerts can be hard to hear. You can crank the volume level right up, it's highest setting is really loud. The receiver has the same sound technology in it as the alarms so it's super clear and crisp on all volume settings. In regards to indication, I've found it to be spot on. When you get a forward take the tone is <u>high</u> and the LED flashes at a super fast rate. When you get a drop back the tone is <u>low</u> and the receiver gives off a sound that's very reminiscent of an old mobile phone ringtone. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When you turn the alarm off, the receiver will notify you with a short sustained 'bleep' followed by a flashing LED. All in all it's a great addition to the CX range.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Receiver Specifications</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Designed, engineered & tested in the UK<br />
Traveling colored LEDs<br />
20 second latching LED<br />
Step-less adjustable volume<br />
Magneto-dynamic speaker<br />
Digital amplifier for superior sound quality<br />
Housing made from high impact ABS material<br />
Range of 150m+<br />
Manual nightlight function<br />
All weather proof, double sealed electronic parts<br />
Long battery life<br />
Operates on 1 x 9V Battery (not included)<br />
Manual power on-off<br />
Power out socket<br />
Rolling code ID function<br />
Prevents interference by other alarms on the same lake</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finally I'd like to mention that the alarms have a 2.5mm power out socket. This is so you can use the JRC Radar DS illuminated swingers. I cannot comment on these because I haven't purchased a set. I'm still using my trusted Matrix swinger arms, however, if the design and build quality of the CX range is anything to go by then I'm sure the illuminated swingers would be a reliable edition to your Radar <i>'weaponry'</i>. So to sum up, I can't recommend these alarms enough, they're spot on in both theory and practice and I have no doubt that I'm going to be using them for many years to come. I've tried to find faults but to be totally honest there aren't any. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"> <iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TdojM_9cuUU" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As mentioned before, bite alarms, as with every item of tackle, always comes down to personal preference, one mans gold is another mans tin, it's all down to the individual. If you're an angler that follows the fashions and has to be seen with the latest <i>'cool'</i> product, then these alarms obviously aren't for you. However if you have your own mind, want something different, and don't care about trends, then the JRC Radar CX range is </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">definitely something you should look into. For the price they really are mind boggling, they're high spec and provide you with more than most alarms at twice the price. I really feel like JRC have nailed it with this product. This might just be the <i><u>'coolest uncool bite alarm'</u></i> to hit the market for quite sometime. The choice is yours but it's a 10/10 from me. </span></span> </span></span></span></div>
Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-56134977955116115022017-12-02T04:05:00.001-08:002018-05-25T02:01:14.698-07:00Cants Mere 'Find That Feeling'<span style="color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>Feeling</u> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">'</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">an emotional state or reaction'</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>Emotion</u> 'a strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others'</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><u>Awareness</u> '</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>knowledge or perception of a situation or fact' </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>How are you feeling?</i> - there are times when I portray this as a trick question, it's complicated. It's only over the last couple of months I've come to realize that if I'd learnt to interpret certain <u>feelings</u> in more of a direct way, a lot of confusion could've been avoided. I've been doing a hell of a lot of thinking recently and along with that, I've found myself looking back through this blog, it's hard to believe that I've been writing it since the start of 2012. I've noticed that it's taken many different twists and turns and through the years its developed into more than just <i>'session'</i> accounts. It goes without saying that it's fundamentally about angling, however, now having had the chance to look at it from a distance, it appears, that in equal measure, there's a series of reoccurring themes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mainly, feelings, emotions and awareness. These three things are so very important, it's what makes us human, they're embedded in our frame work, safely housed in the limbic/oldest part of the brain so there's no getting away from them. It's these three things that can cause us the most trouble, and when you really think about it, we're given no real guidance on how to handle them. We're pushed into this world kicking and screaming, squashed and squeezed through a <i>"one size fits all"</i> educational prison. To suddenly find ourselves all grown up in an adult world, you've got to shut up, get in line and feed the system, an inherent system that really doesn't cater for individuals. If you are one, you're going to have a hard time. If you're not careful you can become so</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span data-dobid="hdw"> desensitize to your own feelings and emotions that you just aren't in touch with yourself anymore. </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Life Is As Life Does</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I understand that everyone responds differently to the world around them, many appear to sail through their lives completely content with their situation. They don't analyse or over think things, they just get on with <i>'the obvious'</i>, have a good time, and by doing this, they're content. On the <i>flip-side</i> though, there are those that struggle, over analyse and find life hard - <i>there's no shame in this</i>. I've been bogged down with both emotions and intense <u><i>feelings</i></u> as long as I can remember. However, I was fortunate because my outlet came through my drum playing, I first picked up a set of drumsticks when I was 6 years old. So by the time the dreaded, <i>'highly emotional'</i> teenage years came about, I'd mastered how to express myself through my instrument, closely followed by writing both <span style="color: orange;"><a href="https://themechanicsofbeinghuman.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">poetry and free verse</a></span>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Through the years my angling also grew to become a major support mechanism. Living in this way allowed me to navigate myself through<i> </i>everyday life<i>, 'still feeling as confused as hell', </i>but I'd created a spiritual release to make it all the more bearable. Through time it became very apparent the importance of <i>'having your own voice', </i>I don't mean this in a literal sense. I am talking more about self development and expression, you find <i><u>your</u></i> way of doing things and <i><u>you</u></i> develop and master them, you simply perfect <u>being you</u>. This includes everything that you choose to do, that's what makes you an individual and not a carbon copy. I just don't see the sense in being fragments of everyone else's views and opinions. For me this point is of equal relevance in both my angling and drum playing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's strange because I've never looked upon drums as an instrument or a <i>'time keeper', </i>to me they were always more of a sounding board to communicate both my emotions and my feelings - <i>very similar to this blog</i>, it's not just about carp fishing, it's about everything you think and feel along the way. I've never looked upon angling as just going and trying to catch, it goes so much deeper than that, there's a series of elements that all amalgamate together into one, which makes my viewpoint on my own fishing far more <i>'panoramic' </i>than black & white. The reoccurring theme always seems to go back to the feelings and <i>'emotions'</i> that fishing tends to conjure up.<i> </i>It's a mystery as to why some get more effected by these things more than others. I think it's basically in our <i>DNA, </i>certain elements are in our <i>'general makeup', </i>the secret is learning to except the way you are and deal with it accordingly - fine tune yourself.<i> What does this have to do with carp angling? - bare with me.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Back when I was struggling to exist I'd regularly see a very unique lady called Helen, she approached psychotherapy in a very different way. We'd unpick the most tangled of my thoughts and piece them all back together again. One question she asked me, which to this day, is something I still can't really answer was - <i>what do I feel when I'm holding a carp?</i>. Obviously this question has so many levels, there isn't one definitive answer - <u><i>I'd like you to think about this to.</i></u> Years ago when I was just fishing local club waters and day tickets, it was all pretty basic. I'd feel a huge sense of excitement, I didn't really think about it any deeper than that, it was about the buzz of catching and just getting out there and doing it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I rarely thought about the merit of the capture or the style of venue, back then fishing anywhere with bigger fish in was the motivation. I think that you either stick with these sort of venues or you move on to a slightly purer challenge. It's only as the years have passed that the shape of both my fishing and what I want out of it has changed. Of course, I still get a huge amount of excitement every time I cast my rods out. But it now goes far deeper, it's definitely more about the merit of the capture. How much merit is based on what specific water I'm fishing at the time. I've said it many times before but I'd much rather have a nice double from a hard water than a 30 from a puddle.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Looking at it another way, catching a recently new stocked fish wouldn't conjure up the same feelings as an old one from, say, Boreham Mere. In the same breath, a fish from Boreham wouldn't communicate the same feelings to me as one from, say, Savay - <i>an original or not. </i>My feelings would change once more depending on the method that I caught it on. My first ever 20IB carp was caught on a 5IB line with floating crust. To this day, that fish still means more to me than bigger ones that I've caught off the bottom. Any fish I catch on a zig gives me a far greater sense of achievement than any that I catch on the deck. The list of feelings are endless and it's all down to the situation and the method of capture. So going back to the original question of <i>"what I feel when I hold a carp". </i>I literally feel everything, on a primal level, I feel their life in my hands, their fear, the kick as I release them, but above all I feel alive, more alive in that moment than I ever feel in my everyday life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cants <i>'The Heavens Opened'</i></span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvvfyS5tU8E/Wgw7vByWZRI/AAAAAAAAaeI/-65LFcYp5JMKhuW02FbaWAnxuTG8HelzQCLcBGAs/s1600/cants.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvvfyS5tU8E/Wgw7vByWZRI/AAAAAAAAaeI/-65LFcYp5JMKhuW02FbaWAnxuTG8HelzQCLcBGAs/s640/cants.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This brings me onto my next session, after having a fair old result up on <i>'Braxted Res'</i> I was feeling optimistic. All the sure signs for my next trip had pointed towards Braxted front lake, but, forever acting on impulse I decided to take a <i>U-Turn </i>and set my sights on Cants Mere. Cants has always been a grey area for me, it shares its space with Blunts and I'd never bothered to fish it because it was a water that had been left alone. It contained, literally thousands of small carp and I'm just not interested in fishing waters like that. Maybe with a float rod or swim feeder, but my head wasn't in that space. There had been a few whispers in the 'club grapevine' that the fishery management team had been working very hard on removing and restocking the fish. From my understanding the plan was to make it into a proper carp lake. I didn't know a great deal about it but, that alone started to fire up my imagination. I felt excited because I hadn't even laid my eyes on the place, so for me it was literally the start of something new.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Blunts & Cants</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnbOVc4OKCE/WhwqUdoRewI/AAAAAAAAaiA/kOCLooV5HpgUADdlHfTps7h2uS5d8dAcwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnbOVc4OKCE/WhwqUdoRewI/AAAAAAAAaiA/kOCLooV5HpgUADdlHfTps7h2uS5d8dAcwCLcBGAs/s640/photo-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The first time I walked around the water I was surprised at just how large it was. I'd only ever seen its front half because that was the area most visible from Blunts. Initially I wasn't very keen on the layout of the swims. They were fine for pleasure fishing but I could visualize a lot of arguments if all the anglers were predominately fishing for carp. Many of the swims were bunched up, with some covering the same water as each other. I knew instantly that this wasn't going to be a place that I would choose to fish if it was busy - <i>I can't be doing with stupidity</i>. As I continued my walk up to the back end I started to feel a lot more inspired, there were lots of 'nooks and crannies' with an abundance of overhanging trees and tempting marginal features. My thoughts were already in overdrive, there were so many spots that could hold carp, I just didn't know where to start.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When the day of my first session came about I'd had time to digest the place and I was thinking a lot more clearly. The plan would be to walk the lake once and if I couldn't spot any carp activity, I'd go on intuition alone. The weather was perfect, it was warm and mild, the clouds were heavy and low, spitting out the occasional heavy shower. These conditions felt very familiar to me and I knew that the carp were going to be feeding, I had no doubt about it. Arriving at the gate, it was hammering it down, jumping out and shuffling the numbers of combination lock into place, I felt that I was unlocking the start of a new adventure. As I drove up the water logged pathway to the car park, it was empty, everything felt perfect and I couldn't wait to get the rods out. I waited for the rain to pass, loaded the barrow and hastily made my way to the waters edge. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One lap of the lake revealed very little, I knew I didn't want to be dumping myself tight up either end, I wanted to target an area that I knew the carp would be moving through at some point during the day. I decided to fish peg 8, I had an island directly in front of me and to my right was a narrow channel. I looked upon this spot as a 'transit route' and thought I'd stand a good chance of intercepting any fish that might pass through. Before I set anything up I decided I'd have a lead about to suss out exactly what I was dealing with. One of my favorite aspects of carp angling is marker work, I love how sensory it is and it helps you to build a picture in your mind of whats hidden below the surface. I don't subscribe to the whole <i>'thrashing the water to a foam'</i> terminology that seems to be the latest 'buzz term'. I believe learning to find features with a rod and line is an integral part of the art in angling, it can be done in a subtle way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Learn & Understand</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P424lyB-zfo/Wh6VevJR38I/AAAAAAAAaio/1pe6FaL-L0cPTcndFDA_VYyHCH7jcAQ4QCLcBGAs/s1600/marker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P424lyB-zfo/Wh6VevJR38I/AAAAAAAAaio/1pe6FaL-L0cPTcndFDA_VYyHCH7jcAQ4QCLcBGAs/s400/marker.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Firstly I wanted to suss out my right hand spot, I wasn't going to go tight to the island, this was far to obvious. If fish were going to pass in front of me I sensed it would be in the slightly deeper water. I cast the marker out past where I was planning to fish, I didn't get a distinctive <i>'DONK', </i>it was a fair drop though. Feeding the line out slowly, the float cut through the waters skin at 7ft. I wound the float back down to the lead and proceeded to gently drag it along the bottom. I take my time with this, I want to try to feel everything. When I go through this procedure my left hand is on the blank and the rod tip is pointing to exactly where the lead and float are sitting. I then picture a 24 hour clock face, I wind down at 12 o'clock and pull the lead round to 9 o'clock. Then I feed the float back up through the layers to get the depth reading, this process is then repeated until I've covered the area. I'm wanting to get as much information as possible, I've never seen any sense in rushing this process, pulling the lead along slowly and in small increments gives me an acute sense of what's going on. I'm feeling for distinctive changes in the texture of the lake bed and any lumps and bumps that might be there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Marker Float Movement 'Repeat'</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I repeated the process <i>'explained above'</i> a couple of times until I've found an area of interest. It became apparent that running down the point of the island was a hard bar, it had little to no weed on it. I did a few test casts, followed by a depth reading, there was very little change in the depth so it wasn't really raised. This was were my bait would go, I'd position my rig half way down the bar. The spot was perfect and I was positive that the carp would visit it when and if they move through the area. I went through exactly the same process for my left hand spot and found it to be the same kind of layout. The only difference, the left hand bar had low lying weed on it. My plan was to fish on top of the weed, quarter of the way down the bar. I now had a very clear image of the swim in my mind. Obviously you can never be 100% correct unless you can physically see it. But what I'd managed to find out was good enough for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My chosen bait for the session was Pineapple CSL, now with the water temperatures rising I felt this was the perfect flavor to offer. Along with this I was going to fish small mesh bags with some <i>'low oil'</i> multi-mix pellets in. I was going to bait up heavily with boilies, everything in the atmosphere and ether was telling that this was the way to go. As usual, my rigs were nothing fancy, I opted for my standard <i>'semi-fixed'</i> inlines with relatively long hook links. Both would be bottom baits fished on the 'blow-back' with my favored 5.3mm rig rings. The weed on my left hand spot didn't bother me and I was pretty sure I could get away with fishing a bottom bait on top of it. I wrapped the marker, my right hand rod was 10 rod lengths, my left hand rod was just shy of 11. Both rods were rigged up, wrapped and cast out, a heavy <i>'DONK'</i> came from my right rod, the left rods drop was slightly cushioned. I proceeded to spread a good helping of freebies around both spots, I didn't hold back. I wanted enough bait out there to pull any passing fish in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with everything set I took a step back to take it all in, I felt 100% confident that I'd set the swim up correctly. The spots were perfect, the presentation was spot on and I knew what I was offering up for the carp was going to be hard for them to turn down. Above my head, moody skies were rolling in, I got the brolly up, packed all essentials underneath, took my seat and got the kettle on. I felt inspired, here I was alone on a new water and I had a feeling that anything could happen. I had no idea what could be swimming around below the surface, I felt like I was at the start of a new journey and as I sat staring out over the <i>'unfamiliar', </i>I instantly knew that I was going to spend a fair amount of time on these banks. I'd connected to the place straightway, I think the fact that it was empty helped. I felt that there was a fresh, new future to be written and a past, to one day, be remembered, that started today, now, this very moment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Eric On The Look Out</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gb2LjK4MWlA/Wh7t6PtLERI/AAAAAAAAakA/cE1xGRKT9_Q1UqT12d9XLoMrZbdGUT8DgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1000127.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gb2LjK4MWlA/Wh7t6PtLERI/AAAAAAAAakA/cE1xGRKT9_Q1UqT12d9XLoMrZbdGUT8DgCLcBGAs/s640/P1000127.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Staring out at the water in front me, tiny specks of drizzle were making tiny indents on the waters surface, the wind really picked up. Those tiny indents very quickly turned into bullet holes, they were pelting down like rapid gunfire. Someone had obviously cut the bowls of the heavens, I squeezed myself to the very back of my <i>'fibreshield' </i>and watched as the world around me started flooding, a dense steam started to rise from the surface of the water. The rain was hitting my rods so hard that the alarms were randomly firing off. At this point <i>Eric - 'my dog' </i>had decided he'd had enough and proceeded to run and jump up on my lap, completely soaking me in the process. The conditions were madness but I was loving every minute of it, after a rather tense 15 minutes the chaos eased and we were back to a fine drizzle. I was now getting liners off both rods, it clearly wasn't the rain. Seconds later my left rod was away, the alarm was screaming and the rod tip was <i>'yelping'</i> tight round to the left. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I ran for it slightly stunned that a take had occurred so fast, picking the rod up, I was connected to a ferocious amount of power, I loosened the clutch off slightly and just let it run. It had been a very long time since I'd been met with such violence. To be honest, I couldn't do a great deal with it, I adjusted the drag and held on, doing the best I could to keep the fish under some kind of control. There were flat spots, boils and swirls as it ploughed from left to right and back again, I started to gain some ground, the minute the fish was at medium range it started darting left towards the overhanging trees and branches. There were a hell of a lot of <i>'get out clauses'</i> close in, I started to feel minor panic, I really didn't want to be losing this one. Closer it came, surfacing for a second, it was a common, long, lean and golden, it looked to be a very good fish. I was literally holding my breath, every pull and tug put the fear of god up me, in an instant the net was out, I <i>'gracefully'</i> lunged ..... <i>RESULT!</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My First From Cants</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvUu84JsG44/WiAlMENb3sI/AAAAAAAAakc/AoVqDD1EIIIAeU2Ggu4GsqvUNmKxHu8tQCLcBGAs/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvUu84JsG44/WiAlMENb3sI/AAAAAAAAakc/AoVqDD1EIIIAeU2Ggu4GsqvUNmKxHu8tQCLcBGAs/s640/c1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish was a beauty, a proper powerhouse, clearly built for speed and guaranteed to creak the toughest of carbon. If this was an example of what could be hiding deep in the depths of Cants then I was feeling pretty dam inspired. It was very reminiscent in both shape and color to those I've caught over on Wick, all the Chelmsford waters contain some seriously good looking commons. I slipped her back, got the rod clipped up and flicked it back out, the dull thud on the drop told me I was back on the spot. I topped the swim up with 5 large handfuls of bait, it was clear by the quick bite that they were up for some proper grub. The rain came back, the heavy clouds hung low overhead, I was certain a few more bites were on the cards. I don't care about the rain or the wind, if I know the conditions are right I'll venture out in any weather. I remember years back there were a good number of occasions when I'd break the ice to get my baits in the water. When I've <u><i>'got to go fishing'</i></u> there's nothing that is going to stop me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It wasn't long before I started getting a few knocks off my right rod, I watched carefully, the bobbin would tweak, the tip would jolt. I knew that something was going to happen. I waited, watched then as if planned, the bobbin flew up striking the blank and, within seconds, all hell broke loose. The rod was literally pulled off the rest, I leapt into action immediately, I was connected, only this time it was dead weight. The sheer power that this fish was exerting was something else, it tore sharp and tight to my right. The communication from the fish to the blank was acute, I could feel everything. I applied more pressure, tightening the drag as I went, I managed to turn it back my way but it was clear the fish wasn't having any of it. It careered through the water in front me and proceeded to pull so hard to the left. Just like the fish before, it was trying to get under the marginal branches, I applied more pressure, the rod was literally locked up by this point. I was counting the seconds, more pressure was applied, finally I managed to turn its head, now under the rod tip, I waited it out, waiting for the fish to signal <i>'retreat'. </i>Finally ready for the net, I slipped another beautiful common over the cords.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Worthy Reward</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSYNNf2fwLk/WiBMeNAw4PI/AAAAAAAAaks/G4LzBe78Oe0LozaJGir1HylL8TOfUdcaACLcBGAs/s1600/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSYNNf2fwLk/WiBMeNAw4PI/AAAAAAAAaks/G4LzBe78Oe0LozaJGir1HylL8TOfUdcaACLcBGAs/s640/c2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was clear that this carp was a good twenty, as I held it up for a few photos I paid close attention to what I was feeling, relief being the obvious thing, amazement that a creature such as this, deep within the depths, can hone in on my marble sized bait, but most of I felt honoured. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Honoured that I could hold and witness such an amazing creation. It's back was wide, all its fins perfect and its scales were prehistoric, placing it in the sling and lowering it back into the water. I paid close attention to its gills, it took in a few large gulps and then just rested as if caught in some kind of trace. Its gills were now moving and expanding in a slow rhythmical motion, suddenly it jolted. I sensed its trance was now broken and within seconds it kicked and gently glided back into the murk, a single <i>flick</i> of its tail, and it was gone. The rod was wrapped back up and cast out, closely followed by 5 large handfuls of bait. Both spots were ready and primed, I slide back under the brolly, put the kettle on and went back to watching the water.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Seconds After The Rain</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6FGSQgbA9o/WiGS5lULQYI/AAAAAAAAak8/CouJFXgAcgYFlrus2cUmDFmCdDdUJlbEQCLcBGAs/s1600/r.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6FGSQgbA9o/WiGS5lULQYI/AAAAAAAAak8/CouJFXgAcgYFlrus2cUmDFmCdDdUJlbEQCLcBGAs/s640/r.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> The rain came and gave everything another good soaking, the mix of damp and humidity made the air feel heavy, it's a very familiar feeling and from experience I know that I can always get away with baiting heavy, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">so for good measure, I introduced more bait to both spots.</span> A few hours past, I'd had the odd knock, I'd seen a couple of carp show in between both of my rods. I knew it was just a matter of time before a another bite occurred, I didn't have to wait long. It was my left rod that was away, it was another aggressive take, the rod flew out the back rest and the reel slammed up against the alarm. I was on it within seconds but the fish had already careered off to the left. As I composed myself, something clearly didn't feel quite right, I tried tightening up but a strange weight was dragging the line down. Reeling in and trying desperately to properly connect, I spotted a stick that appeared to be sailing across the water. It suddenly became clear that the stick was connected to a bloody great branch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This suddenly made the situation very awkward, I tried my best to make direct contact with the fish but it wasn't easy. It was steaming around super tight to the island, I could see and feel that it was another big carp. I was gaining ground slowly but with each sudden movement, the branch would rise and fall ominously, it became clear that it wasn't coming off so I'd have to try to ease it closer and then remove it by hand. I applied slow steady pressure, each time I connected directly with the fish the branch rose up, when I gave line it would sink and pull back down. I decided to approach it another way, I held the rod tip up high and started to walk backwards, I'd then reel in tight whilst lowering the rod and repeat. The carp was tiring and with each step back the branch was edging ever closer, after what seemed like <i>'forever', it </i>was finally in touching distance, I grabbed it, fumbled around and managed to untangle it. Now free I kicked it well out the way, Eric saw the commotion and thought it was a game, he proceeded to grab the branch and tried to run off with, growling as he went.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zV1PsjlUGC8/WiJooIgtI7I/AAAAAAAAalg/P43U1iQwqjABlC0B1JBlFCsQK2D0yYHaACLcBGAs/s1600/bobbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="1600" height="50" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zV1PsjlUGC8/WiJooIgtI7I/AAAAAAAAalg/P43U1iQwqjABlC0B1JBlFCsQK2D0yYHaACLcBGAs/s640/bobbin.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finally I had the fish in front of me, it still wasn't giving up though, it continually pulled tight to my left, trying to edge itself closer to the snags. I lowered the rod down under the water and applied as much pressure as I thought I could get away with. I was close, just a few seconds more, surly this brawl would soon be over. Finally, and very reluctantly it went up on its side, that was the signal I was waiting for. After what seemed like an eternity I finally lowered the net and claimed my prize. <i>Pheeww !!</i> after the <i>'branch debacle' </i>I really felt like I deserved this one. Peering down, I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing, this was one very special looking fish. It was long, dark and as clean as they come, never before had I caught such a majestic looking common carp.<i> </i>There are moments within angling that you never forget and I was experiencing one of them right now.<i> </i>I decided not try to understand what I was feeling, my emotions were all over the place, the word <i>'bipolar'</i> sprung to mind. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Fish I'll Always Remember</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I4EuqlrSXM/WiGf4QdKeoI/AAAAAAAAalM/M3__jcWQDzATcMTMGDttUb3HQRuHCW7KQCLcBGAs/s1600/c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I4EuqlrSXM/WiGf4QdKeoI/AAAAAAAAalM/M3__jcWQDzATcMTMGDttUb3HQRuHCW7KQCLcBGAs/s640/c3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The rain came back overhead, I released the carp, clipped the rod up and got it back out. By this time I was well and truly soaked, my hair was a right mess, <i>'nothing new there', </i>and with every step taken my boots made a <i>'squishing'</i> sound. None of this bothered me though, I was relishing every moment. I took a seat and got the kettle on again, I'd earnt it after such an epic battle. It had been a crazy day, I'd made up my mind 100% that it was definitely worth putting some time in on Cants for the coming season. I sensed that once the word had got out about the quality of fish in the water, it would get rammed, my plan was to cash in before this happened. A few hours past by, the clouds remained heavy, spitting out the odd heavy shower. I was now in full <i>day dreaming</i> mode, however this didn't last long, my right rod tore off at a crazy pace. Everything happened simultaneously, the tip looped round, the bobbin slammed the blank and the clutch <i>'whirled'</i>, all this seemed to happen in a single second.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I picked the rod up and lent back, like all the previous carp, the power and speed was immense, I genuinely haven't come across such hard fighting fish before. It was powering around in front of me, twisting, turning and throwing itself everywhere. I held on for dear life, its as if I had a <i>'bucking bronco'</i> on the end of my line. The fishes back cut through the water, it was long and dark, its fluidity reminiscent of a subsurface missile. Like all those that came before, it was desperate to get into the snags down to the left, I wasn't going to let that happen though. Side strain pacified its lunges and I soon had it a few yards away from me. It was now trying to get under the margin directly beneath my feet, I just let the rod do the work. The formidable action of my Bruce Ashby Lucifer soon tired it out, it came up on its side ready for netting, I made a smooth measured scoop, result, she was in. I found myself looking at yet another amazing common, this was really turning out to be a session to remember.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Another Cants Cannon </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5tw_YPiHck/WiJrMyGMJoI/AAAAAAAAals/FRTlKj8AOaoZ6nyZduIbRTLJvShCIIV2ACLcBGAs/s1600/c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5tw_YPiHck/WiJrMyGMJoI/AAAAAAAAals/FRTlKj8AOaoZ6nyZduIbRTLJvShCIIV2ACLcBGAs/s640/c4.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I popped her back and got the rod straight back out, closely followed by another 5 handfuls of bait. Time was starting to tick by now but I still had a feeling that there was another bite to be had. The late afternoon infused into early evening and everything had gone quite, I didn't spot any signs of carp in front me anymore. A few had jumped up towards the middle of the lake and this got me thinking that maybe they'd moved on. Thankfully the rain had stopped so I took the opportunity to pack away all the non essentials. I sat it out until last knockings with no action, I reluctantly started to break down my right hand rod, dragging the process out as long as possible. It was a good thing I did because the left rod sprung into life, it really took me by surprise. As I connected I knew this was yet another big fish, it wasn't going nuts, it just plodded around steadily, slowly taking line at a measured pace. Half way across a large flat spot appeared, followed by a flick of a huge tail. My legs started to shake, I knew, whatever was on the end of my line was special. Closer and closer she came, I lowered the net and sunk it, teasing the fish my way, I was now holding my breath again .... just a few more inches .... <i>she was in!</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Perfect Fish To Close The Session</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5mfdSO3DW0/WiJzDqhMTLI/AAAAAAAAal8/YPqZ-C7ZhWMVYZrmbcZzwOEByEegnYtbQCLcBGAs/s1600/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5mfdSO3DW0/WiJzDqhMTLI/AAAAAAAAal8/YPqZ-C7ZhWMVYZrmbcZzwOEByEegnYtbQCLcBGAs/s640/c5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What a way to the end the session, to be honest I was speechless, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd catch this quality of fish. A huge amount of respect goes out to all the guys that work in the fishery management division in the club. They clearly know what they're doing and it's clear that Cants is now a water of the future, I believe it's going to produce some pretty special carp in the years to come. In regards to my session, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into to place. I think that taking a bit of time to understand exactly what's under the surface in front of me helped a great deal. When I step foot onto a new venue I can't just <i>'chuck for luck'</i>, of course, you can fluke some fish doing this but I'm not interested in flukes. I want to understand as much about the place as possible, in regards to marker work, this can be a huge advantage. I think the secret is to do it as covertly as possible, don't go chucking a float and lead about for hours. Define in your mind the areas you're interested in and try to get the information you need in a few casts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was pretty dam tired and totally wet through, I was looking forward to the drive home, it would be the perfect opportunity to dry off and let the days activities ferment in my head. Clambering back to the van with Eric in tow, my gear caked in mud, I felt very much alive. I realised that today's session was one that will live with me forever, another amazing angling memory will be filed away somewhere in my head with all the others. To be recalled upon in the years to come as a source of inspiration or discussion. I've said it many times before, angling allows you to create your own history, to perfect an alternate reality. In a world where everything is so instant, short lived and artificial this is very important. Those that fish live two different lives, the one their forced to live and the other that they <i>'choose'</i> to live, that's the difference between us and the rest, we've always got a route out, an <i>'exit'</i>. This is a very important thing to have, next time you're feeling beaten by the system and the monotony of the <i>'everyday'</i>. Understand that when you get the chance to cast your rods out, you are released. </span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-1953342534663152432017-11-11T05:48:00.000-08:002017-11-11T05:48:17.004-08:00Braxted Reservoir 'Fixed Zig Fishing"<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There
was only a month or so to wait until my Chelmsford waters were set to
open. The club has a great system in place, those that participate in an
out of season work party get to fish from May 1st. This gives you a
month of relatively quiet fishing before the club officially opens come
the 15th June. I always choose to go and work down on Micklem Mere, in
my mind, it's a water with a great future ahead of it and being part of
it now, in its infancy, gives me a huge sense of purpose. As morbid as
it may sound, when I'm long gone and the anglers of tomorrow are<i> </i>perched
on its banks, fragments of me will be ingrained within its soil. There
have been many times when I'm on my waters and I find myself thinking of
all of those that have come before me, so many waters hold just as many
ghosts as they do fish. I sometimes wonder what stories the swims
contain, what discussions they've overheard and, of course, what
monsters they've witnessed. As generations of anglers come and go, each
leaving a fraction of themselves on all the waters they choose to fish,
the one true constant, the real history, is within the carp themselves.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'New Swim'</i> Work In Progress <i>'Micklem Mere'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6SW-CQZvZA/WfmkvPVuwUI/AAAAAAAAaZg/7UW0r2B4nrMIQ_hawKdOdQ1KXkCxyLDlACLcBGAs/s1600/C-qJkohXsAIo9b_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6SW-CQZvZA/WfmkvPVuwUI/AAAAAAAAaZg/7UW0r2B4nrMIQ_hawKdOdQ1KXkCxyLDlACLcBGAs/s640/C-qJkohXsAIo9b_.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">History to me can mean so many things, especially when it comes to angling,</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> it wasn't so long ago when I took a <i>'non-fishing'</i>
trip back to the water that I basically grew up fishing on, it was
strangely emotional. Even though a huge amount of time had passed it
still held the same feelings. I almost had a lump in my throat as I
walked around remembering the amazing times I'd had. I stood looking at
all the swims, some of which, a good few decades ago, me and my friends
use to pitch up in for days. They hadn't changed, nothing had really
changed, only the faces. The lake was now occupied by a whole new set of
anglers, none of which would truly know of the beautiful <i>'history</i>' that's embedded directly beneath their feet. As I stood soaking up <i>'the once familiar'</i>,
watching as those fishing cast their lines out into my past. I had no
doubt that they were making their own memories that, one day, they'll
look back on with great affection. There are many aspects of my <i>'history'</i>
that I choose to forget, to keep buried, but my angling past is
something I choose to dip into every so often. Like most things in life,
over time, there are elements that become irrelevant. But I don't find
this to be the case with fishing, everything that has come before makes
both the waters and the fish what they are today - <i>and so the cycle continues.</i> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9y9VMRFl2mc/WgGm4URxsaI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/4__kTjWGggUU22rSoX7-oa5FZnsCpiXwQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1000094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="1600" height="50" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9y9VMRFl2mc/WgGm4URxsaI/AAAAAAAAaaQ/4__kTjWGggUU22rSoX7-oa5FZnsCpiXwQCLcBGAs/s640/P1000094.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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was up and out early on the day of the session, having been chained to
the banks of Burrows for so long, it felt refreshing to be heading out
to a new destination. I opened my front door to a very different world,
gone were the icy bitter winds and the dark foreboding skies. I was now
met with a mild warmth, clear blue horizons and a series of sure signs
that spring was well and truly on its way. It wouldn't be long before I
craved the smell of <i>fish-meals and GLM base-mixes, </i>both Spring and Summer just wouldn't be the same without them.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>Today I'd chosen to visit </span></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Braxted reservoir</span></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">,
it's not an overly hard water and I felt it was the perfect place to
kick off my new season. Making the long journey up the A102, through the
Dartford tunnel and up onto the A12, surprisingly, was a ritual I'd missed. Time
always seems to fly by because my expectations on the pending session are
playing out in my head. It's only once I've stopped at Boreham services,
with my journey nearly complete, do I feel the excitement take hold, I can't seem
to get to the water quick enough. Closer and closer I got, off the A12 I turned, I'd have to snake through a few country lanes before a quick ride along an old farm track would see me safely into the complex car park.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With my gear now loaded on the Barrow, it was only the back breaking walk up to the reservoir itself that stood in my way. This might sound pretty straightforward but the walk takes you through a large farm yard and then up a hill that gets progressively steeper the higher up you get. Just when you think you're getting to the end, it progresses further and gets even steeper still. It has to be seen to be believed and I know its been the 'downfall' of many an angler throughout the years. I've always made this crazy agreement with myself that I wouldn't stop once, however painful it got, I'd always try to do it in one go. I'm proud to say I've always managed it, although I do have at least 20 minutes of vertigo when I finally reach its summit. So ... here I was, my beloved water now within touching distance, but I still had the final hill to go. I was puffing and panting, each limb in my body burning, just a few more meters .... <i>phew !!!! </i>I'd made it. Now with a strange nausea and dizziness, I feasted my eyes on <i>'the res', </i>it looked perfect.<span style="color: #cccccc;"> There was a strange haze that shrouded the landscape, all the trees and bushes were <i>displaying a 'new born green</i>', and coupled with that, a lovely warm light breeze was carrying itself down towards the dam wall. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">The Summit</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB1FsmsByCM/WgGvyyc8plI/AAAAAAAAaag/s8O3Rm9Xxy4orTcQCKSoNBYXOtdVPX1sACLcBGAs/s1600/P1000071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB1FsmsByCM/WgGvyyc8plI/AAAAAAAAaag/s8O3Rm9Xxy4orTcQCKSoNBYXOtdVPX1sACLcBGAs/s640/P1000071.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Once my <i>'discombobulation' </i>eased off it became apparent very quickly that the carp were up in the layers. They were all over the place, some with their backs out, others just below the surface. I was going to approach this in the most direct way possible, opting to fish fixed zigs exactly where the majority of the fish were. I wasn't going to mess about trying to suss the 'exact' depth out, I feel you can get way too preoccupied with this. It was simple, I would fish one zig at 8ft and the other at 9ft, the maximum depth, where the fish were holding was about 12ft/13ft. I was working on the basis that the carp were going to be at all different depths. One thing was very clear though, they certainly weren't anywhere near the bottom, so fishing on the deck was totally out of the question. I got everything setup quickly but precision was needed to get the zigs just right. To do this I use a tape measure and a single bivvy peg. The bivvy peg goes through the center of my hook link spool and I simply measure out the desired length.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Precision Measurements</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My favored hook-link for zig fishing is <i>'Rig Marole Specialist Mono'</i> in 10IB, it has a fairly low diameter and doesn't kink or twist. I find dedicated zig lines to be troublesome, they have a habit of twisting and knotting up after a few casts. In combination with this I use a size 8 <i>'Nash Fang Twister'</i> hook, my bait is then tied on <i>'knot-less knot'</i> style with a very small piece of rig tube to create a 'blow-back' effect. I understand there are a few products on the market to make zig fishing easier, <i>Fox Zig Aligners</i> etc, but I don't have a great deal of interest in using them. I like to make all my rigs from scratch with my own chosen components. Bait wise, I don't use a food source, I opt for relatively small colorful pieces of foam, the <i>'Avid Zig Lites</i>' are perfect. These are usually topped off with an imitation maggot, I'm going for curiosity bites, something small and colorful seems to work for me. Finally I use the lightest lead I feel I can get away with, I favor 1.5oz riser fished on a lead clip. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Small & Bright</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I understand that fishing zigs is still rather perplexing for some out there, my advice to you is simple, it's all about <i>'mindset'. </i>Understand that carp are designed to locate the smallest of items and microorganisms anywhere in their environment, they're masters of their realm. If they can pinpoint blood-worm and other food in the murky depths, buried deep within the silt and weed. They sure as hell can hone in on an item suspended in the layers, sometimes they need some encouragement, for instance, spodding soup to draw them in. But if you can actively see them dancing on, or near the surface in front of you, then a single suspended bait is more than enough to tempt a bite. Through the years I've come to understand that zigs don't necessarily work on every water, however, if the venue has a relatively high stock where the fish have to compete for the food, they can be highly effective. It's just a process of trial and error, dedicate a sensible amount of time to them, then you can draw your own conclusion - <i>for those conclusions to come, you have to stick with it.</i> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Riser<i> </i> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUJ3bOgqD_U/WgMcBKTOFpI/AAAAAAAAabQ/fNUkl-FksF49IzkirWt48fHqZKAonl99QCLcBGAs/s1600/riser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUJ3bOgqD_U/WgMcBKTOFpI/AAAAAAAAabQ/fNUkl-FksF49IzkirWt48fHqZKAonl99QCLcBGAs/s320/riser.jpg" width="153" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Now with both my zigs meticulously tied it was just a case of getting them out, with a nice tight cast, my left rod went directly into the middle where the majority of the carp seemed to be holding. It didn't seem to spook them, this is the reason I love riser leads so much, due to their shape they covertly <i>'clip' </i>into the water with very little disturbance. I dropped my right rod short, there appeared to be a few bigger carp straying away from the main crowd, again, the cast didn't seem to disturb them. When zig fishing I like to keep my line fairly tight, I wound in the slack until both rod tips were bowing over, bobbins were hung. Finally my first session of the new season was officially underway and it felt pretty dam good. It's hard to believe that only a few months ago I was sitting shivering down on the banks of Burrows, barely being able to feel both my feet and hands. As much as I enjoyed it, it was a bloody endurance test. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">View From The Swim</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyBFDnE-yzc/WgNQZpegBuI/AAAAAAAAabg/SaCAqSMDmEk3zJD67oyClinQlfibxfFnACLcBGAs/s1600/res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyBFDnE-yzc/WgNQZpegBuI/AAAAAAAAabg/SaCAqSMDmEk3zJD67oyClinQlfibxfFnACLcBGAs/s640/res.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The first bite came quickly, my left rod was the first to go, there I was just about to descend into <i>'full daydreaming mode', </i>when the bobbin slowly lifted up to the blank and stopped.<i> </i>I proceeded to gently lift the rod up and make contact with my first Chelmsford carp of the year, a spirited like scrap resumed. The fish didn't feel particularly big but I was just happy to get the bite. Mid battle a lovely chocolate colored common briefly peered its head through the waters skin, I swear we made eye contact. It came close, turned on its side and seemed to welcome the net mesh without any final bid for freedom. It was a lovely little carp, spotless and perfect looking in every way. The quick result told me that my approach was spot on, I could now sit confidently knowing that I could be up for a few more bites. A few snaps were taken, the carp was sent home and the zig was straight back out. The cast was crisp, the riser clipped back through the surface of the water, I waited for the drop .... <i>DONK!</i>. The bobbin was hung and I was back to <i>'pre-day dreaming mode</i>'. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The First On A 9ft Zig</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7sPvLO-w0Qc/WgNT6vTd3dI/AAAAAAAAabs/Ip6WSlZZCaE67ilg1QO6uBo9dDaMw0R5QCLcBGAs/s1600/13174006_1043813135712261_4911818845571778407_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="960" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7sPvLO-w0Qc/WgNT6vTd3dI/AAAAAAAAabs/Ip6WSlZZCaE67ilg1QO6uBo9dDaMw0R5QCLcBGAs/s640/13174006_1043813135712261_4911818845571778407_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Zigs make for a welcome break compared to fishing on the bottom, I
don't have to faff around with changing boilies, dropping and
losing boilie stops, or tying bags up.<i> </i>I simply check the hook, push the little piece of rig tubing back up, <i>'so the blow-back effect is primed'</i>,
pop a nugget on and fire it back out. I find it very engaging, as demonstrated, if you're on some fish you can usually get a very
quick result. So now with the kettle on I sat back and watched the carp,
they were in constant motion. It was such a refreshing sight having
spent the Winter staring for hours at a water that was content on giving
absolutely nothing away. The fish seemed utterly care free, topping,
twisting and circling around from one direction to the other. I knew it
was just a matter of time before another bite occurred, both zigs
were placed perfectly. My eyes kept focusing on, what appeared to be, a
couple of rather large carp that were out on their own. They were moving slowly and far more cautiously, surveying their
environment in far greater detail.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My
intent observation was abruptly banished when my right rod sprung into
action, it ripped off so violently, the tip was pulsating sharp to the
right, the drag was buzzing. Lifting into the fish I instantly knew I
was connected to something special, it was heavy, really heavy. I let it
take as much line as it wanted, I wasn't going to rush this one. After
the initial run, it slowed, I was steadily easing it back towards me but it
seemed determined to stay very close to the margin down to my right. There
were a number of low lying branches and snags, I had no doubt that it
was going to do its best to dive into them. When obstructions are about it's amazing the extra power the fish seem to acquire. This made me nervous,
considering it was on a 9ft hook-link, that was a lot of exposed line to get severed. Keeping the rod low and adopting
some serious side strain I managed to keep the fish away from danger, it
was now in touching distance. I lowered the net, eased and teased, it suddenly
surfaced, it was one hell of a common, easily a good twenty. Closer and
closer she came, I was preying that the <i>'net fear'</i> wouldn't kick in, I really didn't want it racing off again, I wanted to <i>'complete this transaction' </i>in an orderly fashion<i>.</i> All was calm, up on the side
she went, with my heart now in my mouth I slipped the net under, what
looked to be, the largest fish I've landed on a zig.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Largest Zig Capture</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTCCQv25MNc/WgbMgTClaFI/AAAAAAAAacA/vCnzsbuyoIc-Fr1UjXuWDnH8_QXshrXVwCLcBGAs/s1600/13179238_1043813389045569_4236866474630375817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="960" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTCCQv25MNc/WgbMgTClaFI/AAAAAAAAacA/vCnzsbuyoIc-Fr1UjXuWDnH8_QXshrXVwCLcBGAs/s640/13179238_1043813389045569_4236866474630375817_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was totally blown away, it's amazing to think that a carp of this size would take such a tiny piece of foam. When you truly analyze it, you are suspending a minuscule fragment in a vast underwater universe, you'd think it would remain lost forever. But this just isn't the case, it reinforces just how incredible the carps senses really are. After a few photos I took great pleasure in watching her swim back home, I checked the hook, it was good to go, a nugget was slipped on and the cast was made. It appeared a large number of fish had now vacated the area, there were still a few milling about but the numbers had dwindled. I still felt confident in fishing the zigs though, I just didn't see the point in even considering going onto the bottom. For the next few hours everything seemed to go quite. The conditions remained the same but it was clear most the fish had moved on. I decided I'd just sit it out, sit on my hands and see what late afternoon would bring.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Time continued to tick by, a couple of coffees and a few teas later I was still waiting. Late afternoon came, the air turned cooler and with it, the fish started showing. They were still down my end but appeared to be really spread out, they were leaping and jumping like crazy, many were now showing along the dam wall. Looking carefully, after each leap, streams of bubbles would kick up off the bottom. <i>Maybe they'd started feeding on the deck?, </i>I had a decision to make, do I stick it out up in the layers or do I get down on the deck. I couldn't make my mind up, I can be utterly indecisive with decisions like this. I was twiddling my thumbs, wrestling with the conundrum that stood before me when, out of nowhere, my left rod was away. It appeared the stalling and indecisiveness had made the decision for me. The fish had taken the bait and shot towards me at lightening speed, I was reeling in the slack like a madman. The fight resumed under the rod tip, it was <i>'pure pleasure', </i>my 3IB Ballistas have such a lovely tip action, the rod literally does all the work for you. All you have to do is stand back and soak up the communication between the blank and the fish. Each tug and pull travels along the carbon, in through my arm, across my rib cage and straight to the heart. The fish slipped into the net with little fuss, I instantly recognized it, it was a unique looking mirror I'd had off the bottom a year or so ago. It was great to see that it was still in prime condition, if memory serves me well, it was about 17IB.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An Old Friend</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36ZTNfudMH4/WgbcXjwY3-I/AAAAAAAAacc/MKWCC0dci_swjXnn46tLJ7htBeBsk8I_ACLcBGAs/s1600/13220845_1043813312378910_4809432142950644596_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="960" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36ZTNfudMH4/WgbcXjwY3-I/AAAAAAAAacc/MKWCC0dci_swjXnn46tLJ7htBeBsk8I_ACLcBGAs/s640/13220845_1043813312378910_4809432142950644596_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Reacquainting yourself with a previous capture can be enlightening, especially when you see that the fish is doing well. It makes it so apparent that the fish we catch don't just cease to exist the minute that we release them. The carp I catch are never <i>'out of sight, out of mind'</i>, they go on and continue to live and function both in my mind and in the water simultaneously, that's why we must always take the upmost care of them. When I sit and fish on any of my waters I often wonder where my past captures are hiding. This thought goes back to the very beginning of this blog, in regards to history. I feel that every fish we catch, we become part of it, an element of its past, and when they go on and continue to live through the years, sometimes outliving those that fish for them. They gather and contain a rich tapestry of everything that has come before them. It might seem a rather profound way of looking at something that many describe in a derogatory way, such as <i>'mud-pigs'</i>, but I feel they deserve much more respect than that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish signaled the end of the session, I'd had a great day, I sensed that the 60 odd miles home wouldn't feel very long, it's never a drag when I've had a good day. Packing up and giving <i>'the res'</i> one last look, it felt great to be back. I know it's beneficial for the waters to have a closed season but I really do miss fishing them. Down the hill I rolled and on through the farm yard, the smell of <i>cow dung</i> hit me as I went, <i>strangely it's a smell I'd missed</i>. Now back at the van with the gear loaded, I peered through the trees at front lake, it looked perfect. Last season I hadn't put a great deal of time in on the place. As I stood there watching, a few carp leapt clear of the water up the far end by the buoy. They looked to be good fish, I felt a feeling brewing in my gut, traveling at pace up through my heart and into my head. It was obsession taking hold, the carp I'd caught today had pacified it briefly but it now appeared that front lake had kicked it straight off again. Within seconds I was already itching to cast my lines out into its water, I was hatching a plan. Carp Fishing - <i>there just ain't no cure! <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078746475267244023.post-30605464046066985342017-09-23T04:02:00.000-07:002018-05-09T07:13:19.233-07:00Burrows 'Echoes From The Valley' Part 9<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I sit writing this it's hard to believe that we've only got a few months of 2017 left to go. The older I get the faster life seems to accelerate, taking into consideration that I'm still writing up my Winter 2015 sessions. I've got a hell of a long way to go to get to where I am now. Writing about the distant past is a strange thing, especially when it comes to angling, I know that since 2015, my viewpoint and thoughts have changed drastically. I feel like I'm living two lives, the angler I was then and the angler I am now. Many people get in touch asking how I manage to remember my sessions in such detail. It's pretty simple really, I have a very tattered old notebook that I use to scribble in, parts of what I write are in great detail, others are sentences and bullet points that conjure up certain emotions, feeling and memories. If you add all the photos and images that I capture along the way, I end up having a crystal clear recollection of the time, the session and what I was both thinking and feeling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On the day of my escape I was up at 6am, stumbling out the front door, the sun was yet to fully rise. I packed my tackle as fast as I could and got the hell out of the city. I had limited time before the 'gridlock' would do its best to keep me contained. Snaking through the roads of SE7, motionless bodies stood like statues at bus stops, all waiting for the large, red <i>double-decker</i> hearses to arrive and take them to their resting place. The lights of the pedestrian crossings where flickering ominously, the liquid color of red, amber and green looked somewhat psychedelic in the <i>half-light</i>. Closer and closer I got to the motorway, my own personal <i>'yellow-brick road'</i> that would see me out of this god forsaken place.<i> London</i> is the city I hate to love, many a time I've detested its unforgivingness. However I realize I'd be lost without it, the stark difference between its brutality and that of the peace I find by the water, is a <i>'polar opposite'</i> that I need to have in my life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finally on <i>'the road to oz', </i>it certainly wasn't the tin man or Dorothy that I had on my mind. It was the carp, if I could get a few more fish under my belt, then I'd happily tap my green ruby <i>'Skeetex' </i>boots together, and get myself back to <i>Kansas/London.</i> I was cruising at a steady speed, with the sun now rising, the sky was lighting up with the embers of a new day. I was at the complex in no time, with the barrow now loaded I walked through the morning mist making my way round to my own 'resting place'. The morning dew on both the grass and branches looked like tears yet to weep. Arriving at my swim, I took a moment to take it all in, it's as if the world had 'flatlined' and the only pulse to be heard was mine. There's nothing quite like an <i>'anglers dawn', </i>it's something very few witness and experience. Being up at sunrise and on the water early evokes a strange sense of isolation, this is a feeling I fully embrace. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I got on top of everything fast, my swim was built, the rods were clipped up, now I just had to get some bait in. Because of the success from last time I was going to stick with extending my baited area a little further. I was now going to be using 4 large handfuls of squashed boilies instead of two. I wanted a thin layer of bait to cover at least 4 rod lengths either side of where I was planning to put my hook baits. It was commonsense that spreading the freebies further afield was going to up my chances. The priority was to make sure it was spread lightly and evenly, I didn't want to risk the possibility of over feeding. I made the long walk round to deposit all free offerings, along the sodden pathways and up through the cages I walked. The sun was still low, I had a sense that the lake was beginning to open its eyes. I increased my pace, I'd love to get a morning bite, having not been down this early before. I was intrigued to see if any fish were going to visit the spot earlier in the day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Subtle Color</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Peering through the overgrown bushes that shielded my secret spot, I stared intently into the water, it looked ghostly. I very carefully, spread all my freebies along both the margins to the left and right of where I was planning to put my rigs. I watched as each bait 'plopped' through the waters skin and started to <i>'flutter'</i> out of sight. I legged it back around to my swim and got both rods out quickly and accurately. For some reason, when the casts hit the clip, it felt far more satisfying than usual, with back-leads on and bobbins hung. I welcomed the wait, sparking the stove up, everything was silent, the only noise, that of my kettle, occasionally creaking as it began to contort and expand from the heat. The air was sharp, the world was clear, as the steam from the boiling water drew smoke signals on the <i>'canvas'</i> that lay before me, I felt pretty dam rich, I was existing perfectly within the moment. The lake was rising from slumber and I was ready, watching, like an apex predator ready to strike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The peace of the morning started to fracture with the sound of coots and mallards, there appeared to be some kind of dispute going on with both parties. My mind began to wander, I started to wonder what it would be like to have wings, I certainly wouldn't be hanging around on some freezing stretch of liquid. I'd take every opportunity I could to soar high up above the ground, determined to reach dizzy highs, to push further and fly faster. I'd be chained to no one, my home would be where ever I chose to rest my head. However, I couldn't help but think that if men were to really have wings, it would probably end up being a catastrophe. The skies would be forever occupied, they'd be collisions, people randomly falling back down to earth <i>'drunk', </i>and, knowing the human race, it would be used for no good. Wars would be fought differently, they'd be no control or jurisdiction on who can go where and why. It would be chaos, it's bad enough already. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Hitching A Ride On The 3 o'clock Wind </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My thoughts were pulled down instantly from above the clouds when my left rod rocketed off at speed, the screaming alarm made me jump out of my skin. I lifted my Ballista up, <i>'as if I was raising the Olympic flame', </i>battle commenced. The fish bolted so fast off to the left, at a speed that would of made <i>'Usain Bolt'</i> look like a loser. I held on, connected to the wild, trying my best to pacify the possible beast I had covertly outsmarted. I was patient, only giving line when I had to, slowly I gained ground, a minor tussle occurred close in, I lowered the net, a cluster of scales got engulfed in the mesh <i>.... first fish ... result!</i>. Peering down and lifting the net up slightly, I was witness to an incredible looking mirror, the scales were lovely, complimenting its winter skin perfectly. A few snaps were taken, goodbyes were said and the rod went straight back out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Morning Visitor </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Taking into account that the fish came off my left rod, I decided that I'd wait before applying anymore bait. I knew my right rod was still primed and ready for a bite, if I was lucky enough to get a fish off of it, then I'd go and top the swim up. As mid morning came about the clouds broke and some very needed sunshine started beaming down. The slight warmth on my face was a nice relief, the landscape lite up in <i>washed out pastille colors</i>. A couple of hours past with no action, a few liners occurred but nothing came from them. A few more hours crept on by before my right rod flew into action. Connecting with the fish, I instantly knew it was a better one than the first. As expected, it bolted towards the post, side strain teased it away. Now out in the open water, it lumped around slowly, it wasn't taking much line but the slow plodding was constant. Now at short range, a fully armored common carp kissed the surface of the water. Once witnessed, poisonous adrenaline seeped from my stomach up through every orifice of my body.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There were a few tense moments when it came close in, a few early <i>'panic lunges' </i>saw the fish fire off down the shallow margin to my right. It was a battle of wits, there were more than enough marginal obstructions for the carp to do a <i>'hoodini' </i>on me. Eventually I manged to entice her into the waiting net mesh, I was both relived and ecstatic in equal measure. Staring down at my prize, I'd bagged myself a lovely common, it was long, lean and had a dark jet grey tinge on its back and shoulders. Holding it up with the suns sporadic rays firing off its scales was an awesome feeling. I'd manged two fish and I still had plenty of time left, if I could manage a few more then it would be a session to remember. Gently easing the fish into the water, I watched as it rejuvenated itself in the sanctuary of my sling. I gently placed both hands either side to steady her, I was waiting for <i>'the kick'</i>. That message that every carp we catch gives us, that everything is ok, it's an acknowledgment that </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">'maybe'</span> it has forgiven us, understanding that 'us anglers' are a breed that mean no harm. We just want to have a fleeting chance at witnessing them up close and in the flesh.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fully Armored</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I watched as she drifted away, I was on a roll so I wasted no time in getting round and topping the swim back up. It was obvious to me that carp were in and around the area today, I wasn't doing anything particularly different to my last sessions. It goes to show that if you're on or near fish, and they're feeding, you can catch them, sometimes it really is as simple as that. Back in my swim with both rods out, I readjusted a few things. Firstly I was now going to be fishing a super tight line on my right hand rod and I was going to lock it up. I'd still be using a back lead but I wanted to try to pacify the initial bite, giving me a few extra seconds to steer the fish away from the post. Secondly - and something I do all the time, is change the position of both my camera and cradle, when the sun goes in front of the camera <i>'so it's behind me when I take a picture' </i>both me and the carp come out as shadows. It sounds bizarre but I always move or rotate the camera so the main light source is in front of me. - <i>it doesn't get more anal than that !</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lunch time came and went, the clouds crawled back overhead, and the chill started to cut once more. My rods had remained static since my last fish, not one liner had occurred, <i>maybe the fish had moved on?, </i>or maybe they'd had their lunch and were going to have a bite to eat come dinner time. Either way, I was going to sit it out, the swim was primed and ready, the kettle was back on, I was now back to watching the water and trying not to let my imagination run away with me. I started thinking back to the start of this Winter stint, I'd stuck to the plan and hadn't deviated. As expected, it had started off relatively slow, but with perseverance, there was no doubt that the number of fish I was catching had increased. As mentioned before, sticking to the same plan and swim is fine for a while but I know I'd get bored if it was an approach I adopted on a regular basis.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I sat in a trance like state, my eyes would shift from watching the water to focusing firmly on both my rod tips and bobbins. The universe around was irrelevant, I was waiting for that <i>'magic moment' </i>when the peace, solitude and silence is irradiated by the sound of a screaming alarm. It could happen at any moment, in my head I started counting down from 10 to 0. Wondering what number the run would come on, eventually it ended up going on 6, the left rod was away. After an initial run the fish came towards me fast, I was reeling in the slack like a madman. In true <i>'Burrows Carp' </i>style, it woke up close in, I stood there letting my rod tip do the work, due to the rods I use, the tip action is second to none, watching and feeling the tip compressing and contorting is a rather profound experience. As the carp went up on its side I knew the show was over, I'd been rewarded with yet another lovely plump looking mirror. It was deep bodied with a long tail section, I had a feeling that it had all the trademarks of a potential future king.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Potential Future King</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A few snaps were taken and back she went, the rod went straight back out, just like before, the right rod was still primed for a bite so I held off on topping the swim back up. The afternoon was well and truly on its way now. The day had flown by, it's that strange <i>'time hypnosis'</i> that only happens when carp fishing, there's never enough time. We wait on the moments, the minutes and the seconds for that next bite to occur, and before you know it, 12 hours have evaporated in a time frame that feels like 10 minutes. I was sitting there trying to suss out how I could slow time down, if only for an hour or two. It turned out that I didn't have to, the right hand rod bleeped, fidgeted and then fired off, the tip was <i>'yanked'</i> aggressively round to the right, due to it being locked up, my buzz bars were doing their best not to collapse under the strain. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I lunged and lent into a ball of energy that was clearly careering towards the post. I held on tight, doing my very best to turn the fish out into the open water, reeling frantically I steered her clear. She continued to power off sharp to the right, the rush was immense, the chill that had implanted itself in my body was soon melted by the sheer adrenaline rush I was getting. The battle continued and when I eventually gained some ground, it was clear the fish wasn't prepared to give itself up easily. Now wallowing in open water, the powerful pulls from before dispersed, teasing her slowly my way, the white flag was waved as the fish retired herself up on to its side and cruised over the waiting net <i>.... result!. </i>I was met with the sight of a beautiful grey colored common carp, everything about it was perfect looking, I felt honored to of caught her, her slate grey appearance compliment the landscape perfectly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Grey</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This fish signaled the end of the session, and unexpectedly the end of my winter stint down on Burrows. It worked out that my work would take up most of my days up until springs arrival. It was now time to move on, my Chelmsford waters would open back up in the next few months, so my focus would be on them. Looking back through all of my winter sessions, I was really happy with the result. I'd stuck to my plan, persevered, and managed to catch some lovely looking fish. It had worked out well sticking to both the same swim and the same spot, it was a stark difference to how I had approached the water the previous Winter. I packed up slowly and by the time I loaded the barrow, the light was fading behind the <i>'dead wiry trees'</i>, everything was in hibernation. I knew that when I'd next pay Burrows a visit, everything would've woken, the banks would be breeding new life and the world both around and within the water would be very different. Pushing the barrow around the muddy path back up to the van, I gave the water one last salute and thanked it for keeping me company over the past few months.</span></span></div>
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Charlton Carperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179093782241257532noreply@blogger.com0