An overnighter almost

On Friday we decided that we would pop down to our local club water and have a quick overnighter, so the big blue van was packed up and set off, on route we had to pop into the hospital for Julz's 6 monthly MOT all is OK on that account so we got to the lake at about 11am.

The warm weather had drawn the world and his wife out but we managed to squeeze in at the end of the lake. When we looked at the lake it was almost paved with fish they all seemed to be up on the surface chasing each other round in a start to spawning or just sunbathing.

So we decided to put up a couple of surface rods and try to grab one off the top, the fish as usual seemed to take all the free offering but not the bait so we tried several different baits before I hooked a little 5lber on a lump of french bread, it gave a great account of itself on a 1lb and 1/2 tc rod. Only 10 minutes later Julz is holding her rod up in the air and says she thinks she has a fish ... her first surface taken fish and it went 7lb 12oz a lovely looking mirror.

Because of the heat we decided not to pose for pictures and get the fish back in the water ASAP.

Julz had her first try of pole style fishing using a 4m whip and managed to catch half a dozen small road and rudd in 20 minutes or so. She enjoyed it so much she has decided to have a go with a proper pole next time we go.

As the afternoon cooled down into evening both Julz and I decided that as we hadn't set up the bivvy or anything else we would go home a lovely day had been had in the sun and a couple of fish to boot.

great report as usual Claire glad to see the fishes welfare come before photos
ps "caught roach before but never a small road"
sorry couldent resist. ill get me coat