08/01/2011 24 hours Welham Lake

Pictures to follow:

As most of you are aware, the lakes and canals have been frozen solid for weeks now. The only places fishable were rivers. Then I found out that Welham was fishable from all the peg’s. After a quick text to Gaz, I got myself booked on Peg 9 for the Saturday night. Now peg 9 would not have been my first choice, but I was happy to just be getting out on the bank, and looking at some water which wasn’t frozen. ScottK was on peg 9 on the Friday night and he was keeping me upto date with the weather patterns, catch reports etc….

I arrived at 11.15, and had a warm welcome from Kelly as always. We had a chuckle and talked about the last month and what’s happened. Then I set about making my way to peg 9, to set up camp for the night.

Upon arriving at Peg 9, Scott was busy clearing the peg of his gear and had a smile on his face. I thought he might have managed to wangle a Welham common, but sadly he didn’t. But at least he still had a smile on his face. I was also greeted by DanH, who was also unsuccessful on the Friday might. But to be honest they had a tough night, what with the ice and the constant rain.

Now normally when I go fishing I prepare the rods the night before, and then when I get to the bank it’s just a case of choose the right hooklink to suit the situation. However on Thursday I picked up some new reels, and Friday I spooled them with 12lb Korda Subline, in brown. Come Friday night I had no motivation to sort my rods out.

After a quick climb of the tree, I could not see any fish showing in my swim. So I decided to cast out a few pouches of 14mm Sticky Baits Vortex in the swim, to entice the fish in.

Now for my choice of rigs. The first one I decided to use a standard lead clip system, with a 2oz lead, a 7inch suffix black silt, size 10 Nash fang x hook. On the hair was a cut down 14mm Vortex boilies, small bit of pop up corn and I wrapped this in some Vortex paste for added attraction. Before I cast out my rod, I had a feel around with the lead, and decided to clip op on a spot around 50foot from the bank. With the hooklink attached I cast to the spot and fired out around 30 boilies and a pouch of sweet corn.

My second choice of rigs was going to be a Chod rig, with a 1.5oz lead. This was an Ace pre tied silt Chod rig, with a Gardner size 8 pre tied hooklink. Attached was a Mainline pineapple popup as these catch anywhere. To the hook I added a small bit of PVA nugget, just to help it sink slowly. This I cast towards the island, about 12 foot off, infront of the tree that looks like a V. Now by this point it was around 1.30pm, and it had taken me around an hour and half to get setup.

Now it was time to make up camp, and make home for the night.
In December I bought a new bivvy, a Trakker Pioneer Ultra light. I have never set up one of these, and luckily ThorneCarper was fishing next to me who already had one.

Well its must have been gone 2.30pm when the bivvy was up. Which involved braking one of the spokes on it, and finding out there was no pegs provided.
Luckily Kelly had some spare ones I could use.

A few lads came around to my peg for a chat, and a few lads came to the lake to have a walk around. So after a meet and greet they were on their way.

5pm soon came around, and with no action sadly. Heppy decided we should get a take away ordered. So quick call to mama mia’s and burgers and kebab meat and chips were ordered. Whilst we were waiting for the food I decided to have a recast. I didn’t want to do both rods, so I only did my bolt rig. I climbed up the tree before last light to see if there was any fish in the swim, but I couldn’t see any. I put fresh bait on the hair, and covered it in paste, I also attached a small pva bag with a foam nugget and crused boilies, and then cast it out to the same spot. Grabbed my catty and fired out a couple of pouches of sweetcorn and about 20 chopped boilies.

Shortly after I received a phone call to say the driver was waiting with our food in the car park. We sat in Peg 8 and had a few brews and watched the water. I polished off the food, and must admit it was really nice, and around 8pm the temperatures dropped and the wind started to pick up, so I decided I would go back to my bivvy and get in my bag. Ended up going and having a few brews with Dan, and returned to my own bivvy at 9.30ish.

Not long after returning I decided to call it a night. 1.20am and I was woken with the bivvy rocking. There was some strong gusts off wind, and at one point I thought I would take off. Back to sleep I went.

7.15am I was wide awake watching the water for any signs off fish, but did not see a thing. Climbed the tree once more, and still did not see any fish. It was time to recast my baits. With both rods in I decided it was time to change the pineapple pop up to a DNA Pink Peral, and a bit of PVA nuggest on the hook. This I recast around 2 rod lengths from the island, and left it alone.

The second rod, I changed the bait to a 10mm bloodworm boilies and a piece of false corn, with a matching bag of boilies. This one went about 25 foot out, and over the top I chucked a couple of handfuls of bloodworm boilies. 15 minutes later I received a liner on the chod rig. The first sign of fish in my swim since I arrived the previous day. Then the swans decided they would come in my swim and clean my bait out.

10am arrived and nothing else to report, I packed most of my gear away, and left the rods in the water. I took it to my car and loaded it. After I went to Kelly and had some breakfast.

Full after eating the breakfast I could see some fish showing on the dam wall, that could be covered on peg 6&7. I decided to climb the tree on 6&7 and noticed about 4 fish in the swim. By this time the swim was now empty, so I shot over to my peg and took my rods around.

ThorneCarper was in the tree, and was guiding me to the fish. On my first cast of the Chod rig, I was about 6 foot away from the fish, and decided to leave it there rather than thrashing the water. About 25 minutes later I had a take on the chod rig. This is where disaster struck…… I pick the rod up and struck it to it, and with them been different reels I didn’t think about tightening the clutch…. The line just went every where, and there was no longer tension between the rod tip and the fish. By the time I had got the excess line and the clutch tightened up the fish had gone! School boy error.

After that I admitted defeat. Packed up the rest of my gear and loaded the car. Then went and sat up on Peg 11 with Jules and had a nice chat.

To say I blanked I had a really good time with the lads on the lake, and was just happy to be out.

Next outing 29th & 30th January – Welham Lake.

or will be at 5pm

2011 account open

15th March 2011
Welham Lake
12 hours afterwork

I arrived at Welham at 6.00pm.
After a brief chat with Ollie on the dam wall, I decided to walk up to peg 10. I did want to fish the dam wall and the deeper water, but didn’t think it was fair on Ollie.

I had a slow trot up and stopped in each peg to see of I would see signs of fish. When I got to peg 10 there were a couple of fish showing at the end of the island, a usual spot to see fish in.

Straight back to the car to fetch the rods and the gear.
When I got back to the peg, the fish were not visible. Not to be put off, I started getting the rods ready. My right hand rod was going to be a chod rig popped up an inch off the silt, with a Nutrabaits popup in 16mm chopped up a little bit. I cast this to where the fish were showing and cattyed out around a quarter of a kilo of DNA malt x Red. (left over in the freezer from my last Elphicks trip) and then set about sorting out my second rod.

This was going to be a standard bolt ring in clay rig tubing, with a 1.5oz lead and 6inch of fluorocarbon, two sinkers to make sure the line is pinned down and a BB shot to counter balance the popup. The pop up was a DNA pink pearl 14mm, chopped up, and attached to the bend in the hook via a rig ring. I also used a flying backlead to help pin the line.




This rod was cast towards the island, about 3 rod lengths out, but in the swim of peg 9. No one was fishing this swim at the time, so I made use of the water. Then I cattyed out around a quarter of a kilo of DNA malt x Red, just so there was some bait to bring the fish in.

I got bivved up, just in time for it getting dark, and with the dark came drizzle. I sat an watched the water for any sign for about 20 minutes then retired to my bag and watched a film on my phone.

12.30 and my left hand alarm was beeping out at me. I shot up to find the swans feeding in the water just in front of the platform. It was either the swans that set the alarm off or a line bite, and it knocked off my bobbin. Back in my bag and I must have nodded off.

1.45 and my alarms were screaming off again, so I turned round expecting to see the swans on my lines when I noticed my reel spinning. Straight out the bivvy bear footed and on to my rod. I connected with the fish and lost the lead, the fish came straight to the surface and didn’t put up much of a fight. I netted it first time, and felt a sigh or relief. This was the first fish of 2011 sat in my landing net. It was also a fish on my New Nash Sirens, Shimano Ultregra’s and Shimano XTR-B’s. First impression at looking at the fish in the head light, look about 14lb. Checked the hook hold, and it had been nailed in the bottom lip. Gave the fish a number and it was 10lb dead.
Not the best pictures, but hear you go.




Didn’t want to wake Ollie up for a fish of this size, so they were taken on my mobile.

I cast the rod straight back out to the same spot, and then got in my bag with a smile on my face and chuckling.



I was woken up at 5.45 with the swans back in my swim, and noticed the fish showing up near peg 11. So I banged my rods out up there and packed away at 6.45.
I didn’t want to leave when I knew the fish were in front of me. But that’s fishing for you.


The pegs have had a lot of work done on them by Gaz and Kelly since I last visited. There are also rules displaying on every peg.

Well done guys and tight lines everyone.

Wednesday 23 March 2011
Welham Lake12 hour overnighter.

After reading the lake blog earlier on in the week, I decided a trip to Welham was in order. I arrived at the lake to find more improvements by Gaz. There was now a new gate on the entrance to the lake. There is continues improvements going on all the time 




I was greeted by Gaz who was fishing on the dam wall. I noticed that he didn’t have a bivvy, and asked him if he was sleeping under the stars. TO which his reply was “yes”, and “ive not brought my sleeping bag with me” The temps were due to drop to +2.

So there was Gaz on the dam wall, and Ollie on stalking. On the drive up I had two pegs in mind for me, if they were free, Peg 6&7 and peg 10. I also thought it would be a nice night to use a zig rig. I had a walk around these pegs, and decided to fish 10, there was one or two fish in this swim already.

I quickly barrowed the gear around to peg 10, and got my rods out in the water.
My left hand rod was still set up from my last visit, and I had a 10lb common on that visit. Standard bolt rig, with a 6inch fluorocarbon hooklink, and a bb shot to pop up a bait, and a couple of sinkers on the line. Attached was a bag of crushed MaltX boilies.



So I changed over the pop up, and put on a fresh DNA Baits pink popup, and cast this about 3 rod lengths off the island, hoping on a few fish patrolling around the island.

My right hand rod was going to be a zig rig, pop up a foot from the lake bed, with a small piece of black foam. Size 10 wide gape hook. This I cast to the right of the island, in the middle of the bloodworm bed. I also back leaded the line. Over the top of this, I sticked out around 30 – 40 MaltX boilies and Vortex boilies.




It was then time to make camp for the night.
I text my mate around 7pm, to say that it would be unlikely I get a fish till around 11pm. At 8.05pm my alarms were slowly kicking in to life, It was my right hand rod with the zig of it. I lifted the rod up and started to wind down on the fish. Straight away I could tell it was no monster. 60 seconds later and the fish was laid in my landing net. I quickly got a weight on her, gave Gaz a ring to let him know, his response was “im not coming to take a picture of you with it” hahah I didn’t expect him too.




7lb 8oz
Not the biggest carp, but welcome and unexpected.
I returned the fish, and asked it to send its dad around next.

Rod straight back out, and back in to my bag I went. I must have dozed off, because at 10.25 I was startled by the sound of my alarm. It was my right hand rod again. This fish felt bigger than the previous one and took a little bit longer to come in. My first attempt at netting it went wrong, but the second time she was nice and safe in my net.






15lb 8oz
Not the best at self takes. It also had a fat belly, with plenty of room to grow.

Fish returned and the rod straight back out on the spot.
I was happy at catching two, and I thought at this rate I will be having a good night. Hoping the next one to fall to my traps would be a 20lber.

11.40pm and my alarm is screaming off again. The right hand rod on the zig rig! The fish on the other side of the line seemed angry, it bolted off towards 11 and 12, and didn’t want to me win any line back. After 5 minutes, which seemed like a lifetime the fish was gracing my net. When I looked down at it, I thought it was about 15lb at the most. Grabbed my scales and was shocked to see the needle hit 19lb. Quick call to Gaz to see if he was able to help me get an accurate weight and picture.






19lb and a new PB
I managed to smash my PB by 2lb 12oz

I was on cloud 9. I returned the fish and sat on my bed chair watching the water for about 30 mins.

No more action after that, and I quickly packed up and headed back to work.

Result!

Friday 8th March – Sunday 10th March 2011
Emmotland – Lake 3

I arrived at Emmo at 11.10, just as the guys were getting shown around lake one.
I quickly joined them as they were getting a tour of lake 2, and I like the look of peg 4 and peg 1. After this lake we had a look at Lake 3. This one was my favourite lake. Straight away I liked the look of peg 2, this one would be my first choice.

Over to the car park to do the watercraft draw. I picked out 8, which is half way out of the 16 anglers, so I had a good chance of picking my peg. Gaz asked up to pick a lake, only 3 of us wanted to fish lake 3, which suited me as only 3 were allowed. This didn’t quite work out, because more people wanted to fish lake 2, than what could.
As it turned out when it came to me picking my peg, I managed to get my first choice. Peg 2 on Lake 3.

Off we went to our pegs and as soon as I got there, there was about 4 lumps in my swim, I quickly got a rod set up with a mixer, and fired out a few pouches of mixers. The day was blazing hot, and I was hoping that I would get one out early doors. After 30 minutes of trying to get one off the top, I decided it was time to set up my marker rod, to check the depth and look for some spots. It was the first time I had ever set eyes on this complex. I agreed boundaries with both James and Gaz and then set about thrashing the water. Straight out in front of me was clear for about 5 rod lengths, and the there was an old weedbed, and then it was clear again about 2 rod lengths off the far margin. To my right was also dying weed. The depths were and average of 3 ½ foot.

My approach was to fish 3 rods with a different set up. My right hand rod was to be fishing zig, and I started at 2 foot off the bottom, with a small piece of black foam, soaked in salmon oil. This rod was to be fished roaming in the hope to catch a stray fish. My middle rod was to be fished at the back of the weedbed, and I used a post that was sticking out of the water as a marker. This I fish as a standard bolt rig set up, with a 2 ½ oz lead, 8 inch fluro hooklink, with a sticky baits vortex boilies and a piece of false corn. Then I warpped some Vortex paste around the bait, to add to the attraction, I cast this to the far bank, and then drop the rig in the margin. I also spooned in a kilo of maize. The left hand rod was to be a chod rig, with a 16mm Emmo special boilies, drilled out and half an avid highlite on top, to make it float. This one was fished in the dying weedbed.





Rods were in the water, and then it was time to set the bivvy/camp up for the weekend.
Because there is hardly any shelter or coverage on my peg, I thought it would be a good idea to set the bivvy right back off the water. I noticed the fish liked to come in close.



With all the rods in the water, the camp set it, it was time to sit in the sun and watch for signs of fish. Before I knew it, it was 5pm and Jamie was here with tea. Burger and chips, which went down a treat.
About 7.30 we had a visit from Sainty, who was brining his baitboat for Gaz to try.

8.45 ish and I had my first run of the session. It last a couple of minutes, and was on my middle rod. Not fish banked. Rod was recast and a few beers consumed. Chewed the fat with James till around 12, and then retired to my pit.

A quite night was had, and today I felt a bit rough, I don’t know if it was the effects of the beer or sun stroke. It turned out that I had burnt my face, neck and ears. When I removed my sun glasses I looked like batman. You would not believe the amount of stick ive had for that, and am still getting.

Rods were brought in and I went to a wonder around the other lakes to see how everyone was getting on. Markb had a new PB, and I was over the moon for him. Quick shower and I was back to my rods in time for a brekkie. After breakfast I decided to go around to the far margin and bait up my spot I had the run from the previous night. All 3 rods were back out, and I changed the bait on my left hand rod to a DNA Baits pink pop up, and cast this towards the bay in peg 1. Fish were showing all over the lake, but they just were not feeding. I had another go at taking a fish off the top, with no joy. Just wish I had a loaf of bread with me.

Tea time came and Jamie had prepared another meal for us, this time it was Chilli and Chips. The portion was massive and even I was struggling to eat it all.

Around 6.45 I was sat in my bivvy, looking at the water. This is when I noticed a hole in the weed in front of me. I went to see James to borrow the bait boat.
The bait boat was loaded with Emmo Specials, Hemp and Bloodworm pellets. I decided to fish my chod set up with the Emmo Special popped up. This went in to the hole in the weed. Within 5 minutes I was into a fish, The reel shot off spinning and it was ripping the line off the spool. At first I didn’t think it was a big fish, as im used to the hard fighting commons at Welham. The fish kited across the lake, and tried to get into a weedbed at the side of me, then it ut a right bend in the rod….The sun was also shining in this spot, and I could not see a think. Next thing I know the fish was off, and I was sat with my head in my hands. This fish would have easily made 20+

I decided I couldn’t sit around sulking, that wasn’t going to catch me a fish. I sent the rig straight back out in the boat. Five minutes later the rod ripped off again….. Lifted the rod off my red, and there was nothing there. I decided to cast the rod back out this time, and I was sat on my bed chair thinking ive blown my only chances. Then the Sirnes kicked into life. This time was to be third time lucky, and I was not letting the fish get away. After a short battle James netted the fish. On first impression I would have said it was around 15lb. We gave her a weight and it was 12lb 9oz, and a stunning mirror. Instantly I flet the pressure been lifted from me, and it wasn’t a blank 





Excuse the red face, but it’s the sunburn from Friday.
The rod went straight back out to the same spot.

Sadly there was no more action after this, except during the night I received a lot of liners. Sunday morning came, and I was shattered due to the amount of liners during the night, and the fact I was struggling to sleep with the sun burn on my neck.

Sunday was a red hot day. I decided I was not going to fish the previous spots, but fish closer in, as the fish seemed to have moved right in.

No more fish came on Sunday, and I was on my way around 1pm.
Everyone came around to say there goodbyes.

Quality weekend with some fanatic company.
Just a shame there was only 6 fish caught between 16 of us.

Thursday 12th May 2011
Welham Lake
12 hours afterwork
Arrived at Welham at 5pm to find Kelly bivvied up on the Dam Wall. I had a good old catch up with Kelly, and bought some raffle tickets for Help For Heroes. Kelly was on to his fourth night and had already 12 fish up until this point. I was only staying for 12 hours, and getting back off to work early in the morning. I decided before hand I would take advantage of the Nash sponsored swims (6&7, 8, 9) For a short midweek angler, these swims are ideal. All I needed was my rods, sleeping bag, Alarms, but grips, bait, scales and some terminal tackle. I did not have a lot to take to my swim. As I was sat chatting to Kelly I could see fish topping just off the island, in front of 6&7. This is where I will be spending the night.

I was in my peg around 5.45, I quickly set my rods up. Right hand rod will be a 12mm Cell boilies that has been glugged for a week, with a matching pva bag of Cell boilies. This was fished at short range, must have been about 3 rod lengths out. The left hand rod was a Zig rig set at 1 foot from the bottom, Small piece of black foam and a brown site stop. This was fish at the end of the overhanging tree on peg 6. After I cast these out I covered them with 20 Cell boilies each. I decided to spend 10 minutes up the tree and watch the water for signs of fish.



I saw a couple of fish showing towards the island still, but decided not to fish to it because of the snags under water. I then made my bed for the night, which was putting my sleeping bag over the Nash wideboy. I had a couple of liners on the zig rig, but up to press it was quite.

At 7.45 Kelly came to my swim for another chat and at 8.20 my right hand rod went screaming off. This is where I was joking with Kelly, I said I hope the bailiff doesn’t come round and see im using trebles. This was a short lived fight, and I estimated it was around 8 – 9lb whilst in the water. Kelly netted the fish for me, and we gave her a weight. 12lb 14oz of stunning Welham Carp.



Fish returned, and the rod was back out on the same spot. I also topped up the swim with another 20 Cell boilies. After this I sat on the chair, and decided to eat my tea, when I had a knock on the bivvy, it was a duck sat watching me. WTF lol

I must of nodded off, as I was awoken at 10.30 to my alarms going off. It was my right hand rod again. This time the fish put up a better fight, and I had another nice looking common in my net. She weighted 15lb on the nose. Its not the best pic in the world. But it was taken on my iphone in the dark.




Rod back out again on the same spot, this time I using a stringer of 5 Cell boilies, and put another 20 boilies out around it. The rest of the night was quite, with a few liners on my left hand rod.

At 4.30 I had an amazing alarm clock. It was a fish tearing line off my reel. Fish number 3, and again on my right hand rod. Weighing 9lb 15oz.



After I released this fish back, I sat up watching the water, but sadly didn’t see any movement in front of my swim. I packed up and was on the road at 6.30. It only took 5 mins to pack away. I love the Nash sponsored swims already.

Thursday 18th to Sunday 22nd
Plantation Lake, Elphicks, Kent
The long awaited day finally came around. I had this trip book for me and 5 other anglers for months. We would be spending 3 nights on Plantation Lake. This would be my second time around fishing this lake, and the first time I managed to blank.

Markb arrived at my house on Thursday morning at 2.30am where we quickly packed the car to make our 4 hour drive to Kent.



By 6.45am we had arrived at the meeting point with the other lads. Time for a brekky and to get last minute food supplies and tackle supplies from local suppliers. We did the draw for swims in the car park and it turned out I got number 1 and first choice.

We were at the lake for 10, but was not booked on until 12. Ken in the office said would could start fishing when the other lads were off. But by the time I got to the lake, the lads were just leaving. Result!

I had a quick walk around the lake, to see a few fish topping, and I decided on peg 3, even thought I had peg 1 at the back of my mind.

By 11.10 I had camp set up, rods in the water and was sat relaxing in the sun shine.



From last year, I remember the fish liked to come close in on an evening. So I decided to keep my rod tips away from the water. My right hand rod was cast just under the willow/point of the island. This was a 16mm Vortex boilie, which had been glugged in matching glug, with a small bag of Vortex pellets and around 20 boilies around it. My left hand rod was cast to a showing fish, which was tight to the island, in a bush. This was a 15mm Cell boilie, tipped with false corn, glugged and a small bag of crushed cell. Reading the catch reports and the fish in there seem to like Cell.

5pm came around and it was now food time. I decided to cook us a curry on the bank. Not the best looking curry, but it sure hit the spot and was tasty.





After the food I had a recast. I changed my right hand rod over to a 16mm Vortex on the chod, cast under the willow again, hoping to intercept one on the way around the island, and left my other rod the same.

Sat down and had a few beers and Dave got his centerpin and float rod out and we had ago at catching some roach and perch. Dave ended up with a Perch.


then i slipped off to bed.
12.30am and I was awoken by Dave in the next swim who just caught a 29lb Mirror.

7.00 am, I was woken by the amount of traffic behind my bivvy. They were anglers that were coming to fish the other lakes on the complex. I had a chat to the other lads, and it turns out two fish were caught from different ends of the lake. One at 21lb and one at 29lb. I on the other hand only recived liners during the night. I decided to have a re think and fished a zig 1foot from the lake bed on my right hand rod, and continue to fish cell on my left hand rod.

5.00pm after another quite day I made another curry for tea and then had one final cast for the night. My right hand rod was staying in the margin at the right of me. I had been trickling bait in all day. I decided to use a Pineapple popup over a bed of Vortex Pellets and hemp. This was pop up around 5 inch. Left hand rod was fishing a cell pop, tight to the over hanging willow on the island. A few more beers were consumed that evening and I was in my pit for around 10pm. The drive down the following day blew it out of me.

1.45 am and I was awoken by the sound of my receiver. I was up straight away and on my rods. I was connected to my first Elphicks carp. The battle was pretty short, and I was stood there playing this fish bear footed and in total darkness. I shouted out to Dave and Mark in the next pegs but no response. I netted the fish and got my head sorted. With the fish secure on my unhooking mat, I went to wake Dave, where he helped my weigh the fish. 24lb 04oz Common.








Thanks to Dave for taking the photos.

This beat my PB by 5lb 4oz, to saw I was happy was an understatement.
I popped my rig back on the same spot and sat up with a brew.

The rest of the trip was quite for me, I did not bank any more fish.
I did however decided to fish a rod in the peg next to me.




This was swim two and had better access to the bush I had been fishing too and seeing fish showing.

At the same time I was fishing one rod in swim three



The last night came and went. Markb fishing peg 1 had two fish out, and one of the other lads had a 30lb mirror out. Mark was a little bit happier when he caught he fish


I don’t think his head was into fishing this weekend. But I was pleased to see him catch, and help him photograph his new PB.

Then came the slow pack up and long drive home. I had a cracking weekend, a few beers, some good company and a laugh, I feel sort for those that blanked, But that’s fishing for you. Plantation was not fishing well this weekend.

Im not sure if I will return to Elphicks again. If I do it will be to fish West End or North lake.

Leaving work at 5pm to go do a spot of fishing.

Either Workshop or Oxbow Syndicate

Thursday 2nd June 2011
Workshop, Allerton Bywater
12 hour overnighter

Well i managed to Get to Workshop on Thursday night and i blanked.
I ended up in Peg 15.
I did want the Pylon Peg, however there had been a guy in this peg since Tuesday, with no signs of shifting. I was even thinking of going to my Oxbow syndicate.
Later on that evening the guy in the next peg same to have a chat, Seemed that the only fish comming out were the tench.

I had two rods on, one was on a 16mm Vortex pop up, this was cast to the reeds on my right.
THe second rod was on a Votex bottam bait and a Vortex Pop up snow man style. This went into the margin on my left, which i baited up with 1/2 kilo of vortex pellets.

I ended up sleeping under the stars. The weather had been fantastic, with sun all day.