FLE Top Lake....A Weekend Finale

So after leaving the Kennet I headed to Romsey to meet up with Peter and Graeme who were already a day into their weekend at the FLE Top Lake. Martin was to meet us on Sunday morning. I met Graeme and made my way to the lake. I had a quick natter with Peter who was angling with his daughter, yet was mindful that time was getting on and I'd be losing light.

I found a pitch to set up camp for the night thanks to a tip off from Graeme and before I had a chance to pitch the tent Graeme called us together to commence the match. The idea was we'd fish in pairs, Graeme and I vs Peter and his daughter. The target was the small carp, last year's successful spawning, and the prize was to sit back while the losers tend to the barbeque.

It was 1 point for a mirror and 5 for a not to common common. We'd be fishing until we could no longer see our floats. The little hand sized carp loved maggots, and seemed to like me too. We won 19 - 2 , with me catching 12 of them and Graeme managing the only common. Whilst the others lit the barbeque I set about building my house. We sat by the campfire, eating burgers and hot dogs and chatted till late. I turned in , chilly and tired looking forward to a full day's stalking next day.



It was a cold night but I emerged from the canvas tent unscathed. Breakfast was washed down with a pot of tea and I was soon wandering the banks armed with Carpathia. Martin arrived early and after meeting and greeting he went off to set up a rod whilst the rest of us continued stalking. I tried worms cast at bubbles for most of the morning, but caught only small stock fish. Lunchtime came and tea and cake brought renewed enthusiasm.





Mid afternoon Graeme called me over to the aerator bay where a couple of carp were hiding under some thick reeds. I thanked him and set about trying to trick one. Incidentally it would have been my old pal Richard's birthday that day, and I really wanted to catch a goodun in his memory. The carp though had other ideas and ignored everything I tried.

With an hour left and only one hooked and lost fish to Martin I decided to pack away the tent and then fish the last half hour. It would give those cunning and disinterested carp a short breather too. With everything bagged up and ready to be loaded into the car I crept back into position. For ten minutes I saw nothing, then just a rod length out a mirror bobbed up and cruised through slowly. I worked out where it was headed and lowered a crust into position.

As it approached it seemed to hang mid water looking at the crust. It seemed an age, then, slowly it inched forward and sucked in the bread. The fight was quite localized, sharp jerks on the rod tip followed by a dogged battle under the rod tip. It went into the net at the first time of asking, not the big girl I was after, but perhaps the prettiest fish in the lake.



It was quite a moment, a carp for Rich and so very close to home time. It weighed 13lb and worked the camera well. It capped a busy angling weekend beautifully and sent me on my way with a very big smile.

FLE Madness

This weekend was my second attempt at the FLE Fishery 24hr Carp match. Not so much of a match in the general sense, there is little or no money involved, the social aspect is excellent, and the only real gain is the awarding of points in a league. The last round saw me catching 2 carp, which at one point put me in second place, but as the match is fished with the heaviest single fish taking top prize (10 points), the second biggest taking second (8 points) and down to 4th place (4 points), I ended in 5th and with zero points, I hoped this week to get myself on that podium. Thundery showers were forecast, so a late scramble saw me throw my army issue DPM waterproofs into the car along with everything else, Carpathia was present, and I dearly hoped I could catch my first carp on her. With the car ready and everything packed I left for work early on Friday, stayed until midday and then headed for Romsey. I arrived with Graham after a short 30 minute journey and after a chinwag and a cuppa we awaited the first of the Catch Club Crew. The Catch Club is an event held at FLE every Friday and is where disabled anglers get to sample the delightful facilities FLE has to offer. Graham has recently obtained some lovely new kit too, Maver seat boxes, poles and other quality kit that ensures these events go as well as they possibly can and that entrants have just what they need. With everyone present we headed off to canal 4 and fished long poles with surface baits for the carp. It was great fun and a joy to help out; smiles were abundant throughout the afternoon as were the obliging carp. With the event over and high fives and handshakes done we said goodbye to the Catch Club and hello to the first of the arriving 24 hour carp match attendees. At the previous match I only knew Graham, but by the end of it I had ten new friends and have kept in touch with them through Facebook, so this weekend it was lovely to see them all again, and hear all about their very successful recent trip to France.

Wonderful FLE

I fancied a bash at FLE's 24 hour carp match. The deal is that 10 anglers pitch up on the prolific Canal 1 and battle it out for the heaviest carp. Without a combined weight win, it could go right to the wire, the leaderboard could chop and change throughout, and it was also a good excuse to visit Graham and check out the great work he does down there at his fishery near Romsey. 

But it's so much more than a fishery, yes there is great angling to be had with match orientated canals and a specimen carp pool, but it is also an outdoor activity centre, aimed at most but concentrating on disabled adults, youths and anyone else who wants to learn to catch fish, the right way. 

I finished work on the Friday at midday and although the match started at 6pm, I wanted to get there, have a nosey around and catch up with Graham. Turns out I was in for a nice surprise, Southampton FC had one of their sponsored Catch Club afternoons, and as an FLE Ambassador, he asked me if I wouldn't mind helping out some. I jumped at the chance , this sport has been wonderful to me over the years, here was a chance to give a little back. 


 

A Summer Weekend Adventure...

I used to have plenty of time at my disposal, and no doubt someday I’ll get that time back, being free to meander from water to water in search of dreams. But, for now, I have to make the most of my time and plan trips carefully in order to get full enjoyment from them. This weekend was such an event, a weekend away with three great friends at a local venue with the makings of becoming a very special fishery.

I have known it in the past as Greenridge Farm, but the now called FLE Fishery at Ampfield, just outside Romsey in the heart of Hampshire, has recently undertaken a change which I’m sure with propel this wonderful haven into one of the most popular lakes in the south. The pool itself is around an acre in size with an island and a series of bays. There are 15 stunning carp present that range from 20 to over 30lbs, so when that float dips you can be sure whatever is hooked is certainly going to be a bit special.