After the long cold winter, which saw the vast majority of out local still waters frozen for extended periods of time, the news of a mild spell on the horizon really got the angling juices flowing. During a discussion with a friend on one hard blank session, the topic of the newly opened More House Farm Fishery arose. It was remembering this conversion, especially the bit about the shallow end of the lake, which really made my mind up that More House was my best opportunity for a few fish in this brief mild spell. So having gained directions, I set off in search of this new fishery nestled in the Sussex country side. Upon arrival at the fishery I decided that a quick walk around the lake was the best way to go, in the hope that some of the lakes residents would give themselves away.

 

Sure enough after rounding the first corner of the lake a few of the lakes residents decided to give me my own personal acrobats display in the shallows. This filled me with confidence; it was the most activity I had seen since before Christmas. That was it for me I needed no further convincing that my best bet for a bite would be to fish this shallow area, at the top end of the lake. Following this brief walk around, I was met by Simon the bailiff, who was very friendly and helpful giving me all the info about the lake I needed.

 

After purchasing a 24 hour ticket I was itching to get set up in the shallows. Half of my mind was saying get yourself sorted out before it gets dark, as it was now 4.30, but angling instincts took over and with the constant shows in front of me, I had to get the rods out ASAP. Both rods were set up with simple running rigs, using a 2oz square pear and a 7 inch hook link. The first rod was cast 2 meters off the opposite bank between two trees in an area the fish had been showing repeatedly. A small PVA bag of the fisheries own pellets (Propa Job Bait) accompanied my hook bait on the bottom (there is a very good reason for using these pellets, if you get what I mean). This was followed by a scattering of 10 free offerings, in the hope to get the fish moving around in the area.

 

The second rod was positioned further down the far margin in a small bay. It was now nearly 5.00 so I decided I really needed to get the bivvy up and get myself sorted out, before darkness descended. After my home for the night had been sorted out, I decided it was now time for a quick cupper. However shortly after turning the stove on, my left hand rod let out a single bleep to draw my attention, this was shortly followed by the bobbin moving up to rest against the alarm. I lifted the rod and to my relief felt a firm resistance; at last I was into my first carp of 2009. Following a short and slow fight I netted my prize, as I looked down in the net in the semi darkness I could see that it was a half decent fish. The fish went 20.8 on the Avon’s and after some dodgy self takes, it was returned to fight another day.

 

The rest of the evening past without any further action, at around 11pm I decided a change was needed as I had heard fish crashing in the near margin further down the lake. From information gained from the bailiff, I knew this area had a silt bottom, so I swapped my 7 inch hook link for a 12 inch mono one. This was fished snowman style with a small bag of pellets. At around 2.30 I was awoken by a screaming alarm, the newly repositioned rod in the silt was away, after a spirited battle a nice 17lb mirror graced my mat. The rest of the night passed without further action and I woke up at around 6am to be greeted by a stunning early spring morning. 

 

The day passed without action, however I was determined I could add to my tally and one final fish would really cap off a great session. After seeing a lot of movement at the deep end of the lake, I decided to pack up most of my gear and fish the remaining few hours in this deeper part of the lake. I opted to fish a small bag on one rod to the far margin and a double pop up fished on its own just off the island. 15 minutes after casting out, the pop up rod was away and after a short fight a pretty 14lb mirror lay on the mat. That’s me done I thought, anything after this really would be a bonus and despite the fish still clearly being in the area that was indeed my last fish of the session. But what great session it had been 3 fish including my first twenty of the year, I couldn’t have asked for anymore. I will defiantly be returning at Easter when I get some more free time.

 

Tight Lines
Harry