Just thought I would like to post an update on the result of our trip.
Well Sunday morning we went for the big trip to introduce my daughter to the Dark side...
My wife and eldest daughter were left slumbering as we crept out of the house at about 7:15 on a beautiful sunny morning. Quick stop at the local shop to get some sandwiches, then a short drive to the lakes just outside Daventry at Borough hill farm.
The upper lake had a couple of people on it, but the lower lake was empty, perfect I thought. I knew where I wanted to fish, but had to try to include Jess so walked her around and pointed out the benefits of different swim's. Success she picked the one I had wanted to fish with her.
So our seats where placed in the appropriate area of the bank and the rod pod was set up between us. My two Wychwood barbel rods where quickly set up with hair rigged sweet corn on each, they where cast to either end of the sunken island and alarms set. Then two float rods where set up for close in fishing with maggot. At last time for a coffee.
As always that was the moment the first alarm squeaked into life, and Jess's rod made the first run of the day. After my expert tutorage, she grabbed the rod slowly picked it up and proceeded to turn the reel the wrong direction, Do'h !!. the fish didn't need another chance and found a good snag to snap the hook link on. "Jess pick up, strike then reel the right direction!"
So we settled back down and started to catch small stuff on the maggot, mainly roach and gudgeon. Now the tangles started, how do they do it? Line up behind the spool, wrapped around the spindle. By 10:30 Jess had had 2 more runs and one lead to her land her first carp of about 3 lbs, picture taken and many smiles.
By 12:00 we had both had three carp with the biggest of about 4 1/2 lbs falling to float fished maggot on my float rod. Then came a really good run on Jess's rod a good fight pursued and she landed her best fish of the day at 7 1/2 lbs, more photo's and smiles. Hopefully win her a cap from one of the weeklies.
Another big tangle on the float saw me sat on the grass fiddling for about 45 minutes to get her float rod working again in this time she caught another two smallish carp 2 - 3 lb'ers, then it happened the line on Jess's float started to move, oh bugger a fish had taken the maggots on the tangled line, about 6 inches off of the bank, I had taken the spool off to assist me in the unravelling!! Off it shot, I stuck the float rod and it met with solid resistance, oh double bugger. 20 minutes later with saw left fingers and an aching right arm a 6 lb common was in the net. Not bad for 3.6lb line and an 18 hook with no reel I thought.
The afternoon settled down and many more carp were captured even by me! I even caught a double. But Jess definitely had the lions share of fish, with none of the other people who turned up coming close. But most complemented her on her achievements, which was nice for both of us (Proud Dad moment).
Towards the end of the day the captures were still coming thick and fast and her comments told a tale 2 1/2 lb fish were called "just a small one Dad", her previous best fish had been a 1/2 lb tench!!!
There can be no going back, she has moved to the dark side.
That said I had a great time, and I think she did also. We both had aching backs on Monday, and many tales to tell.