Even a novice can fish?
Lake 4 - 20 August 2009, Peter Spicer

WELL into my weeks fishing, Thursday 20 Aug, Lake 4, peg 4. It was about 35 degrees so was not expecting to catch. I was talking to fellow angler Ray (tattoo man) for obvious reasons, who I had met there as I travelled on my own, when my left hand rod screamed off.

I jumped up as the fox alarm was loud, I struck into something about 65 yards out. The line tightened like an arrow.

The battle began. It was 13.00hrs, she started to kite to the left, straight away towards the trees. I put loads of strain into my tackle hoping my my size 6 korda hook will hold, will my 15lb line hold, all the time thinking of these things.

She then went into open water, kited to the left hand trees. I had to get in. Kicked my trainers off, in I went, rod low, put the most pressure on to my grey prodigys I have ever done. By then a crowd had gathered behind me. Keith and Rigman from Lake 3.

Out she came into open water. I gained some line back then after another try to get into the left hand snags I got her out. Keith behind said "It's a cat." I saw the tail. "No," I thought, "not a another cat." I then gained more line back. Tattoo man was at the ready with the net. She then rose. We was astounded, it was a huge common carp.

Keith was wrong, good. I edged her over the net. Tattoo man slid the net under her. "Yes, yes!" I shouted, along with the crowd. She was mine. "Thanks T man," I said. He then tried to lift her to the mat. "Pete, it's too **** heavy!!" We then both lifted her to the mat, oh my god, onto the scales...

Everyone yelped and shouted with pleasure, 52lb common carp, a fish of a lifetime, 35 minute battle, then the photos, of course into the water I went. By then I was shaking with excitement, I did not care a hoot.

Thanks to all who was there, and sorry Rigman for us southerners getting the better of you. Thanks DreamLakes, Matt and everyone and the Mainline Pineapple boilie.

Peter Spicer
20 August 2009