What dreams are made of!
by Nick Axten-Rice

Having made two trips to the Dreamlake complex in 2001, it was with much anticipation that I made the shortish trip to Dover for the first of three planned trips for 2002. The opening week of the season on any lake is exciting. No established bait present, no going tactics. It's a bit like starting a drawing on a blank canvas.

Arriving early we had plenty of time to visit the local Pub for a swift half (or three) before boarding the coach, and shortly after 10pm we were on our way. There is always an air of excitement on the outward journey. Anglers from all over the country joining together for a chance of a fish of a lifetime. Banter, stories and many laughs before a snooze on the coach dreaming of what may happen in the next week. A pleasant journey and a smooth ferry ride saw us arrive at the Dreamlakes at about 6am, to be greeted by the smiling faces of the bailiffs, Chilly, Matt, Milky and Joe, eager to get our holiday off to a good start.

As we were the first anglers of the season we didn't have to wait for the swims to be vacated. A welcome Bacon roll and quickly onto the draw for swims.

Having been drawn out seventh I had a good idea of the swims that would be left when I came to choose. I opted to take the Beech swim. Although the Beech has restricted water to fish, it gave me an excellent viewing platform to see where the fish may be located, and as there are always spare swims available I could move to where the fish were showing if required.

Electing to start with a different method on each rod I deployed one rod with a bottom bait in a Funnel Web bag fished on top of the bar. The second was a pop-up fished as a single hookbait on the side of the bar, and the third was a Zyg Rig to be fished as a roving rod 3 feet off the bottom. As bait for the Zyg Rig I elected to start with a Chum Mixer soaked in Nash's Formula 1 Boilee dip.

Once the rods were out I set about organising my home for the next week. Then a nice relaxing snooze in the warmth of the Sun.

At 3pm the Zyg rod ripped off at an alarming rate. As I bent into the fish it was obvious that I had connected into a large Carp. The fish surfaced early into the fight. It was clear to see that it was one of the lakes larger residents and was definitely 40lbs plus. As I was only using a 10lbs hooklink I had to be very gentle or I would lose the beast. For over 30 minutes the battle continued. Every time I made some headway the fish would take back all the line that I had made on it.

The closer it got the more my nerves jangled and my heart thumped. I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous of losing a fish. I just prayed that the hooklink wouldn't snap as it surged off for another run. It just didn't seam to tire.
Eventually my fishing partner expertly slid the net under the fish first go. I can't describe how relieved I was. We cut the line and peered into the net. The sight that beheld us was simply awesome. I have had carp to almost 43lbs before, but this Carp was huge.

Leaving the fish in the net whilst we prepared mats, slings, cameras etc, I then attempted to lift the fish in the net to the mat. I was barely able to lift it. I knew that this glorious Mirror Carp must go close to 50lbs.

Upon weighing the scales rested on 49lbs. I was over the moon. My holiday was complete there and then. If I hadn't had another take I would have gone home happy. I would be interested to know if anyone has ever had a bigger fish on a Chum Mixer?

Pictures taken, smiles and congratulations all round it was then time to return the fish. I almost felt sad that it had to go back. This was my moment of a lifetime, and I wanted it to last forever.

When I held the fish in the water it took about 10 minutes to recover enough strength to swim back to it's friends in Dreamlake 1. Thank you Mr. Carp. You made my dreams come true!

That evening just after dark the rod being fished on the bottom ripped off. I was particularly pleased with this take as the bait was the new B2 that I had been testing for the Nash Stables. Having only used it twice before this trip, and having had instant success on it at home, I was interested to see if the French Carp would take to it as quickly as their British counterparts.

This fish was obviously another lump, but I was a lot more confident with the set-up I was using.The fish stayed deep in the water for most of the fight, making surging runs up and down the margin. As it was dark we could see very little until the fish was finally in the net. My fishing partner netted it first time and as he peered into the net he said "It's even bigger than the last one". Surely not I thought. If so, it must go 50lbs.

We managed to lift the net to the mat, and sure enough a huge Mirror that must have been 12 inches wide was laid on the matt staring back at us. We weighed the fish at 49 ½ lbs. Not quite 50lbs, but who cares. A brace of 49's in the first 14 hours. I couldn't quite take it all in. After returning the fish, and when the others had departed from my swim I just sat there with a beer letting the amazing events of the last 14 hours sink in. What a day!

The Sunday saw me take a lovely Mirror of 36lbs, followed on the Monday by another Mirror of 40.14lbs. Amazing, three 40's from my first four fish. The action continued through the week.

I ended up with a tally of eleven fish, and lost about the same including what must have been a monster Catfish that nearly tore my arms out of their sockets making runs of 80 yards before the knot parted on me. I was gutted, as I hadn't had a knot part on me for years, but that's fishing for you. I will check them with more care in future!

The fishes weights were in order... 49, 49 ½, 36, 40.14, 19 ½, 29 ½, 26, 25 ½, 31, 30 ½, 33.

What more can I say. Eleven fish with an average weight of 33lbs. I had fished lake 2 last year and had 12 fish for an average weight of 30 ¼ lbs. I thought that I would never supercede that. But this is the Dreamlakes and anything is possible. With the exception of the guy who came out first in the draw for swims, everyone caught. About 12 40's were landed and untold 30's. Catfish to 46lbs, personal bests shattered, even young Ryan who at 11 year old was there with his Dad landed a 41 lbs. Mirror.

Everyone agreed that it was a brilliant trip, well organized and supervised. Excellent food and facilities, lovely weather and staff that really made you feel welcome. There are a lot of fishing trips on offer nowadays, but it would take something really special to beat the Dreamlake experience.

The trip home was filled with stories of fish landed, the one's that got away, and plans to return. It was sad to have to leave. We felt quite envious of the new arrivals with their questions and enthusiasm. By the end of the week you feel almost a part of the complex. As the coach slid past the lakes towards home we wished that it was us arriving for a new adventure.

I am back to Lake 1 in May, I will be trying to catch my first 50. Watch this space!! But whatever happens I will have a good time. On all my trips I have come back with new friends and acquaintances, many who will be fishing with me on future trips.

If you are thinking about your first trip to the Dreamlakes, take some advice. Tackle up for big fish, take plenty of camera film and let the bailiffs advise you on the going methods. They know the lakes like the back of their hands, and they are there to make your trip enjoyable and successful. Be helpful to others and they in turn will be helpful to you in return. We have already booked the opening week for the 2003 season. Hope to see you there sometime.

Tight Lines.
Nick Axten-Rice

Top