As we embark on 2016 I have decided to look back and reflect on my 2015 angling. As always I really wanted to find a special water and get my teeth stuck into it but with my work schedule I just couldn’t justify the cost of a ticket and therefore 2015 would be spent flicking between day ticket lakes and focusing on the BCAC competition.
Spring
My year started off with a blank which is never a good start! However after this I started to pick up a few early spring fish in March and April fishing pieces of red foam on zigs. This was one of the first times I had really experienced the benefit of ‘ringing the dinner bell’ and I found 5-10 spods over the top of the foam were essential to get a bite.
The unusually mild weather had the fish up on the surface earlier than usual and I enjoyed some fantastic short session floater fishing after work and caught some really nice chunky fish before it was off to a day ticket lake in Cambridge to work on my long range fishing.
Here I was really tested as distance fishing has never been my strong suit, however by persevering on this session I was able to catch a stunning brace of 30s fishing hinged stiff rigs over a heavily baited spot at range.
Summer
The summer was a really good period for me and I caught a lot of fish. First of all was a really enjoyable session filming my unique solid PVA bag method in Burghfield that resulting in a number of stunning 20lb fish. Stalking fish in the edge over little patches of maggot and hemp is my favourite way to fish!
Next up was our BCAC qualifier on Willow Park. Sticking with my solid PVA method we managed to win the event, catching double that of second place in the process and booking a place in the semi final.
From here I made my annual trip to The Quarry Fishery in Essex. A venue that has very quickly become a favourite of mine. Both the lake and fish are quintessentially British and even the new stockies are stunning. My solid PVA bags had been working well for me so I saw no need to change them. Fishing over a bed of particle I managed 7 fish in my two nights fishing including 2 originals, including this common which really was one of the highlights of my year.
Autumn
A 3rd place in the BCAC semi final meant our place was firmly booked in the final at Wraysbury 1!
But before that I had one of the most incredible session’s fishing back down in Cambridge. Once again fishing hinged stiffs at range over particle resulted in a 7 fish haul with no less than 6 fish over 30lb! An unbelievable session the likes of which I’m unlikely to experience again.
And so off to Wraysbury for the BCAC final. An amazing experience just to be a part of but coming out of the bag 13th out of 17 anglers we were always going to be up against it. Constant changes throughout the match paid off eventually but we were still only able to manage a 7th place finish.
Winter
Despite the unseasonably mild conditions we have encountered this winter I only made it out for a single session over the winter which resulted in a blank. So despite starting and finishing the year with a blank, 2015 was a varied and incredibly enjoyable year in my angling.
Game Changers
I am very stuck in my ways when it comes to my angling and it takes a lot for me to change but several items of tackle and bait have made a real difference to my fishing in 2015.
Firstly the ESP ready tied Short Chods as part of hinged stiff rigs have caught all of my 30lb plus fish this year. The consistency and size is far better than anything I could ever achieve tying them myself.
Secondly the ESP Ejector Lead clips have again played a crucial part in targeting big carp in weedy waters. Dropping the lead on the take is now guaranteed and this has undoubtedly enabled me to land more fish in and around some horrendous snags.
Finally with regards to bait the release of CarpParticles UK has definitely put more fish on the bank for me and there have been very few occasions where I haven’t used this bait in some form or another.
So, there we have the highlights of my 2015 season. I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year and tight lines and wet nets for 2016!