Long scaley twenty
Terry Hearn saw in the glorious 16th from his boat on the Thames last week and enjoyed some hectic action! Tel captured a sequence of excellent photos recounting the story over a couple of days of ‘boat life’.
‘Within minutes of my arrival the resident crows were hassling me to be fed. They’d learnt what the chap with the rucksack and the floppy hat was all about. I just hoped that the last months pre baiting had worked as well for the carp.
Spare a few for the crows, another kilo of freebies went in as soon as I arrived. The start of the season was still a few hours away and I wanted to watch the reaction. It was pretty instant…bubbling, the occasional roll…
Several rigs tied and ready to loop on. Simple snowmans, with loaded semi stiff and Cryogen Curve Shanx in either 4’s or 6’s. Hookbait wise I went for the faithful old Source, with one of my own homemade hot spice pop ups on top.
The old silver tea slave took a battering whilst wiling away the hours, but before long the hand struck midnight and it was time to cast out.
Three bream in the first half hour had me thinking it was going to be one of those nights, but then it happened, the sort of howling take that you know only a carp can be responsible for. The result, a common of 24lb less than an hour into the new season, that couldn’t be bad! Three more crossed the deck by dawn, two upper double commons, and a little mirror of no more than 4lb’s. Add in several bream and it’d been a night of no sleep, but I certainly wasn’t complaining.
Watching the tips as dawn breaks on the 16th June. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
The carp on this tidal stretch are well used to eating large food items. A few crustacean remains from it of the sack.
Opening night prize – 24lb common.
It never ended there, I fished the following three overnighters and got lucky enough to up the tally to twelve carp. Mainly doubles with one more lovely, long scaley twenty, all fresh from spawning. Let’s hope it continues!’