I'm definitely on a roll. You could slap me with butter and serve with soup. You COULD but, even though it's the weekend, I honestly wouldn't bother.
For the second day running, a day's fishing started well the day before. Whilst I was out celebrating the end of the river season, er indoors had been shopping and played a blinder.
Some while ago, I mentioned in Tesco's that I really should try their bacon lardons (small cubes of bacon to the cuisinically challenged of the parish) but didn't get any at the time.
Whilst in Aldi, she'd found some which looked like special forces soldiers compared to Tesco's traffic wardens.
After mentioning them last night, they went from fridge to pan to bait box at lightning speed and this morning were the first thing placed in ye olde ruck bag.
My usual Commercial haunt was graced with my presence this morning and the usual set up of pole , Preston Tyson float and 8lb main to a Middy 14 on 6.6lb hooklength.
On arrival, I could see my favourite swim (the one with the electric fence behind it) was free so I set up there and potted in a mix of the bacon, red maggot, 4mm cubed Spam, 4mm halibut feed pellets and chilli hemp.
Now, I don't know if bacon really is a superbait, whether it was just my confidence or just pure coincidence but the 6mm spam baited float vanished in an instant and a plucky mirror around a pound and a half soon graced me with its presence.
It felt, call it a hunch, like the fish were waking up a little and that I could risk potting in a bit more pudding without too much risk so I cattied in small helpings every now and again.
Back out convinced me there must be quite a few fish in front of me as the liners, knocks and the like were increasing but nothing solid to hit - yet, I hoped.
Again, a definite plunge and the elastic was well tested. A real solid lump for a second fish, had to be a carp I reasoned and, of course, twas ever thus. A heavily marked specimen around 8lbs was a nice reward for the day's second fish.
Pouring coffee, I kept the top four in my right hand whilst sending a message to thank one of the nicest people on here when a sudden case of attempted dislocated shoulder kicked in. Dropping my phone into the mix of hemp et al, the culprit set off and I had to add the rest of the pole to keep up. At 5lbs, it wasn't the biggest carp in the lake but it was all heart and fought like a scalded rhino.
Finishing my message, I went back out to the island at 13m or so with two 4mm Spam on. A skimmer around the pound mark was first to pick up, followed by a mirror maybe half a pound heavier. A sequence of carp between one and five pounds followed (only one around five, the majority two to three) punctuated by a solitary skimmer, maybe twelve ounces this time.
Although the Spam was feeding well (always does, it's a real meat water this one), I thought I'd switch to a single grain of corn as it can sometimes switch the roach and bream on. A single grain of banana flavoured went out and the first take was......another carp, circa 2lbs.
That was really the story of the day. Carp, the odd skimmer, the very odd roach but no barbel today, alas. The day's delights weren't finished however as a single grain produced an absolutely mint conditioned roach of 12oz or so. Not massive I know but in that condition, just perfect.
About four hours in and, for me, my real prize arrived - again to banana corn. A tench a shade over 2lbs. Big smile. I never do any good against tench. Couldn't be anything other than pleased with that.
A few more carp and then a rudd to match the earlier roach, around 12oz and beautiful to behold.
A six hour stint was about right today so with ninety minutes left, I decided to go back on the meat - a 6mm cube.
A handful of small carp followed with one a tiny little fellow (or lassie) around 4oz. I don't know why but it made me smile, truly.
So there it was. I wanted to get home for the England - Wales game as er indoors predicted a slap fest and blood bath. With maybe some rugby thrown in.
So, my bacon lardons had gone down well and I'd had two days enjoyable fishing back to back. Life is good. As they say in Ireland, I had known the days (and thoroughly enjoyed them).
After getting home, the sucker punch was waiting but it carried no sting. She wanted to change out a perfectly serviceable vacuum cleaner for another one, simply because the new one was green and looked nice. It was on offer so I gave in without protest - in the hope that, like Pavlov's dog, sending me fishing might bring good results. I can only hope.
Anyway, England won a finally close game so a nice cherry on the cake of a weekend. Hope yours was as good.
