Spring is bleak I thought as I dragged myself out of bed this morning.Painful, really painful at 6am. It was cold, dam cold, the skies were blue but the wind was a blowing! Arrived at Portland 8am already busy with the pleasure crew, no sign of the match boys. Room on any of the 4 lakes as they allow pleasure anglers on any free pegs. After a wander round taking advice, decided to fish away from everyone else. Wise move? they have the knowledge? they know where the fish are? So fish on your own - miles away almost in another county. Set up at Peg 26 on the canal lake. Some monkys set up but even they left after 30 mins. Very silimar to Lakeview but 15 metres to the other side. Fished the other side with corn. Wind was a rising! Fish on second put in - barbel 2lb. I thought here we go. Yes another one on but bumped it and then another again bumped. And the North wind did blow. Away went the pole quite literally and hello method feeder. Not worth a second break - and the North Wind did blow!
Well I had the space - so as long as I cast right or left? Nothing, not a touch, zero confidence in set up - method bolox. Then went for good old cage feeder, tail and corn. Barbel, carp, carp, barbel followed ended with 15 fish between 1lb and 3lb. Place appears rammed plenty topping in area I was casting to and where the match won yesterday with 119lb. Spoke to lady owner who said that 100lb+ regularly wins the match on canal, 60lb had won on larger lake yesterday. All get big weights, 5th lake will open in summer mainly with chub plus small carp, barbel etc. Lady owners said they are trying to keep the match weights high as it attarcts people in and they need to be 100lb+.
Enjoyed the session, wind and subsequent red face. Loads of potential here. Spoke to people all very positive. All catching, saw fish coming out as I left. Just needs some sun and no North wind! Happy with 30lb of fish! Will defo go in a few weeks where else could we get 15 fish in these temperatures fishing on a canal lake with a feeder?
