BEARS LAKE THE OPENING SESSION

You know when you have One of those days, When every thing goes wrong and the stress levels sore, Well Saturday ( 24. 3 . 12 ) was One of those days

An early start was planned with arrival at the lake expected around 8.00 AM  when getting up Saturday morning I discovered that visibility  was very poor due to thick fog to make matters even worse a serious accident had been reported to have taken place on the M5 between Junctions 3 And 4

Which Is only a few minutes away from me the accident was very serious Indeed resulting In the motorway being closed so sitting tight was all me and fishing buddy ( Nick Rudge ) could do until the fog lifted

At last It did and we managed to get the Jeep loaded up and on the road to our destination not long Into our Journey and yet more bad luck the Jeep was making a right noise and struggling to maintain any power after pulling over we both tried to resolve the problem but couldn't cutting a long story short One of the callipers had stuck on the rear wheel

U turn and we were heading home we both started to think that something was trying to tell us not to go angling this weekend defeat was never an option though so not long after arriving back at home we unloaded the Jeep Into another vehicle and we were off again

Finally we had arrived  It was 6.30 pm by now  and we were greeted by fishery manager
​( Paul Richardson ) after a brief chat myself and ( Nick ) opted  to set up camp on the road side of the lake Which Is only a short walk from the car park by 8.00 pm we were both set up and fishing                                                           

BADGERS  SWIM

The left and right hand rods were fished In the margins near over hanging trees using the ever faithful
( Fizz ) bottom baits and ( Appretite ) pop ups rigged up snowman style  I also chopped up a few boilies and peppered  them around both hook baits the middle rod was fished around 60 Yards Into open water hinged stiff rig was the rig choice for this rod using a bait which Is on It’s first outing It’s that new It has not even got a name yet

 The lake has a slight carpet of silt In It so after tweeking the pop up bait and getting It to slowly sink when cast to the chosen spot It will sit perfectly on top of the weed also on this rod I'd chosen to use the single hook bait approach I’m a big fan of this!

All rods out time to sit back and see what Saturday night brings?

Sunday morning had arrived and after a cool and damp night the night session had resulted for me
( Matt )  In a blank saying this I did experience plenty of bleeps through out the night on all of my rods liners? More so on the margin rods ( Nick ) was In the next swim to me on my right so time to get up and pay him a visit to see how his first night had gone? 

 I’d Just got to his swim and Mr Rudge was pulling out  A Carp sack from his margin 
( result mate? ) answer ( ” YES ” ) ( Nick ) explained he’d had a screamer of a run on his right hand rod which was fished In a marginal area pretty much the same as mine this all took place around 5.30 am and after a lively battle he slipped the net under his first Bears Lake Carp  It was very misty In the early hours he said so he sacked the fish up to get better quality stills In the morning


I must add we both have had permission to do this from ( Paul ) always check the Rules or ask the owner even more so If your fishing a new water for the first time!

NICKS  FIRST  BEARS  LAKE  CAPTURE

I think all of you reading this would have to agree that Is a lovely looking Carp I must mention that the water clarity at Bears Lake Is excellent, And I think this Is a major factor In the Reason why all It’s residents look like this top result mate!

After consuming a delicious fried breakfast I soon switched my attention back to the Job at hand and that was trying to catch my first Bears Lake Carp

I didn’t change anything  much really leaving the left and right hand rods on the margin spots and the middle rod also on the same spot, But this time adding a few free offerings with the use of my Cobra throwing stick over my middle rod I sprayed 30 / 40 ( Fizz ) bottoms baits around my hinged stiff rig

The sun was high In the sky and after a cool start the temperature was rapidly Increasing, Scanning the water for signs of activity like I always do I spotted the odd patch of bubbles on the surface and even the odd show this always gives me  boost In confidence especially In late March

It's around 2.00pm  now and again I'm thinking of my stomach the old current bun Is still doing It's bit and the air temperature Is very pleasant Indeed now I was Just thinking of doing myself a nice bank side snack when bleep bleep bleeeeeeeeeep the delkim receiver lit up like a Christmas Tree I’m away on my right hand rod after a few strides I’m on It and I’m In!

What a fight fishing close In things were fast and furious but with the help of ( Nick ) my first Bears Lake capture Is over the net cord and In the bag!

AN  ABSOLUTE  STUNNER

I’m delighted to say the least the colours and condition of my prize were Just like ( Nick's  ) capture excellent

These fish In my opinion haven’t been caught many times, Like all captures It was checked over antiseptic used on the mouth / hook hold and returned back to It’s watery home

The weather stayed the same for the remainder of the day and with British summer time now beginning and clocks changing day light was still upon us come 8.00pm  I popped around to speak to ( Paul ) must of been around 7.00pm he was fishing opposite me on the other side of the lake

after a lengthly chat we both agreed It looked good for another bite and we both wondered what the night would bring? Tea finished around 8.30pm and come 9.00pm I was back In my bag I felt shattered must be all the fresh air and excitement of catching my first Bears Lake Carp?  After such a lovely day the temperature dropped considerably and we had another visitor on the lake    (JACK FROST)

 After a bite less night I was up at first light and was greeted to this

IT'S  FROSTY

I was quite surprised to say the least how much the temperature had dropped on the Saturday night  
​ ( Paul  ) who was doing the Sunday night also said to me via text message It was that cold Sunday night the water In his kettle froze 

 After a slow pack away we were both ready to hit the road again for home around midday 

READY  FOR  HOME

Myself and ( Nick ) really enjoyed our first session on Bears Lake and have another One planned very soon

Until the next blog Tight Lines and Happy Angling
                                                                                         Matt

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