48 HOURS ON ORCHID LAKES

It's Wednesday ( 18. 3. 2015 ) and myself ( Matt ) and good friend ( Nick Rudge ) have organised a 48 hour session on the well established Orchid Lakes In Oxfordshire

The plan was to leave home Just after first light, But due to heavy fog the decision was made to sit tight until the fog lifted then hit the road and make the 1 hour 30 minute Journey from our homes here In the Midlands to Oxford

The fog lifted and the morning began overcast, Shortly after Lunchtime the overcast sky's departed and made way for blue sky's plenty of sunshine and highs of 12 degrees



We arrived at Orchid Lakes around mid afternoon and after parking up we made our way to the office where we met the staff at Orchid purchased our tickets and got some much needed advice which would hopefully help us with the session ahead


The lake was very busy for midweek their must of been at least 10 anglers present? The few swims that were still vacant were situated a small walk from the car park, One of them being ( Powelley ) a swim one of the bailiffs told us not to Ignore, He had done the previous night and he said that swim had a lot of fish holding up In It for most of the week

With that Information received we both set off to Investigate and choose our swims

NICK'S  SWIM  CHOICE

MATT'S  SWIM  CHOICE  

NICK  SETS  THE  TRAPS  

( Nick ) really liked the look of ( Powelley ) a swim that commanded a lot of water In the central area of the lake I was more than happy for ( Nick ) to Jump In It, I'd opted ( Matt ) for a swim a few yards down from 
( Nicks ) right called ( Chris S Bar ) everybody happy the set up began


Another piece of advice that was mentioned to us was regards bait, Small amounts were recommended certainly at this time of the year, The one thing that we both noticed was that every angler present on our first evening was either spoding or spombing for England


After a small debate our plan of attack was decided and we both opted for the single bait approach presented on chod rigs and hinge stiff rigs, ( Nick ) would begin with 12mm pop ups and I ( Matt ) 16mm pop ups, Hi Viz and washed out baits

RESULT

Whilst setting up and keeping one eye on the water ( Nick ) said he'd spotted numerous shows at around 50 / 60 yards? No guessing were all 3 rods were positioned


As the dusk fell and the evening settled we began to think about tea which this evening would be thanks to the local Indian takeaway, We have fished In Oxford before and we have never experienced a bad takeaway yet this one was no different delicious


After we consumed our food drank coffee and talked Carp fishing around 9.45pm we both decided to retreat to our swims and settle In for the night


No sooner had ( Nick ) returned I had a missed call on my mobile from him, Being honest I thought he had rang by mistake? But when I returned his call the response I got was '' MATT I'M IN ''


I was around to assist ( Nick ) In a flash, His middle rod was the rod In ( Nicks ) hand and what was on the end felt decent he said, Their was a light carpet of weed covering the lake bed and what ( Nick ) was attached to did It's best to find as much of It as It could


With gentle side strain a short battle was experienced and before we knew It ( Nicks ) prize was In the net

Another piece of advice we were given by the staff at Orchid was the weighing of fish, Any capture over 30lb was to be reported regardless what time the capture took place? Weighing In a retainer sling Is fine but when retained whilst waiting for the staff to attend your swim to do their own pictures all fish must remain In your net and not be left unattended sensible advice!


We weighed ( Nicks ) fish 4 times and 4 times the scales swung around to 35lb 2oz what a result! 

A new UK PB as well good angling ( Nick ) and congratulations I'm delighted for you and I'm so glad I was able to share the moment with you!

NEW  UK  PB

( Nick ) as you can well Imagine went to bed that evening on cloud 9 a great moment !


The rest of the evening was quiet and at first light we were both up and about and ready for the day ahead

MATT'S  SWIM 

I ( Matt ) re spotted all 3 rods around 10.00 am enjoyed a lovely diablo toasted sandwich for breakfast then sat back water watching for signs of Carp


Smack on 11.50 am the left hand rod on my 2 rod set up screamed off I lifted up the rod and for a short spell I did feel some resistance but that was short lived ping the line cut and I lost the lot, I have got a confident feeling that the many mussels on the lake bed was the culprit '' GUTTED ''

MUSSELS

Rod back out and time to crack on very disappointing but that's Carp fishing!

WATCHING  THAT  WATER  

Back In ( Nicks ) swim he was working hard again to make something else happen, The shows which ( Nick ) was experiencing Wednesday evening had all but gone but he continues to watch that water and scan the area In front of him

NICK  RE SPOTTING 

Thursday night was a bitterly cold night It must be said and by 8.00 pm we both settled In early for the night ahead adding a few more layers to keep warm


Not surprisingly the night passed uneventful compared to Wednesday evening / night the temperature had rapidly dropped which we are pretty sure had a big factor on our angling, Friday came around and the conditions had rapidly Improved typical as we were pulling off at Lunchtime possible highs of 14 degrees as numerous weekend anglers told me ( Matt )  who dropped In to my swim told me whilst asking what time I was pulling off?

By 11.00 am we were already for the off, Conclusion a fantastic venue, Friendly helpful staff on hand and a really nice relaxed feeling around the lake

Thanks to all who have read our latest blog

As always Tight Lines and Happy Angling
                                                                                                Matt

VIDEO SUPPLEMENTS

Part  1.

Part  2.