HOME POOL

It's Friday 29th May 2015 and myself ( Matt ) and good friend and angling companion ( Marc ) are hitting the road once again on another angling adventure we are heading to the Cotswolds and Home Pool


Were not heading to France this year and with ( Marc ) celebrating his birthday this week the decision was made back In March to book Home Pool up on an exclusive basis for our annual get away and as an added treat for ( Marc's ) birthday


Home Pool this famous little lake used to be home to a very famous Carp and one which was a household name with Carp anglers  that Carp Is of course called Blackeye, Anglers from all over the country have tried to out wit this fish many have succeeded and many have failed the most recent of anglers to of been lucky to capture this amazing creature was Terry Hearn before It sadly died In 2013 

TERRY  HEARN  AND  BLACKEYE  

Right then on with the session we planned to leave our homes here In the Midlands around 10.00 am and had arranged to meet owner David Ayres at Midday but we did not get away roughly until 10.40 am due to a severe weather front and torrential rain, We loaded up the van and sat patiently until It finally passed us by then we were both on our way


The Journey It has to be said was a very pleasant one and we arrived at Chad Lakes around 12.10 pm were David was ready and waiting for our arrival, David gave us the full SP of the fishery which being honest with you did not take long to address then he left us both to explore this wonderful little lake 


We were In no rush to get started and we spent a lot of the afternoon dodging plenty of heavy showers, We had an Idea location would not be that hard to achieve with the venue being very small and we were right on our first lap of the lake we spotted a group of fish 

FOUND  THEM

By late afternoon we had both decided on Two swims to kick off our session ( Marc ) would begin In the Shed swim and me ( Matt ) I began a little further up the bank In Bamboo 

SWIM  CHOICE  

One thing David did point out regards the Shed swim was the distinctive gravel bar that ran through It, With the early evening sunshine beaming through the tree line spotting the bar was easy and ( Marc ) placed on It a naked chod rig followed by a small amount of free offerings


What happened next was Incredible I ( Matt ) hadn't even got a rod In the water yet as I was In the Shed tying up fresh rigs for the session ahead when suddenly I heard Just a few bleeps and then a full blooded take ( Marc ) was In


Within seconds the fish was on the surface and almost ready for netting, I was on hand to assist with the netting In a flash what appeared In the crystal clear water looked massive and then It happened the fish took a large gulp of air and It was In the bag '' WOW ''


I looked at ( Marc ) he looked at me we were both speechless, On the second Inspection It was clear to see what ( Marc ) had gone and caught which was Home Pools Two tone Mirror

HOME  POOLS  TWO  TONE  MIRROR 

Their was not a mark or a blemish on this fish It was simply stunning, After popping It on the scales Three times and taking away the weight of the sling we settled on a weight of 35lb 10oz which Is now a new UK PB for ( Marc )


We popped her In the margins and got straight on the phone to David for him to come and take a look also

MARC  TELLING  DAVID  THE  GOOD  NEWS

Here's the other side of this wonderful creature 

I'm delighted for ( Marc ) good angling mate !

THE  OTHER  SIDE  OF  TWO  TONE  

After finally getting all our rods out and ( Marc ) composing himself after all the early excitement we enjoyed an evening meal and retired for the evening


As soon as first light broke we were both up early and water watching after experiencing a very quiet night

EARLY  BIRDS

We took a good look through the catch reports from years gone by on Friday evening and an early morning bite can be common so all Three rods were left In place until at least 10.00 am

By midday the sun was out and signs of Carp more so In front of me ( Matt ) than ( Marc ) could be seen this one pictured below was spotted more than once In various areas of the lake during the session

THE  CARROT  

Fishing chod rigs like ( Marc ) the decision was made early afternoon to replace one with a zig, With so many Carp moving around In the area In front of me I'd be a fool not to stick one out In the hope that one slips up on this tactic?


To complement the zig I'd be using the riser pellet from Nash keeping plenty going In little but often

RISER  PELLET

I ( Matt ) worked very hard that afternoon trying my best to get something going on the riser pellet but my efforts fell short these Carp In front of me were simply not Interested


I took a break late afternoon and enjoyed a snack and some coffee whilst listening to the FA cup final on the radio, My thoughts returned after the football back to the session ahead and I returned back to the chod rig on all Three rods


Fishing Two rods over my ( CM2 ) bottom baits and complementary pop ups and the Third rod of a mixture of ( 4G Squid ) and ( Key ) bottom baits presenting a ( Key ) fluro pop up over the top

4G  SQUID  AND  THE  KEY

Rods back out and myself and ( Marc ) enjoyed our evening on this stunning little lake, Around tea time 
( Marc ) spotted large numbers of Carp to his right In the shallow / out of bounds area of the lake which was also heavily weeded up

These Carp were present In this area right up until darkness and were still there when we awoke Sunday morning, They were pairing up and to me ( Matt ) had the classic signs of pre spawning? David popped In on us later Sunday morning and his thoughts were the same as mine '' I think they are consuming energy '' he said?   Spawning Is tireless work?


Their they stayed for the duration of our stay I'm pretty sure If this weather changes and the temperature Increases? They will go on to spawn!


Before we departed their was only one thing left to do, That was for ( Marc ) to add his name and catch report to the famous book of catch reports which lives In the shed

THE  BOOK  OF   FAME

A session ( Marc ) will never forget I'm sure, For me ( Matt ) I knew It was never going to be easy It's a small lake but these Home Pool Carp are no push over

I'm delighted for ( Marc ) and I'm so happy I was able to see such a stunning and historical Carp on the bank

Until the next blog thanks for reading Tight Lines and Happy Angling
                                                                                                                                                              Matt

VIDEO  SUPPLEMENT 

Part 1.

Part 2