Chertsey 2nd session

After my first session and blank on Chertsey I decided on a different approach. Both rods were to be rigged up with hinged stiff rigs on leadcore leaders with fluro pop ups. I arrived at the lake Friday around 2pm and made my way round the right bank. I decided to settle in a swim that overlooks M3 (lovely) . The topography in my swim was uniform and I was fishing in 5ft of gin clear water. I walked around and gathered some information from the syndicate members on where the carp were showing etc. I flicked out both rods feeling down the leads until I hit solid ground, this was followed by 20 trigga ice baits scattered into the ripples that the lead had left.

At around 7pm whilst looking out over the water for fish a carp rolled over my left hand rod. In anticipation I hovered my had over the rod expecting a take. 15 minutes later the it screamed off and I engaged th

e bait runner to have the horrible sensation of slack line. I was gutted to think I had missed out on my first elusive Chertsey carp. All I could put It down to was that the carp had been nicked in the mouth and the hook had pulled. Back the rod went on the same spot. During the night I had a take on my other rod which resulted in a bream of around 8lb (It even took my baitrunner!!!).

The next day dawned and I re-thought my tactics. It was a hot day and the carp were cruising around on top, a floater rod was quickly set up and my right rod reeled in. Whilst in the swim next door trying for a take on the surface my delkim screamed for help so dropping my tea I ran to my swim, engaged my baitrunner and was attached to my first Chertsey carp. The carp scrapped hard for the first part of the fight and then surrendered to my net. She didn't go in first time which caused a bit of panic but eventually she was mine. The fish was a common of around 22lb but the size wasn't what excited me (I and the other members estimated the weight as my scales had broken on a previous trip) . The carp was long, dark bronze with a heart shaped tale, an immaculate fish. I had trouble taking pics as all the other members were on the other side of the lake so I chanced some self shots. Luckily after cutting my head of on the self takes a member arrived and took some great pics (cheers mate). On only my second session I had bagged one of the elusive fish that swim in Chertsey. From what I had herd no other fish had been out that week so It was a right result. Common pic above left

The next night quickly went by with only a couple of liners. On the last day of my session Terry Hearn was back at the lake. He had a fully scaled mirror on his last trip and he congratulated me on my catch commenting on the low stock of carp the water held and what a great fish it was (top man). That was to be the second highlight that concluded my trip. Hopefully next time I write this I will have had a 30 + Tight Lines

1st Chertsey session

My ticket arrived for Chertsey on the 2nd April. I could not wait to get down there for my first session and was soon getting prepared. New leadcore leaders were attached to my mainline and some new rigs tied up. My bait for the spring would be Nutribaits trigga ice a favourite for when the weather warms up. The stock is still unknow as the lake has been closed for two years following maintenance works. The big mirror however was out on the second day of the season to a guy named Oz at 43lb 10oz. There are some big commons in the lake that should be pussing 40lb if not over. The lake also contains some specimen roach, tench, bream, crucian carp and rudd so there are many possibilities for a great catch. The river Bourne runs behind the lake an offers barbel to double figures, carp, roach and chub so as a whole the ticket offers everything. I settled in at the shallow bay end of the lake and fished with small 8mm fluro peach pop ups on chod rigs.

Right ( The River Bourne)

The night passed un-eventful but I managed to find out some information on the lake and had a good look around to familiarise myself with the new water. Just as it was getting dark a man walked into my swim who I instantly recognised as Terry Hearn. I am a big fan of Terry Hearn and have read both his books cover to cover (a few times). He has done so much in carp fishing and has caught some of the most elusive carp that swim in English waters. In the morning I reeled in the rods and walked to Terrys swim where I had a good chat with him about his book and possible target fish for the future. Hes a great bloke, I wish him all the best in his fishing and Im sure there are many more big fish to fall to his rods. So in summary no fish but a great session. I will be back down there in a week or two for a longer session.

Below (Me and Terry Hearn)