So having finished work very late and the long drive up to Baden Hall fishery in readiness for my qualifier in the British Carp Angling Championship.
Having been pulled over by the police, apparently you cant drive without a tail and head light, I arrived a little later than I thought and the gate was locked. There was nothing for it a few hours kip in the car, that was easier said than done as I was egar to get down to the lake and have a walk around. Morning broke and with the gate unlocked I shot off for a good walk around the lake with my partner Stuart. We jotted down a few likely looking swims that we fancied then it was back up to the club house for the all important draw. With coffee in hand we both wished to come out early in the draw but the carp gods wasn’t on our side as we came out last in the draw and ended up in peg 13 was this an omen.
All the kit was set up and we waited for the hooter to sound to signal to bait up, once that was over the final hooter went off to all competitors to cast out here we go!!!!! With us fishing two rods apiece I fished zigs and Stuart fished the bottom to see where the fish were hanging out. I spombed out a few maggots in attipatiantion for fishing the bottom later than evening. The afternoon was uneventful for all anglers around the lake so with grub eatten we settled down for the evening. At Baden Hall they got lush log cabins so no need to even set up my bivvy plus you can drive and park behind your swim…Wicked!!!!

Well nothing but a good nights sleep for both of us, nothing really happened although a pair did catch which put all the other anglers on edge especially me. After a spot of breakfast it was time for a rethink, as nothing we presented seem to get the carps interest. So I decided on a lot of bait as everyone was trickling bait in so out came the spomb and a gallon of maggots was delivered to the spot. Rods repositioned and the kettle on my confidece was sky high. However once again the carp did not play ball and the afternoon was uneventful what have I got to do to catch a carp.

And there goes the final hooter Gutted!!!! With no fish caught by me or Stuart it was a complete disaster for the both of us, however there was a complete switch over by early morning with two others coming from nowhere to push into second awesome angling by them. So with the gear loaded up in the car time to shoot of home for some female company. But where to go next do i continue my search for the big plated or something new????