When I reach home from my fishing sessions I’m already preparing for the next one. I always make a habit of collecting water from the lake before I leave which I will use to prepare Hemp or wash out boillies for my next session When I get home I start soaking the amount I of hemp I need in the lake water for 24hrs I also boil it using the same water, I use a Catering urn there ideal for boiling particles. Then once it’s ready I bag it and freeze it. I’m going back to Farnham Flint The wife’s off to Spain for a few days so I couldn’t resist getting a 48hr session in. Almost a two hour drive and although it’s a simple straight run through that M4 is a boring old drive, but once I see that J12 sign for Reading/Theale I’m wide eyed and buzzing with excitement. As I pull into the car park there’s not a car in sight and by the time I start walking the first half of the lake I haven’t seen a single angler or fish, it’s not until I reach the furthest part that I spot the top of a Titan but it hasn’t long got light so I don’t disturb him. I start my walk back but still see now signs of fish. The forecast is dry with plenty of cloud cover all weekend sounds spot on !

I spend a bit of time watching the water but the fish don’t seem to be giving themselves away so decide to get the gear out the boot and at least get my rods in the water. By the afternoon the cloud has moved off and the sun is out “so much for the weather forecast” lol I set up camp and start spombing some bait out, the hemp I mentioned earlier which I defrosted the day before and I’ve added chopped and whole Red Ball boillies. I’m fishing as close to a weed bed as I possibly can on top of very light silk/blanket weed at 64 yards. I’ve had a few casts and I’m getting a light donk then when I’ve wound in there’s only a little weed on the lead each time so I’m happy to fish over it, I think the dark colour of the hemp looks really inviting over that type of weed because of its bright green colour. All rods set time to feed the dog and chill with a cuppa. Not long before dark I notice one or two anglers checking out some swims and by time they’ve started setting up I’m tucking into my wife’s home made curry by time I’ve wolfed that down stretched out on the bed chair both me and Kiki are ready for a kip.

It’s not until just after 6am the next morning I start to get a few liners,the takes I’ve been having from here are screamers and by 6.30 one of the delks reminds me of that and I’m into a fish, as before the fish manages to find weed but after a good fight it’s in the net. I leave the fish to recover whilst I get the camera mounted ready for a self-take, easier this time because it’s just got light, not as big as the few before at 21lb but welcome none the less, a very healthy looking common.

That day goes pretty much the same as the one before but this time I’ve got two zigs out but no joy with those either. With the fish not really showing I’m thinking early next morning could be my next chance again. And I did start to get liners early hours but nothing came of it, it’s soon time for the long drive back to cardiff but at least ive saved a blank and had the only fish out all weekend. Already looking forward to my next session. J.Massay