Although Spring is one of my favourite times of year to go fishing. I have been bogged down with family, work and other commitments which have prevented me from being able to take full advantage of the early warm weather and excellent fishing conditions.

So when my good friend Steve Sharp popped over for an afternoon coffee and catch up. He mentioned fishing a short guest session one afternoon on the Great Linford lakes, Parc farm one lake and I jumped at the opportunity.

The weather looked good as Steve and I made our shot journey to Linford. The sun was warm and there was very little wind. From past trips these conditions often suited the Parc Farm lake, for a spot of surface fishing. I’d often took advantage of short sessions during my time as a member and Steve and I fancied our chances of bagging a couple.

Our expectations were heightened once we arrived and saw a large number of carp just under the water’s surface. We wasted little time succouring the pegs closest to the area and I sprayed a few pouches of mixers over the water’s surface. The roach were on them instantly, which was a good sign. The roach activity often draws the carp into the area and so it proved to be as a number of leathery lips were soon slurping at the CCMoore Floating Trout Pellets.

Steve already had his rods set up and was soon fishing 2 zig rigs beneath the floaters. I however wanted to present my rigs just underneath the floaters so it took me slightly longer to get set up.

My Rig- I used back and yellow foam hook-baits, a size 10 mixa hook, 5ft of 8lb kruiser control line which I connected to a hybrid lead clip and matching tail rubber and a 1oz pear lead

Once I had finally cast my second rod out, the weather took a turn and rain droplets began to fall from the sky. Although the rain was only light, it was still enough to affect the carps feeding. The wind had also picked up and once the rain had halted the floaters had drifted towards the next swim. Steve opted to move into the next swim as I had a couple of fish that had begun feeding over my zigs and Steve had nothing over his.

It turned out to be a good move as the fish that were in my area were soon following the floaters into Steve’s area and he was quickly setting up a free line floater set up. The floaters had drifted into Steve’s margin and the carp were feeding literally under Steve’s rod tips on occasions.

Steve managed a very quick bite when he first cast his pre-soaked free-lined mixers out. Sadly he missed the opportunity, however his re-cast presented him with a second opportunity and he made no mistake this time.

After a good scrap Steve had a nice 14lb 14oz mirror in his hands for a trophy shot or two and it was nice to have one in the bag.

Shortly after and the rain started up again. Although I persisted with the zigs, Steve opted to cast out a bottom bait rig. He baited it with a couple of grains of fake corn. Steve regularly fishes the swim, he was currently occupying and he cast his bottom bait rig onto an area he often gets bites from. It wasn’t long after he’d set his bobbins and Steve was bent into his second fish of the session. This time it was a smaller fish of 9lb but it was still very much welcome.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the fishing was pretty productive at this point, however with the constant weather changes and the wind levels also all over the place. It was a real struggle to get anything going and the fish had all but vanished from over my zigs. So I decided to relocate to the swim the other side of Steve.

Once I arrived in the swim next to Steve, I saw a number of fish patrolling the margin line. Literally yards from the bank. They were slurping up the floaters that had drifted down very confidently. I knew if I could get my zig depths right and in the water with minimal disturbance, then I would surely catch.

The depth in the margins was 2.5ft deep, so I quickly altered my zig depths accordingly and cast both rods into an area where the majority of the carp were feeding. Thankfully my small 1oz leads plopped in; right on the money and I hadn’t disturbed the feeding.

I stood back and watched as the carp continued to feed on the floaters, drifting backwards and forwards along my margin line. Suddenly my right hand delkim let out a beep and there was a big swirl over my zigs. The bobbin went up and down as the carp tried to shake the hook, but I was quickly on the rod and struck to set the size 10 mixa.

The carp did everything it could to get me into the reed-bed, but even with the light hook-link and small size hook, I was able to apply enough force to win the battle and I was rewarded with a 15lb 08oz mirror.

Amazingly the carp remained in the margins so I re-cast the rod out and scattered some more floaters up my margin to keep them picking and feeding.

It wasn’t long before a number of fish were feeding on floaters directly over my right hand rod and my delkim burst into life once again.

This time the carp was hell-bent on getting my into a tree snag on my right hand margin, but again I was able to prevent this with strong side strain and a dump 13lb 08oz mirror was soon sulking in my net.

Although Steve and I continued to work hard and Steve even moved swims for a second time. Sadly however we couldn’t manage any further results, but we were both happy with 2 fish each for just 4hrs fishing, particularity with the changing weather conditions.

A few days later I managed to get out for my first session on my club water. It’s a water I have fished for a number of years now. It’s local and convenient for over night sessions, a good water and it’s a good opportunity to catch up with friends Gareth, Chris and David.

I had taken the opportunity to pre bait 2kg of Livesystem boilies after football on the Saturday, and this made myself and Gareth confident when we arrived the following day.

The weed wasn’t to bad, so I opted to fish 3 naked chod rigs over a scattering of boilies and Gareth took the time to lead around and locate a couple of clear silt areas to place his baits. We were on the end of a strong South westerly wind and although we remained optimistic about our chances we were still to see any signs of fish.

Gareth and I unfortunately didn’t manage anything from our first session on the club water, However we were both happy to be out for the first session of the year