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IGFA Corporate
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For the past 18 months, I have been targeting the residents of Swan Lake, part of the Bluebell Lakes Complex, in Northamptonshire, near Peterborough.
Some of the 30s in this lake are stunning and my main goal was to catch as many of these as I could before, hopefully, getting the chance of two of the biggest residents: firstly, the ‘Z’ fish, which is a lovely mirror of around 45-50lb, and the ‘Creature’ at around 60lb.
To be honest, it was becoming quite difficult with the increasing popularity of the complex. Sometimes it has felt more like ‘combat fishing against other anglers’, rather than against the fish. Once I managed to block this out of my mind, I just got on with it and finally it all came together. |
This soon to be magical weekend actually started quite sour. On arrival at the swim that I had been concentrating on and putting a trickle of bait in, was taken, so I started off fishing with Zigs and wondering what to do. During the first afternoon, the angler who had bivvied up in ‘my’ swim had packed up to leave.
There had been very little visual activity in the area, however, I packed my rods up and made my way around to the other side of the lake.
After witnessing a few fish on the bank a little further up the lake and this swim being vacated, I decided to move behind the angler, having confidence that fish were in the area. Later, after a little lead around, found me fishing to a small clean area on a marginal slope on 12ft of water.
The rigs of my choice were short rigs utilising Fox’s Cortex Black Braid and size 8 SSC Arma Point Hooks. These were on a helicopter style set up, which has always proved a good hook hold for me in the past on Swan Lake.
Bait was fairly simple, starting off by introducing a couple of pints of maggots, sweetcorn and chopped Richworth Crab and Mussel Boilies.
A couple of days passed with no action, then Saturday afternoon, one of my bobbins picked up to the top of the rod and I was soon into my first fish. It immediately felt like a good fish. As I was trying to slip my waders on, the hook pulled and the fish was lost, very disheartening. A new rig and pop up was put on and placed back into the water, on my spot. About an hour passed before, once again, the bobbin rose up to the top of the rod. Upon inspection I didn’t believe what I was seeing - the tip was bent right round then I found myself playing and successfully landing the first fish of the session. It was a lovely little stockie weighing 19lb. I had to wait until Sunday afternoon before landing a cracking 38lb personal best common. |
 Normally, I would leave Sunday late afternoon, however, the buzz from catching this 30, left the time factor out of this equation. I just had this feeling there were more to come and work would have to do without me!
Monday morning soon came round and at 9am, the bobbin on my right hand rod picked up slowly – ‘Fish on’. Then, immediately after hitting the rod, my left hand, open water roamer rod, rattled off at an alarming rate. “Oh, not now!!” I said to myself. I hit this rod while still holding the first one with a fish on. It was unbelievable to have the two fish on at one time. Beginning to panic, I shouted to a friend of mine on the opposite bank to help and to bring a spare net. Within minutes there were a line of anglers behind me, all armed with spare nets. My pal picked up the other rod and kept the pressure on while I landed the first fish, then I continued to play and land the second one. A round of applause rang around the lake from those who came to help me. “Cheers, lads for everything”. These fish weighed in at 34lb 8oz for the common and a mirror at 28 lb 4oz. I was worn out, but put the rods back into the water and topped up the area with my spod mix. |
An hour later and Dave, the fishery manager, popped round for a cup of tea and a chat. While I was explaining about the chaos with the brace of fish caught earlier, my left hand rod’s bobbin rose up slowly again.
I’m straight on the rod and yet another fish on, but this one swam towards me for a little while, then, continued to run and kite in and out into the lake. While holding on to my spool, trying to slow her down, I knew this was a big fish. I had an idea this may be a catfish.
I commented to Dave that I could feel its head bumping so it had to be a carp. I suspected it was one of the big girls. Twenty minutes passed and a glimpse of a big mirror got me all excited. Dave, who was up on the bank with a better view called out: ‘It’s her, it’s The Creature”! I waded out as far as I could and slipped her into the net.
What a fish! She’s a gem and in perfect condition and at a weight of 64lb 8oz, stunning!
I cannot describe the feeling - overwhelming, magnificent, unforgettable. All these words seem too ordinary to verbally capture the moment.
I would tell any angler, who is prepared to put in the time, to try their hand at landing this beauty. The photos do not do her justice. She has to be the best looking big carp in the country.
Over the next two days, I caught a further 3 commons all over 30lbs.
How do I top this session?
1 x double
1 x 28lb 4oz mirror
5 x 30lb plus commons
1 x 64lb 2oz
Matt also used Fox FX1 rods and Stratos 12000 MAG reels. |
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Matt Ridley
