Hi all well first things first yet another apology , for all my plans to do updates its all fallen apart .
This update was planned over a week ago but on trying to turn my laptop on I discovered it was dead and had to source a decent refurbed one .I was told by the wife that the proviso for splashing cash on this was I had to do more blogging so after this quick catch up I will lay out my plans for the future .
Where to start , well so much has happened in the last 2 years that I couldn't cover it all so will just skim the big bits , again I'm afraid there wont be many pictures on this one .
The biggest thing that's happened and it is very sad news that my beloved little dog Dizzy has left us . in the last few months of her life she had several issues due to doggie dementia , her arthritis and to cap it all she started suffering from severe kidney issues , we put her on a special diet which she hated and so we took the decision to let her have what she wanted and enjoy her last times .On the 4th of august 2024 after a terrible night with her , where at the end she crawled up my chest and looked it my eyes I could tell she was ready to leave us .Holding her in the vets while they injected her is the worse experience of my life . Both me and my wife were heart broken and were in floods of tears for weeks and even typing this is bringing it all back . it was the hardest and easiest decision ever , a week later we had to pick up her ashes and that was even worse , she is sat in a special box with her favourite toy sat on it looking at me . 14 year old rescue who changed our lives and gave us so many happy memories .
We decided we would not even consider having another until I retire and even then would take something special , well best laid plans and all that in April 2025 we spotted a rescue online at a local rescue center , I didn't feel anywhere near ready to have another but we decided to at least meet him , well he was a totally different character to Dizzy but he seemed ok so asked for another meeting at our home , well he came running into the room , went straight to the table with Dizzy's ashes on and put his paws on the table sniffed the box which scared me death but he just dropped straight back down and came and sat and looked at me , sounds crazy but it felt like a sign and so he is now part of the house hold , he is a mixed breed rescue from Spain and we have named him Eddie , he has had a few issues and is a work in progress but he is settling down with just a few wrinkles to sort out . Fishing was a bit hit and miss with him but something we have adjusted to but more of that in a moment .So I give you Eddie or as I call him quite a lot knobhead .
So fishing , well its been up and down emotion wise . Had a good year in 2024 landing 79 carp including another 21lb leather and multiple 19's and 18's but also noticed alot more smaller fish appearing , also had some serious issues with a couple of new members who were only 14 years old , one of them was abusive and aggressive to a number of senior members including me , he came close getting a slap on more than one occasion plus him and his friends made loads of noise let massive amounts of litter . The attitude of those in charge was that they couldnt do anything as they were minors , these was the beginning of multiple problems not just from them but from other new members . 2025 was a poorer year for me , a mix of not focusing and letting things around me on the lake affect me resulted in reduced catches , this wasnt helped by changing my bait , which I then changed back , more issues began to affect things in the shape of dodgy rigs , people fishing out of bounds , multiple fish trailing rigs and rigs left hanging in the trees , the only bailiff who only got down for a couple of hours twice a week in the afternoon was a bit powerless , we also had issues with people turning up after dark and suspect that fish thefts were in progress . Me and another member were asked if we would help out checking tickets , checking rigs and generally keeping an eye out , well it started off well enough a few dodgy rigs were found on inspection and most accepted the advice , however there was a coupe who didnt and it came to a head with the other guy when he was almost pushed into the lake , the guy was banned , his fishing partner wasnt happy . my own watershed was the first week of July , I was alone on the lake with Eddie who once he is in his crate for the night never moved even if I had a fish , well 4.15am in the morning he went mental and when I checked outside found a bloke with a head torch on walking round , when I told him he wasnt allowed on til daylight when the gate was open , following load of abuse and lies from him he disappeared and the next thing I know he is setting up just down from me and started doing a video . As soon as it was light enough I contacted the main bailiff for advice and also took the decision to cut my session short and began packing up , when the bailiff arrived he asked me to go round with him to speak to him . After he called me a liar 4 times I gave him some free advice , the bailiff told him he had broke 5 rules plus some of his tackle was illegal and told he had to leave and was banned , he wasnt happy and claimed to know the owner and was going to speak to him , he was advised not to and me and the bailiff went to report the incident , the owner agreed with the action taken and it was left at that . A week later I arrived for another session and a couple of hours after I had set up the owner came round and after a quick catch up he told the guy from the previous week and rug him and given his version and he was to be allowed back on , when I questioned this he said it was my word against the bloke , I asked if he thought I was lying and he refused to answer , I said it wasnt very good not backing your bailiffs to which he replied who said you were a bailiff you are just a punter !!!! After 3 years on there keeping an eye out and supposedly be classed as good friend it was like a slap in the face , on speaking to the other guy he told me he had been told virtually the same and that they didnt want people banning as they want the money , so the question asked was why have rules if you aint enforcing them . I left and other than a few hours fishing for roach I have not been back yet and no one has been in touch and asked why .
So what next ? well I decided to do some early morning surf fishing luring for bass , big learning curve I managed 3 on 3 sessions but nothing bigger than a 35cm one but enjoyed it . Unfortunately times when I could get out after the first 3 sessions coincided with a mixture of wrong tides and mental storm conditions , which I suspect someone with more experience might have done better but I will be keeping at it come spring , including a few wanders looking for spots .
So to bring it up to date have had a couple of sessions on a new place but only days , the first was a blank and was told its a hard venue , its 1 acre and currently has 67 carp in it including 20 new fish that have replaced the ones that the otters killed before the fence was put up , my 2nd trip resulted in one of the stockies at 14.10 .
So where am I right now ? well I have a choice of 3 possible places , the one in the last bit , ticket starts in April but only has limited places , another place that as of yet I have seen that again starts in April and you have to meet the owner first to see if you are going to fit in , the downside to this one is you cant do nights on your first year and my final choice is to bite the bullet and go back to original venue and after speaking to my wife , she told me that wherever I end then I just go fish and dont get involved in anything .
So the new blog system I have planned is at least a fortnightly update even if its just an explanation of what I have been upto or even reviews of tackle or books .
So til next time stay safe everyone
