2 September, 2024 | Carp | Angler Blogs | Articles

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Ian Russell’s Diary August 2024: The Little Club Lake

All the fishing action from Ian Russell’s busy schedule in August – including a productive campaign on his little club lake…

Ian says…

First and foremost, I kickstarted August with a fantastic week’s holiday for myself and Debs with friends Matty and Lisa in Gran Canaria.

Carp fishing is a funny old thing and whilst waiting for our flight, quite a few lads came over for a chat about carping and obviously where they were off too on their family holidays.

Our own holiday was awesome and a much needed break was had. The day before home was calling, we were on the beach and too show what a small world it is, I bumped into a good mate of mine in the enormous shape of Ryan Needs who was out there with his family.

But alas,  home time had arrived and back to the working world I went.

On my way to an overnight trip on a Little Club Lake, I popped into Frimley to drop off the load of bait that Dynamite had donated to their Hospice charity event that Mark and Lorraine hold every year.

I would love to attend one year but the dates always coincide with the Linear BYCAC event which myself and Lee Collins Film and Present each year. Anyhow, onto the little club lake…

My time this year for various reasons has been limited to late afternoon into the following morning trips but had been doing OK I think.

So on arriving, I noticed that an area I had been slyly popping a bit of Marine Halibut Pellet into had an angler in it who came rushing out to say: ‘OH mate, I didn’t think you’d be down or I wouldn’t have gone in here!’

Now especially on small lakes, I don’t believe things like this can be avoided and commented so before adding a ‘be lucky’ at the end of our chat.

Off I marched with a little bucket and going around the far corner, I soon spotted quite a few carp sunning themselves.

It was yet again melting hot and I knew the area that they were sitting over was only about 4 foot deep so I claimed the peg and grabbed my gear.

This is where my Small Ridgemonkey boat has scored so well for me since Paul and Dave sent me it last December…

So a solid PVA bag of 3mm Dynamite Pellets with a cut down Ian Russell Choccy Malt Wafter on the rig was ever so slowly driven amongst the shoal and dropped. The second rod then followed and it was game on.

The next couple of hours bought three takes before they had had enough but 2x lovely doubles and a low 20 common were gratefully received.

I stayed put for the night hoping for an early morning bite but it was not to be.

My next little trip mirrored this one with three carp to upper doubles. I’m now on 15 overnighters there for 15 carp and 11 Tench to low doubles. As the Big girls are far out numbered by the double figure stockies, it’s a game of getting the bites and simply waiting for another biggy to come along.

I was off to another one of my favourite venues next for a 48-hourtrip with a friend if mine Marcus. We set up on the grassy bank side in adjacent swims however, the lake was obviously a bit off form as most of it was empty.

I had mixed up a couple of buckets of Dynamites Garlic Hemp, Mixed particles and XL Sweetcorn and a handful in each bucket of 12mm Monster Tiger Nut Boilies and we put out about half a bucket each.

Small solid bags were fished over the top of this mix and we sat back playing catchup.

Its so good to spend time with friends and its something I plan to do more of. Anyhow, it was to be mostly night bites and the first night produced just one carp to me and then a long lean upper 20 in the morning.

It really was fishing slow but never the less, I put out the remaining half a bucket for the night ahead and in massive winds and pouring rain managed another 5 carp to upper 20s on the second night.

Fishing solid bags in the pouring rain can be slightly awkward as you’ll probably understand! Re-wrapping the rod and applying the looped on bag in the Magnum bivvy and almost running down to the waters edge to cast it in would have been amusing viewing if only it wasn’t in the dark hours lol.

The morning brought glorious sunshine which gave us time to dry everything out before the off at 9 am.

Marcus weirdly had not received any takes at all but a really nice trip was had.

Now im getting ready to yet again travel to Linear to work at the aforementioned BYCAC event on Oxlease so for now, it’s goodbye and tight lines to you all .

-Ian Russell