First time on the bank this year

Was up at 6:45 as usual, to be at works unit for 7:45. Even though it took me about 10 minutues to get out of my estate, I still ventured in. I knew i would'nt be able to get to the site I was working on at the moment, but i thought there would be local jobs in town that could keep a few of us busy, but there was no small ones on, so i was sent home, unpaid!!

Seen as though I hadnt been able to get onto the bank since before Xmas due to all the things going on and most places being frozen over, I headed to my local "Ddrew Farm" Pool.

This lake is only about 2 acres with a small island in the middle and a stream running in and out either end. I expected there to be some areas that would be fishable, so i went for a look. I have fished her literally thousands of times when i was growing up and before being able to drive. My old man would drop me off on a Friday after school and then pick me up on a the Sunday night. The lake itself is full of common pastys averaging at 10lb. The biggest i have had out was 12lb or something. This was years ago when i thought i had caught the biggest carp alive! This lake is far from my usual type of venues but its better than being inside. It's only being a mile away from my house, so I'm used to going there now and again after work in the summer and taking them off the surface on hot August evenings, as you can see from the photos the conditions were far from that. There was areas around the Island that was frozen and all around the margins, but it was only a thin layer. The ducks were walking across and then dropping in when the ice gave way beneath them.







I managed to man up and stay there for just over 3 hours before my hands were numb. I think I could of easily managed a longer session, but i wasn't prepared as I literally jumped out of my works van, and into my carp van so had no drinks/food etc with me.

Although nothing was caught, it was good to get out and start the year off. Doesn't look like this bad frost with lift before the weekend so I'm not sure of the plan for carp is just yet, but i hope to get out.